by L. A. Kelley
“I am not the human,” she snapped back. “My name is Rosalie Thatcher and I was nearly killed by someone who apparently works for you. I think that makes this whole situation very much my business.”
David stifled a grin. “You’re lucky she didn’t bring pepper spray.”
Rosalie was on a roll. “By the way,” she demanded. “Where is Anthony? How come his keister isn’t parked in jail right now? Or is punishing the real guilty party not part of your Integral business?”
“I don’t answer to you.”
“You do answer to the wardens,” Stephen broke in. “Were the hellhounds dispatched for Anthony?”
Billy rose from his seat. “Excuse the breach of protocol, wardens. I am Billy Secord, of Liang Sung’s pack.” His jaw tightened. “Pearce shot Pack Leader Sung during the pursuit. I am requesting an amendment of the charge to read the demon is now also wanted for the murder of a hellhound.”
The uproar from the gallery took several seconds to quell. All the wardens looked shaken. “What happened?” the Odin demanded.
“Our pack was with Pearce when he intercepted Ms. Thatcher. Liang became suspicious of his motives and the reason for pursuit of the girl. We attempted to return him to New York, but…” The hellhound had difficulty with the words. “He disappeared.”
Stephen startled. “Invisibility poses no problem for a pack.”
“Sir, I mean he disappeared, vanished without a scent trail.” The shock of the spectators before was nothing compared to the stunned disbelief evidenced now. “Liang heard a footstep,” Billy spit out angrily. “She followed and he ambushed her. We scoured the area, but found no sign of him.”
“How is that possible?” gasped the Odin.
“I wish I knew. Never before in our history has a scent vanished. To the knowledge of the pack, a complete disappearance is impossible. We always have a scent. Nothing escapes a hellhound and yet, no trace remains of Pearce. My pack and I returned with Liang’s body to report. Pack Leader Jason Nguyen remains in South Carolina with his team attempting to pick up the demon’s trail. As yet, they’ve been unsuccessful.”
David leaned over the table at the Baal and half-rose from his seat. “Pearce is shielded.”
For the first time, Dominic Schiller’s iron composure cracked. “Impossible. He can’t. The shield isn’t supposed to work that way.”
“Yet, he’s gone,” spoke the shaken Hera.
David’s suspicions rose. “We may have bigger problems.” He addressed The Book. “Did Anthony Pearce kill Pack Leader Liang Sung?” The pages shuffled again, but this time the blurry words didn’t focus. They stayed a madly unreadable jumble. David wore a grim expression. “The Book can’t read him anymore. Pearce not only shielded his scent from the hellhounds, he shielded all his actions from The Book.”
“I didn’t know.” Dominic’s voice cut through the angry shouts from the spectator gallery. “It wasn’t my intention—”
Everyone spoke at once. The Odin held up his hand. “Silence!” he roared. “We obviously have much to discuss. I request the Santa and David remain behind with the wardens. Everyone else will leave the conference room immediately.”
David leaned over and whispered in Rosalie’s ear, “Go with Mom. I’ll meet you as soon as I can.”
Grace waited for her outside the room with Billy and Sadhri at her side. As the last spectator exited, the massive doors swung shut on silent hinges. Billy came up to Rosalie. “I didn’t get a chance to say thanks for coming to David’s rescue. You have a lot of guts to confront a demon.”
She flushed. “Not really. I didn’t know he was a demon at the time. I only thought he was a prick.” Without thinking, she gave him a quick hug. “I’m really sorry about your pack leader.”
“Anthony Pearce will pay,” he said, visibly touched by her concern. “I promise you that.”
Rosalie eyed the massive door. “What went on in there? Everyone suddenly got spooked.”
Billy scowled. “For good reason. You don’t understand, Rosalie. A hellhound follows a quarry through anything. Shit, even if you hunker down in a submarine at the bottom of the ocean we’ll eventually find you, but this…” He shook his head in disbelief. “The whole security system depends on The Book keeping you honest and the hellhounds chasing you down and throwing your ass in prison if you’re not.”
