by R. R. Virdi
Lyshae flashed Ortiz the same weak smile. “It sounds worse than it is.”
“What. Did. You. Take?” I took a step towards her.
The Kitsune’s shoulders sagged as she exhaled. “Show them.”
Her Daoine attendant stepped between us and reached into a pocket in his pants. He withdrew a box the size of a deck of playing cards.
It was made from what looked like white oak, unnaturally smooth and clean. Endless, flowing script covered every inch of its surface in an archaic language I couldn’t make out. Some of the lettering bowed and scrolled across the surface.
I blinked before leaning forwards and squinting. “The lettering moved.” I looked up to Lyshae. “What the hell is that? Who did you steal it from, really?”
Lyshae’s smile morphed into something more authentic. She seemed pleased with herself. “That, Vincent, is something I need. We will leave it at that. As for whom I procured it from...” She left the answer unsaid.
I scowled.
“But I’m not wholly unappreciative of what you did back there for me. Remember what I told you about prices and power. About a soul’s worth and how people are all too willing to give them over.”
“Okay? Why?” I tilted my head, glancing at the box and then her. I couldn’t work out if there was a connection between the box and what she meant.
“Because I pay my debts, however small. And you could use a clue.” She winked and waved her hand.
A stream of flurries followed her gesture, coalescing into a thick wall. Crystal clear water trickled from the top of the formation as most of it solidified. The water ran to the center where it stopped and twisted like a stopper being pulled from a filled tub.
I let out a low whistle. “I thought you said you couldn’t open Ways here. Holding out on me?”
Lyshae laughed. “Hardly. And you are right. You cannot open Ways to get here, and most cannot open Ways out. It just so happens I have recently become elevated in stature.” She exhaled through her nose, and her lips spread into another smile. “I can open a Way out.”
“Yeah, I noticed.” I arched a brow and eyed her. “How? This going to take us through a path or plop us back somewhere of your choosing?”
She held her smile. “Somewhere of my choosing.”
Great.
Lyshae motioned at the Way. “After you, Vincent.”
I didn’t have much choice, not if I wanted to get back to my case. I hoped I still had enough time left to get to the bottom of it.
I passed through the Way.
* * *
The men’s bathroom in the bar came into view with the accompanying aroma of industrial cleaner. At least someone had gone through the place in our absence and rid it of its previous odor.
A small patch of skin on my left forearm flushed with heat.
I glanced at the reddened area and swore.
Ortiz exited the Way in time to hear my curse and looked at me. “What’s wrong?”
I held up my arm.
She sucked in a breath. “That long?”
“Seems like.” Forty-five hours had remained when I’d confronted Lyshae in the bar. Our meet-and-greet session had cost me thirteen hours. Only thirty-two remained.
My teeth ground. A little less than a day and a half left. It’d have to be enough.
Kelly popped out next and wobbled over the floor. Her arms went to her sides to help grant some balance. “Diving in and out of those things in heels should be an Olympic sport. Not easy.”
I snorted, and Ortiz shook her head trying to stifle a laugh.
Lyshae and her Daoine exited last. Her faerie boy-toy carried a familiar set of bags over a shoulder.
He eyed me and inclined his head. “Your clothes.” The bags fell unceremoniously to the floor.
“Uh, thanks. When did you grab those?” I looked from the bags to him.
Kelly didn’t wait for his response. She gave him a look asking the silent question as to which was hers. When he gave her a quiet nod to the bag, she snatched it and marched into the nearest stall. A near retching sound emanated from within a second later.
“Oh my God! What is wrong with some men?”
I buried my face in my hands as she flushed.
The toilet sounded, followed by a string of muttering.
I laughed a bit harder and snatched up my bag, heading to the stall beside Kelly’s.
It was easy slipping out of the ruined portions of my clothes. I let them fall to the floor without a care as the stall to my left banged shut. Ortiz, I wagered. Within a handful of minutes, I’d slipped into what I’d been wearing before. There was something comforting about the clothes.
