by TR Cameron
He gave her the look that suggested he was laughing at her—his mouth open and tongue lolling out the side—and bolted. The leash in her hand pulled her forward, and she stumbled until she stabilized her feet beneath her. Some days, she took the lead but since she had no particular place to go until work that night, the Draksa was in charge. The streetlights overhead were still lit, with sunrise some time away. Before the creature had adopted her, this wasn’t an hour she’d seen with any regularity, and on those rare occasions when she had, it had been at the end of the day rather than the start.
They pelted through fancy neighborhoods and curved toward the quarter. It took a few blocks before she realized they were only a couple of turns away from the dojo. “Hey, Fyre, do you want to take a look at where I study Aikido? Is that why you brought us this way?”
He gave a bark that could have been a yes to either of her questions, so she guided him in the right direction. As they neared it, she imagined introducing him to Sensei Ikehara and smiled. The grin was wiped from her face when they came around the corner and she saw headlights turning into the alley alongside the dojo. She halted abruptly, forced her running partner to stop short, and knelt beside him. As she unclipped and dropped his leash, she whispered, “Something’s happening up there. Sensei doesn’t drive. I’m going to check it out. Keep yourself safe, okay?”
Fyre bumped her with his muzzle, and she took that as an affirmative. She focused her mind and changed her hair to blonde and her features to as close to a Barbie doll’s as she could, then veiled herself for the approach. Even though the illusion would also muffle any sound she made, she was cautious as she advanced toward the alley. A wrong move in proximity to a magical could reveal her, and she had no idea what she’d discover.
She stuck her head around the corner and studied the five men and a beat-up van. They were all tanned, their jeans, t-shirts, and work boots visible in the spotlight shining down from above. One was directing the other four, who retrieved matching plastic canisters out of the back of the vehicle. They sloshed with the movement, and it didn’t take a genius to conclude they were probably filled with gasoline. I guess the Zatoras decided it was time to make an example of someone. Boy, did they choose the wrong place.
She let the veil fade, stepped forward into the alley, and shouted, “Hey, fellas. How about you go away?” She cringed at the sound of her voice, which she hadn’t disguised. Stupid, Cal. Most of her hoped they’d use the opportunity she’d given them to avoid any more trouble. The rest thought her commitment to giving them a chance to do so wasn’t justice but stupidity.
The one closest to her—who had a really unattractive long mullet—swaggered in her direction. “Hey yourself, girl. How about you take your pretty little self on down the road? This doesn’t concern you.”
“So, we’ll go with plan B, then.” She smiled, targeted the one nearest the line of gasoline cans, and hurled a force blast at his stomach a second before she charged the man in front of her. He backpedaled but didn’t panic as she’d hoped he would and merely set his feet and launched a strong punch at her face.
Cali ducked under the blow and continued her approach. Her magical attack had felled its target, but the other three had begun to react. One dove behind the protection of the van and another surged toward her. The third focused on the gasoline, which made him her next priority. She caught the flicker of metal in the fist of the one nearest her and willed her bracelets to transform. Her right-hand stick intercepted the blade on its way down and smacked it away from her body. She threw the left stick at the man who had almost reached the containers, and he flinched. It gave her time to punch the air and deliver a force blast to his chest that drove him into the wall. He collapsed. Two down.
She stuck her left hand out as she spun and her thrown weapon returned to it but immediately froze. The two men ahead of her both held pistols. From behind the van, a voice called, “Okay, put the weapons down and you’ll walk out of here alive. Maybe with two broken arms but still breathing.”
Panting a little, she considered her options. The ones in front of her weren’t the problem and a shield would take care of any incoming shots. But her shields were directional, and the third thug could hit her while she dealt with the first two. She looked toward where she thought he was and caught a blur at the top of her vision. The blue-green-yellow-and-orange streak matched the glowing symbols on her arms. She grinned and attacked the foes ahead of her.
