Shadowstrut

by Orlando A. Sanchez

  “Know? She’s worse than I am.”

  “You’re hopeless.”

  “What? I was referring to my heavy meal of sausage and beans, which she, of course, shared with me,” he said with another grin. “You really need to get your mind out of the gutter, boy.”

  “I do? Really?”

  He narrowed his eyes at me and grew serious.

  “How long have you had the dark blade?” he asked, sitting on my trunk, spreading his legs, and burning the worst possible image of his junk into my retinas. “Oh, and you’re bonded too?”

  “It’s a long story,” I said, averting my eyes. “Can you do something about the clothes?”

  “My lady loves me like this—easy access, don’t you know?”

  “I do know, thanks,” I said. “How about we try some pants…even shorts would work.”

  He looked down. “Since when did Night Wardens become such prudes?”

  “I’m not a prude,” I said. “It’s good to see you, I just didn’t expect to see so much of you.”

  “If I told you some of the stories when I went out on patrols with the Wardens…tch, those were some good times,” he said wistfully. “But we aren’t here to discuss my misspent youth.”

  Dex was one of the reasons, if not the reason, patrols banned outside assistance and were limited only to Night Wardens. Several of his patrols involved plenty of alcohol, succubi, and all-night lovefests.

  “I’m sure they were great times.”

  His dark eyes focused on me. “How bad is it?”

  “Mages are dying in the streets.”

  “Dark Council?”

  “Can’t be bothered, plus the vamp is missing, so they’re dealing with factional in-fighting.”

  “Mages, weres, and vamps? Bad idea from the start…NYTF?”

  “This is above all their paygrades. Ramirez can’t keep up.”

  “Did you contact my nephew and his partner? They’re a little on the explosive side, but excellent in a pinch. He’s a Montague, after all.”

  “Your nephew and I have worked cases together. I think a Tenebrous would be too dangerous at his age,” I said. “Plus, I’d like to keep the buildings standing, and they have a habit of remodeling them into rubble.”

  “Too true,” Dex said, nodding his head. “Dare I say it…Light Council?”

  “Presently trying to kill me on suspicion of trying to blow up the Central Archive and trying to kill Honor.”

  “Again?” Dex smiled, stood up, and clapped me on the back. “Gotta stay with the classics. They always were a group of stuffed shirts. What really happened?”

  I explained about Ronin, the book and the events that led to the Light Council wanting both Koda’s and my head on a platter.

  “You can’t trust Division 13,” Dex said somberly with a shake of his head. “I have some contacts there but, like I said, you can’t trust them. There’s always some hidden agenda, they can’t help themselves. Do you want me to call in the Ten?”

  “You don’t think that’s overkill?”

  “Aye,” Dex said. “If you get them involved, it’d better be some end-of-the-world event. They’ll be bored otherwise.”

  “I do need you to speak to LD and TK for me, though.”

  “Oh? That pair is usually enough for most cataclysms.”

  “No, I need a warden bag.”

  “Warden bag? Haven’t seen one of those in centuries, but if they’re still out there, Fordey would be the place. I’ll send word. If it’s a bag, you need to see TK.”

  “Can’t I just speak to LD?”

  “Aye, I understand your reluctance,” Dex said with a nod. “Between us, she’s not as bad as the rumors.”

  “Really? Because the rumors are pretty bad.”

  “Aye, she’s much worse than the rumors,” he said with a wide smile. “But if you’re looking for a bag, she’s the one to see.”

  “Fantastic,” I said. “That won’t suck at all.”

  “It’s not so bad,” Dex said. “If you don’t piss her off, and pay the cost, you’ll get your bag. If not, well, you’re dying anyway, and she’ll just speed up the process. In any case, that’s not the immediate concern.

  “Glad to hear my imminent demise is not high on the to-do list.”

  “You’re a Night Warden, imminent demise is called stepping out of the door for the evening’s patrol,” Dex said, waving my words away. “Do you know who summoned the Tenebrous?”

