Demon Singer II (19 page)

        Acheron,
Lyric responded,
I'm not asking. Cadence will keep you safe until this is taken care of.

        
The demoness responded with several colorful but unprintable expletives.

        
Don't worry, hooker, I won't let you die.
Cadence's thoughts carried a cheerfulness behind the sickness that Lyric could feel grating on Acheron's nerves.

        The Singer returned his full attention to the mermaid mess.  There were two drawbacks to the little melody he'd developed to slow things down.  One, it didn't last long.  It was already wearing off. Two, he hadn't found a way to isolate specific individuals. Thus, not only did the mermaids slow down, but so did the blue men.

        Lyric continued his journey to reach the captain and the mermaid Glas was gunning for.  As he went he continued hurling the attackers into the briny blue.

        Before he reached her the effects of his song wore off. He sang another song he'd first used at the same diner not long ago. The first time he sang it, it sent attackers flying away from him and had served him again in the battle of Markhato. Unfortunately, as is the case with most songs, the more it is sung, the less impact it has. Rather than sending mermaids flying, he simply shoved them back from him a few feet.

        The only benefit was a moment of elbow room. Otherwise it was a spectacular failure. Especially since it had the ugly consequence of drawing the attention of all the mermaids in his immediate vicinity.

        Then the battle was rejoined.

        “Singer!” Aiden threw one of the Blue Men’s swords to him.

        Lyric deftly caught the ice blade and immediately put it to use as two mermaids set upon him. They both topped him by several inches and their long, lean muscles were obviously not just for show. He blocked their attacks and beat back their iridescent swords.

        Not to be cowed, the mermaids separated and flanked the Singer. Lyric was grateful for the incessant drilling Cadence had been putting him through. He caught a slash meant for his neck on his blade and kicked the warrior woman in the side of the knee knocking her to a kneeling position while swinging his sword behind him to block the slash he expected from behind. Pivoting on his planted foot, he crouched beneath the follow up thrust from the second mermaid. Stepping forward, he stood up beneath her guard and smashed the top of his head into her chin, snapping her head back.

        Spinning again, he stopped the first mermaid’s downward stroke by catching her wrist with his free hand. Then he kicked her good leg, driving her back to her knees. He denied her the chance to recover by slugging her in the side of the head with his hilt, sending her crashing to the deck.

        
Lyric, behind you!
Cadence's thoughts broke through his concentration. He turned to see the sharp edge of a blade approaching his face much faster than he could block.

        He flinched in spite of himself and heard a loud clang accompanied by a gentle breeze against his face. Then he saw the blade had been caught on the side of a sword held by Fugue. The mercenary winked at him and pressed the attack on the mermaid he'd just saved Lyric from.

        Lyric turned around and backed up against the swordsman. They met the mermaids’ attacks back to back, sending the large warrior women sprawling across the deck. Fugue obviously didn't share Lyric's distaste for killing as his side of the fight was soon wet with blood. Lyric rendered his own attackers unconscious in quick succession and had a small respite.

        Abruptly the reassuring presence of Fugue's back disappeared. Lyric turned swiftly to see the swordsman sprinting through a clear spot and bowl into three mermaids poised to ambush Glas from behind as the captain battled fiercely with the big mermaid Lyric gathered was Tovi Rafe.

        The brief pause gave the Singer an opportunity to begin the next song he had prepared. Stomping his foot steadily, Lyric sang of the waves and the sea and the desperate sorrow of a woman who had lost her love. It was a sea chanty he'd learned from the Blue Men as they worked.

   
     "In the sound of the sea

        Is the song of a lass

        And the cry of her heart

        Moves the waves

        She sings of the loss

        Of the one that she loves

        Noble and strong

        True and brave

        Night after night

        As she lays down to sleep

        Her sorrow it sings

        Of her pain

        So deep is her grief

        That it brings down the storms

        Her sorrow it summons

        The rain

        By this point the mermaids had stilled and the Blue Men had joined Lyric's song, stomping in rhythm.

