by Nina Bangs
Now for Mom. If Daria didn’t do it right away, she’d find excuses to put it off. Closing her eyes, she opened the mental link to her mother. “Mom, I need to talk to you”
“Did you find someone to snatch?”
“No.”
“Are you looking for someone to snatch?”
“No.”
“Are you in trouble?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll be there tonight.”
“Bring Aunt Ocypete”
Her mother broke the link.
No one could pack so much accusation into so few words as well as Mom did. Daria dragged herself into the shower. She was so tired that even the invisible guy who pressed himself against her back couldn’t get a rise out of her. Sparkle would be disappointed. After brushing her teeth, she fell into bed.
And just before she fell asleep, she wondered where the hell she’d find bird spittle.
Chapter Sixteen
Memo: To All Harpies
Subject: Training Expenses
It has come to our attention that several harpies hired exotic male dancers and then billed Tartarus for their fees. Male dancers are never part of our training program. Give us a break. Putting money in a dancer’s thong does not qualify as practical training in identifying the human male. And fondling a dancer’s butt cannot be listed as a hands-on experiment to find the best method of grasping prey. We were not born yesterday. Punishment for those who choose to ignore this memo will be one year of watching trolls dance naked. You will go blind.
Remember, she who tries to fool Hades wakes up dead.
HADES THE SHOCKED
“A woman’s beard?” Sparkle stared at the list. As of tonight she’d been free to fix the nail on her index finger. She’d taken off the bandage, but her nail was still broken. “I don’t know any women with beards.” She frowned. “How about the beard of a female impersonator? Would that work? What do you think, Declan?”
“Uh, great.” Declan couldn’t take his eyes from Daria’s face.
Ganymede snorted. “Good luck.” He’d remembered not to say babe. His copy of the list lay on the parlor floor. “I guess I’m supposed to find the footsteps of a cat.
How the hell will I do that?” He closed his eyes. “Jeez, there go the cupcakes I was saving. I felt them waving bye-bye.”
Declan didn’t have to burn many brain cells to figure out that this was Daria’s real face.
“If you want the footsteps of a cat, you can mix up some cement—there’s a bag in the cellar—and walk through it. When it dries…?” Sparkle shrugged. “Cat footsteps.”
Daria’s new face was thinner, more delicate than the one Kal’s magic had created. Someone who didn’t know her might glance at her face and make the mistake of thinking she couldn’t defend herself.
Ganymede looked at Sparkle with new respect. “Hey, I like that.” He glanced around at everyone gathered in the parlor. “So who’ll take something else on the list?”
Her eyes were the biggest change, Declan decided. No more muddy brown. Daria’s real eyes were hazel with thick dark lashes.
“I’ll take the bird’s spittle.” Eris’s angry scowl was firmly in place and aimed directly at Sparkle. It only made her more beautiful. “I’m a bird in harpy form. I’ll just spit in a cup and you’ll have your damn bird’s spittle.”
That brought a collective “Ewww!”
Declan thought Daria’s real lips were fuller, sexier. The word sexy was a favorite buzzword for his body. It immediately took notice.
“Which one on the list will you take, bloodsucker? You have your choice: the roots of a mountain, the breath of fishes, or the sinews of a bear.” Ganymede looked around. “All this thinking is making me hungry. I’ll be back.” He padded toward the kitchen.
Declan blinked. List? Oh yeah. He dragged his gaze from Daria. “I guess I can take care of the breath of fishes.”
Surprised, Daria looked at him. “How? Fish breathe through their gills, underwater. Seems pretty impossible to me.”
Everyone in the room agreed.
“There’re minnows in the pond out in the woods. I’ll catch a few of them in a plastic bag. If I seal the bag off, any breaths they have will be captured in the bag.”
Daria didn’t seem too sure of that. “Even if it works, it’s too dangerous for you to leave the inn.”
Declan didn’t want to remind her they couldn’t stop Fenrir by hiding. So he took another look at the list instead. “We still won’t have the roots of a mountain or the sinews of a bear. Any ideas?”
