"I wouldn't bet my life on it though," Feldspar said. "Vlad and Brad are pure muscle with tiny brains, Spinecracker's about the opposite of that. The dwarves? I'm not sure about them. You?" she asked Ishtar.
"Reservoirs," Rabid said. He glanced at Susan as if for permission to continue and did at her nod. "Belinda's a telekinetic and a vampire. Think of those two as storage batteries. She'll drain their life force and use it to feed her telekinesis."
"It's an outlawed technique," Ishtar said. "I've only read about it, but that sounds probable. So we don't have to worry about those dwarves as individual fighters. This dwarf, however, is spoiling for a brawl."
There was a protracted silence in which everyone looked at everyone else. Sian felt much better about their chances.
* * * * *
"Okay, if that's settled," Sian said. "I think we should eat before we get on our way. While we're waiting we can discuss our plan of action. But we do need food. An army marches on its stomach."
"I've always thought that sounded gross." Susan took her phone from her purse. "I'll order. Everyone okay with Chinese?"
"I would be." Feldspar smiled. "Okay, Sian, who do we go after? I'm sorry, but I still think we should split our forces."
"And I still think Belinda might have the damn Adornments by now," Ishtar added.
Sian sighed to herself. Did Ishtar actually believe that, or was it a justification? Either way, Sian could tell if she was going to continue to lead she'd have to listen to the troops. A suggestion everyone could agree with might solidify her position and improve their chances.
"Then despite Belinda having more fighters, we do need two groups." Had she accomplished anything? Well, at least no one was yelling, at the moment. Fine, some things were obvious. "Ishtar wants Belinda."
"I want her dead. She's the brains behind this."
"If Delbert Throne and Hilda Weller are involved? I don't think so." Susan's comment earned her a glare from Ishtar. Those two weren't going to be able work together. "Fine... just my opinion--hello, Sincere Gratification Take-Out?" She started her order, in Chinese--might be good food after all. Sian'd assumed they were going to face a meal of cop-quality fast-food junk, but evidently not. Things were looking up.
"Okay, then Ishtar, you'll go keep Linda Bedarova and company distracted."
"Distracted? Dead."
Feldspar shook her head. "No, Sian's right--if we recycle her before we get the Adornments, her co-conspirators--if that's what Delarone and Hilldweller are--might do something desperate. Besides, I'd like Belinda to know she's going to lose. Spinecracker now, he's a different matter. So are the rest of her party. We can take them out as need be. And before they get us."
Ishtar nodded. "Isolate her. Make her suffer. Damn, I like that. I'm in."
Good, Feldspar was still focused on the Adornments, at the price of a possible bloodbath. Was she the best bet to keep Ishtar in check? Probably... she'd need help. "Right, so you two will go back to the Westshire. I'll come with you. Susan and Rabid will concentrate on Throne and Weller, probably Weller first since Rabid knows her. Besides, she ventures into public and he doesn't." Susan'd finished ordering lunch. "Susan, do you know where the Bent-Arm Bistro is?"
"Sure--never been there--it's out of my price range, but everyone knows it." The Bent-Arm was only a couple of blocks from the Westshire, deep in the theatre district.
"Good. That's where Weller does her talent scouting."
"Yeah, I've heard it's her private meat market." She paused. "I'm not going with him though." She jerked a thumb at Rabid.
"I'm afraid that's the way it breaks down, Susan." What had happened there? Susan had been on her side until then. No matter, the main point was to get Rabid, their possible turncoat, away from action involving Belinda. Susan would just have to lump it.
Rabid wrapped an arm around Susan's waist. "I'm glad for a chance to make things up to you."
She shook him off. "No doubt. But it's not going to happen."
"Tell you what--I'll rethink this over lunch." The instant she said that, Sian knew she should have kept her mouth shut. She was going to lose them now.
"I can go with Susan."
Roger? That's right, she'd forgotten him... no, not forgotten, just decided he wasn't aggressive or nasty enough to get involved.
"I'd intended you to say here and co-ordinate the two parties on the phone."
"Why? You and Susan have cell phones. You're not leaving me behind."
"Okay, you're right." Sian racked her brain. What to do with him?
"Why not have Roger look up Maxine Albright?" Susan asked. "There seemed to be a connection between her and Bedarova. Last night she sounded certain Bedarova would want to talk to her."
"Good idea," Sian said. Not really... if there were anything to Susan's theory, Roger couldn't handle the matter alone.
"Why don't I go with him?" Feldspar asked. "We should be able to talk her into going to the Westshire, especially if I play Belinda again."
Which would put Roger back in the centre of the action... great... but from his face, Sian could tell that was the way things were going to have to be. She couldn't and wouldn't humiliate him by being overprotective. "Okay, then that's settled. Susan, how long for the food?"
"Maybe another fifteen. You have anything I could wear to the Bent-Arm? I love this dress, Ishtar but I'm not sure I could kick anyone in the nose while wearing it--too tight. I think we're about the same size, Sian."
"My tops would be tight on you."
"All the better," Rabid said, with a smile.
