Faery Dust (Wildcat Wizard Book 2) Page 15

  It was so unexpected, so not what you'd think she'd do, that Nathan, standing there in his cocky way, pristine in his suit and leaning on his cane, was as surprised as everyone else. She barged into him and maybe by accident, maybe by intent, kicked his cane away. He slid sideways and crashed down, slamming his head into the corner of a table as he did so.

  He was out cold.

  Haha, take that Nathan, you fucker.

  The two goons behind him didn't take kindly to Vicky's assault, and one grabbed her, slammed her into the wall, then pulled her back to do it again.

  "Wouldn't do that if I were you, mate," said Steve.

  "No?" said the goon, dressed in black and wearing shades, looking identical to the other one, same as all of Cerberus' goons. Must have watched too many cop shows or something, that or they got a cheap job lot. "Why's that?"

  "Cause she's our friend, and if she attacked that twat on the floor then she had good reason."

  "She did," I said. "He sent someone to her house and he tried to kill her. Threatened her kids."

  "That ain't nice," said Steve, and then the small cafe erupted with violence.

  Steve's clothes were removed even as he dropped to the floor, failing to finish undressing before they were shredded by the badger claws that burst from his fingers as his body morphed.

  Candy whipped off her blouse and apron, which was nice, and dropped down too, and in a heartbeat she shifted into a cute, sweet looking miniature collie with glossy fur and a very shiny, wet nose.

  As the other goon shoved his buddy into the room so he could enter, Nathan roused himself and got carefully to his feet. The one holding Vicky, looking rather unsure, nevertheless smacked her against the wall, although not as hard. More a show of strength and position than anything else.

  "Stop!" ordered Nathan, but it was too late.

  My wand was out of my pocket and magic arced at the man's head before he could hurt Vicky again. His entire face was punched inward like it was made of rubber and he'd been hit with a mallet. I gave no quarter, this was Vicky and she'd been through enough.

  Candy the collie sprang with grace at the other guy, her muzzle sinking deep into his neck. He grabbed her and screamed as she bit down. He tried to pull her away but she held fast, snarling and ripping side to side.

  Steve ran fast on powerful limbs the short distance to Nathan and clamped down hard on his dodgy leg. Nathan screamed and whacked Steve with his walking stick but it had zero effect. Panicked, Nathan lifted the cane and sigils flared down the length of the wood. I acted without thought, turned my wand and let my own sigils flare even brighter, willing certain carefully carved markings to activate in sequence so the result was almost like multiple shots fired in rapid succession from a cannon. None had the same power as the blast at the goon, and Nathan's own magic aura, now strong and protecting him to a degree, saved him from certain death, but the five shots pummeled him and he smashed into the wall as the final one hit.

  I turned to find the other goon on the floor, face ripped off, Candy already shifting back to human form. Naked, she shook, wiped the blood from her mouth, and rapidly retreated behind the counter. Damn but she was one sexy lady, and her shifter nature did absolutely nothing to lessen her allure.

  Steve tugged at Nathan's trouser leg as Vicky, bruised but otherwise okay, shoved the door shut and pulled the blinds down on both it and the window, plunging the room into shadow.

  Candy rushed back, fully clothed, sadly, flipped a light switch, and then put her black pumps back on.

  "Everyone okay?" I asked, and we all checked each other over visually. Everyone was fine.

  I gave Nathan a final blast, just to show him what real magic was, and then let him be.

  "Damn, Arthur, you are one dangerous guy to know."

  "And I'm a dangerous woman to know," interrupted Vicky, not wanting to be left out.

  "Sexy too," said Steve, winking at her.

  "You think so?" she cooed, brushing down her blouse in a way so obvious she should have just ripped it off and shouted, "Take me now, Steve, you gorgeous badger."

  "Too right," he replied with a wide grin.

  "Er, Steve?" I said.

  "Yeah?" he asked turning.

  "Wanna put some clothes on?" I ventured.

  He looked down at his naked form, unconcerned, and shrugged. "S'pose."

  Vicky sighed with lust and looked disappointed as Steve fished out clothes from his backpack and slowly, too slowly if you ask me, got dressed.

