Cross Keys

by Ally Shields

  * * *

  Kam crouched next to Crain behind the kiosk. “How badly are you hurt?” She kept her eyes on the people around them. Most of them had run as soon as the shots started. A few were now venturing out and looking in their direction. A couple even had cameras. Damn. She jerked back. “We’re drawing attention.”

  “It’s just my arm. Help me up. We need to get out of here.” Crain spoke through clenched teeth, his voice low. Kam pulled him to his feet, turning her back toward the crowd. Crain drew a badge from his pocket, held it up, and raised his voice. “It’s OK folks. Federal agents. We’re trying to apprehend a criminal. Please go back inside until this is over. Local police will be here soon, and they’ll let you know when it’s safe again.”

  The bystanders began to move away, most of them hurrying into the casino.

  He turned to Kam. “We need to be long gone before the locals get here.” When she didn’t move, he added, “Unless you want to spend the next twelve hours answering questions.”

  She frowned at him. “I should go after Seth.”

  “Fine, but for now, let’s just get out of sight.”

  She helped him across the street and into the courtyard where Seth had disappeared. “Why are you so anxious to avoid the police? Don’t they know who you are?”

  He muttered something.

  “What?”

  “The CIA isn’t supposed to be working inside the US. Not my jurisdiction.”

  Well, well, well. “You’ve been warned off, haven’t you?” When he didn’t answer, she knew she’d guessed right. It explained a lot.

  Once they were in the shadows, Kam sat him on a bench and stepped away. “I’m leaving now. Will you be all right?”

  “I have my phone to call for help.”

  She hesitated. “I guess that wasn’t one of your men shooting.”

  “Hardly.” He pulled at his sleeve to see the wound.

  “You took a bullet for us.”

  His head came up at that, and he frowned. “Not intentionally. The intended target could have been any of us. Watch your back.”

  “You bet I will. You do the same.”

  He started dialing, and Kam took off running. As soon as she turned a corner, she leaped to the roof of the nearest building and moved along the rooftops searching for Seth. When a search of nearby roofs, walkways and courtyards produced nothing, she sat on the edge of a rooftop in the darkest area around and waited for him to find her. He appeared below her within minutes, and she dropped down beside him.

  “The sucker ran into a bar, and I lost him in the crowd. How’s Crain?”

  “His arm’s going to hurt a lot, but he’ll be fine. He was able to stand and walk. I left him in the courtyard. Did you know the CIA has no jurisdiction inside the US? Anyway, he was hiding from the locals and calling his people for help.”

  “No juris—” Seth shook his head. “I guess it doesn’t matter. He’s more legit than we are.”

  She studied his hard face. “Who was shooting at us?”

  “Lone gunman. Male, dark clothing. He ditched the rifle in a trash can.” He stopped, his face hard with anger even in the dim light. “Someone knew about that meeting. If Crain didn’t arrange that little ambush—and it doesn’t seem likely, considering he’s the one that got shot—someone had access to our phone conversation or is following him or us. Shall we make sure it isn’t us?”

  “What do you have in mind?”

  “Follow me.” He led her to the end of the enclosed walkway, opened the gate, and stepped into the street lights. He held up his right hand to show her the emerald ring. “You do your roof thing, and I’ll show you what my family heirloom can do.”

  A faint shimmer, and he suddenly disappeared. Kam leaped to the rooftop and found Seth waiting for her with a grin. “Teleportation.”

  She chuckled quietly. “Welcome to my rooftop world. It’ll be so much easier to move around now, and I still have the invisibly charm. You have the locator. We’re unbeatable.”

  “They’ll certainly have a hard time catching us.” Seth turned serious again. “But they’re using bullets, Kam. Neither of us is immortal or immune to gunfire. Which reminds me, it’s time we taught you how to use that pistol. So far I’m not convinced you know which end to use.”

  “I don’t need to shoot a gun.” She shifted slightly on the balls of her feet. “Won’t Rhyden be wondering where we are?”

  “Afraid you can’t handle a firearm?”

