Not Just Another Fae (Vegas Fae Stories Book 4) Page 7

  "How do you do?" he said with a bow. "Christopher Cox, at your service. I was able to bind the creature and then contain it in this field. Of course, it won't hold it much longer. The creature has already drained some of the field's magic. Soon it will find a weakness it can exploit."

  "What do you mean?"

  "As has already been said, this is no ordinary Mare. Observe," he said as he walked up to the field. He stood close and then moved from one end to the other. The creature followed his movement, its head turning ever so slightly as he went from one end to the other. When he returned to where he had first started, the creature struck out, recoiling again when it touched the field of magic that bound it.

  "See how it senses the magic," he said as he backed away. "And it never strikes at the same point. But each time it touches it, the field weakens just a bit."

  "So it's feeding on it," I said.

  "Exactly," he replied, walking back to the desk. "Which is why it seems drawn to the Fae. It's feeding on their magic."

  "So what do you think it is then?" I asked, still watching the creature move about the tank.

  "Siegfried mentioned that you had fought a Babylonian Demon," he replied, pointing to a page in the book that sat on the desk. "I believe this to be one as well. A particularly dangerous kind, known as an Edimmu, a type of Succubus. This one is different, more powerful. Perhaps because it is feeding on Fae, rather than humans. Never the less that is what I believe it to be. "Which begs the question, what are Babylonian Demons doing here?"

  I heard a noise from the door at the same time that Michael called out.

  "Swords!"

  Mine materialized and I felt the magic kick in just as the door opened and Meredith stepped through. At the same time there was a surge of energy in the room and the containment field that held the Demon flared out of existence. The creature had seemed to be getting ready to fly at Meredith, but the moment my sword blazed, it hesitated. That was long enough.

  I rushed forward and brought my sword up in an arc at the same moment as Siegfried and Michael, all three blades intersecting near the neck of the creature. With a hiss like water on a hot surface, the thing burst into mist and dissipated before it could fall to the floor. We stared at each other as we watched it evaporate.

  "Did I come at a bad time," Meredith asked as she stepped into the room. "Or were you trying to impress me?"

  "Marvelous, just marvelous," Christopher exclaimed, rubbing his hands together. "Did you see that?"

  "See what," Michael asked with a smile as he sheathed his blade. "Other than the perfect timing, that is."

  "Yes, please enlighten us, Mr. Cox," Meredith said as she closed the door.

  "It hesitated," he explained.

  "So it was afraid," Michael pointed out. "But most creatures exhibit fear in some manner. How does that help us?"

  "No, no," the Mage clarified. "Let me explain. When Meredith entered the room, the creature sensed her magic. The fact that the cage was destroyed at the same time may or may not be significant. But what is, is that it did not sense the Dryad's magic until he wielded his sword. Only then was it drawn to it. Its hesitation was not from fear, but from the appearance of a more... enticing target, as it were. Now do you understand?"

  "An interesting observation," Meredith granted.

  "Of course!" I said, suddenly realizing what had bothered me about the Gallu's attack the night before.

  "Of course, what?" Siegfried asked

  "It didn’t attack me until after I brought out my blade and struck it," I replied. "It attacked Charlie as soon as it appeared, batting me aside like I was just in the way. Maybe it was only after Charlie because it couldn’t detect any magic from me."

  "Exactly," Christopher exclaimed. "It was drawn to the magic, like these creatures are."

  "That still does not explain why they are here now, or what will appear next," Meredith pointed out. "Have you learned any more about Gaea's message?"

  "I'm sorry," Christopher remarked. "What message would that be?"

  Meredith looked to me to answer.

  While I hadn’t told many others about Gaea's conversation with Nikki, I had told Meredith and Siegfried.

  "My daughter Nikki is the Queen of our realm," I answered. "It's a long story, but the bottom line is, she hadn’t actually planned on taking the throne when she did. She did so only after being summoned to a meeting with Gaea and told that whatever had drawn the Fae here was now drawing something else as well. She also told her that I was needed here to fight it, whatever it may be." I turned back to Meredith. "And, no, I haven't."

