Killer's Quest: A Dark Crossroads Urban Fantasy, page 3
"I know, I know."
Patrick climbed out of the car and started walking down the sidewalk, moving behind Kelryn. Ben shifted the van into gear and followed close behind, easing his foot off the break and just putting a small amount of pressure on the gas. He kept his foot hovering over the gas pedal, ready to slam down if need be.
Kelryn stopped for a moment at a red light at the crossing before their building. They checked both sides and saw no cars coming from either direction. But before stepping onto the crosswalk, Patrick called out.
"Nice night, huh?"
Kelryn stopped and looked over their shoulder at the young man. He had a baby face and short, blond hair poking through the hood he wore over his head. Kelryn smiled at Patrick. "Yeah, guess so."
"You're out kinda late, huh?"
"I work nights. Just heading home now."
"Oh yeah?" asked Patrick. "Where do you work?"
"At a bar."
"Maybe I could stop by sometime?"
Kelryn shook their head. "It's probably not your thing. Very specific kind of place. Sort of underground."
"Hey, I'm all about underground shit. Music, art, you name it."
"That's nice." Kelryn started to feel uncomfortable around this stranger. "Look, I've gotta run, but you have a good night."
As Kelryn turned around, Patrick made his move. He reached into his hoodie pocket and pulled out a blackjack. In a quick motion, he lunged for Kelryn and slammed it against their head.
Kelryn cried at the sudden feeling of pain, falling forward. They stopped before hitting the ground and looked up at Patrick, who raised the blackjack for another strike.
Instinctively, Kelryn's body erupted with sparkles, returning back to pixie form. They tried to fly away as quickly as possible, but Patrick pulled out a small aerosol can and sprayed the contents. Kelryn didn't know what was in the can, but the fumes left them coughing and unable to see straight.
Kelryn's flight path zigged and zagged before they crashed into a street lamp and fell limp in the gutter. Patrick ran over and picked up the stunned pixie as Ben drove up beside him.
"Hurry and get in!" he called out.
Patrick opened the back and climbed inside. A small, clear plastic box was waiting and Patrick deposited the pixie inside, locking the lid.
"Okay, got 'em!"
With their captive secure, the van drove off into the night.
4
The next morning, Cain woke up feeling content. There was no itch from the Mark. For the first time in months, he felt sated. And that actually unnerved him more than the usual itch.
After a quick shower, Cain went into the kitchen and brewed a pot of coffee. While the coffee machine did its work, Cain prepared the rest of his breakfast--scrambled eggs and a few strips of bacon. He was ready to sit down to eat when there came a knock at the door.
The last time Cain had visitors to his cabin, it proved to be a massive headache that involved a trip to Purgatory and a long stretch of manipulations. He was understandably wary about anything like that again, so the first thing he did once he heard the knock was to pick up the shotgun he kept mounted on the wall beside the refrigerator.
He opened the door and then raised the weapon, finding himself staring at an attractive young woman with long, dark hair. Behind her was a tall, broad-shouldered man who had skin so dry, it resembled pale wood.
Neither seemed disturbed by the shotgun in their faces. The woman just stared down both barrels and said calmly, "So you're the infamous Cain."
"Who I am is someone unaccustomed to visitors," said Cain. "You've got exactly twenty seconds to tell me who you are and why you knocked on my door."
"My name's Maya Thacker." She gestured to her companion. "That's Dexane--Dex for short. We're friends of Qarhan. I believe he told you we'd be coming by."
Cain lowered the gun. "That was just a few hours ago. Didn't realize you'd be coming by so soon."
"We don't like to waste time. Mind if we come in?" asked Maya. "And think you could put that gun away?"
Cain stepped back and held the door open. "You can come in, but I'm keeping the gun close by, if it's all the same."
Maya rolled her eyes and stepped into the cabin. "Whatever."
Dex followed, him and Cain locking stares as he entered. The two visitors sat at the kitchen table.