        
Lyric, do you know what you're doing?
Cadence's thoughts felt nervous. Clouds gathered overhead and fat drops of rain fell on the ship

        "Her song fills the sea

        As the Blue Men work on

        Over and under

        The foam

        Searching the blue

        For the thief of the deep

        Looking to bring

        Her heart home

        The maelstrom began by the mermaids calmed and the sea went still as the rain fell harder. Lightning and thunder shattered the air. Mermaids began fleeing in terror, leaping over the railing and swimming away.  Lyric sang on.

        Calypso we'll stay

        Ever faithful and true

        Watching for him

        While you sleep.

        We'll find Oberon

        We'll bring him back down

        To dwell by your side

        In the deep

        By now the mermaids were all gone save a few who stayed aboard, but watched the sea nervously. Tovi Rafe stood defiantly alone, locked in combat with Calder Glas. The captain was singing with Lyric and his men while he fought, but his attention remained fixed on the lovely mermaid.

        On the port side of the Gaoithe Mhín a mountain of water rose up, and standing atop it, a beautiful woman shimmered into view. Her graceful figure and small build belied the power in her eyes. Stepping down onto the ship she approached Lyric and the captain.  Calder and his entire crew immediately knelt and bowed their heads. Tovi Rafe stopped fighting and did the same. Lyric alone remained standing and met her gaze.

        
Damn
, Acheron's thoughts reached him.  
Sometimes you are incredibly sexy.

        The woman stood beside Tovi and addressed the captain while appraising Lyric. She was dressed in a beautiful gown made of swirling water the same dark gray of the turbulent sea.

        "Calder, who is this who holds the echo of my Father?" Her voice caressed Lyric's ear like the gentle current of a warm summer lake.

        “He's the bastard who summoned us!” one of the mermaids shouted.

        “Do not speak of anyone who reminds me of my Father with such a vulgar tongue.” Calypso said angrily.

        If her tone wasn’t indication enough of how strongly she felt, what she did next erased all doubt. She waved a hand in the direction of the mermaid who offended her and a scattering of massive water bolts shredded the helpless warrior and the two mermaids beside her with such force their bodies flew into the ocean.

        “His name is Lyric the Demon Singer,” Captain Glas replied, his eyes fixed on the deck of the ship.  “We're transporting him to Ireland. That is, if it so pleases you, Mistress Calypso.”

        A hazy green mist blew over the deck and Oberon stepped out of it.

        “So why am
I
here?”

*   *   *   *   *

        Thenso Hefit, King of the Markhato dwarves, was angry. A fact he expressed by snapping the femur of the man on the floor in front of him. He briefly considered leaving the other femur unbroken, after all, he'd already broken the man's jaw and both humeri. Then he looked at the dwarf child laying against the wall and snapped femur number two like a twig.

        “Let's get you to the palace.” The dwarf king grabbed a fistful of the man's hair and dragged him screaming across the bodies dressed in Milleytes Lux uniforms, and down the tunnel. It was a long walk, but Thenso was sturdy and had the endurance of granite.

        “I should have gotten your leader's name before I ripped out your tongue.” The dwarf grumbled. “I need to work on prioritizing better. Did you know I left a shaky pillar in a dwarf orphanage for three months because I wasn't willing to pull the repair crew off a weakness in the city walls? That wasn't a good decision for a king to make-” Thenso paused as the man's scalp gave way and he fell to the tunnel crying.

        “Oops, up we go.”

        Thenso shoved a few fingers in the man's mouth and began dragging him by his upper jaw instead. The screams began again.

        “I'm sure this hurts,” the king said calmly as he continued his long trek, “but I saw you kill that child. So you should wrap your mind around the fact that I'm going to make sure you continue hurting for a while.

        “I admit, the Lux uniform is a nice touch.” Thenso continued as he walked. “I believed it for a while, but the more I thought about it the more I realized there is no advantage to Markhato to kill my people. I don't know who you are or who you answer to, but it's obvious someone is trying to stir up a rebellion. At first I was annoyed, but the more I've thought about it the more I've realized it's about time. Humans are terrible governors and even if you weren't sent by Markhato's leaders, they let you in.

