In the Teeth of It

by K A Miltimore

  The herd was dispatched and Yami’s fur was covered in their blood. She had seen a small wallow just down the road, full of rainwater, and she ran there to wash her fur clean, taking care especially around her muzzle. She gave her fur a violent shake; despite the cold air and being drenched, she wasn’t cold. One task done, it was time to search again for Lyssa.

  Yami ran back along the trails, heading toward Enumclaw. She had no idea if Lyssa was even nearby. She would search a bit more but if she couldn’t find her, she would just have to pursue the course she thought best, which was killing the old woman. Surely, Lyssa would appreciate the chaos that would come from killing a leader of the waystations. And if Lyssa didn’t like it, there really wouldn’t be much she could do about it. She would have herself to blame for being inaccessible.

  Yami returned to the spot where she had hidden her clothing and it was all still there, if a bit damp from sitting on the wet ground. With no small measure of reluctance, she began the transformation again back to human form. Shapeshifting took tremendous energy and she knew there would be a price to pay. She tried not to concentrate on the crackling of her bones or the sudden chill that surrounded her naked skin with the fur now gone. Becoming human was always more unpleasant for Yami.

  She quickly drew her clothing back on, making sure she stayed below the sight line of the scrub bushes before finally standing up and giving a long stretch. Someone driving by did a double take as he saw her stand, but she just smiled. Wouldn’t he have a funny story to tell.

  “Well, now what?” Yami started walking back along the road toward town. She should never have taken this job. Her skill set was geared toward assassination or quick in and out thefts, not just infiltrating and watching. Watching for what? What did Lyssa want her to do? The host, Hedy, was eccentric but she seemed harmless. The Moroica was another story.

  The sky was almost dark now but Yami could make out the silhouette of a group of birds, swirling and flying low. They looked like crows. Perhaps not so unusual near a roadway where they could scavenge, but these crows were peculiar. Yami watched them sway and dive in unison, as if almost giving a collective wave, beckoning her to follow them. They were swooping and diving back toward the direction of that park where she met Lyssa.

  “Of course, she uses crows. That is so clear,” Yami muttered as she started to jog to follow the birds, glad she had worn flat shoes and not the heels she favored. No one driving by seemed to notice her or the strange flock of crows doing their dance in the sky.

  It wasn’t long before she saw the park, now completely in darkness. The street lights had come on but that area had none. The crows had dispersed into the blackness and Yami passed the last circle of light from the lamps and stepped into the dark of the park.

  “I see you got the message,” Lyssa’s voice called out to her from the vague direction of the large tree. Yami’s eyes could see the shapes in the darkness, and she stepped a bit closer, but not too close. Best to always be on guard.

  “Yes, they were rather easy to spot. Perhaps a telephone would be easier.” Yami heard Lyssa chuckle.

  “Oh, now where would be the fun in that. How many gods do you think have a wireless plan? My crows make good messengers. Now, let’s discuss where things are.”

  Yami sensed rather than saw that Lyssa was moving closer to her. She instinctively reached for the short tanto knife she kept near her waistband.

  “No need for that. We’re friends here. So, Miss Leckermaul has a visitor. My crows saw her arrive. Is she truly Moroi?”

  “Yes, she claims to be. Her name is Raluca Vaduva. She is high up in the Concierge hierarchy. She came to inspect the waystation after the incident involving you.” Again, Yami heard Lyssa chuckle.

  “How touching that the waystations have such concern for the welfare of the guests. It would be quite the thing if Miss Leckenmaul’s waystation got closed down. A little tit for tat.” Lyssa chuckled again.

  “You could do more than that. According to the woman, she is the only one in the waystation network that knows the location of every house. You know that the Moroi have photographic memories, yes? Apparently, they have put hers to good use. No one else knows the locations of every waystation except this old woman.” Yami heard Lyssa take a sharp breath.

  “Oh, yes. Imagine if we knew where every waystation was located. One by one, each one destroyed, leaving no refuge for the guests but to turn out into the world…a world that doesn’t know they exist. Imagine how much chaos that would bring and how easy it would be to inflame anger. Oh, it is too much of a gift. Perhaps it is a trap of some kind. Did the old woman know you were there?”

