The ambassador smiled. ‘Your passion speaks volumes, Miss Brent. Please call me Mei, we aren’t at one of those irritating formal dinners the Foreign Office are so fond of.’
‘Then I’m Ceri. And thank you for believing me. Barnes put me in a normal containment circle and turned it on. I’ve got first-hand experience of what it’s like aside from the experimental evidence. We’ve continued some experimentation on that kind of system, but purely for commercial development, and only ever firing up the accelerators for a minute at a time.’
Mei nodded. ‘I have been given permission to tell you that our own researchers have replicated your system and confirmed your results. I understand that they used a thirty second excitation burst and still had trouble keeping the circle active for long enough to avoid an explosion. They will be publishing their corroboration paper in the next issue of the Journal of Thaumatology, I believe.’
Ceri gave her a relieved smile. ‘That’s good news. I probably shouldn’t say this, but I’m not a politician so… The military here wanted to develop the dark circle idea because they thought other people, like China, might do it. I told them there was no way your dragons would allow it. I’m glad to find out I was right.’
Mei smiled indulgently; despite appearing to be almost a century younger, the ambassador reminded Ceri of Alexandra. ‘Quite. Not that the dragons interfere with our government, of course.’ There was a hint of amusement in her voice. Everyone knew the dragons did interfere, but official policy said otherwise.
‘Of course,’ Ceri agreed.
‘Now then, you recently did some research at Stonehenge.’
‘That’s right. Successfully too. We’re continuing on with a plan to build a power generation system using the technology Cheryl, uh Doctor Tennant, developed.’
‘I’m sure that will be successful as well,’ Mei said. ‘You make an extremely effective team. However, it’s the dragon skull you discovered under the monument which I’m concerned with here.’ Ceri opened her mouth and then closed it again. ‘I’m aware that Malcolm has requested that you don’t discuss this with anyone and I’d like to assure you that I’m discussing this for personal reasons. My government is not aware of me asking you about it. Nor are they aware that I know about it.’
‘You’re putting me in a difficult position,’ Ceri said.
‘I’m aware of that and I apologise. I assure you that anything you say will remain between us.’
‘What do you want to know?’ That was safe enough. Mei clearly knew about the skull anyway. Finding out what else she wanted to know could do no harm.
The ambassador looked at her and suddenly grinned sheepishly. The demeanour of imperial elegance was gone. ‘Actually, I’ve no idea. No idea what you could really tell me. Perhaps… Did you discover when he died?’
‘The end of the Toba Flare,’ Ceri said. ‘Um, that’s about…’
‘Thirty or so thousand years ago.’ She seemed wistful. ‘The world was very different then.’
‘You’ve… met dragons, I assume?’ Ceri asked tentatively.
‘Yes.’
‘What are they like?’
Mei laughed warmly. ‘That, Ceri, is like asking what people are like. They’re all different. Huanglong, the Imperial Dragon, is rather aloof. Very protective of the Emperor and the country, but distant. Dilong who rules rivers and seas is capricious. My understanding is that the western dragons also select names to match their roles.’
‘I wouldn’t know,’ Ceri said, ‘the dragons here are proving really reticent about revealing themselves.’
‘Hardly a surprise. Eastern dragons have a reputation for being mostly beneficent, even lucky, like Teng over there.’ Ceri glanced around at the golden dragon on the table; it’s eyes were still shining. ‘Western dragons, however, are supposed to be bloodthirsty beasts with a taste for princesses. If I were a dragon and I lived in this part of the world, I believe I would stay hidden.’
Ceri shrugged slightly. ‘I guess some “hero” would go out to try and slay any that showed their head.’
‘The reputations are undeserved,’ Mei went on. ‘There are malign Eastern dragons and beneficent Western ones. Each has as much personality as any person though they are more… elemental. If you should meet one, take great care.’
‘Oh, I can’t see that happening,’ Ceri said, grinning.
‘One can never tell where Fate will take us, Ceri.’ Damn enigmatic statements; enigmatic people were the bane of Ceri’s life. ‘I would ask that, should you discover more about this dragon, you let me know what you can. Call it a personal favour. Oh, I am grateful to you for your introduction of young Jenny to the Battersea pack. I have agreed to her request to learn from them. If there is anything I can do in return for your assistance, please contact me.’
