by A. Blythe
“You think Lily is the mastermind?” Greer asked.
“No, the catalyst. A picture of her would be helpful, too.”
Greer went straight back to his screen. “I’ll see what I can find.” He addressed the assembled crowd once more. “There are no known Ghuls in the group, so we’re dealing with the most sentient of djinn. Three Marida, five Janns, four Hinns, eight Ifrits, and two Shaitans.”
“And a partridge in a pear tree?” someone called.
“Why the zoo?” Reed asked.
“I think they might have gotten the idea from Pinky’s recent memories,” I said. Katrien likely went digging around in there to get information about the ring. “It would be an easy place for them to set up a perimeter and lay traps. They assume I’ll ignore their warning and not come alone and no one other than us is likely to stumble into their traps in the middle of the night.”
“Where are they most likely to hold Pinky?” Greer asked.
Mix summoned a map of the zoo and spread it across the conference table.
“Can you summon a projector?” I asked. “It would be easier if we could show it on the screen for everyone.”
“No need,” Reed said, and gestured to one of his people. She opened the closet door behind her and retrieved a projector.
“You’re so old-fashioned,” I said.
“It works just the same,” Reed replied.
Together, we studied the layout of the zoo.
“What about the lion’s den?” one of the Protectors asked. I was pretty sure his name was Rick. “What if they set up some kind of evil villain scenario where she gets dropped down like a juicy steak unless you hand over the ring?”
“Firstly, if you’ve ever seen the lions at this zoo, you’d know what a ridiculous statement that is,” I said. “These are the laziest lions you’ve ever seen in your life. In all the years I’ve been to see them, I don’t think they’ve ever once bothered to get up and walk around. Unless they delivered the steak on a china plate cut up in small, chewable pieces and set it right in front of them at meal time, they wouldn’t lift their chins off the ground.”
“Thank you for your suggestion, Rick,” Reed said kindly.
“What about the aviary?” another Protector asked. “She’d essentially be locked in a large cage.”
I snapped my fingers. “Bird Lake,” I announced, rising to my feet and tapping on the screen. “That’s where she’ll be. There’s a small island in the middle, see? A natural barrier. It’s almost smack dab in the middle of the zoo, too. That’s where I’d keep her.”
Greer nodded in agreement. “I’d double down on that.”
“So what kind of traps will they use?” Reed asked.
I examined the map more closely. “They’re probably expecting a few djinn and the Reeds. That’s it.”
“And they know about your cuffs,” Reed said.
“But they’ve also seen firsthand I’m not easy to disarm.”
“I have a question,” Greer said. “They’re djinn. If they think you have the ring, what would keep you from using it to control them? You could march in, use the ring to control them, take Pinky back and leave with the ring.”
“She doesn’t think I would wear the ring,” I said. “She suspects I’ll try to find another way to keep her from getting it.”
“Why?” Greer asked. One of the most common questions asked by an analyst, following who, what, where and how.
“Because of the power it holds. We talked a little about my views on absolute power and corruption.” I hesitated, not wanting to admit too much personal information in front of strangers. “She also knows I wouldn’t trust anyone else to wear it, for fear of the ring’s power overwhelming them.”
“She knows you won’t risk your friends’ souls,” Reed murmured.
“Make no mistake,” I said, loudly enough for everyone to hear. “Solomon’s ring is a source of great power. It’s been the cause of many deaths over the centuries and I have no doubt we’ll add a few more to the tally tomorrow night.” Hopefully all on the side of Nightshade. “Katrien is cunning. She’s played on my weaknesses from the moment she arrived.” And she was continuing the streak by kidnapping my protégé.
“What about Pinky?” Reed asked. “What have they done to keep her from doing magic?”