        “So I don't know what your plan is, and frankly I don't care. My patience is at an end with all you humans. I will deliver you to General Sabre along with his eviction notice. Men are no longer welcome in Markhato. Once that's done it won't matter who your leader is. My dwarves will have instructions to escort any human they encounter to the mines. The use of force will be encouraged.”

        Thenso stopped abruptly at the seating pain in his left side. Turning that way he met the malevolent gaze of his brother.

        “Ligny,” he said in surprise, “you're ahead of schedule.” The king looked down at his left side where the knife was buried with Ligny’s stupid fat fingers still wrapped around it.

        “The time had come for you to disappear, brother,” Ligny hissed. “I promise I will take good care of our people.”

        “Oh Ligny,” Thenso sighed, “for all your brains and plotting and scheming you forget something important.” He dropped the now  unconscious human and caught Ligny’s wrist in his vise like grip and pulled the blade free from his body.

        “I'm king for a reason.”

        He smashed his other fist against the side of Ligny’s panicked expression. The dwarf crumpled to the floor.

        Thenso Hefit poured some dwarf spirits on his wound and touched his lighter to it. It flared beautifully and seared the hole shut.

        Deftly he tied his brother's hands securely behind his back and grabbed hold of a foot. Then he renewed his purchase on the roof of the human's mouth and dragged both his prizes down the tunnel.

Chapter 13

        Gar Lich waited impatiently for Ligny Hefit to arrive. As agreed, the zombie boss had raised the Milleytes Lux dead to march on Markhato. Now he waited to take delivery of Ligny’s promises.

        A strange voice spoke nearby.

        “Garfunkel Lichtenstein, I wanted to thank you for sending word about my traitorous brother.”

        Gar Lich hated his full name. He took a threatening step toward this strange dwarf who appeared out of nowhere - a trait he already considered extremely annoying - and abruptly found himself flat on his back unable to move.

        The dwarf stood over him looking down.

        “My name is Thenso Hefit, the King of the Markhato Dwarves.”

        Gar was impressed in spite of himself. He was becoming more and more convinced that dwarves were not to be trifled with. He briefly wondered what kind of market there might be for dwarf zombies. He had never considered them very impressive as a species before this illuminating visit to Markhato.

        “How did you manage this?” Gar asked curiously from the ground. “I’m almost as magic resistant as a troll.”

        “Only fools reveal the nature and scope of their advantages. For now, your position is simple. You cannot move. I am in control. You will listen.” Thenso Hefit said sternly.

        “I'll be honest. So far, I prefer your brother.” Gar said as he unsuccessfully sought the source of his incapacitation.

        “That's more a sign of your bad judgment than any failing in my part.” Thenso replied mildly. “Ligny is a liar and a thief. You were wise to alert me to his plan. That dust he demonstrated for you? He stole it from me. There is no more, he used it all. The attack he helped you arrange on my city? Failed. The Milleytes Lux bested your zombies on both fronts. The only thing you accomplished was making yourself Markhato's public enemy number one. Your feud with Bonen Tansyon that he is stoking? Stupid. She's a demoness, one of the strongest I'm told. He's counting on your lust for power to send you after her. He's hoping you get yourself killed.”

        Gar processed this information and decided he'd go ahead and let the rage build a bit before he sought out Ligny, but first.

        “How do you know that the dust is gone?”

        “Because it cost the lives of nine of my dwarves to get that much. There is no more to be had on this side of death.”

        “That's an oddly specific way of putting it. Does that mean you have access to the other side of death? Because I send people there all the time.”

        “The dust is gone.” Thenso said simply. Gar waited for more but the dwarf remained quiet.

        “What assurance do I have that you aren't the liar here?” He finally asked.

        Thenso Hefit stepped back and Gar felt himself able to move. The zombie boss stood up slowly.

        “All of Ligny’s information was stolen from my intelligence network. I know more than him. For instance, I know you have your own agents in Markhato
and
that you know more than you let on. Odds are you already have dossiers on both my brother and me, otherwise you wouldn't have contacted me. But I will offer you this as a sign of good faith.” Thenso crooked a stumpy finger and two dwarves materialized holding a young woman who wore a blindfold and headphones blasting music loud enough Gar could hear it.

