by L. A. Kelley
He grinned. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“The necklace will interfere with your magic,” Dominic warned. “Once snagged, you can’t dash-away far—ten feet past the runes if you’re lucky, and only once. Continued use of the dash-away will set off an explosion.”
The floor trembled again. “Not to worry.” Rosalie nervously licked her lips. “I, personally, can run like hell.”
“We need to work fast. Once the necklace is removed, the whole spell becomes unstable.”
“How long until all the walls come tumbling down?” Sadhri asked the Baal.
“Two maybe three minutes.”
“My pack will keep Pearce and the others busy while you deactivate the runes.”
“I’ll need help.”
“You have me,” Marissa piped up.
Doubt crossed the demon’s face. “You know nothing of magic.”
“I’m a quick study and my son is up there.” Her resolved look was as stone hard as if set by a medusa. “You just tell me what to do.”
Carlos spoke up. “The door is bound to be secured. David can dash-away, but how do we get in?”
Sadhri reached into her pocket and pulled out a small silk packet. “Not to worry. I brought toys.”
Chapter Twenty-One
They gathered outside the closed door of the storage unit. The shiva examined the entrance with a practiced eye and then tore off several small wads and pressed them to the hinges. She jammed a rce athefuse in each and struck a match. Rosalie gripped David’s hand. Sadhri lit the fuses. They flared brilliantly in the near darkness.
Rosalie and David dashed-away to the corner of the storage unit. The darkness cleared. Rosalie glimpsed three things at once; the necklace suspended in mid-air surrounded by a dizzying swirl of glowing hieroglyphics, a pistol tucked into Kaplan’s waistband, and three astounded faces gaping back at them. Kaplan pulled the pistol. Then all hell broke loose.
Thooomp.
The door blew open at the same time David dashed-away into the center of the swirly incantations. Carlos burst in first deflecting a blast from the medusa. Enraged she sprayed the air with charged energy. Rosalie ducked and closed her eyes.
David snatched the necklace and dashed-away out again to Rosalie.
“Stop him!” screamed Anthony. The demon disappeared.
Kaplan charged. He hit David broadside knocking him flat. The necklace flew from his hand. “Grab it,” yelled David.
Eyes open, Rosalie snatched the necklace out of the air. The gems glowed with unnatural light. Billy rushed to David’s side, but something hurtled him out of the way. A ghostly arm grabbed at her. She struck blindly, connecting with something solid and then ran for the door.
Another quake, more violent this time nearly knocked them all off their feet. The lights went out. Nothing lit the storage unit except the blood-red glow of the circling incantation, and the diamonds in the necklace still charged with the remnants of mystical energy. From nearby a shot fired. The medusa’s beam raked across the room. Rosalie felt a burning fire strike her chest as she slammed into the wall and slid to the floor.
Rosalie staggered to her feet as another tremble rocked the building. An invisible fist grabbed her neck. Instinctively, she kicked out hard and heard a satisfying grunt in return. From somewhere across the room, David yelled, “Run, Rosalie! Get the necklace out of here!”
Turned around during the fight, Rosalie stumbled across the dark room and collided with the wall. Frantically, she felt for the opening, and tumbled through. Central Receiving was pitch black. Even the emergency lights were out. She tucked the necklace in her pocket and noticed to her horror the visible glow shining through the material.
Great, I have a beacon in my pants.
Rosalie lurched along feeling her way and banged in to a shelving unit. Panting hard, she groped around a stack of pallets and then stopped to get her bearings. Someone behind her crashed into the same shelf. Anthony…
Her legs were numbed by stabbing pain. She could barely keep them moving. Just keep ahead of him for a few minutes. Once you make it to the security office, lock the door. Anthony can’t get through.
Rosalie nearly sobbed with relief when her fingers touched the double door separating Central Receiving from the main floor. She flung it open and forced her legs into a lumbering jog. Every step sent racking pain through her. The numbness climbed up her torso. Her body stiffened. How long before she turned into a statue? She gritted her teeth and plowed on.
