The blood of solomon, p.1
The Blood of Solomon, page 1
The Blood of Solomon
The 72 Demons
Book One
James E Wisher
Sand Hill Publishing
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Author Note
Also by James E Wisher
About the Author
Copyright © 2024 by James Wisher
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Edited by: Janie Linn Dullard
Cover art by: Stone Tower Studio
032520241.0
Chapter One
Daisuke Kugo let out a long groan and stretched. The flight from Switzerland to Japan was a long, miserable one even if you went first class. It would’ve been so much easier to just shadow walk, but magical entry was strictly forbidden in Japan and he didn’t want to get off on the wrong foot after ten years away. At least there was no rule against keeping your luggage in an extra-dimensional space, so he was free to skip baggage claim.
The bathroom, however, wouldn’t wait. Merging with the flow of people streaming away from the arrival gates, he made the short walk to the men’s room and ducked inside. It was packed, but after a short wait he had his turn then went to the nearest free sink. As he washed his hands he noticed a middle-aged man wearing an ill-fitting suit staring at his right arm. Covered from fingers to elbow in ugly, blotchy burn scars, it certainly wasn’t an attractive sight. He usually wore thin leather gauntlets that hid it, but airport security required the gloves be removed.
Unable to stand it any longer Daisuke snapped, “What?”
“Nothing, sorry.”
The curious fellow offered a little bow and hurried away, hands still dripping.
Daisuke’s outburst had drawn even more eyes his way. No matter the circumstances, you simply didn’t make a scene. It was rude. And being rude in public was a grave breach of etiquette. All the old lessons were coming back and he hated each and every one of them. Drying his hands and going outside, he paused long enough to pull his gloves on. If customs wanted them off, he’d remove them when he had to.
It should’ve been simple for a priest to heal his scars; the nurse at his old school had offered as soon as she saw them. The problem was that they were as much a curse as a burn. Besides, Daisuke would’ve refused even if healing was possible. They served as a constant reminder that his family—his face twisted in a bitter smile when he thought of those people as family—had cast him out at the first hint of failure.
Well, to hell with them. He’d finish his job and be back in Europe by the end of the week. With any luck he could just avoid them altogether. No doubt that would suit them just as well as it did him.
Thankfully customs didn’t force him to take his gloves off and after a quick scan of his passport, he was allowed to enter the country. Now to find a cab and get to his hotel. A hot shower would be most welcome.
At the packed terminal he swung past the vending machines and picked up a box of strawberry Pocky before turning toward the exit. Halfway to the doors, he spotted a man in a white suit holding a sign with his name on it.
Shit. Neither he nor his employer had arranged a limo, which meant his family must’ve found out he was coming and sent it. The only reason they would do that was because they wanted him to come to the family estate.
And no way was Daisuke going to do that. He pretended not to see the driver and ducked outside. A row of ten blue and black cabs sat parked and waiting to his left. He went to the nearest one and opened the back door.
The driver immediately looked over his shoulder at his new fare. He had to be in his sixties and wore a flat cap scrunched down so low on his forehead it nearly covered his eyes. “Where to?”
“The Continental Blue Hotel.”
“I know it. Climb in.”
Daisuke did so, settling in to the spotless back seat, and glanced out at the ocean as they left the airport behind. It was a beautiful sight, with the sun glinting off the waves. Kurisato International Airport was built on an artificial island that jutted out into the Pacific Ocean. It was built after World War Three decimated the country. Though to be honest, Japan had come through the war in better shape than plenty of other nations. At this point, North America was basically a mutant- and monster-infested wasteland and mainland Asia wasn’t much better.
Of course, the war happened long before Daisuke’s time—two hundred years before, as a matter of fact.
He yawned, happy to let random facts distract him from the limo driver waiting for him back at the terminal.
“Where you from, kid?” the cabby asked.
Japanese cabbies weren’t exactly known for being chatty, but it seemed he’d found an exception. “Here, by way of Switzerland. You?”
“Here. I retired last year, took the cab-driving job to get out of the house. It was that or the wife threatened to divorce me.”
Daisuke dutifully chuckled at the lame joke and offered a silent prayer to any listening archangel that the driver would be satisfied.
“What brings you to town?”
“Business.” Maybe a one-word answer would get him to take the hint.
“No kidding. Usually the business guys wear suits and are at least ten years older than you. Must be a laid-back business if they let you wear a t-shirt and jeans.”
Keep calm and don’t cause a scene. That thought ran through Daisuke’s head over and over.
“I’m a freelancer and my customers don’t care what I wear as long as I get the job done. It was a long flight, so I’m going to rest my eyes until we get to the hotel.”
“Sure, don’t mind me. It’ll be about half an hour.”
