“That was fun.” Mira ripped the sleeve off of her T-shirt and tied it around her leg. “I’m calling for a cleanup crew. This is one otherworldly pile of crap.”
“Yep,” I said hoarsely. Damn gryphon had done something to my larynx.
“You okay?” She reached out a hand and I helped her up.
I nodded. “Throat hurts, but I’m doing better than you.” I looked down at her bleeding leg.
“I hate when those assholes get the best of me.” She looked over at the headless demon. “Gilly’s gonna be mad we didn’t invite her to the party.”
“I’m going to tell her that was your idea. That way she can kick your ass if she gets mad.”
She grunted. “Has to catch me first.” When she wasn’t dealing with a bad leg, Mira could run faster than anyone I’d ever met. We’d called her Cheetah Girl, well, until the Disney movie came out with the same name. She threatened to kill us if we did it after that.
“What’s Graves’s part in all of this, and why aren’t we seeing these things when they jump?” I waved a hand around the room. “There have to be at least a hundred Fae downstairs, and our guys haven’t seen any of them.”
“As much as I hate to admit it, I don’t think Graves had anything to do with this,” Mira said as she limped to the door. “He was used. A shill. His scent was barely in the room when I arrived. He hadn’t been here a minute when I opened the door.
“My guess was someone was using him to throw us off the track of the real bad guy. It’s the evil, Alex. Some kind of dark magic is protecting these creatures, and my guess is it’s behind the trouble you’re having with the dragons.” She pushed the comm on her ear. “We need a cleanup crew. Hello?” She looked at me. “Comms aren’t working. It’s the damn magic around this place.”
“These guys aren’t going anywhere. Zap the door with a little of your magic to keep things tight. Let’s flash home and get some help.” Mira was getting pale, and I worried she might pass out.
“I hate to leave all this trash lying around.” She poked at one of the fairies with her foot. “I don’t know these guys, but I’m going to find out how the hell they arrived in this club.”
“Too bad Graves skipped out so fast.”
She nodded. “We’ll see him again. We always do. Why do you think he helped you?”
“No idea. Maybe he didn’t want dead Guardian juju on his karma?”
She laughed at that. “I don’t think Death worries much about karma, dork.”
“Got a better explanation?”
She thought for a moment. “No. Except maybe Death has a crush on you. He kept that monster from slashing you again, and he could have whiffed out here at the first start of trouble.”
No, he doesn’t have a crush on me, but I think he may have one on you. I wasn’t about to say that. Even injured, my sister was lethal. I coughed to cover a laugh. “Let’s go home.”
CHAPTER 13
Back in the control room, we unloaded our weapons.
“My only regret is that we didn’t burn the place down,” I told Mira. The blade I’d finally wedged out of what was left of the demon’s head had a large amount of goo on it. I reached into one of the steel cabinets and pulled out the special cleaning formula Bailey had devised for just such an occasion.
“I know, but we couldn’t risk it.” Mira pushed herself up onto the steel table. Her leg had stopped bleeding, but she’d definitely need stitches. We Guardians healed fast, which is a good thing, considering what we put our bodies through every day.
Before we left we’d taken a good look at the outside of the building and realized something very important. We couldn’t burn it down because it was in one of the residential neighborhoods of Montreal. There were families in the buildings nearby, and we couldn’t risk the fire spreading. If Mira hadn’t been weakened by her injury, she maybe could have kept that from happening, but we couldn’t take the chance.
Mira did the next best thing. She spelled the place with so much magic no evil would ever pass through its doors again. Of course, it was easy to see her body was paying the price now.
My sister would be a powerful mage one day, if she ever decided to give up the Guardian gig. Not that we could, but eventually our bodies would hit a certain age, and the next in line would fill the job.
“I need to speak with you.” My head popped up to see my mother scowling in the doorway.
The joy never stops around here.
Mira looked to the heavens, and I stifled a smile.
“Hi, Mom.” She was dressed in a long black skirt and tunic, which had been tied together with a beautiful red belt. She looked like she was ready for a date at the country club, but my guess is she was involved with council business. That’s all she ever did anymore.
“Mira, you need to go back and undo the magic you did on the club.” Mom clasped her hands in front of her.
My sister nearly did a Linda Blair with her head. “What?”
“You girls need to be more careful.” She pointed a finger at us.
Anger boiled deep in my chest, and I didn’t bother to check my tone. “That place stank of evil and was overrun by creatures who had no business being on planet Earth, let alone mixing with humans.” I spat the last words out through a tight jaw.
Mom crossed her arms in front of her chest. “How do you think they arrived there without being detected by the radar?”
“Through dark magic,” Mira interjected. “The place was covered in it. There has to be a portal inside.”
“I had it put there,” my mother said calmly. “Evil is drawn to it, which is why there was such a high concentration.” She tapped her head with her forefinger. “Think, girls.”
I shrugged. “Evidently, we’re too stupid to get it. Maybe you should spell it out for us.”
