"Last and most important. In this world, those men are the closest thing I have to loved ones. I can’t stay behind while they go out nightly to possible mortal combat - possible fatality, knowing that I could be the lynch pin that keeps them alive. It would be cruel to ask that of me.”
I was almost too stunned to blink, much less to take my eyes away from her. I must tell you that my initial reaction on the matter was to feel betrayed. It seemed my fears that she would be puttin’ our future in constant jeopardy were no’ unfounded. On the contrary, it seemed she was set on a course of destruction. No’ just of herself, but us, whether she knew that or no’.
When Elora sat down, Sol sat forward, but spoke from his chair. “I’ve discussed my personal concerns about this proposal and have been satisfied with answers received.
“The short of it is this. Ms. Laiken has added herself to your short list of replacement candidates. Oddly enough, she was not the first to nominate herself for the position. Istvan Baka pointed out last night that she is a one-of-a-kind resource currently being underutilized.”
Great Paddy. The vampire wants her in the field.
“However, according to tradition, the choice is yours. I, personally, think she’s the best man for the job, but making her B Team’s fourth,” my head came up when he looked straight at me, “and Ram’s partner, will require two of your three votes. Further, one of those votes must be Sir Hawking’s. Those are the conditions. What say you?”
Storm was first to speak. Like that was a surprise. “You cannot be serious. No. Absolutely no. And that could not be more final.”
“One vote no,” Sol said without conveyin’ emotion of any kind.
“Wrong! That would be three votes no.” Storm first looked at Kay, then me. Seems he had jumped to the conclusion we would share his view.
“Hold on.” Kay held up a hand. “I say it’s up to Ram. Partly because he’s the most senior member of B Team and partly because he’s the one most affected since she would be his partner. As far as I’m concerned, everything she said is true. Plus, unlike some of the guys who were on the short list, she’s actually killed a vamp. She did it by herself with no real training and no help of any kind. And another plus that she didn’t add is that, from a purely tactical perspective, she offers some unique benefits, as a woman, that could be useful.”
Storm’s brows were drawn in so tight that deep lines had formed between them. All of a sudden he grasped Kay’s inference and drew in a sharp breath. “Decoy?” He spat. “You’re suggesting using Elora as bait?” I could see the outrage in the color of his complexion and hear it in his voice. He was as petrified by the prospect as was I. Perhaps he really did love her. “That’s the kind of half-cocked idiocy I’d expect from Ram! What is wrong with you, Kay?”
“Look,” Kay answered calmly. “I didn’t put her up to this. She volunteered. Apparently we’ve given her the mistaken impression that our collective asses are worth looking after. She wants to be…”
“...Wendy,” I finished that sentence.
“What?” Storm said it like a challenge.
“’Tis a character in one of her stories. A responsible, nurturin' girl who takes care of lost boys.”
Storm turned on Elora, who was lookin’ at me, considerin’ what I’d just said, but no’ denyin’ it. “Is that true? Is this about some kind of Savior Complex?”
Elora pulled her attention away from me before answerin’ Storm with an evenness that made me proud even as I wanted to put her in a tower keep that was only accessible by me. “Wanting to keep your friends alive is not a psychological aberration, Storm. How do you think I would feel if they brought one of you in on a gurney one night, with me knowing I might have prevented that? My training and abilities should be used for a worthwhile purpose. You can’t really think I’m better suited to clerical work.
"I get it. You’re afraid I might get hurt. Now you need to understand that I feel exactly the same about the three of you.”
I stared straight ahead, no’ really seein’ what was before me, only visions of the horrors that were potential results of this insane notion.
“As I see it, the only drawback is this,” Kay continued, “and I’m going to be completely honest because it’s just us here in this room. Right or wrong, B Team is regarded as cream risen to the top. You know that Lan’s place would usually be seen as a reward for an outstanding record. The feeling might be that it isn’t fair to give the spot to someone who hasn’t earned it the usual way.”
