SMOKE and ASHES

TANYA HUFF


From Tanya Huff, the author of the acclaimed Blood novels, which followed the adventures of private detective Vicki Nelson and vampire Henry Fitzroy, comes the third novel in her brilliant new contemporary fantasy series, SMOKE AND ASHES.

The first novel in the series, SMOKE AND SHADOWS, reintroduces us to Henry and to Tony Foster, a former street kid and snitch rescued from his dead-end existence by Vicki and Henry and given a chance for a better life.

Relocating to Vancouver with Henry, Tony lands a job as a Production Assistant at CB Productions, working on the syndicated TV series, Darkest Night, a show about a vampire detective.

This should be Tonys perfect job, the first step on the path to becoming a director. And it would be, except that strange and dangerous things keep happening both on and off the set.

First its an encounter with shadowy forces of dark magic, and though most of the crew live through it, survival is not without its price. Tony discovers a surprising truth about himself and is offered a chance to become far more than a mere Production Assistant. But he isnt certain he wants to take that next step. And so, though he occasionally practices the skills CB Productions former special effects wizard has gifted him with, Tony continues to fill the job of Production Assistant.

Then a shoot in a haunted house goes awry, and Tony is forced to learn the fine art of wizardry on the fly.


Now, in SMOKE AND ASHES, Tonys been promoted to a Trainee Assistant Director on the show, and hes hoping that the only supernatural events hell be caught up in are those in the script. But, of course, that just isnt meant to be, for unbeknownst to the young wizard, a Demonic Convergence is about to begin. This will create weak spots around the world through which lesser demons may find a means to enter our world.

To complicate matters, Leah, the incredibly sensual and seductive stuntwoman who free-lances for the show, is in reality an immortal Demongateor, as she puts it the oldest piece of magic in the world. Around 3,500 years ago, the Demonlord adored by her village went on a killing rampage. Leah is the only survivor, and her Lord has worked a powerful runic spell for which she is the vessel. Should Leah die, the Demongate will open and her master will once again be able to have his way with the unsuspecting human race. In the meantime, since her Lord and Master is a sex demon, Leahs means of communing with him are pleasurable for all whom she encounters.

Can Tonywith the help of Leah, Henry, a tabloid reporter, a Mountie, and the cast and staff of Darkest Nighthalt a demonic invasion, keep Leah alive, and stave off the end of the world?


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The Finest in Fantasy and Science Fiction

by TANYA HUFF

available from DAW Books:
 

SMOKE AND SHADOWS (#1)

SMOKE AND MIRRORS (#2)

SMOKE AND ASHES (#3)



BLOOD PRICE (#1)

BLOOD TRAIL (#2)

BLOOD LINES (#3)

BLOOD PACT (#4)

BLOOD DEBT (#5)



The Confederation Novels:

VALORS CHOICE (#1)

THE BETTER PART OF VALOR (#2)



The Keepers Chronicles:

SUMMON THE KEEPER (#1)

THE SECOND SUMMONING (#2)

LONG HOT SUMMONING (#3)



SING THE FOUR QUARTERS (#1)

FIFTH QUARTER (#2)

NO QUARTER (#3)

THE QUARTERED SEA (#4)



WIZARD OF THE GROVE



OF DARKNESS, LIGHT, AND FIRE


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DAW BOOKS, INC.

DONALD A. WOLLHEIM, FOUNDER

375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014

ELIZABETH R. WOLLHEIM

SHEILA E. GILBERT

PUBLISHERS

http://www.dawbooks.com


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Contents
 
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  


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Copyright  2006 by Tanya Huff.

All Rights Reserved.

Jacket art by John Jude Palencar.

DAW Books Collectors No. 1365.

DAW Books are distributed by Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

Book designed by Elizabeth M. Glover.

All characters and events in this book are fictitious.

Any resemblance to persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal, and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the authors rights is appreciated.

Nearly all the designs and trade names in this book are registered trademarks. All that are still in commercial use are protected by United States and international trademark law.

