Demon Singer II (10 page)

              All three of them turned as the door opened. Acheron entered without comment  Ervin continued.

              "That said, I understand your need to find her. I visited your town myself after it was taken.” Lyric's eyebrows announced his surprise at this revelation. Ervin smiled. “I'm not completely oblivious, Lyric. Amnia Nit Too told me about it. I took Bailey Storn with me and we discovered the crystalline figures hidden just out of tune with the Score. The power required to do that had to be incredible. It will not be easy to bring them back. Have you any idea how to start?”

              “I just recently got a lead to follow up on, a demoness named Bonen Tansyon.”

              “Oh my,” Ervin's alarm at the demoness’ name was unsettling. “She's the Power of Good Intentions. With all due respect to our friend here, Bonen Tansyon may be the single most powerful demoness in existence. Second only to Trytohn himself.”

              Especially now with yours truly stuck in this meat sack,
Acheron murmured silently to Lyric.

              “I would counsel careful thought and planning before tackling Bonen Tansyon,” Ervin continued. “but before you seek to pursue her, I recommend you acquire the assistance of my brother, Dispo Sitorem.”

              “Why?” Lyric asked.

              “Because Diz knows as much as I do about soul singing, he's powerful and smart, but most of all, because he can make crystal sing. Perhaps with his help you can at least communicate with your mother, wherever she is. Head to Ireland and use my song to find him, tell him what's happened. He will help.”

              “Why don't you come with us?” Lyric asked. Ervin shook his head.

              “I can't leave this place. Ervin didn't approve of the creation of Golems. In order to keep me from causing trouble he built me here and restrained me with this.” He motioned to the paper border encircling the room. “I don't mind, I would have done the same thing.” The Golem smiled and winked.

              They all turned as the door opened again. An immaculately dressed man with a neatly trimmed goatee entered the bar. The faint odor of frightened dog accompanied his entrance.

              “Keylac.” Acheron growled in disgust.

*   *   *   *   *

              Lisian paced impatiently.  

              "Good Evening, Mistress," a smooth voice caressed her from the shadows.

              "Where have you been?" The demoness hissed angrily as she whirled about.  

              Any mortal, human or otherwise, would be cowering in terror before her wrath. Varia Tur did not.  He simply smiled that magnetic smile, unfazed by her wrath.

              "I was attending to the disposition of my new friends. It's important that I test each tie. The last thing we need right now is to have a rogue Verger on the loose and thirsty for my blood."  His voice was as calm as his demeanor, giving no indication that he was concerned.  "I understand now why Soul Singers use the eighth measure when they take possession of their Vergers. Forcing yourself on a Verger without the measure is rather like performing a tonsillectomy with a chainsaw. You can remove the tonsils, but you will likely lose the patient. If it wasn't for Legion’s help, I would never have been able to do it."

              "Regardless, you should have come here first." Lisian said coldly. “
I
am your priority.”

              “Yes, my Ebony Blossom, forgive me. I desire nothing more than to lay the reigns of hell at your exquisite feet." Varia bowed low with a graceful flourish, his eye fixing on her fingers. The demoness was unconsciously twisting the ring that marked him as her property. "Trouble with my collar?"

              She stopped fiddling with the ring and her eyes narrowed.

              "Don't worry, pet, your collar is safe and sound.  Did you locate the entrance to the Verge?"

              "Blink did,” Varia nodded, “he's already shown it to me." The man produced a small flower that slowly changed color in his hand.  Lisian took it and sniffed. It was a polybloom, a flower that did not exist on earth. It only grew on the Verge. Every bloom was different in shape, color and scent, its only consistent characteristic was its yellow star shaped center. “It’s nowhere near large enough for the main army, but will suffice to send through a contingent large enough to make a mess. Is Rapacity in place?”

              "He is. His forces will be waiting when we enter hell. Where is the army?"

              "A few days outside of Markhato and heading further east. They are shielded for now, and are eager for the attack."

              "What about Oberon?" The demoness asked.

              Varia's smile became a grimace of annoyance.

        "The Fairy King has succeeded robbing your sister of her magic, but remains stubbornly fond of Lyric. So much so, that he refuses to join our cause. He will not open an entrance to the Verge to accommodate the army, nor will he provide safe passage through Faerie to march on the Thunder Monks. In fact, he hinted that if we make an attempt on the Verge he may actually mobilize his armies to stand against us."

        Lisian's expression grew darker as she listened.

        "Perhaps I should pay the little bastard a visit and remind him who he's dealing with. We need that opening. If he doesn't make a way for us we'll
have
to take the army through Markhato.”

        Her companion held up a restraining hand.

        "We have time to work on Oberon, let's not antagonize him needlessly. I have a plan in place to bring him around."

        "What plan?" Lisian demanded.