Rosalie’s head jerked around at the creak of the door. Her breath caught in her throat. The demon must have also found the exit. Just a few more steps…just a few more…
The security office was dead ahead. She froze in place at the sound of running footsteps. Anthony guessed her intention and circled around to head her off. With her stilted gait, she knew she’d never beat him to theeatplace at security office now. She stumbled away. If she could reach her own office…
Something kicked her hard and she went down.
“You are so dead,” snarled Anthony’s disembodied voice.
She heard a hard twack. Anthony roared. David reached down and snatched her up. “We have to keep ahead of him a few more minutes.”
“My legs…” She stumbled against him.
“Medusa blast.” He uttered a curse. “Wish we could see Pearce.”
“Christmas Land.” Her jaw felt tight. Speaking was difficult. “Have idea. Hurry.” He dragged Rosalie along as her body grew stiffer. “This aisle. Saw some left.” She could barely raise an arm, but managed to point out the product on the shelf.
He grabbed one, placed it in her hand, and then stood in front of her. “Get ready,” David whispered as footsteps pounded at the head of the aisle.
“You’re done, Pearce,” the E.L.F. cried out. “Give it up.”
David doubled over as Anthony’s fist connected with his jaw. Invisible hands jerked David’s head jerked back and slammed them against the shelf. “Your parents will be dead in minutes,” the demon snarled. “I’ll beat you to death and then go upstairs and The Book will be mine. And your girlfriend—I’ll dump her in the bottom of a lake.”
Blood trickled from David’s mouth but he managed a crooked grin. “I don’t think so. Hit him!”
So intent on the E.L.F, Anthony didn’t notice Rosalie’s finger on the nozzle of the aerosol can. Fake spray snow blasted Anthony in the face. He let go of David with a strangled bellow, his torso now outlined in a frothy mess.
David lunged. One quick punch doubled-over the demon. Another brought him to his knees. The third, fourth, and fifth sent him to the floor. The sixth, seventh, and most certainly the eighth were unnecessary, but Rosalie sensed David was enjoying himself.
Billy bounded up with Sadhri right behind him. “Aw,” the hellhound complained, “you didn’t leave any for me. I like his new look, though. Kind of sparkly.”
Breathing hard, David said, “Kaplan and Darby?”
“Out of commission,” the shiva noted coldly. “Permanently.”
David staggered to his feet. “Rosalie’s hit.” Sadhri whipped out her phone and summoned Carlos. David pried the can from her fingers. He kissed her cheek. “Hang on, baby.”
“Mmmph.”
Carlos darted toward them. “What about Dominic?” yelled David at the medusa. “Did he disable the incantations?”
The lights flickered back on.
“I believe,” murmured the shiva, “he just did. He’ll need the necklace.”
Carlos placed his hands on either side of Rosalie’s face. “You didn’t get the full blast. The gold coin around your neck deflected the worst.”
Good old Langbor, she thought.
The medusa’s braids quivered, the forces gathered. Rosalie saw a bright light and then a sensation of pins and needles seeped into her limbs. “Ahhhh.”
David wrapped his arms around her. “Are you all right?”
Rosalie flexed her fingers. “A little stiff, but everythi
ng works. Thanks, Carlos.”
“No problemo.”
While Billy, Sadhri, and Carlos stood guard over Anthony, she and David hurried back to the stbac
The floating incantations were gone. Dominic knelt next to Marissa. She had an arm around his shoulders as if to steady him. His face was pale and sweaty. Marissa appeared wan, too.
Rosalie handed him the necklace. Cupped in his hand, light from the jewels flared out between his fingers. “Remember what I told you,” he instructed Marissa.
“I heard you the first time,” she remarked primly, much to Rosalie’s amusement.
Marissa placed her hands over the Baal’s, extinguishing all the light. The demon spouted a series of strange-sounding words. His hands shook as if the force trapped inside threatened to break free. Marissa’s grip tightened. The muscles in her arms strained.
The Baal’s tone changed, fierce and decisive. Rosalie didn’t understand what he said, but sure got the message. The Baal commanded the spell to vanish. The chant slowed and closed with a rasped whisper. Dominic’s shoulders sagged. Whatever he did certainly took a toll. Marissa removed her hands. She gently pried open his cupped palms. A wisp of black smoke fluttered away. The demon’s skin was red and raw, but the only fire in the necklace came from the natural sparkle of the gems.
