by Al K. Line
The sky was alive with magic, the air crackling and alternatively imploding then booming as the gaps closed together and air molecules were crushed. Streaks of fierce lightning arced down, forking to hit the Hounds, incinerating them, leaving nothing but dust. The ash addicts would have had a field day if they'd been here.
The magical community whooped with delight, and as more Hounds were hit and the sky darkened until it became hard to see, I felt as much as heard those who'd run away come storming back up from the woods with renewed confidence now it seemed like they had a savior in their midst.
The darkness lifted with a horrendous crack that split the world, and my head, clean in two. White energy forked from an expanding ball of volatile matter and as daylight returned I saw it hit multiple Hounds who each exploded in a shower of gore.
"Whoa!" said Nohr.
"Impressive," said Valera.
"He's gonna be toast," I noted, knowing that sometimes showing off is a foolish idea. "Watch."
Ivan shook his head; even he believed a lone wizard could defeat the Hounds and clear the way for everyone. I knew better.
Rule number one of battle. Never stand on the top of a bloody hill all alone and tell your enemies that you're the one they have to defeat. Because, obviously, you're gonna get the shit kicked out of you.
In this case, the inevitable came in the form of three helicopters closing in from different directions. They weren't using machine guns this time, they were using what I can only assume were bloody big bazookas. Whatever they were, as the wizard turned his attention to first one, then two, then tried to check on all three at once, they all let loose simultaneously with a rocket each.
Missiles arced through the sky and as the wizard panicked and tried to divert one so he lost focus on the others. The end result being, he stopped none of them and all three hit their mark, destroying the top of the hill, the wizard, and blowing a bloody gigantic crater right through into Cerberus' super-secret warehouse.
"Let's get out of here," I said with a sigh, wishing I'd been wrong.
"But the goodies?" protested Valera.
"Another time. Maybe. And don't worry, this won't end for a while. Maybe our luck will change in a few hours." I knew it wouldn't, that this was our chance and we'd blown it, but being alive is better than being dead. I'd learned that from experience.
We turned our backs on our fellows and got the hell out of dodge. Again.
Time to Reflect
Having had my fill of vampire rides, and even the two tiny wizards preferring to walk rather than be dragged or carried, we ran through the woods with every intention of getting as far away as we could as quickly as possible. Ivan and his crew were impatient, having to forcibly control their speed, and the goons kept getting in everyone's way as they tried to protect their boss and check for Hounds. We also had to contend with rather jumpy members of the magical underground prone to blasting, shooting, stabbing, or laying a spell on anyone that came close because their nerves were frayed and they were frightened.
Many scared faces peeked out from behind trees as we passed, others tried camouflage but that doesn't work when you get run into, and we all went flying several times. Hounds were in the woods too, that much was obvious by the screams, so it seemed they were winning this battle too.
There were more than I'd imagined, and they'd keep on coming, but so would we. Maybe the tide would turn. I hoped it would, but we'd see.
The only thing it did do, and I was certain of this, was put the whole organization into utter disarray. They wouldn't have the manpower to deal with much else at the moment, meaning Carmichael wouldn't have teams of Hounds out scouring the city for me, Ivan, and Tasius. A few men at most, maybe him in person, and that would be it. My nerves settled a little thinking of that as I dashed through the woods trying to keep up with impatient vampires. But then my stress levels rose as I recalled that Carmichael had found me easily enough because he'd used his Teleron to jump to my location.
Damn, he could find me any time he damn well pleased.
I pondered this insight, this important and totally overlooked nugget, and wondered how best to deal with it. Then I had a duh moment when I remembered that I was a goddamn wizard and I could put up a spell to make myself hard, maybe even impossible, to find. But what good was that when he could just jump to Ivan's location? None.
Only one thing for it. I needed to get Carmichael's Teleron and I needed to get it now, or this would go nowhere good. He had the element of surprise and could get the better of us before we knew what hit us.
