by R. R. Virdi
The doorway of red hung before us, looking like a shower of glimmering rubies. Lyshae bent slightly and waved her hands with a flourish. “After you.”
I stared at the Way, then her. “You can’t be serious?”
She gave me a look that said she was.
“You think I’m going to turn my back on you?” I held my stare.
Lyshae smiled. “By all means then, let those two go first.” She gestured to Kelly and Ortiz. “We can go through together.” Her smile widened, and a gleam flickered through her eyes.
I scowled. “Yeah, right. Send them first into whatever danger’s on the other side.”
Lyshae’s expression went flat. “Those are your options. Who do you think will hold the Way open for you? Or did you perchance learn how to open your own?”
My eyes narrowed, but I kept it at that. I couldn’t do anything to her—yet. You honor your deals with the paranormal, no matter how crappy they are. If I welched on a debt, word would spread quickly. That’d ruin my rep in the eyes of my contacts. In my world, that’s as good as a death sentence. It’s not easy to fight monsters and navigate the intricacies of the paranormal world without the right info. I exhaled and motioned with a hand.
Ortiz and Kelly exchanged a look before glancing at me. Ortiz bit her lower lip, her eyes darting from Lyshae to me, asking a silent question.
I winced as an imaginary set of needles pricked my brain. There were no good options here. I turned to Kelly. “Last chance, kid. You might really want to consider sitting this one out.”
Kelly mirrored Ortiz’s earlier look, glancing at all of us one by one. Her eyes shut as she mulled it over. She opened them a second later. “I’m going.”
I was afraid she was going to say that. “Alright. Ortiz, you first.”
She nodded and stepped towards the Way without hesitation. Ortiz stopped just before passing through. She turned a fraction, looking over her shoulder one last time.
I inclined my head. “I’ve got your back.”
Ortiz turned back to the Way. “Kelly, take my hand.” The young woman obliged without a word. The muscles in Ortiz’s back stiffened, but she stepped into the Way with Kelly.
A halogen white flared through the carmine lens of the opening as they passed through. I eyed the Way, and my stomach roiled. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.
Lyshae bumped me with her hip, extending a hand. “Shall we?”
I took her hand and led her towards the Way. No matter how much I distrusted her, a little politeness couldn’t hurt. Maybe it would put her at ease and reconsider whatever fuckery she had in mind. There wasn’t a shred of doubt that she would try to pull one over on me. Anything I could do to give her pause, or better yet, not try it in the first place, was a win. I took a step into the Way.
The sleeve around my left arm went tight like it was caught in a clamp. I froze and turned my head to face Lyshae. “What gives?”
She leaned in close enough that her lips almost brushed my ears. I felt her breath against the skin of my neck. “I know what you’re thinking, Vincent.”
I tried not to let her unsettle me. “Really? That’s a trick, because I don’t know what I’m thinking half the time.” I let out a weak chuckle.
She didn’t buy it. “You’re thinking that at some point, I am going to betray you.” The smile she flashed was all teeth. “You are right. I will. It’s who I am. But that doesn’t mean any harm has to befall you or your people.”
I bristled in her grip. Most monsters don’t tell you they’re going to stab you in the back.
You had to appreciate her honesty at least.
She pulled me an inch closer. “But I also know that you are looking for any chance you have of betraying me. I would advise against that. I know you’re thinking of a way to free yourself without tarnishing your reputation. That is irrelevant. It won’t absolve your debt.”
Actually, it would, but something in Lyshae’s voice made chips of ice slide under my skin.
“The thing you are forgetting is that you owe two more debts. Two. But you have to ask yourself, Vincent: Do I still hold those debts, or have I passed them on to others?”
The chips of ice made their way to my heart and throat, freezing the areas solid. “What?”
Lyshae stared at me, a crazed light in her eyes.
“You can’t do that, can you?”
She smiled. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
I did.
“You will have to earn that knowledge. That means you have to survive what comes next.” With that, she stepped forwards and pulled me into the Way.