“I think that’s a very good point,” Storm concurred.
Sol turned his attention to Kay. “So, is that a vote yes or a vote no?”
Kay pressed his lips together, sighed, and said, “Yes.” He turned toward Storm, knowin’ before he looked that his partner thought his position was a betrayal. “Sorry.” He shook his head. “On balance, I think it’s the best thing for the team and maybe also our best shot at dealing with this outbreak. The city's counting down to panic. So far they haven’t put together that what many of the missing have in common is a club in the Times Square district, but they will. We’re just running out of time for indulgent choices.”
Sol looked at me and said the very thing I did no’ want to confront. No’ in a hundred years. “Guess that means it’s up to you, Hawking.”
She looked at me hopefully. My predicament was a true Catch 22. If I said aye, I would drastically increase the chances of losin’ her. If I said no, she would be safer, but she’d hate me for takin’ her choice and, therefore, her freedom away. Knowin’ that for people such as ourselves freedom is a critical factor in happiness, I would therefore be takin’ her happiness away as well. And I had pledged myself to the proposition of seein’ to that just hours before.
“Goes without sayin’, that if she was any other female, this would no’ even be on the table. But we know how special she is. I can no’ stand the idea of exposin’ her to what’s out there, but I do no’ have reasonable grounds to deny her if this is what she wants. As she said, she is stronger, faster, and is the best of us in hand to hand. She’s very likely smarter as well, at least more so than I. So far as bein’ my partner, I already know I like spendin’ time with her. If she’s goin’ to be out there, I’m glad I’ll be close by.”
“So that’s a yes?” Sol asked for clarification.
“Aye. ‘Tis.”
“This is madness!” Storm thundered, then let out a string of curses under his breath that were easily heard by me and perhaps the others as well. For someone opposed to swearin’, he could turn the air blue when he was of a mind to do so.
Sol gave him a witherin’ look that said he was regardin’ him with all the esteem one would bestow on a toddler throwin’ a tantrum. Under other circumstances I would have found that immensely entertainin’. “I think as a courtesy Gautier should be told before a general announcement is made. Right or wrong, he’s expecting to be named. I will inform him of the decision, but with your permission, would like to be able to tell him he will automatically be transferred to B Team the next time there’s an opening. Gods forbid. Does everyone agree?” Sol took the silence as acquiescence by abstention.
“Also,” he went on, “Ms. Laiken and I have discussed a couple of procedural issues and resolved them. The one that concerns you is The Order’s policy on office romance. Since there has never been a female operative in the department of hunters, it hasn’t previously been an issue. As a formality I need your acknowledgement that you are aware of the policy.”
“Done,” said Kay.
My head felt pressurized like I was under water. This was a Catch 22. It was a Catch 33. I’d barricaded myself into a corner with no escape. No fuckin’ romance? After all the research I’d done to woo the Lady Laiken?
I was a rule breaker by nature, but I’d always respected Black Swan policies because they were worthy of respect. This, though, was something else. I had to draw the line at the idea of The Order comin’ between an elf and his mate. Great Padd
y.
“Acknowledged,” I said. I did exactly as asked. No more. No less.
Sol turned to Storm. “Nod if you understand.”
I imagine we all saw the tick in Storm’s jaw muscle. He was glarin’ daggers at the Sovereign, who really couldn’t have cared less, but Storm managed enough of a chin dip to count as a nod.
Next, Sol’s attention rested on Elora. “Lady Laiken, report to the personnel office in one hour and they will go over your benefits package. You will receive the same salary and benefits as any knight on probation.”
“What are benefits?” she asked.
“Things like pension, holiday, and sick leave.”
“I don’t get sick.”
“You mean you’ve never been sick?” She shook her head. “Ever?”
“I’ve never been sick. Ever.”
“Interesting. Your team has one week to brief you on guidelines and bring you up to speed on weaponry. It will also give us time to make adjustments to your teaching schedule.
