Fear the reaper, p.22
Fear the Reaper, page 22
Years ago, during the Border Wars, she built a vast network of eyes and ears that allowed her unfettered access to the world below those who held the power. Granted, it wasn’t the safest world and chances were damn good many of those contacts were dead and gone, already replaced by unknown, dangerous ones. She changed her direction because there was one face she hoped still breathed. It was a hell of a long shot, but one she was willing to chance if it meant getting to Reaper.
Evading Walker’s patrols made her trip to the water seller’s shop an endurance test. Once she’d known this place well, but years of turmoil had left their mark. The pockets where civility once held sway now teemed with unsavory life.
At one point, she was forced to hop a cement block fence to avoid detection. When she dropped on the other side, she came face-to-face with a growling mutt held back by a thick chain. She crouched out of the reach of the light that spilled from an open doorway as its rumbling growls gained strength. Just as the first bark sounded, loud voices erupted in argument from the dilapidated house and added to the din. A crash of something shattering joined in as she dashed across the yard and scaled the other fence.
She dropped to the other side just as a looming shadow stepped into the doorway and yelled at the mutt to shut the hell up. She left the mutt and his enraged owner behind, completed the last bit of her trip without further incident, and hit the familiar street ten minutes later.
She stood in the shadows and watched the seemingly deserted street. Positioned between two darkened buildings a lone light stood sentry part way down the street’s other side. Her target was the graffiti tagged building closest to her. There was a barely noticeable edge of light that leaked around the boarded windows perched high near the flat roof line.
Someone was home.
She used the rusted hulks of old cars crouched on cracked concrete under half-collapsed roofs of rotting carports to veil her approach and crossed the street. Not inclined to take a belly full of buckshot, she didn’t bother with the front entrance. Instead, she slid through waist-high weeds seeded with unidentified junk along the side of the building, and to the wall where metal and cement topped by barbed wire guarded the back.
She didn’t try to scale it because anyone stupid enough to try would be in for a hell of a shock as the owner kept that wire electrified. Instead, she aimed for the pile of old tires and wooden pallets piled high at the side under a mismatch quilt of tarps. It was haphazard route, but she hoped what it hid still remained.
She slid under the tarps, and carefully shifted a few of the pieces, wincing when the wood shifted and moaned softly. She held her breath as she created a small crawl space, just big enough for her to fit. Gravel bit her palms and pressed against her knees, but when she found the grime-covered window that led into the basement, she smiled.
She used her knife to pry it open and despite the tight fit squeezed through the opening. Crouched on a pile of crates, she strained her ears as she replaced the window. Unlike most buildings in Phoenix, this one had a basement. It was a crucial convenience for its owner who used the space for storage.
Muted beams of light from the main floor filtered through the ceiling’s cracks. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for Lilith to pick her way through the carefully stacked barrels of water and over to the short set of stairs that led up.
She crept up the stairs, knife in hand, and tested her weight with each step. When she reached the top, she grabbed the doorknob and slowly twisted, wincing when the latch gave a soft snick. She waited a long, breathless moment with her hand on the knob, before finally easing it open.
Thankfully, as the door swung wide, the hinges remained mute. She inched into a hall, blade at the ready, and every sense on alert. A soft clink came from deeper in the house and she followed it in, stopping at an entryway to a tidy, well-kept living room lined with books. In a faded armchair positioned under a lone light, a gnome of a man had his head bent over an oversize tome on his lap.
Lilith stayed in the shadowed hall and scanned the room for hidden threats. When she found none, she moved to the arched entry, and rapped her knuckles against the old adobe wall.
The bald head jerked up, and light sparked off the thick, round lenses, almost, but not quite, concealing the wide eyes surrounded by long lashes. Stunned surprise came and went, smothered under a pleasant mask. “Lilith. It’s been a while.”
