by TR Cameron
He shrugged. “Finally, I guess if both groups are working the docks, how do they manage not to fight over it? Do they have some kind of agreement? If so, we could possibly mess that up for them sometime in the future.”
She sighed. “It’ll feel like an eternity between now and then.”
“Fill the time with work,” Zeb suggested. He pointed to the room at her back.
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”
Once the tavern’s last customer had staggered out the door and it was locked behind him, she rejoined the men who had chatted on and off throughout the evening. “Have you come up with anything new?”
Zeb shook his head. “We’ve discussed his investigation.”
She hopped onto the chair, grateful to finally be off her feet. “What’s up?”
Tanyith shrugged. “More questions than answers. I discovered an old friend of mine posing as a human, apparently as part of an anti-magical gang. He told me I should join but he seems to be under surveillance so we haven’t been able to talk freely. I’m not even sure he’s still anything like the guy I knew.” He sounded sad about it. “Anyway, the person I’m trying to find appears to have vanished about six months ago. I gathered the names of people he was seen hanging around with so now, I need to find them.”
Cali shook her head. “It seems like a ton of work to go through to make a buck. Hey, maybe you could do Zeb’s job. You certainly couldn’t be more annoying than he is.”
They both chuckled. Tanyith replied, “It’s not about the money. I have enough to last a little while longer. It’s about finding him for Sienna.”
“So.” She leaned in as if to be conspiratorial and whispered, “Is she your girl, then? Your main dame? Your femme fatale?”
He rolled his eyes and Zeb made a sour face. The dwarf replied, “Ageism. That’s what it is. A complete lack of respect for her elders.”
She turned and pointed. “Aha. You admit you’re elderly. Fyre, take note of this moment. We have a senior citizen among us.” The Draksa snorted but didn’t otherwise move from his curled position near the stew pot. Zeb threw a bar cloth and it smacked her in the face. She pulled it away and frowned. “That was uncalled for.”
He shook his head. “Completely called for. You’re a menace.”
She grinned. “And proud of it.”
Tanyith stood and stretched. “It’s time to head to one of the hotels in the quarter. I’ve already let the landlord know I won’t come back to the old run-down place. I’ll find another apartment once this mess is over. Text me if you need me.”
Cali felt sorry for him, and the words were out of her mouth before she realized what she was doing. “You could stay with me—with Fyre and I. Um, we have a couch. The last tenants left it. You could use it.”
To his credit, he didn’t make anything of it, which meant she didn’t need to retract the offer or punch him in the face. He asked, “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “Yep. We’re partners. It’s our job to look out for each other, right?”
“That’s certainly a big part of my definition of the word,” Zeb interjected. He looked at the dragon lizard at his feet. “What do you think, my sleepy friend?”
Fyre raised his head and moved it up and down in a nod.
Cali gestured toward him. “There you go. The freeloader has spoken and wishes to add another freeloader to the tally for a couple of nights.” She grinned to make sure he knew she was teasing. “Let’s do this.” She created a portal to connect the tavern to her apartment and stepped through. Fyre followed a moment later and Tanyith was a few steps behind him.
Zeb called, “Goodnight, folks. Be safe tomorrow.”
She yelled, “Maybe you and Valerie should join us.”
He shook his head without a word and waved his arm to collapse her portal and prevent her from adding any of the teasing comments she had on hand. She pointed at the couch. “Yours.” She pointed at the door to the bedroom. “Mine.” Then, she gestured to include the whole apartment. “Fyre’s.” They laughed together and she opened the door to her bedroom. “Seriously, make yourself at home. I have the dojo in the morning, so Fyre and I will leave way too early. You’re welcome to whatever things might be edible in the fridge or the cupboards.”
He nodded. “Thanks, Cali. I really appreciate it.”