That was a subtle dismissal. ‘Thank you,’ Ceri said, rising to her feet. Mei did the same, reaching for the hand Ceri offered. She moved with the kind of grace Lily did and Ceri wondered what Mei Long was, but it would have been impolite to use her Sight. Perhaps it was just training. ‘It’s been a pleasure to meet you, uh, and Teng.’
‘A great pleasure for both of us,’ Mei returned, smiling. Ceri could have sworn the dragon statue winked at her.
Soho
A slight twist of her hips avoided the hand reaching for her behind. She made no comment, just grinning slightly and keeping on walking toward the bar. Putting down her tray, Ceri put her elbows on the counter and said, ‘Two red wines and a Death in the Morning, please Alec.’
It was Friday night at the Jade dragon, just after full moon, and the werewolves were still a little boisterous. The grin Alec gave her was a good indication of that. Leaning against the bar beside her was the club’s proprietor, Carter, who was looking rather pleased with the fact that his establishment was heaving.
‘The Chinese Ambassador?’ Carter said, continuing the conversation from before she had gone off to one of her tables. ‘Seriously? Mei Long invited you over for a chat?’
‘Have you met her?’ Ceri asked.
‘Once, at some function or other. She’s a beautiful woman. Way out of my class.’ Ceri stared at him. ‘What? I do have some sense of propriety.’
‘The Chinese government wished assurances that the data in our Null Thaumiton paper wasn’t faked to let the British get ahead in a thaumic arms race,’ Ceri said, ignoring the explanation. ‘Though actually she said they had replicated the experiment, confirmed the results, and they would be publishing the corroboration next month.’
‘So, she had an ulterior motive.’
‘Oh yeah.’
‘No idea what?’
Ceri considered. Mei had wanted to know about the skull, but had already known about it and had not really asked any questions. ‘No, not really. She did say she wanted to meet me, which was why she invited me rather than Cheryl, but… I think there was more to it.’ She picked up her tray which now had drinks on it and turned around. ‘She seemed nice enough though, I don’t think it’s a problem.’
The table the drinks were for featured two human girls and a vampire. The girls were giggly and the vampire was old, at least fifty. He was already using illusion to cover up patches of decay around his eyes and mouth. The girls obviously could not see the blackened patches in the drawn, grey skin, but Ceri could. From the looks of them, however, they would not have cared. The popular name for them was “chew toys,” people who enjoyed getting high from vampire bites. Ceri turned after dropping off the drinks and smiled as she spotted Lily beside the bar. Succubi were addictive too, but there was less biting and the withdrawal was way easier.
Well, sort of easier. As Ceri approached Lily wrapped slender arms around her waist and pulled her into a kiss. ‘What was… that for?’ Ceri gasped when her demon let her go.
‘Special request from table three,’ Lily replied. ‘Even if they didn’t vocalise it.’ Lily’s ability to sense the desires of others was improving under her father’s tutelage.
&
nbsp; ‘That’s our Lil,’ Alec commented wryly. ‘Always putting the needs of the customer first, despite the hardship.’
‘A true humanitarian,’ Carter agreed.
Lily ignored the sarcasm and picked up her tray. ‘I’m also an exceptionally good waitress and pet,’ she said before strutting off.
‘I need a cold shower,’ Ceri said.
‘I don’t have one handy, sorry,’ Carter replied, smirking. ‘Alec, make a note to have a cold water shower installed beside the bar in case of succubus.’
Alec managed to keep his face entirely straight. ‘Noted, Boss. I think that’ll go down a storm with the customers.’
‘Indeed,’ Carter agreed. ‘Perhaps we could make a dousing in ice water a regular event.’
‘You two are in fine form tonight,’ Ceri said. ‘Have you been practicing this double act?’
‘No, kid,’ Alec replied, ‘it’s pure talent.’
‘And years of experience,’ Carter added.
‘How long have you two known each other?’ Ceri asked.
‘Nineteen-eighty-one, wasn’t it?’ Alec said.
‘That would be about right. This place was still the Midnight Dancer, I was looking for a barman, and one happened to save me from some muggers.’