David’s cell rang. “Dad, is everyone all right?”
“Where are you?”
“Secondary storage unit in the back of Central Receiving. Anthony is under guard in Christmas Land. Did the barrier move back?”
Instead of an answer, the Santa and his wife appeared in a puff of air. “Tight quarters for a while, but the shield is normal again.”
“Alex?” Marissa asked, concern clouding her expression.
Grace flashed a smile “Natalie will—” A poof of pink smoke interrupted her.
“Mama.” Alex released the cupid’s hand and jumped into his mother’s arms. “Are you coming back to the party, now? I had fun. Santa Brian taught all the kids a game called Squoosh’em Together. We hid under the tables.” He turned to Brian. “Can we play it again?”
Marissa shot Brian a thankful smile. “I think everyone has had enough of that game for now.”
“Absolutely,” Grace said, relief evident in her voice. “It’s time for food, dancing, and the real party to start. “Natalie, please take Alex and Marissa back upstairs. We’ll join you shortly.” Dominic rose to his feet. Grace eyed him sharply. “You go, too. You look like you could use a drink.”
Alex looked up at the towering demon with the utmost pity. “You’re big. You won’t fit under the table.”
A teasing smile played around Marissa’s lips. “We’ll find something else for him to do.” She addressed the demon. “Do you dance?”
“No.”
“Well, then.” She grabbed his arm. “Natalie and I will teach you.”
“What fun,” chortled the cupid as she grabbed Dominic’s other arm.
“Let go of me, cupid—” His protest cut off in a puff of pink smoke.
David filled his parents in on the fight as Sadhri and the others arrived. “The cupids teleported Anthony to prison. They also removed Kaplan and Darby.”
“We trussed Anthony up in Christmas garland before turning him over,” smirked Carlos. “He didn’t appreciate the effort, but I thought he looked very fesook align=tive.”
“What will happen to him?” asked Rosalie.
Sadhri glowered. “Nothing pleasant.”
She decided not to press for details.
Grace stepped forward. “I meant it when I said you all have a party to go to. We’ll fill the wardens in. You add the fine points when you get to the roof.”
“What about the mess?” asked Rosalie. The fight wove a trail of destruction through the main floor.
“The dryads are already cleaning up. No one will ever know. Now get changed and come upstairs,” she added with a grin, “or else you’re all fired.”
The gala was in full swing as the group arrived on the rooftop wearing their party best. The clothing, especially the women’s, didn’t do much to hide the scrapes and contusions they all suffered. Considering the sexy cut of the outfits, none of the men seemed to mind. Even Sadhri looked fabulous in her hot pink cocktail dress despite a budding shiner.
They stepped out onto the floor. The music stopped and party guests crowded round and applauded. David gave a brief summary to the wardens before Brian stepped in. “No more questions for tonight. They deserve a little fun. So do the rest of us.”
The audience cheered. The music started again and the dancing began. David explained the band consisted of apollos and hathors, descendants of music deities. “They make you believe everything they play, you can dance to.” He spoke the truth. As the beat started, Rosalie didn’t just think she could dance. She knew it.
There seemed to be no end of the food. As soon as one table was cleared of dishes, the dryads filled up another. Plates piled high with delectable assortments of delicacies from all over the globe reflected the Integrals varied backgrounds. Rosalie didn’t know the names of half of them, but every item she tried was delicious. Dryads certainly could cook.
The children were kept entertained by a series of games and magic tricks offered by willing volunteers. At midnight, the Odin was talked into shooting firebolts from his eyes. They exploded in a shower of fiery brilliance high overhead. Alex was awestruck. He clapped his hands and squealed in delight. Grace didn’t exaggerate, Rosalie decided. Integrals sure knew how to throw a party.
When Alex finally conked out on a pile of silk cushions, Marissa decided to head for home. “I’m not so sure now you can keep him from spilling all this to his friends.” Rosalie chuckled.
