“What? Oh, nothing, sorry, was thinking out loud.” She opened the laptop and it sprang to life. “I’ve got an idea.”
She quickly opened a browser via a satellite link and typed in Kuan Ti before hitting enter. “Now, let’s see what pops up.”
“What are you looking for?” Cassius asked as he sat beside her on the bed, looking at the screen.
“The wonderful thing about the web is it’s still there. All the information that was added before the war is still available, so long as you’ve got power and can get a satellite signal. Which you do.”
The page loaded with thousands of hits and she clicked on the first one. As the information loaded in front of them, she started to read, gasping as she scanned the text.
“Holy fuck,” she said aloud as Cassius sat quietly next to her. “You don’t think this is him. Do you?”
Cassius started to read what was on the screen. “Kuan Ti, Chinese God of War and Fortunetelling. He rules over protection, valor, justice, divination, revenges death, capable of dark magic and prophecy. Shit.”
Rose agreed.
“Shit is right. Is this him? If it is, why the hell did he come here just to heal me?”
“I’m not sure.” Cassius frowned as he stared at the screen. “Do they even exist?”
“We’ve got Demons from Hell, Fallen Angels from Heaven, Fairies, Vampires, and goodness knows what else, all running around here, and you question if a Chinese God is real? Cassius, come on, of course he could be real.”
“Could be.” Cassius shook his head. “Doesn’t mean it is, or that he is this God. He could just be playing with us. Not the first time someone’s tried to lie about their abilities or how important they are.”
“True,” Rose conceded. “But how many beings do you know who can pop in and out like he just did? I only know of two, Demons and Angels.”
“Again, I agree that he is more powerful than the rest of us.” Cassius left the bed and went to the window, staring out and obviously deep in thought.
She didn’t say a thing, waiting him out as her own mind tried to process the thought of a Chinese God coming to call. It was several minutes before he sighed, turning to look down at her.
“Maybe he is. I have no clue.” Cassius shrugged. “But, if what he said has any truth in it whatsoever, then there’s a Witch who needs my help. Now, Marie, how do I find her? Any ideas?”
Rose didn’t answer straight away, her own thoughts spiraling through her head.
“Maybe. Can you leave it with me and I’ll see what I come up with. I can also get to work doing what it was I came here for in the first place.”
Shaking his head, Cassius opened his mouth but she raised a hand to stop him.
“Before you say anything, I feel fine. Once I shower and change, I’ll come straight back to bed and work from here. All I need is access to what files you want me to sort out and any paperwork you need me to add.”
“Fine.” Cassius sat back down, his shoulder touching hers as he pulled the laptop onto his thigh. Clicking through, he showed her various files, documents, and information. “I need everything amalgamated into some semblance of order. I’m finding it difficult to keep track with files all over the place, and if I’m looking for someone, then I have to hunt through everything to find them. Is there an easier way to do it?”
“Yes.” She grinned as she saw the abysmal way he’d been documenting things. “Easy peasy. I’ll sort that out today and show you what I’ve done.”
“Thank you.” He rose as there was a soft knock at his door. “Come in,” he raised his voice slightly, walking through to meet the guard who’d brought her bag.
Rose laid the laptop on the bed as Cassius brought her bag through. “Thanks,” she said as he put it on the edge of the bed.
“I’ll leave you to get on. If you need anything, just shout. If I’m not here, then one of the guards will come.”
“Okay.” She smiled as he turned to leave, her eyes drawn to those tight buns encased in dark trousers.
“I’ll be back later to check up on you.” He turned as he spoke and she quickly lifted her eyes. Her face flushed at the thought of him catching her ogling his ass.
“Fine,” she managed as his lips tugged up before he nodded and disappeared.
“For fuck’s sake, get a grip,” she mumbled as she scrambled to get out of bed.
Grabbing her bag, she went through to the bathroom, closing the door and turning on the shower before rummaging through her things to find her box of tampons. She let out a long sigh of relief when she found it exactly where she’d put it, pulling it free and emptying the tampons to grab her phone.
