What is his Name? I underlined the last word, and the Ginger’s response was practically immediate, complete with enunciation lines and a phonetic depiction of a long, single word.
My stomach flip-flopped in surprise as even more dots came crashing together. From the past. And the smile on my face transformed into something truly wicked to behold. Judging from Indie’s gasp as she abruptly reentered the room anyway.
I didn’t explain. I couldn’t. Yet. But I needed her for this next part.
As bait.
Chapter 51
We stood in the field, Indie tapping her foot impatiently as she glared at my back.
“What are we doing here, Nate?”
“We won’t be much longer. It’s better if I don’t say.” Which went over all sorts of terrible.
“What do you mean, it’s better if I don’t say,” she growled back. I smiled, glad she couldn’t see my face.
I noticed a familiar sensation. “I sense a disturbance in the Force…” I murmured.
Indie was suddenly on full alert as a figure appeared out of thin air. Baba approached on slippered feet, no shadow traced her travel, which meant it was either invisible, standing right behind me, or doing other things at the moment, none of which were good. I kept my face neutral. Baba watched me warily as she approached, eyes flicking from me to Indie in consideration.
I waved at her.
She hesitated, and then slowly waved back, eyes narrowing as if waiting for a trap. Instead, I slowly lifted my sleeve, and shot a look for Baba’s eyes only. She halted, gasping, and I dropped my sleeve, nodding. Indie whirled to look at me, having missed whatever I had just done. Baba shivered, glanced uncertainly at Indie, and then back to me.
“I… see,” she said. She stopped a safe distance away, close enough for us to talk but not touch. “I sensed the book again. The sensation was missing for some time, but now the trace is back. What exactly is going on?”
I didn’t answer her question, although I could see Indie had the same thoughts. “Here is how it is going to work. I require a down payment from you and your fellow… initiated,” I grinned.
Her eyes narrowed. “And why would we pay you for something we can take.”
I nodded, conceding her point. “Sure, you can kill me. Even try to kill Indie here. I doubt it would end well, but there’s always the chance that you walk away breathing…” Baba waited, sensing a trap. “But you’ll never get the book. If I or any of my friends die, are kidnapped, or are otherwise placed in danger, the book disappears. Permanently.” Her eyes looked suddenly horrified.
“What makes you think I can believe such a claim?”
“Yeah, what she said,” Van suddenly said, unfolding from a crouch in the tall grass. He took a step closer, arms folded, glancing pointedly at my own forearms. Good, so he had been here long enough to see that. Made me a bit nervous that I hadn’t known he was present, or for how long. But that didn’t matter now.
An arrow slammed into the dirt directly before his foot as he began to take another step. He chuckled as a form wavered into existence on the opposite side of Indie. The arrow had missed Indie by inches on its journey to Van. Indie glared at the Huntress, who merely smiled back.
“Huntress,” Van murmured, dipping his head in mock respect.
“Where is the feisty little one?” She ignored him, looking directly at me instead.
“Uh,” I frowned, trying to figure out what she was talking about.
“The master of beasts,” she elaborated.
I let out a laugh, realizing she meant Tory. “I don’t think she would like that title.” The Huntress frowned, seeming to not understand why ever not. “She’s otherwise obligated.” I turned to address the group, disregarding the Huntress’ calculating look.
“Nate, mind explaining what the hell is going on?” Indie said, eyes dancing from threat to threat. I nodded.
“You guys all hear my introduction or do I need to repeat myself?” I asked. They all nodded, murmuring that they had heard me speaking with Baba. “Okay, your ante into my coffers grants you the location of where the book will be tonight. Whoever wants out simply doesn’t have to make a deposit. But I’m sure your boss wouldn’t like that…” I let that build on itself for a moment, each of the three immortals shooting furtive glances at the others, eyes guarded.
“He won’t like this. Do you have any idea what you are doing right now?”
I shrugged. “Being reckless,” I grinned.