“Hey, Thad.” She leaned a shoulder against the wall and played her blade play through her fingers in an idle threat. “I was in the neighborhood, figured I’d drop in for a visit.”
Thad carefully closed the large book in his lap and positioned his folded hands on the cover. “A little late for company, my dear.”
“Mmm.” Her hum said everything and nothing. “I won’t take up too much of your time.”
Thad did another long blink before he inclined his head. “Always happy to assist the daughter of an old friend.”
“I have a question I’m hoping you can answer.” Once, a long time ago, Thad had dealt in much more volatile things than water. He was one of the few individuals Lilith didn’t worry would sell her out. Not because he liked her, but because he had been loyal to her father. So much so, when she lost her brother Jake, it was Thad who helped identify those who betrayed the last of her family. His version of repaying old debts.
Small lines furrowed Thad’s forehead. “Is this in regards to the rather esteemed guests who arrived today?”
The blade in her hand stilled and it was her turn to incline her head.
Thad sighed and murmured, “That’s what I was afraid of.” He stared down at his hands for a moment, took a deep breath, and lifted his gaze to hers. “I’ll give you what help I can, but it may not be much.”
Desperation meant she would take whatever she could get. “I need a location, someplace secure, away from curious eyes and ears.”
“There are a couple that come to mind.” He set the book on the floor and rose from his chair. “Which party is conducting this meeting?”
Kane’s name hovered on the tip of her tongue, but he was a ghost to the world, so she offered his puppet. “Michael.”
Distaste tightened Thad’s mouth. “Why you didn’t deal with him years ago, I’ll never understand.”
“It was too complicated.” It was an old argument, but knowing what she did now, she wished she had heeded Thad’s advice then.
“And it’s not now?”
She choked back a sharp laugh. “Let’s just say he’s bit off more than he can chew.”
“Yes, I heard about the bounty on that boy Reaper. I do hope he’s planning on taking care of that.” Thad didn’t wait for her response but turned to one of the overstuffed bookcases.
Only Thad could get away with calling Reaper a boy. “He’s working on it,’ she murmured.
Thad shuffled a few books aside and pulled out what looked like bound papers. He turned, nabbed a nearby solar light, and motioned for her to follow.
She did, into a well-worn kitchen.
Thad set the solar light on a table and started to unfold his papers. “There are a few places that would fit your requirements.” He smoothed out the aged paper, and Lilith noted the map was covered in handwritten notations that added color to the faded lines of what used to be the east valley of Phoenix. Without looking at her, Thad said, “I’m assuming Michael’s arrival coinciding with Suárez’s son does not bode well.”
Strangely, she felt her lips twitch at that dry comment. “When would it ever?”
“Very true.” Thad traced one arthritic finger over an unerring line to the Castille. “I’m assuming whatever business they chose to conduct was done here.” He tapped the m and looked up to catch her nod. “Not surprising. It would be the best place for such parties to meet.”
He drew a line south, down towards the dry riverbed that once flowed through man made canals. “There was an uptick in activity here, with out-of-town soldiers milling around and making a nuisance of themselves with the locals. Lourdes was very upset that they kept her youngest out running errands until very late the other night. If Michael’s forces took a prisoner, they would keep him here. It’s where they’ve set up camp. They asked for enough water for two days. Tomorrow is day three.”
So fake Michael’s comment about leaving tomorrow hadn’t been a lie. Good to know. Unfortunately, she didn’t think Reaper would be there, or at least not for long. “If Michael decided he didn’t want the hassle of transporting a prisoner?”
Thad’s finger shifted and moved west to circle an area she knew was a cluster of abandoned high rises that lined the old riverfront. “Here.”
Frustration rose because while the area was contained, it still left a massive number of spots to search. She kept her voice calm, unruffled. “Any chance of narrowing it down?”
There was a reason she had come to Thad. Not only was he well liked and highly regarded, as a water seller his interactions spanned the community. People felt comfortable sharing the comings and goings with him. Lilith’s hope, slim though it was, hung on his hearing something useful.
