by Lane Mason
Kat stood and took Mazi’s hand. “Until we meet again.”
Mazi nodded. “Until we meet again.” He paused for a moment. “I do strongly suggest that you try not to use your silver-thread magic for a while, especially here in Vegas right now. There are many from Unreha here for the trial. If the wrong people see you using it, they will know how unique you are.”
“Got it.”
Mazi left, and Kat sat back down. She took a drink of her water, and the waitress brought the food to the table.
Kat looked at her steak. It was massive, and her stomach was growling, but her head was spinning. “Did you know any of that stuff?” she asked Dexter.
“About your heritage? Not exactly. I know a little about draia, but I never knew that you were of royal blood. I only knew that you were unique.”
“If he’s right, and I am royal blood, then I shouldn’t be working for the MBI.”
“Why not?” Dexter asked.
“Umm, didn’t you hear him talking about how I’ll be a target? How shady Unreha assassins will come looking for me? I’d be putting them in danger.”
“I suppose that is an option. Leave everything behind, abandon your friends, live a life on the run. That would be easier.”
Kat clenched her fist around her fork. “Screw you, Dexter. This isn’t a joke.”
“No, it isn’t. But you yourself already said you aren’t convinced that you are royal blood, and now you’re already thinking about running off into the night. Seems to be a little premature.”
“What are you suggesting I do, then? Wait around to be attacked and hope no one I care for is hurt?”
“I’m suggesting that you sit down with your roommates and discuss the situation. In case you have forgotten, you were already a target for bad guys. Demons have been trying to kill you since your twenty-first birthday, and gangs have attacked you several times since you started working for the MBI. Being your friend has never been a safe hobby for anyone.”
Kat realized Dexter was right. She was already a target; nothing had changed other than the fact that possibly a whole lot more people wanted her dead. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “OK. I see your point. I’ll talk to Vesper tonight and Aldo when we get home.”
“That is better. Besides, if you were listening to Mazidern at all, you’ll know you have powers that give you an advantage over anyone trying to attack you. You can build a demon army to defend you.”
Kat laughed. “Please be serious. This isn’t the time for jokes.”
Dexter didn’t say anything.
“Dexter, you are joking, right?”
...
After finishing up her meal, Kat headed back to the hotel suite. She needed to talk to Vesper and didn’t want to put it off. She knocked on Vesper’s door and then opened it. “Vesper, you awake?”
“I am now.”
Kat walked in and sat down on the bed beside Vesper.
“That bad?”
Kat nodded. “Yes.”
“What did the stupid Council want with you?”
“It wasn’t the Council. Well, Bern Mevdi was there, but he basically introduced me to the other guy and then left.”
Vesper sat up. “OK. Who’s the other guy?”
“Mazidern Joharn, Mazi for short. A draia who believes he knows who my father is.”
“Wow. And that is a bad thing? I thought you’d want to know who your father is?”
“I did. I do. But Mazi thinks that I’m the daughter of this guy named Carelle Derkami, who happens to be some sort of draia prince.”
“You’re royalty? Wow, that is cool.”
Kat shook her head. “It sounds cool, but it really isn’t. It seems that my father has lots of enemies, and those enemies will see me as a threat. Once they find out who I am, they will likely try to kill me.”
“Oh. That is less cool.
“Are you sure this Mazi guy is right? Maybe he’s just guessing.”
“I thought so too, but you know my web magic? That is something only a royal-blood draia can do.”
“The spider spunk is royal magic?”
Kat laughed. “We really have to stop calling it that. Apparently, it is called silver thread, and is a very powerful magic against demons.”
Vesper shrugged. “I still prefer spider spunk.”
“And speaking of demons. Mazi says that royal draia can control demons, that certain demons will willingly serve me, and that I should learn to use those powers.”
“You can control demons? That is awesome. Only the strongest mages can get a demon to willingly serve them. How are you supposed to learn to use these new powers?”
“Mazi says that some demon spirits can live in the body of a host animal.”
“Sure, demons can inhabit animals as well as humans. We know that. Wait, is Mazi suggesting we find you a pet demon?”
Kat nodded. “He thinks my ability to control demons will be my best chance of defeating anyone that comes looking to kill me. But before we talk about summoning a demon to become a house pet, we need to talk about how all this affects your life.”
Kat took a deep breath. She was scared about how Vesper would react to what she had to tell her next. “I’m going to be an even bigger target for bad guys than I am now. It will be danger—”
Vesper put her finger across Kat’s lips. “Stop right there. I don’t care if all of Unreha wants you dead. We are besties. You aren’t ditching me out of some misguided idea of trying to protect me. We’ll face whatever comes together. Got it?”
Kat smiled as a tear ran down her cheek. She hadn’t realized how worried she was about what Vesper would say until it happened. Vesper was the most important person in her life, and the thought of having to leave her was terrifying. That Vesper wouldn’t even consider that an option was a massive relief. “I got it.”
“Now, enough with your silly ideas about danger. Let’s talk about demon pets. I’m thinking a dog. Something big and ugly that will scare the crap out of unwanted guests.”
“Don’t witches like cats?”
