16
The waffle house was fun but I vowed to stay out of sight and run the operation from the van when we got to Palo Alto. We had the demon’s house number from Google maps, but all we could see from the street view was a tall gate and shrubbery that obscured a house far back from the road.
I assigned my crew to perform undercover recon of the comings and goings of Alphonso de Spina and his Circle of Knives.
Psymon, dressed for anonymity in a baseball cap and huge sunglasses that made him look blind, went to work. The mind reader pointed out each of the demon mage’s bodyguards as they passed him in the street. We found them on the Stanford campus, at the grocery store and at a local shop called ZombieRunner. Weirdly, the store called ZombieRunner sold both running shoes and, according to Psymon, excellent coffee.
After we watched the Circle of Knives for a couple of days, the mission’s senior staff gathered in the back of my van in an Arby’s parking lot. Spider, Psymon, Wil, Manny, Devin Anguloora and I considered the task ahead.
Manhattan was first to speak. “Before we get down to the bone crunching, I have to ask. Why is a demon teaching physics?”
“Chronos has walked the Earth for many centuries,” Anguloora said. “He has found a safe place to hide. His motivations should not interest you. Capture is all that is important.”
“But how? People don’t notice he never gets older?”
“A glamor spell could do that,” I said.
“Chronos is very powerful,” Anguloora said. He pointed at Psymon. “Just as this one reads minds, this demon has the power to cloud minds.”
“Like the Shadow?” Wilmington asked.
“Think bigger than that,” the archer said. “Think about him too long and maybe you forget why you were thinking about him.”
“Some of the most powerful spells I’ve seen have to do with messing with memory,” Psymon said. “Memory is so fragile. Our minds need so much refreshing. From a neurobiological point of view, the neuron responsible for holding on to your own name is reminded constantly by using it. If you didn’t use your name constantly, theoretically, you could forget it.”
Manny smiled. “I remember every pornographic image I’ve ever seen. I’ve got a photographic memory for that.” She leered at Wilmington. “I remember everything.”
“Down, girl,” Wilmington said. She turned to Psymon. “I know what you mean. Sometimes I’ll look at the time. I know I’ve seen what time it is but I have to look again and again. Same with locks and turning a stove off. I know I’ve checked but I have to check again.”
“Yeah, memory’s tricky,” Psymon said. “Eyewitnesses see the same accident and report vastly different occurrences. Our justice system is based on eyewitness testimony, which is scary.”
“My favorite trick of memory is when you try to remember a word and the harder you try, the more it eludes you,” I said. “It feels like it’s literally on the tip of your tongue, but you can’t get there by trying too hard. Think of something else for a while and the word comes back to you. It’s like trying to look at a faint star. To catch sight of it with the naked eye, astronomers tell you to look at the spot beside the star, not right at it.”
“Destinesia,” Psymon said.
We all looked at him and we all said, “What?” at the same time.
“Destinesia,” he repeated. “You get up and go into the kitchen. You forget why you went into the kitchen. You walk out of the room. Then you remember you were looking for the scissors and you head back into the kitchen.”
“Did you make that up?” Manny asked.
“There’s quite a science to it. Something about going through a doorway makes our brains reset when we’re in a new environment. Doorways are portals that suck out your short-term memory. We switch gears into looking for something novel and we’re programmed to let go of — ”
“Hey!” I said. “Can we get back to how we’re going to capture a demon mage who can make us forget who he is? Merlin says that if we call him out by name, he has to show himself.”
“Calling him Chronos in uncontrolled circumstances is probably a terrible idea,” Spider said. “As long as Alphonso de Spina is still the mild mannered professor in human form, he might be easier for you to handle.”
The first eight beats of the theme song from an old television show told us a sword singer was knocking at the van’s side door. The code was Victor’s. It was a strange little quirk of our training. I had never actually seen an episode of Green Acres but I had heard the theme song on YouTube. Catchy, and apparently a favorite of the Choir’s head conductor.