  “She likely knows of my presence, but I haven’t met her yet. I don’t think there is much chance that she or Hedy knew I was eavesdropping; they were deep in conversation and, as you know, I can be quiet and tread lightly.”

  “Then this is the sign I have been waiting for. We must take the old woman and extract the locations from her. If she will not willingly tell us…well, we will have to use your unique talents.” Lyssa was moving back against the tree and Yami realized she had been clenching her hands the whole time. She released them and gave them a shake. The air in the park was decidedly sour.

  “What do you want me to do? I don’t know how long she is going to be in town, but I suspect a few days.” Yami didn’t relish kidnapping; it often was too unpredictable and messy. But at least it would mean she would finish the job and could leave this town.

  “Watch for an opportunity; it will present itself, surely. Try to wait until the old woman is alone. Once you have her, bring her to the woods. Just follow the signs east toward the Olson Tree Farm. There is a cave near there; my crows will guide you in. We will chat with her there. Oh, and don’t forget to continue your havoc with the livestock. You’d be surprised how angry the locals are becoming.”

  Lyssa laughed again and was gone, slipping into the darkness and leaving Yami with no chance to ask questions.

  “Damn, never again. After this job, I am done,” she whispered as she left the dark of the park and returned to the street lights. She was in for a long night of prowling chicken coops and rabbit hutches, working for a madwoman.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Friday

  Do ye have all ye need from me, then?” Darro had been working out on Hedy’s porch all day and now that night was coming, he was eager to get home.

  Hedy and Mel stared at the giant wooden spinning pyramid that he had constructed without saying a word; they were speechless.

  Hedy had asked if he could make a large version of her traditional Christmas pyramid that was powered by the heat from candles spinning the large rotor at the top. She wanted something for the Christmas market that would showcase her treats and be eye catching. She thought he might be able to pull off a version perhaps twice as big as the normal table top one she had in her entry. Instead, he had created a behemoth that stood as tall as he was.

  “Well, are you gonna stand mouths agape or you gonna say something? Will it do? I used a small motor to turn the blades since the kind of firepower you’d need in candles might burn down the whole place. I could have made it finer if I had more time but you said you wanted something rustic, and so it is. I used boughs and pine cones from the yard, and a bit of swirly trim from the hardware store. Do you like it?” For all the work he had done, he hoped she did because he wasn’t prepared to make any changes.

  “It is amazing, Darro. Absolutely amazing. Better and bigger than I could have hoped. Mel, look at those gnomes he has placed along the platforms. Honestly, it is perfect!” Hedy was as giddy as she had been in ages to see such a thing of beauty.

  “How are we going to get it to the hall? It won’t fit in the Corvair, that’s for sure.” Mel was still marveling at the slowly moving rotors at the top that were spinning the three platforms slowly.

  “I can take it there for ye and assemble it. I’m in for a penny, in for a pound. Besides, I was going to go see the sights m
eself anyway. It will fit neatly in my truck.” Darro hadn’t worked with wood in years but he was glad to see he hadn’t lost his touch. He had done well, if he did say so himself.

  “Well, I can’t thank you enough. It will be the hit of the market.” Hedy came forward, and without a word, gave Darro a big hug, which he was not at all expecting. He bristled slightly but accepted it as gracefully as he was able.

  “Oh, aye, payment will be thanks enough. I gathered supplies yesterday and spent all day building today, so my usual rate for two days would be adequate.” His rent was due and the extra would be welcome in the lean months of winter when gardening wasn’t at its peak.

  “Oh, I can do a bit better than that since you have gone above and beyond on this. Let me get my purse.” Hedy went back inside just as the Christmas lights on the house flicked on. He had done a marvelous job installing those as well. What she would have done without Darro, she just didn’t know.

