“Wow, who knew angels swear so much?” Molly mumbled. It was an attempt to break the silence between them, but it didn’t get far. She flicked her eyes to Onyx, then back to the road. Finally she put her hand on Onyx’s leg. “It’s okay, love.”
“I’m so sorry about all this,” Onyx said softly. Her eyes were still turned out the passenger side window.
“No. Don’t. We could’ve walked away and ignored it all if we wanted to. And we don’t even know if that chick’s story is gonna check out, right?”
“Doesn’t make me feel like any less of a moron,” Onyx shrugged. “Doesn’t make me feel any better for putting you at risk.”
“Onyx, if those assholes grabbed him, we’re as loaded for bear tonight as we’re ever gonna be. The Brotherhood’s a problem we’ll have to deal with sooner or later. Might as well do it when we’ve potentially got an angel and a freakin’ demon on our side. Potentially,” she repeated. “Or if she’s lying, then we go back home and kick her lying, shapechanging ass.”
“I don’t think she’s lying,” Onyx said. “It’s up here. Turn left. Three buildings up. There. I don’t see anyone out there…probably long gone already.”
Molly nodded, parking a couple of houses away. “Still ready with the contingency plans?”
As if in answer, Onyx simply held out a snapdragon petal. “Bullshit first, run like hell second,” she repeated. Molly began murmuring the words of the spell as Onyx retrieved a petal for herself. As Molly finished, she said, “Maybe I got paid forward for casting this last time.”
“Onyx. Seriously. Let’s say Rachel’s story is legit. He couldn’t have known you’re an honest-to-goddess witch. What was he going to tell you?”
Onyx sighed, murmured the words, and put the petal under her tongue. “I’ll pry an explanation out of him when we see him,” she grumbled as she got out of the car.
Molly followed. “I’ll hold him down for you.”
The pair walked together toward Alex’s townhouse building with their eyes scanning their surroundings. They didn’t get far before spotting trouble. Onyx enjoyed a particular talent for magical perception. She found malevolence and wariness here, lurking in the shadows of the building across from Alex’s. The debris of the fighting earlier had all been cleared away, with Alex’s window looking intact and normal, but the concealed presence of two figures nearby was a dead giveaway.
Fortunately, they had their act ready to go. “Aw, motherfucker,” Onyx grunted with feigned frustration. She looked directly at the lurking pair. “Did you guys already grab him?”
“Do I know you?” asked a female voice.
“Probably not. We just got invited to the party yesterday. So to speak,” Onyx shrugged.
“By whom?”
“That’s a little sticky,” Molly said. “His name’s Kenneth, and, uh…while his invitation was interesting, Kenneth was, uh…”
“An arrogant little pig with no social skills, who deserves to have his ass handed to him on a regular basis?” the woman offered.
Onyx and Molly both made a show of fighting down grins. “We were hoping the invitation was still open even if things didn’t go so well with the messenger,” Onyx explained. “Particularly if we could deliver the guy you’re looking for.”
There was a long moment of silence. “What are your names?”
“I’m Molly. She’s Onyx.” It wasn’t worth lying about that. The Brotherhood had clearly done some homework on them.
The woman stepped out of the shadows. She was perhaps in her mid-thirties, dressed in a darkly toned pantsuit. Her ethnicity was entirely undeterminable. The necklace around her neck hung beneath her top, so it was impossible to see what sort of charm she wore on it. “You can call me Ms. Black for now.” She turned her head to look over her shoulder at her companion. “This is…Talon,” she added with a note of dry humor.
“I thought you people were supposed to be subtle,” the man in the darkness snapped quietly.
“I thought yours were supposed to be frightening yet seductive,” Ms. Black shrugged. “Failure on both counts, I suppose.” She looked back to Molly and Onyx. “As it happens, there is a party of a more literal sort tonight. I’ll be happy to introduce you to the Brotherhood, if you would like to attend. It may be a bit of an overwhelming night, but if you delay you may feel that you missed out on something remarkable. I can guarantee your safety for the night as long as you take no actions against the Brotherhood or their hosts.”
“Will this count as our formal induction?” Molly asked with just the right amount of reluctance.
“Heavens no. This isn’t a night for commitments on your part. However I think it will be a good time to see how and why it’s in your best interests to join us. As I said, I guarantee safe passage.” She held up her hands, reciting something ancient in Greek. Onyx and Molly saw the telltale signs of magic at work, recognizing the invocation of spirits and fate. All the right words were there.
“There’s also the thing with Kenneth,” Molly pointed out.
“That can be hashed out. If the two of you acted in self-defense, Kenneth will have no real recourse. You could smooth it over with an exchange of favors or gifts, as is custom,” Ms. Black suggested. “I’m told he was injured, but I have no trouble believing that it was a response to his utter lack of tact rather than an intentional strike against the Brotherhood. Still interested?”
“We’re game,” Onyx said. She didn’t need to look at Molly.
“Are you sure of this?” Talon murmured audibly from behind Ms. Black.
The sorceress shrugged. “Nothing risked, nothing gained. I’m not worried about the trouble any two witches might make tonight given the power we have assembled. There couldn’t be a safer time to give them this opportunity.” She didn’t do anything to conceal the statement from the pair of women before her.
“We have room in our vehicle for you both,” Ms. Black said. “In fact, for security reasons, I must insist we drive together. Don’t worry, you won’t be searched or anything. The right to self-defense and to tend to one’s own matters are at the core of the Brotherhood’s creed.”
She beckoned for the pair to follow. They did so, sharing a glance that said volumes: of course, they didn’t remotely trust this woman; of course, Ms. Black didn’t trust them; and of course, this was likely their only option other than naked violence.
Molly got a good look at Talon as he appeared from the shadows to follow behind them. He was deathly pale, with slicked-back black hair and a black trench coat. From under the collar of his black silk shirt, Molly caught the gleam of chain mail. He also did a poor job of concealing the underarm holsters beneath the trench coat and the short sword on his belt reminiscent of ancient Rome. The vampire’s hands were both decorated with claw rings.
“Nice jewelry,” Molly noted. “Cool to see one of you guys who doesn’t get everything from Goth ‘n’ Go.”
Talon opened his mouth to say something sharp and biting, but promptly closed it with a hint of embarrassment. He checked to make sure his fifteen-dollar iron cross necklace wasn’t showing.
* * *
“Y’all can’t carry us both, fool. I’m gutshot an’ bleedin’ out. Take Cracker Carlisle an’ go.”
“I’m not gonna just leave you!” Darren protested. He tugged at the corporal’s sleeve, only to have it slip away because of the blood. Will fell back against the thin tree trunk and jungle grass with a grunt.
“Darren,” Will choked, “Charlie ain’t waitin’ on a long goodbye. We didn’t come back for Carlisle for nothin’. I ain’t lettin’ ‘em get me. Now drop the sixty an’ your ammo and fuckin’ go, man. I’ve got this.”
“Fuckin’ bigoted asshole doesn’t deserve this,” Darren grumbled, but he quickly obeyed. He threw his last belt of ammunition for the M-60 off of his shoulders. Then the machine gunner hauled the half-conscious soldier lying in the bush next to him to his feet.
“Yeah, don’t I know,” Will winced. He stuck a bundle of gauze over his wound and put his towel over it, hoping to staunch the flow of blood from his belly. He’d probably need to put something else in there for added pressure. Something thick.