Kissed by Fire

by Shéa MacLeod

  “Do you know what Alison was working on before she died?” I changed the subject. While it sucked what Alister was doing, it wasn’t what we were here for.

  Ben shook his head. “No idea. She wouldn’t talk about it. She’d just write everything in that little notebook of hers. She assured me that once she had proof, she’d tell me everything, but she didn’t want to put me in danger.” He heaved a sigh. “As if I wasn’t screwed already.”

  “We found the notebook, but it’s in code. Do you know how to read it? This could be really important.”

  “No idea, I’m afraid. All she said was that it was written in a language older than time, the language of fire.” He gave a little laugh. “I have no clue what she was talking about.”

  I was afraid I did. Kabita and I exchanged looks. There was only one language I knew of that was sometimes referred to as the “language of fire.” It was the ancient tongue of the dragons.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “You know anyone who speaks dragon?”

  We were standing outside Ben Landry’s building. I didn’t know about Kabita, but I was certainly feeling a little shell shocked. I gave her a slightly wobbly grin. “Strangely enough, I do.”

  She grinned back. “Well, then, let’s call the lady.”

  Sandra answered on the third ring. “The Dragon’s Den. How may I help you?” her voice rang out cheerily.

  “Hey, Sandra. It’s Morgan Bailey. I have a small favor.”

  “Of course, Morgan. How can I help you?”

  “I don’t suppose you know anyone who can read dragon tongue?”

  The pause was what one might refer to as lengthy. “Sandra?”

  “I’m still here.”

  “Can you help us? It’s important.”

  “Will this help you keep your promise?” Her voice held a slight edge of demand. Not pushy, just reminding me I’d given my word.

  “Yes.”

  “I can’t read it,” she admitted. “But I might know someone who can help. I’ll call you later, all right?”

  “OK, thanks. I appreciate this, Sandra.”

  “I take it she can help?” Kabita started walking toward the tube station and I followed.

  “Yeah, sounds like she knows somebody.”

  “If she’s anything like Cordelia I have no doubt of it.”

  We both smirked at each other. Cordelia was a wonderful person, but she knew some really strange people. Then again, so did I.

  We split up outside the tube station at Oxford Circus. Kabita wanted to do some shopping and I’d rather give myself a paper cut and pour lemon juice on it. I hated shopping even in the best of times, and Oxford Street was far from the best with its crowded sidewalks and hordes of gawking tourists. Sharp elbows were pretty much a requirement.

  Instead, I decided to head over to the British Museum. I’d always loved it there. My favorite was the Egyptian Room. Unfortunately, unless you hit it either first thing in the morning or last thing at night, it was an absolute nightmare of screaming school children and photographer wannabes.

  Instead, I wormed my way through the crowd around the Rosetta Stone and into the Greek wing. Parts of the Greek exhibition were popular, but the sheer number of artifacts on display meant that visitors rarely got much further than a cursory view of the initial items, leaving many areas tourist free, quiet and cool. Especially since it was off-season.

  I found one such area and sank down onto the nearest bench. The marble underfoot was slick and cool, the bench perfectly carved to suit my height. A couple of artist types had their camp chairs set up in front of a fresco and were sketching away, but I didn’t mind. They were quiet. I stretched out and let my eyes fall on a particularly hideous statue of some Greek deity or other. I’d look like I was contemplating the artwork instead of zoning out. Frankly, I needed a break.

  My phone vibrated in my front pocket. I pulled it out and hit the call button. “Hello?” I kept my voice low, even though I was in a museum, not a library. No use pissing off the artists. It wasn’t like I had a badge I could flash. Kabita had been trying to get Trevor to give us badges, but the Environmental Protection Agency wasn’t buying it. We were private citizens as far as they were concerned.

  “Morgan? Why are you whispering?” Inigo. My palms got a little sweaty and my heart picked up speed, thumping away in my chest. Why oh why did my libido insist on going into overdrive every time I heard his voice?