Chapter Fifteen
A dull impact ricocheted up my legs to settle in my knees. I sank my weight and grimaced through the discomfort. Lyshae seemed unfazed. My sight fixed on her hips and backside, which happened to be in front of my face. I blinked and looked away. Paranormal booty is never worth the trouble it can bring. And it always brings trouble.
I leaned past the view and found Kelly and Ortiz standing a dozen feet from our landing. They were engrossed in the scenery. To be fair, it was the quite the scene. An endless plain of grass. Perfectly flat. A sea of stalks bowed in the breeze. The sky was a dead ringer from one back home. A clear spring morning blue. Sometimes the simple things hold their own unique and entrancing beauty. I cleared my throat. “Lyshae, where are we?”
“Nowhere that should concern you and somewhere we can have a bit of privacy before the event.”
I squinted at her. “Well, that was almost an answer.”
“It’s the only answer you need.”
Ortiz came to our side, keeping her head on a swivel and surveying the open field. “At least this place has a good line of sight. Makes it easy to keep an eye out for trouble.”
Or for trouble to keep an eye on us. I frowned and rose, staring at the back of Lyshae’s head. “Is this neutral ground?”
The fox spirit didn’t answer and stones fell into my stomach. I banished them.
Kelly spun in place, holding her phone up as she recorded. “So where are we, pocket dimension or something?”
“Sort of. Think of it as one room in a larger room of rooms in one mega mansion inside an even bigger one.” It was the best way to explain it to her.
She stopped in place. “Whoa. That’s...big.”
I nodded. “As far as I know, the Neravene has no end. It’s constantly growing and changing in accordance to the beings that occupy it.”
“Yes.” Lyshae moved past us all. “Which is why a certain balance must be kept. Otherwise, the Neravene’s nature could be upset. If one seeks to change the balance of power, it must be done subtly, tastefully, and preferably, with discretion.” She looked over her shoulder to glare at me.
I sniffed at the remark. I could be discreet. Something struck me. Lyshae’s tone made it sound like she had plans to mess with the balance of power in the Neravene. I stared at her back until I felt my eyes were boring invisible holes into her. “And what are you after? You still haven’t told us.” I held my glare.
Lyshae turned as if she had all the time in the world.
I didn’t.
One edge of her mouth twitched. “No, I haven’t.”
My eyes narrowed. “I’m not a fan of being jerked around.”
The Kitsune gave me a look that said she didn’t care.
Kelly paused, turning to look twenty yards to our left. She pointed her phone in the direction. “Um, are we expecting company?”
I gave Lyshae a sideways look. “Are we?” I had a feeling I already knew the answer.
A ring of amber light crackled into existence. It was like a circular shower of golden-orange fireworks. Ortiz’s body tensed as she raised her hands to the side of her face. Her right index finger shuddered like it wished it rested on a trigger.
I was glad she didn’t pull her weapon. No telling who was coming out of the Way.
The center of the ring strobed through a gradient of blues that contrasted the outermost
edge. A figure emerged.
Kelly’s mouth parted. The phone shook in her hands, and she gawked without blinking.
I think she was losing her hold on the aliens theory and accepting the paranormal. It’s not an easy thing to acknowledge, but then, strange things never are. That doesn’t mean they’re not real. Only a fool discounts something because they haven’t seen it. There’s a word for that.
Faith. I don’t operate with or on a whole lot of it, but I’ve been getting better about it. Ortiz and a few others have taught me to give it more of a chance. I believe in a lot of things, but mostly...people. Some of them disappoint you, sure. But give them a chance, and people can surprise you.
The thing coming out of the Way wasn’t a person. He could have passed for one if he wasn’t so inhumanly good looking. His face was an artist’s rendition of a slender man with perfect, high bone structure.
I already hated him.
He was dressed like he was ready to walk the red carpet at a Hollywood premiere. His suit looked of designer make and probably cost the same as Daniel’s monthly rent. It was a two-piece suit the color of weathered tin and had a slight satin sheen to it. The cuffs and collar were trimmed in black. The top of a low-cut black vest barely stood out against his equally black dress shirt. The only thing that let me tell them apart was the muted gray tie. He wore the entire ensemble well. His right arm was bent, and something hung over his shoulder that I couldn’t make out.