Sparkle spoke up. “Cindy keeps a few teddy bears on hand for any kids that visit. We could cut a piece out of one of them.”
Walt looked pained. “But that wouldn’t be authentic.”
“I bet all of this is just symbolic anyway.” Sparkle cast an exasperated glance around the room. “I mean, this stuff doesn’t exist.” Her expression faded to thoughtful. “Do real birds have spittle? Has anyone ever seen it?”
Ganymede padded back into the room dragging a bag of chips. He dropped the bag next to his list. Ignoring everyone, he tore open the bag with his teeth and chowed down.
“None of this makes a lick of sense.” Katie the cook-slash-security-expert sniffed as she brushed a few crumbs from her skirt. “It’s a recipe for insanity.”
Kal rose from his chair to pace. “What do we do with this stuff once we get it?” He included everyone in his hard stare. “And even if we do the impossible and find someone with enough magical power to create this…” He turned to Walt. “What is it?”
“Gleipnir. It’s a soft, thin ribbon with enough strength to control even Fenrir.”
“Right. So even if we had that, who’s going to volunteer to tie this werewolf up?” He scanned their faces.
Most of his audience found something interesting to study on the floor.
Ganymede looked up from his chips. “To heck with this magic stuff. I can come up with a battle plan.”
Declan pictured Ganymede as a general. He’d probably stop in the middle of the battle to eat a candy bar. That was too scary for him, so he went back to staring at Daria. She caught him this time.
“What?” She smiled at him.
“Your face.”
She reached up to touch it. “Yeah, I have one.”
“I like it.” He thought over that comment. “Not that I didn’t like your last one, but this one is really you, so it’s special.”
“Thank you, Declan Mackenzie.”
Her eyes were warm with an emotion he wasn’t sure he wanted to put a name to. You’re a coward, Mackenzie. He was just getting used to his awakened emotions, and the one he felt when he, looked at Daria scared him more than an army of berserkers. He understood how to fight the berserkers. He didn’t have a clue what to do with his feelings for her.
“Yo, bloodsucker. Why don’t you (chomp) run down to the cellar (chomp).and bring up a sack of cement x (chomp)?” Who said you couldn’t eat and talk at the same time?
“Why don’t you bring it up yourself?” Good, Declan could take his frustration out on Ganymede.
“I’m a cat. No opposable thumbs. Besides, I have to run this meeting. Okay, now the rest of you, someone needs to volunteer for the roots of a mountain.”
Declan thought about arguing with Ganymede but decided it wasn’t worth the effort. Maybe getting away from Daria for a few minutes would clear his mind. He stood and headed for the back of the inn, where the door to the cellar was.
“Wait for me, wait for me.” Trouble galloped up and skidded to a stop on the hardwood floor. “I’ll come with you.” His tail wagged the whole dog. “It’s boring here. Ganymede takes me outside, but I can’t go far. I can’t chase anything.”
Declan grinned. “Tough times, pup.” He opened the cellar door and peered down into the darkness. When he threw the light switch, nothing happened. “Looks like someone didn’t replace a bulb.” He shook his head at Trouble. “You stay up here. I bet there’re lots of t
hings down here that could get a dog in hot water with Ganymede.”
Trouble’s ears and tail drooped. “I’ll be good.”
Jeez, this was pathetic. Declan felt sorry for the kid. Before the Woo Woo Inn and Daria, he would’ve shrugged and walked away. “Look, let me go down first and check it out. If it looks safe, you can come down.”
Trouble sat down, his mouth hanging open in a happy grin. “I’ll wait right here.”
Declan was busy thinking about Daria as he walked down the steps. The dark wasn’t a problem thanks to his enhanced vision. He reached the bottom and spotted the bag of cement. Too late. The guy wielding it had already started his swing. Crap. That was his last thought before impact.
When he regained consciousness, he was being dragged across the backyard to where Midgard in human form waited just outside the Guardians’ power range. There’d been a clumsy attempt to tie him up, but only an idiot would think rope could hold a vampire.