I kept quiet for now, but knew I had to act before we got Mikalus' ashes.
Naughty Oldies
"And this time, stay put." Ivan glared at Valera and Nohr as the four of us stood outside the front door to their house in the city.
I say their house, but truth was, they owned one whole side of the street. Behind the innocuous door was a world of wonders. They'd knocked all the houses into one huge space, full of artifacts, magical mayhem, and a surprising amount of mirrors. There was also only one bedroom.
"You aren't our boss. We answer to no man." Nohr peered up at Ivan; Ivan turned to me, exasperated.
"Look, guys, he's only thinking of your safety. We appreciate all you've done, me especially, as without you two I'd still be on the gurney, but you said you'd stay put last time and you nearly got killed."
"So did you," said Valera.
"Yeah, I know, and look at the trouble I'm in. Seriously, we aren't gonna get any of the goodies now, you saw what went on, so best to call it quits. I have a little work to help Ivan with, then I'm going home myself. So, you'll stay here?"
"We know all about the little job. He kept the ashes, didn't he? Now Tasius and Carmichael want them. It's a race against time to see who gets them first. If you don't destroy them and Tasius or Carmichael get their hands on Mikalus, it's gonna be a bloodbath and the magical community may never recover."
"Ivan is such a muppet at times," chimed in Nohr.
"How do you know? I mean about the ashes. I am not a muppet," snapped Ivan, annoyed by what they knew.
"Because we're bloody wizards and we know more than you think."
"Nosy sods, you mean," I said with a grin.
"Okay, guys, on the level?" Both nodded. "You're right. Ivan's been an utter twat, a dick of the highest order. Now I have to help him out. If we don't do this then yeah, it's curtains for the lot of us. So, pretty please, don't go fucking around and make me screw this up. It's for all of us, everyone."
"Why were you at the warehouse then?" asked Nohr.
"Um, same as you guys. Couldn't resist."
"Wizards," said Ivan with an almighty sigh. He didn't understand, not really. How could we give up the chance to own so much booty?
"Fine, but you owe us, Arthur."
"I know I do. You saved my ass. Now, promise to be good."
The two ancient men huddled close and mumbled for a while then broke apart and turned to us with worrying grins.
"Deal."
"Um, good."
"Let's go," said Ivan, and it didn't sound like a request.
I nodded to the guys, then watched as they went inside and closed the door. We got in the waiting car, two goons up front, me and Ivan in the rear. We sat in silence for a while, Ivan clearly trying to get his stress levels under control, until finally he said, "You two can ride with the others. I won't be needing you all for a few hours."
"But, boss, it ain't safe out there. Load of nutters on the loose tonight. No offense, Arthur."
"Um, none taken, I'm sure."
"I'll be fine. I'll call if I need you. Go back to the factory, everyone should be there, and be ready."
"For what?"
"Anything."
The bodyguards got out, the other vehicle drove off, and it was just us. One stressed-out vampire, one equally stressed wizard.
"Let's go get these ashes."
"Sure. Sounds like fun," I said.
"Fu
cking vampires," whispered Wand from my pocket.
I nodded in agreement. He had that right.
Unfinished Business
Ten minutes later, I shouted, "Stop!"
Ivan screeched to a halt, slapped on the hazard lights, then checked for baddies. He sure was conscientious. "What? What is it?"
"I need to tell you something."
"Okay, wait a minute." Ivan checked his mirrors then turned off the hazards and pulled over somewhere safe. "Is there a problem?"
"Yeah. We overlooked Carmichael and the fact he's got a bloody Teleron. That's how he got me, used it to jump to my location, so what's stopping him doing that again?"
"Fear of death? Of being melded into you for all eternity? It would give me pause."
I studied this strange man. "Are you trying to be funny?"
"Apparently not. But you're right, that's a major issue. So?"
"So, what?"
"Are you going to deal with it?"
