The Wielder: Sworn Vengeance (The Wielder Series) (31 page)

Karen starts her walk around the house, repeating the show of force at each boarded window.

Mr. F-You returns, noting Karen’s destruction of plywood and leans into me. “Damn, bee-atch would have fucked me up, wouldn’t she?”

“If anyone could
,” I tell him, glancing down to his crotch, then back up to his eyes, “And don’t let her hear you call her that again. It's wee-atch.”

Afte
r knocking out all the windows and doors, Karen returns to us.

“Attic’s going to
be dangerous,” she tell us, “unless we can open it up”

She considers the roof for a moment and tells us all t
o stand back. Winds begins to form. Her red hair begins to whip around. She elevates slightly from the ground and holds her hands up and screams.  A tornado forms at the side of the house.  It crashes into the side of the house causing the roof to partially tear off along with part of the wall on that side of the house.

S
hingles scatter all over and Karen falls down to one knee breathing heavily.

“Damn,” mutters Mr. F-You.

I couldn’t agree more.

There is the sound of howling and screeching coming from the attic.  In my mind that’s good – vampires greeting the sunlight.

“Ok
ay” says Karen, pulling a vial with blue liquid from a pouch at her side, “Arthur, gun down – sword up; get it glowing. We’ll either burn them or cut them down after I recover a bit.”

We sweep the h
ouse, Yayne burning brightly, making the vampires back off from its holy light while Karen casts fire burning them one by one. Shey’s bow thrums. At the end of the run, we are the only ones standing.  We drag their remains outside for the final greet the sun. We leave the house and see that Mr. F-You is talking with others that have joined to either check it out or strip my minivan.  He appears to be trying to get them to go.   Karen walks over to the van and pulls out a small knife, then cuts the others loose.

They get up quickly and
run to join the others around Mr. F-You.

After a short while, they all walk away, leaving Mr.
F-You alone.  He turns around walks back to us.

“My name is Demetrius.  Demetrius Johnson. Y’all some bad motherfuckers and you owe m
e two hunn-ed”

“Yes we do
,” says Karen, “We don’t have it on us, but we’ll get it to you.”

That gets us a look of disbelief
and exasperation from Demetrius.

“Demetrius
,” I interject “Come by the Hidden Eye in the quarter on Decatur, tell them who you are and they’ll give you an envelope with the money.  And a good meal… For the bother of having to go there.”

He nods at me
, telling me “yea.”  That’s good enough. We pack the minivan and head back home. 

Once we get home I send everyone up
stairs and hit the “Eye.” Using my business credit card I withdraw $300 from the ATM, put it in an envelope and leave it at the front along with directions to feed the “Demetrius” and whoever is with him that comes to get it. I figure he earned the bonus and goodwill goes a long way. Then I step over to the walking tours booth that we rent out to and buy two tickets for this evening’s haunted walking tour.

I head back up to join
the rest.

After I lift the gate on the elevator
and come through the front door, I’m crushed by a running hug from Sheyliene.

“We kicked ass!” she proclaims and despite her tiny stature she shakes me like a ragdoll.

Karen is sitting on one of the living room chairs, looking calm but pleased. Vets sits on the sofa across from her. “It did go well,” is Vets’ input.

I extricate myself from Shey’s bear hug and head over to sit next to Vets.  I need cover. Not from Shey’s affection, but
from what is soon going to be her anger.

Shey follows me and sits down
at my other side.  Bubbly is about to stop.

Taking a moment to compose myself I set it out, hoping that Karen’s and Vet’s presence might buffer things. I look over at my fairy. “Shey, something important I need you to do tonight.”

“Sure, what?”

“Take Karen and Vets out to dinner for me.  I’m going to be otherwise engaged.”

“Sure! Whatcha doing?”

It feels like all eyes are on me.  I guess that’s because they a
re. “Taking Sil out on a haunted walking tour. She asked to spend time with me in a non-intimate way - we won’t have another opportunity for a long while, once we’re on the hunt.”

