by Martha Carr
“How is this number two? You didn’t even have the key card the first time!”
The bellhop rolled his eyes, pressing his lips together to keep himself from saying what he was really thinking. What a knob. I hope whatever’s in here eats him. Then, I’ll apply for his job. This could turn into a really good day.
He inserted the card, pulling it back out again as the green light flickered and he turned the handle, touching it as little as possible. He pushed the door open, holding it there with his foot as the junior manager leaned down and pushed a rubber wedge into the bottom of the door.
“There, now we can get a really good look.” He smiled as he looked at his handiwork, pleased that he thought to bring it with him.
The bellhop’s mouth hung open as he stared into the room. Bubbling was appearing in the middle of the hotel room at his eye level as if the fabric of the air was overheating or some horrible transparent rash was developing and clinging to the atmosphere. The bubbling spread, making it hard for him to see the window behind it, and bulged toward the two men. “Do… do you…do you see that too?”
“What now? Is this another one of your… Holy crap!” The junior manager looked up annoyed, in time to see an arm push through the bubbling, sticky film.
“You almost expect someone to yell out bubble, bubble, toil and trouble,” muttered the bellhop. He reached out and clutched the junior manager’s sleeve.
A muscled shoulder appeared as the hand reached out further, looking for something to hold onto to pull itself out of the world in between. The head emerged of the old King of Oriceran, still in battle gear and full leather armor from his battle with Rhazdon outside the old castle eight hundred years ago. His long silver hair tied back with a thin strip of leather. He yelled out, bellowing as his other arm emerged and he ripped the veil between the two worlds, stepping into room 302 of the Driskill Hotel, towering over the two men still cowering by the door, frozen to the spot with shock and fear.
“We should run.”
“Yeah, we should run. That’s a very good idea.”
Neither one of them could take their eyes off the tall Elven king in leather armor still holding onto his sword. “Where is this hell hole?” bellowed the king as he looked around at the thick carpet and paisley pattern on the quilted bedspread.
“Austin?” chirped the bellhop.
The junior manager swallowed hard and finally stood up straighter. “I’ll have you know this is one of the finest hotels in town!”
The old king lifted his sword over his head as the two men gasped and clung to each other, backing up to the far wall in the hallway.
The king swiveled and wielded his sword, slashing at something trying to claw its way out of the world in between as a black mist puffed and a thick stench hung in the room. More grey arms appeared in the rip, the flesh hanging off their bones and long claws slicing at the air. “I need fire! Bring me a torch!” The king slashed left and right as limbs flew into the air, turning into puffs of black mist as more arms came up to replace them.
The bellhop ran his hands frantically over his jacket trying to remember where he left his Zippo lighter, finally finding it in his pants pocket. He got it out, lighting the small flame and leaned toward the king, taking a few steps into the room. “Here,” he said, his hand shaking.
The junior manager slapped his hand on his cheek. “Are you fucking kidding me? That’s going to do the trick?” The color had drained from his face, but he couldn’t bring himself to move off the spot where he stood.
The king turned, grabbing the lighter and held it close to the bubbling, catching it on fire as it sizzled and popped. Cries of anguish erupted from the world in between as the opening burned and the veil sealed itself. The fire burned itself out, tar dripping onto the carpet quickly burning a round hole everywhere it spilled.
The king turned, slashes along his arms and sheathed his sword. “I’m in search of a beast that escaped from the world in between. Can either of you help me?”
The junior manager’s eyes rolled into the back of his head as he teetered back and slid down the wall out cold.
The king looked to the bellhop as he curled his hands into fists just under his chin, keeping his elbows pressed against his body. “A… a beast? Um, there was a report of something weird a day or two ago,” he stammered. “What are you?” The bellhop waved his hand in the direction of the king’s pointed ears. “Fucking Lord of the Rings or something? That is the most badass special effect I’ve ever seen! How the hell did you do that?”