Kelly stared at him in a manner that made my jaw lock.
Ortiz wore the same look until her gaze drifted to his left hand, more accurately, what was in it.
Pretty Boy held a rifle that looked cartoonishly small even in his slender hands. It was something out of a science-fiction movie. Dark plastic, box-shaped with an obscenely thin-long barrel.
The look Ortiz gave him spoke volumes—most of them equating to the same thing: Try something, and I’ll bury my foot in your ass.
I smiled.
The newcomer wasn’t fazed. He rolled a hand through the air like he was bored. The sparkling Way shut. He turned to Lyshae, bowing his head before flashing us a jarringly white smile.
He and Church clearly saw the same dentist. I hooked a thumb to the well-dressed and armed stranger. “Who’s this mook?”
The gun-toting visitor sighed and shook his head. “Humans, honestly?” He tilted his head towards Lyshae, eyeing her like he’d rather be somewhere else.
“Yes, and don’t complain. Our deal doesn’t allow you to question me, does it?” Lyshae’s face was cold stone.
I sucked in a breath I hope went unheard. It sounded like she had him by the balls. Whatever their deal was, it must’ve included a bitch clause somewhere.
The stooge’s lips went tight, but he didn’t offer any backtalk. Instead, he lowered his other arm, revealing a set of bags you’d find at a dry cleaner. He looked at Ortiz, giving her a thin smile. “You look like you want to attack me.”
Ortiz matched his thin smile. “Are you going to give me a reason to?”
His smile widened. “I just want to give you your clothes.”
Kelly, Ortiz, and I exchanged puzzled looks.
Lyshae laughed. “You don’t expect to arrive at the ball dressed as you are, do you?”
She had a point.
Her “hired” help placed the bags on the ground, straightening up at a cautious pace. His gaze never left Ortiz, and her stare never wavered.
As much as I hated dragging her into these sorts of things, I was glad she had my back.
The sound of a digital camera shutter filled our ear. We all turned to Kelly, who was busy snapping shots of Mr. Paranormal GQ.
He ran a hand through his thick, jet black hair, and somehow managed to make the simple action look like a pose for a cover shoot. A twinkle went through his pale, lime-colored eyes.
“You are the creepiest alien I have ever seen!” Kelly took another shot.
The lackey’s face lost all expression.
“I mean you are hauntingly fake looking. It’s like someone went crazy with the digital touchups.” Kelly waved a hand over her face. “Ease up on the plastic and pretty Skin Sheath. The beautiful aliens are the ones that kill you.”
He blinked several times, turning to Lyshae for help.
Lyshae ignored him. She was great boss material. “Fetch your clothes. Time is dwindling.”
I fidgeted and buried the desire to look at my forearm. Lyshae was right. Time passes of its own accord in the Neravene. I had no idea how much had slipped by just standing in the field, and my tattoo wouldn’t tell me. It wouldn’t update until I was out of the Neravene. I exhaled through my nose and marched over to our new friend. “So, what’s a Daoine doing working for her?” I tilted my head towards Lyshae.
His jaw hardened, and his eyes flashed as he glanced at the Kitsune. “Long story.”
I scooped up the three giant bags and held them up to inspect. A brightly colored tag hung from each of the plastic carriers. “Whose is whose?” I turned to Lyshae.
“Black tag is yours, Vincent. The red is for Camilla Ortiz, and the last is for the young miss. Do not worry about the sizes; they are accurate.” She sounded confident about that.
I waved a hand to Ortiz and Kelly, silently asking them to come over to me. They took their respective bags and unzipped them. I did the same, letting out a low whistle as I pulled the suit free.
It was a match for the Daoine’s in every aspect but color. The suit was a shade of smeared charcoal. A black dress shirt and vest were folded alongside it as well as a strikingly bright red tie that was sure to draw anyone’s eye. I held up the ensemble and arched a brow at Lyshae. “Do I want to know how you know my borrowed body’s size?”
