Other Places 3: Detours

by P. S. Power

Darla smiled at him, then, after eating some meat for a while, started humming under her breath. It resonated through the air and outside of her mind, meaning she was doing it on purpose, so that he'd pick up on it.

  Kumbaya. Meaning he was being a touchy-feely hippie, no doubt. Zack smiled and didn't let any hint of annoyance show at all.

  After all, he was doing exactly that, and knew it.

  In a very real way, Lisa was his property, and while Darla got that, and understood it on a fundamental level, Lisa would have a tiny problem with it, if she figured it out. So, Zack did what all good Demons would have in a case like that.

  Lied his behind off.

  Chapter twelve

  One of the great things about Mirror Him having become part of him so fully, Zack decided, was that now when he wanted to make internally snarky remarks, they were directed at himself only about half as much as before. Instead he snarked at everyone else.

  The show at the club wasn't starting until eleven, which meant that they had hours to kill before then. That, according to Darla, meant time for him to do some baking, while running Lisa and her around on errands.

  It wasn't enough that the woman have clean clothing, after all. No, she needed to be outfitted in Milan. That meant going to the stores directly, without being noticed, since walking with a Human would take too much time. Or a Mage, which was different, but close enough that it didn't mean anything at all. While getting back in time for the five cakes, all large sheet things, to be made correctly. Then he had to put out five kinds of frosting for them, because his mentor wanted variety.

  It wasn't until she demanded that he go to an all night Wal-Mart, in Carolina, for some raspberries, that he understood what she was really doing. He had cakes after all, and while it was true that working on things like that wasn't a horrible plan in general, he already had the skills needed down, pretty well. Most bakeries would have hired him.

  The plan though was to keep him too busy to think about what had been said earlier. Not because he was too stupid to work out part of what it meant, but because he couldn't block his thoughts yet. It was, he realized very clearly, an attempt to keep him so annoyed with her over the busy work that he wouldn't bother considering anything else.

  So, instead of doing that, he tried to work on mental shielding, while he baked and felt distinctly refreshed, and not annoyed at all. After all, being moody wouldn't make the cakes any better, would it?

  It was hard work. Not because shielding in the main was hard. There were thousands of ways to do it that could work. Simply distracting yourself, as he was doing, was enough to keep people from casually taking your thoughts, according to the info he had. It was simply that he needed to be better than that. He needed to be able to prevent anyone from just stripping his mind bare, or get good enough that it would be really hard for them to manage at least.

  It probably wasn't possible for him to beat, say Finias, if the man was actually going to force the issue. Tarsus either, simply due to how good he was at everything. But Darla, or Xenses was doable, he thought. With practice. Keeley too, for now, though after she grew up a bit, that might end up being harder. True, Darla could make a machine that did it, and he might fail then, or Xenses might manage to torture information out of him, since he was particularly good at things like that, but just read his mind?

  That might well be stopped.

  So, between his opening a node to a Wal-Mart in a different state and sneaking them all into place, and going off at irregular intervals to Italy, Zack managed to build a rather complicated, but not at all delicate, mental shield. Constructed carefully, out of time itself. It wasn't unique, since it was actually copied from the design of a magical device that Darla had made a few hundred years before, but he managed it in about five minutes, which wasn't that bad. It was probably too hard for most people to do, but it worked into his special area of skill. So for him it was nearly simple.

  Darla didn't even notice it at first, until she started talking to him, after coming back from his bedroom with Lisa, who looked...

  Hot. Really nice, actually.

  True the dress had cost ten times too much, and her make-up was hiding more than a few break out spots on her face, but overall it really worked for her. She was tiny now, from all the drug use, and had probably never been all that huge, so she kind of fit that too thin model look that was still popular. Her hair had been styled too, though it was short enough that it just looked like her normal hair, but a bit puffier.

  "Nice. You'd get all the girls, if not for the fact that you'll be watched like a hawk all night. On the good side, you look good enough that when I walk in with both of you on my arms no one will think I'm gay." He grinned. "Unless the press is there. I've heard some rumors to that end."