  “I’m in a museum.”

  “Uh. Okay. Listen, Kabita told me about your dream.”

  Shit. What was with people sharing my business all over the place? First Eddie tattling on me to Jack and now Kabita over sharing with Inigo. And why would Kabita be sharing my dreams with Inigo, anyway? It wasn’t like she ever had before.

  “It was just a dream. No biggie.” I tilted my head back and stared at the frescoed ceiling. I wondered vaguely who thought up the whole idea of decorating a ceiling. I sort of got it for a bedroom, but otherwise?

  “I think maybe it’s more than a dream.” There was an odd edge to his voice which made me sit up straighter.

  I was quiet for a minute. Sometimes Inigo knew stuff. Stuff he shouldn’t in the normal scheme of things. “OK, what do you think it is?”

  He sighed, and I could almost see him raking his long artist’s fingers through his golden hair. My libido did a happy dance and I slid lower on the bench, crossing my legs a little tighter.

  “I think it’s a warning.”

  “Like a psychic thing?”

  “Maybe. Or it might be a subconscious thing. I think maybe your mind is trying to tell you something you already know.”

  “Like what?” I forgot I was supposed to be keeping it down and raised my voice. The artists turned and glared at me. A museum guard peered around the statue, a frown on his wide face. I mouthed “sorry.” The guard shook his head, clearly exasperated. At least he didn’t kick me out.

  “Like the fact the dragons had nothing to do with Alison’s death, but her death had something to do with them ... ”

  Which made sense in a warped and twisted way because someone sure as hell wanted it to look like dragons were responsible; I just couldn’t figure out why. I had a feeling once we answered the why, we’d figure out the who.

  “It also happens,” he continued,” that I think this Dragon Hunter Sandra told you about has something to do with it. You need to find out more.”

  “It just so happens I agree with you. Now I gotta go before they throw me out of here.”

  “Fine. Morgan?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Be careful.”

  I grinned. “Always.”

  There was laughter in his voice. “Liar.”

  I pressed end and slid the phone back into my pocket, frowning at the ugly statue. It was time to have a chat with Alister Jones. This time the gloves were coming off.

  ***

  MI8 Headquarters was located in an innocuous looking building near Hyde Park Corner. In fact, it looked just like the dozens of other Georgian buildings lining both sides of the street. Some were private homes or discrete boutique hotels, while others housed the consulates and embassies of smaller nations. I’d been in more than a few of them while on business back in the day.

  “You sure you want to do this? I can go in on my own. He can’t get mad at you if I’m the one up in his face.”

  Kabita shook her head. “No. I’m never going to be what Dad wants. It’s time I stop pretending otherwise.” She squared her shoulders and headed up the wide steps. “And it’s time he told the truth.”

  I certainly agreed with that. I followed her through the front door, noting the discreetly placed security cameras and the neatly disguised fingerprint scanner. It may have looked like any other building, but the place was wrapped up nearly as tight as the Crown Jewels.

  The lobby wasn’t much to get excited about. It looked more or less like the entryway in any nice house of the era. The floor was a simple black and white check with a
small hall table in dark wood topped by a vase of exotic flowers. A carved wood staircase stretched up to the next floor and closed doors bracketed either side of the entrance. I couldn’t see any additional cameras, but I’d bet the bank they were there.

  We didn’t bother trying the doors or attempting to climb the staircase. Instead we waited quietly, if not calmly.

  Five minutes later, the door to the left swung open and Kabita’s eldest brother stepped out. “Hello girls. Nice to see you again.” He gave Kabita a quick hug and me a kiss on the cheek.

  “Dex, we’re here to see Dad.”

  “Yeah. Figured. You’ve got that determined look. Come on up.” He led the way up the stairs and down a short hall to what looked like an ordinary door. He fiddled with what I assumed was a light switch but turned out to be a keypad complete with retina scanner. Damn, these people were serious about security.