First Printing, June 2006

123456789

DAW TRADEMARK REGISTERED

US. PAT. OFF. AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES

MARCA REGISTRADA

HECHO EN U. S. A.

PRINTED IN THE U. S. A.


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For Violette and Paul,

who rebuild our house, look after our cats,

and are even attempting to teach me how to

dress. Definitely above and beyond!


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Chapter One

 


ALTHOUGH BOTH MOON AND stars were hidden behind cloud, the night was not as dark as it could have been. The light from streetlamps bounced off pale concrete, providing illumination enough to make the two men walking along the empty sidewalk clearly visible.

The dark-haired man shoved his hands deeper into the pockets of his brown suede jacket. I know we didnt have much of a choice, but I dont like how that ended.

It ended the way it had to end, the blond replied with a weary smile. And if his teeth were just a little too white and preternaturally long, there was no one there to note it. They might have been the only two men alive in the entire city. Their footsteps should have echoed thats how alone they seemed.

I dont like circumstances making my choices for me.

Who does?

You dont seem to be having any trouble.

Ive just had a lot more practice at hiding His voice trailed off and, frowning, he looked up.

Thats it. Good. Lee, follow his gaze. A woman screams and

A plaid flannel body pillow, clearly weighted, dropped down onto the sidewalk about three feet in front of the actors.

 and the unfortunate lady lands. Cut! Peter Hudson moved out from behind the monitors, pulling off his headset and tossing it back in the general direction of his black canvas chair. Tina, his script supervisor, reached out and snagged the set just before it hit the pavement, her left hand marking the place shed stopped lining her copy of the script, her eyes never leaving the page. Mason, I liked the same old/same old thing you had going during the dialogue, he continued as he reached the pillow. It was a nice counterpoint to Lees whole mortal indignation thing.

Nice? Mason Reedaka Raymond Dark, syndicated televisions most popular vampire detective and star of Darkest Nightfolded his arms, and curled a lip to expose one fake fang. Thats the best you can do?

Its after midnight, Peter sighed. Be thankful I can still come up with nice. Once Angela adds the echoing footsteps in post, I think the scenell play The sound of large machinery revving up reduced the rest of the directors observation to moving lips and increasingly emphatic gestures.

Still standing on the top of the ladder from where hed thrown the body pillowPeter liked to be certain about lines of sightTony Foster caught one of the gestures aimed at him, clambered down, and ran over to the directors side.

I want one more take before we bring in Padma! Mouth by Tonys ear, Peter all but screamed to make himself heard. Deal with it, Mr. Foster!

How?

Any way thatll get my footage!

Any way.

Yeah. Tony headed for the construction site. Like he didnt know what that meant.

Promoted back in August from production assistant to TAD, trainee assistant director, Tony found himself in October still doing much the same thing hed been doing as a PAwhich surprised no one, him least of all, since Chester Bane, the notoriously frugal head of CB Productions, hadnt yet gotten around to hiring someone to do his old job. Still, TAD meant he was now moving up in the Directors Department with a raise in pay and a clear, union-sanctified path to the directors chair. Not necessarily a short path, but he was on it and that was the main thing. Since hed been in the business less than a full year, he really had nothing to complain about. Besides, CBs penny-pinching ways ensured that he was learning a lot more than he might have on a show with a larger personnel budget.

And on a show with a larger locations budget, hed have never learned how to take advantage of roadwork in order to get a normally busy Vancouver street cleared of traffic without having to go through all the hassles at city hall or pay off-duty police officers to safely keep it that way. Half the permits. Half the money spent. Digging for a sewer line guaranteed empty streets for blocks away from the actual machinery and city hall had been more than willing to halve the inconvenience to Vancouver drivers.

There was, of course, a downside. Theyd been working around the noiseconstruction seemed to follow the same hurry up and wait schedule that television didbut that machine

Backhoe, Tony realized as he drew closer.

 seemed to be settling in for a long roar. Sure, they could remove the sound in post, but Peter hated looping dialogue. Mostly because Mason wasnt particularly good at it, and the results always looked as though a big rubbery monster was due to stomp Tokyo.