As she moved, she threw both sticks and summoned a large curved shield with her right hand. The nearest man recoiled from the incoming projectile and his shots went wide and made loud metallic cracks as they struck the van. His partner kept his cool and fired four shots at her in two bursts of two. The bullets struck the curved force barrier and fell with a clatter. Cali drove the shield into the one who had missed. He had apparently also failed to realize that the woman with the snarl on her face also pushed a barrier of magic made physical in front of her. His nose broke, and he rebounded and fell.
Yelps emanated from behind her, followed by a scream that was quickly stilled. The last enemy standing emptied his gun at her but none of the bullets were able to penetrate her shield. She let it fall as he tried to change magazines and used a force blast to knock the pistol out of his hand. When she rotated her wrists to bring her palms up, the sticks settled in them with a solid smack. She held the weapons at her sides as she closed on the man, who seemed too shocked to run. The blood drained from his face suddenly and she grinned when Fyre stepped up beside her. His heavy tail swished audibly and ice crystals formed in the air with each breath.
She smiled at her foe. “So, I asked you to leave and instead, you thought it would be fun to attack me. The only reason I’ll let you all survive this experience is so you can carry word back to your boss. This block and the ones on every side of it are off-limits. If I see you again, we will come for you one by one until you’re all gone. Take your party somewhere else.”
Cali raised her arms menacingly and summoned a fog that filled the alley. When she allowed it to clear, she and Fyre were already on the roof of the building he’d jumped from, watching carefully as the damaged hoodlums piled into their van. She patted the Draksa on the back. “Nice job of freezing that guy. I’m glad you didn’t kill him.”
His snout lowered. “He wasn’t worth it.”
Her head whipped around so fast she toppled to one knee. The Draksa stared at her with that damn grin on his face. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
Fyre extended a claw and flicked a piece of dirt from his chest. “He. Wasn’t. Worth. It.” His voice was regal, slightly haughty, and definitely playful.
She frowned. “So, let me guess. You’ve been able to talk this whole time and have only been messing with me.”
He nodded but didn’t stop grooming himself.
“You know, you suck.”
His laugh was a throaty sound but decidedly joyful. “I couldn’t help it. For what it’s worth, it wasn’t personal. I would have done it to anyone although it was much more fun than I thought it would be.”
“I will have my revenge.” She shook her head. “Accept this as truth.”
The Draksa laughed again. “Threatening me won’t work. I know where you live, remember? More importantly, I’m aware of how upset Mrs Jackson would be if she discovered you had a pet.” He raised a paw, put it over his chest, and imitated the woman’s high, screechy voice. “Caliste. You come out here right now and show me what’s in that room.”
They laughed together as the van pulled away. Cali shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll get back at you.”
He grinned, his sharp teeth plainly visible. “Anytime. But for now, maybe we could find food? I’m starving.”
So far, she’d bought him mainly andouille sausages for his meals, not knowing what else he might like. “What do you want?”
“A salad would be nice.”
She frowned. “Really?”
“Of course not.” He
laughed at her again. “I’m a carnivore. Meat. Fish.”
Cali groaned. “I think I dislike you. Can I take you back to the graveyard and leave you there?”
Her life partner uttered the happiest laugh she’d heard thus far. “No chance. We’re stuck together. Trapped for all time. Or, at least, until you’re sleeping and I eat you.”
“Great, thanks for that visual.”
He leapt down, used his wings to slow his descent, and shifted into dog form as he landed. She climbed down the fire escape and jumped the last few feet, then clipped the leash to his collar. Cali shook her head and chuckled. “You suck, you really do.”
Fyre gave her a doggy grin and barked. She had no idea if he couldn’t talk as a dog or if he was only screwing with her again. Life used to be so simple. This is all Jarten’s fault, and if I see him again, I’ll have Fyre chew his leg off. She sighed.
