Mystique's Journey
Page 14
“I would like to start this with a discussion of Miss Shektee and how exactly Mystique was able to contact her for help,” Ambassador Quinn stated, trying to get the meeting going.
“Shektee is not human. She is a member of a race that co-inhabits our home planet. Her race is extremely violent and naturally psionic. Daemon saved her life and now she owes him a debt and until it’s paid she does what he asks, mostly,” Angelica explained, trying to stay close to the truth without telling them she was a demon here to eat their souls.
“You’ve never told us where your home planet is or what it’s called,” Ambassador Quinn pointed out.
“We just call it home. I don’t think it’s on any of your star charts. Very rarely a small trade vessel will stop to trade. The wars have kept the population low,” Angelica explained, hoping she would be able to make everything sound plausible.
“Wars?” Major Castleman interjected, wanting more information.
“Yes, my people enjoy killing humans, but we have been trying to let them build up their numbers to make it a more sporting hunt. They like to think of them as wars; it gives them a glimmer of hope,” Shektee replied before Angelica could think of a response.
“You don’t appear that much different than humans,” Ambassador Quinn remarked.
“I have assumed this form to keep from upsetting you. I believe Major Castleman has encountered a member of my species during a voyage through jump space. The fact he survived speaks highly of his luck and skill,” Shektee said, smiling as she watched the color drain from Major Castleman’s face. The memory of what the creature had done to his men haunted him to this day.
“Shektee,” Daemon said, silencing her and causing her to stop smiling.
“How do you know about that?” Major Castleman asked, trying to gain some understanding after so many years. “And how did it get onboard in the middle of jump space?”
“My kind are able to travel to many dimensions. This is one of the very few that is protected from us,” Shektee explained, getting dangerously close to telling them too much.
“You’re a demon,” Lady Donavan blurted out from behind Ambassador Quinn.
“Humans have called us that in the past,” Shektee replied calmly.
“How was Mystique able to summon you?” Ambassador Quinn asked, trying to keep the conversation focused on constructive information.
“Any human can summon us through the barrier. It is a simple process,” Shektee explained purposely vague.
“That’s a lie. Summoning you was far from easy or simple,” Mystique interjected, causing Shektee to chuckle.
“If anyone can do it, then why hasn’t anyone done it that I’ve ever heard of,” Major Castleman inquired.
“Anyone can bring us across the barrier but very few can stop us from going on a killing rampage once we are here,” Shektee explained.
“So what’s stopping you from killing us all right now?” Major Castleman asked, confident that if she truly was of the same species as the creature that attacked him, she could easily kill all of them now.
“I owe Daemon a debt and until it’s repaid I will do as he instructs within reason. He has instructed me to assist Mystique and Angelica if they should ask for it. I am not fully versed on your customs, so some of the things I do may offend you. Please try not to take offense,” Shektee explained, trying to answer a few questions before they were asked.
“What else can you tell us about your species?” Ambassador Quinn asked, unshaken by the strangeness of the topic.
“Everything you ask them to do is going to cost you something. No matter how minor the request, they extract payment for everything, and they don’t charge money,” Daemon stated before Shektee had a chance. “So make sure you’re willing to pay the price before asking her too many questions.”
“What kind of payment do they ask for if not money?” Ambassador Quinn asked Daemon.
“Shektee will probably want the right to kill some people or at least torture them,” Daemon replied knowing it wasn’t exactly true, but hoping it would get the point across. Shektee just smiled when the ambassador looked over at her.
“All right. In that case, what do we know about the kidnapping?” Ambassador Quinn asked, changing the subject.
“Mystique was being held in an abandoned self-storage facility in the warehouse district. Shektee gave us the address. I have informed Detective Montgomery and he has a forensic team working the site now for clues,” Major Castleman informed them a little more comfortable with the new topic.
“The man in charge was called the Irishman by the two guarding Mystique when I arrived,” Shektee told them. The look of concern on Lady Donavan’s face made Shektee realize most of the group was looking at her. “I only expect payment for answering questions I am asked, not for information I chose to share.” These humans are a paranoid bunch, Shektee thought, smiling in response.
“Thank you. Major, do we knew any Irishmen?” Ambassador Quinn asked.
“That is not much to go on. We’ll get a list, but it’s going to be pretty long.” Major Castleman was going to continue, but a gasp from Lady Donavan caused him to look at Shektee. Lady Donavan had not taken her eyes off Shektee since she’d entered the room. The female they’d been calling Shektee was gone. In her place, wearing the same clothing, was a man with pale skin and bright red hair.
“This is the man you are looking for,” Shektee told them in the voice they knew as hers. Everyone stared at Shektee—each person had their own reason, but everyone was looking.
“Well, that makes the search easier,” Major Castleman stated, breaking the silence. A few minutes later, he had the police record for Michael Flanary, a.k.a. the Irishman. Major Castleman read the man’s arrest record and known associates aloud, so Mystique wouldn’t have to struggle to do it. He also cross-referenced the names of the associates. It didn’t take long to find the connection to Lenard Johnson, the head of organized crime on the planet.
