“Isabella?” I cocked my head to the side. Isabella was the weirdo magician girl I'd worked with during the hunt for Mater Agatha. She dressed strangely, in a brown sack-like outfit, and referred to herself in the third person. A real eccentric type. She was considered a magician, a specialist in illusions, but when the situation called for more muscle she had some pretty crazy tricks under her cap. When I'd lost control after defeating Agatha, it'd been Isabella's invisible wall trick that'd saved everyone's ass. Like a magical mime, Isabella was capable of building impenetrable psychical walls. Apparently the Veiled Order had used some variation on that technique to limit the explosion's reach. Damn clever.
Kubo elaborated. “Isabella had to be flown in from abroad. She answered the call when we first started looking for people to take up the fight against Agamemnon, but we weren't sure she'd make it in time. She touched down just this morning. We wanted to lock the necromancer in there with the psychic wall technique. The seals I had placed around the building amplified Isabella's power so that she could scale her spell up to size. 'Course, when we were arranging it, we didn't know about the bombs. Didn't learn about those until Germaine here met us near the entrance to the building. We ran into each other after we'd come up from the sewer system and he told us everything.” The Chief walked over and kicked me playfully in the leg. “You're grounded by the way.”
I grinned. “It was worth it.”
From behind came a number of Veiled Order commandos, along with a thin, stooping girl in brown garb. It was Isabella. The outfit she wore was the same one I'd seen her in last; burlap-like material embroidered with messy star-shaped symbols in black thread. Her unkempt hair spilled out of her hood as she stood at Kubo's side, twitching and muttering to herself. She held her hands out before her, watching the building crumble. Now and then she'd shift her hands, seemingly smothering the wreckage and further containing its spread until it was merely a sky-high column of tightly-packed grey rubble.
“That was incredible magic, Isabella,” offered Joe, standing up. “Top notch.”
“I've never seen anything like it,” added Kanta. “We should have brought her into the fold sooner. She would have been very useful.”
Kubo shook his head. “Nah, I'm afraid that's not how it works. We only have Isabella on loan for short periods.”
“Mother doesn't want Isabella to work too much. Mother says overwork is dangerous to Isabella's health, but Isabella is strong and sometimes helps people.” Isabella relaxed her hands and smiled awkwardly. Then, without warning, she reached out to Kubo's sling and began petting Germaine. “Isabella likes kitties,” she added.
Percy grimaced. “Hey, who is this chick? Why does she talk like that? Is she homeless or something?” he asked me under his breath.
“Beats me,” I replied. “But she saved our bacon. She can be as weird as she wants.”
Germaine purred. “You know, girlie? I like you. You aren't like the others, unwilling to show a spider some love.” He turned to Kanta and pointed a jagged little arm her way. “So, exorcist... you gonna plunge that sword into Lucy's heart now that we're all done with this necromancer business?”
I laid back on the sidewalk and sighed. “Oh, here we go.”
Kanta gripped the hilt of the sword and walked over to me, a playful grin on her lips. “I've been thinking about it,” she said, weighing me with a steely glare. “But I've decided to let him live for now. He's an idiot. And a creep. But he's also pretty useful.” She chuckled. “I think he may have redeemed himself.”
“Glad to hear it,” I said, rolling over and slowly gaining my feet. My leg had healed enough for me to stand, and I held onto a lamppost for better support. “Don't suppose you'd be willing to take me out to dinner sometime? I'm a big eater, but since I'm a trusted teammate now, you wouldn't be averse to shelling out for demon-sized portions, would you?”
Her hand returned to the sword. “Don't push it. You did good work inside, but I can still think of many reasons why I should cut you down on the spot.”
Percy reached out and shook my hand, his cheeks red for all of the running. “She's just giving you a hard time. I, for one, am happy to call you a friend.” He paused, laughing nervously. “Didn't think I'd ever say that kind of thing about a demon, but... you know. Thanks for your help. Glad you broke out when you did. If you hadn't then we'd have been toast.”