  “It truly is great, you know. And it made Hedy smile, which is a really good thing. She has seemed so down lately.” Mel stepped down from the porch to admire the lights fully. The old house looked magnificent in the pinkish white bulbs and Darro had even encased the small shop sign at the curb in tiny twinkling pink lights. She would have to take a picture of it to show her mom. Ana would be seeing it in person.

  “Aye, I noticed that meself. I thought perhaps she missed Skinny Malinky Longlegs himself, Bren. But I don’t know if that is the cause. Perhaps she is just lonesome for company.” Darro shuffled down the stairs and joined Mel in admiring his handiwork.

  “I’m keeping an eye on her. Well, her and now my cousin. Did you hear about what happened at the tree farm last night?” Mel noticed several crows had just landed in the tree closest to the house, which seemed strange as there was no garbage or stray food lying about.

  “Oh, aye, I heard about it when I was at the hardware store this morning. I also heard that the wee houligans have been causing havoc around town today. One of them was caught breaking windows at the library before school, another had tossed eggs at the principal’s house - he was at the hardware store buying supplies to clean it all up. What’s gotten into them?” Darro headed back up the stairs to wait for Hedy inside; it was getting a little chilly even for the Scotsman.

  “I don’t know. It must have been the scare of being in that cave. I am going to check on my cousin, Dylan, tonight to make sure he is okay and keeping out of trouble.” Mel followed the big man onto the porch and into the entry, back into the cinnamon scented warmth of the house.

  “St. Nick won’t bring him any gifts if he acts up. He best remember that.”

  “I’ll remind him when I call. Maybe the threat of no presents will get him back to his old self.” Mel left Darro in the entry to get his money from Hedy. She walked quickly passed the strange old woman who had been watching her all day and back to the batch of peppermint brownies she was making. At least Anahita would be here tomorrow, and Mel was beyond excited to see her. She tried to put the worry for Dylan in the back of her mind, at least for the night.

  ✽✽✽

  Darro left with a loud “Ta” and Hedy turned to find Yami coming down the stairs. She hadn’t seen her all day and now it was night; the woman certainly kept strange hours.

  “Yami, it's good to see you. You must be famished. Can I fix you something to eat?” Hedy waited for her guest to reach her in the entry.

  “Yes, that would be nice. My apologies for not coming down sooner, I was sleeping in. I am more of a night owl.” Yami smiled at Hedy but she was also keenly aware of the old woman’s presence just inside the shop.

  “I think the Hungarian goulash I made is about ready. We can sit down for a proper dinner. Oh, and let me introduce you to Miss Valuca.” Hedy led Yami into the shop and close to Raluca’s table. The Moroica had been reading a small book she had drawn out of her Coach handbag.

  “Yami Hayashi, may I present Raluca Vaduva. She is visiting us for a few days.”

  Yami extended her hand to shake, saying, “It is a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.” Raluca did not move.

  “Please forgive me if I don’t take your hand; I never shake hands. I find the custom disgusting. Miss Hayashi, yes, I believe you have been a guest at our waystations before. It was in Dubai and also Warsaw, no?” Raluca gestured for Yami to sit down and she did so, with slight hesitation. It would be a challenge to deceive this woman about anything.

  “I’ll let you two get acquainted while I get dinner ready in the dining room.” Hedy took her opportunity to exit gratefully. She hated to leave Yami alone in conversation with Raluca, but it was more awkward to hover nearby.

  “Yes, I have been at both locations, though that was a few years ago. You have a remarkable memory to know the guests who stay at your waystations.”

  “It’s true my memory is good, but in this case, I actually looked up your file as I knew I would be coming here. I am good, but not quite that good. Tell me, what do you think of this waystation? I am here to inspect and to judge; I could use your opinion.” Raluca’s hand was resting lightly on top of the small book and Yami could see the gnarled veins just below the surface.

  “Hedy is a charming host. She has been very gracious and opened up her home to me. I have found her to be quite accommodating and attentive.” Yami was being truthful with the old woman. Whether Lyssa wanted to destroy the network or not, Hedy had been nothing but kind to Yami.

