Heart of a Dragon

by David Niall Wilson

  "Christ, Hector," the last chimed in. "That crazy old woman is the reason everything is messed up. We can't go to her."

  "Maybe you're forgetting a couple of things," Hector said. His voice grew menacing. Donovan and Amethyst pressed deeper into their small alcove, listening carefully.

  "Like what, man?" the third voice whined.

  There was a sudden shuffle of feet, and then the sound of something slamming hard into metal. A man cried out in pain, and Hector's voice, now hard and brittle cut through the shadows.

  "You're forgetting who you're talking to for one thing, motherfucker," he said. "You're forgetting that the only reason you aren't one of those crazy-assed dudes running over the top of cars isn't you is because that crazy old woman gave you something. That thing you're wearing, man – it protected you. She protected you. You might want to remember that before I yank that chain off your neck and give it to someone else. Maybe I break your leg and leave you here – see what comes back to get you."

  "No man, Hector, no!"

  There was a moment of silence, and then, apparently, Hector relented. The footsteps moved closer again, and then past. Donovan counted to three, and then stepped out, hurrying to the right. Amethyst followed.

  "Hey!" a voice called out from behind them. "Who's there?"

  They didn't turn, the hurried on toward the central court.

  "They saw us," Amethyst pointed out.

  "I know," Donovan said. "Did you hear what the one they called Hector said? They were wearing something for protection. What do you want to bet you just found out who the buyer was for the other figurines?"

  "I should have thought of that," Amethyst said. "I can see you just fine, after all. It never occurred to me that others with the same charm could see us as well."

  "I thought I saw something in the circle, but couldn't quite make it out," Donovan said. "I think now it must have been our three friends. I'm guessing that Hector is the Presidente of that group. With the binoculars, and with your crystal, they were shielded from us – but here? I have to say, they don't sound as if they are all on the same page about Anya. We might be able to use that to our advantage at some point."

  Ahead the entrance opened onto the courtyard, and they hurried through. The smoke had pretty much cleared, and there was some light from the moon, as well as from scattered torches, now guttering in the night breeze. The fire pit glowed with coals, but wasn't much of a light source.

  A man knelt to their left, and another lay back on the ground. The first spun like a cornered snake, rising to a crouch. Donovan held up his hand. Then, realizing the man couldn't see him, he reached up and pulled the talisman up and off over his head. Amethyst did the same.

  "Who the fuck are you?"the man snarled.

  "My name is Donovan DeChance. We saw what happened. Martinez told us there might be trouble. We're here to help. How is he?"

  The man glared at them for a moment, sizing them up, and then turned to his fallen comrade.

  "It's bad," he said. "I'm Jake, by the way – this is Enrique. They got him good. There's something – wrong about them. Too fast. The way he was moving…"

  "That's something we can talk about once we're safely out of here," Donovan said. "I think it isn't going to take Anya Cabrera and her followers long to regroup and come back to see what happened. You two ruined something she's been planning for a very long time. I don't think she's in a very good mood."

  "I don't care about that old witch," Jake growled. "Enrique, I think he's dying," Jake said. "I don't think he's going to be able to move."

  "Can you carry him?" Donovan asked. "I can help if I need to, but we have a better chance of getting out of here if my hands are free."

  Jake nodded. "We have to stop this bleeding, then I can carry him."

  Amethyst dropped down beside Enrique and gently pushed Jake aside. She pulled out a scarf from somewhere and ran her hand in under Enrique's jacket. She pulled back his jacket and started to remove it. Donovan stepped up and laid a hand on her shoulder.

  "Leave it. Somehow I have the feeling that jacket might be the only reason he's still breathing."

  Amethyst glanced up, then over at Jake. Jake nodded.

  "He's right."

  She worked the scarf in under the jacket and pulled it around his back gently. When it was in place, she tor e a strip from the bottom of her skirt and packed it into the wound. A moment later it was tied in place snugly by the scarf, all of it soaking slowly in the man's blood.