  "Your daughter met Gaea?" the Mage asked, his eyes wide. "That's incredible, and frightening at the same time."

  "Welcome to my world," I replied. "At least we can guess that it's the magic that's drawing them here."

  "But how does that help us?" Meredith asked. "Magic is what drew us all here."

  "Nor does it tell us why," Siegfried said. "We have all encountered Demons; some have even made their homes here. But these are not like any we have seen before. They are... Evil is the best word I can use to describe them. As such they are a threat, and not just to individual Fae, but to Fae-kind as a whole. I fear that from what Gaea has foretold, this may be just the beginning."

  "Tell us more about this Gallu creature you encountered," Meredith said.

  I repeated the story I'd told Siegfried and Michael, filling in the part that they hadn’t yet heard. This time I also included what Ella had told me about the Demons and repeated my theory about lightning.

  "Assuming you're right," Michael said, looking up from his cell phone. "We may have a day or two before the weather shifts. At least that gives us some time to prepare." He turned to the Mage. "What do you think, Chris? Anything in your books about these Gallu?"

  "Nothing that he hasn't already told us," he said, having turned back to the desk and flipped through a few more pages. "But there is something else that concerns me."

  "What's that?" Meredith asked.

  "If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say that these Demons... these Edimmu, were most likely drawn here because of the magic emanating from the property itself, not to mention the number of Fae guests," Christopher began to explain. "It is no secret that from the standpoint of magical energy, the Neptune's Landing is like a beacon on the Strip. But that begs the question, what drew Robert's Demon to the mountain? Why did it choose to appear there? Certainly not because of a few Were."

  "Robert?" Meredith asked. "Any thoughts on the matter?"

  "Not a clue," I replied. "I've got Malcolm working on local legends but there's just nothing out there that I can think of that would cause it to choose that location." I paused for a moment, thinking. "There are a lot of homes out there, though, and quite a few belong to folks that are just looking for privacy. Anyone out there that you guys know of that might be trying to keep a low profile?"

  "I'm on it," Michael said, after a glance from Siegfried, and then left the room.

  "Christopher," Siegfried said. "If you would work on that as well. You are more familiar with the other Mages and Wizards in the area than we are. In the meantime, I will make a few calls, and then I need to coordinate with Michael." He turned to Meredith. "With your permission, of course."

  "Of course. Now I must get back to our guests. I suggest we meet again tomorrow, barring any other incidents. Robert?" she asked as she turned her attention back to me. "May I walk you out?"

  I said my goodbyes, then followed her out of the room and back down the hallway.

  "Please be careful," she said as we got into the elevator. "And not just with these Demons. I am concerned that some of the others may point their finger at you should similar attacks occur on their properties. There are a few Fae leaders that have not forgiven you for freeing the Lilin and the perception of your loss of status may give them... ideas."

  "And they never will," I replied as the doors opened to the executive parking level. "But the thought had crossed my mi
nd. And if you’re talking about Sergei, I can handle anything he throws at me."

  Sergei was another longtime local casino owner. He was Russian and descended from the Vodianoi, another type of water Fae, but with Slavic origins. He was also an ass and had taken advantage of the Lilin's position to use them as he saw fit. Probably my biggest critic, he fancied himself some type of Russian mobster. He was already on my watch list as someone to be wary of.

  "Of that I have no doubt," she said, still sounding troubled. "I do not trust him. Should more attacks occur, I would not put it past him to try and use them to his advantage."

  "Meredith, I'll be fine," I said, appreciating her concern. I turned and faced her. "I doubt Gaea would have wasted her time with Nikki if all it meant was that I was just going to get killed the first time someone took a swing at me, be it a Demon or a Fae. But thank you for watching my back. I know we've been through a few things together and we're more than just allies. Your friendship means a lot, especially now."

  She gently put her hand on mine, and a moment later, nudged me toward the door.