Daisuke closed his eyes and silently activated a spell. The cab appeared in his mind just as if his eyes were still open. Japan might be a low-crime nation, but he still wasn’t about to trust a complete stranger.
Fortunately, the trip passed without issue and soon enough they came to a stop in front of a twenty-story hotel painted deep blue and gray. A sign over the revolving door read, “Continental Blue.”
“Here we are,” the cabby announced. “That’ll be a thousand yen.”
Daisuke passed him a black credit card and a moment later got a receipt, his credit card, and the cabby’s business card.
“You need a lift somewhere, give me a call.”
“Thanks.” Daisuke climbed out of the cab and sighed as it pulled away. If he needed a ride, he’d be sure to find a quieter driver.
He pushed through the revolving door and walked through the lobby to the front desk. He had the whole place to himself, which was unusual. The scattered chairs were empty and there was no one perusing the snack bar.
A chime of the brass bell on the check-in counter brought a skinny little man barely tall enough to reach the computer. He typed for a moment then asked, “Do you need a room, sir?”
“I should have one. Daisuke Kugo.”
“Ah, yes sir. Mr. Kugo. We have you in a suite on the top floor. All paid up for the rest of the month.” The little man reached under the desk and brought out a keycard. “There you are, sir. Do you have bags? If so, I can call the bellhop.”
“I’m good, thanks.”
So saying, Daisuke headed for the bank of elevators behind the check-in counter. When he glanced back, he found the clerk punching numbers furiously into the phone. That couldn’t be good.
He shrugged and pressed the call button. Looked like he was going to have to deal with his family after all, but if he was right, at least they would have to come to him.
The silent ride to the top floor was a boon to his soul. As someone that spent most of his time working alone out in the middle of nowhere, being surrounded by people and having to talk to them was a chore he’d just as soon foist off on someone else. Pity he couldn’t this time.
The keycard said room three and he soon found it. The lock beeped when he put the card in and he pushed through the door. The boss certainly hadn’t skimped on his accommodations. There was a king-sized bed in the main room, a queen in another room, a huge bathroom with a tub and a tile shower, and finally a full kitchen. He could move in here and live quite comfortably. It was actually nicer than his apartment in Zurich. Not that he spent much time there.
He pulled his phone out, tapped the boss’s number and waited. Three rings brought an answer. “You made it okay?” The boss’s voice was a rough, throaty purr. She thought it sounded sexy. Daisuke thought it sounded like she smoked too much. Which she did.
“Yeah, no sweat. Any updates on the job?”
“Despite my warnings, the idiots refuse to take the bronze prison out of the exhibit. It’s only one item, a rather plain-looking piece, yet you’d swear I was asking them to set fire to the main display.”
“That’s not ideal. Any word on the seal?”
“Helena lost it.”
“Shit! So not only is the prison not secure but the Blood of Solomon has the seal. That’s pretty much the worst possible news. Is Helena okay?”
“There’s nothing wrong with her that a day in a healing circle won’t fix, but it was close. It’s all on you now, Daisuke.”
Daisuke let out a long sigh of relief. If the boss was that nonchalant, then Helena should be fine.
“Great. If there’s nothing else I need to ward my room and get a shower. I’ll scout the museum tomorrow. Did Helena at least say who attacked her?”
“She’s not awake yet. I’ll let you know as soon as she says anything.”
“Thanks.” Daisuke disconnected and ran a hand through his hair. Helena was one of their better operatives. If she got taken out, the Blood of Solomon must’ve sent one of their heavy hitters. And now whoever they’d sent would be on their way here.
There were days he regretted taking the boss up on her offer to join the Circle of Sorcerers. But then he thought about all he’d done and seen over the last three years along with what he stood to gain in the future. Not to mention what he and the world stood to lose if the Circle failed in its mission.
Chapter Two
Yoshikazu Kugo sat behind the expansive maple desk in his office. A single sheet of paper sat on it. Like everything else in his life, the desk was perfectly organized, everything in a drawer or filing cabinet. An ordered workspace led to ordered thoughts. That was the proper way to live your life. Some people might disagree with him, but they were wrong.
Today, it seemed, his ordered life was about to become disordered. He picked up the paper and read the brief report again. Daisuke’s plane had landed safely. After disembarking, he either didn’t see or ignored the driver Yoshikazu has sent to pick him up. Most likely the latter.
Given how they parted ways, it was small wonder that his son wanted nothing to do with him. Deep in his heart, where weak sentiment lived, he regretted banishing Daisuke from the Kugo clan and sending him to that Swiss boarding school. Not that he would ever, in word or deed, admit such a thing. Keeping someone rejected by the spirits of fire, even his eldest son, as part of the family would be an insult to the King of Flames that had blessed Yoshikazu’s ancient ancestor.