Hitting speed dial, she moved closer to the shower and prayed that Seth answered. She almost moaned with glee when she heard his voice.
Seth sounded extremely worried as he spoke quickly. “Rose, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. A man, Kuan, healed me. He said he knew you. Who is he?”
“No fucking idea, but I think he’s on our side.”
“I see.” Rose kept her voice as low as possible. “I’ve not been able to do much, what with being unconscious most of the fucking time. But, Seth, I’ve got a bad feeling about this. It doesn’t feel right and everything I’ve seen and heard doesn’t add up with what Basilius told us. I think we’ve been duped.”
“I know, Rose.” Seth sounded sad as he carried on, “But you need to stay there. I want you to get to know Allarde better before we make a decision. We’ve still got more than two weeks before the Ball, so you don’t have to decide what to do until then. Okay.”
“Right, but I have to tell you if I don’t come up with something truly awful soon, then I’m not carrying out the mission. Everything, and I mean everything, I’ve found points to Allarde being a good man.”
“I see,” he replied, his tone desolate in those two words.
Rose couldn’t understand why he sounded so bleak. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” Seth answered quickly. “I’m fine, and I’m not far from you, so if you need me, just call. I’m also not alone. Brendan is here and so is Kuan.”
“Put him on,” Rose said urgently. “Kuan, not my dad. Put him on now.”
A moment of silence and then a soft voice.
“Yes, Rose?”
“Are you a God?”
“Why do you need to know?” Kuan answered her question with one of his own.
“Because you’re with the only two people I fucking care about, that’s why. Are you a fucking Chinese God, and do you mean them any harm?”
“Yes and no,” Kuan replied in such a calm voice, she wondered if he ever got upset.
“Good, because they are important to me, if need be, you keep them safe. You hear me? If you don’t, then I don’t give a shit what you are, I’ll find you and make you pay. Understand?”
Kuan actually chuckled before he answered, “I hear you, Rose.”
“Tell them I’ll be careful and will contact when I can.”
Rose hung up, quickly replacing the phone and tampons in the box before relaxing. “A nice hot shower and then I’ll get to work.”
The warm water called to her as she stripped off the paper gown she was in. “What the fuck is this?” she mumbled as she ripped it from her body and stepped into the steam filled shower.
Basilius stalked back and forth, his breathing fast as he tried not to throttle Orthon. “What do you mean there’s been no contact?”
“Master, my apologies, but the assassin has not left any messages, emails, or calls, and I’ve been unable to contact her. I have heard of someone being injured, and the Vampire has been seeking a Witch to heal this individual. Could that be the assassin?”
“What?” Basilius tapped his chin with a finger, thinking. “Hmm, possibly. She is only part Wolf, after all. See what information you can get on that and let me know what’s happened with the Fairy tribe that was in Central Park.”
“Was?” Orthon asked quietly. “Were the
y moving somewhere?”
“I fucking hope so.” Basilius sneered. “I went to a lot of trouble to get them forcibly ejected. I would prefer Allarde not to have a horde of warriors so close by.”
“I will see what I can find out.” Orthon almost ran from the room as Basilius sat down behind his desk.
He’d worked hard to get here. His plans were in place, and many strands were reaching out to make sure he got what he wanted: complete control of this realm and all who lived here.
Allarde was the main fly in the ointment. His do-gooding ways were beginning to cause Basilius problems that he wanted removed. The best way forward was to eradicate said fly and the sooner the better. If the assassin had been injured, then she better hurry the fuck up and recover enough to carry out the impossible: kill Cassius Allarde.
Basilius had tried before. Several of his lower Demons being killed in the process. He’d tried to keep this assignment “in-house”, but after the last failure, he’d turned to the Council’s most proficient assassin. If anyone could do it, then it was her.
He hoped so for her sake.
