Desired by Shadow (A Shadow Walkers Novel) (12 page)

After finishing off two kegs of beer, Fury was ready to get this party started. The look on faces of Solien’s men when he popped in was priceless. He knew what was said about him. The hound was mythical. Midnight black with three heads. Came from one of the deep circles of the Nether realm; loved to tear humans, Walkers, and other creatures to pieces, playing with them before devouring them, preferably with some type of tasty sauce. They said in hushed whispers that the beast had the power to keep you alive so you knew you were being consumed. Worse, the monster actually talked.

All true though he was insulted the puny little humans couldn’t wrap their heads around the fact he conversed. What, the three heads didn’t bother them, but the talking did? Made him want to tell Dayne to go screw himself, fuck their bargain and amble over to Africa where they worshipped him properly, as a god. Well, demi-god was the correct term, but who cared?

Bruce wanted his men to crawl through the tunnels, see what they could find. He was smart enough not to suggest Fury do the same. The three circles of hell if he was going to stink for no reason. They were to meet at the Castle unless one of the men found something, then they’d call and rendezvous wherever. The silly little humans were petrified of him, not a single one wanted to go with him. Instead of insisting or following them, he preferred to hunt alone. His three heads grinned, showing off massive fangs. If he’d wished, he could have shown up in another form. He had the ability to shapeshift. A raven was his other preferred guise. But rather than showing up as a human it was a great deal more fun to scare them and after all, the three-headed hound was his natural state. Solien and his master, Dayne, had upped their game. Taking over the world? It smacked of a bad sci-fi movie and way too much effort. Grumbling, he padded over the cobblestones at Edinburgh Castle. A startled kid pointed to him and tugged his mother’s coat. “Mam, there’s a giant monster dog with three heads over there, look!” Oops. The humans would be alarmed seeing him bounding across the courtyard. Before he flashed invisible, one head smiled, one bared fangs, and the third head growled at the child. The boy cried, frantically pointing, “He’s going to eat us. Mam! The monster is bigger than the bus dad drives.”

“Johnny! What have I told you about making up stories? Stop it right now and behave. Crying doesn’t help. Honestly, no cookies after dinner, you’re going straight to bed.” The frazzled mother yanked the boy by the arm, dragging him across the cobblestones, scolding the entire way.

How insulting. The seven hells he was bigger than a bus. Maybe a large SUV or tank, but no way was he fat. Offended, Fury thought about eating the child—why bother? Not enough meat on the little ones to make it worthwhile
.
Rather like eating chicken wings. Mostly sauce and bone. He’d wait for tastier fare.

All around the city, missing person’s flyers were plastered on building walls, papered in tube stations, and covering lampposts. Was the same all over the UK. Not many fringe elements of society around, and it wasn’t because of the cold. Dayne’s Day Walkers had been draining them dry. He paused, a discarded newspaper fluttering on the ground. The headline read “Scottish National Party Cleans Up Homeless Problem.” Riiiiight. All the politicians were taking credit for what unbeknownst to them, Dayne and Solien were responsible for.

As he was pondering eating the businessmen on the street corner, Bruce’s men showed up. He noted with a cock of his head that Bruce wasn’t there. The man didn’t like to muss his hands. Preferred to let others do the dirty work while he stood by, looking on. Fury wondered if the man didn’t have the stomach for it?

The short man addressed him. “Uh, sir? We didn’t find her, but looks like she came this way.” Fury wrinkled all three of his noses. They smelled of garbage and other nasty things. Splats of brown goo, best not think about what it was, made a plopping noise as it hit the damp stone. His middle head, the one that did most of the talking, turned and stared at them through gold eyes. “I scented her here. My guess would be she headed toward the Leith docks.”

The four men conferred amongst themselves. “Me and him will check other tunnels. Paul used to be hunter. He can track most anything.” Mr. Short gestured to the other two lack-wits. “They will come with you to help.”

A shaggy head, turned brown eyes on the human who’d spoken. “And why doesn’t Paul speak for himself?”

“Rawlins cut his tongue out for insolence, right Paul?” The mute shrugged.

“Silence is golden.” The head with the red eyes spoke, eyeing Paul with a hungry look.

“Chill boys. Plenty of time for taking care of him later.” Fury told the other two heads. Sometimes they wanted to do what they wanted. It was bloody hard having three brains to contend with at all times. Didn’t matter he was the dominant head, the other two had strong wills. A thought popped into his head. “Did any of you fine fellows think to bring a picture of Maggie?”

The boy with the missing fingers, Ned, stepped forward. Reaching into his coat pocket, he fumbled and withdrew a grainy photo. The woman had a curvy body and an attribute Fury would recognize anywhere…long, wavy, fire engine red hair. Of course she could have cut if off or dyed it. He sent a mental message to the other two brains to keep a blank look.
But it’s her
, the brown-eyed head replied.
We helped her board that ship
, said the red-eyed head.
I know that, but those losers don’t. So don’t give it away.

“Seems an attractive sort. Are we to kill on sight or bring her back to Solien to make a snack for him?”

The short man answered him. “We’s told to bring ‘er back and Solien would deal with her.”

Gold eyes regarded the men. This wouldn’t do. “Sounds good. You two, continue checking tunnels and the other fine gentlemen here will accompany me to the docks. We’ll meet up at the house by nightfall.” With that, his heads turned to glare at the humans and spat in unison, “Well, come on then. We don’t have all day.”