Any way didnt include actually talking to the construction crew. The foreman had made it quite clear earlier in the evening that they neednt bother. He had a job to do and no fancy-assed, la-di-da television show was going to put him off schedule.

With that attitude in mind, Tony stopped about six meters from the backhoe and watched the huge bladed bucket bite through the asphalt. After a moment, he noticed that the operator worked in what was essentially an open cab. Noticed, after a moment more, that her line of sight didnt extend as far down as the keys dangling off to one side of the double bank of bright yellow-and-black levers.

That could work.

Turning on one heel, he started back toward the trailers. There was always the chance the operator might glance downit was a small chance, but given the size of the biceps on the woman, he wanted to make sure there wasnt the slightest possibility she even began to contemplate the thought of considering him responsible.

Call him a coward, but those arms were the size of his thighs.

Besides, he didnt need to see the key. He knew where it was. Knew the shape it occupied in the universe. Okay, maybe the universe was going a little far, but he had local space nailed.

Mr. Foster? 

He had to strain to hear Peters voice in his ear jack.

Any time.

Now seemed good. He concentrated and closed his fingers around a handful of keys as, behind him, the backhoe sputtered to a stop.

Wizardry, according to Arra Pelindrake, the wizard from another world whod left him a laptop with instructions both detailed and annoyingly obscure, was all about focus. New spells required words or symbols or embarrassing contortionsTony suspected that the wizards of Arras world were either double-jointed or had a vicious sense of humor. After a whilewhere a while generally referred to years of practicethe words, symbols, and contortions could be replaced by the wizards will.

Back in the summer, Tony had discovered that trying to keep a location crew alive in a haunted house could condense a while into one high-stress night. These days, if he wanted something to come to him, it came. Other spells were a different story. He was still trying to forget what happened the first time he tried a clean cantrip on his bathroom. Nothing said, Hey, Im a weirdo! like having a date attacked by scrubbing bubbles.

As far as other spells were concerned Well, there were surprisingly few places in and around the lower mainland to practice Powershots, given population density and the expected explosive results, but just in case he ever had to blast his way out of another haunted house, he had the theory nailed.

He reached the craft services table in time to see Leeone hand still shoved in the pocket of his leather jacket, the other wrapped around a Styrofoam coffee cupflirting with Karen, the craft services contractor. As Lee dipped his chin and looked up at her through a fringe of thick, dark lashes, she giggled. Actually giggled. Not a sound Tonyd ever connected to Karen before. Laugh, yes. Also swear like a sailor. But giggle? No. Lees answering smile and a murmured comment Tony wasnt quite close enough to hear brought a flush to her cheeks, the rosy color under the freckles clearly visible in the double set of halogen spotlights aimed at the table.

When youre ready, Mr. Nicholas!

In answer to Peters summons, Lee winked, drained the cup, and tossed it into the nearer of the two garbage cans, turned, and half smiled as his gaze swept over Tony. Then the gaze kept sweeping, that half smile the only acknowledgment he gave.

Tony watched him walk back to where Mason and Peter were standing by the scenes starting mark. The shadows following hard on the actors heels were nothing more than the result of solid objects blocking the path of both natural and artificial light. No otherworldly shadow warriors dogged his footsteps. The chill Tony felt on the back of his neck was a fall breeze, a warning that winter, such as winter was in British Columbia, was on its way. If the dead were walking, they werent walking here. Everything was so aggressively normal it was almost possible to believe hed imagined Lee screaming, his body tortured from within by an insane dead wizard. Almost possible to believe hed imagined Lee sitting in the back of an ambulance and admitting that well, essentially admitting that when hed kissed him, hed been fully aware of whose lips were involved.

Of course, hed also said that the show had to go on.

That had been August. It was now early October. The show had been going on for nearly two months and was getting very good at it. Unlike a lot of actors, Lee had always been friendly with his crew and that friendly had always extended to Tony. Nothing about that had changed; he treated Tony no differently than he treated Keisha, the set dresser, or Zev Sero, the music director. The kiss and the confession were safely buried under what Tony thought was one of Lees better performances.

