Page 46 of The Satyr's Guilt
In unison their necks pivoted toward thepresent, which was fed by only the winning futures.
The Gryphon squawked.
“I agree. It’s a level ten white waterrafting trip. Usually, where the future meets the present is alevel two or three. What does it mean?”
Her conjured pet’s tail swished back andforth vigorously.
“Hmm. Yes, disturbing events are anaucourantreality, but we are unprepared.”
Indigo glanced at her companion, whose neckwas nodding again.
“Right. We need to fasten our life vests andprepare for a bumpy boat ride.”
Oskar ruffled his feathers, rose, spread hiswings, and took off. He circled the river, flapping, screeching soloudly Indigo was sure he could be heard in Covenkirk. After threewide loops, he swooped down to settle at her feet.
She rose onto her combat boots, brushed offher cobalt-blue spring skirt, and snapped her fingers before sheclimbed aboard. “File a flight plan for my brother’s office, ohwinged beast.”
Her gryphon took to the air,Indigo on his back. She shouted to the skies, “Yippee-ki-yay,mutherfuckers.”
****
Tyr swallowed his drink in one gulp whensomeone pulled alongside him at the bar.
Dax was dressed like the Grim Reaper at afuneral. Black on black. His midnight hair was tied back, fallingnearly to his waist. His obsidian eyes were shot with red, a suresign the bludfrenzy was knocking at his door. A dark, sinistergoatee shadowed his chin while around his neck hung a necklacestrung with fangs. Nobody knew the gruesome story.
The gnarly vampire tapped the counter twice.The bartender nearly pissed his pants while he rushed to pour aDemon Scourge whiskey, his hand shaking like a leaf in the windwhen he handed it off to Dax.
Never having worked a case alone with theFirebrand rumored to walk the edge of sanity, Tyr wasn’t sure hewanted to now. Still, an assignment was an assignment.
“Glad you could make it.”
“I had something to do,” snarled Dax. Noother explanation followed as he tossed back his drink and tappedfor another.
“Here’s the short and sweet. A drug ring isoperating. North Shelter has been assigned the take down, butapparently, it’s a bigger task than expected. We’ve been ordered tolend an assist. I’ve got abso-fucking-lutely nothing.” The warlockcurled his pierced lip.
“Nace’s terrain.”
“His Firebrands are stretched. Lots ofpharmaceuticals popping up. I hear tell the drug we’re after ishell’s own. It makes the user zombie-like, highly susceptible tosuggestion.”
“After chewing out my ass for disappearing,Kole hinted about what we would face. On my way here, I stopped totalk to an acquaintance, persuading him to give me a lead. Hedidn’t have much to share, but we have a rock to flip.”
“Is your acquaintance still breathing?” Tyrdidn’t really care. He only wanted to know if there was a body tobury. Leaving a trail of blood-drained Aeternals could get dicey,even if their previous inhabitants were scum.
A smile, more like Emperor Palpatine inStar Warsthan Howdy Doody, crossed Dax’s face. “Stillalive. Maybe short a pint or two. Drink up. We need to find ashifter named Cage.”
Damn. He’s good. When Igrow up, I want to be that scary.
****
Good to his word, Ram stepped back with aflourish, allowing Denim to enter the portal first. He wasdetermined to let her die if it was her choice. It wouldn’t be hisfault. He also vowed to keep his dick in his pants.
She smirked but stepped through into theWhorl. Ram followed close behind, dropping low when he exited onEarth, resisting the urge to pull Denim to the rear. His handrested on the handle of his Glock.
Denim glanced at him while they approachedthe roll-up door leading out of the parking garage. “Anyonearound?”
The satyr used his superior senses to listenwhile he sniffed the air. He reached out farther. Only the soundsof party-goers on the street. The old smells ofeau dehumanswafted toward him. “No.” At least, she realized he wasbetter at something. Even if it was only sniffing oreavesdropping.
Ram awaited instructions while Denimsquinted at him as if irritated. “Let’s go then.”
