by Martha Carr
The general sat at his desk looking through the classified material the PDF had gathered on Charlie Monaghan, his face growing more sour with every moment. “The son of a bitch thinks he can run for office in my country.” He looked stricken as he clicked through each file seeing the donations already pouring into an independent Political Action Committee to support a race for Senator. “Not as long as I have a breath left in my body. You will not defame this great nation.” The general’s teeth were clenched as he made a mental note of who was already on the Monaghan for Senate bandwagon. “Traitors, every one of them.” He rubbed his tired face with his hands and looked back at the screen. “I’m coming for every last one of you but especially you, Charlie Monaghan. Not revenge… won’t sink down into the gutter with you. Good old fashion justice and a nice cell locked away where no one will ever find you. Enjoy your time while you can because your time is coming to an end.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Leira drove home in the green Mustang, her legs still feeling weak from the power surge. For once she was grateful for the open parking spot right in front of her gate as she opened the door and waited a minute before lurching out of the car.
“Leira? Sorry I couldn’t wait and it was getting late so I thought I’d take a chance.” Alan Cohen was standing patiently by her gate, waiting for her.
“How long have you been here?” The muscles in Leira’s body were slow to respond as she made her way toward home. The sudden highs and lows of the power surge had spent her own energy.
Alan saw how weary she was and reached out his hand. “I take it that was no simple assignment.”
“I’m okay,” she said, turning down his offer of an assist. “I can still make it under my own power.”
“Never doubted it.” He smiled, looking away for a moment. “I had a feeling it was going to be a rough one. The general probably did too, which is why he sent you in. Those are all seasoned politicians who’ve seen the worst of what humanity has to offer and have been willing to dish it out pretty badly as well. It would take a lot to scare them back into their cages. Worth the wear and tear on your body and soul?”
“Always worth it. Not really a question I ask myself. It’s more about accomplishing the mission.” Leira stepped past him and opened the gate. The patio was jumping with the late night crowd. Estelle would be shooing them all toward the door in another hour. She was standing behind the bar on her stool, pouring out a set of shots, cigarette firmly clamped between her teeth, one eye closed against the swirling smoke. She gave a brief wave to Leira as she took the cigarette out of her mouth long enough to blow a long stream of smoke to the side. Her reading glasses were securely tucked into her towering red bouffant, ready for when she needed them. Ashes drifted from the end of the cigarette as she squinted, watching Alan and Leira make their way to the gate house.
Leira stopped at her door, her hand resting on the doorknob. “I’d ask you in but everyone’s probably asleep by now.” Her forehead wrinkled as she watched him shift his weight and study the nearby bushes, glancing over at the people gathered around the cornhole game. “You okay?”
“I haven’t been this nervous since I was back in eighth grade. He smiled and dug his hands in his pockets, unsure what to do with them. “I’m better at arresting people, even fighting that thing that wanted to suck us into nowheresville.”
“There’s a chance you’re making it worse…” Leira smiled and let out an easy laugh. “You’re sweating at night in the early spring. Outdoors.”
“Okay, right… Would you go out to dinner with me? On a date. It’d be a date, no work. This isn’t about an assignment.” The words spilled out of him.
Leira gave him a crooked smile, her eyes opening wider. “A date? Oh… Sure, yeah, okay. That’s something we could do.” Damn, just say yes.
“Okay… great.” Alan looked relieved and let out a breath he’d been holding. Ugh, I can breathe again.
Leira nodded, waiting for more… How long has it been since I was on a date? Months? Fuck… years? No… Has it? No… Yeah, I should definitely go.
“Right… okay… How about next weekend? Saturday… Saturday is good. Unless the world comes apart or magic blows something up.” Way to make it romantic. Think of something to say besides work. Nothing, I got nothing.
“Saturday works. I could do a date on a Saturday.” She smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear.
“What about the Lucky Robot? I hear good things. Pick you up at seven. I’ll drive… drive you, of course.” Fuck me, I’m babbling. Someone please shoot me now. Or shoot someone else and I’ll chase them.
