With This Ring: Imp Series, Book 11

by Dunbar, Debra

  Which reminded me…. “Where is your angel?” I asked Dar, just to make sure she wasn’t listening in from the kitchen or something. I might be a bit irked with my brother, but I didn’t want to get him in trouble with Asta.

  “Equal employment opportunity meeting. She says you need to stick around so the pair of you can go over proposed legislation on working conditions for non-humans.”

  I’d forgot about that, and I’d been hoping Asta would have as well. Normally I’d try to duck out before she got back, but I was relying on Lux to transport me and the little angel wouldn’t want to cut his playtime with Karrae short.

  “Okay, but if I’m going to have to deal with that shit, I’ll need booze.”

  Dar snorted. “I’m with you on that. You should see all the meetings I have to attend for the city. Boring as fuck. No wonder I’m drunk all the time.”

  Which brought me to one other subject I needed to discuss with my brother. “I hear you’re the mayor now?”

  He grinned. “I am, and through a democratic voting process no less.”

  “How much election fraud did that take?”

  Dar shrugged. “No more than any other election in this beautiful city. They even knew I was a demon. Can you believe it? If you’d told me two hundred years ago that we’d be living openly among the humans and that I’d be elected to public office, I would have thought you were fucking nuts.”

  “So what’s your long term plan here?” I asked. “Is politics now your thing, or are you using this as a cover for something else you’re doing.”

  “I always have a lot of irons in the fire, but I’m thinking politics is right up my alley. Mayor for now, then maybe I’ll run for governor, or even a federal office.” He looked a bit worried. “Except Asta doesn’t want to leave the city. She loves it here, so I might end up mayor forever.”

  That was the only thing keeping Dar from becoming president, or emperor. Asta. He did love her, and while she seemed to be letting him run free on a pretty long leash, she was still an angel. Dar could talk his beloved into a lot of things, but world domination wouldn’t be one of them. Plus, I knew she’d keep his sneaky, demonic tendencies in check. Asta actually cared about humans in a different way than most angels. Where the rest of them wanted to guide with a very firm hand, she loved watching them live their lives as they were, only course correcting if she saw one or two who were about to fall off the edge of a cliff or something.

  “The president seems to like you. I spoke with him yesterday and he was singing your praises.”

  Dar preened. “What can I say, I’m a personable guy. He wants me to golf with him next week at that swanky country club of his. We’ve got some business in Florida, and he can’t wait to show the place off. Steaks. Booze. Eighteen holes of golfing fun.”

  Terrelle had been right. Dar was in thick with the movers and shakers in the human world. I definitely needed to connect with him more often—and to remind him that he was still part of my household. I didn’t give a flying fuck about him being mayor of Chicago, but I needed to be in the loop on these things.

  “The steak and booze sounds good, but Dar, you don’t golf,” I reminded him.

  “All the better. I hear he’s horrible. I’ll be worse and it’ll make him feel like he’s a total winner.”

  “And while he’s feeling like a total winner, you’ll raid the US Treasury for project Woo-woo.”

  Dar’s nose twitched. “How do you know about that?”

  “The big question is how did you find out about this opportunity to partner with Kirby and Gareth?”

  “Are you kidding me? How could you not realize this sort of thing was going to happen? You used to be good at this business stuff, Mal. What happened to you?”

  I’d wound up Iblis with a position on the Ruling Council, that’s what had happened to me.

  “So you’re a majority shareholder in this company,” I commented.

  Dar nodded. “Yep. And we’re going big. It’s not just this DOD contract either. We’ve got countries all over the world wanting to buy our products. Countries. States. Cities. Even HOAs are throwing money at us. Everyone’s scared, Mal—and fear makes for good business dealings.”

  I definitely knew that from past experience. “You’re going to be selling into New Hell too?”

  “Oh yeah. There are humans in those states with a significant financial stake. They’re not moving, and in order to protect their assets, they need to have weaponry they can use against elves, werewolves, demons, and other humans. Blue Fire is the great equalizer.”

