Fang Shway in LA (3 page)

C
hapter 5

Unfastening my ponytail I ran my fingers through my thick black hair trying to undo the tangles from my return flight perched high on Traygen’s back. Dragon Air is a no frills operation. “Well, now we know why the Daywalker is in town. It is obviously protecting Ekil’s interests on the docks. They’re trying to squeeze out the Mexican cartels. Gutsy, but stupid, Ekil has to know he’s violating council rules.”

“Yes, it also explains the sudden loss of pets and people,” Tokem said.

Traygen and I turned to face Tokem.

“Yeah, the vamps are amping up,” he quipped.

Tossing a pillow at him, I went and placed a shield around the house. “I don’t think we’ll have any more trouble tonight. We should eat something and turn in.”

“I thought you’d never offer. All that flying makes me hungry. What do you have?”

“Everything makes you hungry. Come on, let’s see what’s in the fridge,” I said.

Traygen and Tokem turned in early and I tossed and turned. Unable to sleep I got up. My mind just wouldn’t shut down. Between the
 new assignment and seeing Traygen again sleeping wasn’t an option. I wanted to wait and Traygen didn’t. We always kept coming back to the same impasse.

Throwing on my robe, I went to my study sat down at my computer and began inputting what I knew. I started with Jason and the Daywalker assignment, adding the visit from my demon and our trip to the docks. The most disturbing part was the thought that Ekil’s thrall was somehow involved with the Mexican drug cartels. It didn’t make sense if Ekil had made a deal with the cartel, then why bring in a Daywalker? He knew it was a violation of the World Council’s code. Ekil isn’t stupid enough to take on the council by himself, or was he?

There was a knock on my office door. Startled, I swung around to see Traygen standing in my doorway. “You can’t sleep either?”

“No, do you want some company?”

“Two heads are always better than one, please join me.”

Traygen moved to take the chair opposite mine, hesitating, he stopped, turning toward me, before he moved over and knelt down in front of me. Taking my face in his hands, looking into my eyes, he asked, “How are you? I’ve missed you and not a day goes by that I don’t wish you were with me.”

“Traygen, don’t do this, not now. You know I love you and you know nothing has changed. Please.”

He kissed my forehead and moved woodenly to take the chair opposite mine. I closed my eyes, willing my heartbeat to slow, blinked back the tears and exhaling slowly. I couldn’t let myself go there, not now. “I’ve been trying to make sense of the day. I don’t understand why Ekil would violate the World Council’s code or who sent the Cu Sith. He has to know the council won’t hesitate to remove him.”

“Unless a wizard has already violated the code,” Traygen said. “Then he hasn’t broken any laws. I can’t see why he would he risk it?”

“Why, indeed. If another wizard has broken the code, why send a Cu Sith to attack me? I’m no fan of Ekil but I’ve never had any negative interactions with him.”

“The two might not be connected. There are one or two people out there who wouldn’t mind seeing you killed.”

“Traygen, you’re such a sweet talker. I agree and for now we should assume the two are unrelated. Our most immediate threat is the Daywalker. We’ll have to bring our defenses up to speed. Daywalkers are much stronger than the average vamp. Sunlight and fire don’t faze them and I don’t think we are going to get close enough to cut off its head. I’ll do some research one of these old, musty, dusty tomes must have an answer.”

“Lauren, I’ll employ the Mists and set it adrift over the docks and see what I can haul in.” He turned to leave.

I got up and went to him. “Be careful, Traygen. If this entity’s willpower is stronger than your Glamour, it will kill you.”

“Aye, it is my hope I can interrupt the Dreaming of an underling and leave before I meet the source and I’ll be careful.”

Traygen left and I turned to begin my research on Daywalkers. “Quit dragging your feet, Simon,” I said before resigning myself to slogging through my eye of newt reading. Wizards can conjure some impressive things, but intelligence isn’t one of them. Not being the brightest bulb in the pack, I had to read and reread, which is why I’m not an upper level wizard.

Daywalkers are some of the oldest and strongest vampires. They have lived long enough to fine-tune their magical skills. Average defenses won’t touch them. Things like daylight, mirrors, silver and holy water don’t even slow them down. Angels can stop them, but I didn’t know any. I did have access to the Secret Chiefs.
I found them to be a pretentiously, puritanical sounding group of peacocks. The Secret Chiefs are transcendent authorities responsible for the moral caliber of the universe and from the state of the universe they’ve been on vacation. I am grateful they haven’t been paying close attention, because I for one may have done a thing or two that might chap their asses.

