A Girl's Guide to Demon Hunting (15 page)

    Stunned silence filled the room.
What the hell? No way were we going to just walk away from this, not now, not after I’ve risked so much
. Who did this ass think he was, coming in here and demanding us to just throw away all our hard work?
    “No.” Father Henry said facing Lokess.
    “Excuse me?”
    “No. Without their work you wouldn’t even have this information. Yo—”
    “The Council has strict rules regarding involving untrained Guardians, let alone minors, in official business.” Lokess said.
    “What would you rather tell The Council? That you bent the rules or that you didn’t find Julie?”
    “I will find the girl and will therefore not have to tell them either.”
    “Really?” Father Henry replied, his voice deceptively quiet.
    Ooh…he was using his ‘I’m going to verbally kick your ass’ voice. This was going to be great.
    “How exactly are you planning to do that in a town run by Demons?” He asked. “Do you really think they don’t already know you’re here? Yes, Allie is underage and untrained but she has done something that no Guardian has ever done. She’s survived in Vegas. No one is more qualified to help you navigate this city’s Demons than her. Ace and Shooter are connected to the humans, to whom we both know you will need access. And as for Jenny, she single-handedly found this information. You cannot discount the value she will bring. We all know time is running out for Julie. Now you can either use us or not but just know her blood will be on your hands.”
    “If you will all excuse us, I’d like a word with Father Henry.”
   No one moved until Father Henry gave the okay. As one we stood up and walked towards the back door. I hesitated so long at the door that Max had to finally force me through it.
    “And
that,
ladies and gentlemen, is why you don’t mess with Father H.” Shooter said when the door was shut behind us.
    “Seriously, no offense but for the good guys you Guardians are bunch of real A-holes.” Jenny said.
    “He’s Council, they get pretty touchy when the rules are broken.” Nick answered.
    “What do we do if he keeps us out of the investigation?” Jenny asked.
    “He can’t. I’m sure that was all for show.” Nick said.
    “How do you know that?” I asked.
    “The three of us are not without some pull.”
    I was wondering exactly what kind of “pull” they had when I felt Max’s shield begin to fade and I remembered I had bigger problems than a Council Inspector.
    “Can I talk to you?” I asked, and took a few steps away from the group.
    “What’s up?” He asked.
    “How long have you known I don’t have a shield?” I asked.
    “Since the night in Father Henry’s kitchen.”
    “Why didn’t you say anything sooner?” I asked, confused.
    “Because it’s none of my business and until it becomes a problem I don’t care.”
    I was speechless. I spent so long fearing the Guardians and their reaction to my lack of a shield, I didn’t have any reference for how to handle this.
    “So you’re not going to haul me away in chains and throw me in jail?” I asked, wanting to be very clear on what my future.
    He gave me an irritated look before answering.
    “No, why would you even think that?”
    “Because that’s what happens when a Guardian doesn’t have a shield and you told me Lokess would take me to The Council?” I told him, wondering if maybe he was the one who was misinformed here.
    “Of course he would take you to The Council. They’re the ones who would assign you a Guardian. One who can protect you. No one goes to jail unless they break the law. Where did you even get a stupid idea like that?” He asked.
    “I...don’t know.” I lied. What the hell was going on? If he was telling me the truth, mom and dad had lied.
    “You really are the most ill-informed Guardian I’ve ever met.” Max said, giving me an irritated look. Taking instant offense I fired back.
    “Yes, well I can learn what I need to know, you on the other hand will always be an ass.”
    “That was your comeback? What’d you see that on a T-shirt or something?”
    The sound of the back door opening had us forgetting our bickering. We walked back to the group just as Lokess and Father Henry came to a stop facing everyone. 
    “Do you think he knows?” I asked under my breath.
    “I think we’re about to find out.”
    “I’ve decided you all may be of some use to me. I want to make it very clear to each of you. I am in charge here.” Lokess said, the last with a glare to me.
    Great, I’d already gotten on his bad side.
   “I’ve decided on select tasks which I believe you will be able to accomplish without draining your little minds. I have also decided you will report all findings to Father Henry until I find it necessary to speak to you myself. He has your assignments.” In a whirl of brown and orange plaid he strode back into the café.
    “Before you even start.” Father Henry said, effectively cutting us off before we could hurl the first curse word. “He’s allowing us to participate, which according to The Council
is
against the rules. I’m giving you the choice now; you’re either in or out. No judgment if you don’t want to work for him.”
    My three friends each looked at me for an answer. As much as I didn’t want to work for Lokess, this wasn’t about me and so what if he’s condescending and smells like an ashtray? I’ve worked with worse.
   “We’re in.” I said.

