“We’re under attack here. I’ll send you details. Ogres and soul stealers, with a number of mundane deaths,” I said. “There’s a possibility this universe is the target of a takeover from outside. Rio may already have been defeated.”
“Beijing. Thank you for the warning. I’ve seen nothing here.”
New York said, “Yes, thanks. It’s good to know I’m not the only one who is concerned. I’ve significantly strengthened defenses. I lost a junior mage earlier in the week; it was an ogre attack, too.”
“Send the details. I’ll include them in my report to Management.”
New York laughed. I felt his cynicism.
Beijing was silent.
I’d completed my task. “Good luck. Londin out.”
By the time Dena joined me, I’d assembled and dispatched my report to Management including details sent to me by New York. I included my concern about Rio. I had little confidence they’d react in a timely or effective manner. At least, I’d seen nothing from the senior people to give me a positive feeling in their ability to handle a crisis.
I shrugged when she asked how the call had gone. “Rio was missing; we couldn’t detect him. New York has had an ogre attack; he’s lost a junior. Beijing said he’s not under attack. I sent my report off.”
“There’s something else?” She was far too discerning.
“I wonder how we’d know if one of the Guardians was suborned by an enemy? Beijing was far too brief, given prior contacts.”
“You can’t take on the world.”
“We might need to.” If matters really deteriorated, I would be required to inform the Finders trustees and ask for their assistance. Something I wouldn’t look forward to.
“What have you committed yourself to?”
“One or two items. You know. Finding and destroying the soul stealers. Setting up the pixies for their searches in the morning. Meeting with Mowers tomorrow to brief his team; he’s investigating what’s happened to several missing Soho workers. There’s been a death at Smithfield and I’m certain it’s linked to soul stealers. We should talk to Lucifer and resolve Hunter’s presence. Deciding whether we can call on help from Lucifer to help against a possible invasion. Recruiting Dar-Iide if Leopold provides introductions. There was something else—”
“Checking if the Tir-Kiran Embassy is really keeping human slaves?” Dena suggested.
“Oh, that minor task.”
“Protecting us.”
“Hmm.”
She laughed, even though she was obviously worried about what was ahead. “My tasks are far more straightforward: Manage Finders, Train Morwen.”
“Don’t forget teaching Hurian and Leopold to read; oh, and transcribing the seed catalog.”
We both collapsed, laughing, onto the settee. Sometimes humor in dark times was the only antidote. Dena held me tight. I reciprocated.
When we sobered up, I said, “I think I’ll talk to Lucifer later today, get it over and done with.”
“What about Hunter?”
“We can’t let them meet, at least, not at this stage. Well, not as Lucifer. I suspect it would create a crisis Hunter doesn’t need. I suggest we tell him we were hired to find him, and we want to report to his father he’s safe and in good health. We’ll tell Lucifer we’ve made the attic available for Hunter and will ensure—as best we can—his safety.”
“Sounds good, but like all plans, may not survive contact with the enemy.”
“Hmm. Let’s talk to Hunter. Upstairs.”
We found Hunter in discussion with Victoria and Morwen in the sitting room. They stopped when Dena and I entered the room. There was no sign of Leopold.
Morwen said, “You two look serious.”
Dena replied, “We’ve been assessing our tasks. It’s a long list. Hunter, we need to talk to you. It won’t take long.”
He frowned, probably worried we were going to kick him out of the attic. “Now?”
“Yes.” Her two sisters readied themselves to leave the room and Dena said, “No, you both can stay.”
“Good,” Vic said. They both relaxed.
Dena looked at me. I said, “It’s about a Finders contract; your responsibility.”
She frowned. “Very well. Hunter, a few days ago we were contacted by someone who wanted us to search for his son. He provided details and we realized the missing son was you. We agreed we would take on the search and when we found you, if you were safe and in good hands, we wouldn’t disclose your whereabouts unless you gave us permission to do so. We think you’re safe and in good hands. We’d like to report our success and opinion to our client. We don’t require your agreement for the report but thought it would be polite to ask.”