  "He doesn't have much time," she said. "We have to get him to somewhere he can get real care. I need light, and water. Even then…"

  Jake nodded. As she rose, he stepped forward and lifted Enrique in his arms as if the man were a child. Donovan stared, just for a moment, and then let it go. This wasn't the time to ask about the jackets, or Martinez.

  "Let's go," he said.

  They followed the trail back out of the junkyard toward the street. They met no one along the way. There were no voices or footsteps. It was as if the entire ritual had never happened – as if no one had been there at all. They stepped out into the street cautiously, but there were no guards.

  Then, to their right, they heard voices and tramping feet. Donovan reached into the folds of his jacket and braced himself, standing between Jake, Enrique, and whatever came next. A moment later, a group of maybe a dozen men appeared. They wore black leather, and they moved quickly and quietly. Donovan relaxed. They were Dragons, and moments later they were helping Jake carry Enrique's prone form back out of the darker half of the Barrio toward their clubhouse, Martinez, light, and answers.

  Donovan and Amethyst followed quietly, and none questioned their presence. It was only a few hours until sunrise.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Martinez met them on the corner a few doors down from the Dragons' headquarters. Enrique was carried inside, but Martinez lingered. When the three of them were alone, Donovan filled him in quickly.

  "So, when Jake tried to break into that circle, it held?" the old man asked.

  "And when Los Escorpiones tried from the inside, it failed," Donovan said. "There is something here we aren't getting. Anya is no magician, as far as I know, but neither is she careless. What could she gain by letting the spirits out of the circle? We assumed that she placed wards to help bind them."

  "That would make sense," Martinez said, "but the Loa aren't bound by the same powers as other spirits. I'm not certain their portal would be blocked by such a thing – not in the way you're suggesting."

  "Then it has to be something else," Donovan said. "I have some research to do, I think. We need to go over this carefully and find what we've missed before it's too late – if it isn't already."

  "You'll tell me what you find?" Martinez asked.

  The two eyed one another for a moment.

  "When are you going to tell me what you wanted the Rojo Fuego for?" Donovan asked. "Where did the dragons on those jackets come from?"

  "Soon," Martinez said. "Give me a little time, and I will tell you everything. We owe you another debt, it seems, for bringing these two home."

  "You'd better get in there," Amethyst cut in, "or there won't be two of them. It may already be too late. I didn't bring the proper things for a healing."

  "I will do what I can," Martinez said.

  He turned and disappeared into the well-lit interior of the Dragon's clubhouse.

  Donovan watched until the old man was out of sight, then turned away.

  "We may not have much time," he said.

  They turned and left the Barrio. Donovan turned into a narrow street. It was lined with curious old shops. Amethyst glanced around, then frowned.

  "This isn't the way back to your place," she said. "I've never seen this street before."

  Donovan stopped where a dusty stairway led down away from the street. It was deeper than made sense, and with a grin, he started down. He went down three steps, stopped, and Amethyst almost bumped into him as he took two back up.


  "What are you…"

  In the shadows at the bottom of the stairwell, a door appeared. It shimmered slightly. It was made of wood panels, and there was a dusty glass window near the center. Donovan descended the rest of the way, reached out with one finger, and etched a symbol in the dust. Then he opened the door and stepped through without a backward glance. Amethyst stared for a moment, shrugged, and followed him into the darkness beyond.

  They stepped into a tunnel; stone walls stretched off into the distance. There were small alcoves to either side where candles burned. Donovan gestured ahead with a flourish.

  "Where are we?" Amethyst asked. "This isn't a normal portal."

  "It's older," Donovan said. "Not too many know it's here. I use it when I'm in a hurry, and when I don't want to be followed."

  "Who would be following us?"

  "I don't know," Donovan said, "but if anyone was, they aren't now. It took me ten years to locate the sigil to open this, and another two years to find the proper stairwells. There are half a dozen of them in San Valencez."

