Fang Shway in LA (6 page)

C
hapter 10

“Should we get drinks? I’ll need to change. I can’t go out looking like this.”

Traygen sighed and sat back down. “Wake me when you’re ready.”

I tossed a pillow at his head and retreated to my bedroom to change. Since I wasn’t sure what to expect I decided to cover every base. The outfit I chose included a long, flowing skirt with a geometric print, in contrasting shades of black and white patterns and a low cut tank top. The skirt would hide my weapons and the low cut top would distract prying eyes, or so I hoped if all else failed.

“See, that didn’t take too long. Are you ready? Let’s go and enjoy an evening out. Do dragons dance anything other than a waltz?”

“Lauren, I’ll have you know that I’ve got more moves than ExLax. Seriously, ballroom dancing was a required course for all well turned out young dragons. Laugh now but I love to tango and it takes two.”

Pulling my skirt in behind me, I laughed so hard I could barely put my seat belt on. I’d known Traygen a long time and I didn’t realize he could tango. Cha-Cha yes, tango no. “All right Fred, we will see soon enough. I hate to change the subject but time is running short. What exactly are we looking for? The Russians, the spear or both?”

Traygen plugged the restaurant’s address into the cars GPS monitor. He smiled in bemused silence as the monitor gave him the directions. “I need to have Tokem price one of these for me. I could use one to get around medieval Europe.”

“You just love her sexy voice and anyway I’m sure medieval Europe isn’t covered.” I teased.

“Jealous? I hope, since you won’t let me make an honest woman of you.”

“Well you do have a reputation with the ladies. You’ve been breaking hearts for eons.”

“Only because you’ve spurned my every advance. A guy can stand only just so much rejection.”

Rolling my eyes, I let the subject drop. This wasn’t the time to discuss our relationship and my steadfast refusal to say yes. We were nearly at the restaurant.
We pulled up out front and then we let the valet park our car. We went in and found a seat near the bar. From Tokem’s description, we were near the side room where the Russian had with Azif.

“I can feel his residual energy,” I said before we ordered something to drink.

“Yes, he has amassed some power. We’ll need to watch our step with this guy. However, his arrogance may be his undoing.”

Our drinks arrived and we set in silence listening to the conversations around us. So far I hadn’t seen anyone enter the side room but a group of men entered the bar area and began bringing in musical equipment. I guess there was going to be live music later.

“It looks like you’ll get your chance to show me your moves. The band is setting up. Have you heard any Russian?”

“Not yet. However, if there is any spoken within the immediate area, I’ll be able to hear it. My hearing is acute as you know and my Russian is passable.”

“Yes, I’m glad you’re on my side. We will need all the help we can get to stop this before there is a war.”

Traygen reached across and put his arm around me. Whispering in my ear he said, “The vamps have arrived. This can’t be a coincidence. Either we’re being followed or they’re here for another reason. Any thoughts?”

Traygen’s breath on my neck gave me a thought, not one I could pursue at the moment. I leaned into Traygen and gave him a little kiss on the neck. “I recognize the tall one by the bar. He was at the art gallery, although I didn’t see him with Ekil.”

Leaning back in his chair, Traygen motioned for the waiter. If I didn’t know better I’d think he was blushing. “I’m going to powder my nose and sprinkle on some holy water. Then I’ll have a quick look around.”

I went to the Ladies room, waited a few minutes before going back into the hall, glancing quickly around, I moved to the side door and pushed on it. Thankfully, it wasn’t locked, and I stepped into the room, seeing no one I decided to look around. There was a long conference table along the rear wall, a set of chairs surrounded the table and a copy of today’s L.A. Times, opened to the sports section and was on top of the table, along with a few coffee cups and empty plates. I looked around the room and realized the area primarily functioned as a storage room. Chairs, tables and boxes of linens were stacked along the outer walls. I was turning to leave when I heard voices. Ducking down and scrambling quickly to my right, I kneeled down behind a large linen cart. The door banged against the wall, swinging inwards and then I heard loud voices.

“I need this room setup immediately. There will be seven people, give them drinks and then leave them alone. Do not disturb the Russians and they’ll tip you well.” I heard chairs being pushed around. Next, the door swung open and closed, peering over-the-top of the cart I realized I was alone. I hurried for the door and stepped outside, exhaling softly I gave silent praise, there didn’t seem to be anyone around.

Traygen stood up when I returned to my seat. “You had me worried. Are you all right?” He eyed me intently.

“Sorry, I took a detour into the side room. Before I could leave, I heard voices. I hid, as the manager came in with a waiter and ordered him to set up the room ASAP. He told the waiter to serve drinks and then to see that the men were not disturbed. His final words were ‘the Russians tip well’.”

