by Jack J. Lee
I nodded my head. “I’m planning on strapping it to my left forearm, under my jacket. It’s well hidden as is. I’m not sure it can be improved on, but if you have ideas, let me know.”
I pulled out my last trick. It looked like the letter H and it was made out of two inch long, half inch diameter, stainless steel tubing. I gripped the vertical parts of the H so the horizontal part projected out between my middle and ring fingers, twisted one hundred and eighty degrees and pulled the two pieces apart to reveal two feet of the thinnest gauge piano wire made. “A human hair is .004 inches in diameter. The wire between these two handles is .006 inches in diameter and has a tensile strength of a little over three hundred pounds. This garrote will easily cut through arms and necks. I need an easy, quick way to access this weapon in a fight. It’d be helpful if you could increase how well the wire cuts and increase the breaking strength.”
Tim asked, “Did you have the wire specially made? How could you get it so thin and strong without magic?”
I grinned. “It’s standard piano wire. The average grand piano is strung with two hundred and fifty pounds of tension. It’s made out of high carbon spring steel through a process called cold drawing. The only downside of using piano wire is that any moisture—even just the touch of a finger—will cause the wire to rust. I have to replace the wire every time I use it. What can you guys get done in the next few hours?”
Aidan was in his designing mode. I couldn’t tell if he’d even heard my last question. He carefully studied the Taser in his hands murmuring, “This weapon can be used from a distance and also as a contact weapon.”
I explained, “It can be used once as a distance weapon before it needs to be reloaded and multiple times as a contact weapon.”
My armorer absent mindedly tugged at his hair and thought out loud. “Most electronic devices don’t take up much room.” Tools flickered in and out of his hands so quickly it was difficult to see what he was doing. Within seconds, he’d disassembled the Taser. He smiled. “Just as I thought, the working parts of this Taser are small enough to fit inside your jacket sleeve. We can make a bang stick for each forearm and attach the working parts of the Taser next to the shotgun barrel.” He looked up at me. “What do you think about attaching the garrote to the tip of the bang stick, just at the edge of your sleeve? Say the magic trigger and a two foot wire will appear between the two bang sticks. You’d lose the ability to manipulate the garrote with your fingers, but it would be much easier to build this way.”
“That’ll work. How fast can you get all the work done?”
“No more than two hours.”
It was now my turn to be shocked. I’d expected him to get one or two of my requests done in time, not all of them. “How is that possible? How could you get all that done so fast?”
It had been awhile since Aidan looked so happy. “Every weaponsmith has a need for thin strong wire and metal tubes. I never travel anywhere without basic tools and supplies. I have mithril tubes that should work as barrels for your bang sticks.” He grinned. “My boy, you may be a great paladin but you have a ways to go before you become a good armorer. I can make you a much better bang stick than the one you made yourself. It’s just a matter of capping one end of a metal tube, making a pressure activated firing pin, and then attaching it to a forearm brace that can handle the recoil of a 12 gauge shotgun shell. The forearm brace will actually take the longest to make.
“I have a small spool of platinum alloy wire in my tool box. It is .001 inches in diameter. I don’t know the breaking strength of the wire because I’ve never had one break before. It has to be over a thousand pounds. I’ve always looked at the wire’s ability to cut as a problem—a necessary danger worth tolerating when fabricating because it was so useful.” He shook his head. “I would never have thought of using it as a weapon. It doesn’t take much power to attach the wire to the two mithril tubes. I’ll weld a platinum ring around the tubes and run the wire between the rings. I’ll then sever the end of the wire that’s attached to one ring, and use the principle of contagion to cause the wire to instantaneously reattach itself when you utter the trigger word. You will just have to make sure there’s nothing but air between the two platinum rings. Every time you say the trigger word, you’ll have to expend energy but it won’t be much because you’ll only be moving and attaching a miniscule amount of metal.