Since the ladder and the pillow had been moved away from the shot, Tony assumed that Peter was doing this last take without his assistance. The backhoe keys slid off his fingertips into the garbage to lie hidden under a half-eaten muffin. Watching the boom operatora skinny middle-aged man named Walter Davis whod replaced skinny middle-aged Hartley Skenski who hadnt made it out of that haunted house aliveTony reached for a handful of marshmallow strawberries.

Those thingsll kill you, you know.

One of them took a shot at it.

Coughing and blowing bits of soggy pink marshmallow out of his nose, Tony glared up into the amused face of RCMP Constable Jack Elson and contemplated several responses that would get him fifteen to life. When he could talk again, self-preservation prodded him to settle for a merely moderately sarcastic, Arent you out of your jurisdiction?

Constable Elson, like CB Productions, was based in Burnabya part of the Greater Vancouver area about ten miles east of the city.

The constable shrugged. Im off duty. Heard you lot were out on the streets, thought Id come down and take a look.

Quiet, please! Adam Paelous, the first assistant director, began the familiar litany. Lets settle, people!

Tony jerked his head back toward the trailers and started walking. Smiling slightly, Jack followed, snatching a couple of cookies off the corner of the table as he passed. Hed been around often enough in the last month or so that Karen, usually pit bull protective of the shows food, no longer tried to stop him and, even more disturbing, sometime in the last few weeks Tony had started thinking of him as Jack.

Rolling!

Half a dozen voices, including Tonys, echoed the word.

Scene 19a, take three. Mark!

The crack of the slate bounced off the buildings a couple of times and finally disappeared under the distant profanity of the road crew.

As Peter called action, Tony figured they were far enough away and murmured, Okay, fine, now youre here, what are you looking for?

Jack grinned. Its been almost two months since you were found next to a dead body. I figured you were about due.

He was probably kidding.

The RCMP constable had been unhappy about the verdict of Accidental Death after the Shadowlord had been and gone, but that was nothing on the way hed felt when Tonyd finally forced open the doors to Caulfield House on that August night. Hed seen the kind of weird-and-wonderful that even television writers would have had a hard time making people believe, and what hed seen, combined with a good cops ability to sift out the bullshit, had left him with no choice but to believe Tonys promised explanation. Hed believed it. He just hadnt liked it much.

Given his adversarial history with the police, Tony still wasnt sure why hed told Jack and his partner Geetha Danvers the truth about what had happened in the houseslightly edited of personal information and back story. Maybe hed hoped that it would keep them from hanging around and scowling suspiciously at all and sundry. It had worked on Constable Danvers, not that shed been the scowling suspiciously sort to begin with, but it had done sweet fuck all to get Jack Elson out of his life.

Look at them. The constable gestured with a cookie, including actors and crew in the movement. Theyre acting like nothing happened.

They were acting like the backhoe was quiet and that meant they could shoot, that was all they cared about. Except that wasnt what Jack meant. Peter, Adam, Sorgethe director of photographyMason and Lee; theyd all been in the house. Karen and Ujjal, the genny op, had been outside trying to get in. Or get the others out. The rest of the crew had been involved only to the extent that theyd heard the stories.

Tonight they were all working to get the scene in the can as though nothing had happened.

Tonys turn to shrug. Its been a while.

That shouldnt matter. Jack had taken to an expanded reality like a fan-girl who knew her favorite actor was in town. Now that he believed, he suspected the supernatural of lurking around every corner. Sometimes he even spotted it. Sometimes he called Tony.

Whats about six centimeters high and can take a bite out of a car bumper? 

What? 

I think I saw one in the impound yard. Maybe more than one. 

Finally recognizing the voice, Tonyd rolled over and squinted at the clock. Its three in the morning. 

Does that matter? Do these things only come out between midnight and dawn? What are they? 

How the hell should I know? 

Youre the Elsons voicehed still been Elson then, not yet Jackhad dropped below eavesdropping level.  wizard. 

Yeah. Wizard. Not a database for things that go bump in the night. 

So you wont tell me. 

