At least two floors and a great many walls were gone, creating a big cavernous space. The half open corridor where Persia and I lay was halfway up one wall of that space. Throughout, the damage had been roughly patched up, and any rubble had been cleared away. Just below me a giant ramp led to the right. The ramp, makeshift though sturdy, was made of wood, planks of plywood laid on thick pillars supported by crossbeams. I twisted my head to the side to follow its upward trajectory all the way to a giant hole in the ceiling through which I could see stars.
The roof, too, had been patched up with the hole having been chiseled into a regular rectangular shape. A metal frame, holding a wide pane of glass, had been attached to the outside of the hole. I had to shift my position and lean out further to get a view of the left hand side of the room. Two long tables forming a wide V-shape faced away from me, and sitting at the table were two dozen men and women in business wear. Even from just seeing their backs, I could sense their nervousness. Those who held onto their power in Lusteer by bowing to Duffy did not sit easily in their seats.
The rumble of noise came from Duffy’s fire shades, who moved freely about the room, chatting as though they were at a casual dinner party. Most of them wore the shapeless robes of shifters. I shuffled to my left until I could see the far end of the room.
And I saw him for the first time.
A swooning dizziness made me feel like I was going to sink through the floor. If I hadn’t already been lying down, I would have fallen over. I had seen him on the television; I had known for over a day that I would need to face him—still, I wasn’t prepared for seeing him in the flesh. My palm pushed downward as I steadied myself.
Even with his wings wrapped around his body, he was bigger than a double-decker bus. A sinuous long neck curled across his front, coming to rest on an oversized leg. His scales, yellow patterned with red, glittered like ruby gemstones embedded in gold, and through slitted eye sockets, his eyes glowed with an orange fire.
I felt as small as an insect.
What hope did I have against that?
Chapter 14
Thursday 20:15
Once I had recovered from the immediate shock, I noticed two other people I recognized standing close to the dragon. Dennis stood in the shadow of Duffy’s right shoulder. The boy had a grim expression on his face; he had never been one for smiling. On the other side of Duffy, in the corner, Fred Hanson held a microphone. Though I couldn’t hear what he was saying, he was clearly talking excitedly. The camera, however, was not aimed at either Duffy or Fred Hanson, but rather at a doorway. The reason for that became clear when the door opened and Mayor Maxwell walked in. He was alone.
WELCOME. A deep sonorous voice sounded inside my head. YOU HAVE COME TO ME AT LAST.
I glanced behind at Persia and could tell from the startled expression on her face that she, too, had heard the voice. For once, I wasn’t alone in hearing foreign thoughts inside my head.
“Does he know we are here?” Persia whispered, a tremble in her voice.
I shook my head. “Mayor Maxwell just entered, and Duffy is addressing him.”
I fondly remember a time when there was only one voice in my head, I thought.
Amen, brother, Jerome thought.
I fingered the barbed wire necklace. I meant my own thoughts, not yours.
How quickly you’ve become accustomed to trusting strange voices, Jerome thought.
Not now, I thought.
I returned my attention to what was happening below, watching as the mayor moved through groups of clustered shades. Slowly, grudgingly, they moved aside to allow him to pass. The dragon’s head rotated to follow Mayor Maxwell’s progress, but the mayor kept his gaze low, not acknowledging the stare of those fiery orange eyes. Persia’s shoulder touched mine as she crept closer to the edge. The mayor stopped when he reached the apex of the wide V formed by the two tables. All talk had died down. The mayor turned to look to one side, then the other. Those seated at the tables all studiously avoided his gaze.
KNEEL. Duffy’s thought filled the room.
Mayor Maxwell shook his head without looking up.
KNEEL. Duffy’s thought had an oppressive weight to it. It wasn’t even addressed at me, and I found myself wanting to obey. The mayor half stumbled, and, for a moment, appeared about to fall to his knees. Then he steadied and raised his chin to look directly at Duffy. “No,” he said.
A PLACE AT THE HEAD OF MY TABLE AWAITS YOU. BUT YOU KNOW THE PRICE.
“I cannot,” the mayor said.
ARE YOU SO PROUD? DO YOUR KNEES NOT BEND?
The mayor managed a chuckle; he was braver than I, braver than anyone else in the room. “It’s true that my joints have stiffened with old age.” He smiled. “But my knees bend as quick as the next man’s. And my personal pride, after many years in politics, has been bent so many times, it’s as malleable as soft clay.”
