by Jon F. Merz
“You determined that by yourselves?” Ava frowned. “Hardly the right way to go about things.”
“Would you have approved the mission if we’d come to you first?” asked Jack.
Ava started to reply and then fell silent. She had a quick word with the other Council members and then resumed her place. I thought I saw Wirek wink at me. Or it might have been Jack he was winking at.
“We are grateful for your service,” said Ava sounding like she might have been choking on the words as they came out. “Leave the Cloak with Arthur and he will see to its safekeeping.”
“What about our transgressions?” asked Jack.
“In light of your service, those charges are dismissed,” said Ava. “You, young man, are ordered to report to Invoker headquarters immediately. I would assume they will have work for you.”
Jack nodded. “Thank you.”
Ava eyed me. “As for you, Lawson.” She sighed. “You can leave, too.”
I didn’t have to be told twice. “Later.”
Outside, Beacon Hill sparkled under a fresh coat of snow. In the last week, Boston had been pummeled with storms. The old style lights of Beacon Hill reflected off the blanket of white and Jack and I threaded our way down the street.
“That was something,” I said after a moment.
Jack chuckled. “I don’t think they saw that coming.”
“Hell, I didn’t see it coming.”
He shrugged. “I wasn’t going to say anything, but then they just seemed so damned pretentious. It rankled me.”
“Just don’t make it a habit,” I said. “Trust me, I speak from experience.”
We passed a bar and Jack nodded at it. “Grab a beer?”
I grinned. “Thought you wanted to fly back north to see your girlfriend?”
He shrugged. “I can spare a few minutes for an old friend.”
“Can you now?” I reached for the door handle and pulled it open. A draft of warm air greeted us. Inside, a fire blazed in the hearth. Jack and I took seats at the old oaken bar and ordered. When the beers arrived, we clinked glasses.
Jack grinned. “To a successful op. Hopefully, the first of many such adventures.”
“To you, pal. You did me proud.”
Jack smiled and took a long drag on his beer. When he set it back on the bar, he looked at me and grinned. “Thanks…dad.”
I blinked.
Something must have gotten in my eyes.
Also by Jon F. Merz
The Fixer: A Lawson Vampire Novel
The Invoker: A Lawson Vampire Novel
The Destructor: A Lawson Vampire Novel
The Syndicate: A Lawson Vampire Novel
The Price of a Good Drink: A Lawson Vampire Story
The Courier: A Lawson Vampire Mission
The Kensei: A Lawson Vampire Novel
Enemy Mine: A Lawson Vampire Story
The Ripper: A Lawson Vampire Novel
The Shepherd: A Lawson Vampire Mission
Mission: Malta: A Lawson Vampire Mission
The Enchanter: A Lawson Vampire Novel
A Fog Of Fury: A Lawson Vampire Mission
The Infiltrator: A Lawson Vampire Mission
Incident At Palmyra: A Lawson Vampire Mission