There
is a silent pause of disbelief by all.  Then Shey pops off the couch and looks down at me.  “Are you crazy?  You cannot be alone with her – ever. I knew that whole let you out of the promise thing was a ploy – don’t you see? No, you are not allowed. Not ever.”

“Personally I think it’s great you’re taking time with her”
adds Karen. 

Of course that would be her point of view.

“You’re opinion doesn’t matter,” spits Sheyliene back at her, getting a raised eyebrow and smirk from the red witch.

But all attention turns when Vets’ calm voice comes from my
left. “Summonling you forget your place.  You serve. He commands. I grow tired of watching my wielder having to endure your madness and having his will constantly questioned.” Vets didn’t even look at her when she said it. Didn’t look at me either - she just put it out there in that stoic way she does.

Silence follow
s that statement. Until Karen’s voice breaks it, “My, that sort of puts things in reference, doesn’t it Arthur?”

Shey is looking at me like someone just pulled her heart out.
“She’s going to take you.”

I look at Shey as sympathetically as I can.
“I spend time with everyone but her. That should change. Just because I’m taking time, doesn’t mean I’m swapping bodily fluids. It’s not fair everyone else gets my time but her. Shey, even you have to understand that.”

Shey’s arms are crossed and her face is scowling.
“This is all part of her plan.”

I just
shrug at her. “Still, need to do it – it’s the right thing.”

We hear the elevator kick in and
I can only guess who it is.

After a while
the lift arrives, the gate rises and her Sil-ness arrives, brochures in hand.  She scans the room for a moment, noting Shey’s demeanor. “I have it down to two,” she says dismissing whatever drama is in the air, “with only a distant third.”

She walks over to the
living area table and throws down a brochure for a Chevy Suburban -  “Biggest and best for us.  Lots of power too.  Shitty mileage.” Then she throws down a brochure for the Cadillac Escalade. “This is vote #2.  Less seating capacity – more luxury. Mileage just as bad."

I take it in.
Good job.  Down to two. Then the surprise comes…

“There’s a third option
,” she says. “I know how you’re just so into mini-vans Arthur.  I found the only one I could agree with on Craig’s list.  Slightly used, but it could work.”

She throws down a piece of paper with her hand sketched art of the Mystery Machine from Scooby-doo.

“Ooo! I know that one!” is Shey’s excited response.

“It’s a joke
, nitwit” is Sil’s deadpan reply and she turns to leave, heading back towards the hall and her room. I note she hadn’t asked a thing about the vampire nest.

I get up quickly and chase her down midway in the hall
, “Hey, hold up.”

She does, not turning around.

“Sil, why don’t you put on a more reasonable top and some shoes fit for walking.”

“Why’s that?”

“You and I are going for a walk tonight.”  That gets her to turn around.

I hold up the tickets and
get to see what Silithes looks like totally dumbfounded.

The walking tour was fun. Sil did cover up
with more appropriate attire, thank goodness. Us being well involved in the “real” supernatural community here, having the lore presented was actually kind of interesting.  Sil was mostly well behaved, though she did pester the tour guide about what other monsters have roamed the city and what he would do if one appeared right now.

If he only knew he was actually talking to one.  If he only knew what I spent my afternoon doing.

Sil never tried to hold my hand, take my arm or anything else that could be considered PDA. She didn’t even flirt with the group of European guys that kept ogling her and saying things in a language I didn’t understand.

Judging from their looks
at me and laughs some of it was probably the usual, “I could kick that kid’s ass,” or, “He must be hung like a donkey.”  I’ve heard ‘em all and could care less. And truthfully, they didn’t really do a thing other than ogle, laugh and have a good time.

After the tour I did stop us at Café DuMonde.  Pleasant conversation was punctuated by powdered sugar
beignets and hot chocolate.  While returning Sil asks me if I want to take a bet that Sheyliene was waiting in front of the lift.