  Just like Smith and Wesson. And I was sure demons would be buying a few of these goodies as well, just to ensure the playing field wasn’t quite equal.

  “Does Asta knows about this?”

  Dar wiggled his hand back and forth. “She’s supportive of humans being able to defend themselves, especially now that demons and rebel angels are roaming around the world.”

  Ah. Dar had framed this as a humanitarian effort. I was pretty sure Asta had seen through some of that bullshit, but even partnered with Dar, she was probably more pro-human than pro-demon.

  “So, when did you start shipping the goods?”

  “A few weeks back. Just the little stuff, though. The really big weaponry that falls under Woo-woo isn’t ready yet and that absolutely pisses me off. We lose money and market advantage for every second we waste, but the fucking magic users are all about quality control and safety. It’s bullshit, but I can’t convince them to go any faster.”

  “What’s little stuff and what’s big weaponry? And what exactly falls under the Woo-woo contract?”

  Dar shrugged. “I’m more of the big-picture guy. I don’t know the details. All I know is that the stuff that goes to the military, the stuff where the big money is—that’s not going out yet.”

  “So are you, or are you not selling guns to the Phoenix police department?”

  “Fuck if I know. If they placed an order, then yeah.” Dar’s eyes narrowed to little dark slits. “Why?”

  “They’ve got paintball guns. The paint balls are spelled with something that takes away our powers, like an elven net or one of their collars.”

  He laughed. “Shit! Thanks for letting me know. I’ll make a note not to do anything illegal in Phoenix—or at least not to get caught.”

  I punched Dar in the shoulder. “Fucker. I’m not joking. They don’t warn you, they just shoot then haul your ass down to central booking.”

  He was laughing even harder. “This sounds like you’ve had some personal experience here, Mal. It can’t have been too bad, or you’d still be in jail and not popping around meeting with world leaders and visiting me.”

  I wasn’t about to admit to him what Gregory had to do to partially break through the spell, or that I still couldn’t do half of what I should be able to do.

  “I’m the Iblis. Anyone else would still be in jail. This is serious, Dar.”

  He waved the idea away. “It wears off. Gareth promised me the general stuff that gets sold to individuals and municipalities only lasts a few hours max. The military grade stuff lasts longer, but that’s so expensive that no police department is going to be able to afford it.”

  “That shit the Phoenix police had didn’t wear off in a few hours,” I told him. “It didn’t wear off at all. Like I said, if I hadn’t been the Iblis, I’d still be in that jail cell, unable to do anything that even a Low could do.”

  He frowned. “Then it wasn’t one of our products. Like I said, the hardcore stuff isn’t shipping yet, and no city police force could afford it even if we were delivering.”

  “So someone else is making these weapons?” I asked.

  Dar snarled. “Not that I’m aware of. I know we’ve got some competition, but my information led me to believe they were still in the development phase.”

  If I hadn’t known my brother since I’d been formed I would have shivered. Dar could be a ruthless bastard if he thought he was being bested by the competi
tion.

  I shrugged. “Guess you were wrong. And if Phoenix PD has these things, then other cities probably do as well.”

  Dar began to pace. “Fuckers. Some fucking employee stole our secrets and sold them to someone else. That’s the only way I can see this happening. I’m going to find out who, and they’re going to regret it.”

  “Or maybe some other mage had the same idea as Kirby and Gareth. Before you go killing employees, let me look into it.” I absolutely did not need Dar muddying the waters right now. “I’ve got a meeting with Gareth. I’ll see what’s going on at his end, and I’ll get Terrelle to find out what other companies are selling similar products.”

  Dar stopped pacing. “You’ll let me know? I’m part of your household right now. My interests are your interests. If there’s a mage undercutting our prices…if someone beat us to market… I need to know these things, Mal.”

  And just like that, I’d achieved one of my goals without even having to lift a finger. “Of course, Dar. You’re my brother. It would reflect badly on my household if your investments were being threatened by some outside company. I vowed to protect you when you joined my household.”

