by TR Cameron
After a deep breath, she cleared her throat and shouted, “Anyone who’s not standing and heading for the door in fifteen seconds will wish they were.” Almost everyone responded with grumbles and motion except for a business-suited Light Elf at the back of the room who had worked hard all night to convince his date that he was the one for her. To Cali’s eyes, it didn’t appear to have gone well. The fact that the woman had chosen a strong beer and he drank expensive red wine suggested a fundamental mismatch based on her serving experience.
“Last chance, people.” She watched the elf and a part of her wished he wouldn’t obey. His date made a move to rise, but he put his hand on hers to keep her in place. Cali twisted to stare at Zeb and received a nod in return. Excellent. She narrowed her focus and sought a path into his mind. It was more protected than the man she’d fought earlier, but the alcohol had compromised his concentration and there were cracks to exploit. She waited until he gestured and caused his muscles to twitch in precisely the right way.
The elf jerked to his feet as his wine spilled over the front of his expensive outfit. He glared at her and she gave him a blank stare. Although he uttered a growl that suggested he knew who was responsible, he couldn’t do more without proof. He stalked toward the exit and forgot his date entirely in his anger. The woman’s eye-roll confirmed Cali’s earlier impression, and she returned a small smile. Five minutes later, the Tavern was locked, the tables were clear, and she was free to join the others.
Tanyith was in the seat that put his back to the door with Barton on his right and Zeb across the bar from her. Cali took the chair beside the detective. “So, you two are already tired of each other, huh? The looks on your faces tell the tale. Relationships today. Doomed from the start.” She shook her head with what she thought was an appropriately sad expression.
Kendra shot her a look of exasperation. “Clearly, you have extensive dating experience to draw on when making that judgment.”
“Ouch.” Behind the bar, Fyre snorted and she hissed, “Shut up, you.” The others laughed at their antics but it was forced and short-lived. With a frown, she asked, “Okay, seriously, what’s up?”
Tanyith gestured at Kendra so the detective took the lead. “Tay’s ex has been threatened by the Atlanteans who sent the Kraken.”
Cali sat for several seconds and tried to force those words spoken in that order to make sense. “How does that happen exactly? What’s the connection?”
He heaved a heavy sigh. “Me. It seems the same people sprung me from Trevilsom. Nylotte thinks it was so I’d create chaos in or provide leverage against the gang in town.” He dipped his hands below the bar and came up with four metal vials, two in each hand. “She brought these for you, by the way, and says they’ll work better than what you’ve used.”
She took the flasks, the healing potions marked with drops of blood on the caps and the energy versions with lightning bolts. Once she’d set them carefully onto the wooden surface in front of her, she turned to him again. “So why are they threatening Sienna, then? Is it about the dude you and she are looking for?” A hint of guilt hid in the question as she’d been so busy lately that she hadn’t been a very good partner in that investigation.
He shook his head. “No. They want something from me.”
Anger built inside her, the magic pressing for release in response. “What?”
“Right now, only that I visit them and have a conversation. But I’m not stupid enough to believe that’s where it’ll end. They’ll demand more.”
Kendra interjected, “We already have people watching Sienna, but we can’t keep her safe against every threat without putting her in protective custody. And Tay doesn’t think she’d agree to that.”
He laughed. “Not hardly. No, I’ll have to go and talk to them.”
Cali nodded. “Fyre and I will back you up. When and where is the meeting? I’m sure Zeb can give me an evening off if needed.”
The dwarf gave a smug smile. “Janice is always looking for extra hours.”
She grimaced at the mention of her occupational nemesis. “Janice is a pale imitation. You remember that.”
He pulled his pipe from under the bar and busied himself loading and lighting it instead of replying. She stared at him until he finally chuckled. “Sure, imitation. Got it.”
Appalling lack of respect I get around here. She turned to the other two. “See what I have to put up with? No appreciation for my talents at all. So, when’s the meet?”
Kendra laughed and Tanyith shook his head. “Whenever we get there. They say they’ll be ready.” Something in his tone suggested it wouldn’t be as simple as one might think.
“Where’s there?”
“New Atlantis.”
“Holy hell. Seriously?” Her mind raced at the information. It made sense that eventually, they’d have a direct connection to the Atlantean homeland, but she’d thought it would be later and had hoped it would be never. She’d half made her mind up that she’d have to go there to pursue the answers to her own personal questions, but it hadn’t crystallized into a definite decision as yet. “Damn. Okay. Well, how do we get there?”
He shrugged. “Nylotte sent word right before I got here that no one she knows has a portal access. So, unless we want to go and ask the local gang to send us there, it looks like we’ll do it the hard way—by boat, I guess.”
Cali drummed her fingers on the bar. “I could use a victory in the next battle to order them to do it according to the rules.”
Everyone shook their heads simultaneously and Zeb spoke for them all. “There is no chance that we can trust them. Especially after today.” The other two looked quizzical, so she described the earlier fracas and received appreciative laughter for the way she’d finished it.