  “I don’t know,” I said. “Been dealing with rummers and these new rummogres.”

  “Rummogres?”

  “Hybrid creatures. Rummer and ogres combined into one convenient monstrous package,” I explained. “They’re fast, intelligent, and hit like a truck.”

  “How many of these rummogre things have you seen?

  “Three so far,” I said. “Are you saying I should expect more?”

  “Has the Tenebrous found a host?”

  “Not yet,” I said. “He threatened a friend, whom I had relocated to safety.”

  “It,” Dex said. “Not ‘he.’ These things aren’t human.”

  “No, they aren’t,” I said, thinking about the bloody and dying mage. “It wears humans like garments.”

  “They don’t just appear,” Dex said, shaking his head. “They are creatures formed of hate and fear. Have you angered anyone, or made any enemies lately?”

  I stared at him, and he stared back. Both of us remained silent for a good three seconds before he burst out in laughter.

  “Are you serious?” I said with a tight smile. “The question is: who haven’t I pissed off?”

  “Oh, so your face can make a smile, good. There’s still hope for you, then.”

  “I need to learn this soulblaze, Dex. It’s the only thing that will work against it.”

  “Wrong,” Dex said. “You’re old enough to know better. Usually when someone says this is the ‘only way,’ something can be done, it just means—?”

  “They lack creativity,” I said, answering the obvious. “The soulblaze is the most effective way?”

  “Not particularly,” Dex answered. “The most effective way would be to remove the summoner, since he or she is the anchor for the Tenebrous. Since you don’t know who that is, I’ll have to show you the soulblaze.”

  “You know it?”

  “Did you call me here for my good looks?”

  “Not particularly, no.”

  “Ach, you cut me to the quick, boy.”

  “I thought you wanted an honest answer.”

  “Where vanity is concerned, honesty is overrated. Remember that, and you’ll live a longer life.”

  “Duly noted. You can show me the soulblaze?”

  “Yes, we only have one minor problem.”

  “Problem? Is the rune too difficult?”

  “The problem isn’t with the rune. The problem is with you.”

  “With me?”

  Dex nodded. “You’ve bonded with a dark blade. If you cast the soulblaze, it will be the last thing you cast, ever. That spell will kill you.”

  THIRTY-ONE

  “Kill me?”

  “Do you still want me to teach it to you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to call my nephew? Tristan can be a bit particular, but he’s an excellent mage. Still a little green, but good in a tight spot, and you, my boy, are in one of the tightest. Reminds me of this succubus—”

  “Does he have any fears?” I interrupted.

  “Hmm, there is that,” Dex said, tapping his chin. “When he was young, he feared getting his uniform wrinkled or soiled. That, and cold tea. He was a peculiar child. I told Nana to stop coddling him.”

  “I see. He hasn’t changed much, then.”

  “That…is a fear of a loss of control,” Dex answered, his voice hard. “Most mages possess this fear. Except, maybe you. Or you’ve buried it so deep, you can’t recognize it anymore.”

  “Tristan can’t help me with this,” I
said. “Neither can Simon with his devil-dog. They care about each other too much. The Tenebrous would use that fear of loss against them, paralyze them, and then either end them, or take them.”

  “You speak the truth,” Dex answered after a pause. “You don’t have those attachments, do you? Friends, your associates”—he looked around—“this place?”

  “I can’t afford those attachments, Dex,” I said, keeping my voice cold. “The cost…the price…is too high. And I’ve already paid it once. I’m not paying it again.”

  “Without those attachments, you don’t have a life. All you’re doing is existing.”

  “Yet, I’m the only one who can face this thing.”

  “Only one?” Dex asked. “No, not the only one.”

  “The most effective one, then,” I said. “I’ll pay the cost, so no one else has to.”

  Dex shook his head. We’d had this conversation in the past. He wanted me to open up and let people in; I wanted to retreat further into my grief and solitude. We always ended up in the same place, with me being alone.

  “You can’t do everything alone, boy. That way madness lies.”