Van let out a laugh. “You have no idea who you are messing with.”
I flashed him a condescending smile, all teeth. “Oh, you have no idea what I know. Let’s just say that I’m not afraid of the little guy.” Incredulous looks met mine. I held my smile. “But let me just throw this out there. He isn’t pleased that one of you let me know about him in the first place.” Arguments sprang up in an instant, denying any such thing.
I simply watched them, my face a mask, spending exactly the same amount of time with the exact same look on my face, on each person present, giving away nothing. “That’s not possible,” the Huntress uttered finally.
“Oh, it’s possible. And will mean you three Musketeers will be one short after the dust settles. Which kind of means you should all show up, or else one of your pals here might just collaborate with the other to frame you. That would be… unfortunate.”
Shouts of outrage erupted from Baba and the Huntress, but Van merely studied me acutely. Again, I gave away nothing. I could sense Indie watching me with the same intensity, but I didn’t acknowledge her. “How much is this ante?”
“That is entirely up to you. Just know this. The ante gets you into the game tonight. There will be a final bid required to win the book itself. A silent auction. A nod of respect and irony, I guess, to the auction house where this all began.” Van’s face darkened in understanding, appreciating my apparent greed, but I held up a hand. “The funds will be used to pay back the families destroyed by… one of your actions.” The look on Van’s face suddenly changed to something unreadable. I leaned closer conspiratorially. “Little tip about auctions. The higher the number, the better.” Then I turned my back on them, holding out my arm for Indie. “And remember, myself, Indie, or any of my friends so much as breaks a fingernail before tonight, the book will be destroyed, and I’ll leave you to your boss.” And I began to walk away, Indie staring straight ahead, spine straight, oozing a fraudulent self-confidence for their benefit.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Baba demanded.
“You’ll regret this, you worm,” the Huntress snarled impotently.
“Where do we send this money?” Van shouted.
“Look at your feet. I put the information on a piece of paper in your respective cow patties. Oh, and better make both deposits before tonight. Things might get wild later. You’ll find my phone number in your pockets.” I let out a loud laugh at their threats, shouts, and exclamations of disbelief at how I possibly left my number or the deposit account number right in front of their noses. “Bring whomever you want with you as backup,” I added casually. I smiled at Indie, ignoring them. “Shall we?”
She let out a shaky breath. “Y… yes. I think we shall. I need a stiff drink.”
“Me too,” I grinned, letting out my breath for the first time as I opened a portal to a random street. I didn’t want them following me. I had some phone calls to make. I needed everyone in one place. So that I could see they were all safe. And so I could tear off some masks.
“No drinks for you, Nate,” Indie murmured distractedly. She finally glanced at me after we stepped through the portal and I let if fold back in on itself. “Do you have any idea what you are doing? It sure feels like you are playing dice here.”
“No dice,” I patted her back. “The dice of god are always loaded.” She watched me as I opened another portal, this time home. Her eyes were thoughtful as she followed in silence. I had a lot to do.
Chapter 52
The voice o
n the other line sputtered in disbelief, “That’s not possible.”
“I assure you, one of the other competitors told me the name of the man hiding the book. Apparently, he’s been behind it all along.”
“Well, who is it, man?!” The voice sounded desperate.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. We’re meeting tonight. Your boss should probably join us. I can’t guarantee the safety of the book for long.” I had to play this one dangerously. I had to give enough to get him to show, but not give away too much of what I knew or else it would ruin everything. So I was bluffing. Kind of.
I told him where we were meeting, and let him know I would have the money in my account from the one who had betrayed his boss. Proof.
“This is highly unbelievable.”
“I find it a little more than I bargained for, but I’m simply telling you things in real time like you asked. This competitor is spilling the beans tonight, so I’m betting the book will be present. Right now, I need to go prepare.” I hung up to more sputtering arguments and demands for more answers.
Gunnar watched me with one eye. “Do you mind telling me what in the hell is going on? What did that call have to do with Ashley?”
