by J G Jerome
23 - Ariana
Ariana teases me, “So formal, Jack. And here I am underdressed.”
I chuckle at her humor. “Hello, Ariana. I’d like to send five Sidhe to you. They were enthralled by the Dread Lord. I’ve got them all disconnected from him, but I need a place to keep them safe. One needs to convalesce, and the four males just need hospitality with overwatch. Would you take this on for me?”
“What do I get in return, Jack?” she asks. She is a consummate politician - of course she wants some quid pro quo.
“How does a weekend in the Seraglio with me sound?”
“Done,” she agrees quickly. “I’ll probably have to drag the ball and chain with me though.” Lorraine casually flips Ariana the bird, and I chuckle.
“It would be my pleasure to entertain you both,” I assure them. I see Lorraine nodding vigorously with a big smile on her face.
Ariana says as she smiles over her shoulder at Lorraine, “We can work out the details later, Jack.” She blows a kiss to Lorraine and turns back to me. Then she steps through the portal to stand next to me in Turkey. The portal closes.
She wraps her arms around me and kisses me soundly while wrapping a leg around mine to grind her pelvis into my hip. “I’ve missed you, Jack,” she says with a purr in her voice.
I tell her, “You can’t be missing me too badly. Your lips taste like Lorraine’s pussy.”
Ariana pouts at me prettily, “A girl has to entertain herself.” She gets a serious expression on her face without stopping the grind. “Are you okay, Jack? This is some dangerous shit.”
I nod, “I know. But I have been very lucky, and the love of my family makes me strong.”
“Who do you have topping you off as needed?” she asks.
“No one. I’m on my own. I topped off quite well between the Bahamas and my arrival in Turkey. I have been using some abilities, but E’liana tells me I’m doing well on using energy sparingly and that I’m getting stronger.”
I hear E’liana in my head, *You could use a top-off, Jack!*
Ariana smiles at me seductively. “I bet your crown just told you to fuck your favorite MILF-in-Law to be ready for the next battle.”
“I swear you two are in cahoots,” I answer with a chuckle. I try to distract her. “Have you ever seen eastern Turkey? It’s actually quite beautiful.” I look down at her feet to see a black feathered slipper. I’m assuming the one behind my thigh is shod similarly.
“Hmmmm,” she responds. “I have never been fucked against a tree. Do they have trees?” She sets her foot down and pulls her hair back into a ponytail. A tie slides off her wrist to hold it in place. It’s efficient and sexy at the same time. I swear, women are magical.
She grins at my expression. “Let’s go meet these Sidhe, Lord Jack.” She loops her hand through my arm, and I lead her to the living room.
I point out the individuals. “Yeshua. Azeem. Uh…”
‘Mr. kicked in the nuts’ answers, “Faisal.”
“Faisal,” I repeat. “And finally,...”
‘Backyard guard’ identifies himself as “Ali.”
I explain to them, “...and Ali. Gentlemen, this is my Mother-In-Law. She is Queen Ariana ab Selwyn Mac Nessus, Queen of the Winter Court of Faerie.”
They all gasp and prostrate themselves. In flawless Gulf States Arabic Ariana tells them, “Please rise. I understand you are not of either court, but you are welcome to stay as my guests until the Green Lord…” she indicates me “...comes for you. Please rest until I return.” She looks at me. “Next, Jack?”
I lead her into the kitchen. I introduce her to our hosts, Emin Yavuz and his wife Emele. Ariana thanks them for taking care of ‘her people’ in flawless Turkish. Then I introduce Dalia and Ismael. Ariana takes in Dalia’s bandages and growing stumps.
She says to me sotto voce, “Well shit. I suppose I better get them back to the Sith. She needs to be in a bed.”
I lean in to her ear and whisper, “Sorry, Ariana. I was really getting behind the idea of fucking you against a tree.”
She chuckles. Then she goes and helps Dalia to her feet. “Some other time, Jack. Maybe one of the Hamadryads will lend her support. It’s probably better this way. Lorraine would chase me around the room with a riding crop if I showed up smelling like you.”
I kiss her chastely. I murmur into her hair, “Give my love to Lorraine, too.”
She purrs, “I will.”
