Fierce Lessons (Ghosts & Demons Series Book 3) (13 page)

“We haven’t seen any evidence of hounds. The guy is a recluse so we’ll have to go to him. If he were teaching, I’d nab him at his front gate. His bodyguards do the grocery shopping. We have to go to him without raising too many alarm bells.”

“But what you’re suggesting just sounds so — ”

“Wildly brilliant?” I suggested. “A plan born of mercurial wisdom?”

“I was going to say it’s corny.”

“That’s not a bug. It’s a feature. They’ll never see it coming
because
they’ll see it coming.”

“And if it goes wrong?”

“You’ll get to say, ‘I told you so.’”

“Doubtful. If it doesn’t work, we’ll all be dead. This is a demon mage that has lived thousands of years.”

“That’s another reason why this will work. He’s a recluse trying to avoid the limelight. When we show up, he won’t make a fuss. He doesn’t want to attract attention. He’s not some kind of badass because he’s lived this long. He’s lived this long because he avoids conflict.”

“Never forget that what you see is an illusion,” the archer said. “He looks like a fat college professor. He is Chronos and he will kill us all if you give him a chance. Giving him a chance to speak is enough for your plan to fail.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Besides, we have you as backup. If it goes wrong, we do it your way.”

“That’s the only reason I’m not complaining more. That, and this is your show, Iowa.”

“Good,” I said. “Do me the courtesy of keeping your doubts to yourself. If I get the feeling you’re undermining me, I’ll get Malta to punch you in the throat. She wouldn’t hesitate.”

Anguloora grabbed my wrist. “Iowa. When the time comes to act, don’t you hesitate, okay? For everyone’s sake, do not hesitate a second. He could get us all in one long second. When you see your opening, take the shot and knock him senseless.”

He let go gently and patted my hand. It was the first time I’d seen any hint of real concern on his face. “You’re important to the cause,” he said. “I’d hate to lose you as an asset this early in the war.”

“Thanks. I’ll watch my asset.”

Manny rolled the van door back and peered in. “Hey. I got the stuff you asked for. I could find candles easy, but there are no muffs in town. It’s way too hot for that. I’m sorry. I looked everywhere. If we’re going to really sell it, we could wait a little and order from Amazon — ”

I squeezed her shoulder. “It’s fine. Just the candles will do. We only have to make it from the gate to the front door.”

“At the shift change,” Anguloora said behind me, “we’ll be dealing with four immortal bodyguards.”

“Only sort of immortal,” I said. “They’re safe from sniffles and bird flu, not steel.”

Darkness began to fall and deepen. I could see it, but I could smell it, too, the way the earth cooled. I heard dusk’s departure into night as the birds and animals got quieter and quieter.

I walked to the van where Paul and Polly were meditating. I could hear them chanting loudly and decided it was better not to disturb them.

Austin and Detroit sat at the front of the vegan van while Spider leaned against the door, eyes closed and apparently praying. Austin and Detroit looked miserable. As soon as he spotted me in my stovepipe hat, Austin slipped out of the passenger side door and gave me a nod.
 

“It stinks in there,” he said. “Paul and Polly have been dipping into a cold soup of lentils and baked beans for the whole afternoon. I’d roll down the windows, but they’re chanting really loud. Almost as loud as they fart.”

“Not for much longer,” I said. “When the Magicals do their thing, your main objective is to keep them alive until the deed is done. If we get any heat from the rear, it’s up to you to deal with it, even if it’s LEOs.”

“Roger that,” Austin said, “but…I was in law enforcement. You know that, right?”

I hadn’t but it changed nothing. “Can you stop them if you have to?”

“Yes,” he said. “For the greater good. But I hope that won’t be necessary.”

“Me, neither,” I said.

“You know, the greater good is confusing sometimes, Iowa. I mean, when it comes down to it, aren’t we doing all this to stop Merlin from becoming a traitor?”

“The demons found a way to open the dimensional barrier, Austin. If the old wizard decides to open a rift from our side, the demons could make it permanent. The first place the Ra would pour in would be right under the Keep. The Choir Invisible would be done.”

“And if Merlin has his way, he gets to finally die and you get your horns erased,” Spider Richardson said. “It’s not all about saving the world.”

I turned to the old holy man. “That’s right, Spider. I could have a semblance of a normal life after the war is over, assuming we win. If Merlin keeps his word, I’ll have something to live for. Do you have a problem with that?”