But that didn’t keep him from missing the son he raised for thirteen years. Daisuke had been smart and hardworking, kind to everyone, the sort of boy a father would be proud to call his own. At least, any father outside of the Kugo clan.
After leaving the airport, Daisuke had taken a cab to The Continental Blue Hotel and checked into the finest suite on the top floor.
And that was the extent of the report. None of his agents knew why Daisuke had returned. Yoshikazu used to get regular reports from the boarding school, but after he graduated, there was nothing, at least not of any substance. His son had wandered around Europe, doing odd jobs, seeming without direction.
Yoshikazu regretted denying him the purpose that would’ve come as a member of the clan, but his regret meant nothing. The situation was what it was and nothing would change it at this late date. While he doubted Daisuke meant the clan any harm, he needed to know why he was here.
He pulled his phone out of the desk and dialed Ryo, his younger brother.
Ryo answered after a single ring. “Elder brother?”
“Come to my office. We need to talk.”
He disconnected and stood, buttoning the jacket of his white suit and adjusting his crimson tie. There was no real need for a formal greeting. He was on excellent terms with his younger brother, but Yoshikazu was about to give him a command as head of the clan, not make a request as his elder brother, and certain forms needed to be maintained.
A single knock sounded on the door. “Come in.”
The door slid open and Ryo’s muscular, six-foot frame filled the entrance. He wore a perfectly tailored white suit, polished black shoes, and a black tie. On the right side of his head, just above his ear, a crimson stripe the same color as Yoshikazu’s tie ran through his short hair. This wasn’t some foolish fashion statement, but a mark from the spirits that signified Ryo’s place as the most powerful fire magic user of his generation.
Ryo took one step inside the office and bowed. “How may I be of service, elder brother?”
“Daisuke has returned and he ignored the car I sent for him. Go to his hotel and make it clear he’s to come and see me.”
“Immediately?”
“No, I’m sure he’s weary after the long flight. Tomorrow will be acceptable.”
“And if he refuses?”
Yoshikazu swallowed the exhausted sigh that welled up from deep inside. “We’ll deal with that if or when it should come to pass. For now, just deliver the message. That I sent you to do it should be enough to make my seriousness clear.”
Ryo bowed again, stepped back, and closed the door.
Yoshikazu unbuttoned his jacket and loosened his tie. The rituals and pretense might be necessary for keeping the lives of the four master clans orderly and peaceful, but there were times that even he despised the phony nonsense. Had propriety allowed it, he would’ve simply gone to Daisuke’s hotel and talked to him as his father.
His faint smile was bitter. More likely he’d show up and get the door slammed in his face. That was no less than he deserved, at least from Daisuke’s perspective.
Almost no time had passed since his brother’s departure before the door to his office slid open again. Only one person in the household would dare enter without knocking. His beautiful wife, Kiyoko, today dressed in a crimson silk kimono and wearing her long dark hair down, stepped inside, closing the door behind her. He had no trouble guessing what brought her here.
“Is it true?” she asked. “Our son is back?”
He nodded and motioned to one of the chairs in front of his desk. When she’d sat he said, “I sent a car for him, but he ignored it. Ryo’s gone with an invitation.”
“It will be a wonder if he doesn’t ignore that as well. We’ve done nothing to endear ourselves to him these last ten years.”
“We did what had to be done, and Ryo is not so easily ignored.”
She looked at him with her sad, liquid brown eyes. It seemed every look she’d given him since Daisuke left was sad. “You would have done better to send me.”
“You know how that would look.”
“Ah, yes, mustn’t do anything that might give the incorrect impression. It’s only our son we’re talking about after all. You will let me see him when he arrives.”
That last wasn’t a question but he nodded all the same. They needed to keep Daisuke’s presence at the estate quiet, but he wouldn’t dream of trying to stop Kiyoko from seeing him.
“We’ll all see him. Perhaps even a meal, just the four of us. Shogo would like that, I think.”
She lowered her head in the tiniest of bows. “He always liked ramen. When do you expect him?”
“Tomorrow. When, I can’t say.”
“We’ll plan for dinner then.” She stood and left without another word.
When she’d gone Yoshikazu finally let out the sigh he’d been holding in. How long since they’d told each other “I love you”? He couldn’t actually ever remember saying it. Theirs was an arranged marriage and love had nothing to do with it. Still, after twenty-three years, you’d have thought something might have developed beyond respect.
He suspected any hope he’d had of that died ten years ago.
Chapter Three
A hot shower had been just the thing. Between the flight and setting wards around his suite, Daisuke was all in. Maybe a light snack from room service then bed. He had a museum to visit tomorrow and he wanted to get there before the crowd.