  "Now," I said, turning to Nathan, "I think we should have a little chat."

  A Few Questions

  "Is it always like this?" asked Steve, looking wild.

  "No, usually it's worse. Sorry about this, I really am. I was hoping we'd be friends but I guess I've blown it." It was the same old story. I got to know someone, something dangerous happened, or they turned out to be idiots, or they didn't like me—crazy, right?—and that was that.

  "Nah, don't sweat it, mate, we're used to this kinda thing. Right, Candy?"

  "Absolutely. We spend most of our days blasting holes in people or gnawing on their faces. What else is there?" Candy looked pissed and I didn't blame her.

  So I kicked Nathan in the shin.

  "Ow! Arthur, I merely wanted to talk," said Nathan rubbing his leg before he slumped into a chair. He was gonna be sore, so I smiled.

  "You have a funny way of showing it," I said. "Your guy whacked Vicky into a wall."

  "She attacked him." We all looked from little Vicky to the dead but ginormous goon. "You have a point. Maybe he overreacted."

  "You think? What do you want, Nathan? I have zero time for you. That Hound at Vicky's, your doing I assume?"

  "I told you we wanted the item."

  "And I told you no. Is this how you usually do business? Cause it's a piss-poor way to win people over."

  "I have no interest in making friends. I have an interest in getting what belongs to Cerberus." Nathan glanced at the two shifters and said, "I assume they know who I am? Who we are?"

  "Never seen you in my life, mate. Heard of Cerberus, did a little digging after who I'm guessing was your twin fucked us over, but never seen you before. You really look like him, you know that?"

  Steve and Candy may have come across as rather brash and full of bravado, but not much got past the shifters. If they thought it important, they'd find out everything they could about you. They'd been busy.

  "As you say," said Nathan, his expression blank. But I could tell he was mulling over how much to divulge, and decided that less was more. "Can we talk, alone?"

  "No, you can make a call and get these dead guys out of here, then we'll see."

  Nathan made the call, and for the next ten minutes nobody said a word as we waited for his own cleaners to arrive. Candy showed them how to get out the back, and the way out via the lanes. It was spooky how fast the bodies disappeared. Nathan was alone with us once more. I half expected him to try something on, get more people, but it seemed even he had his limits.

  "Look," I said, "this has got to stop. I will not give you what I have, not now, not ever. You need to leave us alone. It won't work out how you want, Nathan. Just forget about it."

  "I'm beginning to come to the same conclusion." Nathan winced as he lifted his bad leg to rest over the other, and leaned forward, looking the height of in control, as if nothing untoward had happened.

  "Good, that's good." I was surprised, but I think more than anything he was testing me, seeing for himself what I was made of. If he could get me into the fold if he pushed hard enough.

  "You have to understand," Nathan said, as if talking to a class of pre-schoolers, "our work is too important to not try to get every artifact we see as dangerous somewhere safe. We are the caretakers, look after you all. We keep unstable items safe and we protect everyone."

  "Never done nuffin for me, mate," said Steve.

  "You are so full of shit, Nathan," I said, wondering if this guy would ever give it a rest.
"You think you have a right to these things, but you don't. I get that you believe you're doing what's best, I really do, but it's nonsense. Do what you want, but stay away from me, from all of us. If I hear anything bad has happened to these guys here for what they did to you or your goons, then I promise you I will hunt you down and I will kill you. Do you understand me?"

  "Arthur, your threats don't scare me. You still don't know who you are messing with, do you? But I give you my word, I promise I will not seek any form of revenge for the death of my men. And Vicky, my dear lady, I understand you had a rather unfortunate visitor this morning? That was not of my doing. He took it upon himself to act in ways I did not sanction. If he were still alive, or we could find any trace of him," Nathan gave me an inquisitive look but I wasn't about to tell him anything, "he would have been severely reprimanded."

  "That's the problem though, Nathan. He was one of yours, a Hound, and he threatened her kids. He threatened her, tried to kill us, and that says it all."

  "As you wish. Goodbye, Arthur. Vicky. And you are?" he asked Steve.

  "None of your fuckin' business, mate. Fuck off."

