Witchling Page 14

Page 14

 

  I nodded, making a note to remember her advice. You never knew when you'd need a good hacker, and even if we managed to defeat Bad Ass Luke and his cronies, I had the nasty feeling we were settling in for a long fight. I blew Erin a kiss and hit the sidewalk, running the rest of the way to the shop as a flurry of rain sprinkled around me.

  Iris looked extremely glad to see me. "You've got a problem," she said when I popped through the door.

  "You think? I'm stuck Earthside with three demons running amok through the city. Of course I've got problems!" I shook the water out of my hair and set my shopping bag behind the counter. At Iris's unimpressed look and the tapping of her fingers on the counter, I sighed. "Okay, so what's gone wrong now? We have termites? The roof leaking? Somebody stealing books again?"

  "No termites, no leaks, and no thieves. What is wrong is that the Guardian Watchdogs are going to be picketing the shop next week. " She held up a flier. "I found this slapped on the door this morning. "

  I took the paper and glanced at it. In garish tones of blue and white with black lettering, it was a "cease and desist" flier, ordering us to pack up and return to Otherworld or we'd "face the consequences. " Which meant that they'd stand around outside the shop with their signs, chanting insults at the top of their lungs, driving customers inside instead of away.

  "They're good for business," I said. "Let them come. If they get nasty, I'll call Chase, and he'll haul their asses away. "

  Iris grinned. "You want me to set a few trip spells out there for them?"

  "Now, now," I said, meeting her gleam for gleam, "that wouldn't be very nice. Tell you what, if they get obnoxious enough, you can have a go at them before I pick up the phone. Nothing harmful, mind you, not unless they try to hurt us, but I'll look the other way if you just happen to drop a clothing optional spell or something of the sort. "

  With a giggle, she shook her long hair, which fell to her feet and was caught up in a couple of thick ponytails. "You're bad. That's why I like working here," she said. "How's the investigation going? By the looks of that shopping bag, you weren't out chasing demons. " She lowered her voice and pointed to one of the shelves, where Henry Jeffries was standing, peering through the various titles. I had a feeling Henry had a little crush on Iris, but he'd never be the first to say it aloud.

  "Chase is supposed to meet me here. He had to meet with his boss first. And once again, I mention his name and there he is," I added as he darted through the door, shaking off his umbrella. He didn't look too happy. I sniffed. Spicy beef tacos, all right, along with a good dose of irritation. "Hey, what gives? Your thundercloud is showing. "

  He grunted. "Save it. I just got a tongue-lashing from Devins. Apparently, the Guardian Watchdogs are at it again, and Devins wants to know why I haven't figured out some way to shut them up. I told him that I'm not PR, but he seems to have the belief that since the Watchdogs formed because of the appearance of you Faeries, issues with them fall under my jurisdiction. "

  "Ugh. Sounds absolutely delightful. Maybe this will make you feel better. I've got an idea on how to track down the harpy. " I held up the feather.

  "I have a feeling I'm going to regret this," he said. "But it couldn't be worse than facing down that prick of a boss again. Let's take a trip into hell. "

  With a warning shake of the head, I said, "Don't even joke about that, Chase. Now, do you want to hear my plan or not?"

  He shook his head. "Sure, why not make this a complete freak show of a day?" As I glowered, he started to laugh. "Lead on, my dear Camille. I've never tried fried harpy before. "

  * * *

  CHAPTER 8

  "So what's the big plan?" Chase asked.

  "I'm going to cast a spell of Finding on this feather. It might work. "

  "Oh really. " Chase raised one eyebrow. "Should I wear a bulletproof vest and whatever else I can think of to protect myself?" His voice clearly indicated he had his doubts.

  "Funny man. My magic works part of the time. " I pointed to the door. "Come on. I need to get up on the roof of a tall building where I have a good view of the city. "

  "Part of the time isn't a good track record," he said. "And does it have to be the roof?"