Thad’s gaze drifted as he considered her question. “Who was it?” His question wasn’t for her, but for himself. “Jorge? No, Marcus.” His gaze sharpened. “Marcus mentioned he’d run into a spot of trouble about here.” Thad tapped a finger beside what used to be a marina. “He was upset because the noses sniffing around put a damper on his business.”
A spark of anticipation lit, and Lilith sent up a silent thanks for whatever questionable business Marcus conducted. “He was sure it was city soldiers, not mercenaries?”
Thad nodded. “Marcus is quite aware of the difference as he’s been very keen to avoid city militia. Seems they took umbrage with some of his earlier endeavors.”
Right, so Marcus was trying to outrun a bounty, something many in this town shared. She studied the map and committed the route to memory. It would take too long to make it on foot, so she needed to find a set of wheels. Plus, she needed to get word to Havoc and Mercy because going in without backup was suicidal. And she was not that, not when she had a daughter to get home to, and a man’s sexy ass to kick, once she was done saving it.
She drummed her fingers on the table. “Can you share this information with a couple of friends of mine?”
He nodded.
She quickly described Havoc and Mercy and how to reach them, then she leaned into Thad and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. “If this pans out, I owe you.”
A slight blush stole over Thad’s cheeks, and he patted her shoulder. “You know I’ll collect.”
She gave a soft laugh. “I’d expect nothing less.”
The hand on her shoulder squeezed. “You’ll be careful.” It wasn’t a question.
She covered his aged hand with hers. “Yeah.”
Thad nodded and let her go to begin refolding his map.
“I’ll see myself out.”
Thad didn’t look up but gave another short nod.
Lilith was at the edge of the hall when he called her name. She looked back to find him standing between his living room and the kitchen, lamp in hand.
“May I suggest you finish it this time, dear.”
She gave him a lethal grin. “I intend to.”
Twenty-Seven
Close to half an hour later, Lilith shut down a bike she picked up outside a dive bar a few blocks from Thad’s. Since the bikes lined along the side of the shuddering building carried various markings from the Cartel families, taking one didn’t make Lilith feel guilty. Besides, based on the rowdy noises that escaped the swinging doors when she was scouting her options, she was fairly certain morning would break before the bike’s owner noticed their missing transportation.
The echoes of the engine faded as she swung her leg off and wheeled the bike further into the remains of an old office building. She wasn’t keen on advertising her presence to whoever lurked in the shadows and was making the last part of the trek on foot. While the bike cut her travel time down, she was still left with a good fifteen minutes, maybe a few more, to hike deeper into the treacherous maze of the dilapidated riverfront buildings.
With time ticking relentlessly down, she slipped into the night to make her way in. The rancid order of rotted vegetation hung in the air from the dry riverbed. During the worse of the monsoons, the broad expanse would flood over its low shores and seep through the tangle of buildings to create a dangerous swamp of fetid water interspersed with submerged traps for the unwary.
Despite the earlier thunderstorms, her path remained relatively dry as she combed through the deserted streets, bur remained a test of nerves. She scrambled over a pile of rubble that blocked the most direct route when the hair on the back of her neck rose and the spot between her shoulders started to itch. She slid down the far side with more speed than grace and hit the ground running.
Staying low and using the partial screen of the rubble pile, she darted inside the nearest building and ducked behind a thick wall. She crouched in the shadows, pressed her back against the unforgiving surface, and listened hard for sounds of her stalker. Although anticipation thrummed through her veins, her pulse remained steady, and her breathing was soft, nearly silent.
Silent minutes stretched out until she wondered if she had been spotted and was now caught in a game of wait and see. She was prepared to shift her position to a better vantage point to find out, when she caught the soft sound of a small stone shifting underfoot.
She froze in place, her blade a comforting weight in her hand, and trained her gaze on the opening just beyond the screen of the wall. The edge of a shadow drifted forward, and slowly morphed into the solid shape of her stalker.