“Ismael? Do we know how Farouk is traveling to Camili?”
Ismael looks to Dalia. She shakes her head. Ismael says, “Let me check with the lads, Jack.” He steps into the other room.
I kneel next to Dalia and look up into her eyes. I tell her in Arabic, “I’ll take care of him, Dalia.”
She answers in British-flavored English. “I know, Jack. Please do. He’s all that kept me going when I would have given up. I would have just stopped breathing without him. I’ve never told him, but I love him, Jack.”
“I love you too, Dalia.” We both look to the door to see Ismael standing in the kitchen doorway with a stupid grin on hs face.
I tell him, “About time, loverboy.”
“The cheeky yank has a point,” Ismael says as he devours Dalia with his eyes.
“Hey, loverboy. What did you learn?” I ask him.
“Huh? Oh,” he responds. “They are driving the military truck they used to get here. Their plan is to drive north via forest trails until they reach the D10, then take it to Artvin and then north to the coast. From there they head northeast up the coast into Georgia up to Batumi, then east on highway 81 about fifteen kilometers, then south up into the mountains to Camili.”
“Okay,” I say. “How do we get there before them?”
“I don’t think we can. They will get to the highway in about an hour. Then it’s only about 100 kilometers to the turn-off. That’s about an hour to an hour-and-a-half to the turn-off.”
“What about getting through customs at the Georgian border?” I counter.
“Add another thirty minutes,” Ismael responds.
“I wonder if we can cause them a delay at the border,” I think out loud.
Ariana says, “I could possibly arrange something. Let me borrow your phone.”
I pull my portfolio from my coat pocket and pull out my phone. I hold up my phone. “Uh. No signal.”
“Okay,” Ariana says. “I’ll call them as soon as I get back. Do we have names and descriptions?”
Yeshua sticks his head past Ismael’s. “I’ve got the details, Your Highness.”
“Good,” Ariana acknowledges. She asks, “Dalia, do you need someone to carry you?”
Dalia stands gingerly leaning on the kitchen table. She says, “I think I will be okay as long as we don’t have any running or jumping.”
Ismael looks at Yeshua. “Take care of her, brother.”
Yeshua nods and grips Ismael’s shoulder. “I will, brother.’
I have a last minute thought. “Uh, Ariana. Would you let Cernunnos know that I would be up for a ride with the hunt tonight?”
Ariana grins and lets loose an evil laugh. “Oh, Jack! That’s diabolical. They’ve been on a slow time since Christmas. Nick had to take a break for the holidays. They planned to go out last night, but didn’t get word until too late to recall everyone. I’m sure they would be up for a run tonight. Shall I have him pick you up here?”
“Perfect,” I say. I give her a quick kiss. “Give my best to the family.”
Ariana leads Dalia slowly down the hall, and the boys follow. She calls goodbye to the Yavuz family who are bewildered about where she is leading everyone. When Ariana has everyone into the bedroom, she opens the closet in the corridor and opens a Shadow Portal. Then she guides Dalia through. All the boys follow them through the portal. I see the portal close, and then I close the closet door.
Emin asks, “Where did they go?”
I explain, “Ariana is a queen of faerie. She does magic. She took them all to her palace.�
�
“Magic?” Emele asks.
“Yes. Like this.” I take her hand gently into mine and assess her health. She has a small mass in her lung, which I remove. Then I clear narrowed spots in her arteries - heart, brain, and carotid. I finish by strengthening her immune system.
Emele gasps. I grasp Emin’s hand. I reverse his arthritis and heal the two compressed disks in his spine. I correct the poorly healed break in his left foot, and strengthen his immune system. He gasps in surprise.
“I have used my magic to give you the gift of better health in gratitude for your kindness despite being attacked. Be blessed.”
The old woman hugs me and the man shakes my hand vigorously. Eventually they release me.
I ask, “May Ismael and I stay here until evening. I’m expecting someone to come here and pick us up around sundown. Is that okay?”
“Of course,” Emele says. “Our sons’ room is available, and there are two beds. Rest. I will feed you shortly before sundown.”
“That sounds good, Mrs. Yavus,” I agree.
“Emele. And Emin,” she says while emphasizing her point with sharp jabs of her finger into my chest.
