Other Places 1: Shortcuts

by P. S. Power

  "Didn't know when I was supposed to come in, but figured that being early looked better than showing up late."

  "Exactly on time actually. You're up for the first part of things today. I'll play ambassador and you can run back up and take care of the store." He smiled, knowing that it had to look sickly, since he felt like he was going to vomit at any moment. "That's my excuse to sit around and pretend to answer the phone. Like it?"

  The man chuckled, his face much sharper looking, since he'd bothered to shave and wear a button up the front shirt. With blue jeans, but the man looked like an actually employee, rather than a punching bag like he did, so Zack wasn't going to complain. There was clear effort going on, which was incredible really.

  "Hell yeah, it's a freaking great excuse. If I was you, I'd be at home, casting protective spells twenty-four-seven. Hey, um, is it alright if I run and get a coffee?"

  It was, since the place was already clean and ready for the day. When the man came back, about twenty-minutes later, he handed over a paper cup to Zack too. It didn't have coffee in it, just some kind of tea.

  "That apothecary, the Chinese Mage, he sent this over. Said you should drink some every four hours, if you can. I'll make sure you get it. It's to help your chi circulate. He also said if you didn't drink it all he was going to have to come and scold you. I think he meant it. So, you know, I suggest you do what he says... or else." There was a smile as if it were all a joke, but Zack started in on it. The beverage wasn't good, but it just tasted like grass, not anything objectionable.

  "Yeah, my energy doesn't flow at all. It's why I can't do real magic."

  Hiram nodded and stood, sipping his coffee for a while.

  "So... things always this fast paced and exciting here?"

  "Pretty much. It's either like this or a disaster is about to happen. Luckily most of those don't take place until after noon. We could start a book club in the mornings or something. Liven things up. Re-read the codex or something work related." He meant it as a joke but the Mage looked at him as if it were a great idea.

  About five minutes later Lenore came over, smiling at him a little sadly and giving Hiram a nod.

  "I see you have lackeys now? Good. It's an important skill, learning to delegate." She giggled a little though, which got the new guy to make a face at her.

  "Man, I just can't win can I? Finally try to go straight and people call me a lackey. Shouldn't I at least be an 'assistant' or something like that?"

  Zack held still, since whatever Wu-Li had sent it wasn't for the pain at all it seemed.

  "Yep. Assistant it is. Keep up the good work and we'll have to make you a shift manager."

  Still smiling and seeming decently friendly Lenore made a motion with her head, one that was clearly asking Hiram to leave, or at least get out of ear shot. After a few seconds he got it and gave a tiny nod.

  "Time to start sweeping up in the back, I guess." That got them left alone as well as an approving look from Lenore.

  "Edom mentioned that your new man did excellent work on the club, wards and protections. Did the work with people there too and no one was the wiser. We may have some other businesses that could use the same, if he's willing to travel for it? I'll ask him about it later. Now... I know that this isn't a good time for you, but... I was asked to see if you might be able to help transport some of our ruling council for us later today? They understand about your injuries and Bey has already scolded them for imposing on you before we've dealt with the Lazar situation. He's actually managed to hide rather well so far, which shows more skill than it might sound like. It's nearly impossible to hide from The Bey."

  Zack thought about it for a second and then shrugged, which was a mistake, causing him to gasp.

  "I can do it, as long as I'm not actually being asked to carry anything and it doesn't take too long. I've managed to stiffen up pretty nicely since yesterday. I hurt even more too, if you can believe that. If they don't mind kind of hopping through, and maybe taking a few tries at it to get it down, I can do it, I think. That or one of you could help carry them?" If that was the case he wanted Bey for it, since for some reason high council members sounded like the kind of people he didn't really want to deal with on his own, if possible.

  "I'm sure that they will all be more than willing to make whatever accommodations you need. I... It's alright to say no. I don't want you to feel like you have to do this. I had to stop Bey from reporting a complaint to your guild last night, since he feels they should be looking after you better and not abusing you like they are. Of course he also thinks that we should purge all of Lazar's line now, since he tried to kill you. That wouldn't have gone over well, even if you were just some person Bey had met once or twice. It was a direct insult to him, and meant that way, to show that he wasn't able to protect those around him. Since we owe you a debt... That makes this a matter of honor. Some of the very old ones still have that for some reason. The newer Vampires less so." She smiled and touched his left arm, leaving her cool hand there while she spoke. "We will find him and make him pay for this. You were most brave I hear. Barb said that you kept fighting him, rising from the ground, even when she couldn't stand up herself. Not many regular men could have done that."

  That earned her a shrug and a tiny head shake.

  "That wasn't me." He stared at her for a while and then went on, since she had a right to know, being around him as much as she was. "That was Mirror Him. That's what I call the version of myself that shows up in reflections most of the time. An alternate personality I guess. Anyway, he doesn't feel pain in situations like that. I feel it for us. It makes it a lot easier to keep going. Kind of sucked on my end, but we all have our own jobs."