Now, contacting the Secret Chiefs is no small undertaking and should never be tried for frivolous reasons. Bribing or forcing this group won’t work, which is always my first choice. Appealing to an entity’s baser instinct just comes naturally to me. However, these exalted beings can’t be bought. They have to believe the summoner’s reason is worthy. All I could do was try.

Preparing to summon an authority on morals makes me nervous. My mind raced to thoughts of repenting, denying, wheedling and I imagined it felt something like asking the Pope to dinner. Time was short. I cleared the area around my Dragon’s Eye sculpture and placed a copper ring on the floor around the statue. I stepped inside, placed both hands on the statue, and sent my senses out to unify with the powers of wisdom in the universe. I chanted my name silently to myself, calling the Secret Chiefs.

It started out as a low hum and built to a roar. The area within the circle filled with a golden, glowing mist and at the same time it simultaneously filled me with dread. The mist was alive and I could feel it probing my mind. I couldn’t move. I was literally and figuratively riveted to the circle by the spirit I’d called forth. I felt no pain or discomfort while the spirit began to speed-read through my life. I must have passed muster. I nearly passed out when it telepathically answered me. Your answer is in the Cipher Manuscripts and just like that it was gone.

I slumped into a heap on the floor at the statue’s base. Recovering my senses, such as they are, I crawled to my feet and began rummaging through the books on my shelves. It took me some time to find the manuscripts and even longer to find the passage I was looking for. Once I found it, I jumped up and started searching through my jars of dried herbs and talismans. Yup, I had the ingredients and with any luck, I could put them together correctly. Making magic potions is a lot like cooking…too much of this or too little of that and the recipe flops. Only when your cake fails you can either ice it or use it as a doorstop, mess up a potion or charm and someone could die.

I started mixing, blending and pureeing my ingredients, the aroma pungent caused my eyes to water and my nose to run. I put the finished results in a beaker and turned on my Bunsen burner.

“I sure hope it works better than it smells,” Traygen said, wrinkling his nose for effect.

I let out a small yelp and nearly dropping the beaker. “Traygen, are you trying to give me a heart attack? Any luck on your end?”

“Sorry and yes, I found the thugs from the warehouse sleeping off their night’s drink. The Mist allowed me to enter their Dreaming. It seems they are employing a rogue wizard. This wizard is shielding their illegal drug activities from detection by the authorities and other cartels. Unfortunately for the cartels he got sloppy. The vampires detected his energy and called in reinforcements.”

“That explains the Daywalker. Any idea what we are dealing with or what the wizard’s power source is? Do we know how many cartels are involved?”

“Not yet. Maybe we ought to pay Ekil a visit and see what he knows.”

“Yes, and this time we’ll go armed and gorgeous. It is too early to pay a proper visit. Instead we can start trying to find our rogue wizard. I want to know what energy he is tapping into. We need to have our defenses ready. Why don’t you get something to eat, while I dress and get my gear together?”

Traygen went to the kitchen, and I started assembling the items I would need for tonight’s visit with Ekil. I took out my Louis Vuitton tote and put in a small vile of holy water, a silver cross, a mirror, some of my newly brewed potion and my telescoping wizarding staff. I would also be carrying a handgun, a small Smith & Wesson that I strap into my shoulder holster. Armed and dressed to kill I joined Traygen in the kitchen.

Traygen let out a low whistle. “You look great. What’s the occasion?”

“My mother taught me to dress like a proper lady when paying a social call. Ekil is a vampire, but he is a cultured one. It won’t be dark for hours. I may as well go into the office and get some work done. Make yourself at home. I should be back before six. If you feel like a jog, Xena would love to go.” Hearing her name Xena picked up her head and thumped her tail excitedly.

“How can I turn down a face like that? Come on, girl, I could use a run to burn off some of last night’s adrenaline. See you later.”

I had an idea how he could burn off his excess energy. Boy did I.
The thought alone made my pulse race. Later, big guy.

Traffic was light and I made it to my office in fifteen minutes. I parked and headed in. My mail was on the floor just inside the door. I picked it up and threw it on my desk. I turned on my computer and started to go through my e-mails when a knock at my door interrupted me. I got up to answer the door. Bad idea, I was staring down the barrel of a .45.

“Lauren Simon?” said the beady-eyed man with the gun.

