Val gently brushed the fairy away. “Enough!”
The captain tapped Estele’s shoulder. “On our way downtown, could we stop at an apothecary’s shop, knock on the door, and wake the gentleman to ask if he has any fresh coca leaves to chew on? The leaves possess a delightful numbing effect and—”
“No. We don’t have time for that.” She took a turn too sharply and the tires skirted the curb. How could she drive safely with all these distractions going on? “We’ll be at the fairgrounds in a few minutes. It’s time to pull ourselves together, stop bickering and wasting time on nonsense, and start thinking about how we are going to take on an evil force of incredible magnitude. Captain, that means no sex, drugs, or rock and roll. Keep an ear to the ground and try to be helpful.”
Captain Manx’s mouth quivered. “I only asked for drugs.”
She turned to Val. “Tell Fae you’re sorry and tuck her inside the glove compartment. See that red mitten? That’s her bed.”
Val frowned. “She kicked me and she’s a lush.”
The fairy flew agitated loops around Val’s head. Buzz! Buzz, buzz, buzz buzz.
“Val.” She gave him her best pleading look. “Do it, please. We can’t fight demonic forces and an angry Fae at the same time. Choose your battles wisely.”
He reached into the glove compartment and opened the base of the mitten. “I’m sorry if I disturbed or insulted you, Fae. Please accept my apology and go back to sleep.”
Buzz buzz buzz!
Terrific, Fae wanted to hold a grudge, something she could easily drag out for millennia. “She said, ‘What happened to the offer of coffee?’”
Licking his lips, Val looked to be at the edge of losing his patience. “Tell Fae she’ll get her damn… err, her coffee as soon as we reach the food truck.”
Buzz buzz buzz buzzz!
Oh, that wasn’t nice. A Fae with a hangover could out-swear any longshoreman. Estele shut her mouth, deciding to not pass that last obscenity on to Val.
Val turned in his seat. “Well, what did she say? Are we good?”
Should she be honest and report every nasty thing a grumpy Fae said? Probably not. “Just tuck her into her mitten and bring her some coffee later, and we’ll let bygones be bygones.”
Fae zipped inside the mitten and Val gently let go of the cuff. The moment Parking Fairy was snuggled inside, Estele was quick to close the glove compartment.
Val whispered, “How come you can understand her and I can’t?”
“Do you speak Fae?”
He drew a blank. “No.”
“Well, I do. Where elementals are concerned, I think women have a keener ear.”
Talking out the side of his mouth, Val leaned closer. “Can she hear us now?”
Good question. “Probably not. I would think the mitten muffles sound.”
“Why did you say the mighty have fallen?”
“The mighty have fallen?” the captain’s voice boomed from the back seat. “Who are we talking about?”
“Hush, Captain.” She glanced in the rearview mirror and caught a glimpse of the rising sun through the back window. “Don’t be insensitive. Fae was once some sort of warrior queen, but she won’t tell me her real name or story. I’ll bet Sidhe knows, but he’s not saying anything either.”
They came to the Oceanside Boulevard overpass that led to the fairgrounds. Except for a police car idling beneath the overpass, the streets were empty of traffic. “Who does that guy think he’s going to catch at this hour? A vampire speeding home to his coffin?”
Estele steered toward the fairgrounds. Despite the rising sun, lights blazed from every direction. An army of laborers was fully engaged in their tasks and had obviously worked throughout the night. The midway had been transformed. The rides had been fully assembled and a few were in motion, being tested. She looked around. “Wow, someone’s been busy.”
Val pointed toward a brightly painted truck set far apart from the action. “There’s the Brujo Tacos truck. Park next to it.”
Driving slowly past the workmen, she noted that not a single man glanced up from their work to look at them. “I’m going to test something.” She honked the horn. Beep! Beep! Even though they were a few yards away, no one responded or even blinked. “Look at their faces. The crew seems to still be in that strange fugue state they were in last night. This is so creepy. It’s like they’ve been enslaved.”
