by John Corwin
Tyler snorted. "Interesting description."
I amended my description. "Well, more like a bear, to be honest." I nodded my head toward the car. "Where's Mr. Sticks?"
"Still in Colombia." He set down the binoculars. "I tried to free up more resources, but we are in full scandal cover-up mode down there."
"Sounds exciting," Tyler said.
"Yes, I suppose it has that element, though the attempted assassination of a Templar commander by a coordinated vampire assault has thrown the Overworld political situation into turmoil." George brushed a bit of dust from his lapel. "It was done in such an open and blatant manner, that we'll be lucky to keep it contained."
"Luckily, you have us," I said. "I believe the three of us could, um, what's that word—"
"Infiltrate?" Tyler suggested.
"Yes." I nodded my head sharply. "We'll infiltrate the construction site and find out what's going on."
My phone chimed. I took it out and read a text from Dad. We're on the way.
I smiled. "Make that five of us."
George raised an eyebrow. "Who are the other two?"
"My parents."
"I take it they are still active with the Exorcists?" he asked.
I waggled my head in a so-so manner. "Not precisely. As I said on the phone, they didn't like where Montjoy was taking the organization." I thought back to my earlier conversation with him. "Who is Daelissa? My father seems to think she has something to do with this Templar Divinity of yours."
"Yes, well the last two weeks have been full of shocking revelations." George's calm demeanor cracked with a slight eye twitch. "The Divinity is apparently a Seraphim named Daelissa."
His statement took a moment to process. "Did you just say she's a Seraphim, as in angel?"
"Precisely." His eye twitched again. "Thomas Borathen has accepted this assertion as fact, while other Templar commanders are adhering to the Synod's official line that the Divinity is an all-knowing, all-seeing goddess."
"But, an angel?" Clearly, George had lost his mind. "What is one of God's messengers doing on Earth?"
"Honey, I think you need to remember that religion and reality don't always mix." Tyler wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "I'm living proof of that."
Shaking my head to clear the confusion, I still found it difficult to reconcile what I'd been taught all my life with the notion that an angel from Heaven walked among us and apparently was up to no good.
"I simply haven't had the time to delve deeper into the matter of the Divinity, but the political ramifications are quite clear." George folded his arms and looked into the distance. "The Templars may well split into two or more camps—one side supporting the Divinity, the other opposing her. Coupled with the other shockwaves passing through the Overworld, this latest disruption couldn't have been better timed."
"That's what I was trying to tell you earlier." I wished I'd taken the time to make a flow chart, but settled for an oral argument. "The timing of this demon incursion is no coincidence. It must have something to do with everything else that's happening."
"Agreed," Tyler said. "Now that you've given me a clearer picture, I'm positive something major is going down."
"What do you know about Seraphim?" I asked Tyler.
He shook his head. "Nothing. I'm a young demon, so if our kind has had dealings with them in the past, I haven't heard about it."
I pinched my forehead. "Not even in history class?"
"We don't go to school in Haedaemos." He clenched his hand. "Knowledge is the ultimate form of power there, and it's not freely traded."
"From what little I've heard, the Seraphim are from another realm," George said. "The legends say there are several different realms, but the only one we've proven to exist is the Gloom."
"That doesn't sound very inviting," I said.
"It's a very strange place—a reflection of Eden completely devoid of life except for creatures we call minders." He took out his phone and showed me a picture of a flying jellyfish. "We use them to guard the Obsidian Arch at La Casona."
I raised an eyebrow. "Dare I even ask why you use these things to guard an arch?"
"The arch is how I traveled here so quickly." He flicked to the image of a massive black arch in the middle of a silver circle. "These facilitate instant travel from one arch to another."
That reminded me of another unfortunate subject. "I suppose we won't make it to the orientation class tonight."
George checked his watch. "You still have an hour to make it to the location I gave you."
I gave him an incredulous look. "Surely, you're joking. I'm not going to an orientation class when there are more important things to deal with."
"Yeah, George." Even Tyler looked a bit nonplussed. "You can't go running in there by yourself."
George gave us a very even stare. "I think this operation would work better if I go with your parents, Miss Glass. They are, after all, seasoned Exorcists who know how to handle themselves. If we require your particular skills, I will let you know."
"Oh, no you don't, George Walker." I set my arms akimbo and glared at him. "I found these demons, and I refuse to let you sideline me." I spared one of my arms to motion at Tyler. "Besides, we have a vested interest in making sure some of those demons are handled in a specific way."
"Abyssal banishment," Tyler said. "I want them gone from my life forever."
George didn't look swayed by either my stern look or argument. "I think it best if your parents and I take a look around first, Miss Glass. We have no idea what intentions the demons have, and it would be much easier for a small group to infiltrate the construction site undetected. I am trained in such matters, and suspect your parents have had some Templar training as well."
I couldn't argue with him there. "I still plan to reschedule the orientation class."
"The sooner you take it, the better." Steel rang in George's voice. "There are a great many simple things I must explain to you which take up valuable time. Today's class is the first of five you must attend."
