Please don’t let it be cannibal pigs. Make it be anything but cannibal pigs.
“I suppose it’s my turn now,” said Tameka. “Off I go.”
The others nodded. Vincent said, “I’ll never be able to thank you for this.”
“You can thank me by reuniting with that family of yours.”
She took a deep breath and walked out from behind the dumpster. She felt a light flicker across her body. When she looked down at her hands she saw the thick, pudgy fingers of a troll.
Bethyl’s spell is working!
She grinned and knocked on the small blue door in the side of the warehouse. In less then ten seconds someone answered.
“What do you want?” the human asked. He was male, tall, with a bold head and a ginger moustache. “How did you find this place?”
Tameka cleared her throat and said, “I’m here to see the boss. I have a proposition for her now that Vincent is dead.”
The man looked her up and down, a distasteful expression on his face. Tameka hoped Bethyl hadn’t made her look too ugly. Then again, were there any pretty trolls?
Vincent’s kids are sort-of cute.
“Again, how did you find this place?” the man demanded.
Tameka smiled and slipped something out of her pocket. She threw it at the man’s feet. It was a finger.
“Why would I want that?” the man asked.
Tameka sighed. “This is the finger of one of the assassins. I cut if off after I killed him.”
“I thought the dragon killed them?”
Tameka laughed. “He wishes.”
The man picked the finger up and examined it closely. Tameka hoped it passed inspection. The dead assassin had tattoos all over his body, including the fingers. The tattoos were pretty distinctive. He had to recognize them.
“The name’s Pablo,” said the man, nodding his head, impressed. “Come in.”
Tameka smiled and entered the lion’s den.
Red had to physically restrain himself from coming to her rescue as Tameka talked to the guard. He hated this place. He hated seeing her stride so casually into mortal danger. He knew she could take care of herself normally, but this situation wasn’t normal. There could be anything in that warehouse.
“Stop fretting,” snapped Bethyl. Her disapproving look was all frown and wrinkles. “You sound like a nagging housewife.”
Red turned his glare on to the gnome. “She doesn’t have much experience with this world. I don’t want her to get killed.”
“She’s got a smart head on her shoulders. She’ll be fine.”
“I’ll be there to rescue her if things should go awry.”
Bethyl laughed. “She’s more likely to rescue you.”
They watched as Tameka threw the finger on the ground. Red was in the bad books with Vincent for using one of her steak knives to get that particular item. Trolls were very good at holding grudges.
“She makes a good troll,” Vincent muttered. “Very pretty.”
Red shook his head. “It freaks me out. I can tell she’s Tameka, but…not. It’s like her skin has been stretched out and gone septic.”
Vincent turned her considerable ire on him. “Are you seeing my skin looks septic?”
He ignored the troll, concentrating on Tameka as she ventured inside the warehouse. She gave one last look back at him as the door closed behind her.
Bethyl gave a proud smile. “Good girl. Now we can get on with our part.”
The warehouse was gargantuan inside. Wooden crates were packed twenty-foot-high, expanding in all directions. It wasn’t possible. From the outside the building hadn’t looked that big. Were her eyes deceiving her, or was there something else going on?
She stopped to look at a wooden crate that was being packed by a harried looking woman. Tameka stared at the women, who looked at her with eyes that were completely white.
“Are you okay?” Tameka asked.
The woman just stared. She had what appeared to be a golden dragon figurine in her hands. It had eyes made from rubies and it appeared to shimmer, almost as if it were alive.
I’ve seen that figurine before. It was on a report on Red’s desk. It was some ancient artefact stolen from an exhibit at the museum.
The zombie-like woman wrapped the figurine up in bubble wrap and placed it in the crate. Tameka waved her hands in front of the woman, trying to get her attention, but she didn’t blink. It was like she wasn’t even there.
“What’s wrong with this pathetic human?” Tameka asked.
Pablo, who looked about as Latino as she did, turned back to scowl at her. He stormed up to the worker woman and slapped her across the face. She didn’t react.
“She’s just a slave,” said Pablo. “Some stupid human.”
Tameka felt sick, but said, “She’s had magic used on her to make her compliant?”
Pablo laughed. “Yeah. Humans are so easy to manipulate.”
He carried on and she followed, watching as more magically controlled humans wandered about the place, doing odd jobs. How were they getting away with this right under the BCPD’s noses? Red really needed to know about this and stop it. Tameka hated slavery in every form, be it humans or pigs.
They came to a set of metal stairs that led up to a second level that shouldn’t technically be there. This only confirmed what she’d been suspecting ever since she set foot inside the warehouse; it was bigger on the inside than on the outside. She had no idea magic could do such impossible things. It was actually more terrifying than fascinating. It meant that magic could pretty much do anything.
How am I supposed to combat something that can actually warp space/time?
They entered a waiting area. It reminded her of a dentist’s reception, all white, sterile and cold. It even stank of bleach. There was another enslaved human sitting behind a desk, typing at a computer with white zombified eyes. It was creepy.
“Wait here,” Pedro ordered.
She sat down on a comfy chair, trying to control her nerves. This wasn’t what she’d expected. She felt like she was being led to see an evil dentist rather than some powerful crime lord. It was putting her off her game.
