Fang Shway in LA (5 page)

It took me a while but then I found what I was looking for in the Lesser Key of Solomon, which provides a list of seventy-two spirits. These spirits are in charge of all manner of things. Behemoth is responsible for all things regarding the belly. Go figure who knew these people had a sense of humor. Then I found it. Paralda, the Lord of the Element Air, breathes life into sylphs to do his bidding. Sylphs are spirits that work for the Gods. In this case I was almost certain a sylph was doing a wizard’s bidding. Because sylphs evolved from the four basic building blocks of nature, fire, air, earth and water. These were the only elements I’d detected so far.

The sylph created a chilling mist, it reminded me of the machines that made
the
mists
used in the old discos, to freeze the guests’ senses while the wizard killed Farok. Now all I needed to do was summon Astaroth. He is a powerful duke who has the authority and knowledge to answer questions about past, present and future spirit activity. Unfortunately, this guy should come with the Surgeon Generals hazardous to your health warning, he's just plain nasty.

I placed my summoning circle on the floor in my office and fixed it securely in place. Candles burned on the three sides of my dragon’s eye. I placed a shield around myself and another around my home in case this guy got away. Then I held my staff in my left hand and my pendant in my right. For good luck I wore my dragon talisman. Ready as I was ever going to be I chanted a summoning spell and the spirit’s name.

I smelled him before I saw him. His breath could be fatal which is why I stood across the room. “Thank you for coming Astaroth. It is an honor to meet you.”

“I doubt it wizard. What is it that you want? I’m busy and I don’t take kindly to interruptions.”

“I need to know what wizard called a sylph to employ the wind to perform a charm. I know a wizard used the elements to bring stinging cold to cover a murder? What I don’t know is who.”

“Why should I help you? You haven’t even offered me a bribe.”

“You haven’t helped me, why would I? You and I know you must answer my question.”

“The wizard you are referring to goes by the name Al Azif. He uses the book of Grimoire of Honorius in its bastardized version. The power he calls forth is great but untrained.”

“Thank you Astaroth. How can I find him?”

“He is at the Chivas manor near the docks. I believe he is expecting you and the dragon. May I go now?”

Without another word he vanished and not a moment too soon. I couldn’t have held my breath much longer. Well at least I knew what we are up against. I thumbed through my copy of the Honorius. It didn’t take me long to find the spell although it wouldn’t be much help. I am not a practitioner of dark magic. Nevertheless, I wasn’t above studying the section that most wizards’ considered black magic. It gave me some ideas and a place to start.

I started pulling ingredients off-the-shelf. I crushed herbs, smashed small animal bones and spilled the liquid from several poisonous insects before setting it all to boil. I worked on several potions at once and to each I added a drop of my own blood. My blood is added to bind the spell for my use only. If we had to go toe-to-toe with this wizard we would need to be ready. His magic was stronger than mine, however,
 I suspected my control was better, our lives depended on it. I was just finishing when I heard Xena herald the guys return.

Chapter 8

“Any luck?” I yelled as I put the last potion into a small vial and capped it.

Traygen bounded into the room grinning from ear-to-ear. Tokem wasn’t far behind. I’d say they looked like the cats that swallowed the canary but Tokem is sensitive about size issues.

“Well don’t keep me waiting.” I said.

“You better have a seat. Do you want something to drink? I’m thirsty.”

“Bring me one of whatever you’re having. I’ve been slaving over my beakers.”

Traygen came back a few minutes later with beer and cold pizza. “Early morning breakfast of champions,” he said as he handed me my food. Sinking into the nearest recliner and sighing contentedly he took a long swallow of beer. “It took us a while,” he said between bites. “Tokem spotted some unusual activity near an abandoned building.”

“That’s me, eyes like an eagle, faster than a...”

“Modest, too,” I quipped.

“We landed several blocks away so I could change without attracting attention. Moving through back alleys, gliding close to buildings and keeping in shadows we reached the warehouse. It looked deserted and we were about to sneak inside when we heard someone coming. Blending back into the shadows we waited. Several of the cartel’s thugs came staggering into view. They were drunk and talking loudly.

“We crept closer so we could hear what they were saying. They were fumbling with the lock and one of them said something about the wizard trying to get them killed. Unfortunately they pushed the door open and went inside before I could hear any more. Tokem checked out the building and found a truck pulled up to the loading dock in the back of the building. I was able to climb up on top of the truck and from there leap up onto the roof of the building. I crawled along the roof, found a broken window and slide inside. There was a light coming from an open door on the ground floor. I walked along a catwalk until I could see into the room. The men were sitting around a small table cleaning their guns.

