Cloak of Dragons

by Moeller, Jonathan

  Della frowned at Riordan. “Did you?”

  “Yes,” said Riordan. He crossed to the end table. “Another Shadow Hunter and I confronted him. My companion was badly wounded and is recovering in the guest bedroom. The assassin called himself Neil and fled when the fight went against him.” He picked up the blaster, and Della’s eyes went wide. “He wasn’t able to retrieve his weapon. You said this was called a blaster?”

  “Yes,” said Della, and Riordan set the strange gun back down. “At least that is what the xortami called the weapon. Well, they actually called it,” she made a strange gargling, rasping noise, “in their native tongue, but human throats cannot reproduce the xortami language. From what I understand, the weapon fires an ionization beam, and then a packet of excited particles is sent down the beam.” She rubbed the charred hole in the left shoulder of her sweatshirt. “It is apparently quite potent.”

  “No one on Earth has the technology to build anything like that,” said Riordan. At least, he didn’t think anyone on Earth had the technology to build a particle weapon, but this morning he would have said that no one on Earth knew how to make a cybernetic arm equipped with a forcefield generator. Maybe humans had once possessed the technology, and the High Queen had suppressed it as a threat to her.

  Maybe Catalyst Corporation had known how to build particle weapons.

  “How did you wind up fighting my uncle’s murderer, Shadow Hunter?” said Della.

  “I’m afraid I have been unknowingly following a parallel line of investigation to my wife’s,” said Riordan.

  He told her about Paul Ricci and Anthony Watkins and how their copies of the Summoning Codex had come from Dragon Imports. Della frowned as he related the tale, and by the time he had finished, her expression had turned to a thunderous scowl.

  “Impossible,” she said. “My uncle would not have done something so foolish. Are you accusing my uncle of selling copies of the Summoning Codex, Shadow Hunter?”

  “I’m not accusing anyone of anything,” said Riordan. Best to handle Delaxsicoria carefully. For all her charm, she was still a powerful and dangerous creature. “But Watkins obtained two copies of the Summoning Codex from Dragon Imports, and he sold one of those copies to Paul Ricci. I’m not saying Lord Malthraxivorn did that, but the evidence is irrefutable that someone within his company did.”

  Della shook her head. “My uncle would not have done it. He did not think humans could be trusted with magic. He approved of how the High Queen restricted its use among humans.” Her mouth twisted. “Truth be told, he did not think that the Elves could be trusted with magic either, though he was wise enough not to ever venture that opinion in public.”

  “Would he have recognized the Summoning Codex for what it was?” said Riordan.

  “Almost certainly,” said Della. “His knowledge of human antiques was profound. He did warn me several times about dangerous books like the Summoning Codex, though I did not pay much attention since I did not care.”

  “Then someone within your uncle’s company sold those books,” said Riordan. “How many people does Dragon Imports employ?”

  “About two hundred and fifty, all told,” said Della.

  “Two hundred and sixty-seven, my lady,” said Helen.

  “Yes, that,” said Della. “It is grievous to think that someone betrayed my uncle.” She scowled. “But this…cyborg creature, this man who called himself Neil. Why is he working with my uncle’s betrayer?”

  “I’m not sure,” said Riordan, “but I think that he is being compelled or controlled somehow. I think Neil was one of the things that Lord Malthraxivorn’s hunters found in that Catalyst Corporation facility in Russia.”

  “But that is impossible,” said Della. “Based on what we have learned, Catalyst Corporation was destroyed almost two centuries ago. Humans do not live that long without the aid of powerful magic…”

  “Or powerful technology,” said Nadia, voice quiet. “The sort of technology that can build particle guns and robot arms.”

  Della blinked and then nodded. “Perhaps you are right, Worldburner.” Her vivid gaze returned to Riordan. “Then you think the machine parts within the assassin compel him to obedience? Like a slaver’s collar, but one woven into his flesh?”

  “I suspect that, yes,” said Riordan.