"It's risky."
"Isn't everything?"
"Yeah, suppose so. Okay, I think I should. He could come at any moment, and we both know he won't be happy. I'll do it now. If I don't come back, come look for me, yeah?"
"Of course. But be careful, Arthur, this needs to be dealt with tonight, all of it. If you get captured it will complicate matters no end."
"Meaning I'll be on my own and you won't be swapping me for the ashes if he asks?"
"Sorry, but yes. This is bigger than both of us."
"So why the fuck didn't you do what I thought you had?"
"I wasn't thinking straight, and Mikalus was like family. I've told you, he had a hold over me. The bond was so close I simply couldn't let him go, not utterly."
"Dick."
"Be careful, my friend."
"I intend to be." I nodded to Ivan then got out of the car and pulled my bag out with me. After a lot of fumbling I retrieved the Teleron and was good to go.
"Just get it and return. Don't try to kill him, not yet."
"Why?"
"Because he is not to be underestimated. Remember who he is, what he is. I need you too much, this night is too important."
"But if he's dead that's one major hassle eliminated."
"And his replacement? Think about it. Every time one of them dies, their replacement is more trouble than the last."
"True. But it is tempting." I grinned at the thought. Ivan stared at me coldly.
"Be careful, and be quick. The night won't last forever."
"Look after my bag." I placed it in the foot well, nodded once more to Ivan, felt the warm metal of the Teleron in my hand, then turned the dial.
Where I Punch Carmichael
"Smile, twat-face." I grinned in a slightly demented way. I could tell, because it made my jaw hurt.
"What the...?"
Carmichael's eyes widened as I leered right up close, no more than a hand's breadth between us. Although I was as panicked as all buggery because we were close to melding, I nonetheless held my grin because I knew it would annoy the hell out of him.
"I said, smile."
I punched him, really hard, right in the smacker. On the nose, to be more precise. And it cracked, and was all wonky, and blood spurted all over his shirt.
I glanced around quickly, pleased to find he was alone in a familiar office, the one at Cerberus HQ, deep in the bowels of their city building, housed in the capital and impregnable. Apart from by devious wizards. I knew there was little time, as he'd recover instantly, what with the vampire business, so let loose with the spell I had ready, Wand and I practiced in its use. A spell of attraction.
Wand lit without fuss and the air changed, vibrated on a different wavelength. With the Teleron clutched tight in the other hand, I let the sigils flare and watched, bemused, as something stirred in Carmichael's left trouser pocket.
"That better be what I think it is. Otherwise, congratulations."
Carmichael was already recovering. The bleeding had stopped, his nose was doing a little dance on his face as it resumed position and stature, and he immediately grabbed for his pocket.
Too late, his Teleron burst through his suit and shot right at me. I released Wand, who hovered unsteadily, as this was new to us and not something we'd practiced, and I snatched the Teleron from the air before it did any damage.
Safely deposited in one of many hidden pockets, I grabbed Wand and thanked him silently before putting him away too.
"Now, where were we?" I asked.
Carmichael not so much grumbled as growled. I knew he was powerful and could move fast, but I was a bloody good wizard and knew all the tricks, so I just said, "If you move, I'm gone." He stood still.
"Return it, right now, or your life won't be worth living."
"You already kidnapped and tortured me, so I'm good, thanks."
"You think that's the worst I can do to you?"
"No, I think you're scum and will stop at nothing to get what you want. You've shown your true colors. Haha, I knew you were afraid to use it. You are, aren't you?"
"I'm not afraid of anything."
"Bollocks. I was trying to figure out why you hadn't done it before, why you haven't done it since. Used the Teleron. By rights you could have jumped right next to me at any time, same as I can to you. But you only did it because you had your men there. They sent you the coordinates, didn't they? You must have scoped out my house and pictured it. You didn't jump to me at all. You waited until they sent you my exact location, so you could be sure to jump somewhere you could imagine, but not land in me or them or anything stupid. Ha, I've got your number."