YOU BABBLE LIKE A POLITICIAN.
“Of course.” The mayor smiled again. “Babbling is our great art form. But to, for once, break ranks and actually come to a point—personally, I have no objection to kneeling to you; as the official representative of the city of Lusteer, however, I can not, will not kneel before an alien entity.”
WHY DID YOU COME SO?
“I came because I believed I must in the best interests of this city and its inhabitants. Not to offer fealty or pledge loyalty, but to request something.”
YOU OFFER NOTHING, AND YET EXPECT MY HELP. DO YOU KNOW ME SO LITTLE?
“I’m not sure I expect it.” He spread his arms out wide. “And yet, despite my fear, I came alone and in person. That will tell you how desperate I am.”
I THOUGHT YOU WERE GETTING TO THE POINT. The dragon’s head, which tended to sway from side to side to punctuate his thoughts now fell back to rest on one leg.
“I have had word from the national government,” the mayor said. “They have declared Lusteer to be in a state of war, and orders—the exact nature of them secret—have been given to retake the city.”
YOU THINK I FEAR THEM?
“No, of course not. But that’s not all,” the mayor said. “New laws have been enacted, which means that killing a shade within the environs of this city will not be considered a crime, but rather a service to the country.” The mayor turned his head to look at those behind him. “Under the new laws, not only will you no longer be considered humans to be protected, but you will be treated as vermin to be eradicated.”
One shade, a tall gangly man, leaped toward the mayor, transforming into a lion.
STOP.
The order froze the lion mid-leap. His legs turned limp, and he collapsed in a heap at the mayor’s feet.
Duffy arched his back until his massive head pointed at the mayor like a cobra about to strike. YOU DARE COME HERE TO THREATEN ME.
The mayor, his spine erect, didn’t take a backward step. He raised his voice. “These actions happened above me. Believe me, I hate these new laws. I consider them despicable, a disgrace to the country. They will tear this city apart. You might have nothing to fear, but your people will be in great danger. I fear that life for shades in Lusteer—and in the rest of the world—will never be the same.”
DON’T PRETEND TO CARE ABOUT US.
“I am a guardian of this city and all its inhabitants. There is only one way to prevent terrible bloodshed and a war that no one wants. I came to ask you to leave the city.”
YOU EXPECT ME TO JUST GET UP AND LEAVE. BECAUSE YOU ASKED NICELY.
I felt a sudden compulsion to laugh. A snicker left my mouth before I managed to stop myself. Beside me, Persia covered her mouth with a hand. The lion-shade who had transformed back into human form was giggling loudly, and many others around him, including those seated at the tables, were in hysterics. The only one whose shoulders were not shaking was the dragon himself. He was provoking the urge in others, not laughing himself.
The mayor, trying to answer, kept having to start again when laughter choked off his words. Fina
lly, he managed to compose himself. “I’ve talked to those who knew you before, and I know you were a tireless law enforcement officer who worked selflessly for the city.” He paused to wipe laughter tears from his eyes.
To my mind, the mayor was either misinformed or exaggerating in an effort to flatter the dragon. Connor Duffy as a policeman was never selfless. He was someone who put himself first, second and third.
FOR ALL MY TOIL AS A POLICEMAN, MY ONLY REWARD WAS SCRAPS FROM THE TABLE OF THOSE WHO HELD REAL POWER.
“You returned here because you love the city,” the mayor said. “I understand that. Outsiders often don’t understand the appeal, but those of us who have lived here know how this city can get under our skin and become a part of us. However, due to outside forces, your presence here will harm Lusteer.” The mayor stretched out an arm. “I plead with you, for the love you bear the city, leave it, tonight. In return, I promise to have those laws revoked.”
THIS IS MY HOME.
“It’s all our homes. That’s why—”
NO. THIS IS NOW MY HOME. EVERYONE ELSE STAYS AT MY PLEASURE.
Duffy’s gaze shifted toward Dennis, and the boy stepped forward. Though only thirteen years old, Dennis not only admitted to sadist impulses, but boasted of them. He continued to look grim, but a jauntiness in his step spoke of bad things coming for Mayor Maxwell.
AND YOU DON’T GET TO LEAVE HERE WITHOUT KNEELING TO ME.
The mayor's gaze flickered from side to side, and for the first time a note of fear entered his voice. “Walker and his Sentinel Order are behind this move. They are your true enemy, not me. I am only useful if I retain my autonomy.”
“Are you watching all of this, Jo?” I whispered.