  That sounded like enough crazy to him for the time being, but Lenore moved closer to him, touching his right arm with the gentlest of pressures. It made the whole thing ache slightly, but Zack didn't bother trying to pull away. She didn't seem to want to hurt him, just make contact.

  "I... have suspected something like that for a while now. That there was more to you than it seemed on the surface. Still, there are many different ways to be, and even if this alternate self of yours did the work, it's still you. Just as you are him and so on. If you're looking for people to judge you harshly for being a little different, or even broken, don't go to Vampires for it. We all have problems of one kind or another. We live too long, with too many losses and hardships not to."

  The plan, after he agreed to help move these people around, was for him to simply go to where they were, in New York City, and take them to a place in South Africa. It was something they could have done on a plane, or even taken care of by phone, except for the fact that the people on the ground there, in Africa, were feeling very neglected, which meant that having the head honchos show up in person would have an incredible impact on them.

  If nothing else it would be good practice for his work with Wu-Li, he didn't have time to heal first, so he needed to work out exactly what he was going to do.

  It hurt, but Zack moved to the back room, slowly, and then off to find the no doubt scary Vampires. Hopefully they'd at least hold themselves to no more than harsh words with him.

  He didn't count on that.

  Chapter sixteen

  The reactions of the ruling council, of which he was supposed to take three to South Africa, was a mixed bag, but all of it a lot more gentle than he'd feared. The first one he met was a woman who looked about Lenore's age, so about nineteen or so, if not as pretty, who was wearing a simple dress that was made of heavy fabric and some dark and uncomfortable looking boots. Her hair was short however and when she spoke he got why. It was a good act, but she was definitely a man.

  "My goodness! We'd heard that you were injured, but this is... No, it simply won't do. We must postpone and see you to bed for a long rest. The situation can wait, or we could perhaps simply travel by other means." There was a real tone of sympathy in the voice too, one that didn't seem to be practiced or forced at all.

&nb
sp; That was nice, but before Zack could try to explain the whole thing one of the others, a young boy with very straight dark hair, who looked about ten, just shrugged.

  "Don't be so fast to think him crippled, Marissa. The man came when asked, even though injured. It might insult his honor to do as you said. Besides, if I can avoid a three week trip on a tramp freighter I will. I hate those things." He didn't offer his hand, holding his up instead, in a rather formal looking wave.

  "I'm Gene. This lady is Marissa, and this other gentleman is Harland. We thank you for coming. I mean no insult to you or your person, but are you well enough to do this? We can, if it's needed, wait a few days. I'd rather not, to tell the truth, but reality has a way of forcing even those such as we to bend to its will."

  The last Vampire was very tall, at least six-six and was both pale and slightly distorted looking. He had blood red eyes and a mouth full of very sharp looking teeth, like fangs, if someone had tried to cram several rows of them into one mouth. He also wore a very nice, obviously tailored, black suit.

  "I agree. We do not wish to stress you in this." There was a slight undertone of annoyance when he spoke, but the man didn't snap at him, or the others for suggesting they postpone.

  Looking around he saw that they each had luggage with them, but a single piece of it each, except Marissa who had two bags with her, and a large purse. He considered it for a few seconds and then described what they'd need to do, which got pleased looks from Harland at least.

  "May I attempt it first? It's most interesting to me." The smile he gave then was freaky, but he managed to coordinate his little hop perfectly the first time, letting Zack drag him through the air, holding on to the Vampire's arm with his left hand.

  It was agony, since he could hardly breathe, and he had to fight to control the panting that the pain caused. Gene went next, also managing to time it all perfectly. Marissa took three tries to get it down, since her dress and bags got in the way to begin with. Zack didn't try to push through, fearing what might happen to her if she was on the ground when he left, if he had contact with her. If he focused enough, it might have worked, but there was something off about it. Dangerous seeming.

  When they got to the correct node the room was empty at first, but filled with Vampires after just a few moments. They looked impressed, rather than scared, by the people in front of them.

  Marissa stopped him and looked as if she were the one physically pained. A soft hand came out as if to touch him, but paused in the air, so as to not cause him any further discomfort.

  "You are too injured for this. We've stressed you too much..." She clapped, the sound a lot louder than it seemed like it should be, powered by a being that was far stronger than she looked. "We need to take this man to a hospital and enforce rest. Give him the best of care and drugs."

  Zack had to shake his head, but managed to force a smile.

  "If only I could. I have to get back though. Things to do, embassies to watch, and candles to sell. Just call Lenore, or Bey, when you need to go back and I'll come get you. It might be a few days, since I have a project to work on, but after that, just make sure they know what's happening."

  Then he left quickly, before they could grab him and try to make him rest anyway. He hated hospitals. Nothing good ever happened in those places. Not for someone like him. Plus they smelled. He hated that scent, disinfectant and cleaning products, with just the slightest hint of death and despair in the background.

  Getting back to work was actually decently easy for him then, since Hiram made sure that he didn't have to do anything at all. There were a few people that came in and glared at the Mage, but most were actually willing to deal with him getting the forms they needed or trying to contact other Mages for them. That was part of the guild situation. They had a database of who specialized in what kinds of magic, and when asked, would put in a request for services. Not everyone using that service was a Mage either. In fact only about half of them were. The rest varied, from a strange looking figure that seemed to be made of shadow, who wanted a love charm done that would actually work, to a regular human woman in her fifties that was having problems with a local Magician she used to date that kept cursing her.