“Hear that, Chief?” I said pointing to him. “You'd have all been toast without me. I hope you're taking notes. I want you to mention all of this in your speech to the higher-ups at Veiled Order HQ before presenting me with a lifetime achievement award.”
Kubo took me by the arm and pulled me along. “Oh, I've got an award for ya. Two shiny bracelets with your name on 'em, as a matter of fact. I'll let you wear them all night.”
FORTY-FIVE
Well, how about that? We got back to HQ with more than enough time to chain me up and keep Gadreel from going postal in the city. Not that he would have; the demon and I were both pretty spent after the day's fight, and even once my wounds had been patched up I doubt we'd have had the gas to do anything wild. I tried to convince Kubo of that, but he didn't really care.
Into the isolation chamber I went.
And this time, I didn't try to break out.
Joe came by to visit me before evening really set in, and he told me about what'd been going on on the outside. The news outlets bought the terrorism angle completely, and the destruction of the RenCen was rightfully decried in the media. The city authorities were on full-alert after the incident. I don't know what strings the Veiled Order was going to pull to smooth this mess over, but it was going to take some doing. Thankfully, aside from the guests in the hotel that'd been turned by Agamemnon, there were no other casualties to report. Our operation hadn't been neat and tidy, but we'd done a damn fine job protecting the city, all things considered.
“So,” I asked Joe, sitting cross-legged on the floor. “We cool, man?” Now that the necromancer was out of the picture, I had plenty of time to stress over the other things going on in my life. I'd avoided death this time and had even survived contact with a holy sword, but someday I wouldn't be so lucky. I didn't want to think about what awaited me at the end of that road. And then there was my friendship with Joe. “I don't want to spend all night locked up in here wondering if you're talking shit behind my back,” I said with a grin.
Joe had smuggled in a few beers for us. Bringing alcohol into HQ, and especially to the isolation room, was totally against the rules. But it was worth it. He emptied his can and crunched it between his hands. “Well,” he belched, “I only share beer with friends of mine, so I guess you're in good standing, Lucy.”
I took a sip. “Where do we go from here, man? This last mission felt like it was going to be the last. Now that it's over I don't know how to feel. Know what I mean?”
“The Chief will find us something to do. Make no mistake.” Joe snickered. “And if he doesn't, we'll find ways to keep ourselves busy. I tell ya, we should look into throwing our own party. Those friends of yours are boring, but I bet that they'd loosen up under the right circumstances.”
“Oh, sure. And who would you invite?” I asked. “We gonna have Isabella DJ the thing? Germaine serving drinks?”
“I was thinking we'd get some drinks into Chief Kubo and see what happens.” Joe yawned and picked up all of the empties. “I'm gonna head out, Lucy. Have a good one. I'll see you when you're out, yeah?”
“Sounds good.” I stood up and gave a little wave. “Hey, one more thing. What's everyone else up to? Percy and Kanta. And, uh, Germaine?”
Joe snickered. “Germaine will be real glad to hear you're asking about him. Honestly, though, I dunno where they all got off to. Kanta and Percy just walked off. The job's done and their checks must've cleared. I saw them talking to Amundsen and then they just wandered away without a word.”
I breathed a little sigh of relief. The friendly exorcist was out
of the picture. For now. At least I wouldn't have to worry about her changing her mind and lopping my head off with that new blade of hers.
“Germaine's still hanging around here somewhere. Was talking to the Chief last I saw him. I'm sure he's sticking around for a while... after we stole that sword I think people will be looking for him in the Underground. He'll probably have to sell off his book shop. Anyway,” continued Joe, “I'll see you tomorrow, Lucy.”
“See ya.” The door closed and Gadreel and I were left to our own devices.
Plopping down on that cold, concrete floor should have been boring as hell. But you know what? It was just what we needed. The peace and quiet was more relaxing than I can express.
We did pretty good back there, I thought. Thanks for giving me that push.
My heart rate quickened for a moment. I think that was Gadreel's way of telling me that he appreciated my going the extra mile back at the RenCen; that he saw the two of us as partners, and that he'd gained some degree of respect for me even though I was just his lowly human vessel.