Aidan started speaking faster. I got the impression he was impatient to get working on the weapon modifications. “As for the Tasers, it’s just a matter of removing them from their casings and adding a magical trigger. I recommend attaching your pepper spray to your helmet. We’ll keep the canisters inside the helmet above and to the right of your eyes, with a small nozzle pointing in the direction you’re facing.”
Tim broke in, “Just in case you’re wondering, mithril is the traditional name for titanium—you know, silver-gray metal, lighter than steel, and almost as strong. If you’re willing to spend a little time to magically increase the number of delocalized valence shell electrons between titanium molecules, you end up with metal that won’t corrode, and is stronger and more resilient than steel. Increasing a metal’s strength is easy; it’s just a matter of reinforcing intermolecular forces in the metal. A little bit of energy in exactly the right place goes a long way. We use platinum for thin wires because it doesn’t corrode and it’s almost as malleable as gold. Simple jeweler’s tools are all that’s needed to shape it. We can’t use gold even though it costs less than platinum and is just as malleable because…”
Aidan impatiently put his hand back on Tim’s shoulder. “At another time and place, I’m sure Victor would be interested, but it’s not now. We need to start working.”
They turned toward their luggage. “Wait. I have one last question. My energy levels are depleted. I need to get them as high as possible before I fight the Jotunn. Tim, you said before there are techniques that can be used to restore my soul.”
He shrugged, “It should be fairly simple if Mina is your true love. Is she?”
I hadn’t expected that question. I had to think before I could answer, “Yes, why do you ask?”
“It’s clear she has power and if she’s your true love, you trust her. Ask her to lend you her power. If she says yes, you’re good.”
“That’s it—no magic spell or ceremony?”
“She has to say yes and mean it and then touch you. When power is transferred between two lovers, it’s tradition to use a kiss.”
Chapter 20: Soulmates
So, how do you ask a girl you haven’t even had a first date with yet to fill up your soul? By accident, I became a Zen Master; my mind was a complete blank.
I must have been desperate because the first conscious thought I had was I needed to clean up the mess I’d made. My life was at risk and my first thought was to clean the floor. There wasn’t much vomit; just a few runny, sour smelling remnants of the candy bars I’d eaten earlier. By the time I was aware of what I was doing, I was already in the bathroom. Since I was already there, I gathered up a handful of paper towels, got to my mess and wiped it up. I had to go back to the bathroom to find a waste basket.
I grabbed my bag on the way back. I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and gargled out the taste of vomit from my mouth. I was going to ask Mina to share her soul with me. The least I could do was to not smell like upchuck. Changing my shirt and washing my hands gave me a little more time to think.
I stepped out of the bathroom and faced Mina. She stood in a cluster with her brother and sister, quietly talking. Andi didn’t look as upset as she had earlier. She was no longer clinging to her sister. They weren’t laughing, and they certainly didn’t look like they were having fun, but there was a comfort level in their voices and body language that hadn’t been there a few moments ago.
I studied Mina carefully and captured an image of her I could use as a healing template. It didn’t take long. I did the same for her brother and sister. I took a deep breath and walked toward them.<
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“Mina, can I talk to you?”
She quickly glanced at Andi who heroically faked a smile and motioned to her older sister to go with me. Mina hesitated and then said, “Sure.”
When we got to the half way point between her family and Tim and Aidan, I stopped and got out of the way so she could sit in the pew. I sat down next to her and met her eyes. The silence between us was growing uncomfortable when I began to speak, “I talked to Paladin Samson again. He’s coming to help us.”
She patiently waited for me to continue.
“I’m going to focus the Jotunn’s attention on me, just outside the Church, while the rest of you stay inside until Samson and the Boise Brotherhood…” I stopped talking when she put up her hand. She put her head down. I heard her subvocalize, “Oh Saint Jude Thaddeus, Patron Saint of Lost Causes, pray for me.” There went my hopes of hearing something interesting.
Her head snapped up. For someone who was praying, she looked pissed. “I swear to God and all that’s holy, Victor, it’s a good thing you have looks because you certainly don’t have smarts. WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?”
