Spotted Elk regarded me intently. “Yes. What do you know about this?”
“Hoopoes are one of the most significant birds in the European magical tradition,” I said. “They’ve been used for ritual since Ancient Egyptian times. They were regarded to be king of all birds, and they symbolize virtue. Their organs were used to bind summoned demons. The brain, tongue and blood were particularly valued by medieval sorcerers. Genitalia, especially from men, have always been used for ritual purposes.”
My only answer from the assembled were looks of distaste and disbelief. I cleared my throat.
“One old and prominent spell uses the right paw of a hyena as a talisman,” I continued. “Specifically the right paw. It was believed that anyone carrying a hyena paw charm would be successful in politics, able to sway and convince kings and lords to do their bidding. So if those are what they took from your dead, I can assume that this is someone who is well versed in medieval ritual church magic and the creation of talismans. They must also have known what Lily and Dru could transform into.”
Michael and Karim looked at one another, and then at me. Talya covered her mouth. Spotted Elk sat back, glancing at Ayashe.
“Sometimes it takes an outsider to spot something that’s completely freakin’ obvious,” she said.
“Neither of our Elders were involved in politics,” Michael said. “It is forbidden.”
“They wouldn’t have had to be involved themselves,” I replied. “It’s not their politics that matters: it is the magician’s. The magician turns the body part into a talisman. Are there drawings of the symbols found at the house?”
“We have photos,” Ayashe said. “But what the Vigiles don’t have is resources. The way the government has us set up, we don’t have access to anything that’s actually useful half the time. That’s why we need a Spook, a good Spook. Someone more mobile who can work faster without having to clear a slip for every damn book they borrow from the Masonic vault.”
Someone not placed under the artificial restraints of the law. And someone expendable. I felt a tic form beside my eye. “You said you hired another Spook to look into this before. What did they find out?”
“’Hired’ isn’t the right word. This guy was searching for a missing person, and he was sure that the murders were tied into it,” Ayashe replied. “He tracked down Spotted Elk and me and made the initial contact. Told us that he didn’t want anything up front, just our help.”
“Yes, but what did he find?”
“The last we heard of him was about a week ago.” Ayashe paused for a moment, her frown deepening. “He said he was looking into some human trafficking ring while he investigated the occult leads. He was going to get the info for me, and then I was going to file the report with my boss and see if we couldn’t mobilize an operation. The last thing he went to go do was to visit Lily and Dru’s changing ground. They had-”
“No,” Michael said. “We can compromise on discussing the dead, but I refuse to allow discussion of the changing ground with a stranger.”
“You can’t hide evidence in the course of an investigation,” Ayashe retorted. “I don’t know where it is, anyway. You were the one that told Angkor where it was.”
“Yes,” Michael replied. “I regret my decision.”
My stomach chilled. Human trafficking ring? I only knew of three organizations in New York who dealt in human trafficking. The Triad, the Cartels, and the Yaroshenko Organizatsiya. “Why hasn’t anyone gone there?”
“It is a changing ground,” Michael replied, as if it should be evident. Even though his voice was soft, when he spoke, the room went quiet. “They are absolutely confidential. Only I know where it is, and I made a mistake in telling Angkor where to find it.”
Spotted Elk, Ayashe, and Jenner exchanged glances, and Ayashe spoke for them. “We are concerned that the kids might be killed or trafficked for magical purposes. Angkor didn’t elaborate on what he knew; told us it was speculation until he gathered proper evidence. We… decided to wait until we had something other than hypotheticals.”
They weren’t telling me something about this mess. My instincts were certain of that fact. There was a skeleton in this particular closet. “I’m can probably help you, but I need the case file and photos, and I’m not working for free.”
Ayashe scowled and opened her mouth, only to be waved down by Spotted Elk. His thin face was graven, and it was clear he was tired. Tired of death, tired of talking. “I accept this and vote that you come and assist us. We don’t have a lot of money, but between us, we will do what we can. If you can shed some light on the death of our friends and the abduction of our children, we will pay you proportionately.”
“Me and Mason can front up,” Jenner said. “Rex knows his shit. I vote to take him on.”
