‘I’ll pass word around for people to keep their noses high,’ Anita said, ‘but if he’s after Ceri we should be safe enough when she’s not here.’
‘I hope so,’ Ceri said. ‘The last thing I need is to be unnecessarily endangering the pack.’
‘Don’t be silly, child,’ Alexandra said. ‘You’re part of the pack and if you’re in danger then we’re here to protect you like any other wolf.’
‘But I’m…’
‘I think we’re well past that “honorary member” nonsense.’
Anita nodded. ‘Do you really think I’d let anyone into the Guard if they weren’t a pack member?’
‘I hadn’t thought of it like that,’ Ceri said, ‘but no, I wouldn’t expect you to.’
‘Precisely,’ Alexandra said. ‘If we come across or hear anything we’ll let you know, and if you need a guard detail besides the police you will let us know. Is that understood?’
‘Yes, Alpha,’ Ceri said contritely.
‘None of your sass, young lady.’ The old wolf grinned at her as she said it. ‘Now go and enjoy the evening. Eyes open, muzzles up. And you’ll escort her home tonight, Michael. No arguments.’
‘That’s one order I’m never going to argue over,’ Ceri said. ‘Not ever again anyway.’
Kennington, July 29th
The sound of a car engine coming to a halt outside the house came as enough of a surprise for Kate to investigate it. She walked over to the edge of the roof and looked down carefully. ‘Large,’ she said. ‘Wow, silver Rolls Royce. You expecting anyone?’ She paused and then gasped. ‘Holy shit! That’s Alfred Barnes.’
Ceri jumped off her lounger. ‘You take the door, Kate, you’re dressed. We’ll be down in a second. Yes, Lily, you have to get dressed.’
Ceri was struggling into her interview dress while Lily had just pulled on one of her many jersey dresses. She watched Ceri with a grin on her face and then suddenly went serious. ‘You know why he’s probably here,’ she said.
‘He’s heard about his son,’ Ceri replied. She managed to straighten her skirt properly and slipped on some heels. ‘This is probably not going to be fun.’ Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she started off toward the door.
Twill had appeared to help Kate, taking Alfred to the lounge and sitting him down. She flew out of the room as Ceri came down the stairs from the floor above. ‘Go easy on him,’ she said, ‘he’s upset and trying very hard to not show it. I’m making tea.’ Then she vanished into a ball of light and looped over the banister.
‘Here we go,’ Ceri muttered, and walked into the room.
Alfred was standing near the fireplace, Kate hovering nearby. Neither were saying anything and Ceri could feel the tense atmosphere from the other end of the room. She moved closer and the old man noticed her. He smiled, but the look in his eyes was painful. ‘Ceri,’ he said, ‘I’m sorry to intrude like this…’
‘No,’ Ceri said, ‘no, if you’re here for the reason I assume, I quite understand. Um, you’ve met Twill, this is Lily.’
Lily stepped forward and shook Alfred’s hand. You could tell how upset he actually was because he did not bat an eyelid at the half-succubus in the tight dress. ‘Good morning,’ he said to her and then turned back to Ceri. ‘I had a visit from the Cambridgeshire police force yesterday. They were checking that I had not heard anything from my son. It took a lot of persuasion to get them to tell me why and the explanation was lacking. However, the one solid fact I managed to get out of it was that he was once again attempting to kill you. I can’t imagine I can offer much help, but I can ask if you can explain what’s going on.’
Ceri indicated the chair guests normally sat in. ‘You’d better sit down.’ She waited until he had perched in the seat, his body language tense, and then sat down herself. Lily moved to sit on the footstool beside her, sitting upright and exuding calm over their link. Ceri breathed in and began. ‘You asked if I knew what happened to your son when I was in Cambridge. I didn’t lie when I said I didn’t, but I did have a theory which I wasn’t going to tell you.’
‘And you’re going to tell me it now?’
Ceri nodded. ‘It turned out I was right. If I’d been wrong… Well, the suggestion isn’t a nice one. Your son had a pact with a demon, probably a demon lord. A pact… It wraps your Chakral Median in dark energy, demonic taint. When the circle breached in the lab, he was hit with a massive surge of thaumic energy. His body was destroyed, but his soul and spirit were pulled into the demon world.’ She paused; Alfred was looking horrified. ‘I’m… sorry,’ she said.