She smiled and closed the door. Get us all through tomorrow night without injury and you’ll have more than repaid the favor.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Cali was surprised to find Tanyith waiting outside with Fyre when her Aikido class ended. He was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and sat beside the Draksa, his eyes closed against the midday sun. She thought he looked healthier than he had when they’d first met and the tension he always seemed to carry in his posture appeared to be less intense than usual. Which, given that they would potentially be in the presence of the two gangs that had legitimate reasons to want to cause them pain, was unexpected.
He tilted his head up when she blocked the sunlight. “Hey. Was it a good class?”
She shrugged. “Fairly good. Sensei said my mind wasn’t in it. Apparently, there’s something big happening today that’s a distraction.”
“That’s why I’m here.” He nodded. “I woke up seven times last night and each time, it was like my brain tried to tell me that I had missed something important. I really don’t have any idea what it is so I’ve called in some outside help. I thought you’d want to come along.”
“We’re going to Emalia’s for a reading? I bet she’d love to get some insight into the mess that is your life.”
He laughed. “I wouldn’t throw stones, there, Cali. Have you solved any of the mysteries your parents left behind for you?”
She placed a hand on her heart. “Ouch. You wound me.” She frowned. “I’m sweaty and wearing an old t-shirt and ugly shorts. You gave me enough time to get it together, right?”
“As long as you do it fast. We have forty-five minutes, and we’ll have to take a car to the garden district.”
“Okay. I can work with that.”
Twenty-five minutes later, the car pulled away from the Drunken Dragons, where they’d portaled to meet it. Cali had done her best to keep her relocation to Dasante’s building hidden from anyone who might be watching her. The easiest way to accomplish that was to use the Tavern as a transit point, given that she had the key and Zeb was usually there anyway.
When Tanyith had mentioned that they would meet a Drow Elf, Fyre had perked up and insisted he come with them. She’d been unwilling to argue and since being ambushed, she preferred having him with her on most occasions. He was a black Rottweiler today, and although the driver had looked askance at him, his presence hadn’t proved to be a problem.
They exited the car and tied Fyre’s leash to a parking meter. The inside of The Bulldog was shady and comfortable, and the bar ran a long way back from where it began near the door. Behind it, fifty draft taps, each with its own cleverly designed handle, added character. It was fairly empty, being after lunch and before happy hour, and the woman seated on one of the high stools did nothing to hide her lineage and was thus easily recognizable. She had ebony skin, white hair, and long, thin limbs. Her dress left much of her flesh bare while simultaneously didn’t appear to be very revealing at all. That’s a clever trick. Maybe I can get her to explain how she does it.
Cali scrounged a bowl of water from the bartender and took it outside to Fyre. She knelt beside him and whispered, “Is there anything you know about Drow that I should be aware of?” The only member of the race she’d had contact with was Zeb’s friend, and then only in passing.
“They are smart.” he whispered in response, “and about as prone to violence as Atlanteans.” Which is saying something. “Also, they’re often very powerful with magic. Not many have come to Earth as far as I know. Of course, my memory isn’t the best.” He chuckled, which was a positive sign. A few days before, he wouldn’t have been able to laugh about it.
She r
an a hand down his back. His scales were fully metallic now and shone brilliantly in the sun. “Thanks.”
“Be careful.”
“Stay out of trouble.” He barked at her, and she laughed and escaped from the heat into the building. As she approached, Tanyith and the woman stood and he gestured them both to a table. Glasses of cider appeared for all of them moments later when the bartender swept past.
Her partner said, “Caliste Leblanc, this is Nylotte. She’s the one who got me out of the prison.”
Her eyes widened. “Wow. I guess you owe her, huh.”
The Dark Elf waved that idea away. “I had an obligation to a third party. Tanyith is merely the lucky beneficiary of a number of random chances.”
Cali nodded. “Damn lucky, I’d say, given what I’ve heard about the place.”
Tanyith shivered. “Every word is true. And, hey, how about we not talk about it anymore? Nylotte, were you able to dig anything up?”