  He really had. Then, he was also linked with Judy Swan, the actress, even if they'd never actually met. That reminded him that the woman hadn't called yet, which, probably wasn't that big of a deal. She might be having second thoughts, or just be busy still. Or, and it was just possible, she might have set something up at work, since he had people for that now. No one had called him at home, so he decided it either hadn't taken place, or it would happen in the morning sometime.

  Darla looked at him and then reached out and patted Lisa on the behind. Oh, she was pretending to smooth a wrinkle there, but that wasn't the case at all. Lisa would think it was about her, and the other girl wanting her again, or maybe that she wanted to claim her as property, since they'd had sex.

  Zack knew that it was meant to get his attention, and that she wasn't trying to goad him really, just distract him enough that she could get him thinking. Which he was, but, if his new shielding was holding, she couldn't hear at all. His thoughts, the instant they left his brain, would end up going instantly into a fifth dimensional place with no room for anything heavier than that. There they'd dissipate, slowly, over the course of nano-seconds.

  But it got her to stare, and finally arch and eyebrow.

  "Not too poorly done. The Smith's wall?" That referenced a Greater Demon that worked in metals, most of the time. One of the better ones, but not one that Zack had met. The information was all there though, in, or rather around, his head. His "wall" was a complex mental construct that used imagery, magical power and flow patterns to make a nearly impenetrable mental space.

  That was a technique that he'd rejected almost instantly, because while not that hard, and pretty effective, it was prone to collapse if a powerful enough person tried to rip into a given brain.

  He looked at her blankly, and was tempted to pretend not to understand her. Luckily, he managed to resist that, since making her mad over stupid things wouldn't help at all.

  "The Technician's time displacement." He waited, but it didn't take long at all for her to start probing at him, mentally. He could feel it, after all, but no thoughts escaped, since, as was the point, they weren't there to read.

  She gave a low whistle, and a half snort, which wasn't all that ladylike.

  "Well, better than I thought! It's stable too. Are you planning to let the cakes cool, while we're gone? We need to leave soon, since we might have to wait in line."

  It was the plan, since frosting them before that would be foolish. Of course he had to turn a lot of raspberries into a strained filling first and then change, but it wouldn't take long.

  "Call it ten minutes?"

  She nodded, but looked at his clothing, as if she didn't think it was good enough for the club. It was true enough, but he wasn't going to slop red syrupy goop all over his good clothing, was he? Troy would have his head, if he did. For a straight guy he was pretty fussy when it came to clothing and looking good.

  It meant being five minutes later than he'd said, and even that required him to move at speeds that would have made Bey clap in joy to see. Not that they were late or anything. The club hadn't even opened the doors, and there was a very long line that wound back and forth, blocking them from going in. Darla just took her small hand bag, and
walked up to the front, even as a few people grumbled at her for cutting in line. Lisa seemed nervous about it, but no one tried to really stop them. At the door they were met with a large and very powerfully built bouncer.

  Kevin.

  He winked at Zack, actually recognizing him. The man might not know a Greater Demon from a hole in the ground, or that his employment had him dealing directly with Vampires on literally a daily basis, but he recognized a friend when he saw one.

  "Mr. Hartley!" He said it loudly enough that the people behind them went silent, so they could listen, rather than complaining about them being there. "Are these your friends, Darla and Lisa? Edom put you on the list, and you have tickets waiting inside. We haven't opened the doors yet. Let me call in about that?" He touched the black piece at his ear, but didn't turn it on, as if asking for actual permission.

  Which was about killing time, no doubt, so that whatever was needed could be set up.

  Before the man could say anything at all, or tap the little button that would turn things on, there was a bit of a commotion, as a black limo drove up. It certainly looked important, but the nicely dressed people inside weren't the band, but other Vampires.

