by TR Cameron
“Minimalism much?” she muttered.
Beside her, Tanyith gave a small laugh. “It’s beautiful, though.”
“What do you think a room costs here per night? Like, a thousand dollars?”
Cara, who had probably heard her through the comms since she was a few steps away to the left, replied, “Money wouldn’t do it. This is only for those who are invited.”
She frowned. “Who does the inviting?”
“The government, usually, or those with enough power to influence the government.”
She recognized Peng Jian from his pictures as he walked into view from their right and stood behind the luxurious seating arrangement. Two more guards took position on each side of him. Their dark suits were a marked contrast to his white one, the only color in his outfit a pale-yellow shirt and a matching pocket-handkerchief in his jacket. His face was strong, handsome, and displayed his Chinese ancestry in every line. What was most notable about him, though, was the way his eyes bored into her as she approached like he was trying to look inside her—and maybe succeeded.
When they arrived, he gestured to the chairs. “Please, sit.” They complied, and she stiffened involuntarily as her earpiece cut Glam off in mid-sentence.
The woman who’d escorted them said, “All communications in and out of the building have now been eliminated. We are secure, sir.” She backpedaled out of earshot.
The man took his seat and regarded them without speaking. Servers bustled in and placed small ornate trays on each side table with hot tea and what looked like cold juice. He gestured for them to try it, and she lifted the glass to her lips and sipped. It was plum wine, sweet and very welcome after the long walk. She returned it to the table as the others did the same.
Cara broke the silence. “Thank you for agreeing to meet us. We are in your debt.”
He smiled, revealed perfect teeth, and leaned back in his chair with a small cup of tea in his hands. His accent was minimal as he replied, “Indeed you are. Perhaps, one day, an opportunity will arise for me to collect what is owed.”
The agent returned his smile. “Perhaps so. I fear we will increase that debt before our conversation is finished, however.”
Peng nodded. “By all means, then, please share what you’ve traveled so far to tell me.”
Cali had echoed the discussion to Fyre and felt his wariness through their mental connection. “I’m with you on that, buddy.” The man’s self-assurance was entirely intimidating. She was glad they’d decided the agent should do all the talking.
“We have discovered that you hold an item of some value to us. We would like to acquire it.”
He laughed and sipped his tea before he replied, “I have many, many items of value. Some I treasure more, some less. To which do you refer?”
“A statue of a tiger given to you when you became the leader of your organization.”
He tilted his head to the side. “That is one of my most valued possessions. What is your offer?”
Cara shrugged. “Ten thousand dollars, US.”
Cali’s breath stuck in her chest and Tanyith stared at her and looked equally shocked. Holy hell, that’s a crap-ton of money.
Peng shook his head. “While I would enjoy the negotiation, the truth is there is no amount of money I would take for that object. Look around you. Clearly, I have what I need and more.”
The agent nodded and paused to sip her tea. When she set the cup down again, she asked, “So, if not money, what would convince you to part with it?”
“This can’t be good,” Fyre whispered in her mind.
“Right?” she replied.
The man straightened in his chair and locked gazes with Cara. “There is another object I would accept in trade for it. However, that item also cannot be procured with money, else I would have it already. Should you acquire it, I would be willing to make an even exchange.”
The woman mirrored his posture. “Surely a man of your status is able to get anything he chooses. What could we possibly do that you cannot?”
He waved a hand. “Let’s say I’d prefer to use a third party for this particular endeavor. And since you have a need I can fulfill, perhaps you are the logical option to address my desire.”
“We would have to know more, of course, before we commit to anything.”
He stood and signaled that the conversation was at an end. “You may ask Daiyu for whatever you require. She will speak for me on this matter. Do not make the mistake of thinking there is the possibility of negotiation here. And as time passes, I may find another who is willing to undertake this task, so I would caution you against delay.” He turned and strode from the room, his guards behind him.
The woman who had escorted them approached and said, “Let us discuss this in a more private setting.” They rose and followed her across the expansive area and through a door whose material was so identical to the wall and whose fit was so tight that it was almost invisible. Beyond it was a small lounge with the same comfortable chairs, dim lighting, and a bar along one wall. She sat and gestured for them to do the same.
Once they were settled, Cara asked, “So, what is this task your boss needs taken care of?”
Daiyu smiled. “A rival organization holds an object that should belong to us. We can’t get it directly for fear of an open war that would serve no one. However, if you can procure it, we all win.”
“Except for your enemies,” Cali replied.
The woman nodded. “Just so.”
“What is it?” Tanyith asked.
Their host shook her head. “You will be told only what you need to know and only when you need to know it. Once you commit to the task, we will provide you with all we know about the location and the likely opposition. Only when you are inside their compound will you learn what the object is.”
She scowled. “Trust issues, much?”
Cara raised a hand to silence her and spoke before the other woman could reply. “We accept the task. We’ll need to return to our transport to prepare.” She raised her palms and said, “I’ll reach into my jacket for something. You have no reason to be alarmed.” Her hand slid inside and withdrew with a small fabric pouch tied with a drawstring. “This is one of our communication devices. You or a person of your choice can use it to speak directly to me.”