The two men were called Brian and Kevin, whatever. Ought to be called Fat and Lazy. No matter. The dour group parted ways; Fat and Lazy following behind him, looking scared. They’d stay that way if they were smart. At least both men kept quiet as they walked to the docks. He knew which ship she was on, The
Revenge II
. In his raven form, he’d seen the woman, forlorn look on her face and obviously injured, desperately seeking a way out of Edinburgh. No one would assist her. She didn’t have any funds and the human males didn’t want to be bothered, she wasn’t worth the risk to them.

A look of hopelessness in her eyes made him help her. He’d always had a weakness for red-headed women. Drawing her attention to an open hatch allowed her to find a way on board.

Reaching the docks, the heads shook off the rain. Fat and Lazy looked miserable but wisely kept their yaps shut. Wanting time to formulate a plan, he motioned to them to follow him into a pub on the corner. Was rather fun watching their faces turn the color of curdled milk as he transformed into a human male. Fury knew how he must look to them. At six eight with short black hair and gold eyes, well not to mention he was built like a man who spent his entire life doing hard labor. Most men got out of his way as fast as they could.

“What? You thought I’d go in as myself and ask for three pints?” He rolled his eyes. The unlikely trio ordered drinks and sat at a table towards the back of the pub. There was time to enjoy a beverage before paying a visit to the Port Manager’s office. A group of bankers had braved the worsening weather and were enjoying a late lunch. He hated bankers. They were responsible for a great deal of the economic turmoil this world was experiencing. And worry combined with hopelessness, made humans taste a bit “off.” Fear and anger gave them more of a spicy flavor…

Pondering the situation, his eyes narrowed. Dayne thought he’d gotten the better of Fury in the bargain they’d struck—however, the phrasing was crucial when it came to terms. The demons were masters of properly wording curses and bargains. He’d learned from the best and while he’d lost the bargain, he’d ensured the details weren’t as bothersome as Dayne thought they were. While he couldn’t eat the god or outright defy a properly worded order for another year, he had a certain latitude in how to interpret the orders he was given unless they were worded explicitly. By the gods, had it been ninety-nine years already? My how time flew when you were being screwed.

In hunting for her, he was obeying the letter of the command. Solien, while a demon, wasn’t privy to the terms of the bargain. He thought Fury had been enslaved for a hundred years. Period. Tsk, tsk. He’d let the misconception stand. Nothing said he couldn’t
help
her. Smiling, the man on his left quickly moved further down the bar. Guess his smile wasn’t very friendly. Since he liked redheads and loved flipping Dayne off, he’d help the human woman. It would make his servitude a bit more bearable. He had every intent of tearing Dayne to shreds when the hundredth year was up.

A few patrons paid and staggered out of the pub into the cold afternoon air. Likely on their way home to wives or girlfriends. As the door slammed shut, sending the room into near darkness, Fury smiled. The only ones remaining were the bankers, the barkeep and Fat and Lazy. Perfect. Manifesting the rest of the case of wasabi sauce Rawlins had sent him last year, he took note of any potential exits. Two windows up front, a door in back probably leading to an alley and that was it for escape. Was laughable really.

Beckoning Solien’s minions to the hallway next to the toilet, Fury changed form. Saliva dripped from the jaws of each head. Brian and Kevin realized a second too late what was happening. Drenched in wasabi sauce, the men were gone in two large bites. Hope he didn’t look like an overgrown chipmunk with his jowls stuffed full. Chewing and swallowing, he used his power to mask what was going on by throwing up a mirror image of the corridor sans carnage.

Tasty. The appetizer whetted his appetite. Dropping the mirage, he manifested bars over the doors and windows. The group of bankers screamed. This was going to be quite fun. It was over in thirty minutes. Having three heads came in very handy at times. Licking a few remaining spots off his fur, Fury made a note. Tell Rawlins thanks for the New Orleans wasabi sauce. It was his new favorite.

Burping in satisfaction, he sent forth a mental command and incinerated the pub. The local humans would think a fire destroyed the establishment. They’re wouldn’t be any bodies inside to be found. Emergency responders would assume they’d all been burned to cinders. A few less bankers in the world—it was shaping up to be a very good day.

Ambling down the street, cloaked in invisibility, he made for the Port Manager’s office. Easy enough to find what he wanted as he knew when The
Revenge II
sailed.

This was interesting.

The ship belonged to the Shadow Walker called Black Bart or nowadays he was known by the name Robert Bartholomew. Fury didn’t know him personally, only by reputation. He let out a sharp bark of laughter causing two clerks in the office to jump up in alarm. The woman was with
one of them
. This truly was priceless. Dayne and Solien would have their panties in a wad over this little development…if he told them.

Hmmm, did he care if Walker fought Walker? Not a chance in the seven hells of the Nether realm. The manifest said the ship was making for Wales then returning to Edinburgh. He’d deliver the happy news as to where the runaway human could be found and sit back and enjoy the entertainment. And he’d keep an eye or six on the woman. She wouldn’t come to harm on his watch.

Fury dematerialized into the middle of the Day Walker Realm where Dayne resided chuckling the entire time.

Head pounding, Monroe cracked open a bleary, bloodshot eye and fumbled on the coffee table for his mobile. “What.”

“Nice, to talk to you too, get your arse to the station. Did you forget your suspension is over?” Shamus grumbled something under his breath that sounded like pig-headed bastard but he couldn’t be sure. Then his partner had the nerve to hang up before he could reply.