“Is it better to have the evil in one place or spread out all over the world? The council’s mages have created several spots throughout the universe for evil to congregate. They are drawn to these places without really knowing why. We have our spies there, keeping an eye on things and passing on intelligence when necessary.”
I wiped the knife I had in my hand and carefully put it on the table. “Did the council, in its infinite wisdom, ever think to tell the Guardians—you know, the protectors of humanity—what they were doing?”
There was no expression on her face, but her eyes bored into mine. “The fewer people who know about the council’s plans, the better. It’s difficult during these times to know who to trust.”
Mira’s jaw jutted out, and I knew she was getting ready to yell. I put a hand on hers and shook my head. She took a deep breath.
“We aren’t just people, Mother.” I said the words carefully. “We’re Guardians. When your council meets, we’re the ones who protect you. Or did you forget? This idea that we don’t need to know about evil gathering into one spot on a world we’re protecting is insane. I see no logic in it at all.”
“I don’t know who has been handing you intel,” Mira added, “but they’re wrong. Ask Alex about her dragons. They aren’t staying at the club. She’s caught several of them outside of it.”
Mom’s head snapped toward me. “What is she talking about?”
“I’ve had two instances where dragons were trafficking humans. The first group jumped to Xerxes but was gone before I could get there. I stopped the second attempt not too far from the club.”
“Why was I not informed of this?” Mom asked.
“It’s in my daily reports. The ones we send to the council. I don’t call you every time I kill a dragon. We’d never get off the phone.”
She frowned, and I knew I was in for it. “Do not turn that smart mouth on me, young lady. You know if there is any kind of human trafficking involved that you should call me immediately. Has Ginjin been informed?”
I shrugged. “He didn’t seem to care.”
Her eyes narrowed in on mine. “I seriously doubt that.”
“I think his intended bri
de is involved, and he’s trying to cover up the mess.”
“And you didn’t think perhaps you should let me or someone on the council know this?”
She had a point, but I had my reasons.
“I don’t have any proof. Oh, I had a dead dragon and gryphon that I put on his doorstep, but I didn’t have any proof that he had something to do with this. His girlfriend being involved is just a hunch. I haven’t caught her doing anything either. My point in all of this is that whatever portal you set up, the one where we can’t see who is coming and going, is being used for more than you think.
“From what I can piece together, the dragons are jumping into the club, drugging the humans, and then leaving through their own portals. That’s why we only see them when they’re leaving.” I hadn’t really put it together until then, but it made sense.
Mom pursed her lips together. “I will look into this. In the meantime”—she looked down at Mira’s leg and my neck—“get those injuries seen to and then go release your magic protecting that club.”
“Wait.” I called after her, but she’d already gone through the door. I wanted to know who was watching the club.
I helped Mira down off the table. “Do you need a shoulder to get down to the healers?”
“Nah.” I could tell she was mad.
“Mom’s just doing what she thinks is right.” Funny that I, Mom’s least favorite, was the one taking up for her.
“That doesn’t keep me from wanting to punch her sometimes.” Mira grimaced as she made her way to the door. “Do you realize she left without telling us about the other places? For all we know, they could be using one of your clubs, Alex.”
The idea hadn’t even crossed my mind. I’d be making a few phone calls over the next hour. “She wouldn’t.”
Mira shook her head. “I don’t know what to think anymore. I’ll see you later.”
I stared for a moment through the glass to the other side where the security team worked. I’m sure they’d seen the whole argument with Mom, but they acted as if it were business as usual.
I didn’t see Jake, and I hoped he was still at home in his bed. Good. He needed the rest. The idea of a nap wasn’t such a bad idea.
In my bathroom, I checked the claw marks on my neck. They would heal in a few hours, one of the great gifts of being a Guardian. I did put some of the healing solution one of the mages had made for me on the wound to speed the process along.
That’s when I was struck by an idea. Magic protected that club, keeping it hidden. I’d seen that once before, very recently.
I picked up my weapons and put them back on. I had a dear old friend to visit.
CHAPTER 14
Before I could touch my tattoos together to head back to Montreal, the cell phone rang. Angel’s name came up on the caller ID.
Crap. He never called unless there was a problem.
“Hey, what’s up?” I held my breath.
“I—there have been some attacks.” Angel sounded harried. “I’m on my way to the hospital following the ambulance.” He was never flustered, but he definitely was now.
“Who was hurt, and what do you mean attacks?” I stressed the last word. We had great bouncers, so we seldom had trouble at any of my establishments. My employees prided themselves on stopping trouble before it ever began.
“Lourdes was mugged behind the club a few minutes ago. Per your instructions, someone had watched her go out to her car and watched her get in. The guy must have been waiting inside. Next thing we knew, she was banging on the back door.”
Oh, hell. “She’s pregnant. Tell them she’s pregnant.”
“Oh, my God. I didn’t know. She’s bleeding really bad. Looks like whoever it was tried to strangle her and then must have had a knife. Her arm is ripped to shreds.”
Or a claw. If dragons were involved . . . “You said there was more than one.”