"Five classes?" And here I'd been thinking one class was too much. "How long are they?"
"One or two hours each." He looked at something on his phone. "If you miss tonight's you'll have to wait another week to start them."
Tyler's phone rang. He answered it. "Yes, please send them right up." He gave me a meaningful look. "Your parents have arrived."
George gave his suit another inspection. "This will be interesting."
As if discussing angels and demons wasn't interesting enough. I checked my own attire and decided the yoga pants and shirt would simply have to be enough.
"Had you planned to infiltrate the construction site in your exercise clothes, Miss Glass?" George's face showed no emotion, but I just knew he was chortling on the inside.
"It's much better than a business skirt, wouldn't you agree?"
"Absolutely." He revealed a faint smile. "It's much easier to run for your life in athletic gear."
The elevator in the secure foyer dinged. Tyler hit a button next to the front door. The magnetic lock disengaged with a buzz and a click, and he opened it.
My mother stepped off the elevator ahead of my father. The mane of her ponytail swayed in a businesslike manner as she strode forward. She offered a polite smile to Tyler. "Mr. Rock." She nodded at me. "Emily."
I was a bit stung by her cool reception even thought we'd just seen each other the night before. I nodded back. "Mum—Victoria."
Patrick embraced me and kissed my head. "Hey there, angel."
At least someone knows how to greet their child properly.
Victoria approached, held me at arms' length, and looked me up and down. "Exercise clothes. I'm glad to see you're taking steps to keep your lovely figure from vanishing now that you're living the posh life."
"Mother!" I almost pushed her away. "Do you think I've been eating like a slob all this time?"
"I do know your fondness for Nutella, dear." She obviously had nothing more
to say on the subject and turned to George. "Who's this fine-looking young man?"
He stepped forward, hand extended. "Agent George Walker. Pleased to meet you."
"Victoria Glass." She motioned to my father. "This is my husband, Patrick."
My father turned to George. "You must be the Custodian."
"I am." George didn't look tense, but something about his posture made me think he was ready to spring into action if my parents seemed the least bit threatening. He probably didn't trust Exorcists. "Emily has told me a bit about you, but I'd be interested in knowing more."
Victoria, as usual, took charge. "First, I'd like to know precisely what's going on."
I told them about the suspicious activities down the block.
"Karak?" Dad said when he heard the name. "I read an Exorcist scroll on the greater demon, Domathus, several years ago, and Karak was named as his second."
Victoria tapped her chin. "I broke into the secure Exorcist archives after our departure from them and found mention of another demonicus used nearly two thousand years ago."
I gave my mother a shocked look. "You hacked the Exorcist computers?"
She pshawed. "Computers? The Exorcists still use scrolls for almost everything, child. Patrick and I physically broke into the vault with the help of another Exorcist who left the order after Montjoy took control. We were able to use modern technology to record anything of interest."
"Impressive," George said. "The Templars would dearly love to know where the legendary Vault of the Exorcists is hidden."
"It isn't just one vault," Victoria said. "There are dozens of them scattered about the world. This particular one is buried deep beneath the Church of the Divinity." She held up a cautionary finger. "Just because I told you its location doesn't mean you can easily find it."
"Details would be much appreciated," George said.
"I'm sure they would." Victoria flashed a smile. She walked into the kitchen and looked over the wine rack. "What a lovely selection." She turned to Tyler. "I believe good wine facilitates good planning, don't you agree?"
Tyler flashed a wide smile. "Absolutely, Victoria. Help yourself."
"I believe this nineteen-seventy cabernet will start things off nicely." She opened a drawer in search of a cork remover.
George turned to me and made a polite observation. "Your mother is quite assertive."
"I believe 'dominating' is the word you're looking for," I replied.
"Yes, I believe that is more precise." He checked his watch. "You should leave now if you're to get to your class."
Patrick raised an eyebrow. "Class?"
"Orientation." I pretended to yawn. "Boring."
He returned a stern expression. "And absolutely necessary."
"Yes, but—"
"No buts, young lady." Patrick turned to Victoria. "It appears Emily and Tyler have to attend Overworld Orientation today."
"Emily." Victoria sounded very disappointed. "You really shouldn't put it off."
"We can start next week." I jabbed a finger toward the demon hideout. "After we take care of the demons."
"Yes, well, whatever the demons are up to, I'm certain it won't happen before late tonight." She poured two glasses of wine and gave George a querying look.
"I suppose I can indulge," he said.
Victoria poured the third glass.
"What about our wine?" I felt rather indignant being treated like this in Tyler's house.
Tyler wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "Let's give the experts some time to talk. We'll go to class and come right back."
George looked at Tyler with a discerning gaze. "If you're to make it on time, I suppose you'll need to take my car." He withdrew a silver cross from his pocket and handed it to him. "I take it you know how to drive a car?"
Tyler's eyes lit with excitement. "Of course, but not a flying one."
"Well, it handles precisely the same in the way." He took Tyler to the car, felt around with his hand, and located the invisible door handle to open the door. He pointed to the controls. "Use this joystick to control the pitch and roll."