“Your induction ceremony will be tonight after dinner. All knights not on rotation will be present. Congratulations. Welcome to Black Swan.”
“Are we done?” Storm grated. If anything it seemed his irritation was buildin’ rather than subsidin’.
Sol looked at him. “One more thing. The three of you are responsible for getting her up to speed on equipment and whatever street sense didn’t make it into the Field Manual.”
Storm huffed and stomped out, lettin’ the door slam against the wall on his way out.
Sol looked at Kay. “He may be due for a workshop on temper control.”
It really was kind of surreal to be hearin’ that sort of talk about somebody else. The fact that the subject was Storm, of all people, would have been comical if there was anything, at that moment in time, that could have made me smile.
Kay stood and said, “Don’t worry. He’ll come round,” to Elora, then leaned over the table and offered his hand. “Welcome to B Team, Lady Laiken.”
Elora stood and took his hand, lookin’ satisfied that at least one of us had some grace. “Thank you, Sir Caelian.”
“You know there’s a reason why they call us Bad Company,” he said. “And it isn’t because we’re no fun.”
She smiled. “I surmised as much and will do my best to uphold the reputation for badness.”
Kay smiled and walked away. As usual, Sol had left without a goodbye. When the man was done, he was done. Niceties be damned.
I was still sittin’ in the chair tryin’ to sort through what had just happened. ‘Twas the Fates’ version of a drive-by, to be sure. An hour ago I’d thought my biggest problem was findin’ a way to make Elora Laiken fall into forever love with me.
Now my biggest problem was how to keep her safe in the field. I’d be needin’ to watch for vampire and rivals, who just kept poppin’ up. ‘Twas bad enough when Storm set his cap for my mate. Now a slick old leech was vyin’ for her affections as well. Paddy.
“Are you going to sit there until bedtime?”
I looked up at Elora. “Had no’ really made other plans.”
“I need a celebration cocoa.”
I shrugged and got to my feet. “Right behind you.”
She stopped at the door and turned to me, lookin’ more trustin’ and innocent than any vampire hunter I’d ever seen. “Thank you for the vote, Ram.”
I felt my mouth twitch. “You’re welcome. Lady Laiken.”
She giggled. Another first for a vampire hunter.
Following the induction ceremony, Sovereign Nemamiah requested that the gatherin’ stay behind for an update on the operation involvin’ Baka. The exact reasons for the vampire’s involvement had remained above my pay grade and that of the other knights, so far as I knew.
Sol stood on the floor of the Chamber and addressed those of us who were present, includin’ the newest Black Swan knight sittin’ to my right and smellin’ far, far better than a vampire hunter should.
“You’re all aware that Istvan Baka has a temporary reprieve to work with us, under contract, on getting the numbers of disappearances under control.” He nodded at Elora. “You can thank the recent inductee for securing his help, which has already proved valuable beyond measure.
“Baka was instrumental in creating a network of fool proof hideaways for vampire when he was in New York decades ago. The system connects unused and abandoned subway tunnels to secret street level entry and exit points. He has confirmed that there was such an access point in the old Tri-State Mercantile building currently occupied by the club, Notte Fuoco.
“Obviously all vampire are not coming and going from that point, but put an asterisk next to its importance. It’s sure to figure prominently in our strategy to curb the epidemic. You’ll be kept posted when new intel is available. That is all.”
The next day the new B Team assembled on the Splat Deck for trainin’ purposes. Kay was goin’ over a variety of weapons lined up on a table in front of him.
“We developed bullets with a core made of hard wood so green it won’t catch fire before reaching the target, but we like the splat guns better because they’re silent and if an innocent gets in the way, they won’t get hurt.
"As you might guess, one of the logistics problems is how to carry this,” pickin’ up a splat pistol, “without drawing attention. That’s a lot easier to do in cold weather because you can hide a world of sins in outerwear. In warm weather we pretty much have to rely on stakes in boots.