  He nodded enthusiastically. “Good. And I’ll tithe the appropriate amount of profits to you, as is appropriate.”

  “Money is always of value, especially in the human world, but information is priceless. Especially information that reaches my ears before anyone else’s.” I’d learned to be a chameleon, to speak the language of angels in Ruling Council meetings, to work my way through the loopholes of the human legal and social system. Dealing with Dar just meant speaking his language, and that was something I’d learned to do when we were young and in the care of our dwarven foster parents.

  “What sort of information are you looking for, Mal?” That wary look was back in his dark eyes once more.

  “Well, in addition to the occasional heads-up about your political ambitions, I’d like you to keep your ear to the ground when it comes to high-level human politics. You’re buddies with the president. He talks with other world leaders and gets information on things that are happening, or about to happen in their countries. I want to know those things. I especially want to know anything to do with angels, demons, shifters, or elves.”

  Dar nodded. “I can do that.”

  “I also want to be continuously up to date on Blue Fire. I want to know all the products you’re going to be making as well as what you’re selling where,” I told Dar.

  His eyes narrowed. “You not going to do some hostile takeover shit, are you Mal? Drum me out and rake in all the profits instead of your five percent.”

  I rolled my eyes. “No. I’ve got enough to do without having to negotiate contracts for weapons sales. And it’s ten percent, Dar. Ten.”

  “I said ten. That’s what I said. So…” He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “You gonna tell that asshole angel of yours about your financial stake in Blue Fire?”

  I snorted. “No. Well, maybe not. I’ll definitely hold that in my back pocket until I need it. He knows about the company, though, and knows what they’re making, so I can’t keep that a secret.”

  Dar pulled a big glossy catalogue off the table and tossed it to me. “Here’s our draft product listing including prices and descriptions. It’s still undergoing a few modifications pending R&D results, so don’t go sharing this with anyone. I’ll email you our client and contract list. We do have a few custom products we’re making but you’ll need a security clearance to get information on those.”

  I folded my arms across my chest. “I’m the fucking Iblis, Dar. I don’t need a damned security clearance.”

  He held up his hands. “Federal government says you do.”

  “Fuck the federal government. And since when did you give a rat’s ass about following the rules.”

  He chuckled. “Never. Okay, I’ll send that over as well. Just don’t let anyone else see it. I don’t want to lose our biggest contracts.”

  “You’re not going to lose your big contracts.”

  “Not today, but if some asshole is out there selling similar products to the Phoenix Police Department, then he’s going to want in on our contracts as well. We’ve got to make hay while the sun shines, Mal. I want to maximize profits, then sell my share just before price competition kicks in and margins decline.”

  Dar. I loved my foster brother. I glanced down at the slick catalogue. “Enough business. Asta’s not back yet. The kids don’t require any supervision right now. Let’s go hunt down some food, some booze, and see what trouble we can get into.”

  At that moment I saw Lux fall past the window, screaming his lungs out. Half a second later Karrae did the same, waving her arms and legs frantically as she fell.

  Dar laughed. “Your kid is a bad influence.”

  “Just how terrified are the humans walking below right now?” I was absolutely positive this had been Lux’s idea.

  “Probably shitting their pants. Toddlers falling off a high rise? I wouldn’t be surprised if a few died of a heart attack.”

  I went over and looked out the window. Lux and Karrae must have revealed their wings and flown before splatting onto the pavement because they were now darting in and out of side streets, playing a game of tag.

  “You mentioned food, booze, and trouble?” Dar asked.

  I stepped away from the window, smiling and shaking my head. Food and booze, but I wasn’t sure any trouble we could get into would top my son’s. The kid was a freaking genius. And he was totally mine.

  * * *

  Dar and I stumbled back a few hours later drunk off our asses, but I quickly sobered up when I saw Asta waiting for me with papers spread across the dining room table. She wasn’t alone. One her right sat an elf, and to her left was Rutter, one of my Lows. Lux and Karrae were sitting quietly on the floor a few yards away, putting together a giant puzzle.