"So why are you here and stealing it? If you have it all figured out, why come and risk capture?"
"Because I wasn't sure I was right until you confirmed it just now." I smiled smugly, because he always played the smug card on me and if it annoyed him half as much as it did me, then I was happy to oblige.
"You'll pay for this."
"I don't think so. You're stuck here now, can't jump. And don't forget about all the trouble at the warehouse. You should have kept everything here, it would have been safer."
"If you recall," said Carmichael, regaining his composure, brushing imaginary lint from his suit, which was infuriating, "we had to move it all because you attacked us and tried to steal it."
"Yeah, but we didn't, did we?"
"No, you bloody fool, because we moved it," he shouted, his composure broken again, his face red and angry.
"Temper, temper, you'll burst a blood vessel like that. But I've been thinking about that. You knew we were coming, and we failed, and there's no way the place could be raided and everything taken unless someone has a magical bag like me. Then you're screwed either way. So why switch location?"
"Because we were warned that you and the vampires would attack and knew that once the location was breached we had to relocate. And besides, it was too dangerous. We were told to move the artifacts."
"By who?"
"By the ones in charge, of course," he snapped. "There were problems, leaks. That many artifacts is a dangerous thing, and it was affecting the area. They had to be rehomed somewhere out of the way."
"Ah, right, thanks for the info."
"Anything else?"
"Yeah, what happened to you? A genuine question, no messing about. I know we've always been enemies, but I respected you, thought you at least had morals and stuck to them, did what you believed was right. What happened? Threatening family, breaking the rules, going back on your word? Kidnap, that I get. But torture? Come on, that isn't you. So what happened?"
"Life, Arthur. Life happened. I'm acting head of Cerberus. I have responsibilities. I have to keep everyone in line, run the whole show. And you are a thorn in our side. You joke around but you don't know the damage you do. You must be stopped. And you saw. You saw me at my worst."
"Yeah, and I kept quiet, even when it was obvious you had a part to play in messing with Sasha and everyone else. I left you alone because I wanted p
eace. But you refuse to do the same."
"I would have. But now this, with the ashes. You are involved, you know something, and Mikalus is ours."
"You got that wrong, buddy. He's dead, gone, and he ain't coming back. Leave me alone," I warned, "or the next time I see you I'll kill you. Understand?"
"Don't make threats you can't deliver on. You forget who I am."
"Oh, I know exactly who you are. You're the one who's forgetting. I'm the fucking Hat, and a wizard, and I may not have been around as long as you, but I've seen more, done more, and killed more than you."
"Don't be so sure."
"I guess I'll never know, because, like I said, if I see you again you're a dead man."
I twisted the Teleron and was gone.
Onward
"Did you get it?" asked Ivan.
"I got it. And he gave me a lot to think about."
"Such as?"
"Such as them moving the warehouse because it was becoming too volatile. I've said all along, housing that many artifacts in one place is an accident waiting to happen. I think we might have done a stupid thing."
"Meaning?"
"I mean, the scrubbers they use to negate magic, keep everything under control, and stop thieves worming their way in. They're trashed, right?"
"Utterly destroyed."
"So all the artifacts are only contained by the crates they're in. I know they're ward-protected, some at least, but those wards are crap. They won't hold up under the pressure of so many artifacts clamoring for release. Some of them are very dangerous, they're bound to be. And now..."
"Now there's nothing stopping them all." Ivan frowned, thinking it over.
"So, either we leave them alone so they can fix things, or..."
"Or we make absolutely certain that the artifacts are spread out amongst the community so the pressure doesn't build too high."
"And I know which one I'd prefer."
"Then let's get this over with so we can see what can be done about the warehouse and Cerberus. They're holding out at the moment, but more people are arriving, trying to get inside, so it's only a matter of time before the defenses weaken and at least some artifacts get taken."