Leira laughed. “This is really awkward, isn’t it?” She patted him on the arm, laughing. “I have no idea how to get out of this moment.”
“I’ll put us out of this misery and back away slowly,” he said, smiling. “Think I’ll go read some reports, go for a run…” He walked backwards for a few steps till his heel hit against a loose slate tile and he threw his arms up instinctively. Leira put out her hands to help him but he steadied himself. “Okay, now I’m really going. Bye…”
Leira smiled, nodding. “Good night.” She opened the door and went in to make it easier on both of them.
Estelle blew out a perfect round O blowing a steady stream of smoke right through the center. “About time that girl did a little something normal that didn’t involve a gun.” She poured half a glass of beer and took a slow sip looking out over the patio. “Not a bad night, all in all.”
General Anderson poured himself two fingers of Knob Creek whiskey in a cut glass. “Cheers.” He held the glass up for a moment, clinking it against the other glass and took a long slow sip. “Just the way I like it. No ice to bruise the flavor. But you already know that. You know everything there is to know about me. That’s hard to replace. I’ll bet you could even finish all of my sentences for me. Hell, you put most of the humanity into me. I think I’d be a certifiable jackass without you.” He had changed out of his uniform and was wearing an old pair of comfortable flannel plaid drawstring pajama bottoms and a faded Wu-Tang Clan t-shirt. His oversized Citadel ring clinked against the glass of whiskey.
He shook his head as he took another sip. “But hot damn the world has changed. It would curl your hair if you knew half of what I’ve seen lately. Hell, if I had enough hair left it would curl mine.” He let out a chuckle and set the glass down, still holding on to the edges. “Thank God for you and this refuge of a home. A place to go where the world makes sense even if it’s a simple home. It’s a damn fine good one and that’s all thanks to you. I know, I know, don’t be so damn modest. Okay, well I think I did a good job of standing up for America today. Put the interests of the average citizen above the power brokers. That will most likely come back to bite me in the ass, but we’ll deal with that on the day it happens.” He took another sip, feeling the smooth liquor warm his throat. “That felt pretty good. Oh and did I tell you about the wildlife sanctuaries that are being built? One in Alaska and one in Hawaii that will serve to keep a lot of precious cargo on this planet alive. Score one for mankind.” He sat back against the padded Caribbean blue cushion tied to the kitchen chair and rested his arm against the table as he lifted the glass. “Just for tonight, in this small hour all is right with the world. Goodnight my love.” He rubbed his hand against the shiny brass urn as he did every night. It was inscribed with the words, Some love lasts forever. Jessica Anderson. Beloved wife. Rest in eternal peace. “Till we meet again.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Turner Underwood stood on the back lawn of his estate slowly lifting his arms to the sides, his arms slightly bent at the elbows.
“You’ve been on this planet too long.” Jackson stood in the wet grass behind him, smiling broadly, his thumbs hooked in his belt. “You look like one of their antennas. Signaling aliens? No, wait, that’s us.”
Turner moved his arms to a different position, breathing deeply. “Good morning, Jackson. Still as impertinent as when you trained under me, I se
e.” He moved his arms through the tai chi position. “It’s called the white crane spreads its wings. You should try it sometime. Would help you get rid of a lot of that hostility you claim you don’t have.” Turner shut his eyes and felt the warmth of the early morning sun on his face. He let out a deep breath and moved to another position.
“Is your slow jam going to take much more time? It’s not like me to be early so I have to figure you knew I’d be here by now. Is this your backward way of teaching another important life lesson?” Jackson walked over to the nearby table set up with a hot pot of coffee and several mugs. “Best thing this planet has come up with. Hot coffee.”
Turner pressed his palms together against his chest and bowed to the sun, opening his eyes and making his way slowly to the table. “And your daughter.”
“That’s a recent bit of knowledge I’m still getting used to.” He picked up a croissant and turned it over, giving it a sniff. “Leira know you and I are old pals, yet? No, I didn’t think so. The inscrutable Turner Underwood likes to parcel out the information.”
