by Martha Carr
Lily scrambled up the stairs first, getting to the top in lightning speed.
Weird powers, I guess, thought Shay. She’s got fast twitch reflexes. Shay adjusted the old backpack, heavy with books and easily made the climb to the top as Lily pushed open a hatch.
They came out on a side street only blocks from Shay’s rental car.
“Where the fuck are you?!” Peyton was full on shouting in her ear. “Oh my God, I’ve lost her. Brownstone will literally skin me and make me a rug! My life is over. How do you hide from a Level Six bounty hunter? Oh Shay!” He let out a gulp and pounded his chest.
“Little dramatic don’t you think?”
Lily looked up as Shay crossed her arms and took a look around. Nothing was stirring except for the rats.
“Shay? Shay! You’re alive! Are you captured? Should I call someone?” Peyton wiped his sweaty palms on his pants and silently thanked the heavens he would get to keep his skin another day.
“I’m good, we’re good. Peyton, if you’re going to do ops in my ear you’re going to need to develop a calmer persona. Screaming goat isn’t going to cut it.”
“Who are you talking to? Never mind, gadgets, I get it. We have to keep moving. This area is never safe and those guys didn’t give up that easily.”
“Shay, who are you talking to? What’s going on there?” Lily scanned the area.
“Peyton, focus. Is the drone still in the air? Can you tell me where the herd ran off to?”
“Sure, sure. Answers later. Still on a mission. Damn, that was a close one. I mean, I thought… okay, okay. Looks like they’ve broken into smaller units and have spread out over the area. They’re wallet slapping the homeless and spreading around some money.”
“Time to go,” said Shay. She took off at a run, taking the route she had planned out for the mission. It took her on a slightly longer route back to the car but was under the darkest parts of any street and away from cameras.
Lily easily kept up, not even breathing hard and it took them no time to get to the Jeep. They loaded Lily’s things in the back and slid in the car.
Lily suddenly looked up, her eyebrows shooting up as her eyes moved rapidly back and forth.
“Hit the gas. We’ve only got a few minutes before this place will be crawling with men and guns.”
“Men and guns. Put one in their hands and they feel obligated to shoot out something. A vision I take it?”
“They look more like rapidly changing snapshots. Told you, not perfect.”
Shay heard the sounds of cars approaching as she maneuvered the Jeep out of the parking lot and took off in the opposite direction. “Not exactly fifteen minutes of lead time.”
Lily shrugged her shoulders and put her feet up on the dashboard.
Clearly Lily and her weird powers were a work in progress. Still, she pulled one over on the Ice Witch. Pretty badass… and useful.
Shay ditched the car and they took off, easily running the mile to where her sportscar was parked in a garage. Purity Solutions, the clean up service would pick the car up for her, wipe it down of all prints and any sign she was ever in it and return to the rental place. A business expense.
Lily was silent for the entire ride, watching the scenery go by as Shay sped as fast as she dared, slowing down as they got closer to Warehouse Two.
The roll top door slid up as Shay pulled inside, shutting off the engine. “Come on, there’s a bed you can use tonight.”
“In here? This is a warehouse.”
“And above ground, and clean, and has an endless supply of pizza.”
Peyton came running over, his hair standing up in tufts on the top of his head from where he had been panicking and running his hands through it.
Shay got out, took one look at him and started to laugh. Just giggles at first but soon she was bent over, catching her breath and every time she looked up, she started laughing again.
Peyton frowned, crossing his arms over his chest even as he glanced over at Lily who waited patiently by the car, not saying a word.
“Okay, an emotional release from not dying, I get it.”
Shay straightened up, a smirk still on her face. “Not almost dying. Used to that, hell, that’s kind of old hat. You look like a cross between a punk rocker and a failed safari guide. It’s not a good look.”
Lily put her hand over her mouth, hiding the start of a smile. Not fast enough for Peyton to miss it.
“Who’s this? We taking in boarders?”
“You aren’t doing anything because you don’t own this place. Lily meet Peyton, he’s my tech guy. Peyton, meet Lily. She’s going to train with me to go on a few missions.” Shay purposely left out any mention of magic. A conversation for a different day.
Peyton’s mouth dropped open and stayed that way for a moment as he looked her up and down. Lily returned the gesture and gave him the finger as she passed by him, following Shay.
“What is it with the women around here? All so hostile.”
Shay rested the leather bag she’d been protecting next to Peyton’s computer. “Tell the buyer, we got the artifact and it’s safe and sound, but I want a bonus for almost getting killed. And Peyton, next time you don’t miss the details, including why there was an army out there at the same time. I want answers on that.”
Shay went into the office and looked around, clearing books off the couch. “Lily, you can stay here till we figure out something better. There’s a full shower and toiletries in the bathroom. Peyton can show you where it is. You can use anything you find in there.”
“Not my Sauvage.” Peyton pointed in the general direction of the large bathroom. Like anything else Shay did, the bathroom was done to her exacting standards with a heated marble floor and an expansive walk-in shower.
“Is that what that smell is?” asked Lily, wrinkling her nose.