Manny slid the door back and Minnie stood before us in a pink belly shirt, white shorts and flip flops.
“Report,” I said.
“The grounds are huge. I spotted just two bodyguards smoking and drinking on the terrace.”
“Makes sense,” I said. “The Circle of Knives is always six. Two guards per shift, three eight-hour shifts per day. That leaves each guard free to enjoy eternal youth for most of the day.”
“And be complacent,” Manny said. “They haven’t had any trouble so they aren’t expecting any. Let’s go get ’em.”
“How far away are the other bodyguards?”
“The rest are in a house down the hill.”
“How far?”
Minnie thought about it. “If an alarm goes up, they can get back to the demon’s house in a few minutes. Driving, two minutes. Running, a bit longer. They like their car, though. They drive back and forth in a classic. It’s a beat-up Barracuda. There’s something about the way the grill comes over the lights that makes it look mean.”
Anguloora sighed. “So the demons’ bad guys have a mean car. What does the mage drive?”
“A tweaked up Jag, sir. Judging from the sound of the engine, it’s modified for speed. It’s hotter than the devil’s anus.” Minnie apparently knew her cars.
“We’ve done the recon and we know when the shifts change,” I said. “The guards are never far away. Whatever we do, we don’t want civilians in the crossfire.”
“Whatever we do,” Anguloora said, “we’ll be met with heavy resistance. There may need to be civilian casualties to allow us to get close to the demon.”
“I am not interested in entertaining a conversation about what number is acceptable for civilian deaths, Mr. Anguloora.”
He gave me a look but said nothing. I pictured him on my back again, doing his Yoda imitation. And that is why you fail.
“Suggestions?” I looked from face to face.
“We have the box that dampens his powers,” Spider said. “We have to get him in the box before he says anything.”
“Yeah. But how?” A twitch at Wil’s lips caught my attention. She wanted to say something. “Let’s hear it, Wilmington.”
“The demon is so powerful he can make us forget why we’re here. He can kill us at will. We have to look non-threatening to get close.”
I nodded. “The Irish say, ‘May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you’re dead.’ ”
Psymon looked in my eyes and smiled. “Ooh. I like that idea! Bonus points for fun. Even better if you don’t get killed halfway up the driveway.”
“What’s the idea?” Manny asked.
“You’ll love it,” Psymon said. “It’s very Charlie’s Angels.”
Lesson 175: If you aren’t careful, your trap can snap down on you, too. To get out, you might have to chew your arm off.
As soon as Psymon said Charlie’s Angels, I should have come up with a better plan.
17
The operation started off well. They usually do. Of course, when any operation is going too well, you can be sure something is going to go horribly wrong.
The campus had pretty much emptied out after the end of the term and Christmas was only a couple of days away.
It didn’t feel like Christmas to me, not with all that California heat. However, the van’s radio pumped out an endless stream of Christmas songs on
a loop. I love Christmas in Killarney. I hate Jingle Bell Rock. And the station only played Snoopy and the Red Baron once. That wasn’t nearly enough.
In all the time we had watched the house, Psymon and Dallas had only spotted our target once. They described Alphonso de Spina as a large, barrel-chested man with long black hair and one streak of white shot through it from a deep widow’s peak.
He appeared on the terrace at the front of his home for a moment. The video was blurry. However, it turned out Dallas could draw and when he showed the portrait he drew from memory, Psymon confirmed it was very lifelike and accurate.
When I went over my plans for the kidnapping with Anguloora, he looked skeptical. “What if the dude just tells his henchmen, ‘Release the hounds’?”
“We haven’t seen any evidence of hounds. The guy is a recluse so we’ll have to go to him. If he were teaching, I’d nab him at his front gate. His bodyguards do the grocery shopping. We have to go to him without raising too many alarm bells.”
“But what you’re suggesting just sounds so — ”
“Wildly brilliant?” I suggested. “A plan born of mercurial wisdom?”
“I was going to say it’s corny.”
“That’s not a bug. It’s a feature. They’ll never see it coming because they’ll see it coming.”
