He nodded as I spoke. “I can see that maybe working.”
“Problem solved.” I cupped his shoulder and walked him to the front doors. “It’s okay to think outside the box, Tex.”
He nodded enthusiastically. “I don’t usually deal with these kinds of problems. This was my first high profile victim and I wanted guidance is all. Like I said, I mostly deal with migrant workers.”
“I understand.” I walked him to a rusty old truck that squawked when he pulled the door open. “If you run into any other unusual situations, feel free to give us a call.”
He tipped his hat as he stepped up into the pickup. “Sorry to have bothered you at home.”
“Any time. That’s why we’re here.”
I watched him drive away and Laura appeared at my side. “I want the file on this ‘Tex.’”
She slapped the folder against my midsection. It was scary cool how this chick knew me better than I knew myself.
“What are your thoughts?”
I flipped through the file. Not a lot in there. I guess dealing with illegals made him one of those that rarely popped up on radar. I glanced back up and watched as his taillights faded from view. “My thoughts are that it might be time to consider moving him up the ladder a bit. Sort of a right hand man.”
She gave me a confused stare. “Him? He’s a redneck.”
I shook my head. “No, he’s a cowboy. Rednecks aren’t as polite and they definitely don’t tend to think before they act. He’s meticulous. He wants to make sure everything is done properly.” I gave her a grin. “I can use that.”
“If you say so.”
I walked her back into the house. “He’s a problem solver. If he faces something he isn’t used to dealing with, he seeks input, he doesn’t just call in the troops to get him out of it.” I paused at the door. “If you had to choose between working with someone like him or the clown we met in Denver?”
“Oh, I’d take the redneck any day.”
“And I can work with that.”
She watched me open the door and she continued to search my face for more. “To do what?”
“To reach these other enforcers. The council is determined that I don’t fire and replace what we have without first giving them a chance to straighten up and fly right.”
“And you think this guy can help you accomplish that?”
I shrugged. “He may not be the best, but I don’t have time for interviews. This guy’s a pleaser. He wants to do his job right and not make waves. That’s the kind of person I need to reach out to those who are…lacking.”
She shook her head at me as we shut the door. “I think you’re trying to make a silk purse from a sow’s ear.”
If that’s all I had…I would.
Chapter 17
“You’re what?”
“I’m going to train Tex to take my place.” I stood in the office, shoving the files into the drawer. My system is simple. Shove it in the drawer. If I need it, I’ll dig through until I find the one I’m looking for. I don’t have time to sing the ABCs every time I try to put something away or look for it.
“Shouldn’t that be up to the council?” Laura stepped in front of me and pushed the drawer shut. I guess it was time to give her my full attention.
I set the rest of the files aside and looked down at her. “What?”
“Are you expecting Loki to kill you during this swap? Because if you are, call it off. Call it off now.”
I sighed and sat in the leather chair, facing her. “That’s not it at all.”
“Please! Enlighten me.”
I wasn’t sure how to explain my worries. All I knew was, I’d rather have somebody like Tex around to pick up the pieces. I had a feeling that he would keep Laura safe. I couldn’t say that about any of the others.
“Look, there’s a very real possibility that once my soul is put back in place…”
“What?” She stood with her hands on her hips, her foot tapping with impatience.
“That I won’t…be able to do this job anymore.”
There was the look again. I hate it when she gives me that look.
“You’re not making any sense, Sven.”
I stood and towered over her. “Do you really think the council is going to let me stay in this position if I end up human?”
The realization hit her like a hammer. She nearly staggered back as she reached for something to hold on to.
“But…you…I mean…us?” Her eyes were already misty as she looked up at me.
I shook my head gently and took her in my arms. “As long as I’m still kicking, there will be an us.” I pulled her back and looked deeply into her eyes. “Unless you wouldn’t want me. As a human, I mean.”
Her mouth was set firm, unsure if she should be angry or worried and her mind not quite sure how to form the words. Finally she wrapped her arms around me again. “Where could we go?”
I shrugged. “Anywhere you want.”
“That the council won’t find us.” She pulled back and wiped at her cheeks. “They don’t just let people ‘quit’ you know. And I’m not even one of them. They would hunt us down.”
I gave her my best evil grin. “They could try.”
“Sven, seriously. If you are human…just human, how could you stand against them?”
I held my arm up and showed her the golden cuff. “I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.”
“But vampires are so much faster than humans.” She really looked scared.
I pulled her close and held her. “Let’s just cross the bridge as it comes to us.” I rubbed at her back and prayed that we wouldn’t need to run.
* * *
Tex sat on the edge of the chair and watched me closely. “I thought I explained myself before, sir. I’m a field person.” He glanced around the office and shook his head. “I don’t think I’m cut out for this sort of work.”
I glanced at his file again. Taylor ‘Tex’ Caldwell. I shut the file and leaned back in the chair. “Taylor, I need somebody that I know I can trust. You give me that impression.”
