Sirenz (21 page)

“Since his flight leaves at noon, we have an hour, max, before Jeremy gets here to take him to the airport. We need to entrance him and get him out of here before then.”

Shar pointed to the bathroom and dodged in. I stood guard, hoping she'd be quick—she was. We made our way to the bedroom. Shar laid her hand on the doorknob and opened it, not even trying to be quiet.

The room was full of mist, more like a sauna than a bedroom. Arkady was sitting up in his oxygen pod, looking around. He had no shirt on; his skin was not only wrinkly, but translucent, hairless, and sagging in folds. Even from the doorway, I could see the blue veins underneath. He was skeletal skinny, his bones jutting against the thin skin.

“I'm going to be sick,” muttered Shar.

“I'll join you later,” I said. “Let's get started.”

She nodded, and we both advanced toward Arkady's strange bed. He had no glasses on and probably couldn't see more than vague shapes, but he was startled by the motion.

“Ehh!” he cried in an abrasive voice. “Who the hell are you? What are you doing in my house?”

“I'm uh … ” I started, trying not to shout, moving ever closer. “We're here to help you get ready for your trip, Mr. Romanov.”

“Yes,” Shar said, moving forward and looking around. Her face became suddenly bright and she quickly made for the small table by the bed. She snatched something up and held it aloft. Eyeglasses.

Arkady wagged his head and then waved his arms. “Where's Jeremy? Who let you in here?”

He struggled to get out of the pod, but lost his balance and started to fall over. I darted forward and caught him. His withered cheek fell against my shoulder.

When One Door Closes

“Argh!” Arkady moaned, struggling. I grimaced, then motioned for Meg to get on with it.

“Calm down!” she snapped. Arkady, still in her arms, straightened up.

“Calm …” he repeated, his voice less harsh.

With horror, I watched as the last of Meg's hair fell away, leaving only feathers.

She bent her head so that her lips were only an inch or two away from his ear.

“Mr. Romanov,” she breathed, “put your glasses on. That'll make this a whole lot easier.”

I handed the glasses to Meg and she placed them on Arkady's face. His owl eyes blinked; he stared first at her.

I walked forward and forced his chin up with my hand to make him look at me, trying not to vomit at the feel of his cold, dry skin. “Arkady, time to give the devil his due,” I said. His eyes widened and his lips parted to speak, but I shook my head very slowly and wagged a finger over his half-open mouth.

“No more yelling. No more fighting. You have an appointment with Hades.” I crooked my finger, beckoning him. Mesmerized, he stood and began to make his way toward me, Meg at his side. I backed out of the room.

“Get dressed, Arkady,” she whispered in his ear. “Something simple, don't fuss. Pajamas will work. You can leave your slippers on.”

I laughed softly. “People will think he's crazy. No one will come near him or question us.”

“Let's hope so.”

We followed him from the bedroom into an oversized walk-in dressing area. Racks and racks of clothes, shoes, and hats hung at attention like good little cadets.

Closet envy!

Every flat surface was mirrored. I tried not to look at myself and kept my gaze fixed on him. With surprising agility, he pulled out black silk Armani pajamas, black slippers, and a robe with the initial
A
in a giant gold script. He started to slide the PJ pants over his baggy boxers.

“Come out when you're done!” Meg squeaked. We beat a hasty retreat, getting jammed in the door as we both tried to exit. I was taller, but she had the weight. She won. I closed the door behind me. As soon as he was ready, we were morgue-bound.

Rrrrring!

Meg and I looked at each other. By the front door was a small television screen that gave alternating views of the street below, as well as of the elevator, the lobby, the hallway, and what looked like an area behind the building. This guy was completely paranoid.

What we saw now was Jeremy getting out of a long black limo. And Demeter. I swore in Spanish.

“How multicultural of you,” snipped Meg. “What are we going to do?”

Arkady shuffled into the room and waited, a vacant look in his eyes. Meg grinned slyly and sidled up to him.

“Arkady, Jeremy and Demi are here. Ask Demi to wait in the car, and tell Jeremy to bring the driver and come up and get your bags.” She nudged him forward.

He hobbled to the intercom. “Come up, Jeremy, and bring the driver to help you carry the bags. Demi, wait in the car.” His voice was flat.

On the little screen, we could see Jeremy and the driver move toward the entrance. Thankfully, Demeter remained outside by the car, but she fidgeted impatiently.