“Wha—?”
Vic explained, “Finders is a well-known company. We find things. We’re also very expensive, so your father obviously was worried.”
“I—I don’t know what to say. I suppose you must make your report. You’ll let me stay?”
I replied, “I gave you my word, as long as you don’t create chaos in our home. I haven’t changed my mind. Your father is worried about you, otherwise he wouldn’t have approached us. We probably need a short video from you, confirming you’re safe, etc. Vic can produce it. Include views of the attic apartment so he can see you’re comfortable.” I hadn’t made up my mind whether to inform Lucifer his son was planning to live in one of my attics. On balance, I thought I should, otherwise the moment Lucifer discovered his son’s living arrangement, he would regard my omission as a major deceit. “However, for the moment, Vic should not be seen or heard; her face and voice are easy to recognize—she looks and sounds exactly like Dena, for some reason.”
The girls smiled. Their faces were identical and so were their voices, facial expressions, and other mannerisms; their age separation hadn’t created any distinguishable differences.
Hunter said, “I agree. I can’t tell them apart and I went to hug Vic yesterday to thank her for working on the attic with me and discovered I was hugging Dena instead. Color me red with max embarrassment.”
“Oh, I enjoyed it,” Dena said.
Hunter’s face turned pink.
I said, “So Vic, you’ll produce a video of Hunter for me and Dena to send to our Finders client?”
“Yes, boss. After lunch.”
Well, that was one task underway.
I sensed Leopold had returned. He had company.
There were more tasks for us to carry out.
oOo
Chapter 16
Leopold was waiting for me at the front door and I headed there, curious to see who he had with him. I sensed someone, although in a very blurred sense. Strange. Leopold and a stranger were standing outside the door. Pixies were visible, with weapons ready.
Leopold said, pointing at the pixies, “Not trusting. Tell them.”
I thought: Seriously? You can speak Pixish and I can’t. Well, nothing ventured. I stepped out and said, “Leopold has brought a friend to assist with defense. Trust both.”
There were one or two who muttered something back in Pixish, which I ignored. It made Leopold smile, a somewhat rare happening. They all returned to their hiding places.
I examined the stranger. He stood tall, well over six feet and, like Leopold when he was all in this universe, weighed in the order of two hundred or more pounds. He carried what I tentatively identified as a high-powered automatic weapon, a light machine gun. These weapons were very rare in this universe and I wondered how he managed to obtain a supply of ammunition. He was dressed in military fatigues overlaid with what I assumed was a form of flexible armor. Apart from a long scar across the side of his face, he had no obvious features; simply, he was a soldier ready for duty. At least, that was the impression I gained.
I looked at Leopold, eyebrows raised. He was also in this universe, standing tall.
“Dar-Iide. Centurion. Dangerous soldier. Marcus. Not lord. Not mage. Has shield spell.”
Wow! That must be the longest sta
tement ever from our Dar-Iide lord. “You agreed cost and conditions?” I decided the trustees would carry this cost; survival of me, my extended family, and Finders, would be to their benefit. I imagined their protests and smiled to myself.
“Yes. Stay. Barracks at back. Build. You pay.”
I nodded. “Does Marcus speak English?”
“Understands.”
“What else?”
“Money for bullets. Angel meals.”
“Very good.” I turned to our recruit. “Marcus, welcome.” He cautiously shook my hand.
I asked Leopold, “How many more can you get me? Remember, the Tir-Kiran Embassy is crowded with soldiers.”
“More searching. Marcus guard.”
Leopold wouldn’t mount a recruitment campaign if it meant leaving me without a guard, so I assumed Marcus was up to his standard. He also must have leads to follow, because he would consider a random search a waste of time.
“Very good. Show Marcus the old potting shed. It will serve as a temporary barracks for a handful of Dar-Iide. When you’re finished, bring him inside and he can meet everyone. Marcus should save his ammunition, so you should get him some hand weapons; a sword, perhaps? He can join in our training exercises?”
