by T S Paul
“Did you ever consider what losing that many pack members would do to the economy of the town?” Bowen asked.
I pursed my lips. “To be truthful? No. It wasn’t my job or my mission at the time. We were searching for missing children. The war was just collateral damage. Our mission here really is hunting a rogue who we suspect to be a serial killer. Unless you have rival packs vying for control of the town, you can’t say this investigation is the same as the one in Arkansas.”
“True. But what happens if you find something outside your purview?” The sheriff asked.
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the deputy grip his sidearm tightly. Unconsciously I sent a message to Defender, and a shield popped up between the locals and us. “We represent the government. If it’s illegal, and you failed to prevent it, we are obligated to do so. Sheriff, we aren’t the enemy. There is a monster out there burning women alive. Stopping that from happening again is my only goal here.” I cut my eyes toward the deputy.
Sheriff Bowen saw my look and followed my eyes. “Henry, go back inside!”
The deputy jumped and drew his sidearm. Chuck tensed up and took a step toward me. I could feel a sudden warmth as a fireball formed inside my cupped hand. My combat reflexes were much tighter than they used to be.
“Henry listen to me very carefully. Put your sidearm away and step back.” The sheriff made a calming motion with his hands.
The very jittery deputy looked at Chuck and me with wild eyes. His gun was gripped tightly in his hands. As I watched, the barrel came up just a tiny bit.
Defender beat me to it. Henry stood stock still as my guardian bracelet froze him in place, his gun pointing at me.
“Henry!” Sheriff Bowen grabbed his man.
“He’s just fine, just frozen. I didn’t want to get shot over a conversation.” I nodded to Chuck who stepped forward and removed the deputy’s weapon.
“Fix him!” Bowen cried.
I made a swirling motion with my hand at the same time I made the request to Defender. Theatrics is half of Magick.
Henry stumbled forward and raised his hand up. The surprised look on his face was priceless.
Chuck ejected the magazine and racked the slide. A single round shot out. Catching it in midair, he carefully handed the weapon back to the officer. The magazine he handed to the sheriff, “Fewer accidents this way.”
“You... You.” Sheriff Bowen stuttered for a moment. Glaring, he turned to me. “I need to discuss this with the city council.” Grabbing Henry, the sheriff walked back to his office.
“That went well. We make friends everywhere we go,” Cat said sarcastically from the doorway of the bus.
“It takes skill. Did you call the realtor?” I asked without looking.
“I did. While he would love to sell us the property, the owner was more than happy to rent it to us. Is a month too long?” She asked me.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t take that long. The only way the sheriff can legally remove us now is by court order or have the Director do it. I doubt either option will work. He may still come around.” I turned to Chuck and smiled. “Good work with the pistol.”
Chuck laughed. “I’ve always wanted to do that.”
“And now you have. Let me set some proper wards, and we can get back to work.” I told them.
Muttering to myself, I set Magickal wards all around the bus. They would protect against a moderate attack allowing us time to respond. I could open and close them without having to start over. Practice does make perfect.
Double checking my work, I went back into the bus. I had a phone call to make.
<<<>>>
Gundi Moon closed her phone and looked around the table at the pack elders. “Joseph says the Witch isn’t leaving. She actually rented the property that bus is sitting on.”
Pulling out his phone Robert Aaron spoke, “I can fix that. Which realtor is it?”
“All-Star,” Gundi replied.
Robert slammed his phone down on the table. “Remember what I said about letting outsiders take positions in our town? It was because of stuff like this.”
“We have to let people into town. It’s America. They think that it’s their right. Remember what happened post-war?” Adam pointed out.
Everyone at the table nodded. When the war ended, and peace was restored, their militia unit took over the town. Many of the locals had either been killed or relocated during the battles, so there were very few to contest the move. When the ‘carpetbaggers’ from the North arrived in town, Moon’s unit got rid of them. The expression, riding them out of town on a rail, was appropriate for what they did.
“That was fun. We should do it to this Fed.” Nate pointed out.
“No. Idiot boy. She’s a Witch. If you try to tar and feather her, she’ll fry you like an egg. Do you really want actual troops here like last time? We were lucky to survive it then,” Gundi spat.
Several of the men nodded remembering the mounted cavalry unit that responded to the calls of distress and rebellion from the so-called government representatives of the time. They were fortunate that none of them were former slaveholders or official Confederates. None of Moon’s troop were listed as combatants.
“She’s right. We cannot prevent new people from moving in. But we can educate them when they screw up. Plan a little re-education for the All-Star offices. Get the inductees to do it. They’re eager enough.” Adam directed.
“Where do we stand on the induction?” Gundi asked.
Jack pulled out a sheet of paper. “Fourteen applicants this go-round. Eight have families ready to move in at a moments notice. The other seven have vital job experience. Everything from mechanic to a hairdresser. It’s the best group in years.”
“Get moving on indoctrination then. Restrict their movements to town for now. If we want to keep them, we must keep them away from the feds.” Adam commented.
“One of them might be who the Witch is looking for. Joseph said they weren’t sure if it was a man or woman. Just that they were a serial killer.” Gundi told the group.