Its three in the morning, for fucks sake! 

Why do you keep repeating the time? 

Hed sighed. Because its three in the morning. 

In a just world, Jack would have gotten discouraged by now. Or distracted.

Bunch of hikers just spotted a Sasquatch up by Hopeprobably not a real one, Tony added quickly. Were old news. A shadow moved just at the edge of the light, and he rolled his eyes. Well, to everyone but you and him.

Him. Kevin Groves. Their very own tabloid journalist.

Fortunately, after the house incident, Mason had hogged the spotlight, and for Mason it was all about Mason. Unfortunately, Kevin Groves had apparently heard the bits of truth nearly buried under ego.

To his great disappointment, after official statements were takenand with three dead under mysterious circumstances official statements were takenno one really wanted to talk much about what had happened. They seemed almost embarrassed about having been a part of a paranormal experience, given the kind of people to whom those sorts of things generally happened. In the public perception, haunted houses came just under alien anal probes and slightly above thousand-year-old lizard babies. Group gestalt insisted on a rational explanation for everything that could possibly be given one and refused to admit to the rest, leaving Kevin Groves lurking unfulfilled around the soundstage and being regularly escorted off location shoots.

Although it was clear that an unwillingness to talk didnt mean that anyone had actually forgotten the experience. No one ever seemed to be under a certain place on the sound-stage between 11:00 and 11:15 AM or PM and Tonys abilities were used whenever theyd save a few moments or dollars. Television people dealt with the surreal on a daily basis and had managed to work a couple more bits in with little difficulty.

It helped that Tony had been a PA back in August, bottom man on the television totem pole, so anything too bizarre coming from his position wasnt exactly hard for them to ignore.

I wouldnt be so fast to dismiss Mr. Groves, if I were you, Jack observed around a final mouthful of oatmeal raisin. It mostly got lost in all of Mason Reeds posturing, but dont forget that there were interesting things said about your actions that night.

Tony sighed. Yes, I have vast and incredible powers.

You talk to dead people.

So? I also talk to my car and the bank machine.

Dead people talk to you.

What, you never caught an episode of Crossing Over back when it was on six or seven times a day? Apparently, dead people talk to everyone.

You He waved a hand.

Tony raised an eyebrow, the movement attaching a certain smuttiness to the unspoken part of the constables observation.

Jack snorted, refusing to be baited. The word wizard was mentioned.

Yeah, so were the words mass hallucination and gas leak. If Im such a mighty wizard, dont you think Id have better things to do than stand around on the edge of a construction zone at one oclock in the morning?

What, and give up show business? Brushing cookie crumbs off his jacket, Jack grinned, golden stubble glinting in the spill of light from the streetlamp.

The grin made Tony nervous.

It was supposed to. And knowing that didnt help.

Ill go have a word with Mr. Groves.

I cant stop you.

You know, youre not as dumb as you look.

Since neither are you would be an enormously stupid thing to say, Tony bit his tongue as the RCMP officer walked toward the reporter.

Cut! Good, thats got it!

Tony. Adams voice in his ear. Go get Padma. 

The conversation with Jack had moved him nearly back beside the trailer shared by makeup and wardrobe. He leaned in through the open door and saw it was empty but for Padma Sathaye, the victim of the week. Ready for her scene, she was sitting in the makeup chair, absently rocking it back and forth with the pointed toe of one shoe, and reading an Elizabeth Fitzroy romance novel. Sweet Savage Seas, Tony noted; one of the older ones.

Padma? Theyre ready for you.

She murmured a distracted reply, read for a second longer, and then closed the book around a folded piece of tissue. Im afraid I have a bad addiction to trashy romance novels, she told him apologetically as she stood.

Who says theyre trashy?

Pretty much everybody.

I dont.

But you wouldnt be caught dead reading one.

Ive read a couple.

The caked blood kept her from smiling too broadly. How very sensitive new age guy of you.

He shrugged and stood to one side to let her pass. Hed read them because Elizabeth Fitzroy was the pseudonym of Henry Fitzroy, once Duke of Richmond and Somerset, bastard son of Henry VIII, vampire, and one of his exes.