  The Council to be exact, except for Bey, who managed to stroll up and stand next to him, wearing a tuxedo. He looked a bit funny, and was very short, but no one noticed him there at all.

  Kevin looked baffled, getting that something wasn't exactly correct suddenly, and froze in place, not moving.

  Darla patted his arm at least, which looked like she was trying to flirt their way in, as far as the crowd went. She leaned in and whispered to the man, her voice to soft to hear.

  "These people are very important, and friends of Edom's. You should call in that they've arrived."

  Zack watched as Marissa and Gene were so totally overshadowed by Harland that no one noticed that someone that looked ten was about to take their spot in a night club. They were all dressed up very finely, in real suits and ties. Except Marissa, who was in a short skirt with fishnet stockings. That and a very nice looking blouse. He was dressed in a nice purple jacket with a black silk shirt himself, and looked like most of the people around them, but suddenly felt a little underdressed.

  Of course if he'd tried to pull the black tie look off, he'd have seemed like he was going to the prom. These people just looked...

  Real. Like they belonged and were clearly who everyone was waiting for.

  Kevin tried to call it in, but got someone inside that wasn't Edom, it seemed.

  "I was told that these people are very important? I... No, I haven't checked. They came in a limo, I..." He made a bit of a face and rolled his eyes. Then he addressed Harland. "Sorry, my shift manager wants me to check the list, may I have your names?"

  Marissa moved in and touched the large and obviously nervous, man's arm, and smiled. Prettily even, with no hint to her eyes that she wanted to drink his blood in particular at all.

  "I am Marissa. With me are Gene, Harland and Bey. We were invited by Lenore Hawthorn?"

  Which meant absolutely nothing to Kevin, who only worked at the club, not anything that Lenore was involved in at all. They also weren't on the list, since Edom probably didn't even know they were going to come. It would have been tense, really, if Zack had been bothering to feel anything like that at all. Instead he just looked at the man and winked.

  Then he raised his voice, hoping that he'd be heard by someone with extra-sensitive hearing.

  "The Council is here, so should be seen to. Quickly." He didn't make it a question, and less than a second later, a familiar face was at the door, opening it from the inside.

  Rebekah.

  It meant that someone was listening at least. She looked enough like Harland that Kevin got the idea. Or an idea.

  "Oh, you're with the band! Right! I should have known that. Duh. Sorry, let me..." He tapped his ear. "With the band. Friends of Rebekah... right, up front would be good. Thanks Doug."

  Then he gestured, smiling hugely.

  "There we go. Sorry about the mix up there. Are you all sitting together?" He looked at the group, and then landed on Gene, who really did seem far too young, at least for a normal night. It was clear he didn't know what to do, but Zack gestured to them all, since otherwise things would probably seem rude.

  "That's right. They're with us and of course the other way around. At least for the evening. Hi, Rebekah." She was nervous, and ready to run away, since dying wasn't on her plan for the night and there were too many important and dangerous people being bugged at the moment, but she managed a smile, and reached out to take his hand.

  "Zack! So good of you to come. I'd heard you might, but Troy didn't know when you'd get here. He said to tell you that they had someone get sick, so he has to work the bar? We have non-alcoholic drinks for everyone in this group." Which meant blood.

  Or, he hoped, some Sprite, since Human blood was a bit too expensive for someone that didn't need it to survive. Zack knew he could drink it, and probably even make himself enjoy it, but at a hundred dollars a glass, he didn't think he really wanted to try.

  Lisa wasn't having any either. Or booze. Not in her condition.

  "That sounds good. Shall we go in? Early seating, so I don't know if things are ready inside, or not."

  On the way past he patted Kevin on the shoulder and leaned in.

  "Collectively they own the club, so... You know, if you see any of them again, keep that in mind? No one is supposed to know that though." It wasn't exactly true, but it should get about the right response from the man, if asked about it. Inside, about ten feet into the decently large space, Edom moved over to them, flowing smoothly, and pretending not to have just been running.

