by P. S. Power
She took Kait by the hand and started to walk off, muttering softly.
"The new guy seems nice! I haven't gotten any in weeks..." There was more talking but they were both out of earshot for him after a few seconds.
So he got the place ready for the day, working constantly for half an hour, waiting for things to change. The thing that did was Zack coming back, marching out of the owl room with wide eyes.
"Tyler! Sorry, I got hung up doing some work. You've been here all night?"
"Yep. I'm charging you extra for it, too. On top of my pay I mean. Normally it would have just been that, but you didn't even manage to drop a note and I worried about you. So you get me, you must be punished."
Zack winced.
"I see. So, spanking, or time out?"
It occurred to Tyler that his cute boss could be blackmailed, but he sighed and shook his head. He could also be fired after all, and while it was one thing to think he was sweet looking, it was another to insist he put out if he didn't want to.
"Eve wants me to go and help her with a Yoghurt World renovation in California. Right now the plan seems for her to carry me down, but it would be nicer if you got us there? Faster and not me being carried like a baby for what seems like weeks. It's a really odd effect, traveling with Vampires that way."
That got a slow nod.
"That can be arranged. I heard about that situation. A gang of Humans pretty much tore the store down, during the day. They don't have a Master Vampire working there, so it was just Human staff members. One was put in the hospital. It wasn't even a hate group, just scared people not realizing that the guy working there on mornings was just a person like they were. It's a good idea, you going. You can talk to the local police and make sure the attackers are found, and handled using the law, rather than just killed."
No one had mentioned the whole thing to him before, but that did seem like the kind of thing he should have been brought in on. So he nodded.
"That won't be for a few days. I'm not going until I have time off here. I got some help. The Mistress of Souls?" Without even waiting to act casual the Greater Demon, looking at least half Japanese, took his hand. Then he nodded and stepped back, so that Tyler wouldn't hit him to test his reflexes. He'd done that once, to see if he could get past the mind reading thing that way, but hadn't planned on it at the moment.
Then, for it to work, he couldn't plan things out. That was the point. He'd have to respond after the contact was made, and do it so fast that the demon didn't have a chance to realize he was moving.
Instead of hacking his arm off for being too trusting, Zack smiled.
"That's not a bad catch. She has the time right now anyway. Decent worker. So, Madeline is in. She isn't always like that. Wanting sex at that level? Honestly she's one of the best workers we have here. A spy sent in by the Shifters to watch me. You too now, I bet. Coolness. Why don't you go and get with Eve? You really should make a point of memorizing Lenore's notebook. I'll get some copies made of it, actually. You'll need to be careful with it. It's one of her prized possessions. If you lose it, I'll have to rewrite it from memory. That would cost you, trust me."
As if he were dismissed, Zack made motions with his hand and nearly ran to the cafe. The idea was clear, he needed food, but also didn't think that Tyler was going to be needed. It wasn't until he was out of the store, about ten minutes later, having clocked out and taken his larger notebook with him, leaving the other one for those copies to be made, that he realized a simple fact.
Zack had to know that he liked him.
It was kind of embarrassing, and made better only by the fact that he sort of liked nearly everyone. That didn't mean he wanted to sleep with them all, and, as the man himself had pointed out, he couldn't afford to be trusting of Greater Demons. So really, he had to stop thinking that kind of thing. It could give Zack a point of leverage to use over him, if he wasn't careful. Just because he'd been nice so far, and even helped set him up with an important side job, running the Coalition, that didn't mean he might not be planning to trick him later.
Inside the Yoghurt World there were two people. One of them was Eve, who was behind the counter, wearing an apron that was green and white, which didn't go with the rest of the place at all, and a dark skinned man who wasn't familiar.
The man turned to him, and stuck a hand out.
"Mr. Gartner? I'm Ridley. I run the Fun Zone, on the other side of the mall?"
Tyler nodded, having seen the place before. The man was a bit taller than he was, so about six feet and a bit of change, and had short, well groomed hair, as well as a shirt on that told Tyler that the man was from that location. He'd at least stolen a shirt from there, and liked to wear it, since it didn't seem new.
"Hey! We haven't met. I'm still kind of new. Did you come to get free treats? Or a date with Eve?" He didn't know why he was questioning the man like that, but something about him had set the words flowing. Like he couldn't help himself. Not in some small way either, but like the universe was commanding him to say the words.
Ridley smiled, a big and toothy thing that fairly gleamed it was so bright.
"The first one. I wouldn't want to get in the way of her relationship with Ben and Kait. Also, I was trying to get her to come and watch my place for me, later today. It will just be a few hours, but she's claiming that she's busy. I'd tisk at her and shake my head, but she pretty much does nothing but work, like you."
Eve gave him a nod, and waved him around the counter.
"Did you read any of the notebook? For that matter, where is it? You didn't lose it, did you?" Genuine panic seemed to come over her then.
Like he'd lose a book?
"I left it with Zack, so he can make copies of it. He told me to memorize it. I read over it once, but haven't gotten every word absorbed yet."