Sort of ex.

Sort of not.

Henry FitzroyPrince of Man, Prince of Darknesswas just a little on the possessive side. As far as he was concerned, Tony would always be one of his.

Mostly, that was all right by Tony. He liked to keep things friendly with all his exes. Hell, he saw Zev all the time at work and they still occasionally hung out. It used to be like that with Henry. Even a couple of months ago, hed have given the vampire a heads up on this night shoot so they could hang together for a while, but things had cooled between them since the incident with the house.

Since it had become obvious that Henryd developed some kind of connection with Chester Bane.

Okay, strictly speaking, things hadnt so much cooled as Tonyd cooled things.

He didnt like Henry becoming a part of his daytime life. He might be Henrys, but this show, this job, was hisand Henry could just piss off and stop bonding with his boss.

He wished he had the guts to ask CB if they were still in touch.

Following Padma across the street, he noted Everett, the makeup artist, standing by the video village, a gallon of fake blood at his feet. Beside him, Alison Larkin from wardrobe sketched costumes in the air; her every gesture threatening to drench the immediate area in coffee. As far as Tony knew, shed never lost a drop. He placed the genny op, light techs, sound techs the greater part of his job on location was knowing where people were so he could find them if needed.

Jack and Kevin Groves seemed to have left the area. Probably not together. Hopefully not together. Unless Jack had arrested the reporter for loitering with intent.

No. Not even then. Jack knew enough that Tony wanted the reporter nowhere near him for any length of time even if that time involved handcuffs. And not in a fun way.

Come on, people, lets move! Adams voice set the crew in motion. Weve only got the street for one more night and second units got it all tied up!

Padma laughed at something Lee said as she arranged herself on the pavement and Mason smacked his costar lightly on the arm. Peter shuffled the two men into position, Adam called for quiet, and they were rolling again.

Raymond Dark and James Taylor Grant stared down at the body that had just landed at their feet.

They werent the only ones.

Tonys gaze flicked up to the rooftop.

Something else was watching

Wonderful.

It was like having fucking gaydar for the supernatural.

So I have to be careful now because Im a player? It was one of the last conversations hed had with Henry before hed stopped returning the vampires calls. What was I before?

Henrys eyes had silvered slightly, a sign that the Hunger was near the surface. A victim. But theres enough of them that you had a chance of being lost in the crowd. Now, you stand out. 

Hed very nearly responded with something stupidly clich about how he thought hed been more than just a meal to the other man. Stomping hard on his inner drama queen, hed snarled, Im not saying I dont appreciate your help, but Ive been taking care of myself since I was fourteen. 

You survived

Yeah, my point. Before you came along to hold my dick, I survived just fine. 

Things are different now. 

And that gives you the right to bite down on the rest of my life? 

What? 

The conversation had deteriorated around then, but the point was, if Tony was sensing a supernatural watcher on the roof, he was probably sensing Henry playing Mother Hen of the Night. Sure, he hadnt told Henry about the shoot, but Henry had new contacts in the business now.

He flipped a finger in the general direction of the feeling.






CB Productions, can I help you? Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Tucking the phone under her chin, Amy waved her left hand in Tonys general direction while she doodled on a message pad with her right. No, Im sorry, thats not possible.

He crossed to her desk during the other half of the conversation and noted that up close her fingernails werent a uniform black. Each nail also wore a tiny, white stick-on skull.

Look She methodically scratched out what shed already written.  why dont I just put you through to our office manager? Okay. Just stay on the line. Pushing the hold button, she hung up the receiver and frowned up at Tony over the blinking red light. What are you doing here? Youre working second unit tonight.

CB wanted to see me. Tony glanced around to see that Rachel Chou, the office manager, was noticeably absent. Shouldnt you find Rachel?

Why?

He nodded toward the phone.

Amy snorted. Shes not in the office today. That asshat can stay on hold until she gets back for all I care.

Nice. Tony picked up one hand and took a closer look at the nails. Skulls glow in the dark?

Uh-huh.

