Fang Shway in LA Read online

  Chapter 3

  All magical creatures have given names and true names. We guard our true names with our life because anyone who holds your true name owns you. Yes, literally. My true name is Lauren Bell Cartier Simon. What can I say - my mom loved life’s finer things and my dad loved adventure. Gertrude Bell was a preeminent explorer and Cartier needs no explanation. Jason is the only living person who knows my true name which is why I work for him. My work for him requires me to preserve the balance between love and strife. It sounds pretentious, even to me, yet it's as true and as old as time. Early Greek philosophers believed the universe remained in constant flux between strife and love. Wizards like me try to make sure strife and chaos doesn’t overwhelm love, and you thought your job sucked.

  I’m the wizard responsible for the Los Angeles basin. In the Los Angeles area this means keeping an eye on a wide array of magical creatures – wizards, vampires, fae, demons and werewolves to name a few. Because when these creatures mingle with the millions of citizens of L.A it can get scary and people die, which isn’t okay with me. One of my biggest weapons is my clairvoyant sight. I’m often plagued by snippets of dreams that foretell the future. I use the term plagued because the dreams may or may not be accurate. Wizards can’t ethically alter future events and doing so is a misuse of magic, punishable by death. However, my dreams do sometimes tell me when something might be up. More often than not the dreams are just that dreams. So, I need to rely on good, old-fashioned sleuthing, my skills as a wizard and my friends.

  Fortunately, I have help even though the personal cost has been great. My life, as you might imagine doesn’t lend itself to a secure, normal existence which is why I’m single. Kids, a husband and soccer weekends just are not practical for me. Soccer moms get a bad rap. Can you imagine how an avenging wizard would fair?

  On the floor of my office I have a marble sculpture of the Dragon’s Eye which is identical to my pendant. It stands roughly two feet high and it symbolizes the balance of love, power and wisdom, it’s also a conduit for calling forth my reinforcements, my backups are Tokem and Traygen. They have been my friends and comrades in arms for every assignment since I started. I owe them my life and I would gladly give mine for them.

  I placed both hands on top of the pyramid and placed a universe wide summons calling, “Tokem Flint Runner and Traygen Paracelsus.” I stepped back and waited. Fios doesn’t have anything on my pyramid, a universe-wide summons, no connectivity issues, no overages, unlimited calling. Several minutes later I heard a static pop, a soft fluttering of wings and Tokem flapped into view. Tokem is a Tykili, an air spirit, who stands all of ten inches tall. Jason provided me with Tokem’s full name. The use of his full name binds him to me and he’s provided me with invaluable service ever since.

  “You rang?” he said, hovering above me.

  “Tokem, it’s good to see you too.” I held out my hand and he landed lightly on it as I offered him a sprig of jewelweed. He sighed contentedly as he pressed the flower to his face inhaling deeply.

  “Lauren, you do love me, jewelweed is my all-time favorite and I’m not entirely sure jewelweed can console me. Bob Barker is retiring. Can you believe it? I don’t think I can go on. Thank you for waiting until The Price Is Right ended to summon me, he added with a sniffle.”

  “Tokem, you know I’d never take you away from your show. Actually, I have a surprise for you.”

  Zipping around my head in glee, Tokem said, “What is it? Did someone die? First the jewelweed and now you have something else for me. I'm not on camera, am I? I swear if you are messing with me.”

  “I got you a TiVo”

  “Tebow? Cause Lauren I don’t think he is very good.”

  Looking at Tokem I could swear he deflated in front of my eyes.

  “No, not Tebow, its TiVo. I’m not talking about the NFL quarterback preaching abstentious instead of touchdowns...scratch that, it didn’t come out right.”

  “It isn’t nice to tease the little guy.”

  “Tokem, I’m sorry. TiVo is a machine that copies a show when you’re not home to watch it. You can tape…”

  “Lauren, I love you. Show me. Can I take it home?”

  “I love you too. You can take it with you. I said it was a present.”

  Before I could say more, the room shook and a flash of blinding white light announced Traygen’s entrance. Traygen is a changeling, a living breathing man, a gorgeous man with piercing eyes, a smile that melts my heart and among other things he is a dragon. He can effortlessly change between his human form and his dragon form. No, I don’t mean male PMS. Traygen is an honest to God, flesh and blood, hundred year old fire breathing dragon. When he isn’t helping me he rules his own kingdom in a parallel universe that looks like medieval Europe, Ireland to be exact. Traygen will ascend to the throne when his father dies. He had offered to step aside and make his brother king if I agreed to marry him. I haven’t said yes and he hasn’t abdicated the throne.