Val slipped his dagger necklace over his head. “It’s hard to get an accurate divination reading in a moving vehicle, but I’m going to give it a try.” He allowed the necklace to dangle in front of his face. In a gravity-defying moment, the necklace lifted into the air and swung like a compass needle, pointing at a large black trailer with flames painted on the side of it. The tip of the tiny dagger pointed straight toward Luther’s living quarters. “Surprise, surprise, the giant Orc seems to be at the center of the weirdness. I’m sensing the strong pull of controlling energies coming from that trailer.”
The way Val’s divination tool reacted to the energy in this area freaked her out. What were they coming up against? “What about the bubble of malevolence? Can you take a reading on that?”
Val blew on the necklace, dropped it into his hand, and gave it a firm shake. “I have to recalibrate it for a fresh reading. This will just take a moment.” The chain shifted in his palm, making a quiet tinkle. Picking the necklace up by the clasp, he swung it slowly in front of his face. “Let’s see what that bubble of malevolence is up to. What sort of reading are we going to get?” The chain shot straight in front of him and then began to rotate with tremendous force, like a swinging blade. He ducked but even though the blade on the tip was small, it was whirring at such tremendous speed that it became as threatening as a buzz saw. It nicked the upholstery, tearing gashes anywhere it touched.
She crouched close to the steering wheel. “Val, make it stop!”
“Stop!” he shouted. The necklace froze midair. Every link in the chain trembled, twisted, and slowly broke apart until hundreds of uncoupled links rained down onto the floor mats.
The captain leaned between the seats. “Well, that was disturbing.”
“Whoa!” Her mouth opened and refused to close. It wasn’t safe to drive. She hit the brakes and stared at the bits of shattered necklace that had fallen into her lap. “It destroyed your divination tool!” This was bad—really bad. “What does that mean?”
Val’s brows butted together. “I think I know, and it’s not good. The bubble has grown exponentially.”
“How much?” She dared to take her foot off the brake and continued driving toward the Brujo Tacos truck.
Val pantomimed sweeping shapes in the air. “If last night the bubble was as powerful as a suitcase stuffed with C4, now it’s a freaking nuclear warhead.”
“Holy crap! And it’s going to blow up beneath our feet? We can’t fight something that size alone.” Estele parked beside the food truck, turned off the engine, and unfastened her seat belt. “I don’t care how early it is, I’m calling Fredi, Miss Dahlia, Witch Griselda—even Sidhe. Let’s wake everyone and get them on this ASAP.”
“Yep.” Val nodded. “But first let’s talk to Tio Bruno and get organized.”
“How do you get organized for a small-scale Armageddon fought with Tilt-A-Whirls and cotton candy? How?” She climbed out of the car and shut the door hard.
“Ah, my fingers!” the captain shrieked. “Use caution, miss. I’m still exiting the vehicle.”
What a drama queen. He wasn’t even in corporeal form; how the hell was she supposed to have known his ghostly hand was caught in the door? “Sorry, Captain. I didn’t mean to slam the door on you.”
“It’s all right.” Captain Manx fully took form and glanced around, blinking. “It’s so different from my time. I don’t recognize anything.”
Her stomach growled. What a tyrant her belly was. Was she actually considering eating at a time like this? “When were you last here?”
The captain turned
in a circle and appeared confused. “Spring of 1897.”
“Well, that explains a few changes.”
He frowned. “I can’t even tell where the docks used to be.”
Glancing over her shoulder, she tilted her head. “Close to where those high-rise hotels are now.”
He looked but quickly turned away as if the sight pained him. “The railroad tracks used to be closer to City Hall. In my time they would never have run a train along a beach. You can barely see the ocean from here.”
She pointed to a giant Ferris wheel. “The sand dunes on the beach are blocking our view. You’ll be able to see the ocean from up there.”
“I’m not sure I want to.” With the expression of a lost child, the captain stepped between her and Val and cringed. “There’s a bad feeling in the air. I wish I had my harpoon.”