Turner took the croissant from his hand and put it on a small white plate edged in silver for him. “How is fatherhood going so far?”
Jackson ignored the question and counted the coffee cups, touching each one just to annoy Turner. “Looks like we’re expecting a lot of company. Who else is coming to this party?”
Turner smiled slowly and stood back, getting his cane from where it rested against the stone wall.
A portal opened out on the lawn, the gold and silver sparks fizzing against the morning dew. Louie stepped cautiously onto the firm ground, testing his weight on his ankle. The portal snapped closed behind him and he hobbled toward the patio, a broad smile on his face. “I may need to borrow one of those fancy canes of yours, Turner. You have a spare?”
“What happened to you?” Jackson dug his fingers into the bowl of strawberries, stuffing some into his mouth and talking while he chewed. “You look like something finally managed to snack on you. Rough day at the office?”
“Something like that. Turns out there’s a few beasts I still haven’t heard of and don’t have a name for them. Shouldn’t there be a list by now?” Louie made his way to a seat and lowered himself heavily into the chair as he watched Jackson push a few more berries into his mouth. “Uh Jackson, what the fuck are you doing? I know you have a thing for free anything but slow down. There’s plenty.”
“I believe that is for my benefit so he can let me know how little he’s retained from what I poured into him. He’s hoping I feel regret for giving him so much of my time.” Turner lowered his eyelids and looked at Jackson. “I do not. Some things take longer to grow and mature but in the end, the plant flourishes or dies. Either one is acceptable.”
Jackson swallowed hard, laughing as Louie smiled, the creases in his face deepening.
They could hear the sound of a car approaching as the green Mustang came up the long driveway and parked in the front. Leira and Correk made their way around to the back of the house as Louie pulled a chair in front of him and rested his bandaged leg. Jackson glanced down at the swollen ankle, his eyebrows raised. “Don’t ask,” said Louie. “Eyes popping out, bones crushing, heads rolling across a cave floor. This was the least of it.”
“The usual shit, then.” Jackson shook his head. “You’ll have to tell me later. You’ll buy, of course.”
Leira headed straight for the coffee, pouring herself a cup and drinking half of it down, refilling the cup. “Best invention ever. What?” She looked up at Turner’s smiling face as she took another gulp, topping off the cup again. She poured another cup and handed it to Correk. “He gets the really good beans from Hawaii. It’s like a coffee experience.”
Correk took the cup and went to lean against the stone wall. Leira went and stood next to him as Louie winked at her and said, “Morning.” Correk rolled his eyes and sent a small pea-sized ball of light to nudge the chair with his leg in it. Louie winced but smiled as he sat up straighter in the chair. “That one was probably earned,” he said.
“Did you bring it?” Turner Underwood held out his hands to Leira as she fished the dish towel out of her pocket and gave it to him. “Very good. We are halfway there.” He unfolded the towel and laid it on the table, exposing the bracelet. “A rarified artifact full of both Elven, Wizard and human magic. Very rare and interesting combination.” He rubbed his chin, feeling the day’s growth against his skin.
“The stone is missing.” Correk turned the bracelet over, looking at the empty setting. “How important is that piece?”
“Vital,” said Turner. “Without it, this is a useless half measure. And it’s not just any stone. It must be one that has more than the usual power to fuel the bracelet. One that has the same mixture of elements but in higher doses. They exist but…”
“We’re looking for a stone among a billion stones on two planets.” Leira looked out toward the lake, watching a pair of ducks swim around each other. In the distance a kayaker forged a path resolutely across the water.
“How would we recognize the stone?” Correk stood back, his hands on his hips.
“That part is actually relatively simple. Few would be able to handle it, even among the magical community and even among humans. It would spark or burn their hands. To someone who can channel more energy, more efficiently it would give off a strong hum or vibration. Might even make someone feel lightheaded or stoned.” Turner tapped his cane against the ground and let out a deep sigh. “This is our next quest.”