  "As does yours," I heard her say as I stepped out, the doors sliding shut behind me. Then I turned to see who else was out here.

  Chapter 6

  "I was hoping I'd catch you," Diantha said. She was leaning against my car as I walked out into the parking lot. She was dressed to the nines, as usual, in an off white silk top and a pair of tight fitting black jeans that looked custom tailored. "I was just getting ready to leave you a note."

  "What?" I asked with a grin. "Your finger is broken and you couldn’t call?"

  "Ha ha," she replied. "I heard about the Demons. I didn’t want to bother you if you were busy."

  "Since when?" I asked with a chuckle and then raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you're my Diantha?"

  "Always, my Lord," she replied, walking up to me. She wrapped her arms around me and kissed me on the lips. "I was just trying to be polite. Besides, you'll call me if you need me."

  "You got me there," I agreed. "But since you are here, what do you know about Babylonian or Sumerian Demons?"

  "Sumerian?" she asked, stepping back. "Are you sure?"

  "That's what we think," I confirmed. "Does that surprise you?"

  "Those Fae were long dead, even before Apollo gifted me the eye," she replied, twisting the jewel on the gold chain around her neck. "I've never heard of one appearing anywhere, and believe me, I've been dealing with your kind for a long time."

  That was no understatement. She was the last Oracle of Delphi, after all. After The Fall, she'd drifted around the world, concealing herself from Fae and anyone else that she perceived as a threat for a long time. When I'd found her she'd been hiding in a trailer in Pahrump, near the site of a long closed brothel. Still keeping a low profile, even though she'd thought the jewel that gave her youth and beauty long lost until I returned it.

  "I said it was a Demon," I retorted. "That's not exactly my kind."

  "Fae, Demons, any magical creature," she replied. "You know what I mean." She stepped in closer to me. "Do you think this has something to do with what Gaea told your daughter?"

  "That's what I'm thinking," I agreed. "But that doesn't help us much."

  She started to reply, but my phone rang. I hit the connect button on my Bluetooth and answered, recognizing Martin's number.

  "Everything all right?" I asked.

  "No," he replied in a surly tone. "It appears you were only partially correct."

  "What do you mean?"

  "The Demon has made an appearance," he said.

  "Anybody hurt?" I asked.

  "One injury," he said. "This time it was carrying a weapon, some type of spear. I am taking him to your house as we speak. Jen is already on the way."

  "Is he all right?" I asked. "Wait, you said I was only half right. What did you mean?"

  "He will live," Martin replied. "But I think you are right in that it does not like lightning. I believe its hunger forced it out into the open. It was eating a goat when we found it."

  "A goat." I repeated, recalling what Mal had said about sacrificing a lamb or goat to appease it. "Where did this happen?"

  "Off of Kyle Canyon." He replied. "One of the houses north of the road. They had livestock."

  That was a few miles south of where I'd run into it, and way too close to town to make me feel comfortable.

  "Where is it now?" I asked.

  "It disappeared again," he said. "Toward the mountain. But I can tell you that it does not like human weapons. My shotgun gave it pause."

  "Really?" I replied. "What happened?"

  "Devon and Cameron caught its scent about an hour ago. They tracked it south to where it was found. At first, it seemed to ignore them, content to feed on the livestock. When a few more of us got close, it attacked. Cameron was too slow and it speared him. I arrived just in time."

  "So the shotgun was effective?" I asked.

  "Well," he replied. "In my hands. Of course I did fire 81 rounds into the thing before it finally withdrew."

  "What the hell kind of gun are you carrying?" I asked.

  "A less than legal kind," he admitted. "But it was the 100 round magazine that made the difference. Anyway, once Cameron, is taken care of I'm going back out. If it reappears I'll let you know.

  "Ok," I said. "I'm heading home in a bit. Thanks."

  "This is bad, Robert" Diantha said, having heard the conversation. "A Demon such as this disturbs the natural order of the worlds. They upset the balance, or so your Dwarf friend, Bernd, would say. We must be careful."

  "We?" I asked.

