by Doug Burbey
"As sexy, and expensive, as that sounds, I'll have to pass. I trust my Vulture and will have to stick with her. But hey, if you get any cool ideas…"
"Yeah, yeah. I'll call you if I figure out a miracle of magical gunsmithing that turns a frog into a princess. You sure you don't want to give me a fat roll of cash for some sexy expensive German hardware? I mean, Miriam is on my case about taking her to Disney World so I need to pimp the goods, you know."
Declan laughed "Sorry, man. Maybe you can hard sell one of the Government types on the HKs. Toss in a free three-point sling and a forearm grip and they'll fawn all over it. They dig that Gucci tactical crap. "
"Will do, Declan. I'll keep thinking on your issue, but no promises. I kinda think you're screwed on that idea, but you never know."
"I'll be back in a week to cash out and help you put a down payment on your Disney vacation."
"No checks, Mr. Kenner! Cash business here you know." Miriam yelled out from the back of the shop.
"Damn," Declan looked at John "what's she have? Magic hearing or something?"
"You have no idea, man, no idea. See you back here in a week and we'll have all your kit ready to go."
Chapter 18 - Meeting with a Demon
Shane froze, looking at his toy. Suddenly the vague attractiveness of her red hair and pale skin didn't begin to compare to what her sexy gray matter contained.
"You have the portal connections to a demon who wants to negotiate?"
She shrugged. "Yes. It's a complicated portal but I could hold it in my head."
"And what exactly did he want to negotiate?" Shane kept his voice icy cool even as his mind threatened to overload with ideas.
The girl shrugged. "Something about working with our leaders and small raiding parties. Angry about the loss of some good foot soldiers."
"How did you get the portal info?"
Her face lit up, and for a split second, she glowed. "Some government agent guy gave the demon token to me. Said a small batch of the tokens were provided by the Treaty Arbitrators, to both the humans and demons in paired sets, at the signing. They were to allow the humans and demons to foster a more positive report by communicating across the portal wall. He said it was his gift to me." Her head dropped and she shrugged. "He was cute and called me pretty."
Shane opened his mouth about to tell her how badly she'd been played, then snapped it shut, forcing a smile. "You're more than cute. You might be the sexiest woman I've met in a very long time. Would you be willing to open that portal for me?"
"You think I'm sexy?" She stopped mid-stride to look at him, and for a split second, he regretted how he was about to use this naive child. It disappeared with the reminder that they were all dead already; they just hadn't physically died quite yet.
"I do believe you are the sexiest woman I've seen in years. First, tell me all about this agent that gave you the token." His voice dropped to a low purr as they walked and he scanned the area, verifying no one paid any attention to them. "Tell me about this demon."
The toy blinked at him. "I don't talk to him. I just open the portal and ring Frax's bell. Frax’s boss is scary though. Ring five maybe? So, does that mean you like me? They said you would keep me."
Shane had to blink to disconnect, from someone having the portal numbers to a ring five demon, to a woman seeking reassurance.
"I think I've never liked anyone more. How strong of a Ley line crossing do you need to ring up his portal?"
And when did I become British? Gah. But this toy is proving more useful than I could have expected. A ring five?
A shiver ran through him.
What if it's a ring six? Fuck, can she reach that high? That might be exactly where I need to get the information to save myself, and maybe a few others.
The thorny concept of a sustainable gene pool ate at him, especially as he suspected his balls were firing blanks. But if that was the case, who cared. He could let his universe collapse as soon as he died, he wouldn't care - he'd be dead.
The toy shrugged. "At least two, three is easier."
Shane almost tripped. "You can open a portal on a two crossing ley line?"
"Sure. Really I don't need crossings, but if I do it without one, I'm exhausted for days." She shrugged then stopped as he did.
His mouth dropped open, closed, and dropped open again. Shane took a deep breath and a slow smile spread across his face. "Toy, I hope you like me because I'm not letting you go."
He pulled her close as he walked faster to the building, thoughts whirling around his head.
"First things first Toy, we are going to summon a demon."
She looked at him a bit wary. "It's Jane, and I'm a bit tired. It's been an exciting day. And I… " she trailed off frowning. "I feel weird. Is this the blood? Maybe I'm not tired."
"Was Frax there?"
"No. One of the guys had a different portal token; they didn't want to use mine. I don't think they knew." Her voice trailed off and she swayed a bit on her feet. "I think I should eat something."
They had reached his building and Shane leaned his bike against the wall and then ushered her up the stairs. "Not a problem, I'll order a pizza, heck five. You rest. This building crosses Ley lines. Then you and I are going to summon a demon."
It took a bit to get the food in her, but he had to admit Toy looked better, not as pale after she ate. He'd been making notes and organizing thoughts while she ate and stared at the wall. Not at the TV, not at her phone, not at a book, but at the damn wall. Shane almost asked her what she looked at twice but decided he didn't want to know. Ignorance was bliss. Happy before the demons, miserable afterward. Knowledge made no one happy.
He had the circle constructed, his questions organized, and eagerness bubbled through his veins. This would get him the answers. He could feel it, closer than he had been in a very long time.