Chapter 30

"The answer is not, nor will it ever be to fail."
             
             
             
             
             
- Allie

    Assignments? More like busy work.
    Max, Ace, Shooter and I had the dubious honor of retracing Julie’s visit down to the last detail. Jenny printed two lists of locations, giving one to me and the other to Shooter. Jenny was in charge of data and records (no surprise there) which she was happy to do. At least we weren’t Nick and Sam. They were told to go back to the hotel and act as a liaison between Julie’s parents, Lokess and The Council.
    Not wanting to waste any more time, we all left, hoping to cross off at least one of the locations tonight. I left Pancake with Jenny and Father Henry at the café, not wanting to leave them alone; especially when Lok-ass could come and go as he pleased.
    “Where to?” Max asked as we pulled out of the parking lot.
    I searched the list for something that would be open for awhile, this was Vegas and most things had extended hours or were open 24/7 but those were usually the places that catered to the tourists. There were only two places on the list, the first I’d never heard of but the second I’d at least walked by once or twice.
    “Let’s try Adagio Package and Post.”
    The GPS led us across town, closer to where I lived, ending at a small white storefront in a strip mall. The large ‘Open’ sign glowed in the window, bathing the sidewalk in red and blue neon.
    “So what’s the plan?” I asked as we got out of the car.
    “I thought we could just tell them the truth. How could they not help? She’s missing after all.”
    Turns out Linda the manager, aka heartless old bag, didn’t give a damn if our friend was missing. According to her and the sign duct taped to the wall behind her, ‘No Receipt, No ID, No Merchandise.’ She didn’t even bother to look like she was paying attention to me, having eyes only for Max. I finally had to wait in the car so Max could work a little “magic” on her.
    Thankfully I didn’t have to wait long before he came back to the car. Opening the door he climbed in the driver’s seat and immediately reached across me, opened the glove box and pulled out a mini bottle of hand sanitizer. Squeezing the entire bottle in his hand, he frantically wiped it all over his face and arms.
    “Do I even want to know?” I asked, not sure if I should laugh or be disgusted.
    “Hands...roaming hands.” He said with a shudder.
    “Yeah, she’s a whole new level of nasty.” After seeing her dirty fingernails I totally got the need for the sanitizer.
    I waited until Max calmed down enough to drive before asking if he’d found anything out.
    “Julie had something delivered here. hen she didn’t pick it up within forty-eight hours they sent it to her billing address.”
    “Did she give you the address?”
    “Yeah, it’s her parents’ home in San Francisco.”
    “So what now?” I asked as he drove back through the city.
    “Do you think the other place will be open?”
    “The other one is a salon and its well away from the strip, I say we call it a night and check it out tomorrow.”
    Father Henry was waiting for us in the café when we came in. Handing us both a cup of coffee and a granola bar he said. “Inspector Lokess called, said he wanted to see Max. He seemed impatient; I’d suggest you leave right away.”
    “Thanks Father.” Max said taking a sip of the coffee and slipping the granola bar in his back pocket. Turning to me he asked, “So tomorrow around ten?”
    “Sure.”
    We both watched him leave, neither of us speaking until he was out the back door.
    “What was that about?” I asked, watching Father H pour himself a cup of coffee.
    “I don’t know. But I don’t think it’s good. From what I gathered from Nick, they already filled Lokess in on everything when he arrived.”
    “Do you think it’s me?” I asked.
    “Probably.” He said, giving me a worried look. “I’m assuming Max found about your shield problem?”
    “Yeah, evidently he’s known the whole time but that’s all he knows. He’s helping me with it.”
    “Helping how?” He asked.
    I spent the next twenty minutes filling him on the last few days. By the time I was done, Father H was sitting on the couch, head in his hands, a mixture of horror and disbelief on his face.
    Knowing he needed some space to “think,” aka calm down, I went behind the counter and brewed him a cup of chamomile tea. I remembered Jenny telling me she uses it to relax, maybe it’d help him. While the tea steeped I poured another cup of coffee and after loading it with cream and sugar I carried it and the tea to where he sat. 
    “You almost attacked three Guardians. What were you thinking?” He asked, sitting up and taking the tea.
    Not feeling like sitting, I leaned against the back of the chair across from him and answered.
    “I wasn’t thinking, I’m telling you I was in total panic mode. I don’t understand something though; mom and dad always told me I was in danger because I didn’t have a shield. But Max told me The Council has procedures for dealing with Guardians with my kind of problem. He made it sound like they would help me, like I wouldn’t be locked up.”
    “Honestly I don’t know what to believe. Like I told you right after the accident, I’ve spent most of my life away from the Guardians and because I’m human I’m only privy to certain things. You’ve got to accept that some things may have changed in the years since you were last involved this closely with the Guardians.”
    I set my cup on my armrest and watched the white swirls of creamer as I thought about what could have been. Visions of mom and dad floated through my mind and I felt tears gather in the corner of my eyes. For the hundredth time, I forced myself to face the truth: I couldn’t change what happened, no matter how much I wanted to. I didn’t even know he moved until I found myself crushed against Father Henry’s warm chest.
    “You’re going to be okay.” He said as my tears fell.
    A short time later I waved goodbye to Father Henry and after locking the front door I climbed the stairs to Jenny’s. Father H was used to emotional outbursts from me but they were usually the yelling kind. He’d been shaken at the sight of my tears and I regretted unloading on him. He’d left me with the advice that a decent meal and a good night’s sleep would help.
    His mention of sleep reminded me of my weird dream from this afternoon and I was tempted to tell him about it. He’d always known about my repeating dreams and I knew he’d want to hear about this new development. I just couldn’t bring myself to, not when his shoulders were stooped with exhaustion. Maybe when this was all over I would tell him.