  “A loathsome thought,” said Della. “And a foolish strategy. Slaves always betray their master at the first safe opportunity.” She sighed. “I am an artist, a musician, not a warrior or an investigator. How should we proceed?”

  “I have a few ideas on that,” said Nadia. “We…”

  Della’s nostrils flared, and her head snapped to the left.

  Riordan looked in that direction and saw Nora step into the living room, one hand grasping the doorframe for balance.

  She looked terrible, her face still a little gray, and her eyes were solid black. Through her damaged shirt, he saw that her wound had been healed, the skin smooth and unmarked. Nora had a pinched, hungry look to her as if she had lost ten pounds in the space of an hour. Maybe she had. The Shadowmorph could heal her, but it took a tremendous physical toll on the body in the process.

  And the Shadowmorph would be ravenous.

  For a moment no one moved, and Nora stared at them like a wolf gazing at sheep. Riordan felt the fingers of his right hand flex. If she attacked, if she tried to kill them, he would have no choice but to stop her, even though it would break his heart.

  That was the downside of living as long as he had. His heart had been broken many times, and it would again.

  “Nora,” said Riordan.

  She took a shuddering breath, her shadow-filled eyes shifting to him “Hey, boss. Did we win?”

  “It was a tie,” said Riordan. “Drove him off and took that gun of his. How do you feel?”

  Nora offered a harsh rictus of a grin that reminded him a little of Nadia. “Pretty good, considering I got shot in the stomach with some freaky ray gun. Do you…ah, do you have any food around here? I’m hungry. I’m really, really hungry. Some actual food would help.”

  “Would pizza suffice, Shadow Hunter?” said Della. “It seems that you were unknowingly tracking the murderer of my uncle and took your wound while trying to bring the assassin to justice. I would be pleased to express my gratitude.”

  “Pizza would be good,” said Nora, staring at Della in puzzlement.

  “Helen?” said Della.

  “There’s a good pizza place six blocks up 43rd Street,” said Riordan. “They can be here in fifteen minutes.”

  “I will order at once,” said Helen, and she produced her phone.

  “Oh my God,” said Nora, blinking. “You’re Della Sarkany.”

  “That is correct,” said Della, a smile appearing on her face.

  “Wait,” said Nadia. “You know who she is?”

  “Of course I know who she is!” said Nora, and some of the blackness started to fade from her eyes. “She is the best singer in the United States or the UK.”

  “Why, thank you,” said Della. “That is very kind.”

  “I loved the last album,” said Nora, waving her hands. “It was the greatest thing I’d ever listened to in my life. I…”

  Riordan watched her, slightly bemused. He had seen Nora Chandler in a good mood, in a foul temper, had seen her sad, had seen her fighting for her life at his side during a desperate battle. In the years that he had known her, Riordan had not ever seen her display a burst of fangirl glee over…well, anything.

  Nadia gave him a baffled look, and Riordan shrugged.

  “When this is all over,” said Della, “and we have obtained justice for my uncle, I am going on tour through the Midwestern cities of this country. Would you like tickets? It could be in any city you choose.”

  Nora blinked, her jaw falling open, and then she mastered herself.

  “I would love that,” said Nora.

  “You do know that she’s a dragon, right?” said Nadia.

  “A dragon?” said No
ra, blinking.

  “The Worldburner is correct,” said Della. “It is a closely kept secret. Fortunately, the Shadow Hunters of old were adept at keeping secrets.”

  “A dragon?” said Nora again, and Riordan saw her brain start to work through the confusion, pain, and the hunger of her Shadowmorph. “That means Max Sarkany was a dragon…”

  “My uncle,” supplied Della. “The Lord Malthraxivorn, may God receive him in splendor.”

  “Boss,” said Nora. “Just what the hell have we stumbled into?”

  “A serious mess,” said Riordan.

  “The pizza will be here in fifteen minutes,” said Helen, lowering her phone. “My lady, I took the liberty of ordering enough for everyone, since I assume you and your new friends will be discussing how to proceed in light of…the recent difficulties.”

  “Thank you, Helen,” said Della. “That was most thoughtful.”