  “Yeah, right.” She couldn’t resist responding in kind. “I have an excellent eye. I’m sure I’d be as good as you are. Maybe better.”

  “That sounds like a challenge.” He pointed to the left. “Come right this way. I’m going to make you prove it.” He disappeared, only to reappear two rooftops away. Kam raced to join him, and they played their own brand of leapfrog until Seth indicated the street below. “This is where we go down. An all-night shooting range I’ve used before is just around the corner.”

  To her satisfaction, Kam proved to be as good with the pistol as she’d hoped. She’d always had good aim and knew how to hold her body still just before letting go of the bowstring. It all translated to the Glock 19. Once she got used to the noise and the kick, she steadily got better. By the twelfth target, the majority of her shots were hitting the inner two circles. The misses were still within another ring or two.

  Seth motioned for her to remove the ear protectors. “I think that will do.”

  “This was fun. Ready for that challenge round?”

  He cocked his head at her, his gaze hooded. He reached for her pistol, reloaded, and signaled for a new target. When it appeared, he put six shots in the center and walked away toward a counter at the back of the room.

  Kam stared at his retreating back. “Show off.” She followed him, admiring the set of his shoulders, the lean fit of his jeans. As she joined him, he flashed a grin without comment, then picked up a cloth and oil to show her how to clean the Glock. She finally completed the job to his approval, they paid for their rounds and left, walking back toward the elves’ hideout.

  They didn’t talk much on the way, but the silence was more companionable than before. Perhaps the adrenaline rush in front of the casino and the target practice had helped to wear off the tense edges. Kam darted a look at him. He appeared occupied by his own thoughts.

  In spite of the shooting that broke up their meeting with Crain before they’d learned everything they wanted, they’d made progress tonight. They had an estimate of how many guns were in Elvenrude and an idea of what was coming in the next shipment. Kam had learned how to use the Glock, and Seth had demonstrated the abilities of his magic ring. They seemed prepared for anything.

  Once they arrived at the building where Rhyden had set up surveillance, she bounded up the stairs, brimming with news to tell him. She halted and looked around in surprise. “Where is he?”

  Seth swore and pushed past her. Pieces of the binoculars crushed under his boots; the camera looked like it had been thrown against a wall. Kam raced to the open window and peered at the street below. “Nothing out here.”

  Seth crouched over the smashed equipment. “There’s blood on the camera,” he said grimly. He pulled out his amulet, and his back went rigid. The stone remained dark.

  Kam came to him and put her hand on his shoulder. “It doesn’t mean anything. He’s just gone beyond the amulet’s range.” She looked over his shoulder at the camera. “That might not even be his blood.” She shook his shoulder. “Seth, there’s no body.”

  He slowly stood, still staring at the camera in his hands. “He’s like a brother to me.”

  “I know. We’ll find him.” Kam’s lips trembled, and she clamped them tightly together. She would be frantic in his position, but that wouldn’t help him. She took his hand. “Seth, we need to start searching for him.”

  He looked at her then, his eyes darkened by fear. “Yes, you’re right. If he’s hurt or taken captive, he’ll expect us to find him.” His
fingers closed in a firm grip. “Come on. Out the window. They’ll be watching the place, and must have seen us come in.” He pulled her to the window sill.

  She climbed up, pushed off, landing silently on the roof above. Seth teleported next to her. They weren’t a second too soon. Feet pounded on the stairs below, and they moved three buildings down and one over before stopping to look back. They could see flashlights and dark figures carrying rifles on the floor they’d just vacated.

  Kam crouched next to him and shivered. “CIA? Arms dealers? Who are these people?”

  She felt the tension vibrating from Seth’s body, but he didn’t respond.

  Her heart suddenly leaped into her throat, and she grabbed his arm. “What’s that sound?” she squeaked.

  “Relax. My cell phone is on vibrate.” Seth reached in his pocket and answered it. “Yes?” Relief surged into his voice. “Where are you?”