Chapter 31

Tip 64:  Possessions will only slow you down.

    It was later that evening when Ace helped a limping Shooter into the apartment.

    “What the hell happened?” I asked as Jenny went to get the first aid kit from the bathroom; honestly, I think she was starting to wear a tread in that path.
    "So much weirdness.” Ace said with a laugh. Shooter and I gave him identical glares before helping Shooter sit down in a chair.
    “Where are you hurt?” I asked, not seeing any blood on his jeans.
    “It’s his left foot.” Ace said.
    Shooter looked a little pale, though I wasn't sure if it was from shock or a desire to punch Ace. I told Ace to go get him a soda and he practically skipped into the kitchen. I slipped Shooter’s foot from his boot as gently as possible. Jenny was back by then and cut his sock off; thankfully Ace had decided to stay in the kitchen.
    “Uh...Shooter? I don’t really see what’s wrong." Jenny said, examining his foot.
    “Do you think you broke a toe or something?” I asked, looking for any swelling. Other than his toes being slightly pink he looked okay.
    “Fish.” he whispered, “They put fish in the water and then they tried to eat me.”
    Okay, I was completely lost. Turning to Jenny I saw she was struggling not to laugh; obviously she knew what had happened.
    "Pedicure." She said, grinning, "I'm guessing Julie got the kind where they put those flesh-eating fish in the water and they eat all the dead skin off your feet. It’s illegal but you can still find them around.” She said.
    “We needed to make conversation with the staff," said Ace as he came back into the room, "so we figured one of us had to take the plunge into the fishy tub of death. Given my little striptease at the hotel, it was Shooter's turn. You should have seen it.” He came to stand next to Shooter, quietly humming the theme from 'Jaws' while handing him a soda.
    “One of those little bastards drew blood." He said as he took the can, "do you have any idea how many germs those things carry?"
    Jenny and I didn’t even bother to try and stop the bickering. I went back to watching TV while she went to add in more information to Lokess’s database.
    Less than an hour later I was bored to death. Max was still off with Lokess, Shooter and Ace had taken over the TV and Jenny was busy working on something in her office. I had spent the last thirty minutes rolling Pancake's ball across the floor for her to chase. Pancake finally got tired and took her ball in the bedroom; she was probably asleep on the bed right now.
   I hadn’t expected this downtime, not with the Investigator here. I thought we would be out looking for Julie or at least digging through records or something. I should have gone with Father Henry when he left to speak to Julie's parents, maybe I could’ve learned something that way or at least talked to Max. I felt like there was more we needed to discuss about this whole shield thing. I didn’t want to get my hopes up he would keep his promise but it really would be cool it he could help me somehow. It had never occurred to me that I could ever get help from the Guardians.
    With nothing better to do, I told Ace to keep an eye on Pancake and walked down to Millie’s. It was nice outside; the air was cold and big neon snowflakes hung from the light posts.
    The sidewalk was nearly empty at this time of night; the only other person I saw was a homeless man sleeping in the doorway of a closed bookshop. Even Millie’s was quiet; business wouldn’t pick up for another few hours, when the bars began to close. Going inside, I ordered a large chocolate shake and sat at the counter waiting for my order.   
    Grabbing the nearest newspaper, I opened it and flipped to the local section. There was nothing going on as far as I could tell: one of the casinos was going through a remodel, there was a list of casting calls for dancers in preparation for the New Year’s parties, Vines was hosting the Winter Art Gala Social and according to the article Camilla was going to be honored tonight for her donation of fifty thousand dollars.