“One last thing.” Meg started searching around.

“What are you looking for?”

She hurried over to Arkady, and leaning really close, whispered, “Write Jeremy a check for $200,000, with a note on the bottom that says ‘Romanov Grant.' When Jeremy gets here, tell him that he was a great assistant but he needs to finish school. Tell him to go back to the office right now and close it up, but first he should write a press release saying you're going to Switzerland to an exclusive health spa with Demi. You don't know when you'll return. Do it now, and fast!”

The goat shuffled quickly to his desk, pulled out his checkbook, and started scribbling.

“Meg, there's no time for this!”

“I just can't entrance Jeremy again,” she hissed. “This will get him out of our way, plus give him a little extra for pain and suffering.”

Arkady finished just as the doorbell rang.

“Meg, get behind the door!” We squeezed together. I pinched my nose to stop the sneezes that I knew would fight to get out.

“Answer the door and say what I told you to,” Meg directed. “Don't let them ask any questions. And don't tell them that we're here.”

I glared at him and nodded.

Arkady answered the door.

“Mr. Romanov! Are you ready to go?” Jeremy stood just outside, the driver waiting behind him. I knew he was staring at Arkady's outfit. I felt a sneeze and turned my head away from Meg. Should have kept the mask over my beak.

“Jeremy, you've been a great assistant, but you need to finish school. Here's a grant from the House of Romanov. Go back to the office and write a press release stating that I'll be in Switzerland at an exclusive health spa with Demi. Then close up the office. I don't know when I'll return.”

It was quiet for a few moments. No doubt the shock of the generous gift had left Jeremy speechless, not to mention Arkady's benign manner. Meg's body was tense. This all might be funny in a different situation.

“I don't know what to say,” Jeremy replied slowly. “Mr. Romanov, why aren't you dressed?”

“No questions. Driver, get my bags. Jeremy, go!”

“But—” Jeremy sputtered.

“Go back to the office. Write the press release. Do it!” Arkady almost snarled. Sounded realistic to me.

“Well, uh, thank you, Mr. Romanov.” Jeremy sounded uncertain, but he turned and walked slowly out, with the driver at his side carrying two bags. The driver would have to return for the last load.

We stood there—the fossil, Meg, and I—waiting. I heard the ding of the elevator, the doors opening and closing.

“He's gone,” Meg sighed with relief and moved over to the window, only to motion frantically for me to come over. I got there just in time to see Jeremy walking away from the car, only to be stopped by Demeter. The driver loaded the bags and turned to come back in, but Demeter darted ahead of him.

“Oh my God, she's coming up here!” I hissed.

A few moments later, her voice was echoing down the hallway.

“Mr. Romanov!” She came into the apartment, not looking pleased. The driver was at her heels.

Before Meg could stop me, I stepped up and vamped the driver with my hazardous hazels. “The two of us will be riding with Mr. Romanov,” I said, grabbing Meg's arm. “
Just us.
Meg, come on, last inning.”

“No, Mr. Romanov is coming with me,” Demeter challenged, holding out her hand to him. Arkady stared at her blankly. She waved a hand in front of his face, then did the same with the driver. Neither reacted to her. She stood, still as a statue. Then slowly, she turned to face us. Her stare was withering, but the tightness in her jaw said it all.

Well, well. For once Hades had been truthful—she couldn't do squat.

“Let's go,” Meg said to the driver. He turned and left, and she waddled after him.

“Sorry Demeter.” I smiled brightly as I led Arkady by the elbow. “And just so you know, when this is done, I'm going to buy alligator pumps and eat a big steak.”

I was almost out the door when Demeter grabbed my arm.

“You're already doomed,” she sneered.

“Bite me.” I pulled away and turned my back on her.
Point, my favor!

The driver assisted Arkady into the car and we followed. Once everyone was settled, the driver lowered the glass divider, twisted back, and asked, “Which airport, ma'am?”

I smiled prettily. “There's been a change of plans. City morgue, please.” The window closed and the car took off.

It took about ten minutes with traffic. The whole way, we rode in silence. Victory was so close I could taste it. I was sure Meg was thinking about Jeremy, and who cared what Arkady was thinking. The driver pulled up to the grim, gray stone building.