Adam grunted. “Fine. Spread them around. All of you have rentals or vacant property. Use what you have to accommodate them. Trials start tomorrow.”
Adam leaned closer to his sister. “Do we know if the Feds are right about any of them?”
The other men at the table pretended to ignore their leader's conversation.
“It’s a trick. It has to be. She’s really here for us. We need to stay on the up and up for everything.” Gundi replied.
“Fine. It’s your program. Run it as usual.” Adam directed.
<<<>>>
“Madeline, we might have a problem with Sheriff Bowen,” I informed her.
“Can you still chase this person down without his help?” She asked.
I considered the problem. “I think so. We could contact the state police if forced to. He left a lot unsaid in our conversation, but he did confirm that there is a pact here between the Weres and humans. Our biggest problem is real-time intel. Chuck’s unable to find any satellite tasking. He says everything is tied up working on something called Vermillion.”
The director sucked in a breath. “That is a problem. Can anyone hear this conversation? I know that Weres can hear more than standard humans.”
I held the phone away from my head for a moment and stared at it. Quickly I returned it. “I’m in Anastasia’s room. As long as door stays shut everything you say is private.
“Cast a spell anyway for me, please. This information is super secret.” The Director asked.
I murmured a small cantrip enclosing the room in a soundproof bubble. “OK. We’re isolated from the rest.
“I’m verbally clearing you for the first part of Vermillion. But only the first part. If the plan goes sideways, you may be called in, but only if the first part fails. A short time ago there was a demon sighting in the news. Did you see it?” She asked.
“Yes. Fergus spotted it actually,” I replied.
“It was a real one. Not a new infestation. Our partners in Italy obtained the original footage and pinpointed the location.” Madeline told me.
Anything demonic was bad news for everyone. Of all the supernatural creatures they were the absolute worst. “Where is it?”
“Sicily. We’ve located where the Strega have been hiding,” she told me. “Every detail of their location is being mapped and explored. A strike team will drop and destroy everyone and everything there. Closing any demonic portal is our main priority.”
“I understand. What about their resources inside the United States? I asked.
“Unknown at this time. If you and your team are needed, we will talk about this again. We aren’t sure if the demonic activity is even related to the Strega and the Missionaries of Death. Just that its location is the same. Concentrate on your hunt and get the killer. Try not to burn the town down in the process. I can’t let you into this one, Agatha.” Director Mills explained.
I sighed. “Fine. No satellites. Chuck thinks he can use the Boogle system instead. But not until tomorrow...”
“... when the next one is scheduled over you. Good thinking,” the director finished my thought for me.
“Do you know when Anastasia is coming back to us or that other guy? I’m really going to need some help soon.” I remarked.
“Expect Miss Romanoff in a few days. She’s asked for transport from Eastern Europe, and I approved it. Agent Blake is en route. He could be there today or next week. I don’t have his itinerary,” she answered.
“Alrighty then. That’s all I’ve got. Did you need anything else from me?” I asked.
Madeline sighed into the phone. “Agatha. I know you’re not happy about the Strega situation, but even I have to take orders sometimes. If something pops, you’ll be the first one I call. OK?”
“OK. Thanks, Madeline,” I replied.
I hung up the phone and released the spell. The room was dark, and all I could do was stare at where the door should be. The Strega had a lot to answer for. Now we were cut out of the whole thing. I would see their end. For me it was personal.
“Any news?” Cat asked as I stepped out of Anastasia’s room.
I smiled. “Some. Ana should be home sometime soon. No word on the new guy.”
“What about my satellite?” Chuck asked.
“That’s a no-go buddy. There is a big project which I can’t talk about. She approved you using Boogle though. If it’s not one thing, it’s something else. Where do we stand with local information?” I replied.
Cat shook her head. “The Sheriff’s people have clammed up. I’ve got DOT camera access to the rest stops on either end of town as well as the traffic cams. But that’s it. The city government has stopped talking as well. Do you think it’s Moon doing this?”
“It might be. Keep on it. The city is supposed to have all of its records stored online. See if you can get into them that way. I’ll send a note to the Director about giving us access on the state level. We may be here longer than we expect to be,” I replied to her.
“Hey, boss?” Chuck called me.
“What’s up buddy?” I asked.
“Check camera three.” He pointed to the main screen which changed to an outside shot.
One thing I liked about this bus was it was a real command center. We had cameras and everything like the regular government ones.
The view from outside showed a tall man dressed in an FBI standard suit acting like a mime at the park. He was moving in slow motion waving his arms.
I pinched my eyes closed and started laughing. “What is that supposed to be?”
“It might be our new Agent. Wanna bet he’s never seen that good of a ward before?” Cat giggled.
“Oh, Lord.” I waved my hand, and the portion of the ward in front of the human disappeared.
As we watched, the suited figure stumbled forward when the ‘wall’ disappeared and fell face forward onto the grassy lawn. Chuck barked a laugh and laid his face on the keyboard in front of him.
“We’re recording this, right?” I asked.
“Yup. Please tell me I can share it,” Chuck asked.