She shrugged. “All right, then. We’re off to New Atlantis. I’d better take care of a couple of things first, though. I have thought about it and I’m tired of waiting for the Atlantean gang to set the timetable on the battles. Always wondering if today will be the day is beyond annoying. Let’s flip it and order them around instead.”
Kendra frowned. “Is that in the rules?”
Cali nodded. “I asked Scoppic. He said it would be a legitimate tactic.”
“I told you going to the library would be good for you,” Zeb replied in a smug tone.
She countered with a single upraised finger and continued. “So, I say we challenge them tomorrow and get it over and done with. Then, I should have at least two weeks free of them. That should be enough to travel to New Atlantis and portal back.”
“Assuming everything goes as you’ve planned it, I agree,” Tanyith replied. “But that’s not exactly guaranteed.”
She waved a hand dismissively. “Whatever. It’ll be fine. So tomorrow, Fyre, Tanyith, and I will kick some Atlantean ass and after, we’ll prepare to head to New Atlantis. Kendra has Sienna protected, and the appearance of doing what they want should keep her doubly safe.” No one looked happy but everyone nodded. The Draksa sent a feeling of approval to her. “So, how do we get there?”
“No one’s actually said where it is,” the detective said. “So…where is it?”
Tanyith laughed. “Right where you’d expect it to be. In the Bermuda Triangle.”
The woman shook her head. “Of course it is. And Bigfoot is probably hanging out with them too, and maybe a few vampires and werewolves. Get serious.” When his expression didn’t change, she put her face on her folded arms on top of the bar. “You are serious. This world is getting weirder by the minute.”
Cali frowned. “That doesn’t actually answer my question.”
He shrugged. “We take a ship as close as we can and we swim the rest of the way. I know spells that will help with that, and Draksa are natural swimmers.”
“Is there no better option?”
“I can’t think of one unless Nylotte’s friends want to give us an assist. But she didn’t suggest it so I would guess that won’t happen.”
“Too bad.
I like those people.”
Tanyith nodded. “Me too.”
Zeb pointed his pipe at Cali. “It seems as if you have a plan. You’d better go home and rest while you can. It sounds like you’ll have a big day tomorrow.”
With a groan, she pushed herself off the chair. “Every day is a big day lately. I need a vacation.” She snapped her fingers. “Let’s get a move on, Fyre.”
“I hear New Atlantis is nice this time of year,” the dwarf quipped. “It’s perfect for a vacation.”
She gave him one last single-finger salute as she descended the stairs to the sound of everyone’s laughter.
Chapter Five
The decision to take the offensive in the ritual battles with the Atlantean gang wasn’t an impulsive one. Cali had seriously considered it since the last encounter, which had been announced with a note on her Aikido studio’s door. As the idea grew in her mind, she’d begun to examine her surroundings with new eyes to identify locations where she might be able to have the next fight.
It was while at the library—the mostly human and above-ground one—that she’d found the perfect place. A search for information on the area around her parents’ hidden bunker had led to the discovery of an article about a different portion of the city. It described a tunnel built in the nineteen sixties that had never been put into use because of a possible historic landmark issue. It lay at the edge of the Quarter and under the casino and the structures nearby. The author claimed it was in excellent condition despite its age and the ever-present threat of water damage.
She and Fyre had found it after a great deal of trial and error and had discovered the article was mostly correct. The air was stale and a little moisture seeped in at the walls, but the six-lane passage beneath the tourists’ feet was intact and certainly large enough for a three-on-three battle.
Probably even a six-on-six but damn, I hope I can find a way out of this before that happens. I don’t have that many friends.
Cali had taken to using a two-step process when she portaled anywhere other than a completely safe location. Her first portal delivered her and the Draksa from her living room to the alley beside Ikehara’s dojo and the second connected that location to a different alley, this one across the street from the Shark Nightclub. They stepped through and she closed it immediately, another habit she’d developed in case any ambushers attempted to leap through to backtrack her. Developing new instincts that included countermeasures against risks she’d never before envisioned took time, but she worked consistently on it.
The late morning sun felt hot on her bare skin. She had essentially left home in her pajamas—only a t-shirt, running shorts, and sneakers. The envelope in her hand was fancy, made of heavy material with an elegant pattern. She’d considered adding a wax seal and personal stamp but didn’t yet want to reveal any of the items or knowledge from her parents’ hidden refuge. The paper inside matched perfectly. On it was the phrasing Scoppic had instructed her to use.
The ritual continues at a time and place of my choosing, as the rules permit. Tonight at nine, three-on-three, at these coordinates.
Her phone had provided the GPS location of the tunnel. Doubtless, they would spend the afternoon checking it for traps, but she hadn’t left any surprises. There’s too much risk involved in that. Right now, the ritual protects me. Kind of, idiot loners aside. Tanyith would bring glow sticks in case but she assumed the Atlanteans would prepare the scene since they’d no doubt bring an audience as they had before.
She veiled herself and walked across the street once she’d made sure no cars would approach to ram her invisible form. Outside the club, she drew a knife from the back of her waistband, one of the two her enemy had used in the attack the day before. Its twin had already been sold to a broker Invel had recommended, who bought any weapons she captured for a decent price.