Susan glared at him, then shrugged. "Let's see what you've got anyway. Not that it matters... I'm sorry, Sian, but this plan of yours doesn't make sense."
And things had been going so well.
Ishtar knew she should be grateful to Sian for calming things down, but Susan was right. No damn way this would work... Sian's strategy seemed focused on preventing bloodshed, not resolving the quest--and the damn woman thought she, newly-named Ishtar... and the newly-revealed Prophesied, was obsessed and out of her mind crazy.
Could be, but this time tomorrow, Belinda-bitch would be dead. Or she would be, herself. She had to admit that was possible. Didn't think so though--damn gods were disembodied dragon dung if Belinda survived her. Were anyway--anathemized spectral trash, all of them. How dare they mess around with lives, make people believe lies, manipulate her while playing their moronic immortal games?
So she was the Prophesied. Damn well make the most of it. What were the words? "...the fifth child of the fifth generation after your own will lead legions of the unknown. A world shall crumble as the mighty lose their might, and the lesser are raised to heights..." She'd always wondered how Feldspar would manage any of that. Her soul-sister might have slit a few throats in the name of justice, but she just didn't have the character needed to reduce anything to ash. Too soft--always made excuses for people, she did.
Not as bad now as she used to be, mind you--that peacock Skythane might be a vainglorious pervert, but he did have an edge to his soul. He'd been good for Feldspar, in a way. Still, Feldspar was out of her depth here on Terra. Like everyone said, it was obvious Feldspar couldn't be the Prophesied--couldn't be damn Belinda's daughter. Too nice.
Nope, no damn way Feldspar was the bitch's get... and she was... no question--better looking though--everyone could see that. Last night, with all those eyes on her, adoring, she'd felt herself swell. Swell to the point she was ready to burst now--all over her temporarily alive, newly revealed damn mother.
Thought she was in charge, Sian did. Damn fool Terran--first she'd snatched Roger away by bedding the hung chump and convincing him she was his one-and-only. Couldn't blame her for that--in the circumstances she'd have done the same. But now she'd got the quest party onto her territory and was giving orders. Okay, the woman meant well and she'd been right; they'd been falling apart and had needed someone to take charge. Ishtar was glad Sian had, but hoped the woman knew enough to stand
aside as well--her orders needed tweaking.
And here was Sian, back with Susan. Time to do some matchmaking.
"You okay, Ishtar?"
"Would you damn well quit asking that... all of you? Sorry, Roger." He was so cute when he cowered. Still wanted her, despite his fear and despite Sian's spending a night trying to suck him into her skinny body... still, if Sian wanted him that much, he was all hers. Good to know it didn't have to be that way though. She could take anyone and anything she wanted. Just didn't want him. Rabid now, that was a different matter. She didn't trust him, but his meat was all hers.
"Hey, elf boy. Come here." Susan didn't want Rabid and Feldspar wanted Susan. Consider her my gift, soul-sister. "Rabid, my lad, there's a change of plan. You go with Roger, then bring that writer woman and this to me." She put a hand on Rabid's manhood. It sprang to attention.
"Susan?" As much a moan as a question.
"Feldspar will partner her. That's the way it should be. Any problem with that... no? Good. Sian, what about you?"
"I'm still going with you. Oh, do I have a problem with your reorganisation? No, this does make more sense. Feldspar was initially charged with reclaiming the Adornments and, as far as we know, this sends her that direction. The rest of us are subsidiary to her. I'm not sure it matters what we do. She's the important one... right?"
"Hadn't thought of it that way." Sian might have a point. Had the Prophesied been charged with leading the quest, or had Feldspar? "Feldspar? You think you and Susan can manage on your own?"
"We'll do very well together. Thank you, Ishtar. And I'll call Ms. Albright, as Linda Bedarova, and ask her to come see me at the Westshire and tell her to expect an escort." Feldspar went to sit beside Susan, in Rabid's former place and coiled her arm around the wide-sea woman, exactly as Rabid had tried. Despite herself, Ishtar couldn't hold back a smile. Yes, that was as it should be. She squeezed Rabid where he lived. He shuddered. His body started to heave. Her hand was suddenly sticky moist.
"You might want to go clean up before the food gets here, elf boy. And next time, we won't waste that." Hadn't exactly been wasted though. All was as she would have it... and therefore, as it should be.
* * * * *
On their way, just Feldspar and her. She must remember to thank Ishtar taking Rabid away--her night with the green elf would remain an indelible memory, like the night she took LSD and sat outside watching the sky become Van Gogh's "Starry Night." She'd done that once, and then never taken drugs again--never would either. It'd been interesting and nothing to be regretted, but most decidedly nothing to be repeated.
The ultimate in raw, physical sex left her feeling the same way... disconnected from the world, with a lingering ecstasy and emptiness. She'd so wanted Rabid, but now, like they said, "Been there, done that... got the t-shirt." Except the t-shirt was the wrong size, small and tight, just like the blouse she'd borrowed from Sian... and Rabid himself little more than an immense phallus tacked on to an equally oversize asshole. Enough--pay attention to Feldspar and what was happening in the here-and-now. And what they were going to do once they got to the Bent-Arm, not what they would do with each other after the quest was over.