"You ready, Toy?"
She ducked her head, not looking at him, her voice a low mumble. "It's Jane. But yeah. I'm actually still buzzing from all the blood earlier."
Shane smiled so widely he thought he might break something as he waved at the circle. "Go for it, Toy."
This time she didn't correct him, just drew a token out of her pocket. One lancet later, the lancet makers were raking in a fortune now, she squeezed a drop of blood on it, centered herself and waved a hand. A small portal about the size of a basketball appeared and Shane felt his jaw drop again.
Oh fuck, Toy. You are mine. I'm damn near tempted to collar you in every sense of the word. You just became a slave, cause I am never letting you go. Fuck the cost, fuck morals, not that I have any. You are a walking portal. And you are mine.
Possession coated those thoughts. Every other mage he'd seen, those few that could call and open portals, took chanting, a cut of blood, and so much effort they could barely hold the portal open for more than a few minutes. His Toy waved her hand and it opened.
"Frax? You there? Got someone that wants to speak to the big boss."
Toy tilted her head looking at the portal and shrugged. "I don't know." She turned and looked at Shane. "It wants to know your name."
Shane blinked and realized he hadn't introduced himself, but Toy didn't need to know his real name.
"Marcus Vipsanius, Mage of the Romans, here to parlay with the boss of Frax."
"You get that Frax? Sure, we'll wait." She yawned and sat back down on the couch and Shane felt his eyes go wide.
"You don't need to stand there and keep it open?"
"Nah, that is only if I'm the only one holding it. But Frax takes half the weight and I take the other half. Kinda like holding a bowling ball in the air, heavy but we brace each other."
Shane mentally made note and addendums to everything he knew about summoning portals. He could do it. But only hopped up on blood, with at least four crossing lines, and a ready supply or blood or sleep afterward. He needed to find out about the demons that were making contact and if this was something he could use.
Toy lif
ted her head and blinked at the portal. "I assume you only want to talk to Bezzid, not see him?"
"Yes," the word blurted out of Shane before conscious thought registered. "Just talk. My apartment can't handle a what, ring four?"
Toy shrugged. "I think he is a five maybe six. But..." she scratched her head and winced. "Okay communication open. Go for it."
Shane drew himself up, demons didn't see the world the way humans did and their lack of understanding idioms amused him. But mostly he wanted to see what he could find out.
"To what underling do I speak?" And Shane held his breath hoping he took the right approach
"Bezzid is not underling. Bezzid controls a horde." The demon’s voice sounded flat, stripped of all intonation, but Shane got the sense he missed something about it. "Why does Marcus Vipsanius, Mage of the Romans, contact Bezzid? Human contact is normally done via Kelvin of the White City."
Fuck, he already has a normal human contact? This is not good.
"I come to offer information about the demon hunters that are prepared to invade your realm."
Toy shot him a look of confused horror but Shane ignored it. All of him was focused on the portal.
"Ah, so the reports from Bezzid's scouts were correct. The Demon Hunters are preparing an invasion. Bezzid’s casters talk to your human oclaves and know of all your trickery. Bezzid had heard of one called DK. He names himself after us, mocking our power, trying to steal it. Kelvin of the White City thinks Ze can win this battle. Ze's hunters will not be enough to win against Bezzid's horde. What information offer Bezzid in trade? What do you seek? Why you waste time?"
DK? What the fuck? It can't mean Declan? That level of synergy would be insane. Though…
Shane cut off his thoughts and focused back on the important part right now.
"Lighten up, Francis." He replied abstractly as he tried to process how to direct this discussion. "You're getting upset over nothing. I'm looking for knowledge. I seek books of information about the blood and the Angels. I would learn to create worlds, oh great Abattoir of Knowledge."
"Francis? Ah, one of odd Earth sayings. You seek to overthrow Kelvin? Take Zir's power and servants for yourself?"
"Kelvin is a minor mage, I am a Magnus, I shall remake that which is."
"Ah. You speak of the lost knowledge, the truth in creating the existences. It matters not. When Bezzid's hordes win through, there will be no chance to create more existences as all blood will belong to us, Only the Angels will be left. With three races they cannot stand against us and Demons will retake their rightful spot."
I hate it when Deva was right. But I doubt he's involved in this mess. He said he wanted to stay out.
"You cannot win, not without my information. I know the portals and when and where they will attack. But I will not share without the knowledge I seek."
"Bah. Knowledge is in the blood. Books hold it only for a short time. Except for the Demon Bible but that would kill you, drain your blood. Though it might be interesting to watch. However, you are not worth my time. Leave."
The portal winked out creating a slight vacuum that pulled loose papers towards it.
"Ow. Dammit. I hate it when they do that, it hurts." Toy whined, rubbing her head.
Shane just stood there reviewing what he'd learned.
Who the hell is Kevlin? What had DK gotten himself into? And what did he mean the knowledge is in the blood?
