Rolling for Love

by Kate Messick

  Nozomi’s truck soon pulls up alongside it. Portals only work if they are stationary; the faster we get it moving, the better. I race to the cab and climb into the passenger seat. Nozomi gives me a nod and squeezes my hand.

  “Go! Move out.” Raphael’s voice comes over the radio. “Portal is secure.”

  “ETA ten minutes,” I call into the radio as we head for the middle portal. And hopefully end this once and for all.

  Goliath (Zack’s character)

  “Did you and Nozomi figure out how to wield your power?” I ask Raphael during our short flight to the middle portal. Nozomi’s truck rumbles below us.

  “No,” he states harshly. “We have ideas, but nothing more than what we figured out before.”

  Our entire plan hinges on this and I curse. We’re slowly pulling ahead of the truck. I pump my wings a few times to get a better look around. I see movement in the distance through the trees on all sides of us. Demon units being called back from their preparations to attack Estes Park to take back the portals. This could be our final stand; even if we do this quickly, our position will be overrun.

  I gasp as a red fireball grazes my left wing, reflexively it curls into itself and I begin to plummet to the ground. Through sheer force of will, I manage to regain control, landing on the top of the truck. I peer down through one of the many bullet holes.

  “What do you have left?” I ask Sandy out of character.

  “A couple of level-two spell slots. A level four I’m saving, and a lot of daggers,” Sandy answers me.

  “I’ve only got a level two and three left,” Dillon replies.

  “We have to make them count,” I announce. “We need a plan. What are our clues again?”

  Joe repeats Uriel’s riddle and we all look at one another. There is nothing in there.

  “When I said ‘moving on’ Uriel said ‘that’s it’, right? Didn’t he?” Sandy asks Joe.

  Joe nods but has covered his mouth with his Dungeon Master’s Guide. “I will give you five minutes in real time to discuss this and then you will have arrived. Assuming the location isn’t overrun.”

  “That reminds me, we literally have armies headed towards us,” Zack reminds the table of her excellent perception roll while flying.

  Steven starts throwing out ideas. “I know I was making fart jokes earlier. But does anyone have a wind spell that they can cast while touching their angel. Movement?”

  “We tried that,” Sandy says, annoyed now.

  “Maybe someone else needs to cast it through us,” Lynda offers.

  “Would the portals be considered objects?” Dillon suddenly asks.

  “Yes, yes they would,” Joe replies. His face is unreadable hidden behind his book, but his voice tells all. We’re on the right track.

  “I have an idea,” Dillon announces.

  We burst into the clearing with the third portal. It’s not yet overrun, but we can all see movement through the trees. The two flatbeds scratch noisily against each other as Nozomi not so carefully stops the truck. Giirdse warriors swarm it to move the last portal into position.

  I feel a bolt of power hit my back and I collapse in blinding white pain. I don’t know how long I’m unconscious, but Strider’s healing manages to rouse me.

  “Up! Up! We need to fly!” he says frantically.

  The clearing is in chaos and I grunt and grab Strider around the waist, my burnt raw hands twitching with pain. We get his legs around my waist and he ties himself on as I beat my wings up into the dark night sky. I feel a bullet bite into my calf and the edges of my vision start to darken. Strider hits me with a small heal and I’m able to focus, but if I go down, we’re both done for.

  I look for the other angels. They are in the air; power swirls around the pairs, crackling and waiting to be used.

  “Ruby now,” Strider yells.

  “Um, can the angel’s wings bear the weight of a large struggling werewolf?” Lynda quickly asks.

  “Too bad you didn’t think to ask that before you started this plan,” Joe says evilly.

  Ruby throws her witch-spelled crystal into the air, the trigger words rushing out of her mouth. Instantly her bones begin to shift, breaking and morphing. I watch in horror as Gabriel begins to lose his grip, Ruby’s body transformation too much for him. His wings dip as her body increases in weight and size. However as she changes, so does the light around them, and the dark and light energies swirl and gain power until they are almost blinding.

