A friend in need ebook, p.12
A Friend In Need (Ebook), page 12
A light shove was enough to get the doors to swing silently open, revealing a long, empty corridor. It ran without a twist or turn to another pair of equally large doors. There were no side passages or other doors, so that at least made the decision about which way to search first easy.
“I’ll go first,” Helena said. “If there’s anything hidden, I’ll be most likely to spot it.”
Daisuke stepped aside to let her take the lead. Some might say that wasn’t very chivalrous, but he knew what Helena could do and her assessment of the situation was correct. Daisuke’s ego wasn’t so bloated that he failed to see that.
Not that it mattered in the end. The group reached the next door without issue and this time Helena pushed it open. Inside was a massive altar chamber with a domed ceiling so high Daisuke couldn’t see the top. He wouldn’t have been surprised if it ran all the way to the peak of the mountain.
“Heaven’s mercy,” Helena said.
Daisuke dragged his gaze away from the ceiling to see what bothered her so much. It didn’t take long to figure it out. Above the chain-draped altar, someone had crucified an angel. The unconscious angel wore only a wrap that covered him from waist to midthigh. Daisuke was thoroughly into women, but even he could admit that this was the most beautiful man he’d ever seen.
Black iron nails bigger than railroad spikes had been driven through the angel’s hands, feet, and wings. Blood had run down the white wall, staining it red. A small trickle still leaked out of the unconscious angel’s wounds.
Daisuke had seen some things, but this was up there with the worst.
“I thought these lunatics worshipped an archangel?” Jinx said. “How could he allow them to do this to one of his own?”
“You’d have to take that up with the Binder,” Daisuke said. “Let’s get him down from there.”
He climbed up on the altar and could just reach the highest nail. As soon as he touched it he hissed and yanked his hand back. The black iron had burned his skin through his glove.
“Hell forged,” Ruq said. “That’s what’s keeping the angel so weak. Can’t imagine where archangel worshippers got such things.”
“I’d say these aren’t your average archangel worshippers,” Carter said.
“Let’s hope not,” Daisuke said. “Anyone got a giant pair of pliers?”
It was a rhetorical question as of course no one did. With no better options, Daisuke took off his shirt, wrapped it five times around his right hand and tried again. It still stung, but not so much that he couldn’t stand it.
Bracing one foot against the wall, he heaved for all he was worth. The nail came free and Daisuke somehow kept his balance. He tossed the nail aside and moved on to the next.
Once both wings were free and hanging limp from the angel’s shoulders Daisuke said, “I’ll need someone to support him.”
Helena conjured bands of light around the angel’s chest and legs.
With that taken care of, Daisuke got back to work. He was forced to wiggle the nail in the angel’s right hand back and forth, drawing a groan as he made the wound bigger.
“Sorry about that.”
With a final grunt of effort it came free. Thankfully the other nails weren’t driven in as deeply and soon they had the unlucky angel safely on the floor.
Daisuke wiped sweat from his brow as Carter got busy healing the angel. That had taken more effort than flying here. He also needed a new shirt.
As he dug the metal card that allowed him to access his extra-dimensional storage out of his pocket Ruq said, “Handling the black iron is what wearied you. Hell-forged metal takes a toll on mortals just by being close to them.”
“Great.” Daisuke opened his trunk and pulled on a new shirt. “Jinx, could you do me a favor?”
“Of course.”
He handed her his ruined shirt. “Wrap the black iron nails in that and I’ll seal them in my trunk where they can’t do any harm.”
While she went to get the nails Daisuke stood and flexed his burned hand. Worked okay even if it still hurt a little.
“You’ll need magical healing to repair the damage,” Ruq said. “Wounds caused by hell-forged black iron won’t heal on their own.”
“That stuff is seriously bad news. Where would you even go to get it?”
“Hell?” Ruq suggested.
“These dazzling insights are exactly why I keep you around. Let me rephrase: where on Earth could they have gotten them?”
“No clue, Master.”
“Right, well I suppose you were locked in a cage for heaven knows how long. Whatever, it’s a problem for another day.”
Jinx returned with the nails neatly wrapped in his old shirt and sealed with a band of shadow magic. He raised an eyebrow when he noticed that last bit.
She smiled. “I didn’t want the bundle to come apart. That spell will hold for a week or so and since it’s shadow magic, the black iron will make it stronger.”
Daisuke took the bundle and tucked it deep in the trunk. “That’s perfect. If I’d thought of it, I’d have given you one of the nails to enhance your magic. Since you look so human, I keep forgetting you have demon blood.”
She held up one of the nails. “That thought crossed my mind as well so I helped myself to one. You sure you don’t mind if I keep it?”
“I trust you. Plus, when we catch up to the other Binder worshippers, we’ll need every advantage we can get.”
A groan from behind the altar prompted Daisuke to hurry over with Jinx on his heels. She’d tucked the nail away in her belt pouch.
The angel was working his way up the wall into a sitting position with Carter and Helena on either side of him. When he was comfortable, he looked at each of them in turn. When his gaze reached Jinx it lingered though Daisuke felt certain it was for different reasons than his usually did.