“I decided to try to get closer so I could hear what they were saying. When I got nearer I noticed an air vent. It made their conversation, limited as it was, easier to hear. The vent amplified the conversation, when there was any. There were long stretches of silence, and it was starting to get lighter. Then a phone rang and one of the men answered. Whoever answered listened and then said okay before hanging up.

“It’s Azif. I don’t trust him.”

“Shut up and let him in. The boss does which is good enough for me.”

“I heard someone leave and then a few minutes later footsteps returning. Then I saw him, briefly anyway. He’s a small Middle Eastern man of average height with a swarthy complexion. I didn’t think it was safe to stay and I swear he was sniffing the air.”

“You’re probably right. You wield strong magic and he probably felt it. Quick thinking.”

“I wish we could have stayed around to hear more but at least we know where he is. What did you find out?”

“Astaroth reluctantly gave me the wizard’s name.”

Traygen jumped up from his chair, “Lauren you called that guy without backup. You should have waited. Are you out of your mind? You could have been killed. He is a mean bastard.”

“You weren’t here and I can take care of myself. There wasn’t time. A lot more people will die if we don’t stop this wizard. You can’t protect me all the time.”

“I would, if you’d let me,” he muttered.

“What did you…I made some potions to offset our wizard’s power. Now I believe we should pay him a visit, if you still want to protect me. I have a bad feeling that Al Azif is trying to start something between the vamps and the cartel.”

Tokem zipped into the room. “You two need to get a room or get over it.”

Turning to face Tokem, Traygen glared at him without speaking. Instead he turned to me, “What makes you think that? Isn’t he supposed to be protecting the cartel from the Daywalker? Why start anything? I believe you’re jumping to conclusions.”

“Well unless we are missing something Azif killed Farok. It was an act of aggression, not self-defense. That’s not a guess, it’s a fact. Once Ekil finds out there’s going to be hell to pay. It’ll take me about ten minutes to get ready if you’re coming.” I spat as I stomped out of the room.

I went to my room and screamed into my towel before running a comb through my hair and changing into dark loose-fitting slacks. The loathsome things had no style but I had to hide some weapons. I pulled on a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark soft-soled cross trainers. I completed my outfit with my bracelet, thigh holster and a belt fitted to hold my vials. I never knew when I might need one. Then I joined the guys in the living room

“Ready?” I asked as I picked up my staff. “Traygen do you want to drive?”

He nodded without speaking, turned and walked to the door. It seemed he was still irked about me sending for an Elemental without back up. He’d let it go when he was ready. No worries, he was the consummate professional. I knew he would be dressed to kill and I hurried to catch up with them. There wasn’t much traffic and we made it to the docks in half an hour. We got as close as we could. I didn’t want to draw any unwanted attention from the LAPD. We weren’t dressed like tourists, nor were we licensed to carry concealed weapons.

Traygen hadn’t said a word since we left. “How do you want to handle this?” I asked before we got out of the car.

“I suggest sending Tokem out as a lookout. Then you and I will knock on his door. I think we need to make this look like a social call, at least initially. If Azif is still here he’ll have to adhere to the council’s rules of etiquette. Unless you have a better idea.”

Traygen was correct, annoying but correct. Rogue or not, Azif had to adhere to the laws of decorum. Kind of ironic, when you think about it, he didn’t mind murdering people. Yet, he would abide by the rules of civil behavior. “I agree. We wouldn’t want to be mistaken for one of the vamps. After you,” I said sliding from the car.

Traygen went to the large door in front of the warehouse and pounded. It didn’t take long to get the cartels attention. Obviously convinced we weren’t vampires, they opened the door. I clearly wasn’t the only one Ekil threatened.

“What do you want,” said a beefy looking thug. He smirked as he looked us up and down.

I stepped around Traygen. “We are here to see Al Azif.”

“What for?” snarled our visibly perturbed inquisitor.

“Let them in,” came from a disembodied voice, somewhere deep in the shadows.

“But, the boss…”

“I said let them in. Now. I’ll deal with the boss or are you challenging me?” A small, swarthy looking man stepped forward into the light.

“Lauren, Dragon, please forgive his bad manners. Please come in and tell me to what I owe this visit.”