“His knowledge is already proving valuable,” Michael said. “I vote the same.”
Ayashe frowned. “I still want some references.”
Jenner chuffed, and waved her down. “What’s the kill fee?”
“For a job as complex as this one, I’ll accept a trade of services from your people in advance of any money.” I faced the Tigers’ President front on. “It’s grunt work. I need to get into my old apartment, retrieve my magical tools, and rescue my cat.”
Both of Jenner’s eyebrows shot up towards her hairline. Zane, standing to the side of me, also turned his face. Ayashe looked up, and her foot stopped twitching.
Now, I had to lie – or at least omit the truth. “I lost everything to some violent squatters who seized my things, including my familiar. It bears some explanation, but I won’t be much help until I have her back.”
“Wait. Seized?” Ayashe leaned forwards. “Who seized the apartment?”
“That is none of your concern.” I rolled my shoulders, jerking them back. “It just needs doing.”
“Who? The bank? The Mafia?”
She was musor. Police garbage. She was the only person in the room I didn’t mind lying to. “I just told you it was none of your business.”
“Fuckin’ hell, Ayashe. Just quit it for one fucking day, will you?” Jenner snapped. “He didn’t ask you shit. I’m down with that trade, Rex. We can handle it.”
“Wait, no. We don’t need no one that comes with baggage.” Ayashe stood, as did several of the Four Fires crowd. “Me and Aaron are putting our jobs on the line just being here. What am I supposed to do? Pretend I don’t hear Jenner talking about breaking into someone’s house? Why didn’t you call the police?”
“It’s my apartment,” I said. “We’re not ‘breaking in’ anywhere. There are people squatting in my home and I need to get my things back.”
“And you want muscle to go kick them out. Illegally.”
“Illegal? Me? We wouldn’t do anything illegal.” Jenner leered, and wiggled her little finger next to her face. “Pinky promise.”
“Are you listening to this? John, come on.” Ayashe threw her hands up.
“You are outvoted,” Michael replied. “It is within our limits. I accept this trade: It is no more difficult or illegal than what we ask this magus to do for us.”
“Ayashe, if human law means more to you than our youth, you are welcome to leave,” John added. “This man has demonstrated knowledge and is willing to make the commitment. His request was given to Jenner, not me, and it is her decision.”
“We don’t know anything about this guy! Where he’s from, what he does…”
“He’s trying to help us!” Talya drew herself up to an imposing five and a half feet, hands fisted by her sides.
“You shut your damn mouth in the presence of your Elders.” Ayashe whirled on her, eyes flashing, and Talya shrank back. “You’re here to listen.”
“Hey. Cool it.” Zane lay a hand on Talya’s bristling shoulder.
“There’s only so far you can push the law, Jenny.” Aaron spoke for the first time since the meeting had started. “And John, same thing goes for you. In my unofficial capacity, I’ll pretend I did
n’t hear this. Any trouble that ensues will be on your conscience and your head.”
“The Covenant of Ib-Int is still in effect, like it has been through twenty of my lives,” Jenner snarled. “If the Vigiles is so fucking great, wash your hands of this meeting and I’ll do the work, as usual. The only reason I’m not out there breaking thumbs to find these kids is because of your fucking law.”
Michael held his hands up. “Jenner, Ayashe-”
“The Ib-Int is worthless in the modern era if we can’t live side by side with human law,” Ayashe said, her voice low and cold. “I fought every damn day to protect those kids from the government and the streets. And that’s all I’m here to say. Go do what you want, but if you wind up in a cell, I ain’t helping you.”
“Please, Ayashe. We’re not deliberately discounting you.” Spotted Elk held up a hand again. “We are doing what has to be done. You said it yourself. The Vigiles is not well-resourced enough or flexible enough to help us.”
“No, it’s not.” Fuming, she sat back.
“Bring the photos and the casefile to Rex in the morning.”
“I’m not bringing a classified file-”
“That is an order, Ayashe.” The smaller man’s voice deepened momentarily, and Ayashe snapped her teeth together. “You may disagree with our decision, but you are bound by ties of blood and soul and our ancestral law. You agreed to bring in a freelancer to help where the police cannot. You are outvoted.”