He pulled himself together, apparently through pure force of will. ‘Please, continue.’
‘His Lord apparently gave him power and sent him back,’ Ceri said. ‘The working theory is that he slipped over last Samhain, but he might have been summoned. The type of demon he’s become can’t take physical form, but it can possess people. Certain specific people he’s attuned himself to. He seems to have a couple of them. He’s been using them to send various things after me. A werewolf in Cambridge, a vampire and some imps in London. He somehow managed to turn a young man into some sort of thaumic bomb and sent him to the Jade Dragon.’ She took a breath. ‘He’s not your son anymore, Alfred. He probably hasn’t been for quite a while.’
‘Do you plan to kill him?’ Alfred asked. There was no expression in his voice.
‘I can’t think of a safe way of doing that without killing his host. The best I can do is to banish him.’
‘And have him return next winter?’
Ceri shrugged. ‘It’s the best I’ve got. I’m told he would have to be summoned back.’
‘There may be something I can arrange,’ he replied. ‘I’ll call some people.’ He paused, looking across at Ceri. ‘I need you to understand, I’d rather have him destroyed than this… parody walking around blackening his name further than it has been. And I can’t allow him to keep doing harm.’
‘I understand,’ Ceri said. If she were ever to go bad, she really hoped someone would stop her.
Alfred frowned slightly. ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘I believe you do.’
Soho
‘It’s called an Amulet of Heimdal,’ Wren said. ‘He was the…’
‘Guardian of Bifrost,’ Ceri said, ‘the rainbow bridge between Midgard and Asgard. If you believe that sort of thing.’
Hannah, who was wearing the silver, rune-covered amulet around her neck, looked up at Ceri. ‘Do you?’
Ceri shrugged. ‘I banished a Norse demi-god last winter, I’m willing to give the concept the benefit of the doubt.’
‘Anyway,’ Wren said, ‘it protects against things passing between realms. He won’t be able to possess her now.’
The enchantment of the amulet wrapped around the woman like a soft blanket. Shimmering rainbow threads of light enveloped her entirely and threaded through her pattern, twisting around her spirit and the empty space where her soul should have been. It certainly looked as though it would work. Ceri smiled. ‘One less person to worry about.’ She straightened up. ‘Enjoy your drinks, and thank you for taking the time to reassure me.’
Wren nodded. ‘Maybe you can reassure the Greycoats,’ he said.
Ceri brightened her smile and turned, heading back to the bar. ‘He’s got her an “Amulet of Heimdal,”’ she said to Carter, though John was there to hear it as well. ‘It looks like it should work.’
‘I suspect he borrowed it from some friends,’ Carter said, nodding. ‘They’re rare and expensive, but they offer near absolute protection from spirits and demons attempting to possess the wearer.’
‘Near absolute?’ John asked.
‘To my knowledge, no one wearing one has ever been possessed,’ Carter replied, ‘but we’re talking about magic. I’m certainly not willing to guarantee any absolutes.’
‘Huh,’ John grunted. ‘I guess that’s as good as you’re going to get.’
‘It usually is with most things,’ Ceri commented.
‘Feeling
safer?’ John asked.
‘No, not really. He’s still out there somewhere, in some other body.’
John nodded. ‘We’ll get him.’
Ceri gave him a smile and tried hard to make it look sincere.
July 30th
Kate handed a black case across the bar to Alec. ‘Could you put that back there somewhere you can get it back to me in a hurry?’ she asked.
‘For a policewoman in a low-cut mini-dress, I’ll do anything,’ the werewolf replied with his best leering grin.
‘Horn dog,’ Lily commented; Kate grinned, thought which comment she was grinning at was unclear.
‘What is this thing?’ Alec asked.
‘Ceri has friends in high places,’ Kate replied. ‘That is one of ten of the latest anti-immaterial weapons MagiTech have produced for the Army. And you don’t know it exists. Hell, I don’t know it exists and I’ve got one.’
‘Anti-immaterial?’ Lily asked, blinking.