We followed Azif into the building. The cavernous main room was empty. A light burned in a side room which was our apparent destination. The room wasn’t big, maybe 70’ x 70’. There was a long table in the middle of the room, while the lab was equipped with beakers, dried herbs and other wizarding essentials. There were foul smelling beakers simmering, making my eyes water and my throat scratchy. Azif directed us to a pair of chairs and a sofa. Motioning for us to take a seat he said, “How may I serve you?”

Traygen and I took a seat on the sofa and Azif sat opposite us. “I want to know what role you’re playing with the cartel. I’m sure you are aware of the potential violation of the World Council’s laws.”

“You’re a smart woman Lauren and surely you know the vampires have employed a Daywalker. I’m simply helping the cartel protect their business interests. Surely, that cannot be a violation of council laws.”

I felt Traygen tense up beside me. “What business would that be? Illegal drug trafficking?” He asked before I could stop him.

“Dragon, how else does a cartel make its money? Do I know you? I sensed we’ve met but perhaps I’m mistaken.”

“My name is Traygen and I’m sure we’ve had no reason to meet.”

“My mistake, it may be against human laws for me to help uphold the cartels laws. However, I know you don’t represent the LAPD or do you? I didn’t think so. Is there anything else?”

“You didn’t answer my question. Why does the cartel need protection from the vampires? Is it because you killed Farok?”

“Why would I do that? It would be just the excuse the vampires need to start something under the accords.”

“Exactly,” I said as I stood to leave. “Thanks for your time. We’ll see ourselves out.”

“As you wish, it was enlightening meeting you both.”

Once we were out of earshot, I whispered to Traygen. “You were right he recognized your scent, which means he’s as strong as we feared.”

“Lauren, I’m sorry I overreacted earlier about Astaroth. I know you can handle yourself. I just can’t bear the thought of losing you.”

We walked to our car, got in and drove around the corner. Traygen pulled the car over and parked. I rolled down my window to wait for Tokem to catch up. He darted down and landed on the back of my hand. I started to ask him if he had seen anything when the squealing of brakes interrupted me.

Chapter 9

A dark car with tinted back window, skidded around the corner, tires screeching, motor revving, slamming through its gears. 

“What the heck?” Traygen shouted.

We turned to stare at the car. I couldn’t see through the darkened rear window but the driver was the beefy thug who answered the door. I put down my window motioning for Tokem to follow the car. “Tokem, follow them. We’ll stay back at a more discreet distance.”

Traygen waited for a car to pass before he pulled sedately into the traffic. We managed to keep the car in sight until it merged on to the 10 freeway where we lost it.
There was just too much damned traffic in L.A.

“We may as well go home and wait for Tokem. You can take the next exit and cut across Sepulveda. I hope Tokem will be able to tell us something. I think we made Azif nervous.”

Traygen pulled into the driveway and parked the car. “Something’s still not right, I can feel it.” Traygen said as he got out of the car. “I can’t put my finger on it but Azif didn’t seem too concerned about the Daywalker. From the unsophisticated use of his powers, he should be.”

“I couldn’t agree more, only a fool would take a Daywalker lightly,” I said as a wave of malevolent energy washed over me. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I realized we weren’t alone.

“Such praise, my fame precedes me. I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced. Dragon, you need not act chivalrously, I mean no harm.”

I nearly wet my pants, not a ladylike reaction. I make no apologies for how I respond to life-threatening situations. Where the hell had he come from? My senses hadn’t detected him right away
 or else I was getting careless because he reeked of menace, evil and danger in neon lights and I shivered. He was about average height. My guess is he was a shade less than six feet tall but he exuded confidence with his ripped muscles.

“I don’t think I like Daywalkers, at least I knew I was safe from vampric riffraff during the daylight hours.”

“Lauren, you should speak more respectfully to your elders.”

Traygen moved to stand in front of me, now I was pissed. “I can handle this,” my voice low, almost a growl. “What do you want Daywalker? I’m losing my patience with you.” I detected a slight tick in the Daywalkers jaw. I was obviously annoying him, which was stupid. The man looked lethal, like a panther before it strikes, his muscles were tight and flexed. They were quivering, taut like the string of a bow just before the arrow flies.

“You are a rude woman and I’ll look forward to teaching you some manners. Another time, today I’m here to deliver a message from Ekil. He has put a price on your head for the murder of his son, one I intend to collect.”