“And if it goes wrong?”
“You’ll get to say, ‘I told you so.’”
“Doubtful. If it doesn’t work, we’ll all be dead. This is a demon mage that has lived thousands of years.”
“That’s another reason why this will work. He’s a recluse trying to avoid the limelight. When we show up, he won’t make a fuss. He doesn’t want to attract attention. He’s not some kind of badass because he’s lived this long. He’s lived this long because he avoids conflict.”
“Never forget that what you see is an illusion,” the archer said. “He looks like a fat college professor. He is Chronos and he will kill us all if you give him a chance. Giving him a chance to speak is enough for your plan to fail.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Besides, we have you as backup. If it goes wrong, we do it your way.”
“That’s the only reason I’m not complaining more. That, and this is your show, Iowa.”
“Good,” I said. “Do me the courtesy of keeping your doubts to yourself. If I get the feeling you’re undermining me, I’ll get Malta to punch you in the throat. She wouldn’t hesitate.”
Anguloora grabbed my wrist. “Iowa. When the time comes to act, don’t you hesitate, okay? For everyone’s sake, do not hesitate a second. He could get us all in one long second. When you see your opening, take the shot and knock him senseless.”
He let go gently and patted my hand. It was the first time I’d seen any hint of real concern on his face. “You’re important to the cause,” he said. “I’d hate to lose you as an asset this early in the war.”
“Thanks. I’ll watch my asset.”
Manny rolled the van door back and peered in. “Hey. I got the stuff you asked for. I could find candles easy, but there are no muffs in town. It’s way too hot for that. I’m sorry. I looked everywhere. If we’re going to really sell it, we could wait a little and order from Amazon — ”
I squeezed her shoulder. “It’s fine. Just the candles will do. We only have to make it from the gate to the front door.”
“At the shift change,” Anguloora said behind me, “we’ll be dealing with four immortal bodyguards.”
“Only sort of immortal,” I said. “They’re safe from sniffles and bird flu, not steel.”
Darkness began to fall and deepen. I could see it, but I could smell it, too, the way the earth cooled. I heard dusk’s departure into night as the birds and animals got quieter and quieter.
I walked to the van where Paul and Polly were meditating. I could hear them chanting loudly and decided it was better not to disturb them.
Austin and Detroit sat at the front of the vegan van while Spider leaned against the door, eyes closed and apparently praying. Austin and Detroit looked miserable. As soon as he spotted me in my stovepipe hat, Austin slipped out of the passenger side door and gave me a nod.
“It stinks in there,” he said. “Paul and Polly have been dipping into a cold soup of lentils and baked beans for the whole afternoon. I’d roll down the windows, but they’re chanting really loud. Almost as loud as they fart.”
“Not for much longer,” I said. “When the Magicals do their thing, your main objective is to keep them alive until the deed is done. If we get any heat from the rear, it’s up to you to deal with it, even if it’s LEOs.”
“Roger that,” Austin said, “but…I was in law enforcement. You know that, right?”
I hadn’t but it changed nothing. “Can you stop them if you have to?”
“Yes,” he said. “For the greater good. But I hope that won’t be necessary.”
“Me, neither,” I said.
“You know, the greater good is confusing sometimes, Iowa. I mean, when it comes down to it, aren’t we doing all this to stop Merlin from becoming a traitor?”
“The demons found a way to open the dimensional barrier, Austin. If the old wizard decides to open a rift from our side, the demons could make it permanent. The first place the Ra would pour in would be right under the Keep. The Choir Invisible would be done.”
“And if Merlin has his way, he gets to finally die and you get your horns erased,” Spider Richardson said. “It’s not all about saving the world.”
I turned to the old holy man. “That’s right, Spider. I could have a semblance of a normal life after the war is over, assuming we win. If Merlin keeps his word, I’ll have something to live for. Do you have a problem with that?”
Spider considered my words. “Well, the way you put it, if I disagree, that kind of makes me a dick.”