  “And fifteen minutes will be just long enough to fill you in,” said Riordan.

  He sketched out for Nora what they had learned, with occasional interjections from Nadia and Della. Nora leaned against the wall and frowned, the darkness fading further from her eyes as she concentrated. Riordan felt immense relief. He didn’t think Nora would lose control of her Shadowmorph’s impulses and go on a rampage.

  “Let me see if I’ve got this straight,” said Nora. “Somebody dug up some spooky old technology from a secret mountain base in Russia and sold it to Max Sarkany. Then someone inside Sarkany’s company realized what it was, sold off two of the Summoning Codex copies, and used this cyborg Neil to kill Malthraxivorn and to nearly kill Della Sarkany.”

  “That’s correct,” said Riordan.

  “Goddamn,” said Nora, and she looked at Nadia. “That’s the second time you’ve been involved in a mess with lost technology.”

  “It’s not something I want,” said Nadia with a scowl. “I would really rather stay at home.”

  The intercom by the door buzzed, and Riordan walked to it, checked the camera feed, and let the pizza delivery man into the building. Two minutes later he arrived at the front door with a stack of five pizza boxes, and Helen paid him and left a generous tip.

  “I need one of those for myself,” said Nora at once, and she took a box and sat down on the couch. “I don’t usually eat like this, but if I don’t get some food in me, I’m going to go off the rails.”

  “No offense is given,” said Della. “I imagine that the Shadowmorph imposes a considerable physical strain in exchange for improved healing.”

  Nora smiled. “Just a bit.”

  “Do dragons even eat pizza?” said Nadia.

  “Of course,” said Della. “We are primarily carnivores, but cheese and wheat have their place as well.” She shrugged. “And I hate to admit it, but one of the advantages of human form is that our caloric needs are much reduced. Though what I really want is to take my true form, find five or six pigs, burn them alive, and then devour them whole.”

  “Yeah,” said Nadia, heading for the kitchen. “That can be the subject of your next song.”

  Riordan thought Della might take offense at that, but she only smiled. “Fear not. I have already decided on the subject of my next song.”

  He followed Nadia into the kitchen and helped her collect plates and napkins from the cabinets.

  “Look at us,” said Nadia. “Hosting guests as a married couple. It’s like a milestone or something.” She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you first. It’s…”

  “No, it’s fine,” said Riordan. “It was the right decision.” He reached down and touched her cheek. “And I’m just glad you’re safe.”

  She blinked and squeezed his hand with her own.

  “Nora’s right, you know,” Nadia said. “First all that crap with the Sky Hammer, and now cyborgs and blasters. I’ve had enough of old technology dug up from the past.”

  “As have I,” said Riordan, “but I don’t think we have much choice in the matter.”

  They carried out plates, and Riordan pulled a two-liter bottle of diet soda from the fridge, and Nadia brought out more glasses. Nora was already a third of the way through her pizza, and Nadia distributed the plates as the others seated themselves and began to eat. Riordan sat at the end of one of the couches, and Nadia squeezed in next to him. She had only taken one slice and drenched it in hot sauce. He felt a pang of sympathy for her – her experiences in the Eternity Crucible meant she couldn’t eat anything that reminded her of the taste or texture of raw meat. Which turned out to be quite a lot of foods, so she had lost a dangerous amount of weight during the year she had spent harassing the Rebels, weight she hadn’t gained back.

  He knew better than to raise the topic, though. If a century of life had taught him anything, it was that bringing up a woman’s weight in conversation would almost invariably end in disaster.

  “Hot sauce on pizza?” said Nora.

  Nadia grinned at her. “I’ve got a refined palate.”

  “That’s not a bad idea,” said Shawn. “Do you mind, ma’am?”

  “Help yourself,” said Nadia. She passed the bottle of hot sauce over. “See, now here’s a man with good taste.”

  “I always thought so,” said Helen, and she looked down and blushed.

  They ate in silence for a few moments. Nora finished off her pizza and leaned back with a contented sigh. Her face did not look so grayish, and all trace of her Shadowmorph had vanished from her eyes. Riordan knew he shouldn’t have doubted her, but he knew firsthand the immense challenge of resisting the Shadowmorph’s hungers.