  The rest of the house looked like any classic Georgian home with beautiful moldings and modest chandeliers, but what lay on the other side of that door was a computer geek’s wet dream.

  Everything in the room was sleek, slick and modern. Every desk had a top of the line computer kitted out with every whistle and bell you could imagine. Giant screens lined the walls showing maps and photos and stats. It was like walking into NASA’s control center. Insane.

  We passed through the open area to another security door, this one without the camouflage. Another scan, another password and we were following Dex down yet another hall to a plain white door on the end marked A. Jones.

  Show time.

  Alister was just as suave as ever. He stood to greet us, holding out his hand. I shook, Kabita didn’t. Alister didn’t even flinch.

  “Ladies, to what do I owe this pleasure?” The way he said it made clear that this was anything but a pleasure.

  I glanced at Kabita. She nodded.

  “We’re here for the truth.”

  An eyebrow went up. “The truth? About what, exactly?”

  “About Dragon Hunters, exactly,” Kabita snapped. “You told us there weren’t any more.”

  He leaned back in his chair, calmly folding his hands on the wide desk in front of him. “Yes, that is so. There hasn’t been a Dragon Hunter born in generations.”

  Kabita leaned forward, her face a mask of fury. “You lie.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me,” she hissed. “Why are you lying?”

  He leaned forward, face hard. “I don’t care what you think about me, but let me make one thing clear. There are no Dragon Hunters.”

  I opened my mouth, but Kabita shook her head. She clearly thought we’d have no luck with Alister. She was probably right.

  “No Dragon Hunters, huh?” I kept my voice light.

  “No.” The smile he gave me was just this side of smarmy.

  “Fine. Tell me this. Why are you persecuting Ben Landry?” I had to admit I felt a bit smug at the startled look on his face. He obviously hadn’t expected us to go there.

  His jaw went tight. “MI8’s investigation of Mr. Landry is none of your concern.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong.” Kabita’s voice was just as hard as her father’s. “I’m making it my business. You screwed up my life. I’ll be damned if I let you screw up his.”

  I wanted to give her a standing ovation. Instead, I crossed my arms over my chest and watched. I figured that wasn’t going to go down well with Alister. I was right.

  “Get out,” his voice was ice.

  Kabita placed both palms flat on her father’s desk and leaned forward. “Let me make this very clear, Dad. I will not stop until I know the truth. And once I know the truth I will make it my life’s goal to ensure everyone else knows it, too.”

  He began shuffling paperwork, completely ignoring the fact we were both in the room. I placed my hand on her shoulder, urging her away. I could feel her body trembling with rage, her face white.

  As we left his office, I could feel her fury like a living thing. The Darkness in me roared to the surface. It liked the anger and it wanted out to play. It took some doing to stuff it back down into the little corner that had become its home.

  My palms burned. I rubbed them up and down my pant legs. Kabita needed to calm down and calm down now before my wonderful newfound abilities went on the fritz.

  Fortunately, I didn’t have to worry about it. Dex met us in the hallway. “Follow me.”

  He led us back through the noisy room with the computers, out through the security door, and into the hall. Before we got to the stairs, he opened a door on the right which led into the world’s smallest office. I actually had to stand in the doorway since there wasn’t enough room for the three of us.

  This room was nothing like the sleek offices behind the security door, all shining and slick. A metal desk that had seen far better days was crammed up against one wall and occupied by a computer that looked older than I did. The rest of the space, what there was of it, was overrun by two enormous filing cabinets. Stacks of books and files were everywhere.

  Dex opened the bottom drawer of his desk, pulled out a bottle of whiskey and splashed two fingers into the bottom of a coffee mug. Silently, he handed it to Kabita. She swallowed it in one gulp. My throat burned in sympathy.

  “I take it things didn’t go well with Dad.”

  “You take that right.” It was practically a snarl.