  Amethyst shook her head.

  "You're always keeping secrets," she said.

  "I wouldn't want to lose all my mystery," he said.

  He hurried down the tunnel, and as he went, he counted passageways to the right and to the left. Finally, he stopped in front of one of the darkened entrances. He spun three times in place and stamped his foot, then stepped forward into shadow. This time Amethyst followed him without hesitation. They exited onto another stairway. Above them the night sky was dark, the stars blanked by the lights of the city. Traffic passed nearby, and a horn honked. Donovan led the way to the end of the street, and they turned into the alley behind his building.

  "You know you're going to have to teach me," she said.

  "Of course," he laughed. "There is more to that tunnel than meets the eye – more than I've been able to discover. Depending on how you use it, it can take you … many places. I've been meaning to take you down there, because it's carved of stone – and because certain documents I've located seem to indicate that the original keys may have been formed of crystal."

  "Now I'm intrigued," she said.

  They climbed the back stairs and took the maintenance entrance. There was no one in sight, and moments later the elevator opened on the thirteenth floor.

  "Let's hope we find something quickly," Donovan said, opening his door and holding it for her to enter. "A lot may be counting on it."

  The heavy door closed behind them with a loud click, and the hallway faded to normalcy, empty and drab.

  ~ * ~

  Martinez entered the room and went straight to where Enrique lay on a low couch. He still wore his leather jacket. Jake stood close beside him, as well as another man, slender and tall with very dark hair. As he approached, Martinez laid a hand on the tall man's shoulder.

  "Let me through, Manuel," he said. "Give him room to breathe. I will do everything that I can for him, but you're going to have to give me room to work."

  Manuel stepped aside, but only slightly. He had one hand on Enrique's shoulder, and he did not release his hold.

  "You have to fix him," he said.

  Martinez ignored this and knelt beside the fallen Dragon. Enrique was pale. His skin was clammy, and there was dried and clotted blood crusted on his shirt, and the inside of the jacket. Martinez peeled away the shirt. He drew a leather pouch from beneath his robes, detaching it from his belt with a quick tug. He opened the drawstrings and pulled out a long, thin blade. He gripped it and leaned over Enrique. Manuel reached down and caught him by the shoulder.

  "What are you doing, old man?"

  Martinez shook him off and glared.

  "If you interrupt me again, I'll have you removed," he said. "You are here out of respect, offer me the same."

  He turned back, lifted the soiled fabric of Enrique's shirt in one hand and began quickly cutting it away with the knife. He worked carefully until the wound was clear.

  "Get me water," he said. "Clean rags."

  Manuel turned abruptly and did as he was told. Martinez laid a hand on Enrique's forehead. He pressed his fingers to the man's throat. The pulse was there, but it was very, very weak.

  Snake stepped out of the shadows. He stood by his fallen brother, watching over Martinez's shoulder as he worked. The Dragon's leader's eyes were deep pits. He obviously hadn't had enough sleep. Lines creased his forehead, and his hand was gripped into a fist.

  "We shouldn't have sent them off like that," he said. "We should have sent more – all of us, maybe."

  "It wouldn't have mattered," Martinez said. "More men would have died. This was the only way."

  "That's what you say," Snake said. "It's not the way The Dragons live – not the way we die. I should have been there."

  Martinez turned and stood suddenly, facing off with the taller, younger man, but not giving an inch.

  "If this was a normal night, and you were facing a normal enemy, I would have watched you go and waved as you disappeared. You know better. You know this isn't like anything you've seen before – it's like nothing that I have ever seen. We are doing what we can. I know this isn't your way – it is mine – and it is the only thing that has kept you alive this long."

  Jake stepped forward.