I’d seen Mina’s grit before, but I kept underestimating her. I was reminded of a scene from The Holy Grail; a cute, fluffy bunny bites off a knight’s head. Mina was at least as cute as the rabbit and to be honest, she was almost as frightening. I was barely able to keep a burst of laughter from escaping at the thought of ‘Mina the Killer Rabbit’. From her furious expression, she picked up on it. I was in trouble.
“I can’t believe you find this funny. You’re the most arrogant ass I’ve ever met. All day, I’ve put up with you telling me what to do, not answering my most basic of questions, and barely allowing me to get a word in edgewise. Well, Mr. Uncommunicative, I’ve HAD IT!”
I’ve never really cared about anyone before. The only real friend I have is Drew. We grew up together. It’s easier for kids to become close. We remain friends because he’s as much of a loner as I am, and we find each other useful. Women have yelled at me before but, I’d never actually cared enough to ever listen.
I was strangely comforted by Mina’s passion.
“First, you give me the best kisses of my life that I can’t even begin to describe, then with no other explanation but to trust you—off you go. I don’t even know you! Yet for some reason—heaven knows why—I’ve trusted you to do the right thing. I know we’re in a lot of trouble but you’ve been ordering us around today like we’re children, and I am SICK of your attitude!” Mina called me arrogant and uncommunicative. She figuratively disemboweled me by listing every negative trait I had. Everything she said was true.
I remember the first time I came across the concept of a soulmate. I was in juvie and had just turned fourteen. The only book in the small library that I hadn’t read before was Plato’s Symposium. According to Plato, humans originally had four arms, four legs, and two faces, but the gods became jealous and split humans in half, condemning us to a life-long search for our missing halves. I’d already pretty much decided Plato was a twit. His vision of utopia—government run by philosopher kings, otherwise known as ancient Greek nerds, was a gut buster. Until then, I couldn’t decide if he was deliberately being funny, or not. His description of soulmates sealed the deal. I haven’t read Plato since.
Now the joke was on me. I was being yelled at by my soulmate. A week ago, I would have sworn there was no such thing as a soul, that our consciousness was a product of a series of chemical reactions in our brains. I knew now souls and soulmates existed. I wondered if Aidan or B could tell me how souls communicated. I didn’t know how I knew it, but I was sure Mina really loved me.
I had always wondered what it was like to have a family. I guessed this was what loving families did—get angry and yell at each other. Naturally, thoughts about Mina and me being a family drifted into a daydream involving make-up sex. Jesus! I hoped my soulmate connection with her wouldn’t let her pick up what I was thinking. The adrenalin rush from my last thought helped me focus on what Mina was saying.
“You, Aidan, and Tim were asleep for hours. When we woke you, it took minutes for all of you to become coherent. If anything had happened while you were sleeping, the only thing I could’ve done would’ve been to try to wake you. If there had been an emergency; if the Jotunn had attacked, it would have been a disaster. You’ve been acting like I’m useless. I damn well deserve better, and I’m not going to take it anymore.”
I broke in just as Mina took a deep breath. “You’re right.”
“I can’t believe…” It took a moment for my words to register. I saw confusion change into pleasure, and then suspicion. Her eyes narrowed and got hard. I could see her wondering if I was trying to play her. “Right about what?”
“Everything. You’re right—I’ve made mistakes. I should have told you more before we left Salt Lake City. If I could do it all over again, I would’ve brought weapons for you and Ben. In the right circumstances even Andi could be an asset, as long as her angel doesn’t tell her to shoot me.” I grinned when Mina gave a snort of laughter and hurriedly covered her mouth, “Next time, I won’t make the mistake of counting you out.”
Mina was the type that blew up fast and cooled down faster. There was every reason for her to be as reluctant to trust me as I had been to trust her, but she had more courage than me. I could see it in her eyes; she believed me. “Victor, all of our lives are at risk. I deserve to know what’s going on and to have a say in what we do. I’m a valuable resource. You can depend on me.”