  “Guess I better get this over with,” I muttered to Dar.

  He laughed, slapped me on the back, then headed into the kitchen. I sat down at the table and picked up the pile of papers in front of me. It was bad enough that I had to attend Ruling Council meetings a few times a month, now I was stuck with this shit. Who the fuck decided to put me on a committee?

  “Mistress, I’m on a committee,” Rutter squeaked in excitement. “With an elf. And an angel. We’re discussing minimum wage.”

  “Oh joy.” I looked over the first sheet of paper. We spent what felt like the next twenty years discussing minimum wage and more. We could have just made a copy of the human regulations and called it a day, but no, we needed to go over each and every fucking section and subsection in excruciating detail. Clearly the universe was punishing me for something.

  Rutter dozed off in his chair halfway through the meeting. I kept trying to do the same, but every time I closed my eyes, Asta would kick me under the table. Just when we were about to finish up, Karrae started having a meltdown about missing puzzle pieces, and Asta needed to attend to her before she blew up the building with her tantrum.

  The elf and I stared at each other in awkward silence. I think her name was Leaf or something. She was dressed like she was ready to head into the office for a budget meeting, her blonde hair pulled back into a bun that revealed the long points of her ears. She fidgeted, fingering the amulet around her neck. I eyed the piece of jewelry, remembering what Kirby had said about the elves needing magic devices to protect them from death-by-iron.

  “We’re not all bad, you know,” Leaf said to me, her voice soft and musical. “Most of us just want a place to call home.”

  “Which you had in Hel,” I reminded her.

  She sighed, glancing over at the snoring Rutter. “Hel was never really our home. I’m not sure this place will be either, but it’s better than I’d expected. There was a time when we frequently came here, long before the war, before we left Aerie for our short-lived planet.”

  Karrae screamed, and I glanced over to see Asta trying to calm her
while Lux watched the whole thing with wide-eyed concern. It was probably a good thing Dar and Asta had a dwarf. Lux was nowhere near as temperamental as their little angel.

  I returned my attention to Leaf. “Why don’t you guys just go back to Aerie?”

  “And kneel before the Seelie queen?” The elf shuddered. “We defied her. We made a deal with the angels. We left. I doubt she would grant us mercy for any of those things.”

  Huh. It reminded me of the war between the angelic host two and a half million years ago. I guess no one could ever really go home—not the Ancients, not the Angels of Order, not even the elves who it seems had been bouncing around from place to place for a billion years or more.

  “So this stuff really matters to you?” I motioned toward the stack of papers.

  She shrugged. “It matters. It matters to the humans who don’t want to be replaced in their jobs by lesser paid elves or demons. Every place we’ve ever lived, we have tried to recreate Aerie. I’m sure some elves will try to do that here as well, but I prefer to move forward and embrace what the Lady has set before us.”

  I thought of the elves in Iceland. “There are elves who would prefer to seize what they feel the Lady has given them.”

  Leaf smiled. “I used to be a princess in a castle where I was waited on by my changeling slaves. Every day was beauty and song and sunlight. But without contrast, beauty becomes a fragile, brittle thing. Here, in a world of gray, in a world where light and dark, where joy and sorrow always swing to a balance, here beauty becomes a powerful thing, forged out of the ashes of all that is ugly.”

  “Uh-huh.” I had no idea what the fuck she’d just said. Elves. They never could just come out and say something without heaping a shit-ton of metaphors on top.

  “Look, Karrae.” Asta held up a puzzle piece. “I found it. See? The puzzle isn’t ruined. All the pieces are here. It wasn’t lost, it just had slid under the carpet.”

  Under the carpet. Just like Lux’s rings.

  Chapter 11

  “I like this one.” Lux pointed to a picture of a flash grenade that was supposed to render shifters, angels, and demons blind for a minimum of fifteen seconds. It didn’t sound like a lot, but I’d been in enough battles that I knew what fifteen seconds could do.