A smile crept slowly across Traygen’s face. “Well I guess we’ll have to hang out a little longer. May I have this dance?” He asked as he stood, offering me his hand.

“I thought you’d never ask.” I stood as he pulled out my chair while the band was playing a bluesy number Traygen escorted me to the dance floor, for our first try, our Lindy was passably good. Traygen and I kept an eye on the door, while we danced. The music changed and we headed back to our table.

“I have to admit you’re good.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, but it was a joint effort and it looks like our company has arrived and they’re coming our way.”

From our table, along the back wall, we had a good view of the people coming and going. There were men covering every side of the guest of honor. The group mowed their way through the crowded restaurant like a plow through snow. There was no doubt these men were professional killers. No one said a word and the entire room held its collective breath. The entourage entered the side room and the room again erupted into a cacophony of sound.

I jumped to my feet and raced toward the bar, Traygen was right behind me. We reached the bar in time to hear a waiter talking to the bartender. “I’ve got that group in the backroom. I’ll get their orders, as soon as I deliver these drinks.”

“Traygen, can you handle being a waiter?”

“Of course, what do you have in mind?”

“We’ll detain the real one and you take their orders. Maybe you’ll overhear something useful and at the very least you’ll get a good look at them.”

“Right. Here comes our guy. I’ll grab him and you cover the men’s room entrance.”

Traygen and I headed down the hall and the waiter was right behind us. Traygen stopped abruptly to tie his shoe and they collided. Before the waiter could apologize, Traygen wrestled him into the bathroom. I waited across the hall and watched to make sure no one entered. A few minutes later Traygen emerged wearing the man’s shirt and apron.

“I gagged him, tied him up and put an out-of-order sign on the stall. It won’t hold him long. I hope I still remember how to do this. It has been at least a century.”

“Alcohol is alcohol. Go get their orders and I’ll make sure our waiter doesn’t leave.”

Traygen picked up the tray and headed toward the side room. He spent the next thirty minutes taking and filling orders.
When he finished filling the group’s orders we left the restaurant and headed for our car.

“Well don’t keep me waiting? What did you find out?”

Merging into traffic, Traygen didn’t answer immediately. “The Russians have the spear and a buyer. They tipped me and sent me on my way before I could find out who the buyer is, but they’re worried about something. What I’m not certain.”

“If I were them, I’d worry about any number of things. The police, a double cross and if they have any brains, the spears power. Did you find out where they’re keeping it?”

“No, but I left a little bug behind?”

I arched my eyebrows and shook my head admiringly at Traygen.

“Hey, even a dragon has to admire the efficiency of microscopic tracking devices. The monitor will track their progress. We may as well head home and watch their movements. It didn’t look like they were in a hurry.”

“Good, I’m going to need time to work on a strong shield to protect us from the spear. The energy the spear pulses with is ancient and deadly. I have to believe whoever wants it believes they know how to use it. Meaning, they are either very powerful or extremely stupid and stupid works better for me.”

We rode the rest of the way home in silence. I was running out of time to stop the cartel’s wizard and the vamps Daywalker from coming to blows. Normally, I wouldn’t care if those two lowlifes took each other out. In fact, I would welcome it, if not for the fact it would start a major war between the wizards and vampires.
One I’m assigned to prevent.

The World Council doesn’t tolerate any illegal use of magic. There are strict rules and violating them was not tolerated. There would be only one possible outcome if those rules were violated and it would be a death sentence. Unfortunately, there were elements from both communities that would enjoy any excuse to start something, welcome it even.

“You’re being quiet, care to share?” Traygen asked as he pulled into the driveway and parked.

“I’m obsessing about what is at stake if we don’t keep Azif and the Daywalker from starting something. Time is running out. I sure hope your tracking device tells us something, in the meantime I’m going to my office.”

“Not so fast, Lady, Mr. Chivas would like to chat. Dragon, don’t make any quick moves, or I’ll have my men shoot you both. Now get in the car, the boss doesn’t like being kept waiting.”

“Traygen, do as they say, I’ll be fine. You’ll help me more by staying put.”

Sparks flew from Traygen’s eyes but he did as I asked. It was just this type of incident that drove him crazy. It was one of our biggest reoccurring arguments. He thought I took too many chances and I knew I could take care of myself. We hadn’t been able to strike a suitable balance and I was certain I could handle Chivas and his men. Traygen needed to find the Russian stronghold, besides these macho guys weren’t about to worry about a woman. Mistake, big mistake, I was armed and pissed.

Chapter 11

We rode in silence to the Chivas manor, where I was pulled from the car and escorted inside. The men took me down the hall to the library. Chivas was standing in front of a window, staring at God only knows what, when I entered.

“Lauren, thank you for coming on such short notice, we need to talk.”

“I’m listening.” Like I had a choice, you smug son of a bitch.

