Requiem: A Montague & Strong Detective Novel (Montague & Strong Case Files Book 13)

by Orlando A. Sanchez

  “Who would want to threaten a super librarian?”

  “Knowledge is power,” Monty said. “She is a mage and a repository of knowledge. What could you do with information about anything and everything whenever you need it?”

  “I have that now,” I said, swerving around traffic. “It’s called the internet. Hello? Welcome to the twenty-first century?”

  “The Auer is different. Not only does she possess information,” Monty said, “she can also see probabilities with that information. This makes her powerful and dangerous.”

  “She can see the future?”

  “No. She’s an Auer, not an oracle, although I’m pretty certain the oracles of history were most likely Auers,” Monty corrected. “With her information, which is vast, she can predict outcomes with fairly accurate certainty.”

  “And she’s a mage? What kind of mage? A bibliomancer?”

  “Bibliomancy is using books for divination,” Monty said. “What her discipline allows her to do is control, transfer, and remove information. The closest comparison would be an informaticist.”

  “Sounds like hype,” I said. “What is she going to do if confronted with an enemy, throw books at them?”

  “Her abilities are subtle and incredibly powerful,” Monty said, shaking his head. “Imagine confronting a mage that could instantly erase your memory, or your knowledge of language? Or worse, implant false memories and knowledge in your mind?”

  “Holy hell, that is dangerous,” I said, pulling onto the 59th Street Bridge into Queens. “She could stop most mages in their tracks.”

  “The greatest danger to the Auer comes from humans.”

  “Humans? What threat could they be? She’s super powerful.”

  “Her ability does not work against the non-magical,” Monty said. “Anyone with a weapon could end her life, as long as they were normal. She would be exposed and vulnerable.”

  “And an easy target,” I said.

  “Which is why Auers are sequestered, away from society,” Monty said, looking out over the East River as we crossed the bridge. “She makes everyone around her nervous and uncomfortable, and with good reason.”

  “Are you sure we need to go see her?” I asked, suddenly not a fan of meeting this Auer person. “We can send her an email. Wouldn’t that be easier, and more importantly, less explosive?”

  “No,” Monty replied. “This whole situation with Shadow Company seems deeper than it appears. We need to go into this meeting with as much information as possible, especially if they are targeting the Balfours. That means seeing the Auer.”

  We had several hours before we were scheduled to meet Douglas and the rest of Shadow Company. I agreed it was important to go into the meeting armed with as much information as we could acquire—but meeting some mind-melting mage to get this information wasn’t exactly my idea of a great plan.

  TWELVE

  We arrived in Flushing Meadows Park forty-five minutes later.

  Normally, vehicles weren’t allowed into the area of the park we needed to get to. Our NYTF credentials and the threatening menace flowing from the Dark Goat made it easier to approach the Unisphere.

  I parked the Dark Goat near the Arthur Ashe Stadium entrance and looked down the long, picturesque, tree-lined road to where the Unisphere sat. The road was wide enough to double as a four-lane highway and ended at the large, stainless steel replica of the Earth which sat in the center of an enormous circular reflecting pool.

  It was early evening; the sun hadn’t quite set, but was on its way. The sky was cast in a spectrum of oranges and pinks, and I could hear the laughter of children carry over to where we parked. The area was still occupied by families and park goers looking to enjoy a day away from the concrete and steel of the city by spending a few moments among the trees and grass of the park.

  “We can’t drive over there,” I said, pointing down the road. “Even with our creds, they don’t like cars driving in such a highly populated area.”

  We stepped out of the Dark Goat. I opened the suicide door for my hellhound, Sprawler McSprawl, as he bounded out of the car. I placed a hand on the roof and locked it as a wave of dark orange energy raced across its surface. The Dark Goat rocked for a few seconds before settling into stillness. I glanced at Peaches and shook my head.

  “That, and we don’t work for the city’s Parks Department,” Monty added, following my gaze to Peaches and then at the long road ahead. “This will be a good opportunity to exercise your creature.”

  “Sure, because nothing says calm, enjoyable evening at the park like a hellhound running around scaring the population half to death,” I said, shaking my head. “Besides, you know he’s just going to ask for meat after this short walk. I swear he’s bottomless.”

  “True, his presence can be a little off-putting,” Monty admitted. “Perhaps keeping him closer to you would prevent a panic.”

  “You think?” I said, looking down the road. “Where is this place?”

  It wasn’t like Monty to suggest Peaches go on a romp through a populated park. I figured his lapse in judgment was a side-effect of the schism. I’d have to keep an eye on him just in case he suggested something completely off-base, like wholesale destruction of the city to resolve the Shadow Company situation.

  “The entrance is at the Unisphere,” Monty said, peering down the road. “There will be several security measures in place before we can access the structure itself.”