She shrugged. “Brian already had a word with him. He asked Alex very seriously to promise to keep Santa’s secret. He may be only five, but I swear he immediately understood the importance. I honestly don’t think Alex will tell a soul.” David volunteered to teleport the sleeping child down to the car. She turned him down with a grin. “Dominic already offered to carry him. I think he wants an excuse to escape Natalie’s samba lessons.”
The party broke up an hour before dawn. Rosalie collapsed in a chair watching the last of the guests transported away by the cupids. She kicked off her shoes. “Best…party…ever…”
David plopped down beside her. He lifted her feet onto his lap to massage.
Rosalie leaned her head back, closed her eyes, and groaned. “That feels wonderful. I’ve never danced so much in my life. You will definitely dash-away me home, because no way am I walking out of here.”
David glanced around with a wicked grin. “Let’s go before Natalie notices we’re missing. It will take me at least an hour to say a proper good night.”
“What about The Book?”
“Dad already volunteered to return it to the vault. He and mom are heading back to New York tonight. They’ll attend the wardens’ meeting tomorrow.”
“Then what the hell are you waiting for, mister?”
David snatched up her shoes, lifted Rosalie into his arms, and dashed-away from the roof. Neither one observed Ms. Jankowski watching them with a thoughtful expression.
****
David fibbed. It took way more than an hour to say a proper good night. Once he left, Rosalie went straight to bed and slept until early afternoon. She and David were invited to Christmas dinner at his parents’ condo after the wardens’ meeting, but she had time to kill. As Rosalie nursed a cup of coffee at the kitchen table, she resolved to tie up one more loose end before enjoying the holiday.
Rosalie navigated through the empty streets. In no time at all she pulled into Stephanie’s driveway. Hesitantly, she knocked at the door. Stephanie immediately answered. Instead of a designer outfit, she had on old jeans and no makeup with her hair done up in a loose bun.
“Stephanie, I know I’m the last person you want to see, but I had to make sure you were okay.”
Stephanie’s wan face li
t up in a smile. She motioned Rosalie inside to a seat. “Come in. Sorry about the mess.” She had obviously cleaned, but remnants of Anthony’s stay lingered. “Some party, huh? Too bad I don’t remember much of it.” Stephanie eyed her, shamefaced. “Frankly, that’s a good thing. The scattered memories left of Anthony and the others aren’t particularly pleasant. I heard them talking. Anthony came back here to kill you.”
Rosalie gaped at her, shaken. “Me?”
“As revenge on David Kloss. He went to Penrose’s, but then overheard you and Marissa in the dressing room discussing the party.”
The creaky board…Anthony had been close enough to touch. Unconsciously, Rosalie shivered.
Stephanie sat down with a sigh. “Anthony changed his plan and decided to kill everyone at the party that night, rob the dead of their jewels, and steal back the Naughty and Nice list. He figured once successful other Integrals would follow him. He could recruit an army of undetectable followers. I’m glad you stopped him. Not just for my sake, but for everyone’s. I-I never wanted this.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m so sorry.”
Rosalie was moved by her heartfelt distress. “I know. Everything’s okay now. Life can get back to normal.” She motioned to several suitcases piled in the corner. “Taking a trip?”
“A permanent one. It’s time for a change from normal for me. I already notified the landlord. Once I finish cleaning, I’m on my way.”
“Where are you headed?”
“Dallas. I got a call today out of the blue from a cousin I hadn’t heard from in years. Beth runs a non-profit. One of the fund-raisers is a consignment shop. Sales support a women’s shelter, but the store doesn’t bring in much. She needs someone who knows fashion and can network with the city’s affluent community to bring in higher quality items and increase profits. Beth thinks I’d be good at it.”
“Actually, I agree.”
Stephanie’s gaze dropped to the floor. “I had it easy, Rosalie. Right or wrong, things generally fell my way. I never gave much thought to other people unless my life benefitted somehow. I owe a lot and I need to pay back.” She glanced up in surprise. “Beth and I were never close, ne gavebut she said something made her think of me today. Was The Book at work?”