“I’m the King of Oriceran in search of the beast that controls the dark mist.” The king stepped forward, the ground shaking under his footsteps.
“Okay, cool… staying in character. I can dig it. You guys ever use extras?”
“Never was, never will be…” Turner Underwood got to the doorway as the bellhop froze in place. “Come on, we don’t have much time, your highness. The spell doesn’t last but a few minutes. Welcome to Earth.”
“Earth? Have the gates opened again? It can’t be that long since I fell into that abyss. Who are you?”
Turner doffed his hat and bowed. “I am your old friend, Turner Underwood, although unlike you I have aged quite a bit, and no, it’s only been about eight hundred years. Long enough.”
“Turner,” gasped the king. “You’ve gotten older my friend.” The king clapped Turner on the shoulder as Turner walked toward the stairs.
“I brought you some clothes that should fit. You can change in the stairwell. It’s good to see you again too, your majesty. I thought you were lost to us forever.”
“I recognize that room. The world in between opened up there before, didn’t it?”
“Yes, and you fought bravely alongside your grandson, Prince Rolim.” Turner led the king quickly down the hallway and to the stairs, holding open the door. “We should hurry. This city puts up with a lot, but this may test their love of the weird.”
“The beast has escaped from the world in between. We have to find him before it’s too late.”
“We will, but first let’s get to a more secure location. A reunion is in order.”
“You don’t understand… The beast, he’s a friend. Lucius is alive.”
Turner’s face paled as he hesitated and shook his head. “Even more reason to hurry. The old way of doing things is changing with every day even as our pasts are coming back to haunt us.”
Chapter Nine
The patio at Estelle’s was festooned with white papier mache streamers tied from tree to tree and glass bowls of white magnolias with thick green, leathery leaves floating in the bowls. White linen table cloths were thrown over the glass top tables near the corn hole pit and the side of the bar was draped with strings of little white lights along the front. The bigger picnic tables were moved to one side to leave room for dancing on the slate patio.
A Closed for a Celebration sign was hung on the front door, decorated with white roses.
Eireka and Don were under strict orders not to arrive early for the bridal shower that Cassidy and Kimberly kept calling the bride and groom shower. Mitzi rolled her eyes at that one but for once didn’t add in her two cents. Leira, Correk and Mara were keeping them busy walking on Main Street in nearby Fredericksburg, Texas. Yumfuck was neatly tucked in Leira’s purse, lounging in a soft pair of panties, being kept quiet with samples from the different shops.
The regulars were back at Estelle’s pitching in without being asked and were throwing orders back and forth at each other.
“Put the little fork on the outside. No, on top of the napkins.”
“For Pete’s sake, Craig, you’re standing across from me. It’s not a mirror. To your left. Other left.”
“Okay, I got more ice. Where do I put it?”
“Hey, did anyone get those little colored mints? You know, the little pink and yellow ones. I love those.”
“Mitzi, you’re gonna have to hold Lemon. She’s already licked the icing clean off one cupcake.”<
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“Mike, did you bring the song list like I asked?”
“Oooh, we don’t have much time left, we better get a move on.”
Estelle came through the middle of the whirlwind, her red bouffant decorated with a small gold pixie hair clip, a cigarette dangling from her lips. She took a look at the progress and gave a satisfied nod to her head and went back to tend the smoker. She had been up since before the sunrise tending to the brisket and making sure the coolers were stocked with enough beer and there was enough whiskey behind the bar for everyone. Just this once, Estelle was going to break one of her own hard and fast rules and have an open bar.
She went and got on her stool and took the short stub of a cigarette out of her mouth, blowing out a perfect O, expertly blowing another, smaller O straight through the center. She chuckled and looked out over the patio, satisfied with the efforts. “Nothing but the best for the Berens’ women,” she said as she ground out the cigarette and headed inside.
“It’s time! It’s time!” Micky clapped her hands as Scott helped Mitzi check the tables one last time.