Chapter 11
Val rapped his knuckles on the door of the Brujo Tacos truck. Was he ready for what was coming? He wasn’t sure. The sight of his favorite necklace exploding into sharp bits of metal had been disconcerting, to say the least. They were in for a hell of a day. He wondered who would be the inevitable casualty and hoped it wasn’t him, but his odds were bad. He was committed to the cause, but he didn’t have a fraction of Estele’s power or skills. He was a food wizard-slash-bodyguard, and he was going up against forces that dwarfed any magic he could summon. His training in the highlands of Oaxaca had taught him one essential thing about the magical arts: ignite your passions or perish. Today, much would be asked of him; he would have to deliver or suffer the consequences. “Tio, it’s me.”
The door opened. The bracing scents of fresh coffee and frying onions wafted out. Bruno stared out at them. His silver hair had been sleeked away from his elegant face and covered with a hairnet, and the presence of a red vinyl apron and blue latex gloves added to the impression he was busy. “You’re late. Have you noticed the massive increase in malevolent energy? We don’t have a minute to waste.” His gaze focused on Estele. “Is this her?”
“Sí. Ella es mi aliada.” Damn, he automatically fell into Spanish in front of his uncle.
“Speak English, Val.” Bruno stood aside, allowing Estele to enter. “We can’t afford even the smallest miscommunication.”
Estele placed her foot on the step and climbed into the truck. With a shaky smile, she greeted Bruno. “Hi, I love your food. I’m a witch by the way….”
“I know.” Solemn reverence shining in his dark eyes, Bruno bowed to her with all the chivalry of an Old World knight. “It is a great pleasure to meet you. Val has told me your name. Under your leadership, evil shall be quenched and driven back into its fetid lair. I’m honored to be fighting at your side today. I’m at your service and willing to die at your request.”
“Wow. Thanks.” Estele blushed, and in that moment she looked so pretty and unassuming. He wondered if fate had sent the wrong people to do what might be an impossible job.
Bruno waved them inside. “Let’s eat a quick breakfast and talk.”
Val climbed the steps and entered the truck. Red and green chili peppers were set upon the grill, roasting beside succulent strips of marinated pork. His stomach growled.
“There’s something here.” Bruno looked alarmed as he swept his hand through the air. “What is this?” He circled his palm beside Estele. “Something followed you inside the truck. Yes. It is a definite sentient presence. Perhaps it was once alive but no longer—”
“Jolly good guess!” The captain materialized next to Tio Bruno and made him jump.
“Santa Maria!” Bruno staggered backward and smacked into a refrigerator. “Who is that? What is that? A fantasma?”
The captain drew his shoulders back and addressed Bruno with all the dignity he could muster. “Sir, are you the captain of this grand rolling vessel? If so, by my lucky stars, do you have any rum aboard?”
Estele beamed. “That’s Captain Manx. He’s a dead sea captain with questionable vices. If you don’t have rum, not to worry, he doesn’t drink it anyway. You can just give him a hot pepper to suck on. He’ll probably like it.”
Bruno’s eyes widened. He glanced at Val. “You recruited the services of a ghost? Brilliant strategy.”
Val shook his head. “I can’t take credit for that. Estele and the captain sort of came as a package deal. For better or worse, he’s one of us.”
Bruno nodded. “Very fortuitous. Sending the dead to fight for us might save a life. I like it. Who wants a burrito?”
“I do!” Estele headed toward the grill. “I ate off your truck yesterday and I thought I’d died and gone to Heaven. You make some seriously delicious food.” She made a silly face. “Considering we’re standing on top of a megaton bubble of evil, I shouldn’t be using the word ‘die’ lightly, should I?”
The captain raised his hand. “If it’s not too much trouble, may I have a splash of hot coffee and a saucer to pour it in? We have a very grouchy Fae currently housed in the young lady’s glove compartment who is sure to go on the warpath if we break our promise to her.”
Estele applauded him. “Good call, Captain. Parking Fairy needs her cup of joe.”
“I have heard of the Fae people for many years but never met one.” Bruno took hold of Val’s wrist. A look of elation shone in his eyes. “Is it true? Do you have a Fae under your influence?”
How would he answer that? The Parking Fairy seemed to hate him. “The Fae is Estele’s companion. The only real influence I have with the Fae is the power to piss her off. She’s sort of touchy.”