‘Fires a phase-modulated pulse of negative thaumitons,’ Ceri said. ‘Causes disruption in the metaphysical structure of ghosts, spirits, immaterial demons… Or it would if such a device had ever got out of the theory stage and into production.’
‘I guess having the boss of MagiTech in your debt is kind of useful then,’ Lily said, grinning.
‘What would it do to a solid person?’ Alec asked as he tucked the case away below the counter.
‘Nothing,’ Kate replied.
‘Theoretically nothing,’ Ceri corrected. ‘Personally, I wouldn’t want to be hit with one.’
‘They didn’t mention that in the training,’ Kate said.
Ceri shrugged. ‘Military weapon. I doubt they’re too worried about it if they have to take down some big-arsed phantasm. If you have to use it, aim for centre chest.’
‘They suggested…’ Kate began.
‘Trust me. On one of his hosts, centre of the chest will do less damage to them and more damage to him.’
The detective nodded. ‘I’ll pass the word around.’
Ceri smiled and started off toward table fifteen just before Lily could say anything. As she walked away she heard Alec’s comment. ‘She’s getting good at this job, Lil. You better watch your back.’ She grinned; like she was ever going to match up to Lily. A woman had to know her limitations.
~~~
It was just before midnight when the woman in the long, white evening gown walked up to the reception lectern. Ceri felt her before she saw her; the now familiar sensation of a nearby dragon making her scalp tighten. ‘I’ll take this one,’ she said to Carter. ‘Table ten is free.’ He looked at her a little quizzically, but nodded.
Ceri walked over to where the woman was patiently waiting. Somehow she had not expected patience, but there it was. ‘Good evening and welcome to the Jade Dragon,’ she said. ‘I’m Ceri and I’ll be your waitress for this evening.’
Brenhines smiled and there was something like a flicker of light in her eyes. ‘Good evening, you can call me Gwyn.’ Her voice lowered slightly. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you in the flesh.’
Ceri maintained her waitress smile. ‘Please follow me,’ she said, and led the way through the room to the booth at the back. She let the dragon seat herself and then said, quietly, ‘To what do I owe this honour?’
‘Our powers are limited through the statues. I wanted to see you properly.’ Her smile was perfect. It was the kind of smile Ceri expected royalty bestowed upon you. ‘And I’d heard that this was the best night club in the city.’
‘It is,’ Ceri replied.
‘I admit I’m a little perplexed that one of my blood is working as a waitress.’
‘It’s extra money, and I enjoy it. Besides, the fact that I am “one of your blood” is something I’m keeping very quiet.’
Brenhines bowed her head in acknowledgement. ‘As you wish. Could I obtain a glass of your finest red wine? I merely ask to remain here a while and… absorb the atmosphere. I’ve been alone a long time.’
‘Of course,’ Ceri replied. ‘I’ll be right back.’
‘Who is she?’ Carter asked as Alec prepared the wine.
Ceri glanced at him. ‘Gwyn,’ she said. ‘Old friend of the family from Anglesey.’ He looked puzzled. ‘A very old friend.’
‘Ah,’ Carter said, his eyes widening slightly. ‘You’d better take her her wine then.’
Grinning slightly, Ceri lifted the tray and walked back with it to the table where Brenhines sat waiting. ‘I’m told you’ll find this to your liking,’ she said, placing the glass down.
‘I’m sure I will.’ The dragon drew in a long breath through her nose and then allowed it slowly out, smiling her beatific smile. ‘I admit, far too long did I mourn for my lost mate.’
‘Ed… Athro, said he stayed when the Toba Flare died away and took the magic with it.’
‘Is that what he said?’ The Queen’s slightly angular jaw tightened slightly and then relaxed. ‘He stayed behind, yes, while our land sank beneath the waves.’
‘Athro was rather dismissive when I suggested you ruled over Atlantis.’
‘We did not call it that. We did not really rule over it. We took the best and brightest of the world, brought them together to learn, research. It was a land of wonders, truly enough. Then the sea reclaimed it.’
‘And, what?’ Ceri asked. ‘You went into seclusion for almost thirty thousand years?’
‘I may have overreacted a little.’ She smiled and nodded toward one of the inner tables. ‘I think you’re needed.’
‘Enjoy your drink,’ Ceri said and turned toward the table where someone was looking around for her.