Toni, and some of the others from the Jackalope came in greeting the regulars like old friends. Kimberly and Paul made sure everyone had a cold drink in their hands as the volume quickly picked up. Eireka and Don came through the side gate unnoticed with Leira, Correk and Mara right behind them. They stood off to the side smiling and holding hands and waited for others to notice they had arrived.
Leira quietly slipped over to the guest house and went inside, carrying her purse to the couch. Yumfuck was out of the purse before it even landed, scrambling to the top of the couch and leaping off again, excited from the sounds of the party outside.
“I hate to do it to you, but this is Mom’s day and she’s earned it and then some. Nesturnium. Don’t look at me like that. I’ll bring you plenty of food all night long. Won’t even make you wait till the end. And look, I got you all the Superman movies and even a Green Lantern and the old Wonder Woman TV show. Get a little Linda Carter action. You can spin around and… no? You’ll have a blast. Wait, one more thing.”
She ran to the kitchen and got the large container of cheese puffs down from the shelf in the pantry and went back to find the troll already working the remote.
“This should tide you over for a while. They’re all yours.”
“Trolls are great at parties, you know.” He stuck his tongue out at her but finished with a cackle.
“Proven fact, I know. You’d even make a helluva deejay but maybe we don’t educate the regulars today about the coming magic. How about we save that for say, after the wedding?”
“Your energy is different,” squeaked Yumfuck. “Something about you has changed. You can get to your feelings more easily. What’s up, sister? What’d you do?”
“Great, a nosey troll. I miss the days when you would only cackle at me. Mind your business. You don’t see me asking you where you’ve been on your walkabouts, even after you managed to get so many hits with that reporter’s video on YouTube. And I could have sworn I smelled bacon on you once. Then there was the time you reeked of old lady perfume. I was not sure I even wanted to know…”
“Okay, okay. Point taken. Have a good time.” He blew her a raspberry as he pulled out a cheese puff, smelling it first before opening his mouth wide and pushing it in, chomping as fast as he could till it was gone. “And repeat…”
“I’m out of here. Better there are no witnesses to what you’re about to do with that entire jar.” She glanced at the ceiling and the perfectly round orange circles. “I’ll paint over those some day.”
Leira straightened the front of her green dress and stepped outside, closing the door behind her. Eireka and Don were surrounded by people asking them questions, admiring the ring and making toasts. Correk was standing in back with a beer in his hand, smiling. Leira went and stood next to him, taking his beer from his hand and taking a long swig, handing it back.
“You look pretty good in a suit. You should try it more often.”
“I’ve needed more battle gear during my time on Earth than suits. Maybe something flame retardant. Too soon? You look pretty good in a dress. Reminds me of that ball we went to in Chicago.”
“Seems like a million years ago, now. So much has happened.”
Correk put his hand in the small of Leira’s back and rested it there as Estelle passed behind them, a new cigarette dangling from her lips. “Bout dang time,” she said, without breaking her stride. “Here, you can have your own beer and swap spit later.” She handed Leira a Shinerbock and took Correk’s empty bottle from his hand, handing him another.
Leira looked at the smile across her mother’s face and at Toni and Mara laughing, their mouths wide open and heads back. “I want to remember this moment forever. It’s perfect. I have everything I want and then some.”
Correk saw the flash of pain come across her face. “It will last, and if it doesn’t we will rebuild it together.”
“I know that darkness is coming and harder times. I can feel it and all the signs are flashing it like neon on a no-tell motel.” She shook her head, determined. “Nope, today we celebrate this. Just this. A little piece of happiness between two people who waited a helluva of a long time to be together.”
The gate opened and Hagan stood there in his best suit, holding it open for Rose who was carrying a pie.
“Felix, you came!” Eireka broke away from the cluster of people around her and went to greet them.
“I made a pie, I hope you don’t mind. I know the invitation said no gifts, but I wanted to bring a little something from us. Oh, the tables look lovely! Felix and I are so happy for you.”
