Rise of the Firebird

by Amy K Kuivalainen

  “It’s not as easy as that, Katya. He lost his wife and after everything that happened with Trajan and the Groenn Skaer, I… I can’t,” Anya hugged herself and wouldn’t look at Katya’s face.

  “I don’t think he cares about any of that. Only you seem to. You think I’m wrong? Tell me, right now, after all that Tuoni has told you about Baba Yaga and your family and being a dick and blaming it all on you…who do you want to be with right now?” Anya didn’t reply. There wasn’t any point.

  “We are all too tired to worry about it tonight,” Aleksandra said firmly. “Come on, let’s get the fire going and get some sleep.”

  “I’m going to get some wood,” mumbled Anya.

  “The guys have already got some,” Katya answered as she shook out her coat.

  “I’m going to get some more.”

  Anya walked along the shoreline of the lake until she came to a large log and sat down. She breathed a sigh of relief as the quiet night seeped into her. Then, without warning, she started to cry in huge horrified sobs.

  She needed to find out if what Tuoni had said about Baba Yaga was true. If it were, then she would cheerfully hand her over to Tuoni in pieces. Her life and power was not for anyone to trade or barter for. Someone was walking up behind her and she knew who it would be without turning. Yvan sat down beside her, but made no move to touch her. He sat there silently watching the water keeping her company as she wept the stress of the last twenty-four hours from her body.

  “Tuoni is a bigger jerk than I imagined,” he said finally.

  “Yeah, he is. About what he said…I mean what he implied…” Anya stumbled to find the right words.

  “You really want to go into that now, shalosť?”

  “Not really.”

  “Then worry about it later when you do. It can wait,” he said as he got to his feet. “Come on. Let’s go back to camp. We need to sleep.”

  “Good idea.” Anya got to her feet but still couldn’t look at him.

  “Can I ask one thing?” Yvan said as they walked.

  “Only one?”

  “For now.”

  “Sure, if you have to.”

  “Was it true?”

  Anya swallowed hard, her chest tight but she forced out a small, “Yes.”

  “That’s all I wanted know. Everything else can wait.” That night, curled up under new and strange stars, Anya wondered what could possibly happen next.

  Chapter Twenty - Killing Floor

  The killings started in the fortnight after Anya had left. At first, Harley thought it was the usual tide of summer stabbings and arguments, but then they started to get a distinctive supernatural flavour. A body had been found headless and dumped on a tramline. When they opened him up, they had found the stomach stuffed with dolls. Another woman was found drained of all her blood but not a mark on her. The list went on and on.

  Harley did her best to ignore it, even neutrals got into fights but the Conseil Neutres was meant to police it, especially if the crimes were exposed too much to public eyes.

  Harley had a cold feeling in her stomach as she read the latest article on a girl’s body that had been used in what looked to be a botched up ritual. The phone started ringing and she answered it quickly, “Legba’s Ladies.”

  “Did you see this in the paper today?” Mama Lya shouted incredulously down the end of the phone.

  “I saw.”

  “We need to do something about this, girl. It’s not right, not right at all. Abélard agrees with me.”

  “You know the Council is watching us.”

  “Oh yes, they watch us like we are some kind of threat but they do nuthin’ about the crimes that are really going on.”

  “I’ll talk to Isabelle and Hamish about it. I know they’ve been walking the streets, keeping it low but they’re hunters. They don’t ever stop hunting even when they are meant to be sightseeing,” Harley said as she poured herself another cup of coffee.

  “We have to go see them. One more body, Harley. One more and I will be paying visits to Coliseum Street.”

  “Mama, they may hate us but they love the city. They could be onto it already and we don’t know it.”

  “They aren’t doing shit. Too caught up in their own importance they don’t want to serve their purpose, lettin’ all hell break loose.”

  “Look, I gotta run and open the shop, but I will let you know if Isabelle and Hamish find out anything.”

  “You tell them to watch their back. Watch yours too, I don’t trust Frankie,” Mama Lya said.

  “Then nothing has changed, has it? Call you later.” Harley hung up the phone with a sigh.