        "It involves his daughter. Shall we waste time with the intricacies of my plot? Or shall we get on with it? Everything has gone as predicted so far, hasn't it?”

        "Trytohn is no fool," Lisian said.  "I guarantee he knows I'm up to something. If we don't hit him soon, he's going to stop waiting for my endgame and just end me."  A lovely finger poked the man's chest.  Smoke and the smell of burning flesh rose from the contact.  To his credit, Varia didn't flinch.  His smile never even wavered.  "
You
are my ace in the hole, pet.  Don't let me down."

        The rogue Verger gently pulled Lisian's finger away from his chest.

        Again that magnificent smile.

        "All is well in hand my Mistress."

*   *   *   *   *

        The Keylac looked around the bar with disdain as he approached Lyric, holding out an envelope. "Your next payment is due, Lyric, best hop to it quick like a bunny," he flicked his manicured fingertips at the golem. "Let the old man rest, he's earned it."

        They all started at a low hum that shook the room violently.  The section of floor that the Keylac stood on shot upward, slamming the hellion into the ceiling repeatedly, leaving him a bloody mess.  Acheron's jaw dropped and Cadence smiled brightly while Lyric stared in shock.

        "What was that?" Cadence turned on Ervin.

        The old man shrugged.

        "I really wouldn't tolerate a hellion in any of my sanctuaries. That creature tripped one of my countermeasures." The blue eyes moved to Acheron.  "Your association with Lyric makes you exempt my dear."

        "Neat," Acheron said flatly.  "One small matter - maybe it isn't important to you, but we've just smashed one of Trytohn's official representatives. There is no quicker way to piss him off. And knowing him, he will use this as a loophole to declare you in breach of contract.”

        Lyric apparently did not display enough  appreciation for the gravity of the situation. Acheron continued in exasperation.

        “The primary reason to avoid contracts with hell is that they’re made to be broken. It's in the fine print of every single one. If you break a contract with hell, you waive the protection you enjoy as a servant to the Composer. Trytohn can kill you.”

        “What if I fulfill the contract? I'm not the one who killed the Keylac. Won't I be okay?”

        “Not likely, Trytohn is a master of spin.”

        Lyric gingerly picked up the envelope, trying to avoid touching the bits of Keylac still stuck to it. Opening it, he shook out its contents.  A small green gem fell into his palm along with a note that simply said:

        
Please deliver to Tovi Rafe, somewhere in the Atlantic.

        "What is Tovi Rafe?" Lyric asked.

        Acheron gestured to the mess that used to be the Keylac.

        "Really no telling now."

        Ervin cleared his throat. Lyric turned his attention back to the old man.

        “Trytohn is the Prince of the Power of the Air. Flying to Ireland would be suicide. I know of a boat and captain who can get there safely. You'll need to call Calder Glas.”

CHAPTER 7

       The Blue Men of the Minch are a surly lot, with an extraordinary story.

       Centuries ago, the verdant hills and sparkling lakes of Faerie were coveted by Laik Staenlo, the leader of the Djinn. So he sent word, asking Oberon, the king of Faerie, to let the Djinn live with the fairies. Oberon refused.

        Laik would not be denied and so his armies attacked Oberon, in an effort to take by force what they couldn't win through diplomacy. A massive war rocked the Verge. Oberon's mighty army stood against the Djinn and drove them back to the wildfire springs.

        During the conflict, a number of Oberon's children - mostly unpleasant - took advantage of his distraction and escaped to the British Isles. Oberon loved those islands, he loved those people. Naturally, he was distressed that his vacation home was threatened by his own offspring. The Fairy King called on a reclusive group of red skinned sea warriors known only as the Quiet Men.

       The Quiet Men had a reputation for being kind, generous, faithful and absolutely terrifying in combat. Oberon didn't know what part the Composer had assigned them, but they didn't seem to be among the fallen.

       Oberon spoke to their gracious nature and pleaded with them to protect his beloved islands from his renegade children. Reluctantly, the Quiet Men agreed to help, understanding it to be a short term assignment.  Not bothering to disabuse them of that notion, Oberon gave the Quiet Men passage from the land of Faerie into a stretch of water off the west coast of Scotland called the Minch. Once there, they were to protect the people of his beloved land and guard the door his children escaped through so no one else could use it.

       So it was, the Quiet Men were sent to be the guardians of the isles. Too late they realized the door only opened one way and they could never return home.

        Angry at their betrayal, they turned their attention from protection to seeking Oberon himself. It wasn't long before they were approached by Calypso, the queen of the sea. She empathized with their treatment at the hands of Oberon, and shared with them her own heartbreak. Oberon had loved her and she gave him her heart, and a child.

        Oberon grew bored with Calypso and left her, but adored their daughter. He would sneak into the ocean to visit her as she grew, showering her with love and affection and gifts of incredible magic.

        Calypso had dominion over all the sea, but her heart never stopped longing for Oberon.