  "You should have seen him, Snake," he said quietly. "It was like watching some kind of crazy science fiction movie. Man, he ran up a wall of smoke. That thing that stabbed him – that creature – that was no Escorpione. They're fast, and they're bad news, but they're just men. You and me, we've been fighting them all our lives. The old man is right – and we should have been able to do more – but having the rest of you there wouldn't have stopped those things. They poured out of that smoke like demons."

  Snake turned away. Martinez started to follow, but Jake shook his head. The old man nodded and turned back to Enrique instead. Manuel had returned with water. The wound was uglier even than Martinez had imagined. He cleaned it as well as he could, applied salve, and then, with a long, curved needle and coarse thread, he stitched the torn flesh carefully. When he was done, he packed a strip of cloth soaked in water and a small pinch of herbs from his bag over the wound. He bandaged the cloth in place, then laid his hand on top and closed his eyes.

  He spoke very softly, and though there were several Dragons close enough to hear him, they could make out no words. Those watching carefully saw that where his hand met the bandage, flickers of bluish light rippled across the fallen man's skin. Martinez stayed like that for some time, and then suddenly, stood and staggered back.

  He dropped to his knees, reached out to try and put his hand back on the wound, but he nearly fell. Jake leaned down and caught him, holding him up off the floor. After a moment, Martinez brushed his hands away gently, and stood. He was shaky, and his eyes were dark.

  "There is nothing more I can do," he said.

  Manuel dropped down beside his brother. The steady rise and fall of Enrique's chest had ceased. His face was still, but peaceful. All trace of the blue light was gone. Martinez stepped close again and brushed a fingertip across Enrique's throat. There was no pulse. He waited a long moment, and then stepped back, shaking his head.

  "It was too deep," he said. "He should have died immediately. He was strong – very strong."

  Tears rolled from Manuel's eyes and ran freely down his cheeks. He made no move to brush them away. He leaned in and laid his forehead on his brother's chest, as if trying to hear something being whispered to him, or to draw the man's soul up and into himself. To call him back. His shoulder's shook, but he did not release the cry of anguish building in his throat, or give in to the sobs that threatened to shake him apart.

  He stood very slowly and left the room. The others stood in ranks and watched him leave in silence. Moments later the back door of the clubhouse slammed. Snake stepped in from the next room and walked to stand beside Martinez.

  "This has to end," he said. "We can't live like this – I can't lose more
of them. First Vasquez – now this. I understand the road. I understand the engine on my bike, and the wind in my hair. I understand that I have to fight, and that I might die. This…I don't understand any of it."

  "We will stop her," Martinez said softly. "You have to trust me. I am doing what I can – and there are others."

  "The two who helped us?" Jake asked.

  Martinez nodded.

  "They are powerful, and it is good that they fight at our side. What we are up against is more than any one of us could withstand. They will fight, and we have to help in any way we can. We have to take the war to Anya Cabrera and her demons, or we will be lost before we even know that the battle has begun."

  Before Snake could reply, Manuel burst back into the room. He went straight to his brother's side, and he knelt again. He kissed Enrique lightly on the brow; his hands clenched so tightly the nails bit into the palms of his hands. Then, working slowly and very, very gently, he began to work the leather jacket off of his brother's arm. He pulled it free of one arm, and turned to Jake.

  "Help me," he said. His voice cracked.

  Jake hurried to do as Manuel asked. They gently rolled Enrique to the side, slid the blood-soaked jacket out from under him, and pulled it free. Manuel dropped it on the floor at his feet, then turned back to his brother. He carefully arranged Enrique's arms, crossed on his chest. He leaned closer and closed his brother's eyelids. Then, crossing himself, he leaned down and picked the jacket up, holding it in his hands and staring at the dragon painted on the back.

  It was still beautifully worked, but something had changed. It didn't have the luster it had possessed when Salvatore first painted it. The ice-blue seemed more like a dull gray. It might have been the light, but the jacket mirrored the death pallor of its owner.

  Without a word, Manuel turned and headed for the door.

  "Where you going, bro?" Jake called out.