  “What’s that pout for,” Blue Jay asked as he dropped a kiss on her shoulder on the way to the coffee pot.

  “Mama is freaking out about all the murders going on in the city. She’s going to start blowing the wind up the Council if they don’t stop them soon.”

  “Well, she has a point. If they don’t do anything soon, I’m going to tell Isabelle to call some of her hunter buddies for an open season. That little girl was the last straw,” he said pointing at the front page. “Even with the Darkness in the city a few months ago, it wasn’t like this.”

  “Everyone is worried or scared that there is going to be another war. Not that it is any excuse but scared supes are a special kind of stupid,” Harley replied. “I should go open the shop and stop being lazy.”

  “You aren’t ever lazy.”

  “I’ve been sleeping in later and later. I need to kick you out of bed. You’re bad for business,” she teased.

  He was smiling at her. “You know you’re so full of shit.”

  “Fine, go home tonight,” she shrugged.

  “I was planning on it. You snore and I need some sleep,” he stretched.

  “Dramatic much? You knew I snored before you started sleeping with me.”

  “Yeah, but you make good coffee so I don’t mind being tired.” Blue Jay kissed her cheek. “I’ll go open the shop. Put your happy face on so you don’t scare the customers.”

  Fox turned up to work an hour later angry and pale. “Did you hear about the mauling?” she asked as she dumped her bag on Harley’s desk.

  “What are you talking about?” Harley asked as she looked up from the latest order forms.

  “It’s all over the TV. They even have photos of the bodies on the internet.” Fox shoved her out of the way and got onto her computer pulling up the latest news. There were three victims and the authorities were blaming everything from local dogs to panthers living in the swamps. Harley’s shoulder started to ache as she looked at the clawed up bodies.

  “That looks like Tehuantl claws to me,” she said.

  “My thoughts exactly. They are mercenaries at best, but this is sloppy and doesn’t look like the Darkness to me.”

  “They must’ve been hired by someone with deep pockets.”

  “I’ll see what Silvian and I can find out,” Fox said with a frown.

  “You and Silvian, huh?” Harley raised an eyebrow at her.

  Fox stared at her blankly. “What?”

  “Nothing, I’m surprised you are being sociable.”

  “Don’t have much of a choice when he lives over the back. He isn’t a total dumbass so he’s okay to hang out with, which reminds me. Don’t forget we have the housewarming over there tonight. Cerise is in her element now that she’s there.”

  “Good, I was worrying about her. You think she and Silvian are getting into some crazy demon sex?”

  “They flirt shamelessly, but I don’t think it goes much further than that. There hasn’t been any storms, so I don’t think he’s really worrying about girls right now.” Fox shrugged. “He’s too busy planning his crazy tunnel. Gotta have a hobby I guess.”

  “It’s a good idea. We’re going to need something as a backup plan, especially if the city continues to fall apart the way that it is.”

  “Have you heard from Belle this morning?”

  “Not yet, th
ough I know she and Hamish were going out last night.”

  “If the Council finds them hunting, the shit will hit the fan,” Fox said.

  “They aren’t amateurs. They won’t get caught, and if they do, so what? Frankie can go fuck himself,” answered Harley and folded her arms. “As soon as Mama Lya finds out about this one, she’s gonna…” Harley’s mobile started to ring.

  “It’s freaky how she does that,” Fox said as she tossed the phone to her.

  “Hey, Mama…yes…I saw. Do you think? Right, I will be ready,” Harley stumbled before hanging up with a groan.

  “Better get your dancing shoes on if you’re heading to Coliseum Street.”

  “I really don’t need this. The day started out so well…I even got breakfast in bed. As soon as I got up, everything went downhill,” Harley complained.

  “What’s going on?” Blue Jay asked as he stuck his head in.

  “I have to go see the Council.”

  “Shit. Okay, well make sure you’re armed,” he said.

  “If you love me, you’ll come with me,” Harley pleaded. Blue Jay laughed at her.

  “You don’t need me there, kid. Besides, Mama Lya won’t let me tag along and you know it.” He stroked her hair affectionately.