Chapter 19 - Puppeteer
Kelvin Ordonio sat casually in a plush lounge chair located at the end of the United States Capitol Building’s second floor main hallway. To a passerby he would look like any other government employee using his downtime to check his emails on his phone. That was exactly how he wanted it. Kelvin liked to ensure that his outward appearance was always designed to fit the situation with maximum effectiveness. He opened his secure link and typed in the appropriate Senate office room number then turned on his earbuds’ audio. Immediately he was rewarded with clear video, and audio, from a live concealed feed that originated from the Senate Majority Leader’s own office. He had stirred the pot and wanted to watch it boil just a little before he just happened to stop by in to offer his assistance to the Senator.
Inside of the lavish office, Senator Mulkiski turned abruptly and pointed her finger at her Chief of Staff's chest as he shut the door to the Senator's inner office.
"How many times have I told you? One, only one, of these constituent meet and greets each day. That was two before the first session today, you sorry sack of shit. If there's another one on my schedule for today. I swear to God, you're going to be fired."
Her Chief of Staff pulled out his tablet appearing to double check the Senator's schedule. Senator Mulkiski moved over and sat down at her opulent desk set to the back of the room with the windows of her Senate office building overlooking the mall behind her.
"Janet, I reminded you yesterday that we were going to have two constituent meetings this morning. Both of those were family members of big donors, and you know that. Without these smiling photo ops of yours, we have unhappy donors who don't want to give you their money for your reelection campaign. You do remember the elections you still have to do, correct?"
"Yes Mark, I do remember that I have to be reelected. I do remember I have constituents. And you need to remember that I said I would do one of these a day, not two. The party didn't spend the last fifty years gerrymandering the hell out of my district for me to keep wasting all my time now with constituents. You know my seat is perfectly safe; that's why we only need to do one of these photo ops a day. You may know your way around this building enough to keep the ship running as my Chief of Staff, but don't you forget for one fucking second that I've been here long enough to know my way around this whole god damn city. When I say only one constituent photo op per day, it means one fucking photo op a day."
Mark tapped at his tablet aggressively. "I got it, Janet. The next time the harbor authority union vice president asks for a favor of you to just take a picture with his damn niece, I'll make sure to tell him that you're too busy to talk to constituency today." The senator's Chief of Staff said sarcastically.
"Well, don't be an asshole about it, Mark. You know as well as I do, I would've made an exception there. Let's just not make a habit out of this."
"Of course, Janet, one constituent meet and greet a day only. But I do need to point out the two votes that you have coming up this afternoon. We need to have your open floor debate comments reviewed then prepped." The Chief of Staff began as he moved around to the side of the Senators desk while pulling up the prepared text on his tablet.
"We've got both these votes in the bag. The party whip is already done with the counts. He assured me those losers across the aisle have lost five of their Centrists members already, so they are not going to be able to institute any form of filibuster. I don't even know why we have to bother with the formality of either vote, I've got all those sad sacks of shit by the balls and there is nothing they can do about it."
"Janet, I've still got concerns about those rumors of the Midwest coalition block starting to push back against us on the additional provision we included in the fuel subsidy bill for the enhanced medical data gathering authorities being granted to the Department of Defense."
"You know as well as I do those redneck libertarians have nowhere near the clout to go against me as majority leader. They know that if they want the cheap fuel subsidy, that to mooch cheap diesel fuel for their dirt farming constituents they will do and vote exactly how I tell them to."
Kelvin had to fight not to laugh. If he ever let this out to her ‘dirt farming constituents,’ her term would be over. As fun as this was, he couldn’t sit here all day. He rose and headed to the Senator’s gatekeeper.
“Shelia, how are you doing? That dress makes your eyes just sparkle. I’m afraid I need to see the senator. Now, please.”
He smiled at her, making sure it reached his eyes.
Shelia blushed and hit the intercom butt
on on her desk. “Yes?" Senator Mulkiski’s voice came through the intercom, vaguely distorted.
"Senator, Director Ordonio is here to see you."
"Mark, what's this about? I don't remember anything about him coming here to visit me on my schedule today."
"I honestly have no idea whatsoever."
"I really don't think you have any time to meet with him today, Janet. I'm sure he's just here to hound you about his department's budget request for next year. I'll go out and tell him that he needs to address any of his concerns on his next Program and Requirement Forms submission through the Department of Defense Liaison Office, like he is supposed to. I'll get rid of him. Just because his agency has a fancy name, and only really answers to DoD Special Access Programs oversight, does not give him the right to just freely walk into the office of the Senate Majority Leader."
Kelvin had to fight back a laugh at the horrified expression on the secretary’s face as the intercom button stuck and all the words came through to the office. He shook his head holding up a finger to his mouth when she would have interrupted and let them know.
She rolled her eyes and shrugged, going back to her work.
And that my dear senator is why you are never rude to the people who work for you.
"You know it does Mark. Don't be an idiot. His budget is already set, and today's vote on the fuel subsidies, with the enhanced personnel data security to the HIPPA regulations shoved discreetly inside of it, his staff basically wrote themselves. I bet you that this prick is just here making sure I have the votes is all. So go ahead and push my schedule little bit, Mark. Shove everything back about fifteen minutes while I deal with this."