  Especially when he was tired and hungry himself. But constant self-control was the price of the Shadowmorph’s power.

  “I really don’t recommend getting shot in the stomach by a…what did you call it?” said Nora.

  “Blaster,” supplied Riordan.

  “Blaster,” said Nora. “But the only nice thing about it is that I just ate an entire pizza and I’m still going to lose weight.” She looked at Riordan. “We should decide what to do next.”

  “I agree,” said Della. “I will defer to your judgment, Worldburner, and that of your husband. You have far more experience with matters such as this.”

  “I don’t think we can do anything more tonight,” said Riordan. “We’ve all had a long day, and we need rest. Tired men make mistakes. You are all more than welcome to spend the night here. Almost certainly Neil and his controller don’t know where you are.”

  “Very well,” said Della. “And tomorrow?”

  “We’ll go to the Dragon Imports Art Gallery and look through your uncle’s records,” said Riordan. “If someone was embezzling money from him, or was secretly selling things, we’ll find evidence of it there.”

  “Edina won’t like that,” said Della.

  “That’s tough,” said Nadia. “If Charles Edina doesn’t like it, he can explain matters to the High Queen.”

  “Or you could just fire him, my lady,” said Helen. “You will inherit control over Dragon Imports.”

  “He’ll cooperate, one way or another,” said Riordan. He took a deep breath. “And once we’ve learned all that we can learn from your uncle’s records, we’ll need to return to his warehouse.”

  Della tensed. “It is almost certain that the cyborg creature will be waiting for me there.”

  “It is,” said Nadia, “but he’s not getting the drop on us again. We’ll have your magic, my magic, and the help of two Shadow Hunters.”

  “Very well,” said Della. “Tomorrow, we shall get to the bottom of this mystery at last.”

  ***

  Chapter 14: It’s So Hard To Find Good Help Nowadays

  I slept better than I expected.

  I hadn’t thought I would sleep well at all. It had been a long and trying day, but I was on edge. I didn’t like sharing my living space with people I didn’t know all that well. I mean, I had come to like Della and Helen and Shawn just fine, and Nora was a friend, but still. It had taken me some time t
o get used to living with Riordan, and we were married.

  Also, I didn’t think Neil would have been able to track us here, but I had been wrong before.

  Fortunately, Riordan had an excellent security system, and he configured it so an ear-splitting alarm would go off if anyone tried to open the front door or one of the windows. Then again, Neil might use that cyborg arm of his to punch his way inside, or he might scale the building. Still, we were so far above the street that it would be difficult for anyone to climb up this far.

  Della insisted that Nora take the guest bedroom to recover from her injuries. Della herself took one of the couches in the living room, and Helen took the other. Shawn, stoic as ever, slept on the floor. I suspect he would have rather been on the couch with Helen (or on top of Helen), but they could do that kind of thing on their own time.

  I changed into yoga pants and a T-shirt and joined Riordan in our bed. I usually preferred to sleep naked or in my underwear while at home, but there was no way I was doing that with so many people in the house. Or with the possibility of a murderous cyborg kicking down the front door. Riordan changed to boxer shorts and a T-shirt, lay down next to me, kissed me, and then turned out the light.

  “Do you think I should contact the High Queen and ask for help?” I said into the darkness.

  “Do you?” said Riordan.

  I thought about it. It would be nice if Tarlia sent a squad of Inquisitors to clear out Sarkany’s warehouse. But if she had given me this task, that meant the Inquisition and Homeland Security had its hands full elsewhere. God knows the Homeland Security branch in New York was staggering under the workload of dealing with the aftermath of the Rebel attack.

  And they weren’t equipped to deal with someone like Blaster Boy.

  “Not yet,” I said. “What will I tell her? I got shot at by a guy with a metal arm who has a particle weapon? I’ll need more.”

  “We have the weapon,” said Riordan. We had stashed the blaster in the safe.