‘You needed saving from muggers?’ Ceri sounded incredulous.
‘There were five of them, and they were werewolves,’ Carter said a little defensively.
‘Dog Boys,’ Alec said, ‘but there were six.’
‘There were?’ Carter frowned. ‘Well, I’m getting old. Anyway, he needed a job, I needed a bartender, the rest is history.’
‘Eighty-one?’ Ceri mused. ‘Thirty years. That’s a long time.’
Carter and Alec looked at each other. ‘Now I really feel old,’ Carter said.
Lily sauntered back, raising a perfect eyebrow at Carter’s remark. ‘Well table five has two twenty-somethings on it who would be happy to cheer you up, and they need a red wine each.’ Alec smirked and turned to get the drinks.
‘Table five?’ Carter asked.
‘Blonde and brunette,’ Lily said, nodding, ‘both bi, the blonde’s a D-cup.’
Carter looked contemplative for a second and then turned in time to take the two glasses from Alec. ‘I believe I should be sociable,’ he said.
‘Oh, definitely,’ Ceri said.
‘Your duty as host,’ Lily added.
Carter favoured them with a knowing grin before turning toward the table were his unsuspecting victims were waiting.
‘If he ever starts acting his age, I’ll become celibate,’ Lily commented.
‘He better bloody not then!’ Ceri stated emphatically.
Kennington, June 18th
‘Ready?’ Ceri asked.
‘Bring it on,’ Lily replied.
Ceri stepped forward, swinging her staff in an overhead strike. Lily sidestepped it easily, lunging forward with one of the wooden batons she was holding backhanded only to have it slapped aside. They backed away from each other, circling. Lily’s wide skirt swept about her legs and Ceri had to concentrate to avoid watching that instead of Lily’s weapons. And the half-succubus was using that too; she moved in as Ceri’s eyes twitched down. A low feint drew Ceri’s attention and she was hard-pressed to block the strike at her throat.
‘Break!’ Ray called out and the two girls separated, grinning. The martial arts instructor pointed at Ceri. ‘You need to stop looking at your girlfriend’s legs.’
‘I wasn’t!’ Ceri protested. ‘It’s the skirt, it’s distracting.’ Lily giggled and swished her skirt.
‘You have to widen your focus,’ Ray said. ‘Don’t concentrate on the details, just be aware of them.’
Ceri looked at him a little sourly. ‘Is there some cryptic phrase playbook I can read this stuff in? Everyone seems to have a copy but me.’
Ray laughed. He had a deep, rather attractive laugh which probably followed from his deep chest. Ceri suspected you could also bounce bullets off his diaphragm. ‘For that one, try reading The Book of Five Rings. “One must affect the Rat’s Head, Ox’s Neck.”’
‘Right,’ Ceri drawled. ‘Okay, uh… widen my perceptions.’ She looked at Lily. ‘Okay, hit me.’
The half-succubus moved with all her demon-enhanced speed delivering a flurry of blows which Ceri blocked as quickly as they came. Another feint dropped low, but this time Ceri tapped it aside, stepped in before the throat strike could start, and pushed her staff into Lily’s chest. It would just have been a push, if Ceri had not also planted her foot to hook Lily’s ankle. Instead there was a shriek as Lily found herself tumbling backward onto the floor of the hall and the next thing she knew the heel of Ceri’s staff was resting against her throat.
‘Well done,’ Ray said. ‘I didn’t teach you that.’
‘Wrestling lessons with werewolves,’ Ceri said as she offered a hand to Lily.
Upright again, Lily poked her in the ribs with a wooden dagger. ‘You get to heal my bruised bum.’
‘My pleasure, love.’
Ray smirked at them. ‘I thought you were a lover, not a fighter, Ceri.’
‘Anita is pretty strict,’ she replied. ‘She’s the pack Captain. All the wolves in the pack have to go through at least basic training, but they made me a Guard and she says that even if I can blow a demon’s head off, I need to be able to defend myself in close combat.’
Ray ran a hand through his close-cropped hair thoughtfully. ‘You don’t think she’d be willing to give me a demo of the techniques they use, do you? It’d be really useful in my line of work.’ He taught martial arts for the police; Ceri imagined he was right.