  "Nope, but someplace I can lean outside. " I slung my purse over my shoulder and gave Iris a quick hug. "I'll see you later. Don't let anybody paw through my shopping bag. "

  Chase shook his head. "There's no doubt that I'm going to regret this," he said, holding the door open for me. "If you need a good view of the city from above, I know just the place. But please, for God's sake, don't knock us over the edge. "

  Half an hour later we were standing in front of the Space Needle. I hadn't had a chance to visit the Seattle landmark yet. The skyscrapers in the city scared me, though Delilah loved them. In Otherworld, there were castles that were taller than this stark steel structure, but they seemed more fortified, and I had no problem standing on their ramparts.

  I gave Chase a long look. "Can you get any more public?"

  He grinned. "You said high place, good view. The Space Needle has an observation deck that will give us access to almost the entire city. What more do you want? You don't need to light any fires or burn anything do you? I don't think they'd like it if you did. "

  "No, I don't need to burn anything," I said, exasperated. "How much to get in?"

  "I'll get it," he said, shaking his head. He bought us two passes, and we filed through the doors. Luckily, since it was a weekday in October, the lines were short. As we waited for one of the glass elevators to arrive, I suggested taking the stairs.

  Chase gave me an Are you crazy look. "The observation deck is over five hundred feet up. You think I'm a masochist? You're nuts. My legs are in good enough shape without subjecting them to a brutal workout like that. "

  I grumbled, allowing him to herd me into the glass-enclosed lift, though I stood well away from the edge. It kept slipping my mind that FBHs didn't have as much endurance as the Sidhe did. Even with half-human blood, I could outwalk just about any person on the planet and go without sleep for several days before dropping from exhaustion. The elevator lurched into action, and I closed my eyes. Forty-one seconds, and we'd ascended over five hundred feet to the observation deck. Slightly dizzy, I stepped out of the elevator.

  At least this level didn't rotate three hundred and sixty degrees, like the restaurant did. Grateful for small favors, I followed Chase through the doors, onto the actual walkway that encircled the Space Needle.

  The crowd was light. Everyone seemed to be avoiding the rain-slick catwalk in favor of the windows indoors. Definitely not tourist season, that was for sure. As I clung to the railing and gingerly peeked over the side, the thought crossed my mind that maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. Five hundred feet was a long ways up. Which, in essence, meant a long ways to fall.

  "There don't seem to be any people on the south side," Chase said, pointing.

  "That's because there's no protection from the rain over there. " But I needed privacy, so we were going to have to settle for drenched. Deciding to get it over with, I led the way, cautiously testing the safety grid that prevented jumpers from throwing themselves over the edge. Content that it was strong enough, I relaxed a little. If somebody was really determined, they could climb over, but they'd have to do some serious maneuvering.

  We found a spot that was free from prying eyes. I pulled out the feather and glanced up at the sky. No stars, no moon, just a lot of gray clouds and rain, but at least we were outside where the wind currents would strengthen my magic. Hoping to avoid a misfire, I inhaled deeply, then slowly summoned the magic, feeling it race through my veins as the fire leapt within me. The spark of creation ignited, and I channeled the energy into the feather.

  Creature of the night, demon harpy.

  Where are you ? Show me the way,

  Feather to flesh, an arrow points

  Lady of the Moon,
reveal my prey.

  As my voice drifted off, Chase looked around nervously. "Nothing happened," he said.

  "No, really? Your confidence in my talents astounds me. " "You don't have to be sarcastic. " But his expression told me that he knew he was getting under my skin and enjoying it.

  I snapped at him, "Listen, first you worry that something might happen, now you're upset that nothing did. Make up your mind. "

  He stifled a laugh. "Camille, you're perfect. You're just perfect, misfired magic or—" He stopped abruptly, staring at the feather in my hand. "What's happening?"

  The feather was growing in my hand, and the aura emanating from it had taken on an altogether different quality. I cautiously set it down on the walkway, guarding it so the wind didn't blow it away.

  "What's going on?" Chase sounded a little choked up, and when I glanced up at him, I saw the definite beginnings of fear in his eyes.