“No, that’s Italian sausage pizza. Very funny. I suppose you’re hungry too.”
“How did you two meet?” asked Lily, one eyebrow arched.
“She scooped me up off the street just ahead of a few assassins.”
“A few?” yelled Shay as Peyton did his best to ignore her.
“What about you?”
“I saved her ass… just in front of an army of them.”
Peyton looked back at Shay who shrugged. He looked at Lily and held up his hand for a high-five. “Respect, sister. I’m usually getting her into tight places.”
Shay listened to them get back to bickering all the way to the bathroom. “Like I opened a nursery for the gifted,” she muttered. “But the Ice Witch. Peyton is right, some respect.”
Lily devoured half of a pizza and laid down on the couch, fast asleep in minutes. Peyton went back to quietly working at the computer, occasionally glancing over his shoulder at her.
Shay got up to leave, glad to be headed back to her townhouse as Peyton eased out of his chair and caught up to her.
“That was a bold trust move on your part. Didn’t know you had it in you.”
“I did the same thing with you, if you recall.”
“Not even. You did your research on me, first. You picked this one off the pile and said, come on. What if she was lying about everything?”
“Then I’ll shoot her.”
“I’d laugh because you’re kidding but…”
“Just have her ready to go tomorrow by seven a.m... Her training starts early if she’s going to earn her keep. She’s got a lot of raw talent…”
“And is magical. Yeah, I noticed. I can see what she is, a gray elf.”
“Partial. She’s going to need some training so that she doesn’t fuck up on her first mission.”
“Always thinking. I’ll have her up and full of Eggos by the time you arrive.”
Shay slid into her car, resting against the leather seat.
“Hey Shay, the buyer’s already replied. He wants to meet up with you as soon as possible to get the artifact and lock it away in some dark hole where it’ll never be seen again. He s
aid he’d be at the diner at seven. Goes by the name of Samuel.” Peyton walked over to the car, holding up the bag. He handed it over to Shay along with two slices of pizza wrapped in foil. “For a snack in the bathtub. See, I do know you.”
“Then I’ll be by here by eight,” Shay said with a laugh.
“You could have given me a heads up.” Shay looked across the Formica table at the light elf as he devoured the plate of bacon and eggs. “Do all elves eat like that?”
Shay made a mental note to double the order for the grocery store. Same clean up service picked it up for her and dropped it off, no questions asked and no trace to her.
“What? Maybe…” Samuel wiped the grease off his chin. “Magic burns a lot of calories.”
“You hope.” Shay took a sip of her black coffee. “I think I may envy that more than the magic. You sure you can lock away this artifact for good this time?”
“That’s the goal. It was part of some vault that kept dangerous artifacts and was one of their first deposits. Thing was destroyed about twenty years ago. I’ll be taking it back as soon as I leave here.”
“Make sure no one follows you home.”
“I have my own style of transportation. Portals cut down on tails. Was there much trouble retrieving it?”
“You could say that. A small army of mercenaries showed up, armed for a war. Want to tell me how they got tipped off?”
“Same way we did, I imagine. Confidential informant playing both sides of the street. Don’t worry, he’s being dealt with. My partner is paying him a visit.”
“Your partner cleans up after you?”
“Not so much. She’s a bounty hunter, and it was her informant. He’ll be sorry he crossed her. Won’t happen again.” He took an oversized bite of the biscuit.
“Did you want to order more?”
Samuel looked up and smiled, the biscuit bulging in his cheek. “No, I’m good. Money’s in your account. You do good work. Wasn’t sure you could pull off this one and you came away without a scratch.”
“I had help… an assistant.”
“That Brownstone guy?”
“No, he’s more of a partner. A young gray elf. I’m training her.”
“Smart. I’ve found it useful to go into battle next to an ally or two.”
“Let’s keep that between us for now.”
Samuel stopped chewing and looked at her, narrowing his eyes. “Tell no one, got it.”
“I appreciate it.”
“No problem. You’re sorting things out, I get it. Till we meet again.” Samuel wiped his hands on the napkin and picked up the bag, heading for the men’s room.
“You sure you should take that with you to the bathroom? I’ll watch it for you.”
“I’m making my exit back there,” he said, smiling. “Less of an audience. I already took care of the bill.”
Shay watched him stride back to the men’s room and heard the sound of sparks as the light elf quickly made his departure. She hit the app on her phone and checked her bank account, quickly moving the money into one of her other accounts. Business was picking up and business was good.
Shay rolled into the warehouse long enough to pick up Lily and roll her eyes at Peyton’s outfit. He was dressed all in white in celebration of some rock star’s annual white party. “I may not be able to go this year, since I’m supposed to be dead, but I can still celebrate,” he had said.
As they pulled out, Lily started to put her feet on Shay’s dashboard until she saw the withering look.
“This one’s not a rental. Feet on the ground.”
“What did he mean he’s supposed to be dead?”
“Long story. He’s not very popular with his family of origin.”
“A lot of that going around.” Lily looked down at her hands. Shay couldn’t help thinking of Alison. They were about the same age.
“It’s not my business, but why do you want to take out the Ice Witch for ratting out your father? I got the impression he wasn’t the nicest guy.”