Chapter Twenty-Three
When she arrived for work that night, Cali told Zeb the whole story and he agreed she’d handled it well. He seemed preoccupied and moved about his tasks with efficiency but without his normal positive spirit. After a couple of hours, she couldn’t take it anymore.
She set her tray down loudly on the bar and startled the nearest wizard, who inadvertently plunged the wand he was gesturing with into his drink. Carefully keeping the laughter off her face and out of her voice, she apologized and nodded at the dwarf, who handed over a rag from the stack that was always present at both ends of the bar. The hint of a smile hiding inside his copious facial hair eased her.
Once she’d mopped the spill, she stood on the foot rail and leaned over the wooden surface. “What is up with you tonight? You’re like Superman, only instead of being made of steel, you’re made of angst. Have you been listening to too much emo music again? I told you My Chemical Romance wouldn’t do you any good.”
He shook his head but couldn’t hide his widening grin. “I have stuff on my mind is all. It happens sometimes. I’m sure you’ll experience it someday.”
“When my mind is big enough to hold more than one thought at a time, yeah, I heard it before,” she finished for him with a smile of her own. Someone called her name from behind, and she raised a hand and yelled, “Shut it,” at them without turning, to the laughter of the other customers.
The familiar creak of the entry door opening drew both their gazes to it and they sighed in unison. Zeb said, “Word travels fast. Best go do a round of the room since I assume you’re the reason she’s here.”
Cali kept an ear on their conversation as she made her circuit of the customers while Detective Kendra Barton chatted amiably with Zeb. After fifteen minutes or so, she had things stable enough to return to the bar. In many ways, being the only server at the tavern was a nightly battle that required shifting strategies and tactics based upon the actions of an unpredictable opponent. Fortunately, there was goodwill on both sides otherwise, they’d have to add a second person which would severely diminish her income.
The dark-haired woman nodded as Cali arrived. “Caliste.”
“Detective Barton. Always nice to see you. Would you prefer to sit in the common area or will you stay here at the bar? I recommend Zeb’s cask selection.” Which will blow your too-smart skull off your shoulders for a while.
Their visitor gave a thin smile. “Actually, I’m here to talk to you. There was an incident earlier today that I’d like your perspective on.”
She exchanged glances with Zeb, who tilted his head. “The small rooms are filled, so use the basement. It’ll be quieter.” She nodded and gestured for Barton to follow. The stairs were hidden behind the room’s visible side wall and were both narrow and steep. She skipped down them with the ease of long experience and the other woman followed more slowly. After a moment’s consideration of how evil she wanted to be, she warned the detective of the sudden low headroom at the bottom.
As she sat on the crate Tanyith had used a couple of nights before, she momentarily diverted into amazement over how much had happened since then. Strong-armed by a gang boss, fought off pyromaniacs, learned that Fyre is a deceptive dragon who can talk. Busy weekend. Barton studied the room as she walked through the small space. “It’s not much of a basement.”
Cali shrugged. “It’s New Orleans. It’s probably actually underwater.” She’d asked, back when she’d been new at the job, and Zeb had simply replied, “Magic.”
The detective chuckled. “Well, that makes me feel so much better about it. Thanks for that. So, do you know why I’m here?”
She put an innocent expression on her face and mimicked the vacant Barbie doll one she’d worn earlier. “I have no idea, officer. Parking tickets? Charity softball game sponsorship?”
Barton sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “You know, I’ve arrested people who were more helpful than you are.”
“Take me away, officer.” She held out her wrists. “I could use the rest.”
The other woman chuckled darkly. “Yeah, that’s why I’m here. Do you want to tell me what happened in the alley beside Ikehara Goro’s place?”
“Sensei Ikehara,” she corrected automatically like she always did when a potential customer asked for him by his full name. I wonder where they’re getting it, though. Maybe I should have a look at his website. She put it at the end of her mental to-do list, which meant that at the current rate of accomplishment, it would probably be three and a half years before she got to it. Longer, if Barton has her way.