“I don’t know.” My guess was that they couldn’t cut off her magic completely—she wasn’t vulnerable to copper or iron like djinn—so they likely kept her unconscious as much as possible. I didn’t want to say the words aloud though. It sounded awful enough in my head. The thought of Pinky, limp and vulnerable, made me want to inflict horrible pain on each and every member of Nightshade. It was yet one more reason I didn’t want to wear the ring. Not when I felt so much anger and hatred. I knew what I was capable of—I’d take vigilante justice to a whole new level and I’d have a power hangover full of regret the next morning.
“So what are you going to do?” Greer asked.
I drew in a deep breath. “I’m going to build an army without the ring,” I said. “It’s time to show Katrien what true power looks like.”
My plan didn’t end with the involvement of the Protectorate. I knew I had to enlist the aid of the Enclave as well. Oscar’s feelings aside, Pinky was one of theirs and they would be up in arms if I failed to involve them. If nothing else, it made them look bad. One of their young mages had been kidnapped on their own turf and they weren’t even aware until I delivered the bad news.
Given the late hour, I met Oscar at The Night Owl. He arrived in flat-fronted brown trousers with a burgundy V-neck sweater. The color suited his dark hair and complexion. He managed to look as pulled together as if we were meeting at noon. I secretly wondered if the handkerchief in his pocket matched his outfit. My money was on a plaid burgundy and gold pattern.
He sat down across from me and I slid a pint of beer across the table.
“What’s this for?” he asked, raising the glass to his lips.
“Trust me. You’ll be happy I had it ready for you.” I waited until he’d taken a few sips before beginning. “I need your help with something.”
“Is this about the bank robbers?” he asked. “Was the list I sent you of any use?”
I summoned my strength. “Pinky’s been kidnapped by the woman who put the spell on the bank robbers.”
His eyes bulged. “What?”
“She’s a Marid called Katrien,” I said, and updated him on everything that had passed between our last meeting and now. “So we’re meeting at the zoo tomorrow at midnight to conduct the exchange.”
“The zoo again?” he queried.
I rolled my eyes. “Listen, I didn’t choose the location. I hate driving on the Schuylkill Expressway at any time of day or night.” That much was true.
“And you’re sure Pinky is…” He groped for words. “You’re sure she’s alive?”
I nodded. “I’m going to need a few of your people to help us get her out.”
“I’ll bring the whole damn Enclave.” He banged his fist on the table in a rare display of displeasure.
I waited a moment for his anger to ebb before continuing. “I don’t need all of them. In fact, too many would do more harm than good.” It would end up with too many chefs in the kitchen and too much magic flying around. I didn’t have time to train everyone for a multi-supernatural battle. It would prove challenging enough with the group I already planned to assemble.
Oscar leaned forward and looked at me intently. “Tell me what you need and I’ll do it.”
I ticked off the requests on my fingers. “I want you, Melania, and Rose. That’s it.”
“Rose?” he queried. “Why her?”
“Because she’s like everyone’s favorite grandmother.”
“But djinn don’t have grandmothers,” Oscar pointed out.
“Humor me, Oscar. She’s experienced and she has a wonderful, unassuming way of putting people in their place. She’s a gentle soul. That’s what I’m looking fo
r.”
“Done.” Oscar took a long swig of beer. It was a good thing alcohol was in steady supply this evening.
“What about Prince Simdan?” Oscar asked. “Has he been informed? Katrien is a member of your caste, after all. While she’s in this colony, she is his responsibility.”
“I’m not involving the prince,” I said firmly.
Oscar studied me. “Because of the ring.”
“He can’t know it’s in his colony.” Gods knew what he would do with such power. I lowered my voice. “I understand your reasoning, but Prince Simdan cannot be taken to task for this. I took in Katrien. She is my responsibility.”
“You have the full support of the Enclave,” he said. “What time do you need us and where?”
15
Farah woke me in the morning after a few hours of fitful sleep. She’d sent Luciano home under the guise of showering and changing, but I knew she was giving me space to plan for tonight. She even cooked breakfast for me. Scrambled eggs and bacon. After the first bite, I inhaled the eggs in less than a minute. I was more ravenous than I realized.