Leira came and stood beside Hagan, giving him a dead fish look.
“What’s the look for, Berens?”
“Just getting used to everyone calling you, Felix. It’s an adjustment.”
“It’s my great-grandfather’s name, a distinguished cowboy in his days from these parts. This is a great day, Berens. Even left my gun at home in the lock box. Rose insisted, but I would have done it anyway. Boy, when I first met you I did not see the story taking a turn like this. I mean, you were holding it together just fine, but I saw you more as a great cop and a permanent loner. Now, you’re a great Fed and surrounded by people.” He shook his head with a chuckle “You might just make an optimist out of me yet. Well, if it weren’t for all the dark magic running loose.”
“Yeah, there’s still that… but today there’s this. Our family grows by one more and he’s a good one.”
Rose was moving through the crowd occasionally looking back at Hagan and Leira.
“How’s Rose adjusting to knowing magic is real?”
“Better than I thought she would. Of course, I left out all the dark and harrowing parts, but I did that when I was working homicide. It’s bad enough we have to know the darker side of all kinds of beings. You know, I don’t think you’re supposed to be hanging back here with me. Go greet your guests, be with your mother and grandmother and make some good memories. Store them up…”
“…in the face of what’s to come.”
Hagan hesitated but finally shrugged. “Well, yeah… maybe. Or maybe it will just be for your old age. Go, I’m gonna get a beer and chat up a few of the regulars about bowling. Maybe even join the team.”
Hagan turned to go toward the bar just as Estelle walked by him holding out a cold Rocket 100 still in the can. She didn’t even break stride. “God, I love that woman,” he said, taking a deep swig.
Leira was already getting a tight hug from Toni, her soft afro bobbing with her excitement. Hagan let out a troubled sigh, making sure to keep a smile on his face as he made his way around to Correk. Michael held up his beer in a toast as the gathering all cheered and Hagan held up his as he sidled up next to Correk.
“I was listening to the police scanner on the way over here. Habit. There was interesting chatter about something weird going down at the Driskill Hotel. Something about a hairy beast
changing into a man and leaving a big mess on the third floor. A lot of unidentified goo left everywhere.”
Correk’s eyes grew wide and he turned to look at Hagan, his eyes narrowing.
“No, no,” said Hagan, “this is a party. Nothing we can do about it now. Keep a smile planted on your face for those three women over there. If you don’t, I’m pretty sure the tiny redheaded one who runs this show will do a fine job of kicking your ass.”
Hagan forced himself to relax and take in slow, even breaths. “The world in between is even spitting out shifters.”
“Shifters with a dark cloud kind of trailing behind them. Maybe the thing has finally taken shape.”
“When this party is over, we will go check it out.”
Neither one noticed Turner Underwood standing behind them, a pink rose in his lapel, leaning forward, resting on his cane. “I have a better idea, gentlemen.”
“You really have to teach me how you do that one, Turner.” Correk took a sip of his beer to hide being startled all over again by the old Fixer.
“It’s in those books. Takes years of practice to get it just right. Fun at parties, too.” He smiled but his eyes were icy. “Correk, find me later. I have an old friend I want to introduce you to. For now, how about we drop the shop talk and enjoy the day. I hear there’s brisket!”
Correk waded back into the center of the party as the toasts progressed until Estelle made everyone get in line and eat till they couldn’t move. Craig threatened to undo the top button of his pants but one look from Mitzi and he dropped the idea. Even Lemon got her fill of brisket and true to her word, Leira dropped off food with the troll. Enough to keep him happy.
The sun was setting by the time the last stragglers finally, happily left through the bar, slapping each other on the back and laughing together. Only Hagan and Rose, Turner Underwood and Leira and Correk were left. Even the happy couple had headed off together somewhere and Estelle was busy in the kitchen directing the staff in the clean up.