A long discussion followed between Leopold and Marcus. At the end of it, Marcus said, “Join training. Tomorrow.”
“Our schedule is one hour at eight a.m. every morning. Sometimes we get interruptions and cancel. We use wooden swords because I don’t want to have anyone injured in training.”
Marcus nodded. Leopold said something in Dar-Iide, Marcus saluted me, and the two soldiers headed off. Our recruit was quickly settled in and thenceforth I was accompanied by two guards. At least it provided an opportunity for Marcus to meet everyone and become familiar with the interior of the houses.
Victoria handed a short video to Dena and me after lunch. We viewed it and I gave her and Hunter top marks for the contents. “We’ll send this to our client and let you know the results.”
I headed to the basement after pointing out Hunter and Victoria couldn’t join us, under any circumstances. My two guards and Dena followed. When we entered the basement, I closed the heavy oak door and barred it. The girls were ever-curious, and had ever-increasing magical abilities, so I checked for spy traces. A spell fizzed and burnt out, not before I detected traces of Victoria.
“Your sisters are becoming more adept,” I said to Dena as I brushed ash from my sleeve.
She removed a second spell from the back of my collar. “You’d be surprised. The first one was a decoy.”
Leopold laughed. Marcus looked confused. I said, “Leopold, later today, please explain to Marcus your view of the dynamics in this household.”
He bit back a grin. “Yes.”
Dena set up a computer and a larger monitor that we could access, and she and I sat in the chairs beside the pentagram. I sketched a sigil. It was involved, and the task took a few seconds. I advised Lucifer I would like him to visit—you didn’t summons the Lord of the Underworld. Well, not if you wanted to live a long and happy life, that is.
A minute later Lucifer appeared in the center of the pentagram, seated, this time with a book in hand. I managed to read the title—it was a treatise on blockchain technology. Damn, the concept of the Underworld adopting that level of technology was frightening. He waved his greeting and put the book to one side.
“Dena, my dear, it’s good to see you.” Dena nodded, her expression friendly. He continued, “Zed, of course, the same for you.” He looked around the basement. “You’ve recruited a new bodyguard?”
“Good afternoon, Lucifer,” I replied. “Thank you for arriving so promptly.” I ignored his comment about bodyguards. “I’ll speak as Finders for the moment. An update. We have a video recorded by your son. You’ll see and agree it was done with his full and free co-operation.” I handed the memory stick across the pentagram boundary and Lucifer accepted it with undisguised eagerness. “I have a copy I can play here, so we can view it together, if you like?”
“Why yes, Zed. Thank you.”
Dena clicked on the video file. Lucifer watched, soaking up every word.
Hunter appeared on the monitor and said, “Hi, Dad. Finders has informed me you are worried about my circumstances. I’m well, happy, and working hard to prepare to commence my music degree in the summer.” He sat at a keyboard and played for a minute. The piece sounded, to me, a total novice, as very creative. Hunter’s absorption in the music was obvious. He stopped playing and continued, “I’m with friends. They don’t mind the noise I make; indeed, they probably encourage it. I confirm what I told you when we last met. I am not interested in business and technology. I will not study those subjects. I plan to stay with my friends and continue with my music. You can always communicate with me via Finders.” He sat and played a more intensive piece on the keyboard. This time I was certain I glimpsed a floating note or two. The video clip ended.
Lucifer sat still, as though he was reviewing the video clip. He sighed. “Zed, thank you. I’m relieved to see my son happy and not in trouble.” He was silent for another handful of seconds. “I’ll produce a video for you to forward to him and get it to you tomorrow. I’ve decided—I won’t force him.” He looked me in the eyes. “Did you see those floating notes?”
“Yes, I did. I think you son is not merely a musician. He has latent mage abilities.”
“Yes, from his mother. I had thought—but, talent always comes to the fore.”