“And I appreciate that sir, but–”
“Drop the sir. I’m just Sven. Or boss. Or…anything but sir.” He nodded. “And when I say I need somebody I can trust, I mean above everything else.”
He cocked his head to the side and gave me a cautious look. “Not sure I’m following you, sir…boss.”
“I mean, if I ask you to do something without the knowledge or consent of the council…”
He nodded. “You need a hand.” He stood and held his hat in his hands. “It’s been a while since somebody wanted to put me in a position like that.”
“My question is, are you prepared to accept that position?”
He stood tall and squared his shoulders. “If you’re choosing me to act as your second, then yes, sir, boss. I’m prepared.”
I tried not to smile.
“Then grab your gear. You’re moving in here.”
He gave me a puzzled look. “Uh, with you and the missus?”
“She’s not my missus. Yet. But yeah. We operate out of here and…there’s a lot to bring you up to speed on.”
“I’m on it. I keep a duffle packed and ready. You never know when you’ll have to pull up stakes and move on. It’s best to be ready.”
“Be back before sunup.” I went back to work and heard him leave, the doors to the office shutting behind him.
“Aww, isn’t that precious. Somebody made a friend.”
I glanced at the black computer screen and Loki was smiling out of it again. I groaned and reached out, grabbing the screen by the top and flipping it face down on the desk. “Beat it. I’m not in the mood for you right now.”
I could hear him shrieking through the speakers on the computer. I eventually got tired of the cursing and lifted the screen again. “What do you want, Loki?”
“You know damned good and well what I want!” He was so close again that the lens started freezing up. “Are we going to do
this or am I going to eat your soul?”
I groaned and leaned back in the chair. I rocked slightly back and forth, staring at his ugly image. “I don’t know, trickster. You tell me.”
He gave me a curious glare. “What…are you saying?”
“I’m saying I don’t give a shit anymore. If you eat my soul, at least it won’t be in limbo any longer.” I threw my hands into the air. “Why do you want these powers back so badly? Surely you have plenty.”
He glanced downward and I could tell he wasn’t prepared for the question. “It’s mine. Nobody else should have it.”
“Uh-huh.” I leaned forward and squinted at his image. “Something tells me you’re not being entirely truthful. I wonder if I could reach through this connection and make you be honest with me?”
He stiffened then swallowed hard. “Fine. Truth be told, you drained much more than you might think.”
I sat back again and clasped my hands behind my head. “Go on.”
He lowered his voice and tried not to look at me. “It takes a very long time for a god to renew that kind of energy. I want it back now. Not later.”
Time to hedge a bet. “Or ever. Right?” I leaned close to the screen and stared at him. “Whether it’s true or not, you’re afraid that the power I took from you won’t ever return.”
He swallowed hard again and I saw a slight nod of his head. “That thought had crossed my mind.”
I sighed heavily. I was really growing weary of his games. “So, either I volunteer to return it or…you eat my soul?” I chuckled. “You’ll catch more bees with honey than vinegar.”
His face twisted. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“It means, asshole, you get a lot further in life by asking nicely than by making threats. Especially threats that have little meaning to the other party.” I tapped the screen of the monitor. “Think, Loki. I’m a hunter. Do you really think that if you pissed me off I wouldn’t track you down and beat you bloody again with your own powers? Maybe I catch you when your brother is busy…then who would save you?”
He glanced away and refused to look at me. I watched him bite at his lower lip. “Fine. Will you please trade me back my power for your soul?”
I could tell that it pained him greatly. I kind of enjoyed it.
I leaned close and wanted to tell him to go fuck himself. Instead, words came out of my mouth that I wasn’t even thinking. “What happens to me when we do this?”
He gave me a wide eyed stare. “I…I don’t know. I guess we both walk away and never have to think of the other again.”
I shook my head. “Not what I meant. I mean…what will I become?”
His eyes widened. “Oh. You mean, will you still be draugar?” He shrugged. “I don’t see how. You’d have your soul back. I would assume you’d be human again.”
I nodded. That was what I was afraid of. “But you aren’t certain?”
He shook his head. “No. And to continue being honest, I’m not sure that anybody here in the nine worlds would truly know either.” He scratched at his chin. “I don’t think anybody has ever tried to put a soul back into a draugar.”
I glanced at the doors to ensure we were still alone. “So tell me this. If this doesn’t work, for whatever reason, can you see my soul safely back to Valhalla?”
He shook his head. “Thor pulled your soul. Only he could return it.”
I groaned.
I could tell he was getting nervous, he looked around like he thought someone else might be listening. “How about this? How about, if it doesn’t work and you are left soulless, I will plead your case to my brother and if I have to, I will beg him to return it to the great hall? Would that satisfy your concerns?”
I thought about it a moment. It was better than nothing. If I were left a vampire, I could deal with that. Even if the Nephilim and angel blood coursing through my body didn’t keep me a daywalker, I could still do my job. I could still watch over Laura. I would simply carry on with my life without the benefit of Loki’s stolen power.