I exited the stall and frowned when I saw the paranormal pair standing there. My gaze fell to Lyshae. “Still here?”
“For a moment. I wanted to wish you luck on your case. Do your best not to die. I will have further need of you.”
My frown morphed into a scowl. “So long as you get your use out of me, it’s all good, right? Never mind the fact people are getting hurt here.” I waved an arm to my side.
She shrugged. “That is none of my concern. I’ve done what I can for you. If you are too dense to realize it...so be it. You have no idea what you are dealing with, Vincent. The sooner you put it together, the better for you and those involved.” Lyshae clapped her hands twice. “Chop-chop, I believe?”
I bristled and restrained myself from taking a step closer. My thoughts turned to everything I could recall on my case, and most of it added up. There were a few holes. One stuck out more than the rest.
“Before you go, I need to know something.”
She lowered her head a fraction.
“Two Night Runners attacked Ortiz and me. They literally came in guns blazing after trying to wreck us in a car accident.”
“They succeeded in the car part!” Ortiz’s voice echoed within the stall.
I hooked a thumb in her direction. “Yeah, that.”
Lyshae arched a brow. “I’m not hearing a question.”
“Having goons jump me in the dark and out of sight fits you. Two fae gunning for us on a contract? Not your style. So, who’s behind that?”
Her eyes smoldered, and she stared at me.
I bit down on my lower lip. “If it’s not you, then it’s what I’m hunting, isn’t it?”
The light in her eyes grew, followed by a satisfied smile.
“Okay, fine. That means there is some manner of payment up for grabs. They didn’t say cash. I doubt Night Runners have much use for money. So...” I trailed off when I noticed Lyshae’s stare growing deeper and hungrier.
“Oh, holy crap.” I shook my head, and my jaw ached as I pieced more of it together. “All that talk about debts and payment. That’s what this is about? That’s what’s going on here too? That’s what’s up for grabs if something takes me out, right? Someone gets a big honkin’ favor?”
Lyshae tapped an index finger to her nose. “Something like that.”
Something like that but not quite, huh? It wasn’t enough to give me the answer I needed. But, if I was smart about what I did next, it’d help narrow things down.
“So, how are they collecting these favors or power?”
The Kitsune chose to remain silent.
I stepped towards her and reached out.
A hand of cold iron clamped around my good arm and squeezed.
I gritted my teeth and glared at the Daoine. “Back in the Neravene, you were willing to ditch her. Now you’re protecting her?”
He gave me a lopsided grin.
Self-serving bastard.
“It’s quite alright. Let him go.” Lyshae placed a hand on the Daoine’s arm, gently pushing against it.
He released his grip.
I shook my hand and kept my eyes on the Kitsune. “Give me something, please?”
She shook her head. “I’ve given you enough. I like you, Vincent. But there’s only so much I’m willing to do, even for you. This is something you need t
o figure out. If you can’t put it together, then you’re not going to be of much use to me come the future.” Lyshae turned and walked towards the door with her Daoine in tow.
A ring of pain flared around my injured hand as I tried to ball it into a fist. My fingers hesitated before complying. At least I was getting some movement back, even if it came with a cost. A door slammed to my side, prompting me to turn.
Ortiz stood dressed in her earlier attire.
“You hear all of that?”
She put her hands on her hips and nodded. “What’s our next move?”
Kelly exited her stall a second later, back in her normal clothes as well. She had a bag over her shoulder and fixed me with the same look Ortiz wore: the look of wanting answers.
I blew out a breath through my nose and let the weight sink from my shoulders. “Honestly, I’m not sure. I feel stretched in too many directions.” My good hand fell over my face as I rubbed, sighing into my palm.
“Well”—Ortiz pursed her lips—“we have a victim we could pay a visit to, if he’s in a stable condition and a talking mood.”
A flicker of hope surged through me.