  “If you’re going to drop her, do it over the portal,” I hear Nozomi scream. I look over at her and then Trixy, and color drains from my face. Michael is also dropping and fast, and Trixy runs her hands over his skin, unable to stop her succubus side from draining his pure angelic essence.

  “You have to do this now,” I say to Strider. I’m flying above all three, so that they are all between me and the stacked portals on the ground. Ruby’s werewolf howl rips through the air. My mind barely registers the chorus of answering cries.

  Suddenly the air in front of us tingles as Strider casts a spell with every bit of strength he has left. The violence of the spell makes him go limp in my arms, the transparent force travels fast through the three pairs of swirling black and white colors, taking their energy with it, giving it shape and body.

  “It’s working!” I shout triumphantly and feel Strider’s body shift. I hope he has woken up enough to watch as the three portals are bombarded by a wave of light and dark energy working side by side. The energy begins to tear apart the first portal and I pray with every fiber of my love for Helm that this works.

  Chapter Eighty-Three

  Reality/Campaign, Joe’s House

  Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.

  - Helen Keller

  Joe Smartin

  “Just like Goku’s spirit bomb,” I describe. Lynda starts to ask what that is but Zack is on it already, and has a picture of a giant blue ball crashing into the surface of an odd-looking planet. “Your spell that does sonic vibration damage collects the power radiating off your persons and, just like the wind, they move toward the portals. With three earsplitting cracks, the portals break apart. You feel the magical energies of the world, bank and tumble around you. Anyone on the ground within 60 meters – which would be Ruby, Trixy and most of my NPCs – take forty seven damage.”

  “I’m unconscious,” Steven states.

  “So are your two angels,” Joe adds.

  “Wow, I have so many hit points as a werewolf,” Lynda says in awe. “I’m still up.”

  “Roll to see if you’re in control of your instincts,” I request. Lynda rolls a four. I don’t need to tell her she’s not in control.

  “Four random demons are still up, but have pretty much said ‘fuck this’ and are running away. What do you do?”

  “Where is Damion?” Sandy suddenly asks me.

  “You have no idea,” I smirk. “But at the mention of the missing vampire, Raphael gets a horrible look on his face. He drops you, safely but not gracefully to the ground, and shoots into the sky.”

  “We need to stabilize Trixy,” Steven points out.

  “You’re unconscious,” Sandy berates Steven, “But since I’m now on the ground, I will rush to Trixy and stabilize her.”

  We spend the next few minutes making sure everyone lived. Michael almost dies because of a few low rolls and, in the end, everyone has at least enough hit points to stand. Ruby, though alive, has lost control of her werewolf and runs toward the howls of her brethren.

  “I’m gonna rush through this.” I start to clear the battle mat. “As we need to get going. Huzza! You’ve destroyed the portals and taken back Estes Park for the Giirdse family. You are able to find a vehicle and drive off before the Kaatse forces regroup. The angels are now conscious, and you get back to the Stanley. The angels rush into the building after Raphael. What are you doing? Are you resting? Looking for Ruby? Looking for the angels?”

  “I’m out of everything and only hav
e one hit point,” Steven points out. The table nods, all in a similar state.

  “Rest and then try to figure out what comes next?” Zack asks. Agreements go around the table.

  “I’m going to use your upstairs bathroom to freshen up and then I’m ready to go,” Sandy announces to the room, standing.

  “Same,” Dillon says with a smirk. He half pretends to follow Sandy up the stairs.

  “Why are you and Joe going to Sandy’s company’s holiday party?” Zack asks, stopping Dillon.

  I can see Lynda leaning in for an answer and it makes me laugh.

  “Because we have an unhealthy codependent friendship that formed way too fast … and are not really equipped to handle it emotionally,” he says, rustling Zack’s hair.

  Lynda laughs nervously and I can’t stop the bark of laughter that comes out of me either. What Dillon said is probably true. But I’m enjoying it too much to care. Or at least I was. I love running my game, but I can feel the stress in Sandy, Dillan, and myself from Amorino’s threats.