“Have you worked here long?” she asked the receptionist.
The receptionist, a middle-aged black woman with a crew cut, gave her a glassy eyed stare before saying, “Time flies when you’re having fun.”
Tameka stared around her at the white, humorless reception. “This doesn’t look like fun.”
“Fun is subjective.”
The woman talked in a robotic monotone, but she obviously had more control than the workers in the rest of the warehouse. Was that more terrifying or less?
Pedro opened the door to the inner office. “She’ll see you now.”
Tameka stood up. The butterflies in her stomach were doing mid-air acrobatics while juggling chainsaws. “It’s about time.”
Red stepped nonchalantly off the cloud of air onto the roof of the warehouse. Vincent and Bethyl followed him, the troll looking a little queasy. Her skin color had actually turned from almost green to almost pink.
“I don’t like heights,” Vincent whispered. She hiccupped. “I tasted bile then.”
The night sky was pregnant with ominous, purple clouds. There was a storm brewing, though he didn’t sense rain. He’d be glad for a downpour. It might mask any noises they might accidentally make.
“So what now?” Vincent asked.
The roof was littered with cigarette butts. He figured this must be where some of the guards came for a break. They had to be careful.
“Who are you?” a voice shouted.
The three of them turned to see a man with a machine gun watching them by a doorway. He had a lit cigarette in his mouth.
“Kill him,” Red commanded.
The guard pressed down the trigger on his gun but it didn’t make a sound. Bethyl grinned wickedly and waved her hands, causing the man to drop his weapon like it was on fire. He shook with terror and flew into the a
ir as if propelled by a gust of wind. They watched as he flew a couple of miles into the air and slammed down again on top of another building. Red winced, almost sure he could hear every bone crack from so far away.
“That was brutal,” said Vincent. The troll grinned. “I like it.”
Bethyl caused a stubbed out cigarette to float in the air. It magically lit and she grabbed it with her hands.
“Marijuana,” she announced. She shoved the joint into her mouth and took a long puff. “It’s good shit too.”
Red shook his head. “Try not to get too high.”
“I can get high if I want,” snapped Bethyl. She dropped the joint, probably deciding it wasn’t good enough. “But I’m a witch, and at the moment I don’t want to get high, so I won’t.”
They settled down on the ground to wait, eyes on the roof access door. They were ready should anyone else pop up unexpectedly. He only hoped Tameka was coping. She wasn’t used to all this paranormal nonsense.
Stay safe, Tammy.
“A troll,” the woman groaned. “I am so sick of trolls.”
Tameka had been expecting to find some fat man with a giant bald head smoking a cigar, sat behind a desk the size of a while, while thugs counted out money. Instead she found herself confronted by an immaculately dressed middle-aged woman with perfect black hair, razor sharp cheekbones, and piercing blue eyes that tried to eat your soul. She screamed authority and sexiness and ultimate power.
“What do you want?” the woman demanded.
Tameka turned to find Pablo closing the door, leaving her alone with the woman. She kept her composure, focusing solely on helping Vincent’s family.
“This is a nice office,” Tameka complimented, looking around. There was a fish tank with a small turtle in it; a leather couch; a replica of the Mona Lisa; even a chandelier in the shape of what appeared to be a giant squid. It was class all the way. “I like it.”
The woman stood up behind her desk and walked up to her. The animosity poured from her in droves. Tameka knew without certainty that this woman was the most dangerous person she’d ever met.
“I hear my little scheme with Vincent got itself fucked to hell,” said the woman, examining her. Tameka felt sure she could see through to her true form underneath the troll guise. “What do you want to do about it?”
“I want to work for you,” said Tameka. “I like killing humans and I’m good at it.”
The woman nodded. “I respect that. Humans are filth. They need killing.” She held her hand out. “I’m Galina Trade.”
Tameka recognized the name. She was the one on the file with the dragon figurine.
I’m a little ashamed this woman was living right under our noses. I thought the BCPD were better than that.
Galina Trade was a criminal mastermind and, quite possibly, a witch.
“Well?” Tameka demanded. “Do I have the job or not?”
Galina eyed her warily before saying, “I’m not sure. I haven’t actually seen you kill any humans. You understand I can’t just take your word for it, hmm?”
“I understand.”
The woman’s eyes flickered briefly before settling back to normal. Tameka was about to ask if she was okay when the door opened behind her. One of the zombie human workers had entered.
“Welcome,” Galina announced. She walked over to her desk and took out a gun. She placed it in the human’s hands. She turned to Tameka. “Now force this human to shoot himself in the head.”
“He’s already being controlled,” said Tameka. “It might not work.”
Galina grinned maliciously. The human worker’s eyes glazed over and became normal again. He stared around him, terrified, seemingly not knowing where he was.
“What happened?” he shouted. “Where am I?”
“Kill him,” Galina ordered.
The man stared at her like she was a monster. To him maybe she was. All he saw was a troll, staring at him, being ordered to kill him. He pointed the gun at her.
“He’s going to kill you first,” said Galina. She smiled, obviously having fun. “Do you want to die, or do you want to live?”