I’m not taking
that bet.  A good thing too; she was camped out in front of the lift sitting cross legged. Sil totally bypassed her heading straight over to Karen – to dish I guess.  Me, I got the twenty questions treatment – all of which I answered “no” to.

The morning c
omes early and I workout with Vets, like we used to do – just me and her.  By the time we are done, Sil had arisen all dressed in her camo and combat boots, ready to go buy that new car.

I clean
up a bit and we go buy the Suburban – a black one, fully loaded.  Mr. Salesman was a little confused at me, I think expecting someone much, much older looking.  If he only knew how old I really am...  All the same I think he got over it when I told him I was writing a check then and there.

Money talks.

On the way back, I figured out why Sil wanted to come along for the purchase.  “Let’s break it in,” was the theme. There is no real attempt to get me in the backseats, just numerous flirty suggestions.   She even admitted that she just missed being trashy with me and was just having fun revisiting her, “old slutty ways.”

It t
akes no time to get everyone loaded up and I have to admit, this vehicle is so much better than a minivan: room, comfort, sound system – ride even.  Everyone thought so too.  Karen laments that we really could have used it yesterday. Though it lost a little luster for me the first time I had to fill it up.

But still, the vehicle
is clean – meaning no GPS bugs, no RFID tags and we cannot be traced to our destination.   That destination is Znuul’s bunker in Oldham County, Kentucky – a good 10 hour plus drive.  I take the first five hours, Sil took the last five plus.

The drive was totally uneventful. Nobody accosting us at lunch.  Nobody at gas-ups – of which there were too many.  It just shows me that yes, the mini-van must be bugged.

Eventually we pull into the gravel drive of Znuul’s bunker. We stop the car at the beginning of the drive, where the cameras are hidden.  I get out and display myself.  I figure Znuul wouldn’t recognize the car and I didn’t want to find out what countermeasures he might have in place.

After a round of waving and turning around to the cameras, I jump back in the car and we make our way up the winding drive.  We get t
o the big metal warehouse like building, lit up with floodlights and the red door opens followed by that waif of a girl, Kitten, flying out dressed in nothing more that her “house uniform” and some sneakers.

Sil parks the car and Karen is greeted by
the almost bouncing Kitten. “He’s so looking forward to seeing you! I’m Kitten! Follow me and come in!  He’s going to be sooo happy to see you!” She tries to take Karen by the hand and bring her in, but apparently Karen’s not much for holding hands right now.

The look Karen shoots me speaks volumes – “This is
her?” 

I ask the girls to get the luggage, for a change, and follow Karen inside the big red door on the metal building.

I’m barely inside the door when Pffif’s excited voice breaks the quiet. “Master Arthur – by the stars, ye finally be here!”  He didn’t go as far as hugging me, but it was close. I hear Hjuul’s excited barking coming from the garage.

Then Znuul rounds the corner
in human form, cutting through the kitchen from his bedroom area.  He is moving quickly, then suddenly he stops dead about four feet in front of Karen.  He has a huge smile on face.

That is until Karen and he lock eyes. I can’t read Karen.  Not at all.  But Znuul’s expression change
s from Mr. Happy-To-See-You, to very serious.  There was maybe ten seconds of silence – it felt like forever.  Even the girls with the luggage sensed the tension.

Then Znuul br
eaks the silence, his deep voice actually wavering, “I tried to tell him to get out, you know. He was… he… insisted I get the kids out instead.  I… I tried to warn him.” The wavering turns to full on sobbing. Tears are streaming from his eyes.  “He let me go.  I couldn’t save him.  I was too far away. I tried to warn him… I.. ”

Th
e moment is broken by Kitten’s shrill scream.  “No! You bitch! You’re supposed to make him happy!”  She grabs Karen’s arm and spins her around. “You need to go, now! Get out you bitch.  Get out of here!”