“Yes. And the information you gave me about the sword piece you found is of roughly the same value, so our accounts are even again. The cruise ship is operated by a series of shell companies that effectively disguise its ownership. What’s interesting is that it isn’t a publicly held company, which means all the capital to build it had to come from somewhere other than stock issues.”
Cali frowned. “A loan?”
She shrugged. “One hell of a big loan, if so.”
“So you think there’s some funny business in there,” Tanyith said.
Nylotte sighed. “Let’s engage in a flight of fancy for a moment. Let’s say that you have built a city in the epicenter of the location where ships and planes and people mysteriously go missing so often that a whole superstition has been built up around it. What’s more likely—that it’s the place doing it or that it’s the people who secretly live there?”
Cali tilted her head, intrigued. “You’re talking about the Bermuda Triangle.”
The woman’s sarcasm was as sharp as a needle. “You’re right, Tanyith, she is smart and has a complete and total grasp of the obvious. Well done. Should we order you a cookie?” Something about the way she said it allowed her to take the comment as a joke rather than an insult, and she laughed.
“Chocolate chip, please. And if I can have two, also oatmeal.”
The Dark Elf bared her teeth in a grin. “I think I like this one. Anyway, yes, the triangle. And if they’ve brought ships and planes down, or if they’re merely salvaging what they find at the bottom of the ocean, they could build a fairly good down-payment given enough time.”
Tanyith frowned. “So you’re suggesting that even when Atlantis existed, they were already working on New Atlantis?”
She shrugged. “Is it so hard to believe, really? People with power always devise grandiose plans their constituents don’t know about. It’s apparently in the job description.”
“So, the entire ship is suspect?” Cali asked. “That’s what you’re saying, basically. That it’s a big floating potential enemy.”
The Drow nodded. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. There’s no telling what’s going on with it.”
The man at the table suddenly startled like he’d been pricked with a pin. “Is it safe to let it in here? Couldn’t it be carrying some kind of device? What if they wanted to wipe out the city or something?”
Nylotte nodded. “Good thinking. I’m already on that angle. If it’s allowed to arrive, it will be because it’s free of any weapon that could do significant damage. Of course, it is a ship filled with considerable fuel and such, so it could never be considered completely safe.”
“Who would stop it?” Cali frowned. “Like, the Coast Guard or something?”
The other woman grinned. “Or something. Friends of mine. They work for the government.”
“Do you work for the government?”
Her laugh was a joyful, chiming thing. “Gods of Earth and Oriceran, no. You’re too funny.”
Her face must have displayed her confusion because Tanyith laughed. “She doesn’t exactly operate entirely on the legal side of the line. She…uh, what was the phrase…sells things of questionable providence.”
“Ah, like Invel.”
The Drow scoffed. “Invel. Please. He’s a dabbler—a smart male but talks too much and is not at my level.”
Okay, apparently, we have professional pride in our work. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend.”
The elf waved casually again. “Anyway, if the ship docks, you don’t have to worry about it doing anything worse than blowing up. And I’ll be nearby, just in case, to help out.”
Tanyith’s head snapped around to face her. “You will?”
She nodded. “I’m curious about this. The gang situation is one thing, but that feels localized to New Orleans. Not that it’s any less important because of it. But there’s been a fair amount of noise about Atlantis and Atlanteans lately, and maybe this is part of that. It’s worth hanging around, having a nice dinner, and lurking on the docks for an evening.”
Cali frowned. “I hate to say this, but if we really think this might be something bigger than it seems, we should give Barton a heads-up.”
Nylotte’s expression turned questioning, and Tanyith explained, “Detective Kendra Barton. New Orleans Police, anti-gang division.”
She nodded. “And Tanyith’s girlfriend.”
He sighed and put his head on the table. “She. Is. Not. My. Girlfriend.” His voice was muffled but still effectively displayed his exasperation. The two women laughed together.