Jackson sat forward and thumped Louie on his good leg. “You think you can do this?”
“Time is of the essence.” Correk turned to Leira. “Your ability to channel energy only grows stronger and you won’t always be able to find someone to help you tamp it down.” He brushed a hand against her back, putting it back down by his side but not before Jackson noticed.
Louie was ignoring all of them, staring at the bracelet. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his lucky stones, rolling them through his hands. Zaps most, burns a few. Sounds familiar. He looked at the size of the setting and down at his hand. Only one of the stones from the estate sale managed to give a few customers at the Dark Market a jolt. The large, blood red stone with a thin sliver of gold running through it. Contact high first time I squeezed it in my hand. My luckiest stone. First the sword, now this. Okay, I can do this. Without saying a word, Louie leaned forward and took the bracelet, turning the stone around and around till it dropped neatly into place not quite meeting the sides. The stone rattled in the setting, melting into a liquid and spreading out till it filled the edges. Light glowed from every side as it bubbled, slowly hardening until it fit the setting exactly. Louie looked up to see everyone standing closer to him, their eyes wide. He held up the bracelet to Leira, a crooked smile on his face. “Something like this, right?”
“Absolute miracle. Exactly as it was described.” Turner urged Leira. “Go on, take it. Put it on.”
Leira put out her hand and was surprised to see her fingers shaking. She picked it up and barely felt the hum as she slid it onto her wrist.
Correk took her hands and looked her in the eyes. “Okay, this is where you take it for a test drive. Danger is minimum. We’re all standing here, ready to ground you if things don’t go as planned. Think of a task for the magic and let the energy lead the way.”
Leira looked up into his eyes. “I trust you.” She squeezed his hands and let go, pulling in energy from the ground as the symbols burned brightly on her arms, spreading up her neck. She relaxed into it, focusing on a task. Show me the sanctuary. Keep it safe.
She gasped and arched her back as the energy rushed through her in a gust, billowing out in a widening stream of light as she watched the images emerge in front of her. The energy sought out first the sanctuary in Texas, circling around the grounds and running over the mossy areas, sensing all was well. With another surge, Leira relaxed her shoulders and felt it cross the veil into Oriceran without usin
g a portal. She let herself be swept up into it, all worries falling away as the light sought out the Dark Forest.
Correk’s muscles tensed as he watched her eyes glow like embers, her mind somewhere else. I trust you, too. He waited, encircling her with his own energy, sensing if she was going too far over the edge.
The symbols along her arms flipped over faster and faster as Turner did his best to keep up, reading them as they sought out their target.
Leira felt the energy rushing through the dense trees into the darkness under the thick canopy. It had found its task. Leaves rustled and animals lifted their heads and turned to run as they sensed the magic flowing rapidly through the woods. Just at the far edge near the Land of Terran Leira could see smugglers moving elephants into large pens to transport across the nearby ocean. The magic burst forth, splitting the pens in two as the elephants reared up, curling their trunks and trumpeting an alarm. The Elves and Wizards tried to calm the elephants, spinning the same magical spell to soothe them that had worked just moments ago but were horrified to see it had no effect.
Leira opened her hands wider, taking long, deep even breaths as the energy swirled around them, sucking the air out of them and throwing the thieves to the ground. The elephants trumpeted their distress again, running toward the deeper parts of the forest as the men did their best to stand or crawl toward their carts. “Get out of here! The Gardener will be here soon!” yelled a Wizard.
Spalding stood on the edge of the swirl of magic and watched, his muscles straining to hold him up as he scowled even as he marveled at the magic blowing around him, his tunic clinging to his frame. Charlie Monaghan will not be happy about this turn of events. Someone with more power than he has is playing with us now.
Leira felt the magic pull back on its own, her left arm where the bracelet sat, shaking visibly. Jackson reached out to touch her but Turner gave a sharp, “No!” and knocked his hand away with the top of his cane.