"Just like a jet," Tyler said. "Easy enough."
"Yes, well, when you're ready to set down, deactivate the levitation by pressing this button." He pointed out the one in particular. "The blue button beneath it will deactivate the camouflage."
Tyler slapped George on the back. "George, this is the best present anyone's ever given me."
"Why don't you bloody kiss him so we can be on our way?" I said, irritated as ever that we were being forced to go to this class. Then again, Tyler would go no matter what since George bribed him with his flying car.
Tyler lifted me up to the railing since the ramp hadn't deployed. I shrieked with fright since the invisible exterior of the car made it look like I was about to be tossed into thin air. George had parked the car right up against the balcony railing, making it nearly impossible to fall from this side. I slid inside and across the seat to the passenger side. Tyler climbed in after me.
He waved to the others. "We'll be back soon."
"Be careful not to use all the aether charge," George said. "Also, you might want to park it in the parking deck when you return."
"You got it." Tyler closed the door. "Buckle your seatbelt, babe."
I gripped his hand. "Don't you dare get us killed, Tyler."
"Wouldn't dream of it." He eased forward the car and steered it around a nearby building. Once we were out of sight of the Gregorian, he punched it.
My head bounced against the headrest as we streaked forward. "Slow down!"
Tyler dodged between buildings, his face lit with excitement. "Sure, babe." He didn't slow down much.
I knew from experience his supernaturally enhanced reflexes allowed him to drive on the ground with impeccable precision. I just hoped it translated to flying a car as well. A scant handful of minutes later, he landed the car in an empty truck delivery area behind Phipps Plaza, and deactivated the camouflage.
"I love this car." Tyler ran a hand adoringly along the dash. "I want one so bad."
"Perhaps you can make love to it later." I squeezed his forearm. "For now, can we please get to the meeting location?"
He ran a hand along my leg. "Maybe we could break in the back seat."
I looked at him, horrified. "Are you out of your mind? For all we know, there are cameras in this car."
Tyler chuckled. "I'll bet George would like to see a video."
"No, he would not!" I pointed ahead. "Go, now."
"Now you just sound like your mother." He still wore a grin as he navigated us to the rear entrance of the parking deck. A red-striped zone stood out to the right of the entrance, so he steered that way and parked.
A man in a fancy valet uniform complete with a captain's hat, suit jacket, and white gloves, knocked on the window.
Tyler lowered it. "Yes?"
"Sir, I'm sorry, but you can't park here," the valet said.
"We're supposed to park here."
The other man waited expectantly.
I finally remembered the last part of the instructions. "Cold gravy."
The valet nodded. "Very well, you may proceed."
Tyler looked confused. "Proceed where?"
"Straight ahead." He pointed to the concrete wall in front of us. Large red letters proclaimed, No Parking At Any Time. "Just take my word for it, and drive forward."
"George is gonna be pissed if I scratch this car," Tyler muttered, but he eased forward anyway.
Much to our surprise, the nose of the car went straight through the wall.
"What the hell?" Tyler hit the brakes and stared at it for second. "Something tells me this is going to be interesting."
I knew without a doubt, he was right.
Chapter 16
We continued straight through the immaterial wall and followed a long winding ramp until we arrived at a parking deck hundreds of feet beneath the surface. A wild variety of vehicles occupied the parking spaces. Tyler sl
owed down to gawk at a dark yellow Bugatti speckled with black leopard spots.
"Please don't tell me you want one of those too," I said.
He shrugged. "I don't have enough garage space for one right now."
I looked around the vast cavern and felt my jaw fall open when they settled upon a giant black arch towering in the middle. "Look at the size of that thing."
Tyler whistled. "Must be one of those Obsidian Arches George showed us."
"And what's that doing over there?" I pointed to a huge wooden barn. Elephants, giraffes, and other animals wandered the confines of fenced-in areas around the building.
"A stable?" Tyler snorted. "I knew this was going to be interesting, but I feel like I just stepped into la-la land."
"Me too."
After parking, we walked over to an information booth.
"Where is the orientation class?" I asked the woman behind the counter.
"They're gathering at the stables," she said brightly, and pointed toward the barn.
I spotted a group of people with confused expressions meandering near the elephant pen. "Thanks."
A young boy at the edge of the crowd tugged on his mother's dress. "But, Mom, what if—what if—a vampire bit a werewolf? Would the werewolf drink blood then? Would he be a vampwolf?"
"I don't know, son." She blew out an exasperated breath and met my eyes. "My husband just had to go and get himself good and drunk and bitten by vampires." She threw up her hands. "Now look where we are."
The supposed husband looked down. "I swear, baby, It ain't my fault!"
The woman looked at Tyler, her expression turning a bit dreamy. "What did you do to end up here?"
"I'm possessed by a demon," Tyler replied with a deadpan look.
Her husband made a sign of the cross. "What in tarnation? This Overworld ain't no place for decent folk. Get thee behind me, Satan!"
"Shut up, Ellis." The woman cuffed him on the back of the head and smiled at Tyler.
"Mom." The little boy tugged on her dress. "Mom. Mom!"