Dena said, “Our contract—”
“Is fulfilled. Successfully. I’ll deliver the remaining bitcoins to Finders tomorrow. Thank you very much, Dena. That job offer is still open, you know.” His grin was devilish.
I said, “Lucifer, that concludes our Finders business.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”
“Join us for a Scotch.” I opened the pentagram without requesting a repeat of the prior vow. What I was about to do required careful handling.
Lucifer accepted the invitation, and Leopold moved a chair into place while Dena prepared an Usher’s for each of us. Somewhere in the background I was aware both guards accepted a glass of water each.
Dena handed out the Scotch and sat beside me. As before, Lucifer smiled and raised his glass.
“To Finders, for their effective resolution of my very personal concerns.”
We drank.
“Lucifer, I’m going to add something to our discussion. It’s personal, not Finders.”
“Yes?” He did the eyebrow trick and had another sip.
“I have three wards. You’ve met Dena. There’s also Morwen and Victoria. While genetically they are identical triplets, they were born three years apart.” Lucifer nodded, indicating I should continue. “The youngest of the three has only recently turned eighteen. You, yourself, have had experience with teenagers. Victoria is typical. The relevant point of this preamble—after Finders contracted to find your son, I discovered Vic hadn’t only befriended a young man of nineteen, she had given him refuge in her apartment. No, they weren’t sleeping together. I decided not to throw him out of the house; instead, I’ve made an attic apartment available to him. The three girls each have an apartment in the same building. He can remain for as long as he wishes, assuming good behavior. As it happens, the young man is your son.”
Lucifer swirled the last of the Scotch in his glass and drank it down. He handed the empty glass to Dena, who had anticipated his need. She handed him a second glass of Usher’s.
“Thank you, my dear girl. So, your sister—”
“Yes. I suppose you could say she found your son.” Dena smiled. “We had a significant discussion about deceit; she’d hidden him for two weeks.”
Lucifer laughed. “Zed. Thank you. I approve of your separation of the matter into a Finders portion and a personal portion. If Victoria—Vic—is anything like her sister,” he nodded toward Dena, “he’s in good hands.” He sipped. “Tell me, how do you cope with three of them
?”
“It’s more how do they cope with me.”
Lucifer laughed again. “I can understand. Dena, please convey to Victoria my appreciation for her rescuing my stray son. If there is ever anything I can do, to repay her kindness, she only has to ask.” He swirled his drink. “Zed, as long as the young man is not the cause of any problem for you, I will accept the circumstances. He can study his music. Ask him, however, if he would like me to visit occasionally. No, not as me, but as his father. He should also acquaint his mother’s family of his whereabouts.”
Dena said, “He has been in contact with them. He and Vic visited them yesterday.”
Things happen in this family I don’t know about—what a surprise.
“Good. I’m very pleased to hear your Victoria is obviously a good influence.”
“I hope so.”
“Zed, I want to add a requirement—no, hear me out. Hurian—yes, I know you removed the geas—he was so relieved. He has a penchant for taking on the—persona—is the wrong word but works—of a rare Keres hound. He doesn’t know it yet; however, he’s about to experience a more permanent change. I’ll remove his demon attributes and deliver a new Keres hound to you tomorrow, as a gift for my son. Hurian, in his new guise, will protect my son against dangers. His responsibilities will encompass Victoria and her sisters, too. With your permission?”
I saw no reason to withhold my consent; providing sanctuary to Lucifer’s son created a whole range of stresses, and if he had his own protection, some of those would be eased. “I agree.”
Lucifer stood, ready to go. “Zed, as I said, the remaining ransom moneys will be returned tomorrow. A young Keres hound will be delivered here, for Geoffrey. Please ask my son if I may visit, occasionally—assuming you consent, there, too.”
“Certainly.”
We stood and Dena and I each shook hands with the Devil. He stepped back into the pentagram and disappeared.
I wondered how I’d feel if Lucifer became a frequent visitor.
Probably that should be the thought for the day.
oOo
Soul Mayhem: Zed's Chronicles of the Parallel Universe Disruptions Page 11