  “Don’t let her fool you, Blue,” Fox said as she stole some of Harley’s coffee. “Harley would rather put hot coals in her eyes than let the Council get anywhere near you.”

  “That’s my girl. I’m comfortable in myself as a man to let you fight my battles for me, baby.”

  “Someone’s gotta.” Harley rolled her eyes and got to her feet. “Mama Lya is riled up that’s for sure.”

  “Hopefully, she’ll knock some sense into their thick heads and stop all this crap going on in the city,” Blue Jay said. “I don’t like waking up to bad news every day.”

  “Really? Cause you do know you’re waking up to Harley at the moment,” teased Fox and dodged the pen Harley threw at her. “Seriously though, watch yourself with them. I don’t trust any of the slimy gits. If you don’t turn up on time at Silvian’s, we will storm the place.”

  The horn of Mama Lya’s Bentley blared from outside half an hour later. Harley had changed into jeans, stuffed into a pair of Doc Martens she used when hunting, and an off the shoulder Rolling Stones shirt. Underneath the loose shirt, she had on a holster that Isabelle had made for her. It slung over her right shoulder and looped down to sit flat on her ribs on her left hand side. In it, she had sheaths for two throwing knives and a handgun. A handy thin strap of leather belted across her stomach to hold it in place tight and flat. The holster was hidden well under the shirt and there was no way she was walking into that house again without being armed.

  Harley grabbed her bag and leaned over the new bike Blue Jay was working on to give him a kiss goodbye.

  “Be careful,” he advised. “You armed?”

  “Of course. If I’m not back by closing, I’ll meet you at Silvian’s.”

  “You will have to pay me overtime with all these openings and closings I’m doing, boss.”

  “You wish. I’ll see you soon.”

  The house on Coliseum Street radiated menace when they pulled up next to the sidewalk. Eyes were watching Harley and she felt the gaze of the unseen observers sticking into them like barbed wire. Mama Lya took Harley’s forearm and traced protection symbols on it with a finger. Almost instantly, Harley felt something drop over her and the needle feeling coming from the house lifted.

  “Thanks, doesn’t look like we are going to be subjected to the Lorraine welcoming party this time,” Harley commented.

  “That’s cause we aren’t welcome,” Mama Lya spat. “Too bad.” Harley felt the invisible wall holding her back from the gate.

  Harley hadn’t seriously studied magic, because despite the touch of talent she had, she’d never been interested beyond laying protection wards around the shop. She had no idea what Mama Lya was doing on a fundamental level as she started drawing invisible veve in the air, but Harley knew Mama Lya was fraying and unravelling whatever it was that was supposedly meant to be keeping them out. There was a sharp pop in Harley’s ears, like an invisible bubble had burst, and they were instantly allowed access through the gate.

  “They’re going to be pissed that you did that,” Harley said clutching her left arm nervously as she followed Mama Lya’s straight back as they walked into the garden.

  “I don’t care. They’re rude to keep a woman my age waiting in the afternoon heat.”

  “We left you there because you were not summoned.” Like some creepy black version of Lurtz, Lorraine was standing on the porch looking pissed.

  “You rang,” Harley whispered under her breath before she could stop herself.

  “What are you doing here?” Lorraine asked, her carefully painted lips pressed tightly together.

  “We need to talk, so go get Frankie, Pierre and Madeline…and any other council members that happen to be here,” Mama Lya replied.

  “You’ve no authority to give orders here!” Lorraine said shrilly. Harley had an overwhelming desire to slap her hard. She was waiting for Lorraine to start stamping her Jimmy Choo on the ground.

  “Can you do it without arguing for once?” Harley sighed. “Seriously, do you think we would be here if it wasn’t important?”

  Lorraine looked down her nose at her as if she was surprised Harley had spoken up. Harley was a little surprised herself but she was all tapped out of diplomacy.

  “The others can decide what to do with you.” Lorraine flicked her hair over one shoulder in an annoyingly high school, mean girl’s gesture. “Follow me.”