She started him in on making things for Ridley, who wanted the hardest thing to make on the menu, naturally. It was still just a frozen yogurt though, and while he had to make it three times before it barely looked good enough for even a free treat, Eve seemed pleased enough with him.
"I think you might be a natural at this. Good. We have harder stuff to get past. I don't suppose you'd be happy doing that for a few hours, then going and helping Ridley out? He really does work most of the time, too. Seven days a week..."
It was tempting to say that he wanted a break, having worked pretty much for days straight,
If he counted beatings on a plane as work, and helping out at the Fort, but then he shrugged.
"Okay. I've never done that before." He was going to ask if he got paid for it, but Ridley didn't let him speak.
"Perfect! Thanks Ty. It won't be long. Between two and four? I'll even trade you for it... Here..." It took a bit, but he moved to the front counter, where his notebook had been left sitting, and opened it to a blank page and wrote a number down, with a name. "Call him at ten-fifteen." Then he left, as if that made any sense.
As soon as the man was gone, Eve took a deep breath and sighed like it was a drama class and she was trying to get a good grade.
"Ridley is a Trickster. Dangerous to be around, especially if you don't do what they want. The best plan is to go with it, like you just did. They aren't assholes, but I think they have to keep the universe in balance, and if you get in their way, or won't do your part they will hand you your ass. The only people that get to ignore them are pretty much the Greater Demons. Even Zack normally just does what Ridley wants, so I figured we should take a clue. I really have other things to get to later, so it's a good thing you came along."
Then, being that she was there for a reason, and so was he, they drilled. It went fast, and he learned a lot more than he thought he could in that short of a time. At ten she waved at his notebook.
"Ridley said call, so you should. Use the back room."
No one was there, which was a bit odd, he thought. Normally Edom was there during the day. It was kind of like everyone was off on vacation. That, or there was an em
ergency that no one was telling the new guy about. That could be it, he knew. Then, he hadn't asked. If people needed him, or the Coalition of Nations to be involved, they knew to get in touch. He had his cell with him, after all.
Dialing the number blind, having nothing but an extension, which he put in, and a name, he didn't know what to expect.
"Greg Former, how can I help you today?"
That caught him out a bit.
"Hello. I'm Tyler Gartner. I was given this number..." He was about to explain Tricksters, or what little he knew, when the man made a happy sound.
"Oh? I was just about to try and call you. This works better. You're calling about the attack at... Westfield Mall? You were shot three times. It looks like a pretty open and shut case. Can I do some fact checking with you? We have the grand jury coming up in a few months, but staying on top of things never hurts."
That was the feminist attack group thing. It wasn't that hard to remember, so he covered the whole thing for the man, moving fast and letting him record it all.
"I see here that you, and the others didn't press charges for the vandalism? Why is that? I just have a notification here that says you worked that out with Althea Sims. I should have been brought into the loop on that a bit more. As District Attorney that really should have been my call, not hers. There can be leverage involved in small charges like that."
He nodded, and then just told the truth, since he didn't have anything else.
"Congressman Richard Swerlin called and asked a favor, since one of the women involved has a mother that actually loves her and got him to do it. To keep things fair we ended up having to let them all go. They had to work with Zack Hartley to fix his store. The book one? He's a Greater Demon, so it was pretty terrifying for them. We had a Lesser Demon, Balthias, in to watch them work. He's not exactly inside the legal system here, so... Well, let me just say that wetting yourself isn't that bad of an option if you ever meet him? Great guy. Scariest being I ever dealt with at the same time. He's called the Fear Demon, and it fits... Really well."
No one had complained. Not that Greg knew about. They were probably too terrified that Balthias would come back for them, like he'd said, and take them as his rape slaves, if they tried it. The man laughed when he told him all about it, which was a bit cruel sounding, and then made a considering noise when he found out that Ty had drafted the being into working with the Coalition. Part time, but it was a good point. He needed to get with the demon and make sure he was doing all right.
Even better, the man had been contacted, rather obliquely, by the prosecutor in Arizona that Tyler needed to talk to about the cult busting that he, Eve and Bey had done. It meant talking for over an hour and a half, on the land line the whole time, but a lot of little things came together quickly enough for him. Paperwork stuff, which as it turned out, he didn't really have a big part of.
Not until he had to go to court for various things, to be a witness.
It left him with a little bit of time, before he had to go and take over at the Fun Zone. So they drilled again, making dozens of large frosty treats. Half of them were dumped, not being professional enough for Eve. The other half got put in carrying containers, and at just before two he was sent off with them.
"Power lifting gym. Run though, so you won't be late. If I see Ginger, or Calley, I'll send them past there? You've been the world's worst boyfriend so far, you know that? Have you even seen either of them in three days?"
He didn't actually know at first.
"Yeah. I spent yesterday with Calley. I get what you mean. Kind of an asshole really. I haven't even given either of them a real hug in days. Then, we aren't really going out, are we? The relationship stuff is pretty different for each of us. Calley wants everyone, and flat out said monogamy wasn't happening with her, and Ginger... I don't think she likes sex. I mean she offers, but I always feel a bit like she's saying that she'll take a turn doing the dishes. You know?"