“I want the spear, which is why I hired Azif. I didn’t know I was going to step on the vampire’s toes and the Daywalker is causing me problems. I don’t want war with the thrall. I don’t have time for it.”

“It’s a little late for that, don’t you think? Didn’t Azif tell you bringing him in would upset the balance of power? I see from the look on your face he failed to mention it. Employing a rogue wizard on Earth’s planes without provocation is a violation of council law.”

I could see Chivas fighting to keep his composure. “Must have slipped his mind and for the record I didn’t ask him to kill Ekil’s son. I need your help?”

I laughed despite myself which was a bad idea. Righteous boy put a loaded gun to my head, pulling back the hammer, grinning like the psycho he was. Shit, how did I get myself into these things? I managed to stammer, “What do you think I can do, that you can’t?”

“I want you to kill Azif, so the vamps will leave me alone. Then I can get on with my purchase.”

He was fucking nuts, or he assumed I was. There was no way I could just kill another wizard without cause. The council took a dim view of such things. “I can’t kill him without a darned good reason. The World Council would kill me. However, I might be able to corral him for a short time.”

“How short? I need him out of commission from today until…”

He checked himself. I guess he realized he didn’t want me to know exactly when he was buying the spear. “Can you contain him through the weekend?”

“I don’t know. He’s a powerful wizard and I may not have the strength. He could kill me.”

“It looks like you’re between a rock and a hard place, doesn’t it. Accept my offer or I’ll have you killed now. Control Azif and you at least have a chance to live. Deal?”

“Well if you put it like that, how can I refuse? Why don’t you just kill him yourself? Then all your problems would be solved without involving me?

“Lauren, if I could have handled this myself, I would have. Azif has gotten too strong.”

“What will you do about the vampires?”

“I’ll tell them the truth. Azif killed Farok and he was acting on his own. I had nothing to do with it.”

“Gee, I sure hope they don’t think I was his accomplice. You know they might assume I had something to do with it.”

“Your welfare isn’t my problem. Anyway, I believe you can take care of yourself. Take her home.”

He dismissed me with a wave of his hand. His boys drove me home without comment, which was good because I was in no mood to chat.

“Thank God. Lauren, are you all right? They didn’t hurt you did they.”

“No, I’m mad, but unharmed. Chivas ordered me to kill Azif.”

“He what? You can’t do that the council would kill you.”

“I mentioned that to no avail. He made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, kill or be killed. Furthermore, he suggested that I detain him through the weekend. So he can buy the spear without Azif’s interference.”

“What did you tell him?”

“I thought it unwise to tell him to take his problem and shove it. Unfortunately, he did not want to hear my problems. Given the alternative I accepted his offer.”

Picking up the keys, Traygen headed for the door.

“Where are you going?”

“To teach Chivas and his thugs some manners.”

Crossing the room I grabbed Traygen by the arm, “No. I need you here. We can deal with those clowns later. Did you get any leads with your tracking device?” His knuckles were turning white from gripping the keys and he still hadn’t spoken. Finally, his shoulders sagged and he turned to face me.

“I was worried sick they would harm you, I should’ve known better,” he teased. “To tell you the truth I didn’t move from the window until I saw them drop you off. I’ll go check the monitor.”

While Traygen was checking the monitor I tried to relax. The tension and adrenalin from my last two meetings had my heart pounding and my head spinning. I took several deep breathes, exhaling slowly, trying to center myself when I heard Traygen coming back down the hall.

“Any movement?”

“While I was distracted, the Russians have been on the move. It looks like they made a brief stop in Santa Monica and then drove south on PCH. I’ve got the address. Do you want to check it out?”

“Yes and can we trace all their movements? I would like to know where they stopped. It might shed some light on the spear’s location.”

“We can find the building. What do you say we get Tokem up and leave him to scout out the area where they stopped? While we go check on the Russians.”

“Good idea, you get him and I’ll change.” I needed to prepare before I got anywhere near the spear. If everything I’ve heard about it was correct it was a powerful artifact. I got my bracelet, my staff, a ring that would act as a strong talisman against most spells and my gun.

Ten minutes later, we were heading for Santa Monica. We dropped a grumpy sylph off at the address we got from the tracker. He hadn’t learned how to use the TiVo yet which meant he was missing the Price Is Right. He threatened to mutiny and wing it home. Our directions took us north on PCH. On the outskirts of the city, we headed east into the hills. Pepperdine occupied the land to our immediate left. Then we followed the signal into an area filled with gated estates. It was a pretty area, nestled between the ocean and the mountains.

“We are close. It has to be the property on our right. Drive past it and we’ll try to find a place to hide the car. Yep, that must be it the tracker is showing that it’s now behind us.”