  “Well, that is good to hear. I have concerns that this…shop,” Raluca waved her hand dismissively, “might be taking her away from her primary concern of caring for guests. I will take your thoughts under advisement.” Raluca seemed to have dismissed Yami and the awkward pause seemed to confirm it.

  Yami rose to leave, planning to assist Hedy in the dining room when Raluca spoke again.

  “Oh…not that I particularly care, but your nocturnal activities are drawing concern in the community. I would suggest you cease, else you find yourself facing the barrel of a gun.” Raluca expression was rather blank for such a statement.

  “I’m not sure what you mean, ma’am.” Yami had told no one at the Concierge that she was a kitsune. There would be no way for this Moroica to know.

  “Oh, let’s not pretend, shall we? I know very well you are a kitsune. And no, I didn’t read it in a file. You think a Moroi wouldn’t know from the scent of your blood? There isn’t a creature in this world I can’t identify from scent. Their blood is their signature. And you, Miss Hayashi, are a kitsune of some advanced years; the scent of fox is strong but still your human blood is there as well. Do me the courtesy of honesty.” Raluca raised a penciled eyebrow at the woman who looked so surprised standing before her.

  “As you say, I am a kitsune. But I know nothing of attacks-”

  Raluca held up her hand to stop her. “Please, don’t lie. The smell of the animal blood permeates you. Again, you dishonor me with your lying. I will forgive it as you are used to having to hide your nature from all those around you. I give you a friendly warning; you would do well to stop these attacks before you find yourself in a trap or worse. That is the last I will say on it.”

  Raluca had dismissed her, opening the cover of her book again. She found the tawdry nature of lying too exhausting; what was the point of it all. The kitsune left her without another word and she hoped the woman heeded her warning. She would not wish a guest of the waystations to find herself caught in some common trap. Worse still, if Miss Hayashi was killed in her fox form, she would change back to human and then what a mess that would be.

  “‘Let no one be slow to seek wisdom when he is young,’ as Epicurus would say. Let’s hope she heeds the wisdom,” Raluca muttered as she returned to her book of ancient philosophers.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The cave was dark, which is how she liked it. Dark except for the slight orange glow of the crystal deep in the tunnel. She relished the dark. It was the perfect place for her to recuperate and draw power. The crystal seemed to make h
er stronger, both her form and her ability to manipulate humans. She’d learned that when the children wandered into the cave. How easy it had been to whisper in their ears, to set them on the path that leads to anger and destruction. She laughed at the thought of it. Her very own “Yule lads” wreaking havoc on those around them with every spiteful kick or toppled tree.

  Yes, the Moroica would serve her purposes well and even escalate her goals, with all that delectable knowledge just tucked away in that ancient brain of hers. Lyssa could only imagine how hard the Moroica would fight to keep her secrets and it made her smile; her kitsune would have to extract each detail, one by one, and Lyssa would enjoy the process. Once she had wrung all the information out of her, they would snuff her out like an ancient candle and Lyssa would be nearly ready to return to the world.

  The crystal was helping her heal, she was sure of that. It was only a matter of time before she would be well enough to proceed with her dark purpose.

  ✽✽✽

  Dylan slipped out of the house after dinner. He was supposed to be upstairs, playing Nintendo, but he crawled out his window and climbed down from the porch roof. He was supposed to meet up with the group and he didn’t want to miss this.

  “You’re late.” Harley sounded annoyed. They met in the alley behind a row of shops in town.

  “I’m here now, so quit bitching. You ready?” Dylan would never have talked back to Harley, or really anyone, before. But now, he just didn’t care. What could they do to him?

  “You are lucky I like you, Dylan, or I’d give you a beat down. I still might.” Harley chuckled, which caused Randy to laugh as well. Tamara didn’t join in.

  “Are we doing this or what?” She was impatient to get started.

  “Yeah, let’s get the party started. Everybody bring gloves?” Harley watched them all waive their pairs in the air. “Good. I brought rocks in this backpack. I also brought this.” He waved a baseball bat toward them. “Apparently, this is a Christmas present for me from my dad.”