Milo had been injured when the paramedics took him and his mother. The burns had looked severe, not fatal though. There was a chance he, or his mother, had seen something—knew something.
“Good point. That’s why they pay you the big bucks.”
Ortiz scoffed and rolled her eyes. “You haven’t seen a government salary paycheck recently, have you?”
Ouch.
“If it makes you feel any better, I don’t get paid a dime.” I gave her a weak smile.
She shook her head, pressing her lips together to keep from smiling. “It takes the sting off a bit. Alright, let’s head back, grab my car, and we can visit the hospital.”
A clap filled the small bathroom.
I turned to its source, eyeing Kelly. “Something to share with the class, or are you just feeling the Holy Spirit?”
She ignored my quip. “I forgot to tell you what I found out about Daniel’s neighbors.”
Ortiz and I exchanged a look before turning back to her.
“They’re all recent move-ins into the complex—”
I waved a hand, cutting her off. “I already got an inkling of that earlier.”
Her brows knitted together, and her eyes narrowed.
“But, uh, go on.”
“They’ve all filed for taxes as independent businesses.” Kelly made it sound like it was important. For the borrowed life of me, I couldn’t see how.
“Okay? That means?”
She rolled her shoulders and had the grace to look at the floor before turning back to me. “I don’t know. You’re supposed to be the detective.”
I opened my mouth to reply, but Ortiz held up a hand. I shut my cakehole and waited.
Ortiz tilted her head and gave Kelly a stare I was sure she used when interrogating criminals. “How exactly did you come across their tax records?”
Kelly’s cheeks flushed, and her body quivered. “Well, you know, people leave those things lying around on the web.” She looked to me for help.
Ortiz didn’t turn around, but I had the feeling she was shooting me a glare anyway.
I looked away from Kelly and towards the rather interesting grout between the tiles.
Seconds passed before Ortiz relented with a heavy sigh. “Please don’t make me arrest you, Kelly. I like you.”
“Got it.” Kelly rubbed her index finger against her nose and looked to the ground again. “Next time, I’ll just lie.”
I snickered and threw my hand over my mouth to muffle it.
Ortiz turned slowly to stare at me. “Start walking. Car. Hospital.”
“Yeah.” I buried the laughter, but it still filled most of my face. “Sure thing.” The last traces of amusement left my face as I made my way to the door. My elbow bumped into it, sending it open. I planted myself against it, holding it open for my friends.
Ortiz and Kelly exited the bathroom, taking the lead out of the bar and to the car. I had to jog a few steps to fall in behind them. We exited Lyshae’s establishment.
Night had fallen over Queens while we were away. The perfect time of day for monsters to come out and play. The idea caused a tremor in the pit of my stomach as I made my way over to Kelly’s Camaro.
I cut in front of the women, gesturing with my injured arm. “Dibs up front. I’m handicapped.” I smirked.
Ortiz shook her head in resignation. “Fine, baby.”
I stuck my tongue at her and made my way over to the passenger’s side.
Kelly unlocked the vehicle and fell into her seat.
Because I’m a gentleman, I bent and folded my seat forwards, gesturing for Ortiz to slip in behind me.
She clambered in and fastened her belt. “What would I do without you?” Her voice was dry.
I snapped the seat upright and wriggled into it. “Most likely get your butt kicked by monsters.” My seat juddered while I fumbled for my seatbelt.
Kelly spun in her seat, glaring at me then Ortiz. “Behave, kids.” She turned her gaze back to Ortiz. “No kicking my seats.” Her gaze returned to me. “No antagonizing the other passengers.”
Ortiz and I mumbled half-apologies.
“Good.” A smile of self-satisfaction spread over Kelly’s face as the car thundered to life with the snarling percussion only a V8 could produce. The vehicle snorted as it lurched forwards and snapped into the lane with the sort of torque you’d expect from a muscle car.
The fingers of my right hand felt like grains of sand tumbled through them. Every imagined piece sent a tingle through the area. I shuddered and winced, closing my hand tight. It hit me a second later.