My grin got larger. It made sense that my soulmate would have an ego large enough to match mine. “You’re right. I don’t have the right to make life and death decisions for you and your family without your input. I should have kept you in the loop. I’ll try my best from now on to keep you informed.” Her posture softened. She took my hand entwining it with hers, and gave me the wide smile I was coming to recognize as my reward for pleasing her. I liked it when she touched me. “Okay then, can I ask you a question now?”
Her eyes were brilliant as she nodded.
“My kisses are the best you’ve ever had?” She laughed and threw her free fist at my shoulder. To my surprise, I didn’t block her punch. Even my subconscious trusted her.
I wanted this moment to last forever—to keep feeling the connection I’d made with Mina, but sundown was coming fast. I needed to focus on the Jotunn.
I couldn’t order her to support me like I did with Aidan. I needed to convince her. “Let’s accept I’ve made mistakes. Unfortunately, because of those mistakes our options are limited. With enough time to train, all of you guys could be really effective, but we don’t have time. I have weapons. I have the most training and experience. It only makes sense that I keep the Jotunn occupied until help arrives.”
“So, I cower in the corner while you heroically defend me?”
I pulled her in close as she mock struggled to get away. “We both know you don’t cower. Let’s be honest—in a fight, without training or weapons, you, Andi, and Ben are liabilities. I’m not the suicidal type. The Boise cavalry will come; I plan on living. You can help me by not distracting me.”
Mina met my eyes; her hand absently rubbed my neck, right in the spot I realized was still sore from sleeping with my head bent. I could see her processing what I said. “Okay, but this is the last time I'm going to be on the sidelines.” She reached up and gave me a hard, quick kiss to seal our bargain.
I enjoyed pleasing her, but her safety came first. I replied, “When you are trained, no sidelines,” I kissed her back softly, “That’s my promise. Deal?”
“Deal.” She looked down for a minute when she met my eyes again, hers were intent. “Vic, I would never do anything to distract you from killing all the Jotunn.” When I nodded, she smiled slowly and her eyes held a glitter that grabbed my full attention. Everything I had learned about Mina in the last couple of days told me she wasn’t all that experienced with men but the sensuality she gave off with her smile dro
pped on me like a sixteen-ton weight. She went on in a low voice, “Please stay alive. Because Victor, I am really looking forward to distracting you later with no interruptions. That’s my promise.”
I couldn’t believe how much of a grip she had on me. It could have been the connection between our souls or just the expression on my face, but Mina knew what I was feeling. I could feel my face get hot. I’d never felt this off-kilter before. I did NOT like the thought of someone reading my mind or emotions. Mina murmured, “Vic, you’re blushing”, then the smoking hot woman in my arms began to giggle. I gave up trying to maintain control; I started laughing, too. I couldn’t remember how long it had been since I’d laughed so hard.
After we finally caught our breaths, Mina looked up at me with mischief in her eyes. “So, is that it? That’s the reason you wanted to talk? You just wanted to apologize?”
I couldn’t help it, I started laughing again. I’d been right all my life; only morons could fall in love. I’d forgotten why I started my conversation with Mina. I could feel everyone in the Church stare at us. I knew I looked like an idiot. That thought made me laugh even harder. I don’t know what it was; whether it was my laughter, the woman in my arms, the knowledge that for the first time in my life I was in love and that I was okay with it, or the combination of all three, but I could feel my stress and anger disappear.
I squeezed the last of my tears out from my eyes with the backs of my hands. “No, I need to ask you for a favor. Every time I use magic I use up a bit of my soul.” I saw horror in Mina’s eyes. “It’s okay; it’s not permanent. Soul energy grows back, but it takes time. I’ve done a lot of magic today and my energy stores are low. I don’t have time to let it replenish naturally and I’m going to need all the juice I can get when I fight the Jotunn. As soulmates, we can share our energy; you can replenish my soul by giving me some of yours.”