  “Is it Rhyden?” she demanded, pulling on his sleeve.

  He nodded but continued his conversation with the caller.

  “Thank the gods.” Kam gulped a quick breath, her reaction so strong her knees were weak, and she sank back on her heels. She missed whatever else was said. She hadn’t known these two men very long, yet it seemed like forever. What happened to them mattered. Maybe life and death situations did that to people. Or maybe they had more in common than she’d thought.

  Seth turned and grabbed her arm. “Are you OK? Your face went pale for a moment and you swayed.” He spoke into the phone. “Rhyden, we’ll see you in a few minutes.” He disconnected and took both her arms.

  Kam blushed. His touch actually made her feel better. “I’m fine. Just a silly reaction. I’m glad he’s OK. Where is he?”

  Seth still looked at her with concern but released her arms. “He’s headed to the apartment. He heard them come in downstairs, opened the window so they’d think he went out that way, and hid above the ceiling tiles. Six armed men—probably the same ones in there now. As soon as they left, he made his way downstairs, went out a window on the far side and ran.”

  “But the blood?”

  “One of the gunmen cut his hand while smashing the camera.”

  She closed her eyes. Just another close call. “So we’re going to meet him now?”

  “That’s the plan. Here.” He handed her the amulet. “Point this at the elves’ hideout and tell me what you see.”

  She did as he asked. “Nothing.”

  “That’s what I thought.” He looked at the city sky line for a moment. “Then we’ll have to start over. The elves have fled.”

  * * *

  Rhyden sprawled across the couch, watching late night television. He had a beer in one hand, a lazy smile on his face, and hardly looked like a man who had just been running for his life.

  “About time you guys got here. I was getting bored with my own company. Nobody’s been chasing me with guns for at least an hour.”

  He got to his feet when Seth strode toward him, and the two men patted each other in a man hug.

  Kam waited her turn, then hugged him herself. “I was so worried about you.” She stepped away and caught Rhyden grinning over her shoulder at his cousin.

  He reached out to pull her back. “If I’d known I’d get this kind of attention, I’d have had someone threaten me sooner.”

  “Don’t press your luck.” Seth’s look caused Rhyden to drop his arms immediately. “You didn’t even have someone shoot at you.”

  “Meaning you did?” Rhyden was suddenly sober. “What happened?”

  Over beers and pizza from the freezer, which Seth popped in the oven, they brought Rhyden up to speed and ended with the news that the elves had taken off.

  Rhyden cursed under his breath. “At this rate we’re all going to get killed and never know why.”

  “We do know why.” Kam took a sip of her beer. “We’ve gotten into the middle of arms dealers and terrorists, thanks to a bunch of traitorous elves.”

  “So which ones were shooting at you, and are they the same guys who came after me?” Rhyden picked up the last piece of pizza. “Anybody want to split this?”

  “I’m done,” Kam said, and Seth shook his head.

  “We don’t know who any of them were. Could even be the CIA,” Seth admitted. “Crain warned us he wouldn’t give up. But how did anyone know you were there?” He looked at Rhyden. “Did you dump your cell phone?”

  “Right after we hung up. But I’d only used it before that to check the office message system. Geez, Seth. Crain—or someone—must be tapping our incoming calls.” Rhyden slumped in his chair. “I guess I screwed up.”

  “That doesn’t explain how someone discovered our meeting with Crain.” Seth ran a hand through his hair, making it more disheveled than before.

  Kam liked that I-just-got-out-of-bed look on him. He glanced up, caught her looking at him, and started to smile. She jerked her gaze away. She had to get her mind out of the bedroom and stay focused on their problems. “Could the elves be using magical items to locate us?”

  Both men turned to stare at her.

  “Maybe,” Seth said thoughtfully. “Not the crossbreeds. They don’t inherit enough power to use elven magic. But a keyholder could.”

  “We’ve assumed the keyholder would stay in Elvenrude to provide himself with an alibi, but what if he didn’t? What if he’s here?”