I frowned. “That had nothing to do with Ashley. I called you to let you know I’m setting up a meet for everyone. But more importantly-”
“Where are we all meeting?” He snarled, fist clenching at his side.
I blinked. “I had assumed you were coming anyway. Don’t worry. I wasn’t going to keep it from you. Easy there, Fido.” He smiled faintly – very faintly – at my jibe, and nodded after taking a deep breath. I told him where and his eye grew calculating.
“But what I meant to tell you is that I think I’ve found a way to duplicate your rune for Ashley.” His anger evaporated like a wave had suddenly washed it out to sea. He leaned forward eagerly, and listened to my explanation of his rune, how my father had given it to him, and my plan for Ashley. As soon as I finished he let out a relieved shout of joy and wrapped me up in a big old hug, thanking me profusely with much back patting. He didn’t know his own strength.
Or didn’t care.
“Okay, okay. Down, boy. Easy. Before we get to that, we need to take care of bidness tonight.”
“Bidness. Right. How many do you need?”
I thought about that. I didn’t want things getting too crowded. Nor did I want any new faces added as an enemy to the bad guys tonight. “Just you and Ashley. I don’t want your wolves on anyone’s radar. Especially after the curveballs I’ll be tossing around tonight.”
“Tell me about these curveballs.”
I shook my head. “Nope. I literally can’t. You’re all going to have to trust me on this. I’m not even doing it for personal enjoyment this time.” I let a smile stretch my face. “That isn’t to say that I’m not personally enjoying your torture, just that it isn’t my motive.”
He shook his head, chuckling. “Sure.” He stood. “We’ll be there. With Tory and Alucard, don’t worry,” he added, noticing my mouth opening to remind him of just that. I closed it with a click and he left the store, whistling as he went. I heard his new motorcycle rev up and rolled my eyes. Such a cliché. Werewolves on motorcycles. Might as well throw some glitter on Alucard.
My phone began to blow up with text messages over the next hour as I readied the rest of my plan. It seemed they had each spent the better part of five minutes mucking through their cow patties only to find that my phone number had been written on their hands.
None were pleased.
Which just broke my heart.
I checked my account to find they had each made their dual deposits, and the new balance in my account was staggering. I responded back with the location to each of them, smiling in anticipation, and a deeply-buried anxiety. This could still all go horribly wrong, but at least I stood a shot of not dying.
As quickly.
Chapter 53
My gang stood in the field again, everyone fidgeting idly and speaking in low tones. Then the three immortals were suddenly standing in a row before us, hands ready for a fight. Baba’s house loomed over her back, the long-beaked skull hanging over her shoulder by a good couple feet, robes of black hanging listlessly. The Huntress stood by herself, but was covered in a vast array of weapons. Her eyes settled on Tory, and a hungry smile split her features. Tory merely frowned, looking uncomfortable.
It wasn’t really a threatening smile. It was an… eager one. The Huntress’ smile stretched even further and she winked. Tory’s mouth dropped open, and Indie covered her mouth, apparently from a sudden cough. Tory spun angrily, glaring at Indie. The two began murmuring to each other in low tones, too quietly to overhear. But Alucard’s face began to turn red. Vampire hearing was useful at times. I’d ask him later.
Van’s gaze halted abruptly on Gunnar and Ashley, mouth opening in surprise.
Which was understandable.
Ashley and Gunnar stood beside each other, partially shifted so that they resembled nothing more than bipedal hulked-out werewolves. Their torsos looked humanoid, but covered in fur. But the tips of their appendages – hands, feet, and head – were all werewolf.
Gunnar’s icy white fur seemed to glow in the moonlight, and his upper arms were three times their original size. Three inch, terrible black claws extended from his massive white paws – the size of a freaking liger or something – which looked perfectly capable of wielding weapons thanks to the furry opposable thumbs. A large, horrifying wolf head rested on his shoulders. Now that I thought about it, he kind of resembled the Minotaur in size and body type. Wolf head, human body, but hands and feet closer to that of a beast.
