The Lure of a Traitor

by F. L. Jordan

  “McKay’s dead.” Zach questioned, “How can he be giving orders?”

  “The new commissioner gave the order,” Daniel stepped forward and shoved a paper into Zach’s chest. It was hard for him not to defend himself.

  “Already charmed your way in, huh?” Zach put as much venom into the word ‘charmed’ as he could. He set the paper down, keeping his eyes trained on the third button of Daniel’s shirt, “Haven’t you taken enough from me?”

  The man leaned towards him and Copper growled, “Turn in your gun and badge, Hail.”

  Zach allowed his face to scrunch up in disgust as he obeyed, “I’d tell you to suck my dick, but we both know you’re not very good at that.”

  Daniel moved to strike him, but Levit stepped in, “Corvis! That’s enough! You served your papers, now get out, both of you. I’ve got work to do.”

  Daniel spun, happy with his accomplishment, and quietly left the office. Zach glared after him, waiting until he was sure the man had left the station to put his blindfold back in place. He gently rubbed his already tired eyes and sighed. Everyone in the station knew Zach had his sight back, and they all knew who had done it. Zach had briefed all of them on the situation the day he’d woken up.

  “Fucking prick,” Levit said quietly. “Find anything at the fire?”

  “Lock’s badge,” Zach replied coldly, placing his own badge and gun on the captain’s desk, “but that’s all. I know he planted it.”

  “Did you see his knuckles?” Levit asked. “Freshly busted. He’s been in a fight.”

  “Yeah, I saw them,” Zach sighed. “He’s got her, Mark, I’m sure of it.”

  “Then go find her,” his captain urged, “and set this mess straight!”

  Zach nodded and left the office. He turned the squad car’s key in to Betty and left the station, hailing a cab. When he arrived home, he quickly changed into his long forgotten black leather biker gear and grabbed the keys to his storage unit in the basement. He hoped his motorcycle would still fire. It hadn’t been ran for over three years now. He’d put it away due to Daniel’s protesting a few months before Agram had blinded him. After the incident, Zach had sold his car, but he just didn’t have the heart to part with the bike. It had been his first love.

  What’s the plan? Copper asked as Zach opened the lock on the storage unit’s roll up door.

  Zach lifted it with ease, his heart racing from the excitement of being able to ride again, Find some witches that know what the hell is going on.

  Why not call the council? Copper was genuinely curious.

  Because I haven’t figured out what’s happened to Natalie yet, he admitted as he grabbed a rag from his old work bench, dusting down the Teal 1999 Indian Wanderer, and I don’t think they’ll know much either.

  I guess, Copper looked the old motorcycle over. He’d always enjoyed racing Zach with this thing when he was in high school, the bike almost never won. Are you sure this thing is going to start?

  Let’s hope it does, Zach grabbed his helmet from its rack, dusting it thoroughly. Otherwise we’ll be taking a taxi everywhere, and that’s going to be fucking exspensive now that it’s not on the PD’s dime.

  Zach set the helmet down and began checking the machine’s vitals. Barely a gallon of old fuel in the tank, fairly clean oil, a four year old battery; he’d be lucky if the engine even turned over. He was also sad to find that the tires he’d purchased just three months before parking the bike were cracked with age and had flat spots, but at least they still held air. Zach fired up his air compressor and topped them off, praying they didn’t blow if he did manage to get the old gal to run.

  Satisfied that he’d done all he could, Zach pushed the bike out of his storage unit, locked it up, and then pushed the bike into the elevator. His landlord dropped his mail when he saw him, sending letters all over the lobby. Zach just smiled at him and waved. The man probably thought he was going to commit suicide.

  He pushed the bike through the building’s wheelchair accessible doors and into the alley. As he climbed onto the machine, Zach started sweet-talking it. Apologizing for neglecting it and promising to fully service the vehicle if it would just start. He depressed the starter and nothing happened. Zach prayed hard and tried again. Nothing. He hung his head for a moment, trying to think of how he might be able to get the battery boosted.

  Hey! a black street dragon called down from above them, dropping next to Copper as he sat on the fire escape. Is your name Copper?