Kitten jumps about a foot when Znuul’s angry deep voice
snaps a resounding “No!”

Sil quietly
drops her bag, steps in between Karen and Kitten, gently taking Kitten’s arms, rubbing them up and down. “Calm down honey,” Sil says.  Kitten’s eyes are now darting between Sil’s and Znuul’s, her breathing heavier – I recognize the signs of Sil’s neuromancy invading Kitten.  “Sometimes you have to share the hurt to heal it right," Sil whispers to Kitten. Now Sil’s hand is caressing her cheek. 

Kitten is confused, looking between Sil and a now pissed off Znuul.
Kitten turns to Sil, “But she’s making him hurt.”

“It’s
OK” Sil says in soothing tones, now taking her into a hug.

I can tell Sil is piling it on her. It says a great deal of Kitten’s bond to my brother in revenge that she hasn’t totally caved.

“You need a distraction honey.  I’m a great distraction.  Come with me.” Sil’s takes her by the hand and tries to lead her away.  Kitten stops and looks at Znuul almost pleading.

“Go
, “He spits out to Kitten, “Just go.”

She obeys and follows Sil’s lead down the hall.

“Succubus,” Znuul yells.  Sil turns.

“Thank you.”  Sil smiles and
bows her head back to him.

Znuul wipes the tears from his eyes and readdresses Karen, “My apologies.  She is very protective of me.
I… uh… I didn’t mean to blubber either.”

Karen closes the gap between them and takes him in a
wrapping hug.  I see her starting to heave and cry.  Znuul closes his eyes and begins to weep again.

“I never stopped believing in you” she manages to say between tears.

  “I miss him,” Znuul says quietly, “I so very, very miss him.”

“Me to
,” says Karen breaking the hug.  She wipes the tears from her eyes, takes Znuul by the hand and guides him to the sofa, where she sits down and pulls him down to her, cradling his huge frame.  They both sit there, him his head resting across her lap and her arms around him - both off in their own world of mourning, saying nothing.

I feel a tug on my pant leg and look down at Pffif.  “They
be needing their time.  You be needin’ to see what I built.”

“Yea – come on group
,” I say to Vets and Shey. Vets is right in step.  Shey is just staring at Karen and Znuul with arms crossed and a blank look on her face.  “Come on Shey.”  I get no reaction.

So, I leave my fixated fairy and follow Pffif into the garage.
After being about tackled by my hound, I note the huge topographical map of the earth spread out across the garage with a string “x” in the midst of it.  “We be usin’ almost zero friction pulleys ona X an Y axis.  The world map’s havin’ actual soils built in from all over and that sorcerer there promises,” he says pointing at Arix, “that spindle thing will pull to the place on the map where the bastard be.  Ain’t it something?  Took me days buildin’ the map thing and days more to be tunin’ the pulley mechanism.”

Pffif leans up on the map, takes a deep breath and blows at the spindle, sending it moving.

“Sensitive – ye see?”

“
And why we built it here in the garage where there’s no air conditioning blowing on it,” says Arix.  He seems rather proud of himself – in this case, I think that’s good.

“We be ready
,” says Pffiferil.

“It’s true, my wielder
,” adds Arix.  “The tracking spell and channeling vessel for the energies have been created.  All we need to do is create the connection, and bind the energy to the vessel. Our tests using known landmarks worked.  That of course is different than the energies our binding spell will hopefully latch on to.

“Truly impressive jester,” is Vets’ comment walking around the map. She flashes Pffiferil a quick smile, which is almost unheard of. “Now if it works...”

“Acch! Of course it be workin!  That is unless the sorcerer messed somethin’ up.”

I take in the magnitude of this work and am really impressed. They’ve been busy… and apparently getting along well.  But then Pffiferil seems to gets along with everyone.

After
a long while of catching up we are interrupted by Znuul’s bellowing voice, “All come!  It is time.”