“Just do your job, Spider.”
He held up a small white tube of super glue. “For all the good it will do. I feel like I’m in on a high school prank.”
“That is sort of where I got the idea. When I was at summer camp, bullies put pennies in my door so I couldn’t open it.”
I looked over my shoulder. “It looks like Dallas is ready. You guys better go get in position. Good luck.”
I went to the command van where Psymon waited for me. His hair was matted to his head under his headset and he was sweating. “Everything’s ready here, boss.”
“I wish Rory were here,” I said. “He was with me on my first mission.”
Rory appeared beside me and I leapt backward.
“Jesus!” Psymon almost fell over. I guessed no one ever snuck up on him successfully until then.
“Hi, folks. You rang?” Rory asked.
“Rory!”
“How did you — ”
“I’ve been watching. It’s what I do if you aren’t at the Keep. You’re my favorite half-demon girl.”
“Wow! Glad to see you.” I wanted to hug him but any time I even brushed up against any ghost I got visions from their lives that made me black out. I opted for a smile and a friendly wave instead. I felt incredibly lame. “I wish you just poked your head through the wall like a normal specter. You know I hate it when you just jump in without warning.”
The old ghost gave a toothless grin that made me think of Jack-o’-lanterns. The flames in his eye sockets were bright. He was very much here and not split into many locations.
Psymon looked uneasy. He couldn’t read Rory’s mind. “I don’t like feeling like a Normie,” Psymon said. “I’m gonna get some fresh air and leave you two to talk.”
“How’s that little girl of yours, Mind Reader?”
“Fawn’s fine, thank you.”
“You give her my regards when you talk to her next, will you?”
“Sure,” Psymon said. Rory didn’t budge, so Psymon had to squeeze past him to exit the van.
“Nice fella,” Rory said. “Has kind of a constipated look to him when he sees me but a good chap.”
“H
ow are you feeling, Rory?”
“Still recovering, Princess. Thank you for asking. I haven’t returned to the Keep since the incident.”
“Princess?”
“I don’t mean it ironically. In light of events and what you’ve discovered about your heritage, you aren’t a child anymore.” He bowed, but if he’d had eyes, I think they would have been fixed on my horns. “You deserve a title fitting your stature. And you’re running your own mission now.”
“You’ve been watching all this time?”
“Much of it. When you aren’t at the Keep, I try not to be very far. But, since what happened, being around humans is…there’s more friction between the gears. People give me a rash. Do you understand?”
“I do, I think, yeah.”
“Those old stones and that wicked spell burned me so bad, I don’t know if I’ll ever go back to the Keep. I’ve been watching whales up north. That and the wind in the trees is just about the most peaceful thing there is. I’ve been listening to whales talk to each other.”
“What are they saying?”
“Don’t know. Don’t speak whale. But it’s a pretty language. We sing. They sing. Maybe none of what we do makes sense. No more than them, anyway. Ever think of that?”
“You sure you’re okay, Rory?”
He shook his head. “You can’t exactly kill a ghost, but I remembered suffering again that night. I know you did, too. I’m sorry about the boy. I didn’t see him for what he was.”
“Trick was like me. You didn’t see my demon half, either. It’s not your fault.”
“This demon that Merlin has put you on…best to stay away if you ask me.”
“If we don’t get Chronos he could do us a lot of damage.”
Rory said nothing for a moment. Then, “I’m not sure what end this serves. If I were my old self, maybe I’d know by now. I can’t be everywhere like I used to. I’m doubting what I can do. Maybe it’s time I moved on to Elsewhere. Very nearly did during the blessed burning. Maybe it’s time.”
“No,” I said. “I need you and you’re far too old for a mid-life crisis.” I’d known Rory as a wise and powerful ghost who could detect evil. Now he sounded like he needed therapy. Or maybe he needed something to do. Mama always said that when you feel down and it seems like there’s nothing to be done, that’s the time to find some gumption and a chore.
Fierce Lessons (Ghosts & Demons Series Book 3) Page 10