  Yes, why? Copper had never seen this creature before in his life. Under normal circumstances, he would have attacked it, but at the moment, it was safe to say the street beasts might have valuable information.

  The white witch told us to look for you, he moved to take flight.

  "Wait!" Zach called out to it. "Did she have black curly hair, wearing a dark red uniform?"

  You can hear me? the little dragon was astounded. No wonder she wanted us to find you.

  She had a street dragon with her, Copper asked frantically, a dark grey female with a rainbow sheen.

  Yes, the creature's face became mournful, Verde, our flock alpha, took her to the bay after she fell during the fight.

  Fell? What do you mean? Copper’s intense concern for his friend manifested into something akin to anger as he stepped towards the other dragon.

  Copper, backing him into a corner won't help her. Take us to her, little one, Zach shifted his bike into 3rd gear and pushed it down the sloped alley. The decline provided enough momentum to manually turn the engine over and the machine rumbled to life. He didn't have much time to celebrate as the pair of dragons zipped past him, heading towards the western side of the city. Zach slammed his helmet on and roared after them.

  He was having trouble keeping track of the animals due to his impaired vision and decided to lift his face shield to rip off his blindfold. As he did, a familiar squad car did a U-turn and started following him. Zach intentionally blew a red light, knowing the dragons weren’t going to stop and the car would follow. Sure enough, Amber flipped on her lights and barreled through the light after him. He was thankful for her curiosity. The car’s siren made it easier for him to navigate the busy city streets as civilians willingly moved out of the way.

  When they hit the 2nd Precinct’s district, a second car joined the pursuit. Zach gunned it. The last thing he needed was one of Daniel’s men trailing him. He turned hard, doubling back the way he’d come then jumped onto the sidewalk and down an alley. He could feel his phone vibrating in his pocket as he came out on a new street, pausing only to catch a glimpse of his dragon’s scales glinting in the sun.

  He followed the beasts to a small crescent shaped beach that was often frequented by tourists for its sulphur water. Zach was surprised to find the beach completely covered in street dragons. Three animal control vans were parked on the road, eight people dressed in corresponding uniforms scratching their heads beside them. Zach pulled up, parked the bike, and ripped off his helmet. As he surveyed the beach he spotted Copper in the center of the group, talking to a large green dragon.

  “Hey!” one of the animal control officers shouted to him. “You can’t be here! The beach is closed.”

  “I can see that,” Zach didn’t look at the disgruntled man, he just descended the concrete steps down to the sand, speaking kindly to the aggravated dragons as he approached them, Easy guys, I’m here to help. I need to talk to the big green one.

  His name is Verde, a large magenta dragon offered as she stepped aside for him. The other dragons followed her lead and let him through, staring at him in confusion and wonder.

  Thank you, Zach headed straight for the dragon in question, who now stared at him with an air of dominance. Copper was nowhere to be seen.

  “Hey! What the hell? Get out of there, man!” A chorus of calls rang out from the animal control officers as they watched him. The one that had tried to stop Zach earlier had followed him down to the beach and now tried to grab him. The dragons closed in behind Z
ach, blasting short spurts of flame or venom at the offending man. The officer cursed and ran back up to the vans, joining the others to watch in disbelief as the sea of fire breathing lizards parted for the strange man.

  Zach kneeled next to Verde and held out his hand, I understand you’re the one in charge here.

  You must be the white witch’s mate, the dragon gently pressed his claw into Zach’s open palm, letting him and the other dragons know that they were on good terms.

  Something like that, Zach smiled at him. We were told you brought her companion here. Is she ok?

  No, Verde looked over his shoulder towards the water, the black witch struck her. Normally, the water here can cleanse magical injuries, but it’s not working.

  Zach looked up to see Copper frantically dragging Slag’s body from the shore line. He stood and sprinted over to them, careful not to step on anyone, That’s because black magic is magnified by sulphur!

  Verde flew after him, guilt rushing through him, I didn’t know. Can you help her?