"The silver gel only works on exposed skin. That means if your aim isn’t good enough to hit a vamp in the face, it won’t do you any good. So we’ll start with the fixed targets at maximum range of thirty feet. Have you ever shot a gun?”
“No.”
“Okay, well, we all have our strengths and weaknesses. We know you’re good at hand to hand.”
“And ancient weapons,” she added.
“Yeah, but swords and quivers are not exactly low profile. Storm’s the best shot.” He turned to Storm. “Why don’t you show her how it’s done?”
“You wanted her on the team. You show her.”
Great Paddy. I did no’ know Storm was even capable of bein’ such a whiney little infant, but ‘twas wearin’ thin. So thin, in fact, that I had no more patience to bring. I stepped in front of his face so he had no choice but to look at me and see that I was no’ pleased with his bitchy little attitude.
“What’s this now? A fearless leader or just a pouty lunker who turns crybaby when he does no’ get his way? ‘Tis done! You get that? Let me say it again carefully. ‘Tis. Done! She’s one of us. And if you do no’ come on board, you’re goin’ to get us all killed.” I jerked my head toward Elora. “That includes her.”
His nostrils were flarin’ as he clenched and unclenched his jaw. I could see he was no’ ready to step it back. He fumed at me like I was the enemy for a few seconds, but a change in perspective registered on his face and his breathing slowed. I do no’ know if ‘twas because he replayed my words in his head, but something brought him ‘round to reason.
“Okay. Move aside.”
Because he sounded like himself, I did.
He picked up one of the splat guns from the middle of the table and went to stand next to Elora. “The gel capsules go in here. There are three shots to a cartridge. When it’s loaded, you move this latch with your thumb to bring them forward into the chamber. Here. You try.”
Elora watched carefully and repeated the steps right the first time.
“We deliberately designed these guns with a sound identical to loading shells in a shotgun because any advantage is a good advantage. And few things sound more ominous than hearing the sound of a shell moving into the chamber of a shotgun, especially when it’s both quiet and dark. Vampire scare fairly easily and then they make fatal errors.” He smiled. "We like that."
He took the gun from her hand, spun and fired three shots in rapid succession. All hit the target in the face.
“Whoa. Serio
usly?” she said.
“Told you he was good,” said Kay with pride.
Storm smiled. “Okay. Load again and try to hit my shots on the target.”
She loaded the weapon like she’d been doin’ it for years. After Storm corrected her stance, she fired. The first two shots missed altogether. One hit a target in the crotch - two targets away from where she was aimin’. By the fourth round she’d managed to hit her target… in the crotch.
I gave Kay a WTF look and said, “I’m beginnin’ to sense a very disturbin’ pattern here.”
He laughed, but Elora slid a sideways glance at me that looked a lot like elvish mischief. "Maybe you should keep it in mind, partner.”
I laughed softly, hopin’ the idea that there’s always truth in jokes was a cock-eyed notion.
I stepped behind her, placed my hands on her hips, and urged her to swivel her body to make a slight angle to target adjustment. I ducked down a little to mimic her line of sight and moved her arm up a bit.
“You’re hittin’ ‘round two and a half feet south of where you’re aimin’. Maybe there’s more of a drop in flight than you’re calculatin’. So why do you no’ try aimin’ just that much higher and see what happens?”
Her next shot hit the target in the chest.
“I’m callin’ that progress.” I smiled at the little victory.
Kay took the pistol from her and said, “We’ll work on it.”
That night at dinner, Kay made Elora feel welcome as our newest teammate. First, with a gift. He’d had Farnsworth find one of those gold plated business card holders and had it engraved with her initials. He handed her a beautifully wrapped gift box and looked on with pride as she opened it.
“A business card holder?” she asked. “It’s beautiful, Kay. Do we, ah, carry business cards?”
He laughed and shook his head. “Look inside.”
She opened the case to reveal twenty or so toothpicks.
Knights of Black Swan, Books 7-9 (Knights of Black Swan Box Set Book 3) Page 50