“You freed me?” the angel asked.
Carter nodded. “Are you feeling better?”
“Much, though I’m still weak. Those monsters left me nailed up there for weeks. The effects of the black iron won’t wear off quickly. How did you find me?”
Carter explained what had happened so far. “I’m going to assume you’re Xerxes. The boss was worried about you.”
“Angelique is as close to a sister as I ever hope to have. You need to hurry and warn her. Since she didn’t come to them, the remaining priests have gone to hunt her.”
Daisuke was getting a queasy feeling. “Why, exactly, are members of the League of Mortals hunting the boss?” He had a pretty good idea, but wanted Xerxes to say it directly.
“Because Angelique is an angel.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Daisuke ran a hand through his hair. Xerxes was still resting on the floor near the altar where they’d left him. Everyone else had gathered out of earshot to discuss the matters at hand, the main one being the boss’s identity as an angel. To say that was a shock would be a vast understatement.
“Okay,” he said. “Everyone that knew the boss was an angel raise your hand?”
When no one did he let out a sigh. “Great, at least I wasn’t left out. Now I’m thinking I need to get back to Zurich and warn her ASAP.”
“We should all go,” Carter said. “Unfortunately, I can’t teleport or shadow walk.”
“Daisuke can take us,” Helena said.
“No, I can’t. I can take one of you and Jinx in my shadow, but that’s it.”
“That’s fine,” Jinx said. “I can take Carter and you take Helena. I’ll follow you through the shadow paths.”
Daisuke had never heard it called the shadow paths before, but it was as good a name as any. Maybe as a half shadow demon she saw more than he did. She almost had to since he saw nothing at all.
“Sounds like a plan. Is he going to be okay?” Daisuke nodded toward the still-struggling angel.
“I’ll be fine,” Xerxes said. “My strength is slowly returning. I’ll join you as soon as I’m recovered enough.”
That answered that question and so much for moving out of earshot. Angels must have particularly good ears.
Daisuke spotted a large-enough shadow near the entrance and scooped Helena up in his arms.
“Hey! Can’t I just hold your hand or something?”
“You can if you only want your arm to come with me. We need to be close enough for the spell to acknowledge us as one target. Relax, I won’t drop you in the middle of the shadow realm.”
“Shadow paths,” Jinx said. She had Carter over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes and showed no difficulty holding him. He really needed to stop thinking of her like a normal woman.
“Right, shadow paths. Everyone ready?”
When they all indicated they were, he stepped into the shadow. A second later he emerged from the shadow of a dumpster outside Arcane Books and Trinkets. Daisuke set Helena down just as Jinx appeared beside him.
“Why didn’t you appear in the safe room?” Helena asked.
“Jinx doesn’t know how to bypass the wards. She would’ve been stuck in the shadow real… er, on the shadow paths.”
Carter got busy unlocking the employees’ entrance. While he did, Daisuke looked up and down the alley. There were a few people walking along the street, but none of them seemed to have noticed the group’s arrival. That suited him fine. Even if it was a magic store, people just appearing out of nowhere was still rare enough to draw unwanted attention.
Get up on the roof and keep a lookout.
Before we return to that miserable desert, I want cookies.
Me too.
And cake and doughnuts.
Don’t push it. Get up there.
He sensed Ruq fly up to the roof and look around. Joining his vision with his familiar’s, Daisuke saw nothing that concerned him. The local cafes and businesses were busy, but not crazy at this time of the morning. There was nothing visible either in the real world or the ether that screamed “insane murder priest.” Of course, if they’d been at this for any length of time, they were probably good at blending in. To make matters worse, he had no idea what they looked like.
Not exactly ideal.
He flinched when Helena touched his shoulder. “You were a million miles away.”
“Actually, I was up on the roof. Ruq’s on lookout duty. No sign of trouble yet.”
Helena climbed the stairs up to the open door and he followed. “They wouldn’t be crazy enough to attack the store in the middle of Zurich, would they?”
“Smashing up the house of innocent bystanders didn’t do much to dissuade Deal. Let’s just say I’m not optimistic.”
“We need to get the boss and get out of the city.” Helena closed and sealed the door behind him. “I can’t even imagine the civilian casualties if we fight here.”
Daisuke could but didn’t particularly want to. The group made the short walk to the boss’s closed office door and Carter knocked.
“Come in,” the boss said.
A haze of smoke filled the room. She’d been hitting the coffin nails hard this morning. Knowing her true nature, Daisuke worried far less about lung damage.
The boss was looking particularly charming today with her ash-gray hair pulled back in a neat ponytail. She even smiled, though as soon as her gaze settled on Jinx, it vanished.
“I see a new face, a pretty one too. Aren’t you going to introduce me?”
“Sorry,” Daisuke said. “Angelique, this is Jinx; Jinx, our boss, Angelique.”
All the boss’s good cheer was gone now. “I take it you met Xerxes.”
“Yeah, we found him nailed to the wall of a Binder temple with hell-forged black iron nails. The people that did it are in Zurich looking for you since you didn’t come to rescue your old pal the angel after they kidnapped him.”