Spider considered my words. “Well, the way you put it, if I disagree, that kind of makes me a dick.”

“Just do your job, Spider.”

He held up a small white tube of super glue. “For all the good it will do. I feel like I’m in on a high school prank.”

“That is sort of where I got the idea. When I was at summer camp, bullies put pennies in my door so I couldn’t open it.”

I looked over my shoulder. “It looks like Dallas is ready. You guys better go get in position. Good luck.”

I went to the command van where Psymon waited for me. His hair was matted to his head under his headset and he was sweating. “Everything’s ready here, boss.”

“I wish Rory were here,” I said. “He was with me on my first mission.”

Rory appeared beside me and I leapt backward.

“Jesus!” Psymon almost fell over. I guessed no one ever snuck up on him successfully until then.

“Hi, folks. You rang?” Rory asked.

“Rory!”

“How did you — ”

“I’ve been watching. It’s what I do if you aren’t at the Keep. You’re my favorite half-demon girl.”

“Wow! Glad to see you.” I wanted to hug him but any time I even brushed up against any ghost I got visions from their lives that made me black out. I opted for a smile and a friendly wave instead. I felt incredibly lame. “I wish you just poked your head through the wall like a normal specter. You know I hate it when you just jump in without warning.”

The old ghost gave a toothless grin that made me think of Jack-o’-lanterns. The flames in his eye sockets were bright. He was very much here and not split into many locations.

Psymon looked uneasy. He couldn’t read Rory’s mind. “I don’t like feeling like a Normie,” Psymon said. “I’m gonna get some fresh air and leave you two to talk.”

“How’s that little girl of yours, Mind Reader?”

“Fawn’s fine, thank you.”

“You give her my regards when you talk to her next, will you?”

“Sure,” Psymon said. Rory didn’t budge, so Psymon had to squeeze past him to exit the van.
 

“Nice fella,” Rory said. “Has kind of a constipated look to him when he sees me but a good chap.”

“How are you feeling, Rory?”

“Still recovering, Princess. Thank you for asking. I haven’t returned to the Keep since the incident.”

“
Princess?
”

“I don’t mean it ironically. In light of events and what you’ve discovered about your heritage, you aren’t a child anymore.” He bowed, but if he’d had eyes, I think they would have been fixed on my horns. “You deserve a title fitting your stature. And you’re running your own mission now.”

“You’ve been watching all this time?”

“Much of it. When you aren’t at the Keep, I try not to be very far. But, since what happened, being around humans is…there’s more friction between the gears. People give me a rash. Do you understand?”

“I do, I think, yeah.”

“Those old stones and that wicked spell burned me so bad, I don’t know if I’ll ever go back to the Keep. I’ve been watching whales up north. That and the wind in the trees is just about the most peaceful thing there is. I’ve been listening to whales talk to each other.”

“What are they saying?”

“Don’t know. Don’t speak whale. But it’s a pretty language. We sing. They sing. Maybe none of what we do makes sense. No more than them, anyway. Ever think of that?”

“You sure you’re okay, Rory?”

He shook his head. “You can’t exactly kill a ghost, but I remembered suffering again that night. I know you did, too. I’m sorry about the boy. I didn’t see him for what he was.”

“Trick was like me. You didn’t see my demon half, either. It’s not your fault.”

“This demon that Merlin has put you on…best to stay away if you ask me.”

“If we don’t get Chronos he could do us a lot of damage.”

Rory said nothing for a moment. Then, “I’m not sure what end this serves. If I were my old self, maybe I’d know by now. I can’t be everywhere like I used to. I’m doubting what I can do. Maybe it’s time I moved on to Elsewhere. Very nearly did during the blessed burning. Maybe it’s time.”

“No,” I said. “I need you and you’re far too old for a mid-life crisis.” I’d known Rory as a wise and powerful ghost who could detect evil. Now he sounded like he needed therapy. Or maybe he needed something to do. Mama always said that when you feel down and it seems like there’s nothing to be done, that’s the time to find some gumption and a chore.

“Rory,” I said. “I need you to organize the cavalry just in case we need rescuing. Can you help me?”

“I don’t know if I can,” the old ghost said, “but I will try. You are a princess, after all.”