  "Welcome! We have seats for you up front, please, if you will, come with me." He didn't seem panicked, outwardly. Inside his mind raced and he kept imagining Bey making his head explode for him. That or Gene setting him on fire, which was apparently a thing the kid could do with his mind. Not that he was really a child at all. Looks aside. It was important to keep reminding himself of that sort of thing.

  Rebekah bowed, and took Zack's hand again, as if to reassure herself.

  It was pretty clear, from her thoughts, that she hadn't been the one that he'd had sex with. On the good side, it was pretty certain that she wanted to, so at least there was that. It meant that, when Troy looked over he went a little wide eyed, before he waved. Jealous that Zack was hooking up with the celebrity.

  "Zack! Darla!" He glanced at the group and waved again. "Bey!" It was odd, but it meant that everyone in their group of high powered Vampires ended up going over to the bar, with Edom looking at Troy as if he'd gone insane.

  Troy however seemed pretty happy to have visitors.

  "I got stuck working, last minute. Can I get you folks anything in particular? We'll also have someone come around, if you don't know what you want yet, but things can get confusing once the place gets packed. We can do most mix drinks, soda, or, um, blood?" He whispered the last bit, but Bey clapped.

  "Ah, truly you are an excellent host, young Edom. We have fed, this night, but perhaps something small would do? Just for the flavor?" Then he bowed suddenly and touched his hand to his chest. "Forgive me Troy! I am remiss in my introductions. You, of course, are an old friend of both the Line Walker, Zachary, and The Technician, Darla Gibson. You know also the Mage Ambassador's assistant, Lisa Weise?"

  Troy looked at her and blinked.

  "I do! Hey Lisa. I didn't recognize you at first, you look... Good." It was flirty enough in tone that he didn't get glared at for the words at least.

  Bey continued, as if introducing people to Troy, the bartender, made perfect sense. Which it did, actually. The Council had just driven up and joined them, and while they knew who he was on sight, Darla was probably new to most of them. At least in her current form. Bey was making certain that his fellows had that information, without actually groveling in supplication.

  The others were introduced, as if t
o Troy directly, and Marissa took the time to take his hand and make eyes at him. It didn't seem all that out of place.

  So they ended up getting blood for the Vampires, but not too much, since it would be a waste, and cola's for the rest of them. The only strange thing there was that Gene took one of those too. Asking for a cherry in it. That was enough to get Zack to try and check him, to make certain he was really who he'd claimed, but he was. He just knew that sitting there with anything except a child's drink might arouse suspicion. He had, clearly, done this before.

  Then, since it was the way of all public performances of note, they had to wait and make small talk for a long time. It made him glad he had the drink. They couldn't speak about anything important, since people were being let in. First to the eight tables in the front, like what they were gathered around, and then to the rows of chairs behind them. At the very back the public was being let in, in a first come, first serve fashion. Just as the doors were closed he felt someone pressing on his arm, trying to get him to move over.

  Keeley. She had a chair, so he scooted a bit, because his anger at her hadn't been fair at all. She hadn't hurt him, or tried to. Which meant, as far as things like that went, she was his friend, and needed to be treated like that. She also looked older, if still like herself. Nearly thirty, holding some crows-feet at the corner of her eyes, and more make-up than she really needed. She was in a nice blue dress that had a deep neck and had enough cleavage showing that he could have guessed at the color of her nipples, if she'd sneezed.

  Instead she took his arm and cuddled close enough that he wondered if she were her, or the fake her from earlier. They weren't particularly close that way. Yet. Even if she looked older. She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek then, and whispered into his ear.

  "Nice shielding. I wasn't even sure it was you at first." Which didn't reassure him at all. Anyone could say that. Sure Keeley might, but she wouldn't be so chummy either, would she?

  Then again, thirty year old her, trying to seem like she worked with a band as a manager, just might. He wasn't great looking, but wasn't horrible either, and could be the personal boy-toy of someone like her. Especially if she was pretending to have had a few drinks already?