He studied the dragger. As the dragee, he figured he was owed some answers. He’d get them fast and then free himself before they reached Midgard.
“This is the advantage of being a shifter. First you knock me out while you’re in human form. That’s smart because your animal form couldn’t hold a cement bag. Then after you shove me out the cellar window you change to animal form to do the dragging. One thing I’d like to know, though, is why you’re doing this, Mel?”
Mel didn’t look back. “I’m not going to die for you, vampire. They want you. In exchange I get to walk away from this damn place with some extra cash in my pocket. Easy decision.”
He had to talk mentally when he was in his animal form. Not as powerful as the troublemakers or Fenrir. Interesting.
“If you were that afraid of dying, why’d you stay in the first place? You could’ve left with the others. And how’d you know I’d go down to the cellar?” They were getting closer to Midgard. Declan needed to cut things short.
“I had business here. But that guy waiting for you offered me more money. And I didn’t know you’d end up in the cellar. I was hanging near the parlor entrance when Ganymede asked you to get that cement. I’m an opportunist. I saw my chance and got there before you. “ Mel didn’t elaborate on the “business” that had brought him to the inn.
Hmm. Maybe Mel really was the judge Daria thought he was. Declan sank some subtle energy probes into the ground. Just enough to slow the wererabbit down a little. If he wasn’t so pissed, he’d probably laugh at that fluffy white tail bobbing along in front of him.
“So how’d they get to you?” Declan put down more energy, adding to the drag.
The wererabbit was beginning to pant. “How the hell does someone get this heavy just drinking blood?” He yanked Declan a few more steps while Midgard paced impatiently along the gargoyles’ boundary. “They talked inside my head. We made the deal, and now I’m delivering you“
Don’t be too sure of that. Declan prepared to burst free and inflict some payback. He only had to feed about once a week, but he could make an exception for the dumb bunny here. “It didn’t occur to you that delivering me meant you’d simply die a few days later? I’m the final piece in the puzzle. After me comes the big battle. Then? No more universe, and no more Mel.”
“I don’t believe that shit”
Declan tensed to make his escape, but a low rumbling growl put everything on hold. It came from behind him, a warning that someone was seriously ticked. Instinctively, he ducked. Just in time, as Trouble launched himself over Declan and onto Mel with enough force to bring a grunt from the oversized rabbit.
Tethered to Declan by a rope around his shoulders, Mel was getting tangled in his own stupidity as he tried to fight off the angry dog.
Declan freed himself and then took stock of the battle. Wow, Trouble had come of age with a vengeance. He’d latched on to one of Mel’s long ears and was shaking it like a favorite chew toy.
Since Trouble seemed to have everything under control, Declan turned to stare at Midgard. His uncle looked disgusted.
Declan grinned. “Next time pick someone smarter.”
With a muttered oath, Midgard turned and walked away.
When Declan turned back, Trouble had Mel pinned to the ground. The shifter had returned to human form. “You can let him up now. I’ll take him inside.”
Trouble seemed reluctant, but he finally released Mel. “I did it, I did it. Did you see me do it?” He bounced around his defeated enemy as Declan hauled Mel to his feet and then shoved him toward the inn. “You didn’t call me and then I heard a noise, so I sneaked down to see what was happening. He pushed you out the window and then dragged you away. I knew I had to help you because you helped me. And I did, didn’t I? I saved you!”
“You’re a hero. Everyone will be proud of you.” Declan wondered if he’d ever been that young and enthusiastic. If he had, he didn’t remember it. Wait, come to think of it, he’d been feeling pretty enthusiastic around Daria in the last few days.
Declan studied Mel. Then he smiled. “You know, I was wondering why you even bothered to take your animal form for this. You’re big enough to just heave me over your shoulder and carry me out to Midgard. But now I understand. I bet I couldn’t find one muscle hidden in all that flab. You need to spend serious time in the gym.”