Hair, too? White strips of hair bracketed her face. They seemed slightly greenish next to the matte black of the rest.

Please; too tacky. Lids lowered, she tipped her face up. But my eye shadow does.

Wondering why glow-in-the-dark hair was tackier than glow-in-the-dark eye shadowand skullshe leaned forward for a closer look.

Dont do it, Amy. Hell make you watch old black-and-white movies.

Dont do what? Tony demanded, turning in time to see the door to post close and Zev start across the office.

She looked like she was about to make an unhealthy commitment.

As if. And whats wrong with black-and-white movies? Amy leaned to the right so she could see the music director.

Zev grinned within the shadow of his dark beard. He keeps pausing so he can comment on the way they used to set up scenes.

She jerked her hand out of Tonys grip. Is he kidding?

No, but

Dude, youve got to work a little harder at getting a life.

I used to have one. Tony nodded toward Zev. He broke up with me.

Yeah. Quel surprise.

Shoving his hands into the front pockets of his jeans, Zev frowned thoughtfully in Tonys general direction. I thought you were doing second unit tonight?

I am.

CB wants to see him. Amys tone suggested last requests, last meals, last rites.

Why?

Tony shrugged. I dont know.

They turned as one toward the closed door of the boss office. The scuffed wood gave nothing away.

Hes just running over the stunt with Daniel, Amy murmured.

Daniels not doing the stunt.

Gee Eyes rolled.  I cant see why not. Danield be so convincing as a not very tall, gorgeous Indian woman.

Well, the not-very-tall would give him a few problems, Zev reflected, measuring a space some two meters from the floor.

Daniel was the stunt double for both Mason and Lee. He also acted as coordinator for any stunts performed by outside talent. Why is it when Frank writes an episode, Tony wondered, we always need to hire a stuntwoman?

They turned toward the bull pen. From behind that closed door came the rhythmic sound of someone reading aloud.

Zev frowned. Maybe he thinks the only way he can get a date is with someone used to risking her life.

Frank dating? Amy shuddered. My mind just went to the scary place.

In the awkward silence that followed, Tony heard maniacal laughter. He mightve been worried except it clearly came from one of the writers.

Not a specific scary place, Amy amended quickly.

They both turned to look at Tony. Amy was the exception to the general rule that those whod been in the house ignored what had gone on and Zev, as an ex, had certain rights and privileges involving shared history and exploded beer bottles.

So. She picked at the edge of a skull, then looked up hopefully. Seen any dead people lately?

Hed nearly seen Henry keeping tabs on him the night before. But Henry, not being exactly dead, just differently alive, didnt really count. No.

But youll tell me if you do?

At the edge of his vision, Tony could see Zev shaking his head almost hard enough to dislodge his yarmulke. Sure

Zev sighed.

 I promise.






Brianna has been asking after you.

Brianna? Really? From the expression on CBs face, that clearly sounded as stupid as Tony suspected. Brianna had been asking for him pretty much every time she spoke to her father. Uh, in what context?

CBs eyes narrowed as he leaned back, his leather office chair creaking ominously under his weight. In what context do you imagine, Mr. Foster?

Boss, I swear I never told her she was a wizard!

So youve said previously. And, once again, I believe you. He steepled fingers the size of well-muscled bratwurst. However, as Brianna does not, I think its time we move on.

Move on? Tony cleared his throat and tried again an octave lower. Move on?

Yes.

No. He was not going to teach CBs youngest daughter how to be a wizard. First, wizardry was a talent more than a skill, and while Brianna had proved sensitive to the metaphysical, he had no idea if that equaled talent. Or what, exactly, did equal talent, for that matter. Second, he was still teaching himself how to be a wizard and, frankly, as a teacher, he sucked. Scrubbing bubbles and one pissed-off eater-waiter had to be incontestable evidence of that. Third, giving this particular eight-year-old access to actual power would be like his mind shied away from comparisons and settled on the height of irresponsibility. No one, including her father, could control the kid now. And fourth, hed rather have toothpicks shoved under his nails.