Tameka knew she was addressing both herself and the human.
He’s going to shoot me if I don’t do something. But what can I do? I can’t hypnotize people! I can barely remember my Netflix password!
“What are you waiting for?” Galina demanded. “Get on with it. My time is precious. Someone just kill someone for heaven’s sake.”
The man’s finger trembled on the trigger. Tameka hesitated, trying to figure out something that saved them both and didn’t spoil the rescue plan. There had to be a way out. She wasn’t a cold blooded murderer.
“Just fire the fucking gun!” Galina screamed.
The man fired the gun.
16
The bullet went wide, hitting Galina in the shoulder. She screamed but didn’t seem to be in pain. It was more shock than anything.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” the woman screamed.
Galina lashed out one of her hands. It stretched across the length of the office like a tentacle, grabbing hold of the worker by the neck. She twisted, breaking his neck, and flung his lifeless corpse at Tameka’s feet. He stared up at her as if accusing her.
She can change her arms into tentacles. What the fuck is she?
The woman straightened her collar and said, “That was most unfortunate.”
“What did you do that for?” Tameka demanded. “I was about to kill him. I was just getting my mind prepared.”
“Of course you were my dear,” said Galina, sarcasm turned to high. Her penetrating gaze made Tameka shiver. “Stop trying to fool me with that pathetic magical disguise. You’re not a troll. I don’t know what you are, but you’re not a troll.”
“How insulting! Of course I’m a troll!”
The woman directed a sinister smile her way before walking right up to Tameka. They were at eye level, which she wasn’t sure was possible. Hadn’t Galina been a lot shorter than Tameka before?
“Let me see,” Galina mused. “Let me see.”
She thrust her hand out, grabbing Tameka’s arm. She shivered as she felt an electrical surge go through her entire body. She screamed in pain, feeling the magical aura around her dissipating at the same time. Before she knew it she was on her knees, grimacing in agony, her human form revealed.
“A pretty human girl,” said Galina. “Human, but still pretty.”
“Fuck you,” Tameka spat.
She couldn’t move. It was like she’d been turned to stone.
“My darling, what soft skin you have,” said Galina, stroking Tameka’s cheek. Her fingers were ice cold. “I love African American skin. So lovely. Why I could just peel it off and wear if myself.”
“I’m half African American and half Native Hawaiian,” Tameka protested.
“So you are.”
“Where are Vincent’s family?”
Galina ignored her. “In fact I think I will. I’m growing tired of this skin. Yours will fit me just perfectly.”
“You’re really going to peel off my skin and wear it?”
“It will be agony for you, but ecstasy for me.”
Their carefully laid plans were going swiftly out the window. She needed to get at the object in her coat pocket if she was going to enact the next part of their rescue.
Galina stroked her cheek again. “No. I can’t make you suffer pain. You’re too beautiful. I’ll just turn you into one of my slaves and then take your skin.”
“I hope my skin chokes you,” spat Tameka.
Galina’s eyes flickered again, and Tameka prepared herself for what was to come. Would being turned into a slave hurt, or would she never feel anything ever again?
“Hmm,” said Galina. She seemed confused. “It’s not working.”
The woman pressed both of her hands against the sides of Tameka’s face, pressing down hard. Galina’s eyes flickered again, over and over.
Nothing happened ag
ain.
“What the fuck?” Galina exclaimed. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
Tameka smirked. “I’m just stubborn.”
“Anyone would think you weren’t human.”
Galina punched her in the face, knocking her to floor. The dead eyes of the worker stared back at her from their prone position beside her.
I can feel my body again.
Tameka smirked and moved her hand to her coat pocket. She fumbled around, her fingers grasping what she needed. She smirked as she felt her skin make contact with what appeared to be a wooden star.
Nothing happened.
“Are you playing with yourself?” Galina demanded.
She pulled the star out of her pocket, rubbing it against her hand. Nothing was happening. A portal was supposed to open up, linking it to the other star in Bethyl’s pocket. Her friends should be jumping in right about now, saving her and killing Galina and heading off to rescue Vincent’s family. It would’ve been so epic.
“This is so strange,” said Galina. She shrugged. “But I’ll just kill you.”
Tameka rolled out of the way as Galina’s tentacle hand whipped out, creating a huge gouge in the wood paneled floor. She ran for the door, finding it locked.
“There’s no escape,” Galina called.
The tentacle flew at her again, crashing into the door. Tameka grinned and pushed through the wreckage, finding Pablo waiting for her on the metal stairs that led down to the warehouse floor.
“Get the fuck out of my way,” she commanded.
She pulled out her gun and shot him in the arm. He fell down the stairs, landing in a slump at the bottom. He was still breathing.
How the hell did this go wrong so quickly?
Tameka looked at her other hand, wishing Bethyl’s magic hadn’t been so useless. She noticed she was holding not a wooden star but a rolled up piece of aluminum foil from the candy bar she’d eaten on her way here.
She grinned and rooted around in her pocket again. She found the star. The very instant her skin touched its magical surface a huge shimmering portal opened up in the air in front of her. She could see Red, Vincent and Bethyl standing on the other side.
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