“Okay, Emele. I’m Jack. My friend is Ismael. Thank you for sharing your hospitality.”
Ismael asks the Rock Trolls to watch the house while we rest. They hoot and disappear into the woods.
Emin shows us the room, and I strip off my coat and weapons. Then I lay down, and I’m out within a matter of minutes.
24 - Recon
(Kuwaiti Tower Hotel, Kuwait City)
About the time Jack is laying down, the team from Germany are walking into the lobby of the Kuwaiti Tower Hotel.
Myra has been marshalling the troops in Springfield. Each squad has its own radio network with encrypted tactical radios. Squad leaders are linked onto the command net via a sat-phone link. The plan is Myra will man the command net with Grace and Charli backing her up. Kristina, Christie, Annette, and Erica are on stand-by as messengers to the various courts. Georgia and Megan are the primary security for the command cell. Tiphanae and Sera will be reserves with Azeem, Yeshua, Faisal, and Ali to jump in if needed under Tiphanae’s command. They will also provide additional security for the command cell with backup from Charli and Grace. Myra’s convinced that it’s overkill, but she wants the entire family involved in supporting her Lord Husband.
When Trina, the commander on the ground, checks with Myra by phone, she learns the individual units are checking their equipment, warming their muscles, and preparing to jump in.
Myra reports, “Jason, leading a squad of twelve Shadows, will accompany you to take the top floor with Zelwyn, leading a squad of eight Summer Knights. Corrina will accompany Lili with the combined forces of Jack’s guard detail plus Supreet as one squad and the Ravens supplemented by Morgan and Esmerelda as a second squad. They will clear the second floor from the top. Eileen, with Chelsea leading two squads of ten wolves, will clear the third floor from the top. Zandra and Abu will have Maddock and one squad of twelve Red Hats to secure the fourth floor down. Jessie will screen the garage and lobby with the Demi-fey to stop escapes with Cholley and the second squad of Red Hats. The Sidhe from Turkey are in reserve with Tiphanae and Sera. I have our half of the portal from the Elves erected.”
“Okay,” says Trina as she stands in the shade of the entrance. “Lili has her half, too. Let’s do this. I love you, Myra.” She disconnects and joins the remainder of the team inside.
Trina explains the plan to L’liana, Jessica, Eileen, Zandra, and Abu. All five ladies are dressed in olive green cargo pants that are both functional and flattering with snug fitting, black, light-weight sweaters. The whole outfit is actually a one-generation old body armor product from the Elves. Each is wearing the pocket dimension clutches on lanyards across their bodies. Trina’s boots hide that the legs are about three inches too short for her. Abu is wearing black jeans, the same sweater, and a Egyptian army field jacket.
L’liana says, “Jessie already scouted the lifts. The normal ones are there, but there is a pair of guards across from them that seem to be protecting a third lift. I scanned their minds, but didn’t learn much. They are exceedingly dull and bored. One is Sidhe, and one is human. The Sidhe keeps daydreaming about getting transferred to the second floor from the top thinking he can make some time with the Sidhe women. The other one is daydreaming about opening a little coffee shop in the souk. They apparently stay in a barracks on the third floor down.”
Jessica says, “The young lady at the concierge desk is watching them like a hawk. Even if she has a customer, she keeps checking on them. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if the front desk staff and bell captain’s staff are working for them, too. We should assume they are. I can tranq the concierge, and take her place until you get upstairs. I think she’s Sidhe.”
“Yes,” confirms L’liana. “She thinks the ‘transfer guy’ is a slime ball. He’s groped her three times. She’s not watching them. She’s plotting his death.”
Trina says, “Okay. Jessie’s with me. The rest of you stay here for a minute.”
Trina sashays up to the concierge desk and smiles at the young woman at the desk. Her name tag says ‘Ilara’ on it. “Hello, Ilara. That’s a lovely name. Did I pronounce it correctly?”
“Yes,” the concierge responds with a surprised smile. “You would be surprised at the number of Americans that pronounce it ‘eye-lara’ instead of ‘ee-lara.’ You would not think it so difficult. How may I help you, miss?”