"Wasn't expecting visitors, so hope you didn't expect me to cook you breakfast. But there's coffee if you want it," said Cain.
"We're fine, we'd just rather have a chat with you and then we'll be on our way," said Maya.
"I'm not letting my breakfast get cold while you talk, either. So you'd better be okay with that." Cain sat in his chair and started eating his eggs.
"Your house, your rules," said Maya. "The reason we came is because we represent an organization called the Black Lodge."
Cain swallowed a mouthful of eggs and shook his head, then washed it down with a sip of coffee. "Never heard of you."
"That's a little surprising, considering we travel in many of the same circles. Plenty of our people are frequent patrons of The Void."
"I don't talk to many people at The Void or anywhere."
"Yeah, Qarhan told us you're not much of a social butterfly," said Maya. "Anyway, you can think of the Black Lodge as sort of an NGO for supernaturals."
Cain cocked an eyebrow. "Supernaturals?"
"Beings like us," said Dex, the first time he spoke. "Non-human creatures born of the worlds of magic."
Cain fixed his stare at Dex for a second time. His green eyes hummed slightly with power as he took in the strange man and then he said, "You're a dryad?"
Dex nodded.
Cain turned to Maya, concentrating on her next. He narrowed his eyes and they exhibited the same soft, pulsating glow. "There's something in you..."
"Don't strain yourself. I was born human, but I'm studying magic," she said. "As I was saying, the Black Lodge exists to help supernaturals adjust to life on Earth."
"What do you mean by adjust?"
"You've seen the people who hang out at The Void. Some come from extra-dimensional planes, but most of them live in the Earth realm," said Maya. "There are some who try to cause problems or assert their dominance, but the vast majority of them just want to live peaceful lives. Many of them had to escape from whatever place they came from or were once human but transformed into their current state through no fault of their own."
"And how exactly do you help them adjust?" asked Cain before biting into a crispy strip of bacon.
"Set them up with human identities, teach them how to conceal their true nature, and provide a support system when things get challenging," said Maya.
"Sounds all well and good, but I fail to see what any of this shit has to do with me," said Cain. "I'm not integrated with humanity nor do I want to be."
"There's another aspect to our work," said Maya. "There are elements in the world that try to make life difficult for the people we help. The Sons of Solomon, the Opus Dei, independent hunters and paranormal investigators, those kinds of people."
"Thought they only go after the ones who step out of line and start eating humans and the like."
"For the most part, but mistakes have been made. And some are so zealous that they can't see the shades of gray--they just believe that supernatural is synonymous with evil," said Maya. "That's where we come in. We try to police our own and also to keep an eye on the watchmen."
"So what, you want me to become one of your supernatural cops?" asked Cain.
Maya cringed at that definition. "Bit of an oversimplification, but yes. We'd like you to work with us."
Cain finished off the last of his breakfast and then leaned back in his chair and sipped his coffee. "In that case, sorry you wasted your morning comin' out here."
Maya frowned. "You're turning us down?"
"The last time someone tried to enlist me in their cause, it just devolved into a massive headache. I'm not interested in working with others. The only reason I told Qarhan I'd meet with you is because he said you could help me, but now I see you just wanna help yourselves."
Maya sighed. "Qarhan may have been promising too much. I'm not going to say that we can help you with your condition."
"Good, because people have promised that before and it turned out to be all bullshit."
"What I will say is that we can try," said Maya. "All I'm asking is that you come with us to the Black Lodge and meet with the chairman. You might find that we can provide you with some help."
"I think I'm doing just fine on my own, thanks."
"Is what happened at The Void last night your definition of 'doing just fine'?" asked Dex.
Cain turned to the dryad and narrowed his eyes. "Is this your thing? You just chime in at random intervals?"
"I believe you're acting hastily. The Lodge can be a boon to you, just as it's been to Maya and myself."