  “What do you mean at the Unisphere? It’s just a large empty globe and a big reflecting pool. I don’t recall there being any structure near there large enough to house an ultra-library.”

  “Under the reflecting pool,” Monty said, “sits the Auer’s Archive. Access is granted at the inverted tripod that’s holding up the globe. It’s an ingenious design.”

  “Is this archive physical? Like Ziller’s?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “Why aren’t these archives digitized?” I asked. “I understand the magical books being physical, but the ones about mundane things should be digital. Would certainly take up less space. It would eliminate the need for a book batcave.”

  “Who said it wasn’t?” Monty said. “Part of the archive is certainly modern. There are parts that are not, and some are redundant sources of information. Physical books do not require electricity to power them.”

  “Good point,” I said with a nod. “Physical books can’t be hacked, either.”

  “Correct. In any case, stay alert,” Monty said. “I’m certain our presence has not gone unnoticed.”

  “Stay alert?” I said, looking around. “What? We’re going to be attacked by rogue book thieves?”

  Monty glared at me.

  “You fail to see the danger because you are not seeing the larger picture,” he said. “Expand your thought process and re-examine the current situation.”

  He walked off, heading down the road to the Unisphere.

  “Next, you’ll tell me to free my mind, Morpheus.”

  “That would presume you had one to free,” Monty shot back. “Don’t dawdle. This process is somewhat extensive and we are tight on time.”

  “Damn,” I said, patting my jacket as I caught up to him. “I left my library card at home. Are you sure she will see me?”

  “Do you actively practice this thing you call humor?”

  “It’s part of the package. Impressive, right?”

  “If I were you, I’d return the package and ask for a refund.”

  “Oh, the drollarity,” I said. “Seriously, though, how much security are we going to face?”

  “A substantial amount,” Monty said, pointing ahead of us. “Observe.”

  Four men and three women were walking our way. They were dressed in black suits that almost rivaled Monty’s Zegna flair. I could tell each and every one of the suits was a runed affair. Mages were such fashion divas, really. The energy signature they possessed was staggering to say the least.

  “Whoa,” I said, opening my ja
cket to allow me access to Grim Whisper, just in case things got extra magey. “Who is that?”

  “The Archive Guard,” Monty said. “Whatever you do, don’t draw your weapon or make any sudden movements.”

  “Got it,” I said, looking at the Guard. “They look serious. How did they know we were here?”

  “Sophisticated runic sensing devices situated throughout the property,” Monty said, without looking at me. “They were aware of our presence the moment we stepped into the park.”

  “This Guard is strong,” I said, sensing their energy signatures. “Right up there with Paul Bunyan and your sorcerer security team at Haven.”

  “Possibly stronger,” Monty said. “They are the first line of defense for the Auer. To become an Archive Guard is no small feat. Many die in the attempt. Do not antagonize them.”

  “Right, I’m not really looking to fight The Magnificent Seven here,” I said under my breath as the Archive Guard approached and spread out. “I’ll let you do the talking. Go, unleash that diplomacy.”

  “That is my intent,” Monty said, taking a few more steps forward and stopping ahead of me. “Stay close, but try to look less menacing. Whatever you do, do not allow your creature to smile. They’ll think it wants to eat them.”

  I let my arms hang by my side as I patted Peaches’ immense head.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Four of the Archive Guard stopped walking and remained some distance away. The remaining three closed the distance with the two on either side stopping about half way between the four rear guard and Monty, letting who I assumed to be the leader approach us alone.

  Their formation and situational awareness were excellent. These were trained mages, and it showed.

  As they spread out, they made sure each of the Guard had a clear line of sight on Monty and me, without endangering one another. They were relaxed and alert. Their training was top notch, which meant they were a threat to be taken seriously.

  “Who’s that?” I asked under my breath as the center mage approached. “She feels dangerous.”

  “Because she is,” Monty said, keeping his focus on the woman. “She is the Captain of the Guard.”

  Monty stepped forward a few steps as the Captain of the Guard approached. She was tall, dark, and menacing. Her tanned skin contrasted nicely with the rose-colored blouse she wore under the basic, black-on-black mage funeral ensemble. She had what I liked to call “tuning fork” energy.

  The very air around her vibrated with the promise of violence. Everything about her was measured and under control, but beneath that layer of calm poise, I sensed the potential obliteration she could unleash.

  I made sure to keep my hand away from Grim Whisper.

  It wasn’t what I’d expected. Actually, I hadn’t known what to expect. I mean, these mages guarded a library. How dangerous could they be? If the energy signature of the leader was any indicator, they were dangerous enough.

  “Tristan Montague, to what do we owe this pleasure?” the woman said with a melodic voice that carried a slight accent. “You haven’t been here in ages. Critical studies in your last year at the Circle, if I recall?”

  “Roma, the pleasure is all mine,” Monty said with a slight nod which Roma returned. “We need to see her.”