Vesper’s brow furrowed, and the next thing Kat knew, a pillow was smacking her in the face. “Don’t stereotype me,” Vesper said before giving a war cry and attacking again.
Kat grabbed a pillow and laughed as she ducked under Vesper’s swing. “Sorry. I won’t stereotype you.”
Vesper stopped her attacks. “That’s better.”
“But seriously, aren’t witches cat people?”
Vesper launched another attack.
15
Vesper
After waking up, Vesper wandered into the suite’s living room. Kat was still asleep, which was good as far as she was concerned. Kat had been through a lot lately and needed a good recharge. The tension and lack of sleep, along with all the magical use of late, was starting to wear on her. A good night’s sleep and a couple big meals today would go a long way towards her healing. And while Dexter had suggested that the next few days would be a holiday for them, there was always the possibility they’d be called into action. The people who wanted Chuck were persistent.
After hearing Kat’s story of her dinner with Bern Mevdi and Mazidern Joharn, Vesper knew she needed to learn more about demons. And as it happened, she had a contact that might be able to help with that.
Pulling out her phone, Vesper called her contact. “Uncle Sebastian?”
“Vesper! I haven’t spoken to you in forever,” Sebastian said. “What can I do for you?”
“Are you still in Vegas?”
“I am.”
“Good. I’m in town and I have a little problem I was hoping to get your help with. Are you available to meet?”
“I’m tied up this afternoon, but what are you doing right now?” Sebastian asked.
“I’m looking out at the Strip from my room at the Cosmo.”
“OK. Meet me at Bruxie’s in thirty minutes,” Sebastian said before hanging up.
Vesper chuckled as she hung up. Uncle Sebasti
an, who wasn’t really an uncle but a close family friend of her mother’s, could be very abrupt at times. It seemed that hadn’t changed. But whatever he lacked in social skills he made up for in his knowledge of the underworld. Sebastian was a warlock who specialized in the spirit worlds.
Vesper checked Google maps and found Bruxie Chicken and Waffle. It was only a couple blocks from the room.
She got dressed and left Kat a note saying she had an appointment and would meet up with her later.
Leaving the hotel, Vesper started walking. The Vegas sun felt good, and the Strip wasn’t busy yet, so it made for a pleasant walk, but as she walked, her thoughts turned to Kat. It was obvious that Kat was going to need her more than ever. Her magic might be incredibly powerful, and Kat was as tough as nails—a rough childhood had given her a thick skin and her training made her an accomplished fighter—but being tough wasn’t enough.
Kat was going to need a support network who she could rely on when things went bad. And they would go bad. Vesper knew that Kat could handle any physical pain, but her ability to deal with emotional injuries was a different story. Kat had grown up alone, without a real family, and now that history was being brought up. Kat had a family in Unreha that she didn’t know, and she also had enemies because of that family. The closer she got to that family, the closer she would be to her unknown enemies. It was going to be dangerous.
Arriving at Bruxie, Vesper spotted Sebastian. He was already sitting down at one of the booths.
Sebastian smiled and stood when Vesper came towards him.
“By the gods, look at you, child. You’ve grown into a beautiful woman. You look like your mother.”
Vesper hugged Sebastian. “Thank you, Uncle. You are looking good. I see you still favor black.” Sebastian was dressed in black leather pants and a black tank top. He could pass for a rock star or a biker, more often the latter. He did ride a Harley, and liked biker bars. But as far as she knew, that was the extent of his gang association. He also was likely to be found in a trendy nightclub—he didn’t discriminate when it came to where he drank.
“It comes with the territory,” Sebastian said. “Tourists expect their warlocks to look dark and mysterious.”
“Still fleecing tourists?”
Sebastian laughed. “I wouldn’t say that I’m fleecing them. I actually do talk to the spirits when I need to. But most tourists just want the experience of meeting a medium. I put on a good show. Use a little magic to give them chills and give them an experience. Most times I can tell what they want to hear just by studying them for a few minutes.”
“Business is good, then?”
“Business is great. I love Vegas. You’d think there would be hundreds of witches and mages working the crowds, but the truth is most of the mages on the Strip deal in illusion magic. There are a couple witches who are my competition, but that is it.”
Vesper smiled. Sebastian certainly was into more than just catering to tourists, but that was his business and she wasn’t going to pry, especially since she was associated with the MBI now. “Glad to hear things are going well.”
“What about yourself? I hear that you’ve opened an apothecary, and have a rather interesting new friend.”
Vesper raised an eyebrow. “You’re well informed.”
“Your brother came to see me. He told me all about his mishaps with the Blood Runners and how it has affected you.”
“Dominic is here in Vegas?”
“No, he only stopped here for a few days. He wanted my advice on where to go and I offered him some guidance. Your brother seems genuinely interested in turning a new leaf.”
It shouldn’t have surprised her that Dominic would seek counsel from Sebastian. He’d been as close as a father figure as he’d had. Whether it was a good idea or not remained to be seen. Sebastian wasn’t exactly what Vesper would call a great role model. But considering how much trouble Dom had been in, any help in getting pointed in the right direction was worth accepting. “I’m glad Dominic came to you.”