"I don't give a shit," said Cain. "The Mark is my personal cross to bear and I'm bearing it just fine on my own."
"The three lycans you murdered last night would beg to differ," said Maya. "So would that bear you slaughtered."
"You keeping tabs on me, girl?"
"I think someone ought to," said Maya. "You're a dangerous being, Cain. You've racked up a body count that would impress the likes of Hitler and Stalin."
"I've kept my nose clean for the past century or so."
"Except for that incident at O'Hare not too long ago," she said.
"Nobody died. And those were extenuating circumstances."
"A lot of people could have and that's the point," said Maya. "We have to monitor our own or risk a lot more trouble. So please, just think about what we're asking here. There's a lot of good you could do to make up for the actions of the past."
"I've made peace with my past, so don't think you can use guilt to motivate me." Cain finished his coffee and stood to take the plate and mug over to the sink. "Now, I think I've indulged you for long enough. I'd like you to get the fuck off my property."
"I wish you would give us a chance," said Dex.
Maya sighed and rose from her chair. "You heard what he said, Dex. I knew this was gonna be a waste of time."
"Look at that, we actually agree on something," said Cain.
Maya went to the door and looked back at Cain as she opened it. "Those three last night were bad news and that's the only reason why we aren't coming after you now. But if you step out of line and start killing innocents, we'll be back. And next time, we won't be so polite."
"So much nicer when the mask of civility falls off," said Cain. "You can see folks for what they really are."
"Fuck off, Cain. You don't know shit about me." Maya stormed through the door, calling for Dex to hurry up.
Dex rose silently but hesitated for a few moments before exiting.
"You heard your master's voice," said Cain. "Better scurry after her or else she might not give you a treat."
"My people were slaughtered by humans," said Dex. "If not for the Lodge, I wouldn't have a home."
"Bully for you."
"I know what loneliness looks like, Cain. I know what it does to a person's soul. And it's nothing pretty," Dex continued, ignoring Cain's jabs. "Most people who seek a life of self-exile don't find excuses to visit places populated by large numbers of people."
Cain looked up from the dishes. "Just spit it out, tree-man. I'm not interested in euphemisms."
"I just find it interesting that you keep going to The Void to drink surrounded by others," said Dex. "Perhaps you want something that even you aren't aware of."
The dryad exited and closed the door behind him. Cain grumbled, holding the plate in both hands, and cracked it in half.
"Qarhan, the next time I see you, I'm going to kill you for making me endure this bullshit..." he muttered.
5
As Cain surveyed the crops that had sprung up during the harvest season, he examined each of the vegetables carefully. The angel had told him that an offering was necessary to please the Presence, and so Cain sought out the best of his harvest. He'd assembled a basket of vegetables, choosing only the biggest and ripest of the season.
He'd carried the basket up the tall plateau to its summit, where the angel waited. The angel had soft features and long, blond hair that hung in curls framing his face. His bright, blue eyes shimmered when he saw Cain's offering. Cain set the basket down, then lowered himself to his knees and bowed his head.
"Very good, Cain."
The angel hovered down and his bare feet touched the grass. He knelt before the basket and took out a tomato and examined it closely. The angel brought the tomato to his lips and bit into its soft flesh. After a few moments of chewing, he smiled broadly.
"Truly, this is an offering befitting the Lord," said the angel. "I believe he will be most pleased by--"
The angel paused and looked off into the distance. He stood up and moved past Cain. Surprised by the angel's movements, Cain rose and watched the angel.
A man a few years younger than Cain and with a smaller frame walked up to the angel. He was clean-shaven and with long, brown hair that fell upon his shoulders.
"Abel?" asked Cain.
"I-I have an offering, too," said Abel in a soft voice and he gestured with the shepherd's crook down the slope. There was a small group of lambs grazing at the foot of the plateau. "They're the best of this season's firstlings."