Daiyu took it from her and flowed smoothly to her feet. “Then you should go now. You will almost certainly want to act under cover of darkness and as Master Peng said, time is of the essence.”
Their exit from the resort had been the reverse of their entrance. When they reached the truck and after the obligatory pats for Fyre from everyone, Cara flipped the armrest open to reveal a storage compartment and ordered, “Comms in here.” When they’d complied, she closed it and sighed. “That will block all signals for a while. The car will let Hercules know what we’re up to through a direct encrypted channel. From here, we’ll assume the comms are vulnerable to others listening in.”
“Then why did you give her one?” Tanyith asked,
The agent smiled. “Two reasons. First, we do need to communicate with them and after this is over, we’ll change the protocols and render that one useless. We do it often. But more importantly, it’s always active, whether they want it to be or not. The chances are good they’ll lock it in their own protected box but if they don’t, we’ll be able to listen in to everything they say.”
They discussed generalities on the way back, and when they pulled into the plane, Cara led them forward to a room they hadn’t yet seen. It had displays on all four walls and a large table in the middle that was also a display. The agent spoke into the air. “Boss, are you there?”
Diana’s voice replied almost instantly. “Go, Croft.”
While she explained the situation, Cali sent to Fyre, “We totally need codenames. You’re Draggylizard.”
He sent a mental snort in response and bumped her leg. “And you’re Agent Orphan Annie.”
She tossed her head. “You’re jealous. You
wish you had such nice hair. Or any at all.”
“Nope,” he replied. “I like having brains instead. But you know, if the tradeoff works for you, who am I to judge?”
She tried to think of a snappy comeback when Cara’s words shattered her concentration. “Yeah, it’s what we feared. I’m fairly sure they’re sending us after a Rhazdon Artifact. The woman is clearly a magical.”
Chapter Twenty-One
It was difficult to believe how fast it had all happened. Cara and Diana’s team launched into action and in no time at all, a drone flew overhead, blueprints of the building were in their hands, and a heat-mapped count of the people within was available. They’d discussed bringing extra firepower, but the agents were dedicated to other tasks and with only twenty enemies inside, most of whom would hopefully be asleep when they gained access, it didn’t seem necessary.
Cara had reviewed the plan with them several times. They would enter as quietly as possible and use magic and stun weapons to deal with anyone they encountered. If it all went sideways, they’d be able to go loud, but the best result would be in and out with no battles. She’d led them to the lockers and rummaged through them to find equipment that would fit each of them, so both she and Tanyith now looked exactly like any of the agents would.
Each carried a stun pistol on their hip, a regular one in a holster at their lower back, and a stun rifle strapped across their bodies. After a few minutes of practice, they felt they could draw the weapons easily. Cali’s bracelets were hidden under the uniform fabric, and they each had potions available. The agent’s pockets bulged, presumably with additional gear.
As night fell, they were on the move again. The plan was to take the SUV as close as they could before detection became a risk. Glam and Deacon had plotted the electronic emanations from the house and discovered their security cameras and sensors ran to a distance of about a half-mile, so they would park three-quarters of a mile away and head in. Cara wore the stylish glasses all the agents had, which allowed her to drive without headlights. They’d put the comms on as soon as they entered the car, and one of Peng’s people had provided them with information as they drove.
Cali sent a mental message to Fyre. “The bastards still won’t tell us what we’re looking for.”
“Control freaks,” he replied.
She chuckled, glad to have the Draksa along. Cara had suggested he was too identifiable and should be left behind, but both of them had objected strongly. His proven ability to veil himself had sealed the deal. They’d wear full-face masks for the break-in to obscure hair and facial features and gloves to hide their skin color. The single thing they didn’t want, above all, was to have the infiltration traced back to them. As Diana had said, “We all have enough enemies. There is no need to add one more. Let them assume Peng’s people did it.”
“Well, it’s kind of true,” Tanyith had remarked. “For the moment, we are Peng’s people.”
“Nope,” Cara had countered. “We’re our own. We merely happen to share an interest with him right now. As soon as that’s over, no one will have an instant’s remorse at winding up on opposite teams. For all his smooth illusion of culture, Peng’s a violent warlord who deserves a bullet as much as every one of them.”
The agent’s strong feelings had stuck with Cali. Diana and her people seemed nice but they had a hardness about them that went far beyond anything she’d ever felt. I wonder if that’s how they were before the job or if facing evil all the time made them that way. And if so, what does that mean for the rest of us?
Fyre answered her thoughts. “Zeb had any number of adventures and he turned out okay, right? So, maybe it’s a little of both, but it’s not for sure that you’ll end up the same.”
She smiled and patted him gratefully but didn’t put her thanks into words.
The car slowed and stopped, and the other woman announced, “We’re here. When you mentioned Peng, we did some digging and discovered he’s been gathering artifacts. Diana’s boss assumed the guy would make a play like this, which is why we were prepared for it. When we get inside, keep your eyes open. It seems easy but it might not be. At all costs, don’t let them find out who you are, even if you have to kill them to stop it. You can’t afford that heat.” She popped the armrest and put her comm in again before anyone could reply. “On the move.”