  “In a mad world, only the mad are sane,” I answered. “Let me do what I need to do…what I can do.”

  Dex sighed and nodded.

  “If you cast this, it will act the opposite of a siphon,” Dex said, showing me the gestures and symbols. “Your blade is the counterpart to Simon’s. I’m assuming it acts as a siphon, yes?”

  “Yes,” I said, remembering the darkness after I cut Fluffy’s latest victim. “It requires blood.”

  “Those blades usually do,” Dex said. “The soulblaze will weaponize yours, and the blade’s energy signature, allowing you to wield it as a blast. It’s called a soulblaze because it’s an illuminated energy signature spell. This light…the light of your essence, is what will do damage to the Tenebrous. This is a one-time-use spell. Do you understand?”

  “What happens after I use it?”

  “If you miss—you’re too drained to do anything else but lay there and die.”

  “And if I don’t miss?”

  “You’ll destroy the Tenebrous, and then you’ll be devoid of any energy signature or essence. You’ll be a shell, too drained to do anything but to be still for a few minutes, and then you’ll die.”

  “I’m sensing a theme with this spell.”

  “It’s a battle spell, designed for use against enemy combatants during times of war. Mages would cast it on captured prisoners and use their soulblazes against their own people. It was lethal and efficient, killing enemy and prisoner in one fell swoop.”

  “How long?”

  Dex flexed his jaw and stared in my eyes.

  “Ten seconds.”

  “Ten seconds until I expire, or ten seconds of soulblaze?”

  “Once you activate this spell, it’s locked, it will fire for ten seconds. No more, no less. You can direct the blast through a focus of your choosing. I’d suggest your sword, since you will be merging energies anyway.”

  “Can it be interrupted?”

  “Of course, by killing the mage before he unleashes it.”

  “That kind of interrupts everything.”

  “Don’t be in a hurry to rush into the secret house of death.”

  “Life is a walking shadow and this time I’m the poor player.”

  “At least you kept up with your readings,” Dex said.

  “Like I had a choice.”

  “Once the spell runs its course…so does the mage. I think you should reconsider. Find the summoner and stop them.”

  “Don’t have that kind of time, Dex. Thank you. If I don’t see you again…”

  He nodded. “Understood. I’ll make sure the ceremony is a proper Warden ceremony, if it comes to that.”

  “Can’t ask for more than that,” I said. “I appreciate the assist.”

  “Ach, can’t help but think I just helped you kill yourself.”

  “How can you kill someone who’s already dead?”

  “Indeed,” Dex said and paused. “Remember, the ones who stand with you when it’s all gone to shite aren’t there for the sights and attractions. That’s your family.”

  “I don’t have—”

  “Don’t interrupt me when I’m speaking, boy.”

  I remained silent. It was always best to stay on the good side of a mage like Dex.

  “You lost someone. Hell, we’ve all lost someone,” he said, pointing a finger. “Hold them in your heart if you must, but don’t neglect the ones standing next to you, shedding blood on the field, or one day you’ll find yourself on that same field shedding blood alone. Ye understand?”

  I nodded in reply. “I understand.”

  “Good. You honor those who risk their lives with you, or else what good are you?”

  Dex formed a portal, gave me a short nod, and disappeared, leaving me alone.

  THIRTY-TWO

  “What the hell was that?” Frank asked when I reached the ground floor. “Who did you have up there?”

  “Dex,” I said, keeping my voice serious, expecting the reaction. “He says hello.”

  “Did you say Dex?” Frank asked, flicking his tail rapidly “And you didn’t call me?”

  “It wasn’t a social visit,” I said. “In case you haven’t noticed, we nearly got our asses ghosted last night. No one has time for pranks right now.”

  “I just wanted to say hello,” Frank answered quietly. “He does happen to be a friend.”

  “A friend?” I asked angrily. “What the hell are you doing? Some of us are trying to save lives, while you want to do…what? Have a beer with friends?”