I nodded absently. “We have a deal, Trickster.” I leaned forward and pointed at him, my finger poking right where his nose was on the screen. “But if you try any double crosses or attempt anything dishonorable–”
“I know, I know. You’ll hunt me down and beat me so hard my forefathers will feel it. I understand completely.”
“Two days.” I held up two fingers. “I have contingencies to prepare for before we do this.”
He nodded. “Two days. I’ll be in touch, Northman.”
The screen went black and I sighed.
What had I just gotten myself into?
* * *
To his credit, Tex didn’t say much as I spilled my guts to him. Laura warned me not to tell him everything, but if I were going to trust him with her life, I needed to ensure that he and I were on the same page.
A few times I watched as his eyes grew wide and other times his mouth fell open, but he never interrupted. He sat patiently and listened, nodding in appropriate places, shaking his head effectively in others. When I was finished, he sat in silence, apparently trying to take it all in.
Finally he stood and poured himself a tall, water glass of bourbon. He swallowed it down and wiped at his mouth with the back of his sleeve. He finally turned and gave me a look I couldn’t read. “That is some tale you just spun.”
I nodded. “And it’s all true.”
He turned and poured another tall glass of bourbon. He swallowed about half of it before he turned back to me. “And the little lady…she knows all the particulars?”
I nodded again. “She’s the only one who knows everything, besides us.”
He quickly finished the rest of the glass and set it down gently on the bar. “And you’re willing to trade the powers of a…a…‘god’ to get your soul back?”
I exhaled long and hard. I didn’t know if I could explain it to him in a way he might understand. I finally decided to appeal to whatever humanity he may have left.
“Tex, how long have you been a vampire?”
He shrugged. “’Bout thirty-five years.”
“I’ve been walking this earth for nearly four centuries.” I saw the look he gave me. I don’t think he was quite following me yet. “I took a great deal of solace in the fact that my spirit was enjoying the afterlife in Valhalla. I knew that I didn’t have a soul inside this body and I’d come to terms with that. But there was this little bit of comfort in knowing that my soul was there, that I had earned the right to feast with my forefathers.
“I’ve learned much over these centuries, suffered loss, even doubted the reasons for my existence. But one thing that never nagged at me was the end result. Regardless of the end I meet here on Earth, I knew what was in store for me. Eventually. Now I’m lost, meaningless–an empty shell. The real ‘me’ is floating in a jar in Loki’s hands. I need to put it back,” I put my fist to my heart. “Set it free, or plant it back in Valhalla. It’s all I’ll have left once somebody ashes me.”
He nodded slowly. “I reckon that makes sense.” He turned troubled eyes to me. “But to give up the powers of a god? I don’t think I could do that.”
“Powers don’t make you a god. Only a spirit can do that. And anyway,” I took my seat again and rocked side to side. “They’re not that great. I told you about the squirrel, yeah?”
He nodded, a smile forming.
“Imagine if I accidentally did that to somebody I cared about.” His face went pale. “It seems I can break stuff easy enough. I just can’t put it back together again.”
He nodded. “That makes some good sense, boss. What do you want me to do?”
“I’m going to face Loki alone. If he senses anybody else, he’s liable to do something stupid. I need you to make sure that Laura stays safe. Continue the work here, of course, but above all else, watch out for her, and I mean at the risk of your own safety. Can you do that?”
He stood and gave me a solemn oath. “On my life.”
“Good man.” I shook his hand and knew that I had chosen well. He’d walk through fire to keep her safe.
Chapter 18
I spent the next few days catching Tex up on how we ran things. I went over the training regimen with him and we even tested his hand to hand abilities. The guy was a natural born fighter, but he needed work using weapons.
On the morning of the day I was supposed to work the trade with Loki, Laura woke up feeling nauseous and nearly gagged when she tried to brush her teeth. I feared she may have caught a bug while out shopping or running errands. I told her to go back to bed, but she refused. Being a Were, her immune system usually kept her safe from most human virus and bacteria. There are always exceptions.
She insisted on cooking breakfast and Tex watched me chow down on the bacon with envy. “I remember bacon.” I think he was about to cry. He poured a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter inhaling deeply of its aroma. “Are you sure you want to give up all this?”
I gave him a grin as I shoved another piece of greasy bacon into my mouth. “Who says I’ll have to give up eating? Worst case scenario I become human and have to leave here.” I reached out and patted Laura’s hand.
She saw the grease on the back of her hand and darted for the sink. Her stomach backfired and she repainted the porcelain. There was spew everywhere. If Tex hadn’t scooted to the side, he would have been splattered by it.
He shook his head as he pulled towels from the drawer. “I knew nothing good could come of my staying up past sunrise.” He handed her the hand towels then excused himself. He had to get to darkness and rest before the sun sapped all of his energy.
I helped her clean up the mess and pressed my hand to her forehead. “You don’t feel feverish.”
She grabbed a washcloth and wet it. She pressed it to her face and made her way back to the table on wobbly legs. “I need to make a run into town.”
Hunter 3 : Lost Souls Page 15