She waited until it drew past, noticing the lean form and broad shoulders that indicated a male before she slipped in behind him.
Two steps in, the figure paused.
Lilith lunged forward as the person started to turn. A soft grunt sounded as her weight hit and drove them both back and into the concealing shadows of the building. She used both her blade and her body to attack, and the man stumbled back, barely regaining his footing as he evaded Lilith’s lethal strikes. Undaunted, she pressed forward, forcing him to retreat.
When he slammed a hand into her arm and left it numb, she deftly switched her blade to her other hand, and whipped out with a roundhouse kick. He leaned back but lost his footing in the debris strewn concrete and her kick hit his shoulder, not the temple she’d been aiming for.
A ruthless hand clamped down on her calf, but before he could shove it away, she fully committed, and used his hold as a pivot point to drive her knee into his ribs. They both went down in a tangle of limbs.
“Goddammit, woman, ease the fuck up!” The voice was muffled but the words were clear. “I’m here to help.”
Her knife poised at the man’s groin stilled, the lethal edge denting the heavy denim. Lilith used her other hand to yank down the obscuring headscarf and reveal dark eyes set in a menacing cast of sharp angles covered in olive skin.
Her gaze narrowed. “Am I supposed to know you?”
“Dog reached out.” The fingers on her calves tightened. “Told me to keep an eye out for you and the big guy. Figured you might need assistance.”
She arched a brow. “Is that so?”
“You always so suspicious?” When her hand twitched, his dark eyes grew darker, and his teeth flashed white in a grimace. “Chill, babe.” The fingers on her calves carefully peeled free. “Need proof?”
She inclined her head.
“Here.” His hand slowly went to his neck. He dug under the folds of material and pulled free a leather cord. “He said you’d recognize this.” He turned his hand, palm up, to reveal a battered coin hanging from the cord.
From her up close and personal position, Lilith studied the inconspicuous piece of metal. The etched lines came together, and recognition clicked. The coin-sized piece was stamped with a snarling wolf head above two crossed blades—the mark of a hush-hush combat unit whispered to be utilized for the dirty work of the Border Wars who eventually became the scapegoats for a command unwilling to compromise.
She blinked. Guess that explained why Dog chose the roads. She pulled her blade back and didn’t miss the rush of air as the man under her dared to take a big breath.
“Obliged,” he muttered, then grunted as she pressed her hands against his chest to lever herself up and off of him.
“Name?” She got to her feet and tucked her blade away.
He rolled to his feet and rubbed his shoulder. “Lash.”
“How long were you on my ass?”
“Caught sight of you just after you picked up your ride.” He rolled his shoulders and refastened his headscarf until only his dark eyes remained visible. “Once I figured out where you were headed, I got in front and waited.”
Which explained why she hadn’t picked him up earlier. “You see anything while you’ve been waiting?”
“Besides a couple of coyotes? Nah.”
She choked down her bitter disappointment and refastened her headscarf.
He studied her. “Know what you’re walking into?”
“A fucking mess.” She led the way back through the building and out to the cluttered street.
Lash disappeared, only to reappear a few moments later with a bag strapped across his chest as he matched her stride.
She raised a brow in silent question.
“Party favors.”
They moved through the shadows, two pieces of darkness that melded into the night. They made it another block when Lash’s low voice broke the quiet. “Since Reaper’s a no show, I’m assuming he’s in the midst of it?”
“Got it in one.” She climbed over another pile of unidentified metal and wood pieces, grateful for the hand Lash offered on the downside. “You know who Walker is?”
“Yeah.” He let her go once her feet hit the ground. “He’s been running Michael’s personal military force since Greer’s disappearing act.”
“She’s dead, actually.”
Lash’s reaction to her statement was a slight jerk of his head, then, “Huh, couldn’t happen to a better person.”