    Hmm. The party would still be in full swing and while I couldn't get into the party dressed like this I could totally go on the observation deck and look down through the glass ceiling and into the party. It wasn’t much but at least I’d get to see Camilla in the flesh, maybe get a better feel for her. Throwing two dollars down, I left without my shake and headed towards the Strip.
    I was chilled by the time I got to the Strip but I quickly warmed as I squeezed into the crowd. Vines was a wine bar that opened a few years ago and was an instant hit with the filthy rich crowd in town. I’d never been inside the actual bar but I’d pulled security for Peaches once on the observation deck. Thankfully for me, that deck was accessed on the street level. I wasn't sure Peaches wouldn't have someone up there tonight but I was hoping she'd keep her security closer tonight, given the public nature of the event.
    I crossed the street to where Vines sat squeezed between one of Heidi’s buffets and a club. Weaving through the line for the club, I squeezed into the line for Vines, standing behind an old couple dressed in matching green jackets. I looked casually over to the access door to the platform; seemed dead enough.  Peaches would have put someone on the door if anyone was up there.
    I started toward the door, glancing behind me once more when I caught the movement a block away; Ace crossing the street, chasing after Pancake who was headed right at me. What the hell?! How was I going to explain this?
    Pancake beat Ace to me, coming to a sliding stop at my feet. I bent down and picked her up. Holding her close, I felt her heart beating a furious pace and held her so she could tuck her cold nose against my neck.
    “What are you doing here?” I whispered in her ear. The only answer I got of course was a wag of her little tail. Ace pushed his way through the crowded line.
    “Sorry.” He said in between huge gulps of air. “I…was taking...her…for a walk when she saw you…Millie’s…I tried yelling…but she just took off.”
    “Did you run the whole way?” I asked, seeing his shirt was dripping wet even in the cold. He took a minute to catch his breath before giving up and just nodding.
    Looking around he asked, “What is this place?”
    “A wine bar.”
    “Why are you here? Is it about Julie?” he asked with a suspicious look around.
    “I’m thinking there may be a few Demons here tonight and I thought it could be worth it to check out. It’s not like I’m doing anything else.”
    "I'm in." He said.
    "I'd rather work this one alone." I told him, knowing it was a losing battle.
    "Oh. Ok," he said, nodding, "I'll just head on back. You take care of the many Demons here on your own. No problem. Oh, wait. Never mind."
    I weighed the pros and cons of having Ace with me as we climbed the stairs to the observation deck. Pro: Ace would totally have my back if anything went down. Con: Ace would be here if anything went down. I decided the Pro outweighed the Con tonight, plus Pancake could join in a fight if needed.
   The observation deck was covered in deep green leafy vines, giving the bar its name and providing us a perfect shield should any of the party guests below bother to look up through the glass ceiling. Ignoring the beautiful view of Vegas behind us, I leaned against the railing and watched the party.
    “What are we looking for?” Ace asked.
    Not taking my eyes off the party I gave him a description of Camilla. “She’s tall, curvy, blue eyes and dark brown hair.”
    “Demon?”
    “Yeah and a very nasty one too. Likes to kill her victims by turning them inside out.”
    “Please tell me we're going to kill her.” Ace said.
    “That’s the plan if I can ever find a way to get to her." I said, ignoring the 'we.'
   We watched in silence as the party continued. There was a larger Demon presence than usual tonight and most of them I didn’t recognize. Large and dressed in dark suits, they had the look of bodyguards. I wondered what all the protection was for; the Lords didn’t usually keep so many guards hanging around. I saw a few familiar faces in the crowd: Peter the Demon Lord of the Lust Demons was dancing with a socialite that I’d seen on the cover of some magazine.