Sure doesn't look like what I see on TV.
Morgues were supposed to be shiny and silvery and high tech. This was depressing and creepy and dark. Like something out of a horror movie. The driver opened the door, helping first Meg, then me, then Arkady. If he'd understood what was about to happen, Arkady would have fought to stay in the limo.

“Thank you,” Meg said to the driver. As she talked, I could see the pin feathers not only on her head, but starting to cover her face. She pulled her hat lower and her scarf higher. I did the same. This was going to be close.

She leaned closer to the driver. “Take the tags off the luggage in your trunk and drop them in a dumpster in New Jersey. Mr. Romanov and the redhead you picked up earlier were your only passengers.”

He tipped his hat, ran around to the driver's side, and slid in. The car pulled away from the curb and disappeared into the morning traffic.

“Nice touch,” I said. “Jeremy should have no problems when people start looking for Arkady.” I squeezed her hand. “The finish line's inside.” We each took one of Arkady's arms.

I would need a two-day soak in the Jacuzzi tub to feel skeeve-free.

The hallways of the morgue were crowded and bustling. Damn. We'd have to practically forge a path.

I looked at Meg. “Siren powers on!”

“I know,” she replied morosely. I took off my sunglasses and tried to engage as many gawkers as I could in order to spare Meg, but there were too many people to deal with. Each time I glanced at her, she was more birdlike. I was guessing that even my face must be gone now. My backside felt different too, like it was elongating. I chanced a peek back. To my horror I saw some unfamiliar bulging. When I poked it, my butt felt like a feather pillow.

“Hurry!” I urged, beginning to drag Arkady faster. Meg followed suit. Now we were shoving people aside, not bothering to entrance anyone.

“Oh my God, what is that?” a woman screamed.

“I don't know, but it's got that poor man!” cried another.

“Someone call 911!”

“Meg,” I huffed, “shout for them to forget what they see or something! I'll get Arkady to the portal!”

“Caw! Caw!”

Meg was a total bird now. With a mighty flap, she wriggled free of her cape and hat, her grey sweats shredded, and flew down the hall screeching, chasing the screaming people, a mascot gone wrong. The cacophony was deafening, but on I ran. I had to save us both.

I could
feel
the portal. My head darted back and forth, making it impossible to read any signs. I had to trust my instincts. I turned down one hall, then another, Meg's screeching caw in my ear. The pulse of the portal throbbed in my veins, beckoning me. Arkady flopped listlessly beside me, his feet not touching the floor. He seemed to weigh practically nothing. More Siren mojo?

A nasty right turn through double doors, and I stood, panting, in the refrigerated section where the cadavers were stored. A misty vapor seeped out of one body drawer. I hauled Arkady over to it. I yanked on the handle with my free claw, and the door opened and banged against the next one. I pulled out the stainless steel slab and pointed at it with a damning wing.

“Lay down!” I yelled at Arkady, my eyes blazing. “Do it!” I shoved my face within an inch of his. His breath was rank with decay.

He hesitated.

“Where am I?”

It was wearing off! I started to panic, remembering that the enchantment was stronger when Meg was with me.

“Caw!” I screamed. I meant to yell “Meg!” but my voice was gone. An answering cry came from the hallway. There wasn't much time. By the gift or not, he was going in. I grabbed his arm, almost wrenching it from its socket. He cried and protested as I lifted him up, resisting me with what little strength he had.

A harsh croak came from the hall, and Meg flew into the room. She wheeled around and slammed the door shut, throwing herself against it. Almost instantly there was pounding on the other side. Slowly, she turned and pecked at the bolt with her beak.
Click!
She'd locked it! She slumped against the door again, her feathered chest heaving and pumping, her bird body confined in what was left of the sweats and sneakers she couldn't discard on her mad flight through the morgue. Her beady eyes blinked helplessly at me.

I turned back to Arkady. And sucked in a breath. He sat there looking limp, pale, and disoriented. In spite of everything, I felt a small measure of pity for him.

Finally catching her breath, Meg pushed a metal table in front of the door as an added security measure and hopped over to my side. Together we stared at Arkady. Meg's head drooped a little. I wondered if she was thinking the same thing I was—that he looked so frail and so sad. His arm dangled at his side, probably injured from when I hauled him onto the table.

She warbled something softly in her bird voice that I couldn't make out. Whatever it was, Arkady sprang to life.