“I’m sensing annoyance, Daisuke,” the boss—no, Angelique—said.
“Must be those keen heavenly senses. Did the whole angel thing slip your mind?”
“It’s a long story and if the priests are here, I have no time to tell it now. I’ll lead them out of the city and deal with them.”
“Not alone you won’t,” Daisuke said. “Damned if I’m going to let you get yourself killed before you give me a proper explanation. An explanation over hot chocolate and the most expensive desserts in the city, your treat.”
“I don’t know about the rest, but we certainly aren’t going to let you fight these lunatics on your own, boss,” Carter said.
Angelique’s hard expression softened. “I never doubted you, any of you, for a moment.”
Three men are approaching the front door, Master.
“Shit.”
“Daisuke?” Helena asked.
“We’ve got incoming. Where do you want to have this fight? I’ll make the challenge while you all bounce.”
“Do you remember the clearing I took you to when we first met?” Angelique asked.
“The one north of the city?”
“Yes. It’s far enough away to be safe.”
“Alright, get out of here.”
“I’m staying with you.” Before he could argue Jinx vanished into his shadow.
Angelique raised an eyebrow, but Daisuke shook his head. Another conversation for later.
He left the office and made his way to the front of the store. He reached the checkout counter just as the door opened and three men, the priests he assumed, entered. They were all dressed in dark suits and looked more like businessmen, or maybe members of an organized crime syndicate, than priests. The clerk on duty looked at him and Daisuke nodded toward the back. “Get in the safe room and lock the door. Don’t open it until I tell you.”
The wide-eyed girl ran as if her life depended on it. She wasn’t a wizard working a part-time job but an actual clerk that manned the store full time. She and another girl basically ran the business part of their cover. Angelique had trained them both well and they knew when one of the special employees told them to hide, they’d better do it quickly.
The others have exited out the back.
Good. Hold your position. I don’t want anyone sneaking up on me.
When the priests reached him, Daisuke said, “Welcome. I assume Father Deal recommended our store to you. Is there anything I can help you find?”
The three men shared looks. Whatever they’d been expecting, it wasn’t this.
“You know Father Deal?” the center man asked. His eyes were so blue they reminded Daisuke of sapphire chips.
“We met, briefly. Unfortunately, he cut his own throat before we had a chance to talk in depth. If you three would do something similar, it would save me and my friends a lot of trouble.”
The right-hand priest slammed his fist on the counter hard enough to make it rattle. “Where is the abomination? We know she lives here. Bring her out and you may live. Our quarrel is with the supernatural monstrosities polluting our world, not deluded humans.”
“I appreciate your consideration, however the boss has stepped out for the day. If you’d still like to see her, I can offer directions. Somewhere outside the city. Don’t you think that would be better for our discussion?”
“You seem awfully calm given your situation,” the center priest said. “Perhaps if we take you hostage, she’ll come to us.”
Daisuke poured ether into the counter, or more specifically a series of invisible runes engraved into the surface. The shop’s many defensive and offensive wards crackled to life. The three priests looked in every direction, seeming uncertain where the threat was coming from.
“While we prefer to keep things peaceful, this shop is not without protections. You will not find it easy to kidnap me.”
“Enough,” the left-hand priest finally said. “You swear to lead us to the angel?”
Daisuke made a little X over his heart. “Will you swear in the Binder’s name to leave the shop peacefully and go directly to the battleground?”
The left-hand priest nodded. “In the Binder’s name I swear.”
Daisuke shifted his gaze to the other two and raised an eyebrow. After a bit of grumbling, they swore as well.
“Great. There’s a clearing north of the city. It’s not an official park, but you can’t miss it, the field must be a mile across. We’ll be waiting for you there.”
“One more question if I may,” the left-hand priest said. He looked like the oldest, at least if the streaks of gray in his short brown hair were any indication.
Daisuke nodded for him to continue.
“Why would you risk your life for this creature? It’s not even human.”
“Angelique is more human than plenty of actual humans I’ve met over the years. Her origin, or bloodline, or whatever, doesn’t interest me in the least, only her actions matter. She’s done more good for the world than you clowns can imagine. Is there anything else?”
“No,” the leader said. “Thank you for answering my question. I can’t understand your thinking and you clearly can’t understand mine. Trial by combat will decide which of us is right, as in ancient times.”
“Sure. It’s about a two-hour hike to the clearing. See you there.”
Without another word the priests walked back out just as calm as you please. When the door closed behind them Jinx appeared.
“You handled that with remarkable calm.”
He grinned and got busy powering down the wards. “I was calmer on the outside than I was on the inside. It helped knowing you were here to back me up. The wards are every bit as powerful as I said, but we don’t want to use them given how much damage the shop would take. A big fight might also convince the city council to kick us out, which would be a huge inconvenience. The oldest man seemed reasonable for a lunatic. Can’t say I was expecting that.”
“The most dangerous crazy people are the ones that don’t realize they’re crazy. So my father used to say.”
The last ward deactivated and he turned toward the back. He needed to let the clerk know it was safe.