  "Goodbye Arthur."

  He was gone.

  "Think he'll be back?" asked Candy.

  "Here? No. But it isn't the last I've seen of him, I'm sure of that."

  "Hey!" shouted Vicky.

  Steve stared down at his hand, still resting on Vicky's leg, and said sheepishly, "Sorry, don't know how that got there." He gave her a squeeze and then removed his hand, slowly.

  Vicky squealed.

  I wondered if I could go back to the church. Maybe pray.

  Thanks and Goodbye

  It was definitely time to take Vicky home, and she didn't argue. Maybe it was the draw of Steve, knowing she was acting out of character and flirting even when she didn't want to, or maybe it was repeatedly being swung against a wall after having shot someone in the face earlier that day. Either way, she didn't protest when I suggested it.

  Steve, good guy that he was, and with an obvious ulterior motive at play, offered to come with us, just to see Vicky home safely. I was glad of the company, and the backup. The short drive to Vicky's was more a getting to know you kind of thing, with Steve rather talkative—the dude could give Vicky a run for her money in that department—but at least he was a man, so it was rather novel.

  I went in first. I was positive the Cleaner would have done a first class job, but I didn't want Vicky upset and I sure as hell didn't want any nasty surprises of the Cerberus kind waiting for her. It was quiet, it was clean, actually it was cleaner than it had ever been, and even the dining table had been replaced, the scratches and dents from the kids replicated perfectly.

  "Nice pad," said Steve, admiring the house as he escorted Vicky inside.

  "Thanks. You should have seen it earlier."

  Steve shot me a questioning glance but I shook my head.

  "Just rest up, okay?" I said to Vicky, and looked, really looked at her, for the first time since I'd left her in my panic room. She was beat. Dark bags had formed under her eyes, her hair was dry, short lengths sticking out from her ponytail, and her makeup was wearing off. Leaving her looking strange, like a different person. Her hands shook a little and she couldn't relax, and that was unforgivable. Nathan and his freaks had messed her up good, invading her home, the one place in the whole world you were entitled to feel safe from the madness that whirled outside your front door.

  "I'll be fine. But I am tired." Vicky crashed into a chair, arching her back sharply so it cracked. Then she sank so low she was almost on the floor. She should probably sleep all through what remained of the day and the night by the looks of her. I knew that wouldn't be the case, not Vicky, but she'd get a few good hours at least, and she needed it.

  "Run a bath, soak the bruises, and go to bed," I ordered. "If anything happens I'll let you know."

  Vicky nodded dumbly but didn't move. The reality of the whole sidekick thing had finally hit home. Gone was the excitement and the thrill, replaced with the harsh reality of the course she'd chosen. Feeling scared, covered in bruises, and wondering when the next bit of bad news would arrive. I kissed her on the top of the head, said, "Rest up," and after Steve said his goodbyes, which perked her up a little, we left.

  I drove Steve back to the city and dropped him off close to the cafe, but he seemed reluctant to get out of the car.

  "Thanks for all that, I appreciate it," I said. "And sorry about the mess at the cafe. I got you mixed up in something that doesn't involve you."

  He shrugged, and grinned widely. "We got involved the minute I took on the job to protect Nigel. Cerberus has been in our business ever since. They didn't take kindly to us helping you then, plus there was the killing of their men. They really weren't happy about that. It is what it is, Arthur, don't sweat it."

  "Okay, thanks. So what have they been doing? You guys aren't into artifacts are you?"

  "Nope, we don't do magic, not your kind anyway. Perfectly natural, no added spice needed," he said, flexing a bicep. "Nah, they've just been snooping around, causing us a few headaches. It was nice to put a face to the name though, good to see who this Nathan bloke really is. Can't believe how much he looks like Nigel. Or that he had him shot."

  "They're pretty cold, but dangerous. Stay out of their way if you can, they're nothing but trouble."

  "Yeah, cheers, mate. Look after yourself, Arthur, and it was good seeing you, buddy."

  "Not pissed at me for all this?"

  "Nah, I'm used to it. Shifters have never had an easy time of it, so it's good to know you've got an ally. A friend?" The brash persona was replaced with somebody more subdued, less confident, and to that I related totally.