“It’s complicated and he stuck by me all those years after my mother bailed.”
“I think that’s called parenting. It’s what you do.”
“Well, he did it half-assed a lot of the time, but he was trying. More than most got who live in that tunnel. The bitch had no right to take him from me.”
“He must have gotten in her way.”
“Something like that. Where are we headed? Gold’s Gym?”
Shay knew Lily was changing the subject but let it go. “Not even. It’s something I put together in another warehouse.”
“Another warehouse? Tomb raiding must be paying off for you.”
“I’ve been an entrepreneur of sorts for years.”
“Of sorts… I know what that means. Never mind, I know when to not ask questions.”
“That’s a relief. Peyton doesn’t possess that off switch.”
“I noticed. I think it’s his secret weapon. He flies so many questions at you, you answer them and before you know it, he’s got what he came for.”
“He is clever in a beady-eyed costumed sort of way.”
Shay stopped for coffee on the way, introducing Lily to a proper roast and a good doughnut, reminding herself that this was not Alison. She didn’t know anything about her. Still, Brownstone had taken the same chance at just the right moment for the Drow Princess and look what happened. Shay shook her head. Slow down Carson.
She rolled into the warehouse and waited for the door to shut before showing Lily where she could change. “There should be something in there that will fit you. We’ll take it easy today and let you get acclimated.”
Lily walked toward the changing room, her head tilted back, staring at the obstacle course spread out around the large warehouse.
She came back out minutes later in a tight black tank top and black pants with an orange stripe down the side, and bare feet.
“None of the shoes back there fit you? We can fix that later.”
“Don’t need them. I do better in bare feet.”
“Suit yourself. Let’s find out what you can do. Where do you want to start?”
Shay was pleasantly surprised when Lily grabbed onto one of the long, thick ropes and easily shimmied up midway, reaching out for a ring and swinging hand over hand, ring to ring to the climbing wall. It had taken Shay at least a week to master the same move.
“Twitch muscles,” Shay muttered, watching Lily scramble higher on the wall without a harness. She reached out for a bar, her hand slipping for a moment and she reflexively put out her other hand, saving herself from falling a long way to the surface below.
Shay felt herself take in a sharp intake of breath but didn’t move, waiting to see what Lily would do next. She pulled herself over to the jumping spider walls, firmly suspended from the ceiling. Her hands and feet were spread out between the thick plexiglass, pulling herself toward the top.
Lily stopped halfway and even from the floor Shay could see how hard she was breathing.
This may be a short experiment, thought Shay. Should have known better. Strong willed teenager plus high-end gym. Not a good match.
Lily’s arms were shaking, and she gritted her teeth. She let out a roar as she steadily moved her arms and legs upward till she got to the top and a ledge where she could sit and take a break.
Shay slowly let out the breath she was holding. “Not bad, but if you’re going to go on missions with me, you’re going to have to learn to wait for instructions,” Shay shouted. Still, she was impressed. Girl has spit and vinegar. Shay let herself smile, just a little. It was not going to be easy to get to know this teenager. She had more layers than Alison, but there was something there to work with. Soon enough.
3
The red-rock desert extended below Shay as she sailed through the air. She shifted her body to adjust her paraglider to keep the landing zone on the mesa in front of her. A glance back showed the three dark forms of her enemies approaching quickly.
Damn
it. So much for losing them in Sedona.
Shay hissed under her breath as the top of the mesa grew larger. She needed to be on the ground. A gunfight in the air wasn’t a bright idea, even for her.
The tense seconds ticked by until her feet hit the rock. As she unbuckled her harness, the dark shadows dove toward her. She ducked when they sliced the lines connecting her canopy to her harness, thankfully missing her. The wind caught the fabric and it flew off.
The shadows dropped to the ground, each forming a black-eyed coyote the size of a small horse.
Isn’t this fun.
The coyotes spread out, growling. Another gust of wind took the paraglider canopy over the edge.
Shay sighed. “So much for getting off this rock the easy way. Whatever.”
The tomb raider pulled out her 9mm and put two rounds into the first coyote, which collapsed and sizzled.
Okay, didn’t expect that.
She jumped to the side as another one leapt. The animal let out a howl as it fell over the edge to the waiting ground far below.
The remaining coyote charged Shay and she squeezed off three shots before the animal reached her. Blood splattered its gray fur.
Shay hissed as the huge mass of muscle slammed into her, knocking her to the hard ground. Her gun flew from her grip and landed close to the edge, so she went for one of her adamantine knives, but the dying shadow coyote didn’t move.
The body sizzled and slowly started to disintegrate into smoke. The tomb raider pushed what was left of the corpse to the side.
“That was close.”
Shay retrieved her gun and holstered it. Moment like this would be nice to have a partner. Not yet, though. Lily wasn’t ready, even if she was itching to go.
Peyton was barely able to contain her in the warehouse with things to do. Shay thought about introducing her to the library warehouse but no one knew of her private sanctum and for now, she was going to keep it that way.
Soon there was nothing left of the two bodies but a cloud of thick black smoke that floated above her.