He got Mel inside, only pausing long enough to find a throw the were could wrap around himself. Then he marched him to the parlor with Trouble trailing behind talking nonstop about his adventure. Everyone grew still, staring at Declan as he shoved Mel into the middle of the room.
“Our friend here bashed me in the head with a bag of cement and then dragged me outside to trade to Midgard for some cash. It seems my relatives were anxious for my return to their loving arms, so they did a mental search until they found a weak link.”
There was a collective gasp. Declan glanced at Daria. He smiled. From the expression on her face, Mel might want to ask for police protection.
Trouble was still bouncing up and down, his tongue flapping in the breeze. “I saved him, I saved him. Me. I jumped on top of the rabbit and bit his ear.” The dog looked at Ganymede.
Daria interrupted her death stare aimed at Mel to look at the cat. She didn’t know if her message would reach Ganymede, but she threw it out there anyway. “Please don’t crush him. He’s just a kid, and he wants your praise”
Ganymede turned to look at her with those strange cat eyes. “Message received” Then he turned to Trouble. “You did good, kid. I’m proud of you. Next time I’m planning to create chaos somewhere, maybe I’ll let you tag along.”
Trouble’s big brown eyes grew wide. “I can go with you?” Then he looked around the room. “I can go with him.” Unable to contain his happiness, he raced from the room barking excitedly.
Sparkle frowned. “You will not take him anywhere dangerous.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Ganymede stared at Mel. “What should we do with him? We can’t turn him over to the cops. What would we tell them? A wererabbit tried to turn one of the guests over to a giant snake? Wouldn’t work.” He grew thoughtful. “Maybe we need a more permanent solution.”
Mel paled. His gaze skittered around the room until he found Eris. “Do something. You hired me. Get me out of this mess.”
Eris tried to brazen it out. “I didn’t hire you to do that. You got caught working for someone else.”
Mel wasn’t the judge. Daria sighed her relief. Then she stood and walked over to Eris. “What did you hire him to do?”
Mel didn’t give Eris a chance to answer. “She wanted me to spy on you and report back to her. If you looked like you might snatch someone, I was supposed to stop you. When I told her how many nonhumans were staying at the inn, she decided to come here too.”
“You’re a dead bitch walking.” Daria didn’t know what she would’ve done if the sound of screeching hadn’t interrupted her.
“Out front.” Declan still held Mel.
Everyone rushed to the window. The inn had floodl
ights that turned on automatically once night fell, so everyone had a clear view of what waited outside.
Daria took one glance before looking back at Declan. “Aello.” This wouldn’t be pretty.
“Mommy’s here.” Eris had reverted to childlike glee. “You’ll all be sorry now.” She threw Sparkle a vindictive glare.
Mama harpy was so loud, Fenrir probably heard her out by the church. “Tell those freaking gargoyles to let me in. My baby better be okay.”
Ganymede stood on his hind legs to peer out the window. “Now, that’s ugly.” He glanced at Katie. “Call off the Guardians so she can come in.”
Katie pressed her lips together and looked disapproving, but she chanted the words that would allow Aello to pass.
Ganymede stared up at Sparkle. “Pick me up.”
Scooping the cat into her arms, Sparkle avoided his gaze.
Daria glanced at Declan. He looked grim. Grimness should be the expression of the moment.
Then the door crashed open and Aello made her entrance. Everyone in the room fell away from her except Eris. She ran to her mother.
“Look what Sparkle Stardust did to me.” Her beautiful blue eyes overflowed with tears.
The sound of breaking glass played a counterpoint to Aello’s scream of fury when she got a good look at her daughter.
Aello was tough to look at even when she wasn’t mad at something, which wasn’t often. Now she was a grotesque monster. Daria looked at her and knew she could never achieve that kind of greatness. And surprisingly, she didn’t think she wanted to anymore.
Aello swiveled her head to scowl at everyone in the room. Her face looked as if she’d been in the grave a few days too long and her hair was matted and long. If Daria peered closely enough, she could almost see things moving in that hair. Aello had prettied herself up for this visit.