“Fine.” On her feet, Ayashe was nearly six feet tall. She looked fit, too… triathlon-fit. “Now excuse me while I go figure out how not to get caught up the shit that’s about to get flung through the fan.”
No one else had anything to say. As Ayashe stormed from the room, they looked to Aaron. He rose from his seat.
“I’m not one of your membership, but I understand you need to take action,” he said, in a voice that was both remarkably light and remarkably calm. “Just remember that Lily and Dru are gone. It’s the children that matter now. Be careful.”
He left at a more sedate pace than his partner, audibly sighing as he closed the door behind him.
Spotted Elk stood from his chair. He was only an inch taller than me, which put him on the shorter end of the man-scale, but he had striking posture. Straight-backed, long-necked, head lifted and proud, I was strongly reminded of Zarya. It made my mouth water and my stomach pang.
“I want to meet with you alone, Rex,” he said. “When you’re ready, tell Talya that it is time… I will work it in to my schedule in the coming days.”
“As you say.” I inclined my head. As much as Ayashe talked over him, argued and raged, this man had still given the final order and she had still listened. There was something about these group dynamics I didn’t understand… something that was beyond my experience.
“Please let me know what your plans are as you make them. I have to get some sleep, or this week will be unbearable. Well met.” Spotted Elk bowed his head, motioned to Talya and the other Fires people, and left the room.
Talya smiled at me as she moved to follow, and mimed a phone beside her ear with little finger and thumb with a bird-like cock of her head, leaving me alone with four shapeshifting bikers in an otherwise empty room.
“Well, wasn’t that a blast?” Jenner clapped her hands together. “Now that Agent Asshat and Officer Jeebus have left the building, I think it’s time for a drink. You smoke, white boy?”
“Me? No.” The sudden quiet was more than just psychological relief. I felt more at ease around these people: Bikers were just another kind of muzhiki, tough guys, though I had never met a mixed gang with a female leader before. “No smoking, no drinking, no drugs.”
“No joy,” Duke said.
Mason laughed briefly, a warm, deep sound. “Is that why your name’s Rex? Are you a good boy?”
“Perish the thought,” I said.
Jenner flicked a Camel out of her pack, and offered it to Mason. He took it and pulled a banged-up Zippo from his vest pocket. Zane passed on the cigarette when his President did the same for him, a motion as ritualistic as Jenner taking it for herself.
“So,” Jenner said, leaning over so that Mason could light for her. “Give us the real deal. Who are you?”
“I didn’t realize I was so transparent,” I replied.
“I’ve been around the block a few times, Rex.” Jenner leaned back, eyes hooded. “More than a few times. Give it to us straight.”
“As a preface, I ask you give me the benefit of the doubt.” I began to move surreptitiously towards the window. “When I told Zane, and he nearly jumped his skin.”
“Haha, funny,” Zane said.
“Sorry. That wasn’t intentional.” I opened the window. The runners were stiff, and the frame squealed as I let in the fresh air. “My name is Alexi. Alexi Sokolsky, formerly of the Yaroshenko Organizatsiya.”
Jenner drew deeply on her smoke, exhaling out her nose. “The who-in-the-what now?”
“The Russians,” Zane replied. “That Red Hook and Brighton Beach Mob.”
“Ohh.” Jenner’s eyes lit up. “Ohhhh. Well, yeah. Consider my doubt given.”
“What’s your story?” Mason crossed his arms, chewing something on the inside of his lip.
Selling the benefit was hard when you didn’t have any benefits to offer. I hadn’t told them about losing my magic… but then, if I got hold of my tools and a first aid kit, I wouldn’t need to. “I was… this July, there was a murder in our territory, a murder which could have led to a war between us and the Manelli and Laguetta familia. I had to look into the death and also find another missing person. I found out what was going on, but I decided to put the health and safety of the people endangered by these events over my boss’ plans for conquest. He decided I needed a forcible retirement about three, four weeks ago.”
“Right. So was it four or three weeks ago?” Mason asked.