“Yes, Monroe called from London. Two of the dancers were beaten up pretty bad in the alley beside the club. They’d been out there on a smoke break. One is unconscious, the other in shock. She’s not talking. All we know is they both look like they went through hell: black and blue all over.”
Someone wanted to send me a message. They’d succeeded, and now I’d have to send one back loud and clear.
“I know it may seem extreme to you right now, but I’m closing down all the clubs for the next few days. I’ll call Austin, New York, and Los Angeles. I want you to call New Zealand, Madrid, and Paris. Warn everyone to watch their backs. Tell them these attacks are specific. Probably some vendetta against the Caruthers family, and I don’t want anyone hurt because of me.
“No one is to go to work until I give the go-ahead. They’ll get full pay. Also, if they have to leave their homes, tell them to always travel with a friend. Let’s keep this from the press if at all possible. Mum’s the word. If anyone gets questioned about the closings, tell them to say we are going through a mass systems upgrade with the computers.”
“Got it.”
“Keep me informed about Lourdes and the other women.” Poor Lourdes had been through enough. “I’ll get there as soon as I can. Oh, and make sure you tell the doctors I want the top medical care for everyone. And call in the security team; I want those women protected twenty-four/ seven. Whoever did this may not like the idea that they can be recognized.”
I closed my eyes and tried to think. I’d have to go to where the women were attacked. If I smelled leftover dragon, then I’d know. But I had to be careful. I couldn’t risk the authorities or anyone else seeing me.
Pissed didn’t begin to explain how I felt. I don’t care if you pick on me, but don’t mess with my people. My employees were the lifeblood of my business, and many of them were friends. I had too many now to know everyone personally, but it was my job to take care of them.
I made the call to the managers of the other clubs. They didn’t ask many questions, just took my orders, which I appreciated. I prided myself on hiring loyal people, and it paid off when things went whack. I told them to keep an eye out for anything strange.
I ran back to my room and grabbed a hoodie. My leather coat had been ripped to shreds by the damn gryphon. The hoodie would hide my face, just in case. I checked myself in the mirror and remembered that I needed to take care of the wounds on my neck and chest. They were healing up, but I’d have scars if I didn’t use more of the healing potions. I went to the cabinet where I kept my stash of medical supplies, and a few minutes later I’d done a decent patch job. I tossed my shredded T-shirt in the trash and put on a new one.
I focused my energy and touched the tats together. I landed in the bathroom of the club in Madrid. Thankfully the place had been cleared out, though I could hear someone downstairs.
I snuck down the back staircase and waited in the storeroom for a minute. Whoever it was, probably one of the bartenders, had moved to the front of the club.
I slipped out the side door and locked it. Even at this late hour there was a crowd out in the parking lot. The authorities had taped off the area around Lourdes’s car, but I was able to edge my way to the front of the crowd, making sure the hoodie was pulled up so no one could see my face.
I didn’t even have to get close to the tape to smell that more than one dragon had been there.
It was all I could do not to scream. I knew it. Damn beasts are going after my people. I thought about jumping directly to Xerxes to confront Ginjin, but something my mother had said stopped me. Why? Why were they doing something they knew would piss me off?
None of this made sense. Unless . . .
I thought about what happened to Gilly a few weeks ago. That’s when we realized the seriously dark evil was invading the universe. She and Arath had a terrible time with the portals from his planet.
At that same time, Ginjin’s world had walked down the crazy side of chaos into a civil war. The evil was so pervasive there that millions were killed by it.
The mages had been working overtime to protect the port
als on Xerxes, which is why I hadn’t worried much about jumpers, except for those who were involved in the kidnappings. But what if evil, real evil, was the reason all of this was happening?
Jene. I don’t know why, but I knew Ginjin’s future mate had something to do with this. It might be a case where she thought she was in control. It was still a hunch on my part, except for the part where I’d caught the green dragon, which had been with Jene in the desert on Xerxes. We’d seen the evil take over humans and the dragons. It was quite possible she had suffered the same fate.
There was a good chance Ginjin would become Xerxes’s next prime minister, which meant she would be the first lady in a way. As much as I didn’t like her, she didn’t seem like the kind of being who would risk that kind of power for a stupid kidnapping ring or to cause trouble for me.
I thought about the way Ginjin shot her that look the day in the desert. He’d known then that she was involved, but he couldn’t figure out why either. That’s why he wouldn’t talk. That’s probably the real reason why he didn’t want to marry her. He knew something wasn’t right.
Couldn’t have a new bride tainting his chances to become—No. He didn’t work that way. A warrior at heart, he only had the good of his people in mind. That meant he was worried what she might do if she had real power. He said as much in our first conversation about her.
Why wouldn’t he just kill her? All he’d have to do was expose her, and the council would take care of it.
I needed some answers, and there was only one man—dragon—who had them.
Ginjin was in a bad mood, not that I’d actually ever seen him in a good one. He’d spent the last hour talking to several council members who wanted to know about the human trafficking. Since my mother was at the forefront of the investigation, I wasn’t one of his favorite people at the moment, which is why he stomped past me and into his home, where I’d waited not so patiently on the front landing for the past five minutes.
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