His smile was cruelly smug and a chill went down my spine. I managed not to shiver and I responded with more bravado than I felt. “Bring it on Big Boy.” That wiped the smile off his face. He started toward me and Traygen drew his gun.

“Don’t turn your backs or sleep too soundly.” He hissed and then disappeared in a flash of sparks.

“Nice parlor trick,” I quipped on my way to the front door. Traygen was sniffing the area where the Daywalker disappeared.

He turned and strode over to me, unlocked the front door and muttered, “I’ve got the bastard’s scent. He won’t sneak up on us again.”

Dragons are the bloodhounds of the supernatural realm. His sense of smell would give us an advantage over the Daywalker. I had better beef up our shields. “Magna franc,” I chanted.

“As if we don’t have enough to worry about, now we’ve got a price on our heads. I have to hand it to them. It’s a clever ploy by the cartel’s wizard, distracting the vamps while the cartel…does what?” 

Pacing around the room Traygen didn’t answer me. Then he spun around to face me, “its overkill. This has never made sense. It isn’t logical. Since when do vampires risk the World Council’s wrath to deal with humans? Their excuse is the Daywalker, who is now gunning for us. This is much, too much, ado about nothing.”

Absently twirling my hair, I considered Traygen’s comments. His thinking was logical and he had a point. He is a methodical thinker. It was not like the vamps to risk war with wizards over a drug dispute. Sure the vamps ran major drug cartels in most cities and they clashed often with the drug lords. But, they didn’t need a Daywalker to keep their opposition in check.

“I believe we are missing something, also. Maybe we need to renew our search to find the Russians. We know the cartel is worried about them and yet we still don’t know why. The Russians are trying to sell an artifact, which shouldn’t impact drug sales or if it did it might increase them.”

Nodding his head, Traygen said, “Maybe they’re afraid the Russians will try to expand their enterprises once they sell the spear. It could explain why the cartel is so jumpy.”

I heard a pop and then a stream of expletives. “Oh no, Tokem just flew into my shield.” I ran to the door and threw it open as I chanted in canto exodus.

An irritated looking Tokem streaked by. He landed on the back of the sofa and started rubbing his face. I looked over at Traygen who was stifling a laugh.

“Tokem, I’m sorry. We had a visit by the Daywalker. It’s just a habit, are you hurt?”

“Only my pride,” he sniffed. “No one cares about the little guy.”

“Oh Tokem, you know that isn’t true. We love you.” I said as I offered him my hand. “Remember I did buy you a nice present.”

He jumped up and let me scratch his back. “I’ll let it go this time and anyway I have news,” he said, puffing out his chest in obvious pride.

“Don’t keep us waiting, please.” I pretended to beg.

“All right, I followed Azif to the Chivas manor. He went in and I took the opportunity to sneak into his car. I didn’t think I could enter the mansion without being detected and I was tired from trying to keep the wizard in sight. About forty minutes later, he left and we drove for about twenty more minutes. I couldn’t see where we were going from my hiding place. I assumed he was heading back to the docks. When the car stopped, he put down the window and spoke to a heavily accented man. It must have been a valet because he handed over the keys and got out.

“The valet nearly gave me whiplash parking the car, damn rookies. I waited for him to park and I crawled out. We were outside a restaurant. I didn’t know where our wizard went so I flew around and when I didn’t see him on the street
I went inside. He wasn’t in the dining room or bar. I was about to leave when I saw a waiter with a tray of drinks head into a side room. The door nearly took me out when it swung back but I got a glimpse of our wizard.

“He was in an animated discussion with another man. The guy must have been the boss because he was surrounded by three bodyguards. Before I could get inside, the wizard got up and headed for the door. I ducked up on top of the nearest lamp shade. The wizard left through the front door. I darted down and into the room before the door rocked closed. The man who had been talking with the wizard was involved in a heated discussion with one of his goons in Russian. I left because I don’t speak Russian and I wanted to see if our wizard went home. He did and now I need a nap.”

“Tokem, I could kiss you,” I yelled.

“I’m not stopping you,” he teased. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go set up my TiVo. I don’t want to miss another episode of The Price Is Right.”

“Well done man,” Traygen yelled. “Your timing is perfect, no pun intended. We were just saying we needed to find out more about the Russians. Do you think you could get us back to the restaurant?”

“No, you can take a cab. I’m tired and I’m going to nap after I set up my show. The restaurant is called Prestige and it’s at 366 N. Vincent, in Santa Monica. Good night.”