She gave me a smile that made me feel like I was being viewed under an x-ray.
I suppressed a shiver and felt violated. A light wumph sounded to my side and I turned. Ortiz’s jacket rested on the ground. She slid her thumbs under the holsters, running them against the leather. “I’m not going to drop my guns until he drops his.” Ortiz nodded at the Daoine.
He glanced at Lyshae who inclined her head. His weapon fell to the grass.
Ortiz’s holsters joined her jacket on the ground. She put her hands to her waist, grabbed the bottom of her shirt, and wriggled out of it.
I turned away; although, part of me didn’t want to. It could have been a piece of Daniel and whatever he’d felt for her. Or it could’ve been something else. “Uh, you want a little privacy there?”
Ortiz snorted. “I’m a grown girl. I don’t have issues with something like this, you pansy.”
I twisted my face into a mock scowl. “You’re a pansy.”
The air between Kelly, Ortiz, and I bowed and shimmered as light crystallized and showered down. It looked like a waterfall of frosted glass beads. I couldn’t see through it. Lyshae had woven an illusory curtain. I stripped out of my clothes, tossing them aside as I knelt to pick up the suit.
Lyshae clapped her hands once. The Daoine turned to her, waiting. “Fetch their shoes, will you? Be quick. I don’t want to linger here longer than necessary.”
The Daoine’s features tightened, but he made no angry outburst. He opened a Way and vanished.
The little act should have held my attention, but that’s not what I focused on. Lyshae wanted us to dress up and leave as quickly as possible. When I’d asked her if this was neutral ground, she didn’t respond. My neck stiffened, and I turned to look at a portion of the field. Nothing came into view but endless grass. That wasn’t comforting. I had a feeling we were trespassing, and whomever this domain belonged to, wouldn’t be happy about that.
I wriggled into the pants, leaving them to hang on my waist as I slipped into the shirt. It was a quick process. After buttoning everything up, I fished through the bag for a pair of black socks that I slid into while lobbing the tie over my neck. A series of short twists, and I had a simple knot. The vest fought me as I tried to button it up. It felt a size smalle
r than it should’ve been, but I managed to fit into it in the end. I wriggled my toes and gave myself a once over.
I made sure to fish the remaining cash out of my old pants. You never know when or where a few bills can come in handy.
“The vest seems tighter than should be.” Lyshae pursed her lips and approached.
I resisted exhaling and possibly ripping part of the vest. Nodding in agreement seemed a better option.
Lyshae pressed her hands to my ribs, running them against my body.
I stared at her until I felt the constricting fabric around my torso loosen. “What’d you do?”
“I stretched the vest slightly—you’re welcome.”
The same Way from earlier opened. The Daoine returned with three shoeboxes stacked atop one another. He came to my side, thrusting with his chin to the top box.
I took it and thumbed the top off as he vanished behind the magical curtain. Inside, were a pair of slip-on dress shoes made of black leather. The price tag was still attached. I fumbled with the box, almost dropping it after I read how much they cost. “Seven hundred bucks—for shoes? What’s wrong with sneakers?”
Lyshae gave me a look of disapproval. “Uncouth simpleton.”
I stuck my tongue out at her and snapped the tag off the shoes as I slipped into them. They weren’t even comfortable.
The Daoine grabbed my discarded clothes, unceremoniously stuffing them into the bag that had held my suit.
“Hey, I’m going to want those back. I’m not running around Queens dressed like”—I pulled on the collar of my shirt—“this.”
The Daoine rolled his eyes. “Noted, mortal.”
There was a sound like tin wind chimes rattling. I turned around. The curtain fell. My jaw followed when I saw Ortiz.
She wore an expensive designer dress that would catch anyone’s eye. It was carnation red, held off the shoulder with thin straps. The deep, plunging neckline would cause any man to do a double take and gawk. The end of the dress pooled around her feet. A long slit ran up the side of the dress, revealing most of her left leg. Ortiz was built of the springy, flat muscle that belonged on lifelong athletes. The dress clung to her in all the right places.