  "A friend," I confirmed. "I like the sound of that."

  We shook and he hopped out of the car then stuck his head back in through the window. "Look me up next time you're in the city. Um, you know, for a chat, no funny business," he added, looking embarrassed about the whole thing.

  "Will do. See you, Steve."

  "Laters, mate. Stay safe, and if you can't stay safe at least stay alive."

  "That's the plan." I watched as Steve crossed the road, cocky swagger and air of animal strength making him stand out amongst the citizens.

  "I think I got myself a buddy," I whispered.

  Should've Stayed at Home

  Alone once again, I drove to the small terraced house that could transport me back to Cornwall and unlocked the door. Inside, rather than go, I walked into the tiny living room and sat on the uncomfortable sofa. The place was minimally furnished, everything done on the cheap years ago as it was seldom used. But sometimes, like now, I spent a little time here.

  When I needed to think, when I knew there was danger. When I got that nagging feeling that all was far from well and events had yet to unfold. My halfway house, neither my sanctuary nor out there in the middle of the chaos. Somewhere to wait, maybe make plans when I knew something bad was coming.

  Why was everything becoming so complicated? Ever since Cerberus got involved in my life existence had gone into meltdown. I did jobs all the time and never had this much interference. Sure, there were often problems, but nothing like this. Nathan was a liability, all the Hounds were, and now I was on their radar I wasn't sure how to get off it.

  Nathan was too damn smart by half, and he seemed to think I owed him, that he could have what was mine. He couldn't have been further from the truth. All of this was his fault. His meddling, his insistence on telling me what to do, was downright disrespectful and I would not stand for it. Couldn't. How was I supposed to operate with him breathing down my neck? It made everything ten times harder and much riskier. I needed him gone. I needed him to leave me alone.

  I also needed to get paid.

  Where the hell was Elion? I had what he wanted, when would he show? I was in no doubt Cerberus would know when he'd collected, so at least then they'd get off my back. Holding on to stolen goods, especially vampire stolen goods, w
as not conducive to feeling relaxed.

  Another complication, and I was surprised it had been this long before they came calling. So I sat, and I waited, and I tried to get things right in my head. Vicky had been incredibly brave, if utterly foolish and reckless on this job, and I hoped she would be okay. I was sure she would be. If nothing else, she was strong, always bounced back.

  Would this put her off her obsession with being involved in my work? I doubted it, but it might make her dial it down somewhat, tread a little more cautiously. There's nothing like being a witness to death, and repeatedly smashed about, for the reality of human vulnerability and the temporary nature of existence to finally hit home. Or maybe this one job would be enough, get it out of her system and she could return to her normal life, helping me out from the safety of her basement, doing what she did best without risk to life or limb.

  I smiled at that. Haha, like Vicky could return to being a suburban mom and leave it at that now she knew what was out there waiting. She would sleep it off, force events of the last few days to the back of her mind until they became like a movie, only remembering the best bits, those where she got things right, not where things went so very wrong.

  Was she a burden? Did it matter? I couldn't help smiling at the question. No, it didn't matter. If she wanted in she was in. Much as she hampered me in many ways, she was a help in others too. But more importantly she was my friend. If she needed to be a part of this then I'd let her.

  Was that the right thing to do though? Shouldn't I do everything in my power to dissuade her, to convince her to focus on her kids and not risk her life doing what I did? Isn't that what a good friend, a true friend, would do? Hell if I knew. I didn't do that for myself. I put my life at risk and immersed myself in a culture that was both dangerous and intoxicating. Who was I to force Vicky to make choices or back her into a corner so she had to settle for the life she hated.

  Okay, she didn't hate it, but it wasn't enough. She wanted, needed, more. I could give her that. Wasn't that the mark of true friendship? Giving a friend what you knew they needed? At some point Vicky would lose the plot if she didn't have this release. It was there inside her, this need to live on the wild side, risk it all and emerge triumphant. Without it she would self-destruct, she was that type of person. Something would happen down the line and she would destroy her world in the most spectacular of ways. It would be a minor incident that would escalate and all hell would break loose. Her existence would implode.