Sebastian laughed. “Are you?”
Vesper’s face went slightly red with embarrassment. Sebastian could see right through her. “Yes. It does give me pause. You aren’t exactly a model citizen. I fear that the things he could learn from you wouldn’t send him in the right direction.”
“A valid concern, and one I thought of before assisting him. However, as bad as the choices Dominic has made to this point, he is a bright lad, and he isn’t evil in nature. Sure, he’s been drawn towards a life of crime, but he was lucky. The fact that the Blood Runners intended to use him to get to you and your friend forced him to evaluate his choices. If he’d had more success as a criminal, he might’ve embraced that path fully. I might not be the best role model when it comes to being compliant with the law, but I do have an honor code that I live by. The help I gave your brother won’t send him down a dark road... unless he makes that choice on his own, and I don’t believe that will happen.”
“I hope you are right. I do think he might’ve turned a corner. The last time I spoke with him, he seemed to have matured and learned from what happened. I only fear that he’s easily led astray.”
“You needn’t fear for your brother; from what I’ve seen, he’s safer than you are. If you are indeed consorting with a draia, you are putting yourself in harm’s way. The Blood Runners aren’t the only danger your friend faces. In fact, they aren’t even the worst of the enemies she will encounter.”
“Why?”
“I’ve known a few draia in my time, even met a few in our realm. My experience with them is that they are complicated, to say the least. A young draia is bound to attract all sorts of demons. A draia as part of the MBI? That will attract the attention of gangs like the Blood Runners, who use demons at their convenience. Then there are the enemies from Unreha; they are the true danger your friend faces.”
“That is actually why I’m here. I need your help. Kat met with someone from Unreha recently and he revealed some things from her heritage. It was recommended that she take a demon as a familiar.”
A server came to the table before Sebastian could reply. She brought a plate of chicken and waffles and placed it in front of him.
“I hope you don’t mind. I ordered breakfast before you arrived,” Sebastian said.
“It’s fine. It looks delicious. Perhaps a little early in the day for fried chicken, but it smells wonderful.”
Sebastian took a large bite out of his waffles and closed his eyes. “Delicious. And it’s never too early for fried chicken.” He finished another big bite before speaking. “It isn’t uncommon for draia to take a familiar. Of course, the forms that a familiar takes in Unreha would be completely different than what would be acceptable here on Earth.”
“We were thinking something that could pass as a pet would be best.”
Sebastian nodded. “Yes. That is a good idea. You’ll be wanting a powerful demon, but one that would be loyal to her.” Sebastian paused for a moment before continuing. “I think a corpova demon is the answer.”
“Corpova? What is that? I’ve never heard of one.”
Sebastian took a few more bites of his breakfast before answering. “They are powerful and highly intelligent demons. They are also rarely seen. They don’t have the desire to come to the mortal planes, so calling one is tricky. However, aside from being intelligent and powerful, they have a flaw that would work in your favor: they have a tendency to take on the personality traits of the beings they possess.”
“So a protective and loyal creature like a dog would be a good match?”
“Yes, of course. I mean, you want the biggest, most powerful creature you can get, so either a large dog or a wild cat, but human laws forbid keeping lions or tigers as pets, so your choices are limited to house pets like dogs and cats, perhaps a large bird.”
“I could handle having a cat in the house,” Vesper said.
Sebastian scoffed. “Of course you could. Everyone knows witches are cat people. Howev
er, cats can be selfish assholes. Dogs are far more loyal. No, you will be wanting a large dog, something bred for protection.”
Vesper sighed. “I guess you’re right.”
“Finding the right animal won’t be too difficult. Check animal shelters. Older dogs and dogs that have been given up because their owners are too stupid or lazy to own a big animal are everywhere. The tricky part will be finding the right demon.”
“Suggestions?”
“I have a demon that I call upon that likes to traverse all the corners of the underworld. It would be able to give us the name of a corpora demon.”
“That would be very helpful.”
“How long are you in Vegas?” Sebastian asked.
“A few more days.”
“I’m guessing your being here has something to do with the trial.”
Vesper eyed her uncle warily. “How’d you know about that?”
Sebastian chuckled. “It is only the biggest thing in Vegas right now. You know how many times there has been a trial involving the Unreha Council? It is a rare occasion, and impossible to keep secret. There are more paranormals from Unreha right now than I’ve ever seen.”
“Well, I can’t comment on that.”
“Fair enough. Loose lips and all that. But either way, if you are here for a few more nights, I will help you summon Aucentchamarink.”
“That’s a mouthful.”
“Demon names can be absurd. I once had to summon a demon by the name of Xochajodkroiblatrah. I got one of the syllables wrong and ended up summoning an upper demon. Almost cost me my life.”
“Sounds like summoning demons is a bad idea in general.”
“Yes, but there are times when demons can be very valuable. Most people have gross misconceptions of the underworld. They think all demons and beings from that realm are inherently evil. Nothing could be farther from the truth. They are much like the inhabitants of this world. There is evil, good, and everything in between. Many of the demons that do come to this world aren’t necessarily evil, but they often are predators thrown into a world of new and exciting prey.”