Lesson 176: Whether your concern is a contract, a job or an attack on an evil demon mage who can bestow immortality or kill everyone, always have an exit strategy.

18

R
ory disappeared in a blink. That’s his thing. I found Psymon outside the van looking at the sky and taking deep, slow breaths.

“How you doing, Psy?” I said.

“I read your — ”

“Mind?”

“Book. You had a lot about him in the first book. The way he popped in kind of freaked me out.”

“You okay?”

“Not being able to hear that guy’s radio kind of freaks me out. I guess I’m used to a station always being on in the background. Static is too weird. I’m so used to weird, now normal is weird, you know?”

“I know,” I said. But I didn’t think looking in the mirror and seeing horns could ever feel normal.

“Do you want to sit down? You’re not feeling well.”

“Are you a mind reader, too, now?” he asked.

“Body language. I always feel better with that old ghost around,” I said. “Without Rory, it’s like we’ve lost our radar. I guess you’re our evil detection system now.”

“Rory can do things I can’t,” Psymon admitted.

“Never mind that. If all goes well tonight, we’ll grab the demon and be out of there.”

“You want Rory here, not me.”

“That’s not true.”

“Sorry. When I’m feeling stressed, the telepathy is a lot harder.”

“Psymon, I have a backup plan involving Rory but I hope I won’t need it. If we do need him, half the plan depends on you.”

Sweat gathered on Psymon’s forehead. The heat of the day had eased considerably as cool winds blew over Palo Alto. It wasn’t the temperature that was making Psymon sweat. It was the pressure.

“You find the old ghost more comforting than having me around. He can watch you but I can be inside your head.”

“Things don’t always go smooth with Rory around, you know. Actually, it turned out less than perfect on my first mission for the Choir. Rory told me to run away at a crucial moment.”

“And you didn’t.”

“Castrated a demon, instead.”

“So, like a normal day in your life.”

“I miss that old ghost,” I said. “I felt like he brought me luck, even if he doesn’t believe in luck. But I am glad you’re here. You contributed half of the genes that Fawn got so I’m pretty sure you have to be one of the good guys.”

“Do
you
believe in luck?”

I was sure Psymon already knew the answer, but he was making polite conversation now. He probably did that a lot. “I guess I don’t,” I said. “I guess I believe stuff happens and you’re either there for it or you’re not. Preparation, skill and happenstance. It’s all luck in disguise.”

Psymon pointed at his watch. “We better lean hard on skill. It’s just about time.”

He handed me a big floppy Santa hat that he had tucked into his belt. The hat was far too big for me. “Largest Manny could find,” he said. “Ready?”

I looked at the sky. The guards’ shift change was at 9 p.m. There was time to practice and set some believable context before going for the sting. “We’ll start on the opposite side of the street.”

“If you can’t be good, be loud,” Psymon said.

“You know the backup plan?”

Psymon stared in my eyes a moment. “Yup. I’ll work on my deep breathing techniques and try to stay relaxed.” He put a hand on my shoulder. “What you’re asking is a tall order but I’ll do my best.”

“That’s all anyone can ask. Thank you, the Great Psymon, Psymon the Inimitable!”

The Santa hat stood tall on my head, but Manny and Wilmington wore Santa hats, too. Malta didn’t wear a hat, but she had the songbook.

“Choir Invisible?” I said as I approached my best sword singers. “Assemble! I’ll stick to the back and try to be invisible.”

“What are you going to do about that huge sword?” Malta asked. “Dead giveaways will make us dead.”

I smiled. “Hide in plain sight.” Keeping Excelsior in its sling, I held the sheathed weapon high. Excelsior’s gold and silver hilt shone. “It’s not a sword. It’s a cross.”

“Cool. What’s first?” Manny asked.

“
Hark the Herald Angels Sing,
” Malta said.

“Oh, sweet Jesus,” Manny said.

“That’s the spirit,” Wil said. Then she goosed Manny and the ensuing giggling made me feel a little better.

We closed ranks tight so the fact that I was holding a huge sword was less obvious.

“
Caroling?
” Manny said. “This is ridiculous. Is this a midwest thing, Iowa? This is taking the whole Choir Invisible thing way too far.”

“And that’s why it’s going to work. I’ve already covered this ground with Anguloora. Now let’s hit up the old demon’s neighbors first. I want to make sure we’re in tune for the big show.”