"How are we supposed to get Hilda Weller's attention?" she asked. "Rabid knew her... we don't."
"You're forgetting something." Feldspar's eyes were so beautiful, so dark and caring. And her smile lit the dingy street. "I presume that unlike dear Belinda, Hilldweller will recognise her offspring." Faster than a blink, Feldspar became Skythane. A man approaching them on the sidewalk froze in his tracks, mouth agape. Feldspar changed into herself. The man turned and almost ran back the way he came.
"I suppose." Susan took a deep breath, or at least as deep as the constraining top permitted. "I'm so glad it's you with me, not Rabid. I don't trust him."
"That's interesting. Why not?"
"He's all about himself and, last night, he didn't look me in the eyes once when... I could have been anyone and it was like he was pretending I was someone else."
"I wish you'd said something earlier."
"I mentioned he called me 'Belinda.'"
"He said it was 'Melinda.'"
"I'm not sure it was, and just now I realised what was missing most with him was eye contact." She sighed. "I realized that when you looked at me."
An eyebrow lifted. "Me? Not Skythane?" Change. "Not Belinda?" Change. "Me?" Change--squeal of tires. Susan braced herself for a crash, twisted her head to see the accident--saw a gun barrel...
"Down." Jumped to tackle Feldspar--not there--already down. The whine of a bullet overhead--no 'bang'--silencer--another whine as she hit the pavement. Feldspar... was she okay?
Okay? Where was she? There, between parked cars, wriggling towards the car, towards their attacker... a dark sedan--sunglasses and dark hair on the passenger side, the barrel searching. Pointed her way now--she rolled towards the curb. A crack and explosion as a bullet hit a car window in front of her--car alarm--tires spinning as the shooter's car sped away.
"They're gone," she shouted over the damaged car's alarm--useless things, always going off for no reason--no one paid attention to them any more... just as well this time, for them. "We'd better get out of here too... fast." She rolled to her feet.
Feldspar sprang to hers. "Why?"
"In case someone calls the cops. They'd keep us for hours, asking questions." She looked around. There was an office building behind them. "In there. Let's see if they've got a back door. Walk, don't run."
"I wasn't going to... thanks, you saved my life."
"I don't think so. You were diving for the pavement before I shouted."
"I saw your eyes start to widen."
Susan wasn't sure she believed that explanation. But what else could it have been? Feldspar heard her thoughts? Or lived fractions of a second in the future? Some said that ability was what made great athletes, great. Whatever... "Maybe we'd be better off if you looked like Skythane, for now. Whoever it is would be looking for me with you, not him."
"I doubt they're looking for you at all. And how did they know where we'd be? It's a big city." She changed into Skythane anyway.
Susan opened the back door of the office building and cautiously looked up and down the alley. No dark sedans--just a couple of delivery trucks. "Someone must have told them our plan." She took her phone from her purse. "We should tell Sian what happened."
Feldspar put a hand on the phone. "Use a pay phone. I know you suspect Rabid, but Spinecracker is Diluvia's leading technical expert. He could have a locator set up for your number."
Neither of the men in the car had been from Belinda's Diluvian quest party. Feldspar considered that mixed good news; if Belinda had hired locals there were more enemy troops than expected, but on the other hand, Susan and she were still alive. It could mean Belinda didn't consider their expedition to the Bent-Arm important enough to send her elite out to hunt. Perhaps she already had the Adornments and was keeping her people close to protect them. If that was the case, Belinda would wait for them to go to her and only if they didn't, attack full-scale.
The pay phones were by the street-side entrance. While Susan called Sian, Feldspar surveyed the street. It also might have only been a first attempt. The gunman could be back. Someone else might be following.
Someone was, and was almost too obvious. A werewolf, the girl, was directly across the street, sitting on the stairs of the building opposite. She wasn't trying to blend in, not wearing that virulent green top--looked good on her, mind you, but why wear anything that made you so obvious? Maybe they'd put her in plain sight to intimidate, to see if Susan and she would panic. Not a chance.
But if she was here and visible, did she have an unseen partner? If so, who? Her father would be the most logical candidate. From his history, Caleb was by far the most dangerous of Belinda's party, more vicious than Belinda herself and from all accounts, far more intelligent. Him they might not see until it was too late, if then. Okay, if they were trying to scar
e her, it was working... but she wouldn't panic.
Susan hung up. "Sounds like Sian's finally convinced Rabid's on the other side. How'd you ever saddle yourself with him?"
"Lust and stupidity," Feldspar answered. Susan was right--they should have known. And should understand how that could happen, after the way she herself had jumped him. But there were more immediate concerns. She pointed across the street. "Think we could lose her?"
"We can certainly try. But if they already know where we're going, what's the point?"
"Living until we get there? And since they've spotted us, I suppose I may as well be myself." Feldspar dropped the illusion of being Skythane. "It takes less effort. Let's go."
Adornments of Glory Page 17