~~~
‘Did no one else from your land survive?’ Ceri asked. She was on a break and, despite herself, found it difficult to stay away from this woman who was her most ancient ancestor.
‘Some did,’ Brenhines replied. ‘A few groups here and there who tried to keep the dream alive. I know a small number ended up in China, another group went to Greece. Obviously, they did not have those names then.’
‘Greece? So, maybe some descendent of theirs passed on a half-remembered memory to Plato?’
Ceri looked rather eager and Brenhines actually laughed; she had a beautiful, melodic laugh. ‘You’re determined to link our land with Atlantis aren’t you? Well, from what I heard, they all died. Their research turned to malign ends and they created a chemical weapon which they used to destroy all manner of life. Perhaps one lived, a girl named Makelo.’
‘Someone told me that I have her staff,’ Ceri said. ‘Well, they said it was “Makelo’s Staff,” which could mean it’s associated with her, or she made it, or…’
‘They were called the Telchines,’ Brenhines said. ‘She was perhaps the best of them, morally. They were very skilled sorcerers and scientists. She may have made a staff. They made a great many things which are beyond the ability of modern practitioners.’ She sighed. ‘So much was lost.’
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring your mood down.’
Brenhines flashed her smile again. ‘My moods have been decidedly variable for thousands of yours, child.’ She picked up her glass and drained it. ‘However, I believe I have had enough of society for a night.’ Her gaze swept the room. It was the night of the new moon and there were a fair number of undead in the room. ‘Be wary as you go home tonight.’ Standing, she pushed a few notes across the table to Ceri and then started off toward the bar to pay for her drinks.
Ceri picked up the bundle of notes and something fell out onto the table. It was a small tablet of silvery metal on a chain. Frowning, Ceri reached out to touch it and jerked back at the sense of magic from it. Steeling herself, she flipped it over. There was a circular design carved into the surface; a stylised dragon, its nose coming around to touch its tail. It looked sort of tribal and Ceri had the feeling that the tattoo on her back probably looked a lot like it.
She looked around toward the bar, but Brenhines was gone, leaving only the necklace and a
warning.
Northern Line, July 31st
The three of them sat on the train watching the dark tunnel fly past. Kate looked tired, but she clutched the case slung over her shoulder firmly, as though it would somehow keep her awake until they made it back to High Towers. Ceri and Lily were more adjusted to an early morning lifestyle, but they were wary, as Brenhines had suggested, and that was tiring.
They were on the long stretch down from Waterloo to Kennington, sliding under the river, when Ceri felt something. ‘There’s something…’ she began.
With a squeal, the train’s brakes engaged. All three were tossed out of their seats, Ceri and Lily catching some of the posts down the carriage while Kate came to a slamming stop against one of the partitions. As the train came to a full stop, Ceri let herself slide down the floor to the fallen policewoman. ‘Are you okay?’ Ceri asked.
‘Bruised,’ Kate replied. ‘That was the emergency brake. That’d happen if…’
‘The dead man’s switch,’ Ceri said, looking down toward the front of the train. ‘Get that gun out.’
Kate was working the catches as she craned her neck to see over the partition. Three semi-transparent shapes were sliding down the carriage, their bodies passing through walls and seats. ‘Crap,’ Kate said. The gun swung out of its case and she fired, apparently without aiming. A bolt of blue-white energy crackled from the muzzle of the futuristic looking weapon, hitting the nearest ghost. It reared backward as its form unravelled.
‘Hold them off,’ Ceri said as she began to build power through her body. There were more of the ghosts sliding through the walls and from the looks on their insubstantial faces, they meant harm.
Kate’s gun fired again, blasting a hole clean through one of the spirits. ‘I can’t stop them for long,’ Kate yelled back. ‘This thing’s battery life is pretty limited.’
Ceri said nothing; she was busy forming the concept of what she wanted in her mind. Another blast hit another ghost, but the creatures now filled the carriage and were massing to attack. Kate was falling back and Ceri felt Lily’s hand on her shoulder, drawing her down the car. Another blast flared out and the gun let out a whine of complaint. ‘I’m out!’ Kate yelled and the ghosts surged forward.
Thaumatology 04 - Dragon's Blood Page 21