  Standing in his human form, dressed in black from head to toe, he walked stiffly over and gave me a hug and a kiss. Yes, he’s my on-again off-again lover. Lately, it has been more off than on. Our lives don’t provide enough permanence and I just wouldn’t risk another loss.

  “Traygen, it is good to see you. I’ve missed you, urr...you look great.” Did he ever-my heart was doing flip-flops. His muscles rippled as he moved with a fluid grace masking the lethal proficiency lurking just below the surface. Okay, I said he was a dragon, not the stuffed kind, the fire breathing burn you to cinders flame throwing kind, be still my heart.

  Traygen wasn’t making eye contact and he acted unusually formal. Our last parting had been painful. Lifting his eyes to mine, the corners of his mouth pulling hard to keep a smile from his lips, he said, “So do you and to what do I owe this honor?”

  “Jason has given us another of his Herculean tasks.”

  Tokem zipped around the room, high on jewelweed, before returning to my hand. “I don’t think I like the sound of this.”

  Chuckling softly, Traygen said, “Do tell. Don’t keep us in suspense.”

  “There is a Daywalker roaming L.A. and Jason is giving us seventy-two hours to find out why.”

  Chapter 4

  Traygen let out a low whistle, “What do we know?”

  “Not much. The disturbances began in the port area of the city. Homeless people, street kids, pets disappearing without a trace.”

  “So, what’s the problem?” Tokem squeaked. “You should be grateful. They’re cleaning up the city.”

  “Unless you want your true name posted on the Internet, get serious,” I growled.

  “Touchy, touchy,” Tokem muttered as he glided out of reach.

  “What aren’t you saying?” Traygen asked.

  Damn, he knows me too well. “Ekil sent me a Cu Sith or at the very least he was the last person to animate it.”

  “The vampire prince? Why would he...or should I be jealous?” Traygen said.

  “Yes, one and the same, as to why I have no idea and I’m pissed. No, he’s not my type, gaudy dresser, uppity and always thirsty. We will need to pay the S.O.B. a visit and see what has his fangs unhinged. First, I think we should check out the area near the docks. Then we can make our visit. We need to find out what is going on down there. It may also help explain Ekil’s stake in all this.”

  “Ash, I hope,” Tokem chuckled. “We want him to get the point don’t we?”

  “Tokem, I know you are armed with your quick wit and questionable humor. Unfortunately, the rest of us will need to be armed to the teeth, no pun intended,” I smirked.

  “Touché, my Lady.” Traygen chuckled.

  We spent the next several hours poring over spells and making shields to protect us from Ekil. Most of my power stems from my ability to redirect or capture the natural energies of the universe. I can harness lightening, electricity, solar and wind. On a good day, I can channel these forces through my Dragon’s Eye pendant, into my platinum Uroborus bracelet and/or into my staff. I never leave home without them. Since we were visiting vampires, I added some extra things to my purse, which thankfully was a Louis Vuitton, style and practicality, I liked that.

  “I think we’re ready. We have at least five hours before sunrise. Are you guys ready?”

  “Do we have a choice?” Tokem asked as he darted away.

  “No. Traygen, will you be chauffeuring us?”

  “It would be my pleasure, after you.” Traygen held the door for me and squeezed my hand as I walked past. Passionate waves exploded through my body, my heart leaping for joy, he still takes my breath away. What can I say? He has had a hundred years to perfect his charm.

  Tokem darted into the night, I followed closely behind him, and Traygen brought up the rear. I pulled my car from the garage and parked it on the street. The three of us entered the garage and I pushed the button to close the garage door. Traygen wasted no time changing into his dragon form. He shimmered in iridescent shades of green, flecks of red and blue dotted his back, power radiating from him.

  I climbed on, securing Tokem in my jacket pocket, and pressed the garage door opener. Traygen glided smoothly up into the cloudless night sky, turning west toward the coast. What a rush, flying never gets old for me. Traygen’s powerful wings lifting us effortlessly into the cloudless sky silence descended and the ground falling away beneath us.