But wait, there’s more…
His furred chest was crossed with nylon straps holding spare clips of ammo, and twin holsters hung at his belt, with over-sized pistols, one black and one white. I had no idea where he had gotten them, but an AR-15 also hung loosely from a sling around his back. He was the freaking Rambo of werewolves. His single eye glittered hungrily as he watched Van, panting hungrily.
Ashley was simply a smaller version of her alpha, midnight black fur to his shining white. But no one could dismiss the wild gleam in her eyes as anything other than detrimental to their health.
She growled a warning at Van Helsing.
Van finally let out a laugh, shaking his head. “First time for everything, I guess. Let’s get this party started. The appetizers look delicious!” and he winked at Ashley. Which didn’t go over well. Ashley lunged, and Gunnar latched a meaty paw onto the ruff of her fur, halting her with a low bark. She yelped, tail tucked between her legs, but never took her murderous gaze from Van.
“We’re waiting for one more,” I replied lazily. The immortals began to grow uneasy. They hid it well, but I knew fear well. They were terrified of what was about to happen.
And the best part? They had nothing to fear. But keeping them afraid kept me alive a bit longer. And that was all I needed.
The ground rumbled, and a figure of shadow and flame suddenly tore free from the earth, clawing, scraping, and snarling as it came. It breached the surface of the ground, seeming to claw its way from the very depths of hell on a prison-break, and finally settled into a haze of shifting shadows, embers, and sparks. Luckily, the field didn’t catch fire. The creature’s fiery white eyes acknowledged me with a scowl and I smiled back.
“Looks like we’re all here,” I smiled. “If you would please follow-”
The Demon spoke from directly behind me. “What about your client?” it whispered, but loud enough for all to hear.
I chuckled, hoping that I masked the fear from my voice. “I think you know the folly of that question, Silver Tongue.” There was a surprised silence as I took another step, and disappeared from their view.
Asterion stood before me. “All are present?”
I nodded. “Incoming.”
He shook his head. “This won’t end well.”
“Better than it could anywhere els
e, I suppose.” He grunted and fixed his glare upon the empty space behind me. I stepped up beside him and folded my arms, yawning.
My friends came in first, arguing over their shoulders, but warily studying their sudden surroundings. None of them looked surprised. I had already warned them of this much at least. They quickly stepped a safe distance back as the immortals entered, hands on their assorted weapons. My own hand rested on my cane, squeezing it sporadically to relieve my tension. So far, so good.
Then the Demon entered in a flying leap, sailing directly over our heads to land in the center of the circle. His eyes darted back and forth, taking everything in. The blazing sunset in the distance, the smooth dirt grounds circled by hundreds of flickering torches, and the infinite pool of darkness just beyond the flames.
The Dueling Grounds.
And judging by the looks on the immortal faces, they hadn’t ever heard of it.
But even if they had, it wouldn’t have really mattered.
You see, my friends already knew this, especially Alucard, since he had killed me here before. But you couldn’t die at the Dueling Grounds. The whole point of the place – I know not when – was to establish a place to duel with a partner, to the death, to correct any grievances. But when one died, they reappeared back in their home, unharmed. This way the grievance could be resolved, with no lasting harm.
Thing is, I hadn’t met anyone else who knew of it, so I wasn’t entirely sure who it had been intended for. Now it was primarily the Minotaur’s secret hideout. I’m pretty sure he used it to lure heifers in for a little hanky-panky, but it wasn’t my place to judge.
Long story short, none of us could truly die here.
But that wasn’t why I had brought everyone here.
I had a much more important reason for doing so, and only the Minotaur knew.
I could see the thoughtful looks from my friends, thinking they understood my position. They had no idea. What I was about to do would light the world on fire with stories. If we survived.
Silver Tongue: A Novel in The Nate Temple Supernatural Thriller Series (The Temple Chronicles Book 4) Page 28