“In light of this information, I don’t think it’s safe for you to remain on the planet. I will arrange a ship to take you to New Sydney as soon as possible,” Ambassador Quinn stated, glad he would be able to use this situation to justify sending Angelica to New Sydney.
“What? Why?” Angelica blurted out.
“Mr. Johnson has too many friends; there’s no way we can keep you safe. No matter where you try to hide on this planet, he can get to you. I am guessing that he’s been trying to be subtle about it so far, but with Mystique’s escape he’ll know we’re on to him so he’ll start using more direct methods,” Ambassador Quinn explained.
“He picked the wrong target. I don’t hide.” Daemon said. Just enough of the beast was present to make everyone, including Shektee, uncomfortable.
“Sorry, big boy, but they picked me so it’s my hunt,” Mystique chimed in, getting everyone’s attention. “You have to go with Angelica and make sure she’s safe. I’m staying here and making sure they learn how dangerous it is to come after us.”
“What? You can’t go hunting these men,” Angelica protested, pointing at the long list of names. The room erupted into chaos as everyone started arguing about what to do.
“I can kill them all,” Shektee offered causing everyone to stop talking and look at her.
“You can’t unleash a demon on the city. She’ll kill everyone she comes in contact with until the marshals service gets here and stops her,” Lady Donavan protested.
Mystique found the solution to the argument Angelica was using to stop her from staying. “I’ll stay and work with Shektee. You said it was too dangerous for me to do it alone, so now I won’t be alone.”
Angelica looked from Mystique to Daemon. She could tell that Daemon wanted to stay and hunt the men down himself. But he’d go wherever she went, so if she left the planet he’d be sitting next to her. Daemon was leaving the decision up to her. “Ambassador, what do you think?”
“I can’t be responsible for allowing her to stay. All
of you need to go.”
“Mystique, you can’t stay,” Angelica said with a pleading look. Angelica didn’t want Mystique to risk her life. Mystique knew that Angelica could make her want to go with her, but she wasn’t, and that was one of the reasons she like Angelica so much.
“All right. Fine. I’ll run away and hide,” Mystique conceded with disgust.
“Daemon, do you want me to kill these men?” Shektee asked without emotion.
“No, I think we should just figure out your payment and send you home,” Daemon conceded. He dearly wanted to hunt the people who were after Angelica and he didn’t have a problem sending Shektee to do it, but that would cause too much trouble.
“One last question: what involvement does Bruce Montagu have in the kidnapping?” Major Castleman asked Mystique.
“I involved him. He’d been able to contact Daemon in the past and I went to him to have him do it again. He had no knowledge of Mystique’s kidnapping until I told him. When he failed to contact Daemon, I punished him,” Shektee volunteered.
“He’s conscious and demanding to know what happened to Mystique,” Major Castleman informed the group.
“I did no permanent damage and he has already recovered. He deserved much worse for his failure, but I showed restraint,” Shektee explained in protest to Angelica’s accusatory glare. Mystique was interested, but since Bruce had recovered already she saw no reason to get upset. Daemon was thinking about the men hunting Angelica and only cared that Bruce wasn’t one of them.
“I’ll talk to him before we leave, if that’s okay,” Mystique requested.
“From the report, I read it would probably save us the trouble of having him snooping around looking for you. He’s a very determined young man,” Ambassador Quinn pointed out.
***
Chapter 5
Farewell to Friends
After the meeting, Major Castleman had the group flown to the hospital so Mystique could talk to Bruce while Angelica tended to Miss Swansong. Major Castleman had insisted that a minimum of two guards accompany them. He’d wanted to send a full squad, but Angelica had argued that the guards would only disrupt the hospital’s operations while not adding any real benefit. Major Castleman had tried to argue but he finally had to admit his men were not in the same league as Angelica or her three companions.
Their first stop was to see Bruce. Mystique wasn’t planning on being there long. She was just going to let him know that she was safe and that she’d be leaving the planet. When they found his room, a police officer was stationed at the door. He informed them that Bruce had been considered a person of interest in Mystique’s kidnapping. Now that he’d been cleared, the officer was waiting to be relieved by Agrotech security.
Bruce was happy to see Mystique and worried about seeing Shektee. Shektee was back in the form of Selene. Mystique introduced Shektee and apologized for the trouble they’d caused him. She explained that they were being relocated to another planet by the New Sydney government. She wished him well and told him goodbye. Bruce was disappointed to hear that she’d be leaving. He would miss the excitement and adventure she’d brought to his life.
Next they went to Cynthia’s room. Mystique asked the guards to wait outside while Angelica treated Miss Swansong. Angelica and Daemon didn’t understand why Mystique didn’t want the guards in the room, but were not going argue with her about it. Shektee simply followed them around, observing how humans interacted and absorbing the emotional energy of the area.
The doctors had spent hours performing reconstructive surgery on Cynthia’s cheek and jaw. The whole right side of her face was covered in bandages. Mystique knew she should feel sorry for her, but instead she felt angry with herself for not seeing the danger and letting Cynthia get hurt in the first place. Angelica moved to the side of Cynthia’s bed and took her hand. Angelica reached out with her senses and found the damage that had been done.