        The Quiet Men were moved by the sea queen's tale and agreed to serve Calypso. They would seek to capture Oberon and bring him back to her.

       One night Calder Glas, an immensely strong Quiet Man with thick brown hair, was patrolling the western shore of Scotland when he heard a child crying. Heading toward the sound, he saw a small boy no more than eight years old standing on an outcropping of rock over the cold water, alone and sobbing.  

       Leaping from the water, Glas knelt before the startled child to ask what was wrong.  The boy replied he came here to die.  Shocked, Glas pressed for details and the boy fell apart.  

       The youngster had a weak heart and was expected to die within the year.  His drunken father had cursed him that very night and told him he should go jump in the ocean and spare his family the grief and cost of watching him die slowly.  

       Fury built within as the Quiet Man listened. This innocent child was scared and broken.  He had been betrayed by the man he should be able to trust above all others.  Collecting the boy in his arms, Calder Glas held him close and started toward the child's village.

       Upon reaching the boy's home, the Quiet Man entered, carrying him down the hallway past the beastly snores coming from his parents' room.  Glas put the child to bed and used his magic to send the boy into a deep, restful sleep.  Placing his hands on the child's chest he sent exploratory tendrils of that same magic into the boy's heart.  The heart wasn't just weak, it was failing.  This innocent wouldn't last a week, perhaps not even a night.  

       Calder Glas made a choice.  His powerful hand plunged into his own left side.  With every ounce of determination he could muster, he  mercilessly pulled his heart from his chest.  Breathing out prayers, magic and perfect love, he placed his heart inside the child.

       Immediately the boy sighed and smiled in his sleep.  Tension melted from the small frame and a rosy glow washed his cheeks as the strong heart began to beat.  Satisfied his work was done, Glas rose and left the child's room.

       With every step he took down the hallway he grew colder, darker.  His skin lost its healthy red glow and turned blue. The Quiet Man had put all of his love into the child and had spared none for himself.  All that remained inside him was hate and anger at the monster who would abuse an innocent.  Without a heart to temper his wrath, the Quiet Man - now blue - entered the boy's parent's  room and jerked the father out of bed by the throat.

       The mother awoke in shock to see Glas at the foot of the bed, holding her husband easily with one hand a foot off the floor. The terrified man beat desperately at Calder’s arm, but the Blue Man ignored his ineffectual struggles.  Glas informed the woman that her child would live.  He would grow strong and healthy.  She was to love him and guide him; to teach him to become a good man, unlike his father.  The Blue Man held her eyes with a gaze that screamed murder as he warned her sternly.  She was just as responsible for the child's suffering through her silence as her husband was in his rage.  This was to be her opportunity for redemption and he would know if she chose poorly.  He had put his own heart into the child and so would protect him for the rest of his natural life.  Even from her.

       Then the Blue Man left, dragging the father screaming into the night.

       After disposing of the wretch, the Blue Man returned to his brethren who marveled at his change and told them what had occurred.  Even though they were unhappy with Calder’s drastic change, the Quiet Men fully supported his reasoning and his decision.

       And so a precedent was set.  As time went on the Quiet Men of the Minch constantly compared the beauty of Calder Glas’ sacrifice to how they wanted to live.  It wasn't long before the Quiet Men, one by one, sought out sick and dying children and saved them with their own hearts.  Within a century the Quiet Men were no more, and the Blue Men guarded the Minch.

       And so it was that the Blue Men of the Minch became a surly, impatient and fearsome lot, but for the best reason possible.  Each gave his heart for the life of a child.

*   *   *   *   *

        The second sight pendant Ruby's father gave her on her tenth birthday hung around her neck. Without it she would be looking at an impassable mountainside instead of the huge gates of the City of Light. As is the case with all visitors to Markhato, her eye was drawn to the enormous beam of light that shot into the sky from the top of the mountain.

        "Tommyknockers?” The guard inspecting the Barge drew her attention. “We
never
have Knockers visit. What brings you to Markhato gentlemen?" He smiled nervously at Joss and Anaya across Ruby who was taking her turn in the driver's seat.

        "Always a pleasure to meet a fan!" Joss tried to reach across Ruby to shake the guard's hand.  The redhead poked him in the ribs causing a startled withdrawal.

        "You have no fans," she said to the Knocker before turning her smile back on for the guard. "We're here to visit my grandfather."         

        "Family is important," the guard nodded sagely. “I was worried you might be here to...I mean, you guys only show up when... well… you know…” His nervous smiled faded and became an uncomfortable expression, like he just bit a chocolate bar only to discover it wasn't chocolate. “Listen, want some advice? Don't advertise the fact that you're Knockers. Just head straight to your destination and avoid trouble. Alright?” The guard's expression became pleading. Ruby decided he had an awfully expressive face for an asshole. She opened her mouth to tell him as much when Joss blurted out.