  Harley made sure Lorraine’s back was turned before emulating her hair flick and exaggerated the snotty attitude. Mama Lya grinned and it probably would’ve made her laugh loudly if it wasn’t for the circumstance they found themselves in. They were led through the house and into the courtyard. Harley risked a glance upwards. The story mansion had a mezzanine running around the loop of the inner courtyard, reminding Harley of an amphitheatre. It had always spooked her out.

  She stopped looking up when Pierre appeared. He was a white Frenchman with a long face and pencil thin moustache. His face was lined but his hair was still dark, streaked only with a little grey.

  “And what do we owe the honour, Madame Lya?” he asked, his voice dry as cornhusk.

  “I’m sorry for barging in the way I have, Pierre, but I’m mighty disturbed and it needs to be discussed at once,” Mama Lya said, folding her skinny arms.

  “Mama Lya? I thought I heard your voice. Hello, Harley,” Francois appeared out of nowhere looking tall, broad and ominous. Harley ignored him, but Mama Lya gave him a nod. Harley didn’t know if it was the protection that had been placed over her, but she could feel the power humming out of his aura. Whatever he’d done to get this newfound boost couldn’t have been good.

  “The killings in the city are getting out of control,” Mama Lya stated now that formalities were out of the way. “The majority of them are supernatural in nature and while I know there are squabbles at times, it’s starting to concern me. Innocents are getting caught in the crossfire and that’s something that cannot be allowed.”

  “We are aware of the unrest, Madame,” Pierre said. “You did not need to trouble yourself to come and share this.”

  “Oh, it wasn’t any trouble, and I knew you would have to be aware of it. Even the damn normal people are starting to clue in to what’s happening. Isn’t that the whole point of this little Council? To make sure things like this don’t happen in our city?”

  “It hasn’t escalated far enough to warrant our involvement, Lya,” said Francois, his black eyes the coldest Harley had ever seen. Oh, Frankie what have you done? Harley’s ribs were starting to itch, a sure sign that trouble was brewing.

  “How far does it have to go?” Mama Lya shouted. “What are you all afraid of?” Her hand moved quickly before Francois could stop her and she ripped away the illusion that surroun
ded them. Harley tried not to jump when the balconies above her were suddenly lined with people. Magic was pulsing from nearly everyone. She spotted witch doctors, brujas, a few wiccans, shape sifters, vodun priests and a prowling Tehuantl. Rogue Dark ones. Red lights were flashing behind Harley’s eyes and she fought the urge to reach for her gun.

  “How dare you use your power in this sacred place!” Lorraine screeched.

  “How dare you all for letting the chaos in the streets go on while you hide here in your ivory tower,” Mama Lya spat. “Well, we are not scared to stop it. We will get our people together and do your job before anyone else is killed. Come on, Harley, they aren’t going to help us.”

  “We forbid you to interfere in these matters, Lya,” Pierre hissed. “There is more going on here than you know.”

  “Oh. I know what’s going on here, Pierre, make no mistake, and it sickens me. How dare you corrupt this council’s purpose for your own quest for power. New Orleans is meant to be a safe place for neutrals and a sanctuary for those who do not wish to get caught up in the wars between the Illumination and the Darkness. Now you’re letting war spread out among our streets because of some alliance with the Rogue Darkness? Well, no more. Come, Harley.” Mama Lya turned on her heel and stormed towards the courtyard doors. Pierre made to grab Harley but she was quicker, her knife slicing the tips of his fingers.

  “Don’t you dare fucking touch me,” she growled, “or next time, you’ll lose all of your fingers.” Pierre looked at the blood gushing from his fingertips in shock. He flicked the blood out towards her, but she was already well out of range. “Yeah, I’m not that stupid either, old man.” He laughed and the blood travelled back up his hand, into the cuts before they healed.

  Harley ran and didn’t stop until she got back out to the sidewalk. Mama Lya tossed her the keys and Harley jumped into the driver’s seat. Tyres screeched as Harley floored it.

  “That bastard Pierre tried to get his blood on me,” she said indignantly. She was spooked and there was no way to hide it.