Farah joined me at the table with a cup of coffee. “I hate to ask, but are we including Flynn in tonight’s activities?”
“I think he would be hurt if we didn’t,” I replied. “He spends a lot of time with Pinky because of our training. They have a certain niece/creepy uncle relationship.”
“Do you think having him within grabbing distance of the ring is a good idea?”
“I don’t like the idea of anyone being too close to the ring,” I said. “Not you, not me. Not even Rose.”
Farah lit up. “Rose is coming?”
“I asked Oscar to include her. She has a soothing quality I think we might need for all those savage beasts.”
Farah looked thoughtful. “She really does have a soothing quality, doesn’t she?” She snagged a strip of bacon off my plate and crunched. “How are you going to convince Serena to give you the ring instead of handing it over herself? I mean, she’s as big a control freak as you are.”
“Hey,” I said, and smacked her hand away as she reached for more bacon. “If I can’t get the ring from her beforehand, then I’ll just need to convince Katrien that I have it before Serena arrives.”
“And then grab it from Serena before she can give it to Nightshade?”
“There’s a reason I’m enlisting the aid of so many groups,” I said. “And they’re not all for Nightshade.”
Farah laughed. “Serena’s one woman. Granted, she’s got more money than the gods, but she’s hardly a threat.”
“Hell hath no fury like a mother whose beloved daughter has been kidnapped,” I said. “Believe me, Serena will require more than a speech about the greater good.”
“So how do you intend to fool Katrien with a false ring?” she asked.
“Well, it’s a good thing Mr. Herman trusts me with his jewelry.”
“You’re going to have a mage glamour a regular ring?”
I pointed at her. “Bingo. It will at least get me into the zoo and within striking distance of Pinky.”
“Where do you want me?”
“I’ll need your fox form,” I said.
She nearly choked on her coffee. “For a battle with twenty-two djinn? Are you kidding?”
“You’ll understand when you hear my plan.”
I made the mistake of speaking to Flynn in front of Tessa. They’d apparently been on shaky ground since his rejection of the engagement idea. She was home, and I didn’t have the luxury of choosing a more appropriate time to visit.
“Flynn, this sounds dangerous,” she said, her fingers kneading his arm. “Why don’t you leave this to the professionals?”
“Professional what?” he asked.
“The Supernatural Justice League, or whatever it’s called,” she snapped.
I bit back a smile. Now was not the time to ruffle feathers.
“Pinky’s a friend,” Flynn said. “I want to help.”
“Are you sure it’s this Pinky you really want to help?” Tessa asked pointedly. “I mean, we both know the real reason you won’t marry me.”
I waved at her. “I’m still here, Tessa.”
“Unfortunately,” she shot back and stomped out of the room.
“I’m sorry, Flynn.” I was. I hated being a source of tension in their relationship. I was like the mother-in-law she couldn’t get rid of.
“Don’t worry about her,” Flynn said. “We’ll be fine. What’s Captain Care Bear’s role in all this?”
“Don’t worry about him,” I replied, echoing his statement. I unfolded a map of the zoo and set it on the table. “This is what I need you to do.”
At eleven o’clock, Dumbledore’s army gathered at the warehouse. The Protectors’ famous swords were tucked safely in their leather scabbards. I touched my pocket where the fake ring of Solomon was nestled in a tissue. It wasn’t easy to convince Mr. Moyes to let me back in the vault, but he had no legitimate reason to stop me. Fingers crossed that nothing happened to Mr. Herman’s ring. I suppose I could have used any ring, but I needed the ring to look impressive. The more powerful djinn would see through the physical glamour. Our odds of fooling them improved greatly, however, by adding an emotional glamour. Oscar’s clever mixture of spells meant that the ring vibrated with power. Nightshade wouldn’t even need to see it in order to sense its greatness and that was exactly what I needed.