        "I need to poop."

        Both Ruby and the guard stared at him, dumbstruck. But then the guard closed his mouth, stepped back and waved them through.

        "I can't believe you just said that," Ruby's disgust was apparent. "That was  nasty. I had it under control you knife. And just who the hell did he think he was? He acted like being a Knocker was something to be ashamed of."

        "He's ignorant!" Joss explained. "Annoying, but not uncommon and not surprising. Knockers have an undeserved reputation for being the cause of the trouble we try to warn people about. Now seriously, find me a john."

        "You
could
use the bathroom on the barge if you're that desperate." Ruby replied.

        "No way!” Joss exclaimed. “You know the rule."

        " 'No moving brown in the bathroom on the barge'!" Anaya's deep voice intoned from the back of the winnebago.

        "Unless you're facing certain death," Joss amended. "Then you can do it wherever you want, though it will likely to be your pants."

        "Just promise you'll be more discreet when we get to the palace." Ruby growled.

        "Find me a restroom and I solemnly swear to be the acme of good manners from here on out." Joss crossed his heart with crossed fingers.

        Ruby shook her head in defeat and pulled into a McDonald's. She wondered briefly how the fast food giant managed to establish a location in a second sight city that was completely unknown to the rest of the world.

        Ruby and Anaya waited in line to pick up some lunch when the huge Knocker stiffened and turned toward the door, his eyes narrowed.

        "Trouble, little girl." His deep voice rumbled. Ruby felt a little surge of apprehension. She'd been with the Knockers long enough to form a healthy respect for their ability to sense danger. It was rare to see Anaya look so serious.

        "Anaya?" She put a hand on his large arm and her giant friend gave her a broad smile.

        "Get ready, Ruby. Things are about to get exciting."

        Just then a commotion filled the street outside. A crowd of people ran by, several stopped to hustle into the restaurant.

        "Everyone out the back!" One man shouted. "The zombies have gone crazy!"

        Anaya stood quiet while everyone around him lost their minds and flocked to the back of the restaurant. Ruby started to follow but Anaya put a restraining hand on her shoulder. He shook his head so she stood with her large friend and soon sensed Joss approach her other side.

        "
The
zombies?" Ruby asked. “Markhato has zombies?”

        “So it would seem,” Joss answered, “not surprising really. Most second sight cities have stables of zombie laborers.”

        “Why are we staying here? Why aren't we following everyone out the back? And what is
that?"
She pointed at the creature approaching the front window. At one point it may have been a human, but now it's face was dropping off in pieces. As she watched its nose dangle by a flap of skin as the creature tried to bite its reflection in the window and ended up smearing more of its face off.

        "We're waiting for the crowd to clear out. Panicked people often become dangerous people. Panicked people in small spaces even more so.” Anaya replied conversationally, as though the first signs of the zombie apocalypse were nothing to get worked up about. He gestured toward the window.  “And
that
, little girl, is a zombie past it's expiration date." Anaya replied. "Most zombie masters build expirations into their products."

        "Planned obsolescence," Joss nodded.  They watched in disgust as the rotting zombie was joined by a mob of its corpsy peers. A large number of whom took an interest in the restaurant.

        “Okay, I know you guys are a bit cavalier toward situations normal people find stressful,” Ruby said in exasperation. “But shouldn't we be a little more concerned about a zombie outbreak? Have you never watched the Walking Dead?”

        Anaya chuckled.

        “Don't worry, Ruby, the world isn't ending. Yes zombies are dangerous, but they can only be created through powerful magic. They aren’t contagious. If a zombie bites you, you end up dead, not undead. That said,  you should avoid getting bit. They have one of the most lethal bites in the world - second only to human.”

        "C'mon little girl. The mob is gone. It's safe to make our way out the back now." Joss turned.

        "Wait!" Ruby shouted and pointed out to the street.  A woman was standing atop the hood of a big truck completely surrounded by the undead. "We can't leave her."

        "Okay, you stay here with Joss, I'll go get her." Anaya strode confidently to the front door and opened it.  The zombies clawing at the window immediately fixed on him.

        In their time together, Ruby had seen both Joss and Anaya do some pretty incredible things. But never had she seen how powerful their gift really was. She watched in awe as Anaya exercised his gift as a Knocker, his inability to be harmed. He walked easily through the zombie mob to the truck. His twists and turns were confident and relaxed. At close to seven feet tall and wearing a fuchsia fur coat, her giant friend exuded a lazy grace in the midst of the horror on the street. Not a single zombie could touch him. Upon reaching the truck he beckoned to the terrified woman who shot a kick at his face, one he easily avoided.  Ruby saw him say something, probably something typically Anaya like: ‘Mind your manners young lady, I'm here to be amazing’. While he spoke, he kept his eyes on the woman while fending off his surrounding attackers.