  I leaned down and whispered to Traygen, “Head out over the water. There’s less chance we’ll be spotted.” I lingered with my arms around his neck breathing in his scent. Nodding, he headed out over the ocean and followed the coast until I motioned for him to put us down. We landed in an empty lot near the docks. I slid off, landed and let Tokem out as Traygen changed forms.

  “Which way?” Traygen a
sked. He shook himself vigorously, like a dog shaking water off its back, trying to dislodge any kinks caused from changing forms.

  “Let me send out some feelers. This way,” I said, pointing north. “Stay close. Tokem, when I signal you check out the area.”

  “Sure, make a snack of the little guy. Hey, what do you suppose that car goes for anyway? I might need to know if Bob Barker calls...”

  “Tokem, focus. We don’t have time to play games.” I swatted good-naturedly at Tokem before he darted out of reach. Traygen, Tokem and I walked across the vacant lot, skirting several warehouses, sifting through a maze of discarded crates of every size and shape, wandering who knew what. I motioned for everyone to halt. Something wasn’t right, I could feel it. Before I could speak, I heard voices which were coming closer. I motioned for everyone to duck behind the nearest crate. A few minutes later three men crept into view, slinking along, seemingly oblivious to the area or time of night. Whatever they were up to I knew it couldn’t be legal. They all had silencers screwed on to their assault rifles. Yeah, I know its L.A but silencers on assault rifles, now there is an oxymoron, or is that a moron with an assault rifle. I digress neither is good.

  We watched as they slithered from container to container, obviously searching for someone or something. They tried the entrance to the nearest building but the building was locked and like the pros they obviously were, they didn’t hesitate. The men picked the lock, opened the door and slid inside in a matter of minutes. My bracelet and staff started to vibrate. I whispered to Tokem and Traygen, “I believe we found our vamps.”

  “Those men are walking right into them. Do you think they know? Maybe they work for the vampires, if not this could get interesting,” Traygen quipped.

  “For their sake, I hope you’re right. Tokem, see what their up to.”

  Tokem flew up and into the building’s air shaft. He wasn’t gone long when he dashed back. “Whoever those men are, they need to keep better company. They’re meeting with some of Ekil’s lackeys.”

  “Could you hear what they were saying?”

  “Drugs, it’s about drugs. Come on, I can sneak you in from the loading dock in back. Follow me.”

  We followed Tokem around the side of the building. Cautiously we headed toward the loading dock, the area appeared deserted. Traygen and I followed Tokem inside. I could hear voices and they grew louder as we crept deeper into the building. Afraid to get any closer for fear of being detected, we stopped and listened. The discussion seemed to be about drugs but it was getting heated that was when the shooting started. Bursts of automatic gunfire peppering the air, acrid smoke hanging in a foggy cloud, chunks of wood and concrete ricocheting off the walls and ceiling, it was chaos. I could hear men crying, men moaning and I knew men had to have died. It was over in moments the men were no match for the vampires.

  “Tell your boss no one moves drugs into or out of this harbor without Ekil’s blessings.” There was a scurrying of footsteps and then silence. I motioned for Tokem and Traygen to follow me out but we didn’t get far.

  “Going so soon?” A malevolent voice asked.

  Damn. This day just keeps getting better. First a Cu Sith and now we were surrounded by vamps. I instinctively reached for my pendant, and the area glowed with a blinding bluish-gray light. The vampires hissed and cried out in anger, fleeing from the light. You know what they say about it being easier to ask for forgiveness then permission...we ran.

  “Get to the field we landed in,” I yelled.

  “Not so fast, that little parlor trick won’t work on me.”

  My blood ran cold. I had found my Daywalker or he had found us. This was no time to quibble. I could hear the other vampires slithering around to cut off our exit. I whispered something to Traygen and felt him begin to change.

  “It’s not polite to whisper,” snarled the Daywalker.

  I sent a burst of fire at the stack of wooden pallets to his left. They burst into flame, driving the Daywalker back a few paces. Traygen followed my blast of energy with a roar of flames, as only a dragon can and I wasted no time jumping on to his back, we soared upward and away. The vampire’s cries fading as we gained altitude.

  “That was too close. Is everyone okay? Tokem? Where is Tokem?” I screamed. Then I felt something move on my arm. Tokem crawled out from under my sleeve. “Traygen, you can take us home. The gang’s all here.”

  Chapter 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.”