Once all relevant parties arrived, we opened up the makeshift armory for inspection. Greer was tasked with keeping a list of which weapon was given to which person. Farah’s generosity understandably had its limits.
“But we have our swords,” Rick protested. “Why do we need anything else?”
I stood in front of him, arms crossed. “How many djinn have you fought?”
Rick puffed out his chest. “About thirty.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “At once?”
His gaze lowered. “No, of course not.”
“Then, trust me, you need this.” I thrust the recently sharpened katana into his hands. “If one of them manages to disarm you, you’ll need backup. Think of them as djinn supremacists. They see your kind as inferior and won’t hesitate to cut you down, no matter how pretty you are.” And with those long, dark eyelashes, Rick was pretty.
I noticed Rose admiring a set of copper crescent blades. “Will I need a weapon?”
“Of a sort,” I said.
Her pale brow lifted. “Really?”
I placed an arm around her shoulders. “Your job tonight is probably the most critical.”
When I revealed my plan, she pressed her lips together in contemplative silence. “Wouldn’t we be better off with a djinni doing my job?” she finally asked.
I shook my head. “Believe me, Rose, you’re our best shot.” She had exactly the right skill level and the right temperament.
“So what’s my weapon of choice then?” she asked.
I took a subcompact semiautomatic pistol from one of my concealed holsters. “This is for you.”
Rose examined the weapon. “Isn’t this more for close range?”
“Yes, it is. Do you need me to show you how to use it?”
“No, Rocco trained me ages ago. He wanted me to be able to defend myself without magic.”
I felt a pang of guilt. Pinky had wanted that too, but I’d insisted on training her my way. Maybe she wouldn’t be a political pawn right now if I’d shown her how to use a djinn-ready handgun.
“Listen up,” I yelled over the din of the crowd. “If you don’t know how to use any of these weapons, Captain Reed or I will be happy to advise you. Now is not the time to pretend you know more than you actually do.”
Greer raised his hand. “And I can help. I know how to use most of them.”
Of course he did. “For an analyst, you sure seem to know a lot about things you have no reason to know about.”
He shrugged. “I like to read.”
“About weapons?”
&n
bsp; “Passes the time.” He handed a crossbow to one of the Protectors. “The bolts are a blend of copper and cold iron, so make sure you’re hitting members of Nightshade and not one of ours.”
“How will I know which djinn are on our side?” the Protector asked. A reasonable question.
“If they’re trying to kill you,” I replied, “then they’re not on our side.” That was the best I could offer. Djinn could take all sorts of shapes and forms. If Katrien wanted to make herself in my human image, I couldn’t stop her.
“What about me?” Luciano asked. “I usually carry a Glock, but I’m open to trying something new.”
Now why didn’t that surprise me?
Reed rummaged through the pile of weapons and handed one to him. Luciano blinked at the so-called weapon in his hand.
“A flashlight? What do you expect me to do—blind them to death?” He chuckled at his own joke.
“If that would help,” Reed said. “Or you could try this.” He whipped the flashlight from Luciano’s hand and pressed it against him.
“Don’t!” I yelled. I needed Luciano upright.
Luciano stared at the flashlight and then at Reed. “It’s a stun gun.”
“Not just a stun gun,” I said. “This baby is designed for dealing with supernaturals. It gives off a vibration powerful enough to inflict pain on a shifting djinni.”
“So even if your opponent has shifted to mist, you might still be able to take him down,” Greer added.
Luciano broke into a wide smile. He nodded casually and hooked the stun gun through his belt loop. “This rocks. I hope I get to play with it.”
“I really hope you don’t,” I said. If a djinni managed to get close enough to Luciano that he needed to draw a weapon, then that meant the entire plan was in jeopardy.
Once the weapons were sorted, I called for attention.
“Protectors, I know you’re not all as talented as your captain, but, for those of you with fire abilities, we do ask that you please refrain from burning down the zoo.”