“Now, we have the murder of an Integral,” said Sadhri with a sharp look at the door. “The most binding rule among us is to spill no blood. Liang’s death terrifies everyone. Me included. The last thing we need is the start of another war with Integrals choosing sides.”
Rosalie shuddered. If the iron façade of a shiva cracked, the situation was really bad.
“You don’t have a clue where he is?” Grace asked Billy.
“Not one. The trail ended completely at his last location.”
Sadhri snorted. “Dominic had a hand.”
“I don’t think so,” countered Grace. “I saw his expression. The shock was genuine when he heard about Liang’s death. Wherever Pearce is hiding, the Baal has no idea.” She invited Billy and Sadhri back to the apartment, but they both declined. Sadhri admitted she was just plain nosy and wanted to hang around and hear what the wardens decided. Billy said he needed to return to the kennel. Liang’s body was in final preparation for internment. His stoic expression couldn’t hide the pain in his eyes, betraying his true feelings to Rosalie.
“I don’t know what your culture does,” she said. “But I would like to pay my respects.” Her gaze dropped. “I feel responsible. Anthony was after me.”
“Don’t apologize,” Billy said. “Pearce is the only one we hold accountable. The hellhounds would be honored for you to come to the final tribute.” He excused himself to return to the kennel.
Grace led Rosalie away. “Billy will let us know when they’re ready. Meanwhile, we’ll wait in the apartment.”
Rosalie still held a picture of Santa’s workshop in her mind and experienced a burning curiosity about their home. Instead, the Kloss’s large apartment was exquisitely decorated with sleek modern furniture except for one corner left bare. “For Brian and David,” Grace said. “A clear space makes for softer landings.” She insisted Rosalie eat. Before long, they sat at the kitchen table in front of a platter full of bacon and eggs and a full pot of coffee.
Nervous at first to be alone with David’s mother, Rosalie quickly relaxed. Grace had a warm and welcome personality, along with a keen interest in Rosalie’s job at Penrose’s. She asked questions about the store which Rosalie happily answered. She enjoyed talking about Penrose’s. It seemed like forever since she’d walked through the doors and wondered with a wistful pang how Marissa and the other staff managed.
“A good job becomes like a family, doesn’t it?” Grace commented sympathetically. “I worked in several great retail operations up until I married Brian. I always liked retail.”
Rosalie took a sip of coffee. “If you don’t mind me asking, what exactly does the wife of the Santa do?”
Grace laughed, a warm sound. “Not make toys at the North Pole, for damn sure. Integral Business Methods is the umbrella corporation servicing the Integral community. Brian and I were recruited to work as consultants right after grad school. We help Integrals who want to set up businesses. We explain regulatory matters, assist in securing financing, point out training and staffing needs, and so on. I guess you could say we’re the Small Business Development Center for beings who shoot flames from their eyes.”
Rosalie’s mouth popped open. “Who does that?”
“Stephen Lundberg. Although he uses the talent mostly to light candles on birthday cakes. He’s a real trip at parties.”
She sat back, her head in a whirl. “Do you ever get used to this?”
Grace laughed again. “Life sure seemed wacked at first, but eventually weird became normal. Understand, Rosalie, Integrals have special powers, but the same things in life steer us both. Humans and Integrals want meaningful work
, good schools for their kids, and safe neighborhoods. The one thing I learned after all these years is we’re not all that different. We struggle with the same problems. Look at Sadhri. Her husband died unexpectedly of a heart attack a year ago at only thirty-five years of age. Even with Integral power at her command, she had to deal with mortality and the same grief in the end.”
“Do all Integrals work for this corporation?”
“IBM and its affiliates used to be the only option, but more Integrals now venture out into the human world seeking increased opportunities and not as much politics. Integral life is full of archaic rules and regulations. Even more would leave, I think if they had a safe way to integrate into society. Nobody wants to take one wrong step and end up as a lab specimen. Brian and I even thought about making the move.”
“Why didn’t you?” Rosalie asked.