  I’ll try, Zach scooped up the injured dragon, opening his leather jacket to dry her off with his shirt, She’s injured pretty badly.

  Slag was cold and barely breathing, her beautiful scales void of their rainbow sheen. What the hell had the dark witch done to her?

  Copper stood on Zach’s shoulders, whimpering as he watched his human. He wasn’t sure when he’d stopped seeing Slag as a sibling or friend. The possibility of losing her terrified him more than the thought of losing Zach. He loved her.

  “I have a towel!” a female animal control officer shouted from above the beach, waving a white cloth above her head. Verde looked between Slag and the woman before taking off, snatching the towel from her and depositing it in Zach’s hand. He watched inently as the human dried the little female and carried her through the squirming mass of dragons.

  Zach handed Slag off to the female officer, looking her in the eye as he spoke, “Take this dragon to Fairview Exotic Veterinary Clinic on 34th. Tell them it belongs to Zachariah Hail and if anything happens to it, I’ll sue. Got it?”

  Realization of who he was struck all of the humans at the same time. Many of them stared at him in star struck wide-eyed wonder. Thankfully the woman that now held Slag reacted with professionalism. She simply nodded and rushed the beast to her vehicle, grabbing her partner along the way.

  “Wait a minute,” the man who had tried to grab him earlier approached. “You can’t be Zachariah Hail. He’s blind.”

  “Was,” Zach corrected him. “It’s a complicated story that I don’t have time to go through.”

  “Ben,” another man spoke up, “it has to be him, he’s a Dragon Whisperer. If the copper colored dragon on his shoulders isn’t proof enough, the fact that he just walked through like, 800 of the little monsters is.”

  “Can you get rid of these things?” another officer asked. “We’ve gotten a bazillion calls. Locals are threatening to call the exterminator.”

  “Yeah,” Zach turned, “I can ask them to leave.”

  “Hail!” Amber slammed her cruiser’s door as two cars from the 2nd pulled up behind hers, “What the hell is going on?”

  “Stay up here,” he said before jogging back down to the dragons. Verde, why have you all gathered here? It can’t be just for Slag’s sake.

  We’ve gathered to help the white witch. We were waiting on you, the dragon answered, looking at Zach expectantly, Tell us what we can do.

  Zach was astonished. Street dragons typically avoided interacting with humans. He looked about at the wriggling mass of creatures. They'd come from all over the city. Maybe one of them had seen something useful.

  He turned back to the alpha male, Do you have any idea where she is?

  I do! a minuscule burgundy colored dragon stepped up, I followed them.

  Tell the others where to go, then come with me, little one, Zach turned to Verde. Take everyone there and wait for us. Make sure you’re not seen. If the black witch sees this many dragons near their new hiding spot, they’ll know we’re coming.

  The alpha dragon nodded, then turned to the little red lizard. When Zach reached the steps Verde let out a loud, low pitched cry and all of the dragons took flight. The animal control officers sighed in relief, getting back into their vehicles as the small red dragon landed in Zach’s hair.

  Zach reached up, gently lifting the tiny creature to hold him securely in his open palm, “What’s your name, little one.”

  Ember, the little male answered proudly.

  Nice to meet you, Ember, Zach responded as he returned to Amber’s side.

  "Hail," Zach recognized the police officer's voice as he stepped out of his car, "where's Lock? She hasn't answered my calls for the last two days."

  "Davies, right?" Zach asked, recalling their brief encounter at the restaurant. Zach’s imagery of an older athletic man had been correct. Sergeant Michael Davies filled out the 2nd Precinct’s powder blue uniform in a way that left no room for jokes about its feminine color.

  “Yeah,” Michael said curtly, pulling back his shirt collar to discreetly reveal a small tattoo of a crescent moon backed by a pentagram. “Now tell us what’s going on.”

  “Corvis kidnapped Natalie,” Hail stated calmly, holding Ember up for them to see, "and this one knows where they took her.”

  “Why?” Michael asked, planting his hands on his hips.

  “Long story short,” Zach took a deep breath, “Corvis is a witch and he’s trying to summon Satan. Natalie found out that he was using the new street drug as a weapon to harvest sacrifices and tried to confront him.”