  We’d tried almost everything this week. Dillon spoke with a lawyer about the situation, we had Sandy go to a doctor for her bruises just in case we needed a countersuit or something. I asked a friend of a friend to try to hack it, but he wasn’t successful. Sandy found and removed the hard copies from the site, but that didn’t erase the copies Amorino has. We only have one option left; we need to get leverage on him.

  “We’ll have fun,” Lynda says as they finish gathering their things and head for the door, Zack in tow.

  I pull my attention back to my house. Waving goodbye, Dillon and I watch my front door close. I take a breath to speak, but Sandy startles us coming down the stairs. Freshen up apparently meant putting on a tight red shirt and piling her hair on the top of her head. Her chunky childish holiday jewelry looks comical against the incredibly sexy backless top and tight black jeans. I couldn’t stop my whistle even if I’d wanted to.

  “Dressing up to turn the ex down?” Dillon smirks.

  “No, dressing up to go bowling with the two most amazing men in the world,” she answers smoothly, then pauses. “Are you sure this is ok?”

  “Absolutely,” I respond.

  “It’s a last attempt, anyway,” Dillon adds more realistically.

  “And no matter what happens, we’re sticking by you.” I see that stubborn look on her face. If this doesn’t work, I have a feeling she’s going to disappear from my life. And as much as Dillon and I can tell her not to, she’s her own woman. I don’t want her to be faced with that choice. It’s hard for me to even imagine putting a stranger through this, much less a friend. Fucking Amorino. I can feel my blood start to boil and can see my anger and tension reflected in Sandy and Dillon.

  “I was really worried you wouldn’t get Uriel’s riddle,” I say as we walk to my car, attempting to focus us on something we all love.

  “Aww, you just wanted to make sure everyone was involved in the fight,” Sandy says to me.

  “You better believe it.” I help myself to a squeeze of Sandy’s ass as I pass her to grab my keys.

  She squeaks as Dillon wraps his arm around her waist and we head out … a team in D&D and a team in life.

  Chapter Eighty-Four

  Reality, Chippers Bowling Alley, Broomfield

  Chippers Bowling Alley is a massive open building with two sections. The front has a four-sided square bar in the middle, a small arcade on one side and the equipment rental on the other. The back is lined with bowling lanes. Massive speakers line the back wall and employees wander around, keeping the place clean and friendly.

  Sandy Yuhi

  Right, I would like to say laser bowling is a new experience for me, but unfortunately it’s not. Amorino’s family enjoys bowling a lot and, having grown up with him, I had been to most of the lanes in the area a few times annually. That doesn’t make a person a good bowler, but I averaged just over 100 usually, a respectable score for an amateur. And much better then Dillon’s current 12.

  “How can you have never bowled before?” I ask Dillon, stunned. I watch Joe’s form step, dip, and release the ball. Turns out all military bases have bowling alleys for quite cheap and he went often. Joe’s ball rolls down the creatively fluorescent lit lane as a disco ball drops, sending white sparkles over the room. A silly animation of a ball with legs tackles the remaining pins and a slash appears in Joe’s scorebox, denoting his spare.

  “We were more of the board-game family,” Dillon says with a shrug. “It’s my turn again. Would you show me how to make it go down the middle?”

  “We should have asked for bumper lanes,” I laugh as I get up. Dillon picks up his ball and I give him some pointers, including recommending a heavier ball. We spend a few minutes playing with balls. I’m sure to comment on their smoothness and size as Joe merrily joins us before trying to bowl again.

  “You’re rolling your wrist as you release,” Joe and I both tell him at the same time as the ball heads straight for the gutter. Dillon groans before trying again. The ball rolls straight albeit slowly and hits the center pin.

  I stand and cheer as all the pins slowly fall over … ah, spoke to soon, all but one on each edge.