  I leaned against the wall while Kabita attempted to pace the room. I wished her luck. She had all of about two steps to go in any direction.

  Dex sighed and ran his fingers through thick, black hair. “Listen, K, I don’t know how much I can help, but I’ll do what I can. We all will. Adam and Adler are itching to help. What do you want us to do?”

  I wondered what it would be like to have brothers to protect and look after me. Would my life have been different if I’d had siblings? It was hard to imagine having that kind of relationship with anyone. Though a tiny piece of me wished I did. No use crying over what couldn’t be, right?

  “What about the archives?” I piped up.

  “Good idea. Alison was supposedly going through the archives, looking at old files before she died. Can you get us in, Dex?”

  He rolled his eyes. “You don’t ask much, do you? I can get you in, but it won’t be easy.”

  Kabita was quiet for a moment. “Listen, Dex, you don’t have to do this. I know Dad’s life-long obsession with destroying the supernatural has gone into overdrive. If he catches you, you’re in deep shit.”

  “You worry about yourself, K. I’ll be fine. I’m going to attempt damage control, but right now Dad’s got the power of MI8 behind him. There’s only so much I can do. I’ll do what I can, though. You’re my sister.” The finality in his voice told me end of story. Dex would help as much as he could, no matter what problems it might cause him.

  I watched a little enviously as Dex and Kabita hugged and did the cheek kissy thing. Then she and I slipped out of MI8 and down the street. I didn’t relax until we were out of sight of the building and even then, I felt itchy all over. Like I was being watched.

  I glanced at the nearest CCTV camera. They were all over the city. It made London safer, but it also meant that doing my job was a heck of a lot harder. Fortunately, I knew where the blind spots were.

  “Do you think he’s watching us?” I asked Kabita.

  She didn’t pretend not to know who I was talking about. “What do you think?”

  “Then how on earth are we going to get into that building without your Father catching us?” And locking us up for good, no doubt.

  The smile she gave me was just a little creepy. “Trust me, he’ll never know we were there.” Looked like Kabita had decided to play dirty. Go girl.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The phone call came shortly after midnight.

  “Yeah. Uh huh. Got it.” Kabita switched off her phone. “That was Dex. Adam and Adler are going to hack into the system so we can get in the door. After that, we’re going to
have to bullshit our way.”

  I glanced up at the Georgian building. Mostly empty now, there were only a couple of windows still lit. “Looks like your dad’s still in there.”

  She frowned. “Yeah. Probably best we avoid him.”

  You think? I gave her an eye roll and tugged my cap lower over my eyes.

  Dex had stopped by the hotel earlier and dropped off a couple of outfits and a plastic key card. It wasn’t an official MI8 key card since those were all accounted for, but it would allow Adam and Adler to get us into the building remotely.

  We strolled across the street. To any watching eyes, we looked like a couple of maintenance types taking a leisurely evening stroll. The baggy coveralls and ball caps turned us into unisex non-entities.

  Nobody looked twice at the cleaners.

  I dug the card Dex had given us out of my pocket and swiped it across the sensor. Nothing.

  I glanced at Kabita. She shrugged.

  I blew out a breath. If this didn’t work, we were back to square one. I swiped the card again.

  This time there was a small clunk sound as the door lock released. Adam and Adler had come through. We pushed out way into the lobby.

  We strode to the door on the right and I waved my card over the next sensor. Moving like you had every right to be there was the key to not getting caught breaking and entering. If the door didn’t open, we were going to have problems. I couldn’t see any security, but I knew they were watching.

  This time the door popped open without hesitation. The hall on the other side of the door was short and carpeted in an ugly gray.

  “Last door on the left,” Kabita said under her breath.

  I gave a slight nod and we proceeded down the hall. The last door on the left was unlocked and proved to be nothing more exciting than your average, ordinary maintenance closet stacked to the ceiling with rolls of toilet paper and bottles of cleaning products.