They covered the quarter-mile to the outer perimeter at a fast walk. Cara chatted with Glam and Deacon at the base and quickly found and compromised the security cameras with small electronic devices she shot at them from an air pistol of some kind. As Cali understood it, they allowed the techs direct access to the equipment through a relay in the drone above and at that point they could do anything they wanted with them. They avoided the sensors buried underground by snaking through a winding path. She sent to Fyre, “I have to get a pair of those glasses.”
The veiled Draksa flew overhead and circled the installation lazily. “I bet whatever they’re doing with technology, you could do with magic,” he replied.
“I’m not so sure about that, buddy. But thanks for the vote of confidence.”
Finally, they reached the physical barrier, a high wall with razor wire above it. “Well, that’s not real welcoming,” Cara commented. “We’ll use magic to go up and over. No wards are present that I can detect.”
“Try not to smash into anything, Cali,” Tanyith quipped.
“Shut it, you.” In truth, she couldn’t promise a controlled flight. It’s one more thing to put on the to-do list. The others went over first and she followed on a burst of force power and landed cleanly on the other side. Exterior lights illuminated the grassy space in front of the building, which was a single-level home that stretched in both directions from a central entrance, and a long area also extended to the rear from the middle.
They’d decided to enter on the far right-hand side through a window and into a room that hadn’t registered a heat signature all day. The windows were all shaded, which prevented the drone from getting a good look inside, but it was the only location that seemed free of people. Tanyith cast a veil over them all and they raced into position. When they arrived, Fyre touched down beside Cali.
Cara withdrew a small suction cup assembly from a pouch on her thigh and used it to cut a tiny hole in the glass. She handed the equipment to Tanyith, pulled a thin cable out of her sleeve, and threaded it through the opening she’d made.
“Okay, the camera shows it’s only a storage room. I see shelves everywhere with what looks like boxes of food, plus maybe fuel for a generator or something.” She retracted the cable and took the glass cutter from her teammate. A soft snick sounded from the pane—probably the result of telekinesis—and she slid the blade of one of the pair of daggers she carried between the window and its sill to lever it open. “Shut up, no one asked you, Demon,” she muttered and returned the knife to its sheath.
Diana had mentioned that she and Cara both had weapons that could talk to them, so Cali presumed that’s what the comment was about. It was preferable to thinking the woman had lost her mind, anyway. The agent scrambled through the aperture and the others followed. She drew a very dim lightstick from her belt and waved it to reveal the shelves she’d described.
“Okay. Cali, open the door,” she whispered. “I’ll go first, Fyre next, then Tanyith, and you. If we see a single enemy, I’ll disable them with the stun rifle. If we see two, everyone fires. If there are three or more, it’s time for an ice blast.” She pointed at the door.
Cali crossed to it and yanked it open. The agent stepped through it and the soft snap as her weapon discharged was followed by the equally muted thump of something heavy landing. When the others had passed, Cali followed and saw the woman drag a body back toward her, its hands and feet bound with zip ties. She deposited it in the room where they’d entered and closed the door when she emerged again.
“Okay, there’s no way to tell what’s in any of these rooms so we’ll clear them one by one. The drone shows only three with mor
e than one person in it, so we’ll follow the same rules going forward. If we’re lucky, they’ll all be disabled before they know what hit them.” They proceeded methodically through the building and the spy craft above provided them with a warning of every presence in the house. When they’d completed their sweep, two things were obvious. First, the security was inexcusably lax, and second, they had come across exactly zero magical objects.
They gathered in the central area and Cara frowned with her hands on her hips. “Okay, what the hell, people?”
“Have you checked everywhere?” Glam asked over the comms.
“Am I an idiot? Of course I have. Unless it’s extremely well disguised and doesn’t give off any magic at all, it’s not here. Peng’s guy said it’s jewelry of some kind but we didn’t find it in any of the logical places.”
“Do me a favor.” Deacon sounded perplexed. “Go to the back of the central corridor and put your hand on the wall.” The agent shrugged and walked in that direction and the others followed. When they were in place, he asked, “Is that the rear wall?”
“Yes. It’s made of the same wood planks as the rest.”
“There’s a three-foot gap between your heat signature and the visible end of the house.”
She muttered a curse and ran her hands over the wall. “I don’t detect any illusion, so it has to be something physical. Look around.”
Tanyith found the trigger hidden behind a statue on a low desk. He pressed the button and a rectangular section slid aside. Cali stuck her head in and saw a dark staircase leading down. She moved out of the way so Cara could look, and the woman swore again. “Okay, we have a basement of some kind. Are there more heat signatures?”
“None,” Glam answered, “but the drone’s sensors might not be able to reach that far down.”
“Yeah, I know.” She turned to face Cali. “We have to assume worst-case—that we’ve been detected and reinforcements are inbound. This is obviously more than merely a house so we’ll do a single sweep through the basement, fast and hard. Anyone we see goes down, however they need to. Choose stuns first if you can.”