  “Sandy?” I hear someone call my name and I look around. Devon waves happily at me from a few lanes away. I wave back. Bela Casa Construction has contracts all over the Front Range and only the management of each project was invited tonight. Amorino, myself, and Devon are probably the only people here from our site.

  Joe and Dillon had gotten us each a round of drinks, and scouted for the best location for our plan to be enacted. We have some ideas but are in no rush. I can feel eyes on my ass as I add seven more pins to my score. I walk over to my drink and find Amorino waiting next to it, one eyebrow raised.

  Joe gives me a questioning look, but I subtly shake my head. We still haven’t found Aurora and we need them both for our plan to work. Amorino takes a sip of his beer as I pick up mine.

  “I see you brought your entourage,” he says casually.

  “What lane are you in?” I ask instead of taking his bait.

  “I’m over on lane eighteen. Our game just finished.”

  “Do you want to join us for a game?”

  “Do you think your driver will attack me again?”

  “Do you think you’re going to touch me again?”

  “I think when you take my offer, there isn’t a part of you that’s going to go untouched.” Amorino’s voice sounds like oil.

  The new Sandy doesn’t react to his graphic come-on. I take a step back, proud, though my nerves are now creeping up on me. “I have till the end of this little party to take you up on that offer,” I flirt, keeping my distance. The less Amorino knows the better.

  He licks his lower lip, but doesn’t move.

  “Sandy you’re up,” Joe yells.

  I take another sip of beer and find my ball. Stepping up to the lane, my rented bowling shoes sliding perfectly on the floor. Some laser shape slowly moves into the side of my vision and I picture my ball hitting that first pin as release it. I know It’s a strike and I dramatically turn back to Amorino and wave him off as the pins go down behind me.

  Aurora is in lane seventeen, doing some doing a girls-against-boy’s thing. I’m not sure how I missed her, but her group of friends are all lovey and dressed much like she is: short skirts and dresses, rented bowling shoes, and layers of make-up to give them flawless skin. I feel a twinge of dread and bat it away. I’m happy … even if all of that’s about to change for the worst. No! I need to think positively. This will work, it has to.

  I’m trying to figure out how to separate her from her friends when Aurora’s eyes meet mine and darken. She makes her excuses and heads toward me. I guess this is happening now. I signal to Joe and Dillon before meeting Aurora half way.

  “Hi Sandy,” Aurora says politely.

  “Hey Aurora,” I say back, my tone neutral. “How’s bowling going?” I keep an eye out for Dillon, who’s going to hopefu
lly get Amorino over to the bar. Shouldn’t be hard. Getting Aurora over there will be the hard part.

  “Good, I haven’t bowled a lot, but my team is beating the boys,” Aurora answers.

  “Go girls,” I say simply and take a last sip of my beer. “Is it your turn?”

  “Almost,” she nods.

  “I feel really bad about the way we left things. After you bowl, can I buy you another drink?”

  “I’m drinking mojitos,” she says. “Could you just bring me one?”

  “Do you want to look at the menu? I’m buying. You could get a nicer rum,” I smile amiably, attempting my best to entice her to go to the bar with me.

  “Amorino told me that spending time alone with you is a bad idea.”

  “Do you always do what men tell you to?” I ask with a laugh that hopefully doesn’t sound nervous.

  Aurora’s eyes blaze. “No, especially not when my team is kicking butt. I’ll be right back.”

  As she takes her turn, I see Dillon and Amorino peel off for the bar. My stomach fills with butterflies as we soon follow. I steer us to the planned corner and hand her a menu, picking up one for myself. I can’t see Joe or Dillon, but I’m not supposed to be able to; we only need words for this.

  “This is a food menu,” Aurora points out.

  “Oh, sorry.” I stall, looking for a drink menu. I just need to keep her here as long as I can. She quickly grows impatient and finds one herself.

  “Look, I have ulterior motive for buying you this drink,” I finally say.

  “I knew it!”

  “I need to apologize. I was out of line.” I try to look meek and slowly gather myself, giving time for Amorino’s voice to cut through the chatter. The music isn’t as loud here.