I knew I shouldn’t, but rude, uncouth men with guns make me mad. “I don’t know, let me check. I have a mirror in my purse.” I was right,
it was a bad idea. I hadn’t taken a step before I felt the gun jab into my ribs.

“No, you are going to sit down and shut up. Mr. Chivas wants a word with you.” He shoved me toward the small sofa, which was perpendicular to my desk. “You sit,” he said. “Go get the boss.”

You have to love these monosyllabic tough guys. At least he hadn’t scratched anything inappropriately. Mini me grunted and headed for the door. He returned moments later with the rest of the clan. When they stepped back, Juan Chivas, the kingpin of one of Mexico’s largest drug cartels, stood there smirking at me. “Good afternoon, Ms. Simon. I heard you were a looker.”

“Sorry, I can’t say the same for you. Instead I can book you a reservation at San Quentin?” I chirped.

You’d think by now I’d learn to keep my mouth shut. The head Neanderthal backhanded me hard across the mouth. I could taste the blood trickle down my throat.

“My men tell me you dropped in last night. I don’t recall inviting you. What were you doing there? Who are you working for? Did the Russians send you?”

“I took a wrong turn at the Disney Hall of Music and in case you hadn’t heard the Cold War is over.”

My favorite caveman pulled back his hand to pop me again but Mr. Chivas grabbed his arm. “Enough, we don’t want to mess up such a pretty face. In the future, get better directions, because if my men see you again, they’ll kill you. Nosy people don’t live long, Ms. Simon.” He turned and walked out, followed closely by his boys.

Chapter 6

I rubbed my face. It still stung from the backhand but it wouldn’t leave a mark. Well, that didn’t help explain anything. We already knew the Mexican cartel and the vampires were involved with drug smuggling. What Russians and what wizard had they turned? Like who did the wizard work for? There were too many questions and not enough answers. This was never a good situation to be in.

I checked my mail but I couldn’t concentrate. I might as well go home. Jake could handle things until I had a better understanding of this case. Maybe Traygen and Tokem could shed some light on this mess. Massaging my jaw I locked the office and headed for my car. It was going to take longer to get home because I was leaving during rush hour. While I sat without moving, having been caught in a Sig Alert, I puzzled over the facts.

We first needed to find the wizard and then to find out what the Russian connection was. Forty minutes and a mile later I still had no answers. The Federal Government doesn’t have anything on L.A. traffic. I could expound on that but I had to pee like hell. Just when I genuinely thought I might have to do something very unladylike the traffic picked up. I screeched into my driveway, unlocked and flung open my front door and sprinted to the bathroom, which wasn't easy in heels. When I returned from the bathroom Traygen and Tokem sat in amused silence that is until Traygen saw my face.

“What happened to your face?” He asked standing and coming to get a better look. “Let me see.” He gently tipped my face to the light. “Who did this to you?”

“I had a visit from the Mexican drug cartel. Mr. Chivas and his Neanderthals wanted to know what we were up to last night. They also wanted to know if we were working for the Russians.”

Tokem flew over toward me, “The Russians? Am I missing something here?”

“It beats me or they did,” I muttered. “I have no idea who he was referring to or why.”

“Do you think he hired the wizard?” Traygen said.

“Maybe but he wasn’t answering questions he was asking them. We need to try to find the wizard and find out who hired him or her. Why they needed a wizard and what, if any, connection there is to the Russians. Ideas anyone?”

Traygen ran his hands threw his hair and nodded in silent agreement before adding, “Hopefully our visit to Ekil will shed some light on it.”

“Ekil won’t like us dropping in and I don’t think he’ll be cooperative,” Tokem said. “I think I’ll stay home and watch reruns.”

“Nice try, perhaps a little charm will make him chatty.” I said with more confidence than I felt. “We should head out around midnight. So we have plenty of time to gather our information and Tokem you can TiVo it baby.”

Just after midnight our trio again took to the skies. When we got close to Ekil’s Beverly Hills mansion I sent Tokem inside to ask permission to speak with Ekil. I knew Tokem’s safety wasn’t a concern. Tykili, like Tokem, don’t have blood and anyway he wouldn’t have made a decent snack. A sudden whirring of wings announced his return.

“They’ve been expecting us. Ekil has agreed to abide by the World Council’s laws of decorum, which is to say he won’t drain you.”

“Gee thanks Tokem, that’s a comfort. How many are there?”

“Oh, I’m afraid the gang’s all there. Mind if I wait out here?