        “I didn't know you could make others invisible.”

        “Common misconception,” Thenso replied. “We can't become invisible, it's more of a projection of an idea. We radiate the message ‘there's nothing to see here.’ You could see us if you really looked for us.”

        “Swell,” Gar said in a tone that indicated it was anything but. “Who is she?”

        “An education.”

        Thenso tilted the girl's chin up and Gar saw the familiar fleur de lis inside a yellow sun tattoo; Bonen Tansyon's agent.

        “Bonen Tansyon’s agents don't actually report back to her.” The dwarf continued. “They don't need to. She sees and hears through their eyes and ears.” Thenso nodded to the two dwarves holding the girl and they shoved her forward to land on her knees in front of Gar. “We were very careful in retrieving her. Bonen isn't stupid though. If she saw your friend Cicero at the gate she'll know you're here. Do what you want with her, my gift to you.”

        “What do you want from me?”

        “Your absence.”

        “Just that?”

        “Just that.”

        “You're right, I do have agents here. I know the dwarves guard the interior of the mountain with their lives. I know there are rumors of an embarrassment of riches inside. Some say an immortal army, some say a battle ship made from a single pearl, some say medicines that could change the entire world, eradicating cancer, HIV, castrafungus, gnome lung and every other plague that troubles men and supernaturals alike. The only consistent thread among these rumors is that there is something there and the dwarves are hoarding it. What can you offer me to leave in peace?”

        Thenso made another gesture and another pair of dwarves appeared with a familiar face between them. Ligny was shoved to the ground beside Bonen’s zombie. His hands were bound securely behind his back.

        “One source of annoyance, with the promise of the location of another named Fugue once I have it.”

        “What can you tell me about Fugue?”

        “Everything you already know plus, perhaps, something you don't. Fugue is invisible to the second sight.”

        “Interesting but unimportant. Do you know where he is?”

        “East. I can track him down if you like. Do we have a deal?”

        Gar considered his options. He lost all the product he came to collect and still didn't have Fugue in his custody. On the other hand, he had no doubt that Markhato now knew to take him seriously. Plus he had Tansyon's agent, which could prove useful. And he had  a strong sense that Thenso would make good on his offer to find Fugue.

        There was no benefit to staying and he hated this town.

        “Say goodbye to your brother. I'm taking him with me.” Gar reached down and grabbed Ligny by the ankle, dragging him over to the rear of his winnebago. Cicero took him from the zombie boss and tied a rope around the dwarf’s feet then tied the other end to the winnebago’s rear bumper. Gar considered the dwarf for a moment then gently rolled him over so he was facedown on the ground.

        “What a horrible way to die,” one of Thenso’s guards said quietly.

        Thenso shrugged.

        “Don't be like Ligny and you won't die like Ligny.”

*   *   *   *   *

        “Oberon!” Calypso’s eyes widened in surprise. “You came!”

        “I didn't have much of a choice,” the fairy king said sourly. “I was summoned by a voice that reminded me of the Father. I haven't heard the like in two thousand years.” He examined everyone present as he spoke. His eyes landed finally on Lyric. “It must be you, master Lyric. Why did you call me here? I prefer to avoid psychotic exes.” He jerked his head toward Calypso who looked like she was in shock.

        Cadence raised the tip of her sword even with his eye. "Stop harassing Lyric and return Acheron's magic."

         “I don't have Acheron's magic,” the fairy king said mildly. He seemed unconcerned about the iron blade that was an inch away from blinding him on one side. “I gave it to Trytohn. If you want it back feel free to go to hell and get it.”

        
Cadence, relax,
Lyric said across the soul tie,
let's try talking.

        "Lyric," Calypso seemed to roll his name around on her tongue, as if tasting it. "That's a strong name. I'm curious, Lyric.  You stood against the worm and sent him back to hell. How did you do that?"

        “Not alone,” Lyric answered. “I invited you both here to discuss your daughter, Tovi Rafe.”

        Tovi remained where she was, glaring sullenly at the deck of the ship.