Traygen drove about a half mile down the road, before turning down a side street. We pulled over and parked on the shoulder. “It’s going to be dark in a half hour or less. I think we should sit tight. A house like that has to have electronic surveillance or dogs.”

“I agree and it will give us a chance to talk. What the heck?” I jumped as a blur I realized was Tokem sped by me. “Oh, Tokem you scared the daylights out of me,” I said.

“Lauren, it’s good to see you, too.”

“Hey, what about me? Didn’t you miss me?” Traygen said.

“You’ve got to be kidding. Dragon, you’re the ingrate that woke me up. You are lucky I didn’t put a hex on you. You two owe me. I flitted around the area and who do you think came bounding out of one of the buildings? Give up? Azif and he’s headed this way.”

“Do tell,” said Traygen emitting a low whistle. “He’s a busy boy.”

“I’m not surprised because Chivas wants him killed so he won’t interfere with the sale. I wonder if Azif knows Chivas has ordered his murder.”

“Probably, he’s no fool a little crazy yes but, stupid no way. He could eavesdrop on Chivas without him ever knowing.”

“Killed?” Tokem quipped, “Wouldn’t a pink slip do?”

Traygen reached into the backseat and pulled out his shoulder holster. “Should we go have a look around?”

We started down the road, hugging the shadows. When we were about a block from the grounds, I signaled for everyone to stop. I whispered something to Traygen, who nodded in silent agreement. Next, I turned to Tokem and whispered my instructions to him. A moment later he was in the air to check out the immediate area. He was back in a flash, whispering his report to me. Damn, the vampires had beaten us to the estate. We slipped silently back the way we came.

“Damn, now what?” Traygen growled. “Tokem, are you sure it is the vamps and the Daywalker?”

“Don’t insult me. Of course I’m certain. I know a vampire when I see one. What do you mean am I...?”

“Keep it down you two. We don’t have time for your silly squabbles. Any ideas? We can’t let the Daywalker and Azif lock horns. Our job is to stop the battle, not witness it.”

“I do,” said Traygen. “Let’s go in, in a blaze of glory. I’ll change, you hop on and Tokem you see where everyone scatters once the flames fly.”

“I like it. Hopefully, they’ll be too busy getting away to fight one another. Let me get my staff. I’ll light some fires. They’ll be too busy stepping and fetching to attack one another. ”

Tokem took to the air. “I don’t want to miss any of the fireworks. If I’d known I would have brought marshmallows.”

Chuckling to myself I hopped on Traygen’s back and we took off. It only took a few powerful strokes of Traygen’s wings to get us airborne. We soared up and into the night sky, stars illuminating the evening sky, blissfully quiet but that was all about to change. It was a shame we weren’t out for a romantic ride, much too nice a night to fight vampires. We circled the area until I spotted our Daywalker. He was about to take a shot at Azif. I motioned for Traygen to dive.

We aimed for the area right over the Daywalkers head and I knocked him off his feet with my staff. Traygen sent a blinding flash of fire in Azif’s direction. To put it mildly, they were both stepping and fetching, not sure if their asses were on fire and their heads about to catch. Traygen banked sharply up and away before they could refocus. I reached forward and yelled in Traygen’s ear. He nodded and glided to the ground behind the house, doing our own version of a touch and go landing. Traygen immediately sprang back into the air, circling back to engage the vampires. I moved silently into the shadows, absorbing the inky darkness, shielding my magic. If I were right, Azif would be headed in my direction and I wanted to surprise him.

It took my eyes a few minutes to adjust. I could just make out the back of the house. There was at least one guard with an automatic weapon standing by the backdoor. Creeping forward, I got within striking distance and the backdoor flew open. Azif was standing in the doorway, glancing quickly around just before he ran for a small sedan which was parked nearby. Racing around we arrived at the car at the same time.

“Going so soon?” I asked. He nearly jumped out of his skin but he regained his composure quickly.

“You. What do you want? No. Never mind I’m in a hurry.”

“I imagine you are. The Daywalker would love to chat with you and I don’t imagine you’re prepared to handle him. I think you should hang around so I can see if I’m right.”

“You’d be right Lauren, but a second-rate wizard like you, I can dispense with.” He said as he sent a blast of energy in my direction.

I dove to my right, just in time to get my shield up to deflect his torrent of blinding energy. I rolled to my knees, as he started his car. No you don’t. “Winglo.” Take that you hack.

The spell sent a gust of wind that rocked his car and threatened to tip it over, knocking down several small trees, cutting off his escape. He slammed on the brakes, skidding to a stop, throwing it in reverse, gunning the engine sending the car straight at me, gravel flying in every direction.

Son of a bitch, the bastard was trying to run me down. I threw myself to the side as gravel rained down all around me. I was not quite quick enough, his rear bumper caught my legs and spun me ass over tea kettle. That was the last thing I remembered, just before hitting a large tree.