“So, what’s the story?”
Cali shook her head. Zeb had agreed she shouldn’t directly implicate herself if anyone ever asked. “Well, I did hear about something from my friends on the Square. I’m not sure where they got it from.”
“I don’t know what I disbelieve more—that you weren’t involved or that you have friends.”
“One point to the detective.” She laughed and raised her index finger. “Anyway, my friends told me some firebugs who weren’t in their right minds had gasoline and planned to use it on one of the buildings around there. I didn’t hear which. Apparently, other people showed up and kicked their asses.”
“Not people, person,” Barton said crisply. “One. A woman from what my friends are saying.”
“If you’re as pushy with them as you are with me, they probably only tell you what you want to hear.”
“Caliste…” She paused and seemed frustrated. “Look. I don’t want to do this dance with you. We have a very real threat and you’re in the middle of it. I don’t know why, but I do know you’ve put yourself in danger and you’ll put your boss in danger, and it’s not a huge jump from there to find your grandmother or whatever in her psychic shop.”
Cali’s body stilled and the magic inside her signaled its readiness to fight. “Detective, threatening my family is not the way to get what you want.”
The other woman shoved her hands in her leather jacket and started to pace. “I’m warning, not threatening. I have no reason to go after you or anyone you care about unless you give me one. But you’re in a unique position and you seem to be digging yourself in deeper every day.” She opened her mouth to protest and Barton talked over her. “Whatever. Please listen. I know you can do magic and there is zero doubt in my mind that it was you in the alley. The disguise was a good idea and it might trick them. It didn’t fool the traffic cameras that spotted you headed in that direction. You have a nice-looking dog, by the way.”
She heaved a sigh. “I won’t confirm or deny, but those scumbags got much less than they deserved.”
Barton nodded. “You’ll have no argument from me. It’s part of my job to keep gang stuff from spilling onto innocents, so whoever stopped them did me a favor. But magic doesn’t make you a superhero these days, and criminal organizations have money to buy information on those who thwart them.”
“Lucky we don’t know anyone who does that.”
The detective sighed and sat on a crate across from her. “Yeah, lucky. So, do you have anything that might be useful
or did I waste my time coming here?”
Cali took a moment to think. It all comes down to trust. Can I trust her? The voice of caution that always appeared at moments like this told her no, but she’d learned to filter its warnings through other lenses. “Okay, here’s what I have. There are two big groups who’ve both apparently decided it’s time to take on the other.”
Her visitor nodded. “The Zatoras and the Atlanteans.”
“Right. They’re working the streets to extort protection, and loyalty, I guess?”
Barton shook her head. “It’s less about loyalty than ownership. The people they exploit would turn on them in an instant if the boot on their necks got any lighter.”
The image made her angry. “But I have it on good authority that they’re escalating the battle. That direct attacks aren’t far away.”
A slow frown slid over the detective’s expression. “That’s bad. I presume your sources are reliable?”
“Without a doubt.”
“Damn. And you’re right in the middle of it all, I bet.”
She shrugged. “I seem to attract trouble. I’m guessing pheromones.”
“It’s not something to joke about.”
“Everything is something to joke about. Otherwise, I’d sit in my room all day overwhelmed by it all.”
Barton rose again. “Do your people know they’re in danger because of you?”
Ouch. “I’ll make sure they’re all on the lookout, Detective.”
“I have one more question for you, and you should really think about answering it honestly. Do you have backup?”
She thought of Tanyith and his hipster pompadour, and then of Fyre waiting for her at home. Of Zeb and Valerie and of Emalia and her own subtle magics. Warmth accompanied each remembrance. “Yeah, I do.”
“Good. I have a feeling you’ll need it. Now, one other thing. Do I get to meet your mystery man at some point?”
Cali blinked and failed to keep the surprise off her face, which made the other woman grin. “All those cameras, remember, and once we know who to look for, it’s easy to track.”