Well, either that or I was getting some indigestion from chugging so much beer on an empty stomach.
***
Kubo came by to unlock the door in the morning, looking just as ragged as he had when last I'd seen him. He hadn't done much sleeping in the past sixteen hours, had been too busy participating in meetings and whatnot. My work might have been done, but the Veiled Order's bureaucratic nightmare was just beginning. “This way, Lucy,” he said, stifling a yawn.
I followed him out of the room and massaged my wrists. He led me out of the basement, into the main lobby and then outside, into the parking lot. I was planning on a breakfast. A big breakfast. I figured I could call up Joe and invite him out to the nearest Golden Corral for an hours-long binge-fest. After that? The world was our oyster. A trip to the mall, maybe, or a double-feature sounded mighty fine. Kubo had other plans however, and he led me through the parking lot towards the back of headquarters.
I wasn't sure where he was leading me until the airplane came into view.
About a half-mile from the HQ's backdoor was an airstrip. Parked on it was a small, white airplane. Gathered around the plane were a few people; Amundsen was there. Some commando, too, who I took to be the pilot. Joe was also waiting nearby. Not knowing what to make of it, I followed Kubo all the way to the edge of the airstrip. “You guys sending me on a trip or something? Mighty kind of you, Chief.”
Kubo smirked. “It's not exactly what you're thinking. You're going on a trip, all right, but there aren't going to be any drinks with little umbrellas in them.”
Amundsen walked over to greet me with a gracious handshake. “Hello, Lucian. I never got a chance to thank you for your work yesterday. You did an excellent job, and your service helped us win the day.” His pale skin glowed in the sunlight. “There is something we must discuss, however. I'm sorry that we couldn't give you any forewarning.”
Darting across the side of the airplane was a familiar shape. I cringed as Germaine came into view. “Heya, kid. We're goin' to Tibet!”
I laughed. “Tibet, eh? Sounds like a blast. Send me a postcard.”
Amundsen's expression softened a little. “Actually,” he began, “Germaine is right. I... I'm sorry to spring this on you, however the heads of the Veiled Order, having been informed of your behavior yesterday, are requesting that special actions be taken to address your... impulsiveness.”
“My behavior? What behavior are we talking about here, exactly? We talkin' about my ass-kicking, world-saving behavior? Because if they want to praise me about that, then I'm all ears.” I crossed my arms.
Kubo patted me on the shoulder and gave me a push towards the plane. “They're not too happy that you broke out of the isolation room, kiddo. Well, that, and the fact that you endangered countless of our men during earlier incidents. You were pretty reckless on this mission.”
I rolled my eyes. “You fucking serious? I helped save the frigging world yesterday. You were both there. You know it. Hell, I don't even know who these “bosses” of yours are! I've never seen 'em in my life. What do they know about me?”
Amundsen tried to explain everything in a comforting tone, but with every word he spoke the true nature of this announcement became clearer. “Rules are rules, Lucian, and I'm afraid that our bosses within the organization are sticklers. You did excellent work yesterday, it's true, and I've no doubt that they thank you for that. Nevertheless, they wish to nip your problem with insubordination in the bud. You see, it has been arranged for you to visit a temple in Tibet, run by monks. There, you will learn mindfulness techniques that should help you control the demon. Germaine will go with you, and--”
“Whoa, now,” I interrupted. “You're sending me to fucking Tibet with him?” I'd warmed up a lot to the spider, but I wasn't really looking to take a vacation with him.
“Hell yeah, you are!” blurted Germaine, climbing up onto my shoulder. “I think you're an interesting study in demonology, kid. Never really been able to take a close look at a Demon-Heart before. For instance, I was a hundred percent certain that touching that sword yesterday was gonna kill you. But it didn't! Ain't that the damnedest thing! Goes to show that even a pro like me can stand to learn more about demons. You might have more surprises left in ya.”
“Like... maybe I can still avoid going to Hell when I die?” I chanced.