‘I can ask her,’ she said. ‘I can’t promise anything though.’
‘Thanks,’ the big man said, ‘and time’s up so I guess I should be going. You’ll keep practicing?’
‘Of course,’ Ceri said. ‘If I didn’t Lily would kick my arse, and then shop me to Michael so Anita can put me on double guard duty or something.’
Chuckling, Ray started off toward the utility room where he had left his street clothes. ‘I just bet she would,’ he said in passing.
~~~
There was plenty of time before sundown and not much to be done, so they ended up on the roof, in the sun. The roof of High Towers had a rail around the edge, complete with bat design, and was nice and wide. The three deckchairs in the middle of it could never be seen from the ground. Someone with a telescope looking out from the tower blocks of the Brandon Estate could probably spot someone laid out on the loungers, but otherwise they were invisible.
Lily had never been bothered by the possibility of being seen and never wore anything to sunbathe up there. Less than a year earlier, Ceri had been distinctly more conservative. Now she wore a suit on the roof only when she wanted Lily to have something to take off. She did, however, need to have sun oil lathered on, because the alternative was burning like a lobster on high heat, and since Lily had offered to make sure she got a good coating before she lay down, Ceri was recovering in the afterglow of an orgasm which had lasted for five minutes when she did, finally, get to relax.
‘I sometimes wonder why I don’t just lie down and spread my legs for you when we come up here,’ Ceri commented languidly. Her brain was in that happy place composed of equal parts sex and warm sunlight.
‘That would be no fun,’ Lily replied. ‘Even if we know the outcome before we start, the chase is part of the thrill.’
‘You don’t exactly chase me.’
‘Just because you want it, doesn’t mean there isn’t seduction and heightening of arousal involved. Are you saying you’d rather I just got down to it? All clinical?’
‘Well… no.’
‘Don’t complain then.’
‘I wasn’t… I suppose I was, sort of. Oh, speaking of my inability to go twenty-four hours without your tongue, I have to go to Cambridge in a couple of weeks.’
‘How long for?’ Lily sounded a little unhappy.
‘A
week. It’s the Thaumatology Conference. Cheryl wants me to present a paper on my thesis. I’d be leaving Sunday and back on Friday, early enough to get to work in the evening.’
Lily sighed. ‘Okay,’ she said. ‘I’ll suffer without you, of course, but if you can manage, I’m sure I can.’
‘Huh, I’ll be taking a tasty young post-grad to bed every night.’
‘Of course,’ Lily replied without batting an eyelid. ‘You’re my Mistress, you can do what you like. But when you’re with them, you’ll be thinking of me.’
Ceri sagged in the lounger. ‘Yeah,’ she said. ‘You or Michael anyway. Preferably both. I have got one favour to ask.’
‘What’s that?’
‘When I find out the time for my presentation, you have to promise you won’t masturbate during it.’
Lily giggled. ‘Sure, but it’ll cost you.’
Ceri groaned and turned over. ‘Do my back, would you?’ Lily rose smoothly from her own lounger and moved over to Ceri’s. ‘So what’s it going to cost me?’ Ceri asked.
Lily poured oil into her palm and began to smooth it into Ceri’s shoulder and neck. ‘I’m not sure yet.’ Ceri began to relax as Lily’s expert fingers worked the oil into her skin and eased the muscles beneath. ‘You could be my slave for the day again.’ She began to work her way down Ceri’s back, smoothing out from the spine. ‘Maybe you could chain me up and work me over with the toys again. I really enjoyed that. Or…’ She stopped.
When Lily had remained silent for a few seconds Ceri frowned. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘There’s like… a shadow under your skin,’ Lily said. She traced her finger over a circular area at the back of Ceri’s right hip perhaps three or four inches in diameter just over the pelvic bone. ‘Looks almost like a bruise, but not quite.’
‘I don’t remember being hit there,’ Ceri replied.
Lily shrugged and continued smoothing in the oil. ‘If it doesn’t go away you’d better see someone about it.’
After a minute or so Ceri said, ‘I don’t really need that part massaging quite so much.’
Thaumatology 04 - Dragon's Blood Page 9