He could, of course, have dealt with the Vampire personally, but that course of action held too many pitfalls. If word got out it was he who had killed the man, then others may join together and rise against him. Basilius was capable of dealing with them, but he’d rather save his energies for the main battle he knew would come.
Fallen Angels were dangerous, deadly, and if joined together, then they were a serious threat to him. He’d much rather progress slowly, taking over a little at a time, until he was in control of just about everything and everyone. Then he’d have an army more than capable of taking on the damned Angels.
First, he had to rid himself of Allarde.
A hesitant knock on the door interrupted his musings and he barked sharply, “What?”
Orthon peeked inside. “I have some information, Master.”
“Get your fat ass in here and tell me.”
Basilius waited impatiently as Orthon slithered inside, his hands wringing in front of him as he stood as far away as possible.
“Master, it was indeed the assassin who was hurt. Apparently, she was healed a few hours ago, but is said to still be weak and bedridden.”
“Fucking stupid bitch. How was she hurt so badly?”
“She was attacked on her arrival and sustained a major head injury…”
Basilius slammed his fist down on the desk. “That stupid fucking idiot! I told him to make it look good, but not harm her.”
Orthon quivered as Basilius ranted. “Just as well he’s dead, the imbecile. Otherwise, he’d be in for a very long session of me showing him just how much of an idiot he’d been. Fucking retard!”
Basilius took a deep breath before piercing his assistant with a glare. “Anything else?”
“Yes, Master,” Orthon stuttered, bowing his head before going on. “The Fairies are still there. They weren’t blamed for the attack, but I don’t know why. All I know is there was a few days of angry meetings, but it seems to have been sorted now. They’re not going anywhere, Master.”
Again, Basilius slammed his fist on the hard desk, cursing, “Fucking hell, he obviously didn’t make it look good enough for them to believe he was a Fairy warrior.”
“No, Master,” Orthon agreed quickly.
“Any more bad news?”
Orthon looked up and nodded, terror on his face as Basilius waved a hand. “Out with it.”
“Allarde has sanctioned his area as a safe haven for Witches. He’s telling everyone that any Witch will be safe in Manhattan.”
“What?” Basilius stood, this time his anger had him sweeping his desk clear with one huge brush of his arm. As everything flew across the desk, clattering, breaking and smashing onto the floor, Orthon sank in on himself.
“I’m sorry, Master.”
“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” Basilius roared as he stomped across the room and punched the wall. His fist disappeared inside, right up to his elbow, before he pulled it free.
“This man just doesn’t fucking give up. He’s a thorn in my side that I really need to pluck out. If that damn bitch of an assassin doesn’t end him soon, then I may just have to do it myself, and to hell with the consequences.”
“Master,” Orthon held his hand up in front of him, “please, may I make a suggestion?”
“What?” Basilius snapped.
“There are some Demons who you could ask to carry this out. What if I asked around?”
Basilius snapped his fingers and Orthon shut up. “I know who to ask. Orthon, find Razor and ask him to come here for a meeting.”
“Razor? Master, are you sure? He can be a little…”
“Insane, psychopathic, crazy. Yes, Orthon, he is all of those, but he may just get the job done.” Basilius grinned, then chuckled coldly. “Razor is deadly and more than a little uncontrollable, but he is also just nuts enough to pull this off.”
Orthon bowed low. “I’ll find him, Master.”
Basilius laughed as his assistant left. “My little problem should be solved soon,” he crowed as he envisioned the dark Demon who lusted after death and mutilation almost as much as himself.
* * *
“I have to,” Seth emphasized as Brendan shook his head furiously.
“Seth, you can’t just waltz in there. It could be a trap.”
“Someone has to be the first, Brendan.” Seth held up his hands, waving them about in frustration. “How will we or anyone else know he’s being truthful unless a Witch goes to him and asks for refuge? If he gives me it, then I’ll be on the inside and closer to Rose in case she needs my help. Plus, if he’s who he’s portraying, then he’ll take me in and I can then let everyone know it’s safe for other Witches.”