  Zack actually handled that one himself, dialing the phone slowly and waiting a long time for the other end to pick up.

  "Hello?" There was no name given, so Zack had to read it off of the complaint form.

  "William Struthers?"

  "Yes. May I help you?" The voice sounded like that of a normal person, maybe a little older than the average Mage, but not creaking or ancient.

  "I think you can. You seem to keep cursing a woman, last name Cuthbert? Some kind of break up thing?"

  There was silence for a long time, but then a sigh came.

  "Yes. And? I don't think that's your business, is it? It's between her and I."

  "You'd think that, but no, it's a guild matter now. I just wanted to let you know that you have twelve hours to remove everything you've done to her, and if we find out that you're continuing on in your vendetta, well, let's just say that the rules allow for us to send that back at you three fold. I don't want to start with threats, but I know how much break-ups can hurt. Still, please do this for us. It's time to let go of it."

  There was another pause and then finally an angry grunt.

  "How about I curse you instead you little prick? Who do you think you are, telling me who I can and can't do magic on?"

  Zack grinned, which probably wasn't a friendly thing, since the woman across the counter took a step back.

  "Who am I? No one really, just a humble guild representative. You pay dues to us, so that in part I can call you up and warn you that someone is about to start something with you that you can't handle. I'm also here to make sure you have someone to call you on your shit when you start to go overboard. That would be this right now, by the way. Do you really want to curse the guy that's trying to save your life? Because that's what we're looking at here. You either get with the program, today, or get ready for hell to rain down on you. Who am I? I'm the one that has to push the button if you don't do it, that's who I am."

  The language was a little hard, but he didn't feel well enough to actually argue with the man, who promptly cursed him. Not really though. He just said the words. He'd have to know who Zack was to make it stick. Even then it would be hard, since the shielding Hiram put up would stop it, unless he kept after the project for a while and waited for Zack to leave the protections.

  Laughing he growled into the phone, which had to sound deranged.

  "Alright moron. You have eleven hours and fifty-eight minutes left. If you want to file a complaint about me, feel free to write one up and bring it in. You have thirty days to do that before the statute of limitations is past for that. Either way I suggest you get to work on this first, since we won't be cutting you any slack if you don't." Then, gently, so as to not make things hurt, he hung up and looked at the brown and silver haired woman in front of him.

  Smiling.

  "There we go. That will probably fix it. We'll be in touch with you about the whole thing, or really, if you could come in tomorrow so I can check, to make certain the work got done. One way or the other we'll break that for you and he won't bother you again." He'd get Barb to go and punch the man a few dozen times if nothing else worked. Death didn't always undo major curses, but little ones like this... That would wipe the slate clean for those.

  Of course it was pretty clear that the man was only trying to harass the woman a little, causing her bad luck, instead of attacking her health or anything more damaging. He was just such a pain to deal with that Zack felt a bit mean about it all.

  For some reason the woman didn't seem very pleased about it all, but she also didn't complain, just nodding grimly. After she left Hiram came over, shaking his head.

  "You want me to get a gang together and go see about straightening this guy out? Threatening to curse a Guild rep is bad news. We can't let that go." There w
as a seriousness to his words that was a little surprising. Like he intended to actually go do it. Gangland style.

  "Nope. He was just letting off some steam. If he actually tries anything, we'll handle it, but otherwise let's wait and see if he doesn't get a hold of himself. We can't let every little thing be a big deal, or we'll never get anything done." He looked at the clock and nodded once. "Anyway, you should get some lunch and take a break. Is Jenifer coming in today?"

  "About three-thirty, since she has school. I... we should make sure she has time for homework too." He looked down at the floor, as if that was some kind of big favor to ask of him or something.

  Zack nodded, thinking about it for a minute.

  "Yeah, she can do that here and still draw some pay. It isn't much, but I did arrange for you two to get something for all your work." How much he didn't know yet, so he kept his mouth shut on the idea. It was something, and that would have to do for now.

  "Really? So, this is like a real job and everything? What, do you really expect me to go legit?" There was a funny look then, which got stronger when Zack nodded.

  "Yeah. I kind of told Maddy Morse that. So, you know, if you don't then I'll look really bad. Besides, you need to be there for Jenifer and make sure she has a good role model. She... has parents, doesn't she?" It was the kind of thing he didn't like to ask, since his own had just taken off one day and never come back. After he'd been kidnapped and returned too. So it was kind of telling. They really just hadn't loved him very much.

  "Oh, sure. Good folks too. My sister and her husband Michael. Not... wealthy people, but hard working. Neither of them has much talent. Enough to do some basic spell work, but not enough to really live off of. She works as a lunch lady at a school and Mike does construction. I've tried to funnel them some money over the years, for Jelly, but they won't take it. Those kind of people. Proud, and honest."