  “Why would he be? He’d expose himself and ruin any plans he’s made. Once Brunic identifies him, he can’t go back,” Rhyden argued. “Would he risk that?”

  Kam shrugged. “Maybe he doesn’t think he has a choice. We’re the only ones that can stop him. That’s a strong reason to want us dead.”

  Seth set his beer bottle down with a snort of disgust. “Speculation. Possible motives. We need facts. How is everyone finding us?”

  “And can they find us again? Is someone going to burst in here any minute?” Kam rubbed her arms, got up and went to look out the window. “They could be out there right now watching us.”

  “You’re getting paranoid.” Seth got another beer from the fridge. “But just in case, stay away from the windows.”

  Rhyden gave a crack of laughter. “Your logic is getting shaky, cuz. But maybe we should make paranoia our friend. If we assume they’re all after us with every possible capability, from electronic spies to elven magic, we just might survive.”

  “I hate to admit it, but it’s not a bad idea,” Seth growled. He turned to Kam. “Our magics are only traceable when they’re being used. We have to use my amulet to find them again, but we could dispense with the others.”

  “Back to basics.” Kam sighed. “Cabs and buses instead of rooftops. I guess it’s a good thing you taught me to use the Glock. Even our arrows are magical.”

  “We’ll need several disposable phones and toss them after every use, no matter how trivial.”

  “Now that’s settled, shall we try this whole business again?” Rhyden headed toward the door. “And let’s hurry. It’ll be dawn in a couple of hours. I’d like to find them and get a new peep hole set up while it’s still dark.”

  “Just a minute.” Seth disappeared into the bedroom and returned with a backpack.

  “What’s in there? Your toothbrush and jammies?”

  Kam nearly giggled at Rhyden’s ribbing. She must be getting tired.

  “Ammo,” was Seth’s sobering answer. “If guns are all we have to rely on, I’m not running out of ammo.”

  * * *

  Even by foot and public transportation it didn’t take them long to find the elves with the help of the amulet. They were hidden in a small building about two blocks from the Lormarc Guild.

  “Son of a bitch.” Seth looked at Rhyden. “Right under our nose. What’s Trevain up to?”

  “Why Trevain? Is this his guild house?” Kam couldn’t believe it. Was one of the Trevains the mysterious keyholder? Or was this another clever tactic?

  “It is. I don’t know if he’s involved, but it looks bad.” Seth’s voice
was terse. “Let’s get out of here before they see us.”

  They retreated a half mile from the scene. Kam took off her wrist band; Seth removed his ring; the amulets went into a pouch which Seth stuck in his backpack. Crossbows and magical arrows had been left back at the apartment. When they were sure they had no activated magical items, they walked back, scouted around the small guild, and set up surveillance in an adjacent building. Since the building they chose was owned by a distant relative of the Lormarcs, they knew it had been vacated per the king’s order.

  Since Seth agreed to take first watch, Kam and Rhyden returned to the apartment to catch a few hours of sleep. They checked the outside of the building and entered their suite cautiously, in case they had uninvited visitors. Everything was quiet.

  “I think I’ll use Seth’s room instead of the couch,” Rhyden said.

  “Just out of curiosity, why didn’t you rent a three bedroom?”

  “I thought I could go home to stay and meet whenever you needed me. I had no idea how bad things had gotten.”

  “I’m not sure any of us did. Well, goodnight. Let’s hope we get this resolved tomorrow.” She went into her room and closed the door. Too tired to even brush her hair, Kam stripped off her jacket, jeans, and shirt, then crawled into bed.

  She yawned, curling into the covers. Not in her wildest dreams had she ever thought someone would be shooting at her or she’d be talking with the CIA about terrorists and bombs. She yawned again, her eyes drooping. Why couldn’t the sniper have waited one more minute before firing on their meeting with Crain? She’d really like to know what the elves were trading that could be turned into bombs.

  * * *

  The sun had been up nearly two hours when Seth saw the first movement at the Trevain Guild. He shook off the weariness that threatened to overtake him and crouched next to the window.