I shot him a dark look. “I’ve been hiding out on the street since I escaped my boss’s torture dungeon. Timekeeping hasn’t been my number one priority.”
“Huh.” Mason looked unconvinced, but he was tuned in to Jenner, and she was unperturbed. Zane was watching me watch them.
“I cruised my apartment last week. It was occupied,” I continued. “They might have someone camped there, waiting for me. But I don’t imagine there are many people by this point. My familiar may be dead, but if nothing else, I can reclaim the tools that will help me do this job for your people.”
Jenner’s nose wrinkled. “You can’t tell if your familiar’s alive or not? No spooky action at a distance?”
I shook my head. “No. And I’m sorry, but if she’s dead… I’m going to kill every man in that apartment, and none of you will be able to stop me.”
“You’d kill people over a cat?” Zane seemed genuinely surprised.
I stared back at him. “That cat is worth five of those ava’ram assholes.”
“Hell yeah,” Jenner said. “Suits me. I can’t stand to leave a fellow pussy in danger.”
Mason actually smiled. “I get it, Rex. Believe me. You had her a long time?”
I wasn’t sure if they were trying to make me justify my price for helping them, but it sure felt like it. “Not that long. I picked her up during one of my last high-profile jobs. A traitor to the organization… he sold out my best friend and had about five other guys killed. The Italian Mafia, the FBI… he didn’t care. Binah was his cat. I felt responsible for her.”
“Yeah.” Jenner sighed, “I know that feeling. Well, we got flak vests, machetes, and shotguns, so let’s get moving. Duke! Go get the shotguns!”
“Ay-ay, captain.” Duke drew his feet together and saluted, then turned to march out the door.
“Wait. No.” I held up a hand. “Shotguns are out. Guns are out. This is an apartment. And I’m not able to do this tonight. I need to sleep in a bed for a change, I need to get my things… and I want to review the case file. Once I’ve seen the photos and read the Vigiles file,
I’ll know if this is something I can handle.”
“What? You been sleeping rough?” Jenner frowned.
Unable to reply, I nodded. Once.
“Guy like you, I figure you’d just whack someone with money.”
“I prefer the street to prison,” I replied. “The food is better.”
“Fair enough. Well, you can crash here.” Jenner shrugged her thin shoulders. “It’s no skin off my ass. Zane’ll put you to bed. Get you some hot chocolate and your woobie, tuck you in.”
“Maybe a little cuddle.” Duke wrapped his arms around his own chest and did a little pirouette.
“My foot could give your face a little cuddle,” Zane growled.
The four of them laughed and I smiled, but there was a bittersweet sting to the scene and the moment of pleasure passed. Shit-talk had been one of the things that characterized the old life, and all gangs had in-jokes and things that got everyone laughing. It had taken me a long time to get used to it, to know when I was really being disrespected and when it was an invitation. It was part of the Thieves’ World, and I was no longer included.
Jenner grinned toothily. “Seriously though, Zane can show you around. He’s camping out here, too. House rules are pretty simple. First rule is-”
“Don’t talk about bike club,” Duke said.
Jenner shoved him. “Don’t kill anyone on the carpet, don’t drink all the beer, don’t stink up the place with crack, and don’t give anyone an STD. Easy.”
“I assure you that there’s no chance of that,” I replied. “I’m practically a monk.”
Duke grinned. “You get down on your knees for old guys every night?”
“Hey now, don’t be judging a man’s fetish,” Jenner said.
I arched an eyebrow. “If you need to confess, I can fix you up with a Hail Mary and a high speed nine-millimeter indulgence.”
That earned a laugh. Mason smiled, and it reached his steely gray eyes. “Looks like you’ll fit right in here, Rex. Think you can do the apartment job tomorrow?”
Something hardened in me. It was a curling sensation in the mouth, a predatory pressure in the teeth. It was the feeling of impending revenge, served cold and bloody. “I’ll be ready by tomorrow night… you can count on it.”
Stained Glass: An Alexi Sokolsky Supernatural Thriller (Alexi Sokolsky: Hound of Eden Book 2) Page 10