“Undoubtedly, the whole city is. It’s live on LNN,” Jo said. “Fred Hanson explained how Duffy communicates telepathically and is relating his thoughts for those of us not in the room.”
Dennis stretched out an arm, and a small circle of fire blinked into existence, encircling the mayor’s still outstretched forearm. “Don’t move a muscle,” Dennis said.
The mayor’s forearm quivered and he screamed.
Dennis stepped closer. “You did that to yourself. I warned you to remain still.”
I pushed myself off my belly and onto my knees, then I stood, scanning the room looking for any indication that someone would make a move to stop the mayor’s torture.
Persia grabbed my pant leg. “Get down,” she whispered urgently.
I was in no danger of being spotted, though, with everyone’s attention on the mayor and the burning ring of fire around his arm. I didn’t know the mayor that well, but, in my experience, he always did the right thing when it mattered most, the opposite of most politicians, and my respect for him had multiplied in the last few minutes. He didn’t deserve whatever Dennis had planned for him.
“We should make our move now,” I said, no longer whispering.
“We can’t,” Sulle said. “Not yet. I need more time.”
Sweat dripped down the mayor’s face. His features were contorted in pain, and a black scorch mark showed where the flames had already touched his skin. His arm trembled. He wouldn’t be able to remain still much longer.
“There’s no more time.” I jumped, landing on one knee by the base of the ramp. The closest shades scattered back out of my way.
“You idiot,” Sulle said through the earpiece. “The helicopter hasn’t even lifted off yet. Drawing Duffy onto the roof now would be useless. Worse than useless, even, since it would give away our plan.”
Duffy turned his yellow eyes my way. His mouth opened, displaying a row of white fangs—it was the ugliness smile I’d ever seen.
“I hope you have a plan, Rune,” Jo said.
I wished I had a plan. “Beelzebub,” I said.
Chapter 15
Thursday 20:40
RUNE RUSSELL. I KNEW I WOULD MEET YOU AT SOME STAGE, THOUGH I DIDN’T EXPECT YOU TO ARRIVE SO UNEXPECTEDLY. Duffy’s head tilted toward Mayor Maxwell. SO YOU DIDN’T COME ALONE. WHAT THOUGH DID YOU THINK A SINGLE FIRE SENTINEL COULD DO AGAINST ME?
“I didn’t bring him,” the mayor said though clenched teeth, his arm still outstretched. Underneath the ring of fire, the blackness stretched outward.
“I came alone. Put your torturer on hold so we can talk,” I said, trying not to sound as foolish as I felt. Was this another of my idiot mistakes? I’d wallowed in regret about how I’d caused the Searing, gotten Pete involved over his head, killed Sash, yet here I was, acting rashly once again, not listening to any objections. But what had been the alternative? I couldn’t just watch Dennis burn the mayor’s arm off.
The fire disappeared. The mayor collapsed to the ground, cradling his arm to his body. “Thank God,” he gasped.
I DIDN’T GIVE THAT ORDER. Duffy’s attention now shifted toward Dennis.
“I anticipated your instructions, my glorious and shiny leader,” Dennis said.
YOUR INSOLENCE IS OCCASIONALLY AMUSING. BUT DON’T PUSH IT. As Duffy’s body stirred, his scales twinkled with reflected light, red and yellow sparks that flowed across him,
“I can only be myself. I’m willing to accept the consequences of wherever that leads.” Dennis bowed his head in Duffy’s direction. “If it comes to it, I will consider dying by your hand to be a great and wonderful honor.”
Duffy turned his attention back on me. I CAN’T HELP BUT ADMIRE THE BOY’S INSANITY. CRAZY THROUGH AND THROUGH. WHY DID YOU CALL ME BEELZEBUB?
“He was one of the seven princes of hell, also known as the Lord of the Flyers. It seemed appropriate.” It had simply been an exclamation, but I needed to delay Duffy until Sulle’s helicopter was ready.
ONE OF THE PRINCES OF HELL? I THINK I PREFER THAT TO MY HUMAN NAME. FROM NOW ON NO ONE WILL CALL ME BY THE POLICEMAN’S NAME.
“Yes, Beelzebub,” a chorus of voices said all around me, I had to resist the urge to chant along with everyone else.
“You want to name yourself after a demon.” I glanced over at Fred Hanson who continued to narrate events in front of the camera; we were still on live TV. “Shouldn’t you check with your P.R. department first? Maybe Satan is still available?”