Kuan sat crossed legged in the corner of the sofa, his palms face up on his knees and eyes closed. Brendan went over, prodding the small man on the shoulder.
“What do you think of this madness?”
Without moving a muscle or opening his eyes, Kuan replied softly, “He is right. There has to be a first, and he is more capable than most to take on that role.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Brendan growled. “If he’s not what he says, he could hand you over to the hunters, or worse, kill you himself.”
“I have to take that chance. Brendan, we’ve wasted three days discussing this. I need to go in and I need to go now.” Seth continued to pack his bag.
“I can’t lose anyone else, Seth.” Brendan’s voice was full of grief as he stared at his friend. “I’ve lost too many, I don’t want to lose you, too.”
Seth straightened, gazing at his friend as he inclined his head to the side. “I know, my friend. Trust me, please. I need to do this.”
“Is there nothing I can say to stop you?” Brendan’s body sagged as Seth shook his head. “This is nuts, Seth, and you know it.”
“It’s the right thing to do.” Seth stood up, hefting his bag over his shoulder. “It needs one person, one Witch, to take him up on his offer. We need to see if he’s full of shit, or, Brendan, he may be a savior to any Witches who are left. That, my friend, includes your daughter. A daughter who, according to Mr. Mysterious there,” he pointed to Kuan, “is someone very important. Not just to us who care for her, but the whole fucking world, Brendan. If I’m on the inside, I can make sure she’s okay.”
“Shit!” Brendan swore before striding over and grabbing Seth in a bear hug. “You be fucking careful. I’ve got my phone, so if you need me, you call. I’m not scared of a few Vamps. Hell, I’ve taken out more of them than I care to remember.”
Seth laughed as he returned the hug. “Yes, you have. I’m hoping this time we won’t need to. I know you don’t believe in religion or anything, but if you could send a little prayer to the Goddess for me, I’d appreciate it.”
“Hell, I’m sure I can manage that,” Brendan said as he released his friend. “You take care.”
“I will.” Seth looked grim as he walked to t
he door. “I’ll keep my shield in place until I’m inside. It’d be a fucking riot if I got caught by hunters on my way.”
“Yeah, real funny.” Brendan grimaced as Seth raised a hand in a final wave before he left the apartment, closing the door firmly behind him.
“Fuck,” Brendan swore again, his stomach in knots at the thought of his friend walking into the lion’s den.
“You curse far too much,” Kuan observed quietly.
“Shut up.” Brendan growled as he went to the window, watching for Seth to appear.
His impatience grew as minutes ticked by, but finally, he saw Seth pushing his bike onto the road. His friend started the bike, throwing his leg over the custom machine and sitting before looking upwards. Their eyes locked, Seth giving a slight nod before roaring away into the darkness.
“May the Goddess be with you,” Brendan breathed as he lost sight of the bike and the man he thought of as a brother.
* * *
“You’ve done an incredible job.” Cassius smiled as Rose sat down on one of the plush sofas.
“Thank you.” She took the glass of wine he held out to her, sipping it as he took a seat opposite.
“I’m glad to see you up and about. You look a lot healthier than you did a few days ago.”
“I feel much better.” Rose pulled her feet up under her, happy to be dressed in her own clothes and feeling strong and fit again. She’d spent the past few days doing the work Cassius wanted and at the same time hacking into everything she possibly could to see if he was who he said he was—someone who wanted to help just about everyone.
What she found changed her situation, and she knew she was now in a precarious position. Basilius would not be happy that she wasn’t going to kill her target. Not only that, but she was on the verge of telling Cassius who she was, what she was, and just why she was there.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you something.” Cassius put his own drink down on the side table, rising to retrieve her katana from the corner. “Where did you learn to use this like you did the other day?”
Rose blushed as he stroked the blade and saw that it had been cleaned and now shone like new.
The Black Rose Chronicles: Deceit and Lies Page 13