“Bleen, the doctors have filled her jaw with metal. How am I supposed to fix her now?” Angelica complained as she looked around, hoping for inspiration.
“While you are healing her, have her body treat the metal as a foreign object that must be pushed out,” Shektee suggested.
“No, tried that with Daemon; it causes too much pain,” Angelica explained without thinking about who she was talking to. Daemon winced at the triggered memory.
“I could cut it out while you heal her,” Mystique offered. Angelica looked over at Mystique and realized she was serious. She was willing to cut open the side of Cynthia’s face. At first the idea sounded crazy but as Angelica thought about it she realized it was the best solution.
“Sorry Mystique, but I think Doctor Fitzroy would be better trained to do that. Daemon, can you see if he’s available? I’m going to heal some of the other damage while we wait,” Angelica said as she turned back to Cynthia.
Mystique took the opportunity to pull Shektee into a corner so they could talk. Mystique was the only person other than Daemon who didn’t care that Shektee was a demon. Mystique felt no aversion to her and was confident in her safety around Shektee. Shektee gave Mystique a quizzical look, wanting to know what Mystique was up to but not wanting to attract Angelica’s attention.
Once they were tucked deeply in the corner, Mystique said, “Shektee, I am going to stay and find the man responsible for having me kidnapped and kill him. Angelica’s right that it’s going to be dangerous, so I will understand if you don’t want to help me. But the guy was after Angelica, and running away won’t guarantee her safety. I would like your help.”
“The reasons you want to kill the man are sound but irrelevant. I don’t need a reason to kill, just permission, which Daemon has denied. My view of humans has changed a little during our time working together, so I can see the use of some but most are still nothing but food,” Shektee explained with a smile that let Mystique know how foolish she had been.
“Daemon will give you permission as soon as we convince Angelica to stop arguing against me staying.”
“What about Ambassador Quinn? Won’t he be upset and try to force you to leave? I don’t think Angelica would like us harming him,” Shektee pointed out.
“He mostly just cares about Angelica; as long as she leaves, I don’t think he will get too angry unless we cause him problems while we are hunting,” Mystique explained, making sure it sounded convincing when she had to answer the same question from Angelica.
“So, you will help?”
“Of course. The chance to feed on a few more souls sounds great to me,” Shektee replied with a smile that reminded Mystique why people feared demons.
Now all Mystique had to do was figure out how to convince Angelica. Mystique looked over to find Angelica watching her and Shektee. Angelica walked over to join them. She was not comfortable around Shektee, but she wanted to talk to Mystique.
“So what are you planning? I don’t need any special senses to know you’re not running away,” Angelica calmly demanded.
“No, I’m not. Those bastards raped me because they thought I was going to be one of their whores. Even if they weren’t trying to hurt you, I would hunt them down. They’re forcing girls into prostitution and I am going to kill them for it.” Mystique put more passion into that statement then Angelica had expected.
Angelica stared into Mystique’s eyes, gauging how determined she was. Finally, Angelica released a sigh. “All right. Daemon and I won’t stop you,” Angelica conceded.
“I would like you to stay and help her,” Angelica stated to Shektee, surprising her.
“I will if Daemon will allow it.”
“He will. I’ll make sure of it,” Angelica replied. Angelica left them to their planning and returned to Cynthia’s bedside.
Daemon returned a few minutes later with news that Doctor Fitzroy was on his way. Doctor Fitzroy had the day off but was going to come in because he wanted a chance to speak with Angelica. Daemon wasn’t sure why, but the doctor seemed pretty excited that Angelica was back.
“I take it we’re still leaving,” Daemon observed, a little irritated. Daemon really didn’t like the idea of running away from a fight, and the fact that Mystique was going to stay and fight made it worse.
“Yes. Ambassador Quinn has been very helpful. We owe him, so we’ll do as he asks. He won’t be happy Mystique is staying, but as long as we leave I think he’ll get over it,” Angelica reasoned.
“Shektee, what are you going to want for payment?” Daemon demanded, letting his anger show a little in the hope that it might cause her to keep the price low.
“In light of my new task, I would ask for training from Angelica. I want her to teach me how to heal humans,” Shektee replied, undisturbed by Daemon’s mood.
“You want what?” Angelica blurted out, convinced she’d heard Shektee wrong.
“Mystique may require healing again and I have no knowledge how to heal others. It’s not a skill my kind would ever think to use,” Shektee explained.
“Okay. How do I teach you?”
“The easiest way is to allow me a kiss. I will be able acquire the information I need from your memories,” Shektee suggested. She didn’t mention that it would also give her much more information about how to manipulate Angelica in the future.
Angelica looked at Daemon for advice and reassurance. She was not sure if she liked the idea of Shektee knowing all of her memories, but it was more important that Shektee learn how to heal. “All right. It doesn’t have to be on the lips, does it?”
“No, anywhere on the body will do,” Shektee stated in a calming tone. She slowly reached for Angelica’s hand. Angelica allowed Shektee to bring her hand up and kiss it. Angelica tensed as Shektee’s lips made contact with her skin. She expected the transfer to be painful, but it wasn’t; in fact, it was very pleasant and a little erotic and then it was over and Shektee was releasing her hand.