“Nah, that's all wrapped up,” continued the spider. “But listen, I'ma come along with ya. We're gonna tackle this Tibet trip together. I'll be right there with you the entire time, practicing this mindfulness stuff and seeing whether we can't take you to the next level. And just think-- it'll all be over in a mere three months.”
Three months?
Three goddamn months?
I turned and took Kubo by the arm. “Listen, this isn't going to work out, Chief. I... I can't fuck around in Tibet for three entire months. Least of all with just Germaine for company. You're killing me here. What about my car? Who's going to look after the Corvette? And my apartment? And then there's my parents; I don't want them getting too worried. This just won't work.”
The Chief loosed a caustic laugh. “See, that's the funny thing, because you're acting like this is optional. It ain't.”
Amundsen gave me a pleading look. “Chief Kubo is right, of course. This order has been handed down to us. You don't have a choice, Lucian. I am sorry. But you leave immediately.”
My entire body tensed. “And if I refuse?” I asked.
Kubo looked me up and down, shaking his head. “No, I don't think you'd like what happens if you do that.”
I was flabbergasted. Insulted. “Are you threatening me?” I asked. “What are you implying, Chief? That you're going to hunt me down and kill me like some villain?”
“Cool your head, Lucy,” replied Kubo. “All I'm saying is that our bosses are willing to go to whatever lengths necessary to secure their assets. You're an asset to them... and you're volatile... impulsive. If you won't cooperate, you aren't giving them a lot of options. This'll be easier on you... on everyone, if you just go along with it.”
I looked to Joe. “Can you believe this shit? Guy helps save the damn world and now the big, bad rules lawyers over here treat him like a criminal!”
Joe shrugged weakly. “Lucy, they just want to help. They want to help you learn to control the demon better. That's all. It's not really like that...”
“No, I heard the Chief loud and clear. His bosses-- same ones that gave me this demon heart to begin with-- think I'm a threat. I get it.” I was fuming, ready to knock out everyone within reach.
You needn't remind me; I know I've done a lot of stupid shit. I proved my recklessness early on in this mission while trying to play the hero. But this sendoff was damn harsh. I really felt like I was being coerced into this trip. There was a not-so-subtle hint in all of this that, if I failed to comply, I'd further anger these mysterious bosses. I didn't even know their damn n
ames; the people running the Veiled Order were giant, purple dinosaurs for all I knew...
“I'll go,” I said, walking to the plane. “I'll go. I know that I deserve this... I was irresponsible in trying to stop Agamemnon. It's true. So, I'll go. I'll take my lumps and spend... three goddamn months in Tibet with the freaking spider scholar over here. But I want you guys to know one thing.” I turned and looked them in the eyes. “I won't be threatened. Not by all of you. You guys are just following orders, and that's well and good. But we're a team. I understand that now. Doesn't that mean anything to you, or your bosses? I thought it did. Rules are rules, I guess, but following the rules doesn't mean you have to be an unthinking asshole.”
Amundsen was increasingly apologetic. I knew that he didn't want to alienate me. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place and was only sending me off because he'd been told to. He wanted me to look at the bright side, to think of what I might gain if this training in a foreign land actually helped me control Gadreel better. Germaine was simply curious; I was his subject for further study. Joe had come along to see me off. I wondered how he felt about all of this.
Kubo's feelings on the matter were never in doubt. I trusted the guy and knew he was only passing along the orders he'd been given. I knew he wanted me to take this trip so that I could become a more valuable asset to the team. He wanted me to take things to the next level, to become a stronger person. If it'd been just me and him out there, he might've carried on the conversation in a more supportive way. But the threatening undercurrent in his speech hadn't been lost on me.
I felt reasonably certain that Chief Kubo would never hunt me down. That, even if his bosses and I had some sort of falling out, Kubo would never do anything to harm me. But the meaning of Kubo's words was plain. He may as well have said: “If you choose to disobey, I can't guarantee your safety. This organization will judge you a threat and come after you with everything they've got. Better to do what they say.”
Roaring Blood (Demon-Hearted Book 2) Page 27