The Drow had reassured her they wouldn’t reappear in the wrong hands. He’d explained that the company he worked for serviced collectors, movie studios, and others with an interest in them but no actual need to use them. She’d been doubtful, but Zeb had vouched for the Dark Elf’s trustworthiness. Some of the money offset the hours of busking and work at the tavern she missed due to her new exciting lifestyle, and the rest waited for an emergency that would require it. Like buying a damn boat ticket to the bloody Bermuda Triangle.
Cali raised the envelope in her left hand and stabbed the knife in her right through it and deep into the wooden door of the Atlanteans’ home base. Moments later, she watched from the alley as the door opened and the missive was retrieved by a large, muscular man with dreadlocks and a scowl. She poked Fyre and whispered, “There’s nothing as attractive as a dude in ratty shorts and a stained tank top.” The Draksa snorted in either agreement or condescension at the intellectualism of her humor. She chose to imagine it was the first.
When the man closed the door and disappeared, she waited five minutes to ensure they wouldn’t try to catch her. After a couple of portals later, she was home. “Phase one complete. Now on to phase two.” The next task was a long, hot shower before the time arrived to start getting ready for the fight to come.
Fyre had fallen asleep, resting for the battle ahead since she would only be in safe places. She’d agreed to meet Tanyith at three in the Tavern basement, and he was waiting when she stepped through into the crate-filled space. His dour expression fit perfectly with the dark atmosphere of the Drunken Dragons’ lower level.
“What’s up, glum-face?” She summoned a cheerful grin and hoped it would be suitably annoying to rouse him.
He shrugged. “Do you ever feel like events are in control of you, rather than the other way around?”
Cali laughed. “Only every single minute of every single day. I would have thought you’d learned to be comfortable with that feeling in prison.”
Tanyith rose and shuffled over to her. “Yeah, there was some of that. But when I got back, I expected things would change more than they have.”
“I get it. Different place, same stuff. Hang in there. You’ll get used to it. Try to focus on what you can control in the short-term. Like beating the snot out of a few idiot members of your old gang tonight.”
That inspired a smile. “Now that is a good plan.”
She gestured with her hands and the strange tattoos that always appeared when she did physical magic glowed faintly on her bare arms. After her shower, she’d changed into jeans and boots since her parents’ bunker—well, I guess it’s my bunker now—always seemed unexpectedly chilly. She gestured to Tanyith to go first and followed him through.
In the days since they’d discovered it, he had spent time cleaning and organizing. Despite her desire to do all of it herself, both he and Zeb had made the argument that it needed to be done sooner rather than later, and his schedule was more open than hers. She’d feared it would become less like her place if someone else did it but fortunately, it hadn’t turned out that way.
The three of them had inventoried the lockers’ contents thoroughly together and had found nothing more than she’d initially discovered. Cali couldn’t see a use for the spy paraphernalia, the helmets, the electronics, or the sword fragments today, but the uniforms seemed like a good precaution. She and Tanyith turned their backs to one another as they tried them on.
“Ready,” she announced.
“Me too.”
They rotated to regard one another. Her father’s uniform fit him well and he looked imposing in the all-black outfit. She hoped hers was as fetching but it definitely fit perfectly. The jacket was padded at the ribs and lower back with something lightweight but strongly resistant when struck, which they’d discovered when examining them previously. The tunic beneath wrapped her tightly and seemed to be temperature sensitive, always entirely comfortable no matter how cold the room around might be. She’d visited several times before and had put it on once, but only briefly to be closer to the memories of her parents.
The black pants had the same padded sections at thigh,
shin, and knee. The calf-high boots were lighter than they looked, but the steel toes and reinforced heels would give her kicks a little something extra. Pockets were virtually everywhere, with fold-over flaps secured with Velcro. Another long flap covered the zipper. A short collar reached almost halfway up her neck. The compass symbols that were the uniform’s only ornament lay under concealing patches of fabric.
“That’s a good look for you,” she quipped. “It will definitely get Kendra in the mood if you know what I mean.” She waggled her eyebrows to ensure he got the message.
Tanyith shook his head and laughed in despair. “Honestly, you need to find someone to date. I don’t think you have any idea what it’s like.”
“Bow chicka bow wow.”
He groaned and put his forehead in his hand for a moment. When he raised it again, he said, “The clothes look right on you. It captures your warrior spirit.”
Cali had never really thought of herself as a warrior but his words resonated. She wasn’t what she’d been before. The last couple of months had burned away much of the less-focused parts of her being and exposed the core of her. While she’d always been a hard worker, she now felt like she was part of something bigger—like she was responsible for something bigger. When she tried to fully capture the idea, she found it overwhelming, so she generally only concentrated on the next step.
“Well, let’s hope the Atlanteans think so. Maybe they’ll give up after we beat them today.”
He laughed. “Do you want to lay odds on that?”
She shook her head. “No way. They haven’t proven to be that smart, unfortunately. I guess they need a few more lessons.”
“At this rate, Zeb will have to come out of retirement before long.”
“You know, it might be worth it just to see that.” She chuckled.