Eve smiled at him, and made gestures like she was pushing him to pick up the carrying containers of treats.
"I do know, first hand. Ben is pretty much in the same bind as you. Think about it. Calley doesn't need you for sex, so that means she just likes you. She can take care of her own needs, so you aren't really leaving her in a lurch. Ginger doesn't need you that way in general. No sex drive. So for her to offer means she sees something in you too. Now, go, before those melt, or you're late."
He walked, but did it quickly, trying to balance his notebook, and the treats at the same time, and dropped them on the front desk of the Gym, where Hildegard sat, looking heavy browed and a bit slow. She wasn't. Trollienkeine were smarter than Humans as a rule.
"Oohhh. Presents? For me?" She smiled at him happy.
"Probably to share, but yes. I need to go. Working the Fun Zone today. Hey... Do you want to get together some time? Hang out? You can come over and watch a movie with me." It sounded fun, and the girl was just the right proportion of exotic and friendly to make that seem fun, without being all about sex.
"That would be nice." She had an accent, which was a little Germanic, and heavy fang like teeth in her mouth, which she mainly kept closed. "We can do that this night? Or is that too soon. I never know with Humans, what they mean."
"Tonight is good, except that I have to work, I think. Speaking of which, I need to get home and shower first. I've been going non-stop for a while now."
That got her to smile, flashing her teeth at him a bit.
"This is a known thing, Tyler of the Humans. We have watched you battle to save first those stolen children that were harmed, and then protect the insane female that struck out at you at the celebration of Independence. It is a good story. Now you seek to help Riley, The Trickster. It is an epic thing, isn't it?"
He nodded, since it sounded pretty good, the way she said it.
"Hopefully it will all be epic sweeping the floor and the heroic making of change, or whatever it is I'm supposed to do. I should get to that." Then he tiled his head. "Hey, I know, can you come to the Cafe for dinner tonight? It's free, so I'll claim it's my treat?"
That got her to grin.
"Ah! That would be good. We were told by our leaders not to stress the goodwill of The Line Walker, but I think perhaps an invitation from the Chief of the Coalition of Nations will be allowed. Thank you. When should I be there?"
They agreed that five would work, as long as Riley wasn't late. If he was, then things would be a bit messed up.
The trick, if it was one, with watching the Fun Zone wasn't anything that hard to manage. He did need to sweep, and keep things clean, as well as hand out two prizes, and make a lot of bills turn into quarters. That was all. The place was decently busy, but that still only meant about a dozen people in the two hours he was there. Then the Trickster came back, smiling.
"There! Thanks, Tyler. I had to buy a house for a woman. Otherwise the world would have ended in six months. It's a bit of a chain reaction kind of thing. Can I call on you to help out some other time? I don't have anything for the time being, but it can come up."
The man was relaxed, and seemed happy that the world wasn't going to be ending, at least. If that wasn't a trick.
"Sure? I don't know if I can always help, but I'll try, if you need me. I can count on you to help out with the coalition stuff in return?"
"Oh, yeah. That's just about brilliant, that club you have going. Half my work over the last few weeks has been taken care of by you, without me even having to say anything. I don't know if that's what the Greater Demons have in mind for you. More of a work project to let you get ahead, actually. Not the most civic minded people directly, Greater Demons. It's doing the job , so I won't be complaining."
He nodded, getting the idea, having been told that several times so far.
"I wonder why though? I mean, Zack pretty much just made up a job for me, when I showed up. I'm no one special." It had kind of been bugging him, to tell the truth. On a deep level, but there the whole time. Why would Za
ck, The Technician, and The Mistress of Souls do anything to help him, or anyone else, out like that?
Riley winked at him.
"That would be due to the fact that The Line Walker is dating The Rotted. Practically married for their kind. You know, you should talk to your mother more." There was a grin, and he leaned in, his brown eyes looking suddenly huge. "Normally I'd go for the laugh here, but you were good today, standing up for the world without being a pain like most are. The Alede, Sally? She's actually The Rotted. Spying on you, and trying to act like she's not. It's why the crowds keep growing on the nights she shows up. She advertises first, so no one will question her being there. Honestly, you should look into doing that too, after you get settled a bit here."
It... Made more than a little bit of sense. Rolling his eyes he recalled the last time they'd been together.
"She called me a racist."
The Trickster didn't smile then, just nodding.
"And you learned from it, instead of making it into a problem. If I didn't know better, I'd say she actually cared about you. She also didn't use being Sally as a trick to get you into bed. Trust me, Greater Demons think nothing in particular about having relations with an adopted child like that. Their own biological kids, too. For her to not do that means that you're pretty special to her, I think."
That was nice to know. On a lot of levels. After all, nothing would end his ability to hang out with Lucy faster than having slept with her. Even in some other form.
Thanking whatever gods might exist, he left, finally getting to go home and get cleaned up.
Chapter nine
The idea that his mom, Lucy, the woman that had cared for him for most of his life, had been spying on him rather than just coming to visit like anyone else would have done bothered him a bit. Not for the reason that he would have suspected either.