“The right opportunity never presented itself. Also, David lived here along with The Book.” Grace’s eyes twinkled. “Though I have a funny feeling my son may find more excuses to spend time in Florida in the future.” Rosalie offered a shy smile. At that moment, the voices of Brian and David came from the living room. Grace put down her coffee. “They’re back.”
Brian sauntered up to the table and kissed Grace on the cheek. David followed carrying The Book. His eyes lit up. “Food.”
His mother scolded him for not greeting Rosalie first. David scooped up a huge plateful of bacon and eggs and plopped himself down. “I’m hungry,” he teased. “Besides, she’ll tell me when I do something wrong. Rosalie’s good at that—she already has everyone buzzed about the way she lit into Dominic.”
Rosalie grimaced. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Brian said. “No one’s angry. If anything, people respect you for standing up to him. Every Baal has an attitude. His uncle, the past Baal, is a class one a-hole. He and my dad used to have some real run-ins. Although, Dominic’s father was actually rational and a good guy.”
“I liked his mother, too,” Grace remarked in an aside to Rosalie. “Jane was human, and didn’t get along with his uncle at all.”
“They were both killed in a car accident {carived when Dominic was a teenager,” Brian continued. “His uncle became the Baal until Dominic came of age and then stepped down because he had to, not because he enjoyed relinquishing power. He makes Dominic look like a loveable pre-school teacher by comparison.”
“What about Anthony?” Grace asked. “Any news?”
Brian shook his head. “No. It’s as if he vanished off the face of the earth. The wardens called back Jason’s team. They saw no point leaving them out in the field any longer.”
“What’s the next step?”
Brian eyed his son proudly. “David suggested monitoring The Book to track down Pearce. The wardens put him in charge.”
David shot Rosalie a sly look. “Dominic was so happy. First he congratulated me and then he kissed me right on the lips and everything.”
“Before or after the screaming fit?”
“Tut, tut, Ms. Thatcher. Ol’ Dom and I are absolutely the best of buddies now. Right, Dad?”
“Sure. The glare he shot you totally overflowed with love.”
Rosalie chimed in. “Speaking of Mr. Sunshine, how will the other wardens punish him?”
“They won’t.”
“What do you mean?” she sputtered in utter disbelief. “He threw you both in prison. He conspired with Anthony—”
“The acts made him naughty, but not very, very naughty. Look.” David opened The Book and called up Dominic Schiller’s page. The words faded from red to pink. Rosalie squinted hard. A tinge of green tinted the edges. “He won’t admit it, of course, but The Book knows. Dominic actually feels bad. He was totally rattled and blood-in-his-eye furious. Face it, Anthony played him like a well-tuned guitar. He must have planned to modify the shield for his own use all along. The Baal will work hard to find a way to cut through his underling’s modifications. Deep down Dominic wants to make amends.”
Rosalie eyed him in disbelief. “He’s now the kinder, gentler demon?”
David snapped The Book shut. “Nope, he’s still a dick, but there exist degrees of naughtiness. At least for the moment he’s attempting to set things right and not actively working against Dad.”
“Okay, fine,” she relented. “I won’t get to see his sorry ass behind bars. What about Anthony? How will you find him? Or did the wardens kiss and made up with him, too?”
“Nope, his ass is definitely toast. He has everyone scared stiff. Think about it—the one person on the face of the earth who acts with free abandon without suffering any consequences. I’ll keep an eye on his page in The Book, but unless the shield fails nothing will be reported on him. Meanwhile, Dominic will work to overcome Pearce’s spell.”
“If The Book can’t tell you where he is—”
“I might be able to figure out a way. I’m toying with a few ideas about scanning for odd patterns or changes in behavior of known associates.”
Rosalie wrinkled her nose. “Sounds complicated.”
“It is. I need to get right on it. The Book contains tons of information to cull through, and,” he added wryly, “I’m the only search engine.”
The phone rang. Billy called to inform them visitation had started. David brought The Book with him. Rosalie raised an eyebrow and he explained. “To know where a loved one stood at the end means much to a family. I want to show them Liang’s page. They will be proud.”