  THIRTEEN

  “I see,” Roma said, glancing my way quickly. “All three of you?”

  “Yes, it’s urgent.”

  “Does she know you’re coming?”

  “No, this is all rather spur of the moment.”

  Roma’s eyes narrowed.

  “You know she doesn’t do ‘spur of the moment’, ever.”

  “It can’t be helped,” Monty said. “We are somewhat pressed for time and need information.”

  Roma made a slight gesture and the air around us became thick. The sounds of the park, which were clear a moment earlier, became muffled. She had created a sphere of silence around us with barely a finger twitch.

  “Information?” Roma asked. “What information?”

  “We need the location of the Balfour Enclave,” Monty said. “We have reason to believe they are being targeted.”

  “Who would dare target the Balfours?” Roma asked. “That would be suicidal.”

  “Shadow Company,” I said from behind Monty. “Usually, they are suicidal.”

  “Simon Strong,” Roma said, giving me the once over. She lingered a little longer this time. I wanted to think it was my irresistible attractiveness that gave her pause, but judging from her expression of mild irritation, I doubted it. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Roma, Captain of the Archive Guard. Tell me why a clandestine organization, like Shadow Company, would target one of the two most powerful dragon enclaves in existence?”

  “A pleasure,” I said with a nod. “One of the leaders of Shadow Company lost his daughter to a dragon, Slif.”

  “Cassandra Rott, yes.”

  “You knew?” I said, opening my eyes wider in surprise. “How?”

  “We are an archive,” Roma said. “It is our business to know. Information is the most precious currency in the world, Marked of Kali.”

  “Whoa, now that’s just creepy,” I said, staring at her. “How long did you know that?”

  “The moment I saw the mark upon you. Observation is just another way to gather information,” Roma said with a small smile, before turning to Monty. “Tristan, why are you here? What does this have to do with either of you, or a hellhound?”

  “Simon once belonged to—”

  “Shadow Company, yes, we know,” Roma finished, crossing her arms. “Archive?”

  “My apologies. Of course,” Monty continued. “They have requested his presence in their next mission.”

  “Which is?”

  “You don’t know?” I asked. “I’m surprised.”

  Monty gave me a sideways glare.

  “What? She knows everything else, I figured she knew this, too.”

  “We are not psychics, nor can we see the future,” Roma said. “We possess information of what has occurred, not what will occur.”

  I raised a hand in surrender.

  “My mistake,” I said. “I just figured—”

  “Deny the request,” Roma said with finality. “Tell them you can’t join them on this mission. It sounds ill-formed and suicidal.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Can’t or won’t?”

  “Both,” I said. “I’m partially responsible for Cassandra’s death, and I need to stop them. Hunting dragons sounds like a bad idea for everyone all around, don’t you think?”

  “The events that led to Cassandra’s death were out of your control and always were,” Roma said. “She was going to die the moment she encountered Slif, whether you intervened or not.”

  “You can’t possibly know that,” I said. “There were too many factors involved. If I had kept her back, away from the action—”

  “She would have died later,” Rom
a said, softly. “It was out of your hands.”

  “No, no it wasn’t,” I countered, keeping my anger in check. “It was my call, and she died because of it.”

  Roma just stared at me in silence for a few moments.

  “You cannot change the past,” Roma said. “However, hunting dragons could destabilize the delicate balance between the two major enclaves. If the Balfour weakens, the Obouros would seize the opportunity to strike. That would be…catastrophic.”

  “Exactly. I’d like to prevent the catastrophe,” I said. “Can we go see the Auer person now?”

  “You? No. You’re not even a mage,” she said, turning her attention to Monty again. “To see her, you would need—”

  “A formal audience,” Monty said, shaking out his hands. “I agree.”

  Roma raised an eyebrow and smiled in typical mage style. I knew this was bad. It was one of those smiles that said: There will be pain in ample doses for everyone here—prepare.

  “Monty? Can we discuss…?”

  “A formal audience?” Roma asked and moved a hand. Two of the four mages from the back stepped forward and walked behind us. We were effectively surrounded by a cabal of librarian mages. Yes, I had been studying. “Are you certain?”

  “Yes,” Monty said. “Will you grant me passage?”

  “You know the way to gain passage, better than most,” Roma said. “If you are successful, you, Mr. Strong, and his bondmate will be granted passage. Do you need time to prepare?”

  “One moment,” Monty said, raising a finger. “I need to clarify some things with my associate.”

  “Of course,” Roma said. “You have five minutes, or your request is null and void.”

  “Thank you,” Monty said with a slight nod as he approached me.

  “Why is it never simple with mages?” I asked. “Let me guess, gaining passage is some crazy fight to the death?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Monty said, waving my words away. “It’s not that kind of battle.”

  “It is a battle though, right?”

  “Well, yes. A duel.”

  “Is there a potential for a lethal outcome?”