I glared at him before responding. “Tokem the vamps might not waste their time on you but I know a few hawks that would be interested. Traygen, we go in together, you cover the rear. I’ve got the front and remember we can’t use magic unless provoked.”

“Understood,” he replied. “Let’s get this done, I don’t like this place.”

“That makes two of us and if these vamps get out of line.
We can charbroil them, my handsome flame thrower.” At least I could still make Traygen smile.

I led the way. A human butler met us at the door and offered to take our things. However, I assured him that we wouldn’t be staying long. We followed him down a dimly lit hallway. He stopped in front of a closed door and knocked. His instructions were to bring us in, which he did and then he left.

“Lauren, Traygen, it’s nice to see you both. Tokem and I met earlier. To what do I owe this honor?”

“Thank you for seeing us, Ekil,” I said as I offered him my hand. Ever the gentlemen he brushed his lips over my hand. “I was hoping you might be able to help me out.”

“Of course, if I can. It isn’t often I have guests. Can I offer something to drink?”

“Yes, thank you,” I replied.

Traygen and I took a seat opposite our host. Rules of decorum or not I wasn’t drinking anything these guys offered. Tokem zipped down and tucked himself in under my hair which cascaded down over my shoulders.

“Are you out of your ever loving mind? Don’t drink anything these guys offer you.”

“Tokem, keep your voice down. I’m not accepting any of their hospitality.”

Ekil cleared his throat before speaking, “What is it that you wish to know?”

Shit, I hope he hadn’t heard that. I smiled before I answered him. “Why do you need a Daywalker? You can defeat the Mexican’s without reinforcements.”

Ekil flipped his hand with an air of impatience. “Normally you would be right. However, this is not a normal case and we have to protect our interests.”

“You know that you are in violation of the World Council’s law forbidding the use of vampric hunters without cause.”

“I have cause and now if you’ll excuse me, I’m tired of this little chat.” Ekil got up and glided toward the door.

“What cause?” I blurted.

“Why should I tell you? Have you got anything to trade? No, I didn’t think so. You have my protection until you leave my home, but don’t linger. Good night.”

“Let’s get out of here, Traygen. I don’t like the way these vamps are licking their lips.”

“I’m with you Lauren.” Tokem squeaked.

We made it safely outside and only then did I dare to exhale. “What do you think has them riled up? I think I hit a nerve with my question. I just wish I knew why.”

Traygen repeatedly scuffed his toe into the dirt before answering. “Whatever it is, Ekil thinks he’s well within his rights. So, I’d say someone or something has provoked them. He’s never acted irrationally before.”

Tokem lifted up off my neck, “Well I wouldn’t go that far. I mean they are vampires.”

Just then I saw a small red dot appear on Traygen’s chest. “Get down,” I yelled. Hurtling into Traygen, I knocked him to the ground. Dirt exploded all around us. Someone was shooting at us, using some heavy firepower. I reached into my jacket and pulled out my Smith & Wesson to return fire. “You all right?” I yelled to Traygen.

“Yes, can you see who’s shooting at us?” He said as he pulled a 45 magnum from inside his jacket.

“No but we can’t stay here. Cover me until I get behind that van. Then I’ll lay down some cover for you. Ready?” Crawling on all fours I inched toward the van. However, I couldn’t move because the hail of bullets kept me pinned down. I shook my head and started to speak. Unfortunately, my voice was drowned out by a new burst of gunfire coming from somewhere behind us. Great, we were caught in a crossfire. Who the hell was shooting at us or were they? What had we walked into? They weren’t shooting at us. They’re shooting at our attackers. Turning to Traygen I yelled, “We need to get out of here while they’re distracted.”

Getting to our feet we sprinted to the van and then down the street. I finally heard sirens and the shooters must have too as the firing suddenly stopped and it was eerily silent. Traygen and I ducked out of sight down an alley.

“Can you get us out of here? I don’t think we should hang around to answer any questions.”

Traygen was already starting to change. There wasn’t much room but we were able to lunge up and away without detection. It took us twenty minutes or so to reach my driveway. My knees were still shaking and my knuckles were white from clinging tightly to Traygen’s back. I slid down and sat in an undignified heap.

“Are you all right? You aren’t hurt are you?” Traygen asked concern obvious in his voice. He sat down beside me and put his arm around me.

“No, damn it, I’m not.”

“Lauren what in the hell is the matter with you? Let me see.”