I flexed my fingers and stared at my arm. It looked like someone with a particularly strong grip had grabbed me. That had been the case, but the only signs were slight bruising. My lips went tight, and I shut my eyes in anticipation as I rolled my wrist.
The injured limb twanged like it had been sprained, but nothing more. It was functional again.
Kelly urged the car down the street at a speed that wasn’t legal by any standard. She slowed just enough to round the corner without losing control of the backend.
I yelped and leaned into the door, reaching up with my healed hand to cling to support. “Holy shit, slow down!”
“We’re pressed for time, aren’t we?” Kelly looked to my tattoo before turning her eyes back to the road.
“Time’s irrelevant if you get into a smoldering car accident. What’s this thing made out of anyways”—I kicked the glove box to make a point—“fiberglass?”
“Feet off my car!” Kelly glared at me. One of her hands jerked, causing the wheel to snap to one direction. The car followed.
Rubber screeched in agonized protest as it fought for grip against the street.
I sucked in a breath, and Ortiz muttered a curse.
Kelly righted herself, both hands going to the wheel as she reined the vehicle back under control.
I let out a wheeze that sounded like a broken vacuum. “Jeez. I’ll keep my feet off the dash if you keep your eyes on the road and don’t pull another Ortiz.” My head snapped forwards and the small of my back ached as my seat shook. I twisted, glancing over my shoulder.
Ortiz sat with her legs crossed, eyeing me like she wished she could have kicked something more than just the seat.
I made a childish face at her.
Kelly’s face tightened as her lips pulled into a frown. It didn’t last. Her body shook and she broke into laughter. “I swear, you’re both kids. One second you’re fighting monsters and helping me unfreeze, then you’re fighting each other.”
I grinned and had a feeling Ortiz did the same behind me. “That’s the thing about fighting monsters though. Sometimes you need to fall back and have a laugh. If you don’t, things can get pretty dark. You have to enjoy the bits in between the long, dark patches. Otherwise, what’s the point? Laugh a little when
you can; it won’t kill you.” I widened my grin and shot Kelly a wink.
“Good advice,” she said.
“I’ve been known to spit some words of wisdom.”
Ortiz sounded like she’d choked on her own laughter.
Smartass.
The atmosphere changed after that. The air felt a bit more spacious and there was a faint hint of hanging electricity—the good kind. All it would take was something mildly funny to set us off again.
Sometimes life isn’t lived in the hectic moments of doing things. Sometimes it’s lived in the moments between all the noise and commotion. It’s in the quiet times where you can just sit back and be with friends. The moments where noise is silent, and something else takes its place. Something like laughter.
It’s one of those things I never get to enjoy as much as I should.
Hunting a monster with Kelly and Ortiz towing along reminded me of that.
My forearm prickled. I glanced at it. Thirty-one hours left.
Laugh when and as much as you can because time has a way of slipping away from you.
Kelly brought the Camaro around the corner and onto the street where Daniel lived. Her foot came off the accelerator halfway down the block, letting the car roll to a halt on its own. She left it running as I unbuckled myself and swung out of the door.
Ortiz bent over, fumbling for the lever to drop the passenger seat. She scrambled out a few seconds later and glowered at me.
I shrugged, hitting the sidewalk hard and making my way towards her mangled car. My right hand seemed functional enough to warrant a test. I made a fist and rapped my knuckles against the rear passenger side window.
Ortiz huffed as she pulled open the driver’s door, unlocking the others as well. “What happened to riding up front?”
I gestured to the coat on her back seat. My journals lay hidden beneath it along with the weapons we’d confiscated from the Night Runners.
“Think you can figure out what we’re after now that you’ve been around the block a bit?” There was a hint of expectancy in her voice. She wanted for me to have the answers. Even if I didn’t share them with her, as long as I had something—a plan—that would have been fine with her.
I hated the idea of disappointing her again.