Trina gently caresses Ilara’s hand with her fingertips, “Well, Ilara. You can listen and obey.” Trina’s eyes glow with the light of the moon. “Don’t struggle, sweetie. I mean you no harm. I need information from you, and you are such an intelligent and observant woman, that I’m sure you can help me out.” Ilara seems pleased at Trina’s comment. “Ilara, you are my friend.”
Ilara nods and smiles.
“How many floors does the Dread Lord hold in this hotel, Ilara?” Trina asks as she gently strokes Ilara’s hand.
Ilara answers, “The top six; although, I think he owns the whole thing.”
“Oh! How nice. I understood he only had four,” Trina says.
Ilara clarifies, “He recently expanded. There are twenty-seven floors, and the barracks are moving to floor twenty-two from floor twenty-five. Half of floor twenty-three will also be barracks and married family quarters. He has his dungeon on floor twenty-four with some apartments for lower-level staff. Twenty-five will be made available for upper-level staff apartments.”
Trina caresses Ilara’s hand gently. “That’s lovely. What is on the top three floors, Ilara?”
Ilara says, “Twenty-five is currently the barracks. Floors twenty-two and twenty-three are under construction. There are only workers and guards there. Twenty-six is the seraglio. Twenty-seven is the Lord’s court and private quarters.”
“Thank you, sweetie. How many people are there?” Trina asks as she gently squeezes Ilara’s hand.
Ilara smiles and leans toward Trina conspiratorially. “I don’t know for sure. The Lord’s court contains his bedroom and those of his four adult sons. Only Hakim is still alive. In addition to them there are normally eight to twelve guards and at least one of the wives in Lord Farouk’s chambers. Hakim will generally have one or two bedmates. Then the Chamberlain is always there. He has a small apartment on twenty-five, but he usually sleeps on the chaise in his office. The CFO is there off and on, but he is usually in the ‘Assistant Manager’ office on the lobby level. The seraglio has four wives and twelve Sidhe concubines plus there are sixteen children - the eldest is fourteen. There are normally four to six guards there. There are forty-eight guards total who live in the barracks on twenty-five. They are about half-and-half humans to Sidhe. The Lord frequently goes down to the barracks and chains a guard to the whipping post and sodomizes him just to ensure they stay afraid of him. The twenty-fourth floor is the dungeon. I don’t know what’s there. I’ve seen guards get
off there on my way to work.”
“I’m assuming the guarded elevator goes to the basement, too. Is that right, Ilara?
The concierge nods. “There is a sub-basement where the Lord’s limos and chase vehicles are. I’ve heard there is another sub-basement below that, but no one seems to know what is going on there.”
“Okay, honey. That’s very helpful. Is anyone here immune to Sidhe influence?” Trina asks.
Ilara’s eyes grow large. “The Lord can resist, but even he’s not immune. No one is immune.”
Trina looks around and then whispers conspiratorially, “My Lord is completely immune to it. I think the Elves are, too. Do you live in the seraglio, honey?”
Ilara looks embarrassed. “I do. I hate it. The Lord has bitten me frequently. He smells. He’s mean. I think he likes sodomizing all of us more than trying to breed us. It’s like he revels in hurting and terrorizing people - especially the people that are closest to him. I think his wives hate him, and we’re all afraid of him. He keeps threatening to give me to Kazeem. He’s the one person that smells worse than the Lord.”
Trina asks, “Is he the guy you keep staring daggers at?”
Ilara’s eyes flare. “Yes. He keeps groping me and licking his lips.”
Trina squeezes her hand. “Ilara, I like you. I will kill him for you.” Ilara gasps in surprise. Trina calls with her mind, *Lili! Join us quickly!*
L’liana blinks in next to Trina. Ilara starts at L’liana’s arrival, but Trina holds onto her hand. Trina assures her, “Ilara! It’s okay, honey. I am the Chief Concubine for the Green Lord. Lili is his sixth wife. She is psychic. If you need to tell me anything, call ‘Lili’ in your mind. She will be able to talk to you. Try it, honey.”
Ilara thinks, *Lili? Are you there?*
Ilara hears the response in her mind, *Yes, Ilara. I can hear you clearly. My name is L’liana, but my friends call me Lili. If you like, we can just maim Kazeem and then feed him to Goblins. It sounds like he has earned it.*