        “What business do you have with my daughter, Singer?” A dangerous edge crept into Oberon's voice.

        “I have a delivery,” Lyric replied. “This.”

        Tovi looked up as Lyric presented the green gem. The instant her eyes touched it the gem dissolved in Lyric's hand and became a handful of green mist that floated to the mermaid and up her nostrils.

*   *   *   *   *

        Tovi Rafe held the small child close to her. Big, beautiful eyes, a tiny nose, crooked smile and already his daddy’s serious expression. He was the first of his kind, a merman. She didn't know how her sisters and mother would react if they discovered him, since mermaids did not have baby boys.

        It was their way.

        The rare occasions they gave birth to boys, they killed them immediately; not because they were cruel. Boys born to mermaids are born human, without tales, without gills, without magic.

        The very thing that keeps mermaid girls safe is the thing that ensures mermaid boys die. Mermaids can only lay their pearls in the giant oysters found at the very bottom of Calypso Deep, where the pressure will crush them the instant the oyster opens. The only thing left to the mothers is to break the poor infants necks, shortening their suffering.

        Tovi knew her child would be different when she returned to the giant oyster she had laid her pearl in. While she was away preparing the nursery the oyster had turned a beautiful warm red and gave off enough heat to be felt from a dozen yards away.

        She remained close for twenty one months, waiting eagerly for her child to tickle the oyster open and spill out with giggles and coos and delightful baby sounds.

        Even being prepared for something special couldn't ready her for this. The day her oyster opened it flared with a red flame that bathed the deep in warmth and light. A small child with a beautiful red tale tumbled from the oyster and immediately began zooming around his mother's head, showering sparks of red light from his tale.

        Tovi stared in shock for a moment before capturing the child and hurriedly swimming away from the nursery.

        She had lived separate from her sisters with him for two months before her father came calling. Immediately she poured out her concern for her son's safety while bubbling about how much she already loved him and would die to keep him safe.

        Oberon listened impassively, giving no indication of his thoughts. When Tovi finished he asked where the boy was. She showed her father where she kept him safely hidden in a bed of anemones that tickled him and guarded by clown fish that made him giggle.

        Oberon assured his daughter that everything would be fine. He counseled her to keep her son hidden away and that he would help ensure the child's safety.

        Just a few nights later Oberon returned with an impossible man who sported a tale similar to her son's. Her father held her fast with his magic, ignoring her desperate screams as the impossible merman collected her son from the anemone. He shook Oberon's hand and carried the child away, screaming in the dark sea.

        Oberon caught a tear from Tovi's eye before it mixed with the seawater and disappeared. Holding it in his palm he used his magic to extract all memory of her baby boy and her father's betrayal from her mind. When finished he had a lovely green gem in his palm. Tovi asked about it and he replied it was a payment for services rendered. Then he kissed his daughter on her forehead and left her wondering why she was in this strange home away from her sisters.

*   *   *   *   *

        Everyone watched the gorgeous Amazon as heartbreak flooded her eyes, quickly followed by rage.

        “Tovi, no!” Oberon whispered.

        The mermaid turned to her father. She surged to her feet and slashed at him with her sword.  

        Oberon was obviously no slouch. He avoided her attacks easily and yelled at Lyric.

        “What have you done?”

        Calypso leapt forward and caught the blade in her hand. Upon contact, the weapon turned to water and splashed harmlessly to the deck.

        “You will
not
harm him!” Calypso shouted angrily.

        Tovi was not to be stopped though. She kicked her mother in the chest, sending her crashing into the gunwale. Immediately she was back at Oberon, but Glas interposed himself between her and the fairy king.

        “Don't hurt her!” Oberon shouted. “That's Calypso's daughter! She's confused!”

        The captain threw his sword aside to deal with the mermaid bare handed. Tovi delivered a barrage of strikes and kicks that would have leveled a lesser man. Calder Glas blocked her attacks while keeping himself between her and her father.

        
Who are we cheering for?
Acheron thought at Lyric in amusement.

        
Glas
. Lyric answered.
The other three can kill each other for all I care.