The angel's wings carried him down the slope so he could inspect the small flock. And just a few moments later, he rose from the lambs and returned to Abel's side. The angel embraced the young shepherd and planted a kiss on his forehead.
"You've earned the Lord's favor this day, young Abel," said the angel.
Cain's features shifted from bewilderment to anger in the span of just a few seconds. A guttural sound hissed through his gritted teeth and he angrily kicked over the basket of vegetables.
The angel noticed this and turned. "Why are you so incensed?"
"I gave you the best of my crop and you turned your nose up at it. But you accept what my brother has given you instead?"
The angel offered Cain a smile, though it seemed more of a sneer. "Whether you offer well or do not, at the tent flap sin crouches, and for you is its longing, but you will rule over it."
"I don't understand," said Cain.
"In time, perhaps, you will. But for now, know only that the Lord has accepted Abel's offering as the superior one."
The angel rose above the lambs and held his hands out over them. They rose up with him and as a group, they departed.
Cain's anger swelled in him and when he looked upon his brother's satisfied face, he felt a surge of jealousy. When Cain looked down at the basket of discarded vegetables, he noticed a large stone near them. His thoughts fixed on his brother, Cain picked up the stone and approached Abel.
"Isn't it wonderful, Cain?" asked Abel. "The Lord has cast his approval on me!"
"Yes...wonderful..."
Abel's eyes fell on the stone. "What will you do with that rock?"
"Let's go down into the valley, brother."
Cain woke with a start, calling out his brother's name. He realized he was back in his cabin, sitting in a recliner in his living room. The TV was on, turned to some newscast. But there was a knocking sound. He took the remote from the side table and turned off the TV, then stood from his chair and went through the kitchen to the door.
Half-expecting it to be Maya and Dex again, he was more than a little surprised to see Qarhan standing on his front porch. The old wizard had a haggard look about him.
"Wasn't expecting you to come around," said Cain.
"Neither was I." Qarhan's eyes were pleading. "Can I come in?"
Cain gave a nod and held the door open for him. Qarhan entered the cabin and Cain led him into the living room and gestured to the chair. It was the only one in the room--Cain was unaccustomed to guests.
"If this is about your friends, you're not gonna change my mind," said Cain. "I listened to their pitch and I wasn't a fan."
"It's not. At least, not completely," said Qarhan.
Cain crossed his arms and took a deep breath. "Listen, whatever spin you're thinking will get me to join up with their little club isn't gonna work. If that means I can't go back to The Void, then that's fine. Got along just fine for a very long while before I found--"
"Cain, shut up." Qarhan's tone was stern. "Just...shut up and listen to what I've got to say."
Qarhan wasn't one for beating around the bush, but he was also speaking in a kind of tone that Cain had never heard him use before. It was certainly shocking and Cain decided to let the man say his piece.
"The reason I came here is because of Kelryn."
"Kelryn?" asked Cain with a cocked eyebrow. "What about them?"
"They were supposed to work last night, but never showed," said Qarhan. "I tried calling their phone, but it just kept ringing. Texts went unread and I even tried asking some of their friends at Void if they'd seem 'em."
"And?"
Qarhan shook his head.
Cain's lips rolled against each other as he contemplated the situation. "You're a wizard, can't you do some kind of spell to find them?"
"Tried a locator spell, didn't turn up anything," said Qarhan.
"Well, their family's from Alfheim. Maybe they decided to pop over for a visit?"
"You know as well as I do that Alfheim's not easy to get into these days. Besides, Kel never had any interest in going there. Don't see any reason why they'd go now--especially not without telling anyone."
"All right, so if your locator magic's not working, what's that mean? In what situation would the spell turn up nothing?"
"Three scenarios I can think of," said Qarhan. "The first is that they're in another dimension, like Alfheim. But again, that seems highly unlikely."
"And the others?"
"Either they're in a place concealed from magic or..."
Qarhan's voice trailed off on the last reason and his face fell. That told Cain everything he needed to know about the third option.