  She stepped back up to me and cupped my face in her hands.

  "Robert," she declared. "You are still my Lord, and always will be. More than that, you have become my friend. Just because things turn a little dangerous, or not to my liking, do not think I would ever abandon you."

  "I don't."

  "Good." she said. "We are in this together, as always. Besides, you may need me, as well as the others. Which reminds me, have you heard anything from the Dwarf?"

  "Bernd? No, there's been no word."

  "I am sorry," she said. "I know you were fond of him."

  "I am," I agreed. "I've got folks out looking for him, but I've got to deal with this Demon problem before I do anything else.

  "Then I will leave you to it," she said, leaning in and kissing me again. "I will be here when you need me."

  I have to admit, as much as I questioned her motives at times, there was something special about that woman.

  I walked back to my car, wondering if I could use her against this Demon. You see, Diantha can't die. Whatever spell was first cast upon her granted her long life, literally, or at least as far as we knew. That kind of power can come in handy from time to time, as she'd already proven. Then again, since this thing seemed attracted to Fae, it was probably not worth putting her through such a thing. Just because she couldn't die didn’t make the pain any easier when she regenerated.

  Then Martin's success with the shotgun gave me an idea. I looked at my cell phone as I started the car and punched in Jay's number. Now was as good a time as any to let him know what was going on.

  "Hey Dad," he said when he answered the phone. "Let me guess. This isn’t a personal call, and you've got a Demon problem."

  "So you've heard?" I replied.

  "Dad," he said, chuckling. "I work for the government, remember? Of course we've heard. And don’t think those six archers you asked for went unnoticed either."

  "Well, shit," I replied, jokingly. "So much for being a King! You just can't trust anyone to keep a secret anymore. Oh how soon they forget."

  "That's not exactly true," he said. "I didn't tell anyone here about the archers. And for what it's worth, Nikki didn’t tell me either. But when I checked in to see how things were going... well... you know how it is. But I was actually hoping you'd call. The Vegas office has had a Demon sighting as well. They thought it was a fluke at first, but with the new i
nfo from the Neptune, someone's putting two and two together, and they're a little concerned."

  "Can you tell me about it?" I was sure he could, since he mentioned it first, but it was only polite to ask.

  "Yeah," he replied with a chuckle "You're a government contractor, remember? You're on the distribution list. Let me pull the email back up. In the meantime, tell me what you're dealing with."

  I told Jay about the two Demons at the hotel, the Edimmu, and then described my fight with the Gallu Demon, as well as Martin's encounter. I also told him my theories on its dislike of lightning and Martin's account of the effectiveness of the shotgun. That and Ella's information that it couldn’t be killed by magic alone. I conveniently left out the part about getting wounded myself.

  "Sounds nasty. She may be right. At least you guys have been able to hold it off. But the Succubus description is similar to the one we had," he replied. "Happened out off of Blue Diamond Road. Apparently some teenager picked up a book from somewhere and started playing with the incantations. Wound up summoning some kind of ghost-like Demon similar to what was described at the Neptune. Damn near blew his house up and almost got himself killed doing it. He's still unconscious. One of our people will be there when he wakes up.

  "The locals advised us of the call. One of our Wizards was dispatched and was able to contain it, at least for a while. They tried to get it back to the office for study, but it was too dangerous. They had to kill it when it broke containment before they could get back. The thing is, no one's seen anything like it before, and it's not in our database. That's not normal."

  "Sounds familiar," I said. "What kind of book was it?"

  "That's the strange thing," he replied. "His mother said he got it from a used bookstore, but it's just a bunch of crap. According to our guys, none of the spells should have worked. But if he used something else, we haven't found it yet; although they're still following up on it."

  "Anyway," he continued. "You've got my archers and the Weres, but from what you've said, I'm guessing you're going to need more firepower to take this thing down."

  "Yep," I agreed. "I think we're going to have to beat this thing down and I don’t have a big enough hammer available at the moment. Any chance of an Apache loaded with Hellfire'?"