“I broke a heel. Those were nearly new Faragamo sandals and look at my Armani dress. Ruined.”

Traygen looked at me to see if I were serious and decided I was. “I’m sorry about your outfit but thank God you aren’t hurt.”

I got up and limped toward the door. “We may as well clean up and try to figure out what that was all about.” I showered, changed, and joined Traygen and Tokem in the kitchen. “Tokem, where did you go? I’m glad you are still in one piece.”

“When the bullets started flying so did I. I winged it home. What did you want me to do? Yell dos vedanya. Get real someone needed to survive to tell your relatives.”

“Gee thanks, I’m touched.”

“Seriously, I waited for the shooting to stop and looked around for some evidence. I got some shell casings before the police arrived. Also, I recognized one of the men from the warehouse. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a good look at the second group.”

“Tokem, I love you buddy,” I said. “What caliber shell was it?”

“My guess is a 7.62 mm Kalashnikov.”

“I think our Russians have arrived. Traygen, what do you make of this?”

“I’m not sure but one thing I do know for certain. They weren’t shooting at us. Why they were shooting at the Mexican drug smugglers is anyone’s guess. The Mexican’s may have thought we were throwing in with the vamps. We are going to have to be very careful here until we figure things out.”

“We need to get some answers but first things first. Whoever said an ‘army runs on its stomach’, was correct. Pizza anyone?”

Dazed from hunger and exhaustion, we began to digest our food and the day’s confrontation. “We need to find out what the Russians are up to. Anyone have any ideas on where we should begin?”

“Lauren, does your uncle still have friends at the CIA?” Traygen asked.

I pushed back from the table and went to the fridge for more water. “I’m sure he still knows people. Why do you ask?”

“Maybe someone in the CIA knows if the Russians have been up to anything in L.A. Since 9/11 and the enactment of the Patriot Act the U.S. is keeping closer tabs on foreigners. The government may have them under surveillance. ” Traygen said.

“For a hundred plus year old you keep up on your current events. I’ll go give him a call. I may as well get right on it, if you’ll excuse me.” I went to my study and dialed my uncle’s number. It was around
eight
A.M. on the east coast. He should be up. It took several rings for someone to answer.

“Simon residence, how may I help you?”

“Good morning, James. This is Lauren, how are you?”

“Well enough, would you like to speak with your uncle?”

“Is he up or should I call back?”

“Lauren you know your uncle Dan
 he’s been up for hours. I’ll get him.”

The phone was silent while James went to get my uncle. I hadn’t talked to him much since my dad died. We both missed him too much and neither of us could bear talking about him. It was just too painful. He was a busy man and I was
 lucky he was in.

“Lauren, how are you dear? Is everything all right out there?”

“I’m fine, Uncle Dan. I was hoping you might be able to help me out with something. Do you still have friends at the CIA?”

“Yes, I still have several contacts at the agency. Why do you ask? You aren’t in any trouble, are you?”

“No, I’m fine. I just need some help with a case I’m involved in. Jason has given me a few days to avert a clash between a drug cartel and the West Side vamps.” Bless him, he was one of only a few people who knew what I did for a living and he didn’t question my sanity.

“Good to know, no pressure there. What do you need to know?”

“I’m not sure, which is part of the problem.” I laid out what I knew for my uncle. “Which is why we need to know how the Russians are involved?”

“Let me do some checking. I’ll call you back shortly.”

“Thanks Uncle Dan. I love you.” I hung up and went to tell Traygen and Tokem what my uncle said.

“He’s going to run it by some of his friends in the agency. He knows we needed the information yesterday. I’m going to shower come and get me if he calls back before I finish.”

I was toweling off when there was a discreet knock on my door. “Lauren your Uncle Dan’s on the line.”

“I’ll pick it up in here and Traygen will you stay on the line. You may consider something I wouldn’t think of asking.”

“Will do.”

“Uncle Dan, I’ve asked Traygen to stay on the line. What did you find out?”

“Hello Traygen. Well, it could be a couple of things. Given your avocation, I may have something. The Russian mob is trying to sell the Hofburg spear. It has been called many things from the Vienna Lance to the Spear of Destiny. General Patton returned the spear to Austria after Hitler’s suicide.”

Traygen broke in, “Yeah, Hitler’s obsession with the spear is well documented.
It is rumored he stole it during the Anschluss when Austria annexed Germany. There has always been doubt about the spears authenticity.”