The Drow raised an eyebrow and regarded her curiously. “I like you more and more. So, is his lover a good detective?”
Tanyith sputtered a denial, which made them both laugh again. Cali answered, “Well, I’m not sure they ever manage to have any actual conversation.”
He shook his head. “Enough. Yes, she’s a good detective. No, we’re not dating nor lovers. Yes, we should let her know to keep her eyes open.” He looked at Nylotte. “Honestly, you’re as bad as she is. Shouldn’t you be more mature?”
She scowled. “Were you going to reference my age?”
His eyes widened and he paled. “No, of course not.”
The Drow winked at Cali. “Excellent. So, we’re agreed. You’ll alert the woman you are embarrassed to talk about but who isn’t your girlfriend nor your lover about the potential for trouble at the docks. I’ll be watching, so try not to make idiots of yourselves tonight.”
Tanyith asked, “And the other thing?”
She nodded. “As agreed, the bag will be delivered to the Drunken Dragons Tavern at five o’clock. Since the ship isn’t due in until nine, that should give you sufficient time to get ready.”
He stood. “We’d best get to it. Thank you again.”
“You’re welcome. And thank you for the information you provided in exchange.” She gave Cali a smile. “Be safe, Cali. You remind me of a friend of mine and she constantly winds up taking on challenges that might get her killed. Try to be smarter.”
I’m happy not to choose those kinds of challenges but someone needs to make them stop choosing me. “I’ll do my best.”
She smiled wider. “I’m sure that will be adequate.” The Drow stood and sauntered out of the bar without a goodbye. They watched her go and turned to face each other.
He laughed. “You suck, you know that?”
“And you’re way too easy. So, she’s good people?”
“She is. I have trusted her with my life and I would again.”
“Then you’re glad she’s watching the docks tonight?”
“Except for the part where if we make a mistake, she’ll never let us forget it.” He grinned.
Cali laughed. “It seems like you have a habit of attracting willful women who enjoy mocking you, Tanyith.”
He seemed ready argue, then shook his head. “Shut up. Let’s go get Fyre and prep for later.”
When they stepped outside, they found the Drow leaning against the building and staring
at Fyre. Cali asked, “Is there a problem?”
“That is not a dog,” she replied,
“No, he isn’t. Fyre, this is Nylotte. Nylotte, Fyre.”
The Dark Elf turned to face her. “He’s a Draksa, but not like any I’ve seen before.”
Cali gave her a sharp look. “You’ve seen others?”
She nodded absently. “Yes. And there’s something off about this one.”
“My mentor told me he’s much smarter than average.”
Nylotte tapped a finger against her chin. “Is he? Hmm. Well, perhaps that’s it.” She shrugged and assumed a neutral expression before she turned and walked down the street.
Cali frowned. “What the hell was that about?” No one provided an answer.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The basement of the Drunken Dragons Tavern was once again strewn with gear for an upcoming operation. Janice was upstairs tending to the customers while Zeb oversaw their preparations. Fyre had made it abundantly clear that he wouldn’t be left behind, so that was one issue addressed. He’d again agreed to stay hidden by a veil if events permitted him to do so.
They donned the same equipment belts as before, Tanyith’s holding his sai and his healing and energy potions and hers carrying the same flasks and her Escrima sticks. They’d stopped at Emalia’s long enough to learn the command for the shield charm, and she murmured aspida over and over in her mind. Her teacher had assured her that thinking it or even saying it without supplying magic and intentionality wouldn’t trigger the spell. Still, she was nervous about letting the word cross her lips.
Nylotte had provided them each with a leather jacket that fit like a second skin. How the Drow had judged their sizes—especially hers since they’d never met before that day—was a mystery. But she’d promised Tanyith that the bespelled garb would protect them better than normal leather from bullets and blades. It was all she’d been able to do on short notice, apparently, but Cali was already a huge fan of her coat. “I look great in this. Seriously. It’s perfect.”