  Amber spoke next, “Ok... but why kidnap her? Why not just kill her?”

  “He needs both sides of the pentagram,” Michael bumped his thumb knuckle against his chin, “I need to make a few calls. Don’t leave without me.” He stepped over to the other car that had pulled up and started talking animatedly with the officer inside. Within a few seconds both of them were on their phones.

  “Both sides of the pentagram? I’m afraid I’ll need more information than that,” Amber looked at Zach expectantly.

  He sighed, “She’s not just any witch, Amber. Natalie is the White Witch Queen. Corvis needs to use her magic in his summoning. The only way she’d agree to it is by force.”

  “Queen? Well, fuck me,” Amber let out an incredulous laugh. “So what’s the plan?”

  “I need to call the council of white witches,” he fingered the small paper card in his jacket pocket. “We’ll need their help.”

  Michael returned, his companion in tow, “The Crescent Cast Coven will help.”

  “As will the Midnight Lillies,” the female officer stated quietly. “Pent has always been good to us.”

  Amber’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, “Pent? Is that Natalie’s coven name?”

  “Yes,” Michael admitted. “We have a few friends in the 3rd who are asking their covens for help as well.”

  “The more support she has,” the woman spoke, “the stronger she will become, if we can get people to stay. From what I’ve heard in the streets, several have already fled.”

  “Sounds like you better make that call, Hail,” Amber urged.

  He nodded, pulled out his phone, and ripped off the guide cover so that he could dial in the number. Tark answered on the second ring.

  Chapter 17

  Steffani had been clean since her encounter with Natalie. She’d told all of the coven sisters to stop dealing and get clean as well. Sadly, only a handful had listened.

  She stood outside the local coffee shop, sipping on a fresh cup of foam as she waited on a customer. Steffani sighed, thinking about what Natalie had said as she examined her freshly dyed blue hair in the reflection of the shop’s window. She could have been something; a stylist, a make-up artist, a singer, anything but a drug dealing two cent whore. A glimmer of light behind her caught her attention and she turned.

  Steffani held up her hand and caught the ethereal dove with her fingertips. As
the light sank into her skin, Shone’s voice filled her mind with a location and time. She knew she was supposed to report the meeting to Agram. She chose not to. Agram had killed nearly half of their sisters with her drug, and now she was letting her puppet torture Pent. Steffani held no loyalty to Agram anymore, nor did the remaining sisters within their coven.

  The meeting was in two hours on the opposite side of town. Steffani raised her hand, releasing the bird back to its sender with her reply. She’d be there.

  She tossed her latte into a nearby trashcan and started walking towards her coven sister stationed a block down. The Imperial Coven used to be pure. It used to be a place where witches from poor home lives could come for salvation; to find a family. Steffani had joined after her father had beaten her within an inch of her life for removing a kitten from his offering table during a spell. Pent had healed her injuries and Agram had reassured her that she’d taken the correct action. How strange that the witch who was once against live sacrifices was now offering the city to Satan on a silver platter.

  As she walked, a few men whistled or offered to buy her time. She needed the money, but she didn't have the time to spare them. Steffani didn't have a car and a taxi was too expensive. It would take her the better half of the allotted two hours to walk to the meeting, especially in her eight inch heels.

  "Cora," she called out to her coven sister, "we got a meeting to go to. Did your friend in the underground pull through?"

  "Yeah," the tall dark skinned woman pulled a long slender black box from her glittery purse, "cost a fucking fortune, too. You owe me big."

  "Let's just hope it works." Steffani tucked the box into her fishnet stockings and started walking, "Come on, we're burning daylight."

  By the time they reached the library both women held their shoes in their hands, actively complaining about their aching feet. Steffani noted that the parking lot was full of vehicles varying in condition and price range. A beat up Oldsmobile with bullet holes in the door sat next to a brand new Mercedes. An old muddy farm truck next to a museum quality vintage motorcycle. Witches from all walks of life were gathered inside. Good, the last thing she wanted was to be looked down upon.