BEELZEBUB WORKS FINE. YOU THINK I FEAR BEING BRANDED AS EVIL? NO! GOOD VERSUS EVIL IS FOR STORYBOOKS; POWER IS ALL THAT MATTERS.
“That’s not true.”
ASK THOSE SITTING BEFORE ME. Duffy—I wasn’t going to think of him as Beelzebub, regardless of what he wanted—nodded his head toward those of Lusteer’s elite at the tables. THE GREAT AND POWERFUL OF THE CITY OF LUSTEER ALL COME TO SIT AT MY FEET. WHEN I WAS A POLICEMAN, A LOYAL SERVANT OF THE CITY, NONE OF THEM WOULD GIVE ME THE TIME OF DAY. NOW EACH OF THEM IS WILLING TO HAIL ME, BEELZEBUB, AS THEIR GOD. I THOUGHT I UNDERSTOOD SOMETHING OF HOW PLIABLE HUMAN VALUES ARE, BUT EVEN I WAS SURPRISED AT HOW QUICKLY THE DOGS CAME TO HEEL.
“Not everyone. Not Mayor Maxwell, for instance,” I said, though, at that moment, the mayor wasn’t exactly a poster child for strength. He sat huddled on the floor, clutching his arm to his body, staring at Duffy with wide eyes.
YOU HAVE GROWN A LITTLE SINCE WE LAST MET, RUNE RUSSELL, LAST OF THE FIRE SENTINELS. Duffy head turned to look into the camera, his neck twisting sinuously. THE YOUNG SENTINEL WAS PARTY TO MY BIRTH. IT WAS HE WHO FORCED THREE ELEMENTALS INSIDE ME. AT FIRST, I WAS FILLED WITH HATRED AT WHAT HE HAD DONE. THEN I LOST ALL CONCEPT OF THOUGHT AND TIME AS THE ELEMENTALS FOUGHT EACH OTHER WITH MY BODY AS THEIR BATTLEGROUND. AFTERWARD THOUGH, WHEN I BECAME BEELZEBUB, I NO LONGER HATED RUNE RUSSELL. INSTEAD, I BECAME GRATEFUL. The dragon’s head almost touched the ceiling three stories up as his forelegs straightened. His back tilted, then straightened again as he pushed upward with his back legs. Standing instead of lying—and looking twice as big because of it—the dragon turned his head to face me once more. YOU HAVE GROWN, RUNE RUSSELL, BUT NOT LIKE I HAVE.
“Growing…” I stopped speaking, realizing my voice had become a squeak. I swallowed and tried again. “Growing up isn’t just
about bulk,” I said, putting as much forcefulness as I could summon into my voice; it was no time to be afraid.
Now is the perfect time to be afraid, Jerome thought. Also a good time for escape plans. And a bad time to be practicing your schoolboy insults.
Not now, Jerome.
Often I’ve found it funny to be carried along for a ride by an idiot. There are times, though, that I wish that my existence relied on more sensible decision making. I guess one can dream.
Not now. “Where it matters, you haven’t grown at all,” I continued. “Rather, you’ve regressed to a dumb one-note villain. Kneel before Be Zr Bub. Ha!”
Duffy puffed smoke from his nostrils. THOSE WHO ARE SMALL CLAIM SIZE ISN’T IMPORTANT. THOSE WHO ARE POWERLESS PRETEND POWER DOESN’T MATTER. THOSE WHO ARE WEAK CRY OUT THAT STRENGTH DOESN’T DEFINE THEM.
“And those who are full of shit are always trying to spew their shit onto others.”
SAME OLD RUNE RUSSELL, NEVER KNOWING WHEN TO KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT. Laughter bubbled up around him, and I had to suppress my own urge to laugh.
“Telepathic tricks is all you really have,” I said. “This whole show is a sham. A lie to impress those watching on TV.”
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, MY FOLLOWING IS GROWING. PEOPLE ONLY FEEL SAFE WHEN THEY ARE PART OF A STRONG PACK, AND THEY ARE MOST CONTENT WHEN LED BY AN ALPHA THEY RESPECT AND WHO OTHERS FEAR.
I glanced back up at the giant window and the stars beyond, then leaned my chin against my chest so I could mutter in a low voice and still be understood via the radio. “Sulle. Tell me the helicopter is overhead.”
“Of course not,” Sulle said. “Weren’t you listening? It’s not in the air yet.”
So much for my delaying tactics.
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