The {jusd ogroup solemnly made their way to the kennel. Rosalie didn’t know what to expect. Kennel made the area sound like all concrete and chain link fences, but David explained the word was just an expression. They arrived at a large common room where dozens of mourners already milled about. She spotted Sadhri and all the wardens including the Baal.
The hellhounds’ quarters reminded Rosalie of military barracks; clean, perhaps a tad Spartan, but not at all uncomfortable. Ancient tapestries representative of different cultures covered the walls. Each one displayed hounds on the hunt. Leather couches and armchairs were pushed off to the side so guests could reach a makeshift altar. A lush crimson velvet cloth embroidered with gold covered a table. In the center sat a funerary jar, the lid in the shape of a dog’s head with mouth open and teeth bared. A flame, lit from within, made the two eyes glow with wild feral light.
“Cremation?” whispered Rosalie.
David nodded. “Always. No Integral wants to end up at a science fair.” He nodded toward a grieving man with his arm around two teenagers. “Liang’s husband and children will take the ashes with them to scatter.”
Billy, Ramesh, and Sonia stood ceremonial guard around their fallen leader accepting the condolences of the visitors. Rosalie couldn’t help notice the plaque hanging directly behind them on the wall.
Fearless hunters
Loyal to the pack
Hellhounds together
Til Hell calls them back
Rosalie paid her respects to Billy and his pack mates and then offered condolences to Liang’s family. David explained Liang’s husband was a fury, so their two daughters were hellhounds, too. The teenagers fought back tears, one last tribute from hellhounds to another. Rosalie swallowed hard several times.
“You’re very brave,” she told them. “Like your mother. She would be proud.” They responded with grateful smiles.
Rosalie stepped away from the crowd and waited for David and his family to join her.
“You’re Rosalie.” A tall man in his early thirties with braided hair walked up to her with his hand out. “I’m Carlos Mendoza. It’s nice to finally meet. David spoke of you.”
“He did?” Rosalie shook his hand, puzzled. “When?”
“In prison.” David strode up with a wary look. “Carlos was our jailor. So…um…we’re cool? No hard feelings?”
“Totally, I’d do the same thing for a girl this cute. Rosalie, you’re way too good-looking for an E.L.F. Ever date a medusa?”
“Not to my kn
owledge, although I suspected one blind date was really the Prince of Darkness.”
Carlos turned to David with a chuckle. “Seriously, dude, she’s way out of your league. Rosalie, if you ever get tired of him give me a call. I’ll turn him to stone and we’ll go for lattes.” With a teasing glance at David, Rosalie promised.
David turned serious. “I hope the escape didn’t get you in too much trouble.”
The medusa shrugged. “The usual demotion, dock in pay, and restriction to the building. The job stunk, anyway. Guard work sucks, but other employment is scarce for a medusa.”
“I’m sorry, man. I had to escape.”
Carlos held up his hand. “Don’t apologize, you did the right thing. At least you two had the guts to take action.”
As David and Carlos chatted, Rosalie noted curious eyes {curpe.”Probably wondering who the hell I am and what the hell I’m doing here. An awkward feeling suddenly overcame her. What was she doing here?
David’s parents were ready to leave, so they all headed back to the apartment. Grace asked Rosalie to spend the night, but she politely declined. As nice as Brian and Grace were, their apartment wasn’t her place. She needed to get home, call Marissa, and, lord, she really needed a shower. “You’ve all been great, but I have to return to Florida.”
David’s face fell. “So soon?” Brian and Grace let out vigorous protests.
Rosalie cut them off firmly. Returning The Book was one thing, sponging off David’s parents was another. “I can’t stay. Now that Stephanie’s out of the picture, I hope to get my old job back.”
“In that case,” Brian said. “I’ll arrange for the jet to take you home.” He eyed his son severely. “No arguments. Florida is too far for you to dash-away with another person without at least one more day of rest. But,” his face softened, “a quick trip to the airport should be no problem.”
Grace stood up and gave Rosalie a hug. “I won’t say goodbye because I know we’ll see you soon. You’re always welcome here.”