  "I don't know," I said. "I guess we'll have to wait and find out. "

  This wasn't the way the spell was supposed to work. What should have happened was that the feather should have turned into an arrow, pointing in the direction in which the harpy was hiding. Of course, with my spells a lot of things didn't go as planned. As Menolly would say, "Deal with it. "

  The feather began to stretch and morph, and I backed up, pushing Chase behind me. Magic was my forte, screw-ups or not. Nervous, I wanted to just forget about it and make tracks, but there were people on the deck, even if it was just a handful. I couldn't leave them to contend with whatever I'd managed to conjure up.

  "Oh shit!" Chase's cry broke through my thoughts, and I blinked as a fully formed harpy stepped out of the cloud of sparkles and mist, carrying a wriggling sack. Standing well over six feet high on two taloned feet, the demon had a lower torso that vaguely looked like an ostrich—feathered brown and yellow—and the upper body of a woman. Wings sprouted from her back, her breasts were firm and high, but her face was that of a wrinkled hag. Her eyes glittered as she gave us the once-over.

  "Man, you are one ugly sucker," Chase said, whistling through his teeth.

  Nervous, unable to stifle it, I broke into a sharp laugh. "Shut up, will you! She's dangerous. "

  A couple of girls who were near enough to see what was happening screamed and raced off in the other direction.

  "Damned spell worked all right, but instead of leading us to the harpy, it brought the harpy to us," I muttered.

  "Whatever the case, she doesn't look happy. Oh shit—look out!"

  Chase's shout roused me from my shock. A good thing, since the harpy chose that moment to take a swipe at me. I ducked as her claws ripped past. Her fingernails were the length of small paring knives—and just as sharp. I didn't relish being on the receiving end of one of her love pats. Rina was not-so-living proof to what this demon could do.

  I sucked in a deep breath and called out to the Moon Mother. I might not be able to see her, but I knew she was there, above the layer of clouds and daylight, and I could feel her energy resonate in response to my touch. "Lady, don't fail me now," I whispered as I brought up my hands to catch the ball of glowing moonlight that was forming in front of me.

  "Attack and subdue!" I shouted, commanding the energy to attack.

  The glowing orb stretched out like a luminous blade and slashed at the harpy. She shrieked and took a step back, her gaze fastened on me. Just then, Chase leaned around my right side, and an explosion rang out, startling the hell out of me as he aimed and fired his gun.

  "Damn it, you'll ruin my control of the energy—" I said, but it was too late. The ball of moonlight had taken on a mind of its own and it apparently decided that it wanted whatever was in the bag the harpy was holding. It lashed at her, and she dropped the sack on the walkway. Chase's bullet had done no damage whatsoever to the demon.

  I pushed him out of the way, trying to regain control of the moonlight but to no avail. I'd lost it, and it would go on doing whatever it wanted to do. And what it wanted to do was to curl around the sack and shield it. The harpy hissed, then apparently decided she'd lost that battle. She turned back to me.

  "We need her alive, Chase. " I sidestepped the glowing circlet of moonlight, focusing on the harpy, as I once again called out to the Moon Mother. Light raced down my arms into my hands, and I brought them up, pointing at her.

  "Attack and subdue!" A beam of quicksilver poured from my hands, taking aim at the harpy, and this time it met her full-force. She soared into the air and hovered over the edge of the guardrails as the ray streamed toward her. I only meant to contain her, but apparently I'd put a little too much oomph behind it, because the light enveloped her, draining the flight from her wings. With a long, echoing shriek, she fell out of the sky and barreled to the ground below.

  "Oh hell and bother!" I raced to the safety rail and peered over the side, Chase right behind me. The harpy had landed full-force on the sidewalk and was now one big red splat. The sound of scurrying feet told us that security guards weren't far behind. I turned to Chase. "What should we do? We can't let them find out about the demons. "

  "I'll talk to them. I'll tell them it was a Faerie who committed suicide," he said. "I'll get the OIA team out here. Go on!"

  I grabbed the sack that the harpy had been holding and did the only thing I could think of. Hoping that my magic would work without a glitch this time, I gathered the light in the air around me and cloaked myself. Thank the gods, more than my clothes vanished from sight. Stepping between shadows as silently as I could, I crept toward the stairs, leaving Chase to clean up the mess.