“Send a copy to Melissa and the Bs. They won’t spread it too far, and they love stuff like this.” I instructed him.
“That I can do. OK if Mongo gets a copy?” He asked.
I turned from the comedy show and looked at Chuck. “Sure, but tell him I’ll turn him purple if he shares it with anyone. I mean it, Chuck.”
Chuck held up his palms. “Message received. You know he’ll die when he sees this.”
The new guy stood up and carefully brushed himself off. He looked around to see if anyone was watching him. Stepping carefully he approached the entrance to the bus and knocked.
Cat beat me to it. Opening the door, she asked who it was.
“My name is Agent George Blake. I’m expected.”
Holding out her hand, Cat welcomed him. “Welcome to the Magical Division Agent Blake. I’m Agent Catherine Moore.”
Chapter 11
LJ watched the woman as she exited the store. She resembled his mother so much they might’ve been sisters. Unlike all the others, this one might chase the demons away that plagued him so much. He tried to not appear as if he was staring, but it was so hard. He imagined that he could smell the sweet musky scent of her hair from where he stood. Dark thoughts filled his brain as he watched her load her car and leave. She was too perfect to be real.
Cranking his bike he cruised through town keeping two cars back from his target. He so wanted this new pack to be different from the rest. All the gangs claimed that the Moon Pack was different. They actually cared about their pack, the leaders of the Hell Valkyries had told him.
“That town belongs to them. The humans all pay tribute,” the Satan’s Pelts said. LJ wanted to believe all of them. He really did. But too many times in the past other people took advantage and screwed him over.
The car containing his dream woman picked up speed as it approached the highway on-ramp. LJ said a silent prayer for her to not live outside of town. As a possible inductee, he wasn't supposed to leave town without permission.
Somehow his prayer was answered, and she turned just past the overpass and headed toward the den. A shadow of doubt and frustration passed over LJ. Was she associated with the pack?
“Idiot child! I wish you’d never been born!” LJ winced as his mother’s voice echoed in his head.
“Shut up, mom I’ve got this.” He muttered to himself.
The woman’s car pulled into the Blood Moon parking lot and stopped out front. He rode past the entrance and made a U-turn. It wouldn’t do to give the impression of stalking the woman. He pulled into the RV lot and motored down to the restaurant entrance. As he pulled in, he could see her bent over into the trunk.
His bike made its distinctive Put-Put-Put noise as he pulled up next to the car. “Need any help?”
Gundi had heard the motorcycle but was surprised when this stranger actually spoke to her. Sniffing the air, she could tell he was a wolf. Her eyes narrowed automatically. “Who are you and why are you in our territory?”
LJ pulled back in surprise. This beautiful woman was a Were. Exposing his throat, he replied, “LJ Austin, I’m one of the new inductees.”
Gundi let out a growl but nodded. “Grab some of this and follow me inside.”
Looking into the trunk, LJ could see a half dozen cases of beer and several boxes of groceries. He made a small pile and picked it all up. “Where to?”
“Straight through the main doors and hang a left into the kitchen,” Gundi replied. She picked up the remaining bits and pieces.
Twisting his body, LJ backed into the door to not spill anything. He’d only been inside once on the day he arrived. It smelled less like humans and more like smoked meat today. The door to the kitchen was ajar.
“If you don’t want to die an early death, you will let me go first,” Gundi said from behind him.
LJ cocked
his head to one side as he looked behind him. “Sure.”
The female Were snorted and pushed past him. She didn’t care if the groceries fell or not. They were his responsibility now. Stepping into the kitchen, she smiled at all the modern equipment but frowned at her brother and the kitchen staff.
“Get your damn feet off my table and wipe up that mud.” She barked at them. “This isn’t a barn.”
Adam leaned back in his chair and put his other foot up on the table with a thump. “I seem to remember building this place.”
Gundi stepped forward and shoved the offending feet off the steel prep table, “and you gave the kitchen to me. Out!” She pointed toward the rear door.
LJ took that moment to stagger into the kitchen, his stack of boxes teetering. “Uh, help?”
Robert and Jack stood up from the table and grabbed the beer cases as they tumbled off the top of the pile.
“Stupid child! Look what you did? I’m telling your father when he gets home about this!” LJ flinched as the beer started to tumble. The screaming voice inside his head didn’t help give him any extra courage here.
“Picking up strays now, sis?” Adam asked oblivious to LJ’s voices.
“He says he’s one of yours. Rode up to the front door on an ugly ass bike,” Gundi replied.
Adam sniffed the air and looked around his sister. “Ah, I know you now. Gundi, meet LJ. I don’t remember your last name.”
LJ set the remnants of the pile on the table and stepped back. “Austin, sir.”
“Sir. He’s polite. Something rare in a recruit.” Adam leered at his sister.
Gundi smirked. “Whatever. Did you load the smokers and get that firewood I ordered?”
“Of course. We were just discussing the weekend. Do you want us to get you some deer or something?” Adam asked.
“What I want is for the prep work to be finished and the meat cooked. It doesn’t smell like it’s cooking. Did you forget to light the pit again?” Gundi tapped her toe on the floor.