  “Shit,” Frank replied. “No need to get your panties in a bunch. I was at the bridge last night too, remember?”

  I glared at Koda in silence until she saw my expression. “We have a call to make. You coming?”

  She looked at Cole. “Did you make his coffee strong?”

  “Apparently not strong enough,” Cole said. “Want some to go?”

  “What I want,” I started, “is for my apprentice to be ready to go when it’s time to leave, and for my supposed head-of-security lizard to lock down the place, so it doesn’t get camped out in by the Light Council again. That’s what I want.”

  “Fuck you, Grey,” Frank said, moving to the end of the bar. “What’s this?”

  Cole shrugged. “No clue. Some old guy left it here for you. Said he knew you.”

  “Maybe the head of security should, oh, I don’t know, secure the area?”

  Frank gave me a one-finger salute as he approached the package.

  “Cole, we seem to be low on some of the Glenfiddich,” I said, adding an edge to my voice. “Would it be too much to ask to keep the bar properly stocked?”

  Cole raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me? I always keep the bar—”

  “Now would be a good time,” I said, standing at the door with Koda behind me.

  “Better listen to the Warden Emperor, Cole,” Frank said. “He’s liable to shoot you today, just to get his point across.”

  “If that’s what it takes to get things done around here,” I said, letting my hand rest on Fatebringer, “I can shoot to wound.”

  Cole left the bar and headed downstairs, giving me a one-finger salute goodbye.

  “You know you don’t have to be such a dick,” Frank started. “Just because you’re having a rough—”

  “You don’t tell me what I need to do, lizard,” I said, pointing at the package and opening the door. “I tell you what to do. You’re the head of security—do some securing.”

  I stepped outside, closed the door, reactivated the defensive runes…and waited. Koda stood next to me, beside herself with barely controlled anger.

  “What the hell? Bite my head off, Mr. Night Warden.”

  I raised a finger. “Wait for it,” I whispered.

  I heard Frank cursing, and I put my ear to the door.

  “Secure my ass. Just wait until the
next time he calls, needing me.”

  There was a ripping of paper and then I heard the small thwump, followed by much louder cursing.

  “Goddammit, Grey! Grey!” Frank yelled. “I know you’re out there, you bastard!”

  I deactivated the runes and opened the door a crack. Koda peeked in behind me and burst into laughter.

  “Holy hell,” I heard Cole say. “That is so not your color…Pinky.”

  Not only was Frank hot-pink, he was a glowing hot-pink. I slid the card Dex gave me me through the crack and whispered a small spell so it would land on the far end of the bar, next to Cole. I saw him pick it up and look at me with a nod and a small smile.

  “I know you’re out there, Grey,” Frank yelled again, as I closed the door and activated the defensive runes. “This was that bastard, Dex, and you knew, Grey. You’re supposed to be a friend! Don’t worry, I’m a patient dragon. I will have my vengeance!”

  “Holy shit, that is pink,” Koda said around another giggle. “That was all a setup?”

  “I can sell it when I need to,” I said, enjoying the moment of levity. “Let’s go make that call.”

  “Where’s my bike?” Koda asked, looking around. “They said they delivered it.”

  “They did. I had SuNaTran pick it up.”

  “I told you, I don’t know how they saw me, but it wasn’t—”

  “Cecil picked it up to enhance the camouflage,” I said, raising a hand when I sensed she was going to jump into a rant about her abilities. “It’s to incorporate what you encountered at the Central Archive. Seems Rahbi informed him of your ‘difficulty’ remaining unseen, and he’s working to rectify the situation—at least for the Shroud.”

  “I will get in there,” Koda said, determined. “And they won't have a clue.”

  “Do me a favor,” I said. “Can it wait until they aren’t trying to kill us on sight and after we’ve dealt with our current situation?”

  “Fine,” she said, getting into the Beast. “Let’s go.”

  “I’ve only been saying that for an hour.”

  I jumped into the Beast, started the roaring engine and sped off to The Eldorado.

  THIRTY-THREE