Bruno’s gazed at Estele with his mouth open. “A ghost captain and a Fae at your command? Very impressive. My sobrino is lucky indeed to have such a powerful ally.”
“That’s not even scratching the surface of what she can do.” He was proud of Estele. She was pretty amazing, but was it cool to brag? She didn’t belong to him in any permanent way, though he kind of hoped something good might happen between them. Kissing her on the couch had proved hot-shit tempting. A second longer and he would not have been able to think clearly. “You should have seen her banish the smoke beast.”
Estele dipped her chin and glanced at him sideways. “You might want to warn your uncle that I don’t always do things right. My magic can get sort of crazy.”
“Maybe crazy is exactly what we need. Magia loca.” Returning to the grill, Bruno picked up a large steel spatula and used it to herd some chopped and caramelized onions into a mound. “What’s a smoke beast? No one ever explained it to me.”
Hopefully that stinky soot cloud wouldn’t come back, but he knew better. “It’s self-explanatory. You’d definitely recognize it if you see it.”
Staring at the grill, Estele said, “Yum.”
Bruno placed two large flour tortillas on the grill to warm. “It’s my honor to cook for you. What would you like in your burrito?”
She shrugged. “Everything you make is great. Surprise me.”
“Spoken like nobility.” Bruno went to work assembling their breakfast. “Does the ghost captain want to eat?”
“Nope.” Estele shook her head. “He’ll just sniff.”
Where was the captain? Val glanced around. That guy had a terrible habit of popping in and out of 3D reality in the most jolting way possible. It was too bad they couldn’t tie a bell around his neck or do something that would provide a heads-up for his coming and going.
Like a slap in the head, he remembered the Parking Fairy was owed coffee. If he wanted to impress Estele—and he did—the best way to do it would be to show consideration for her and others in her life, and that included keeping promises to supernatural entities. He took a paper cup and filled it two-thirds full with fresh, hot coffee, added a generous amount of cream and sugar, and stirred. Opening the truck door, he signaled Estele with a wave. “I’ll be right back. This is for your Fae.”
Estele followed. “Be careful, Val, the Parking Fairy can be a bit vindictive. Sometimes she deliberately aims for the eyes. Maybe I should go with you?”
With a heart-melting smile, Estele handed him the keys. “Good luck.”
He stepped into the cool morning air with the steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the keys in the other. He unlocked and opened the door and carefully sat in the passenger seat before giving the dashboard a gentle tap. “Fae, wake up. I brought you some coffee.” With the same slow, calculated movements as a member of the bomb squad, he clicked the glove box open and peeked inside the mitten.
A spark of green light flew out and zipped around the interior of the car. A couple passes came uncomfortably close to his eyes. “Whoa, watch out! Look, coffee. I kept my promise.”
The spark stopped zipping and hovered over the cup like a tiny helicopter.
“Wait! Don’t dive in. There’s some cream in it, but it’s still very hot.” God, he’d hate to have to tell Estele he’d scalded her Fae. That would be bad. Damn, why hadn’t he thought to bring a saucer? Cupping his hand, he poured a trickle of coffee into his palm, making an impromptu Fae feeder. He blew on it. “Here you go. It’s safe to drink. Come and get your coffee.”
Why was he doing this? Today of all days, he had more important things to do than appease a cranky fairy. What it boiled down to was he’d been rude to Estele’s pet Fae and didn’t want the bad impression to linger. Estele was the sort of woman worth making the extra effort for. “I didn’t know how you like your coffee, so I mixed it sweet and light. I hope that’s okay, and if I came across as sort of gruff earlier, I want to apologize.”
Buzzzz. The sound was soft. Fae dove into the shallow puddle of coffee and splashed around like a happy robin washing in a birdbath.
Any residual hard feeling he might have been harboring against the Fae instantly faded. When engaged in playful behavior like this, the Fae was kind of cute.
“What’s your real name?” he whispered. “I heard you used to be a warrior queen. How did this happen? Now you’re just a tiny fleck?”
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