Mouth open to lay everything but the last point out in front of CBnot smart to give the big guy ideashe closed it again as CB continued speaking.

I have a friend putting together a PBS miniseries for Black History Month, so I called in some favors, and he gave my ex-wife a sizable part. Shes taking both girls to South Carolina with her. Shooting ends December twentieth. You have until then to come up with a permanent solution.

The pause lengthened.

Was there anything else?

Like invasions from another world or a waxy buildup of evil.

Um, no?

Good.






Permanent solution. Permanent solution. Tony paused, one hand on the door leading out to the parking lot, frozen in place by the sudden memory of his mother sitting at the kitchen table twisting her hair onto multicolored rollers shaped like bones. A home perm. And the permanent solution had totally reeked. He remembered because they were called Tonys and his mother used to tease him about being a hairdresser.

Later, like around the time he hit puberty, his father stopped finding the hairdresser jokes quite so funnyWarren Beattys enthusiastically hetero performance in Shampoo conveniently ignored.

His father was no longer a problem given that they hadnt spoken to each other for about ten years.

Briannas father, however

The door jerked out of his hand, and he stumbled forward, slamming up against a solid body on its way in.

His way in.

Tony recognized the impact. And the black leather jacket he was currently clutching with both hands. Lee. Two fast steps back. He stared down at his arms still stretched out Right. Release the jacket.

Tony.

Just for a second, Tony was unsure of what Lees next words were going to be. Just for a second, it almost looked as if the show was over for the day and reality was going to get its time in. Just for a second. Trouble was, a second later Lee pulled his hail-fellow-well-met actor-face back on.

You okay? I didnt realize there was someone standing there.

Well, why would you? You know, solid door and all and you not having X-ray vision. X-ray vision? Could he sound any more geeklike? I was just leaving.

Right. Youre doing second unit work tonight.

Everyone seemed to know that. Were they posting his schedule now or what?

Lee shifted his motorcycle helmet from under his left arm to under his right but didnt actually move out of the doorway. So you were here to

Meeting. I had a meeting with CB.

Good. I mean, it was good?

Yeah. I guess. Still dealing with Briannas reactions in the Shit. Never bring up the house thing with Lee.

The actor-face slipped. In the house?

Unless he brings it up first. Yeah. In the house.

Lees eyes closed briefly, thick lashes lying against his cheeks like the fringe on a theater curtain. Only darker. Not gold. And without the tassels. Tony realized he was babbling to himself, but he couldnt seem to stop. They hadnt been alone together, standing this close, since, well, since the house. For a moment, he hoped that when Lee opened his eyes, the actor-face would be gone and they could maybe start dealing with what had happened.

Lee had to make the first move because Lee was the one with the career he could lose. It was Lees face plastered on T-shirts worn by teenage girls and forty-year-old women who should know better. Tony was a TAD. Professionally, no one gave a crap about him.

The moment passed.

Lee opened his eyes. Well, I have to say that its been nice running into you and all, but I need to get to my Dark brows drew in, and he waved the hand not holding the helmet.

Dressing room?

Yeah. The smile was fake. Well done, but fake. My memory sucks some days.

Tony reflected the smile back at him. Old age.

Yeah. The smile was still fake, but the regret flattening his words seemed real. That has to be it.






Tony squinted up at the top of the building, trying to count the number of people standing at the edge of the roof. Sorges request for a steadicam had been overruled by the budget, so there should only be two: Leah Burnett, the stuntwoman doing the fall, and Sam Tappett, one of Daniels safety crew. Two. Not a hard number to count. Most nights he could even do it with his shoes on. So why did he keep getting three? Not every timebecause that would have made sense. Every now and then, he thoughtno, cancel that, he was surehe could see a third figure.

Not Henry.

Not tonight.

Not unless Henry had been growing an impressive set of horns in his spare time and had then developed the ability to share his personal space with mere mortals. The same actual space. Sort of superimposed.

Welcome to the wonderful world of weird.

Dj vu all over again.

The question now: should he do anything about it and, if so, what?

It wasnt like his spidey-sense was tingling or something in his subconscious was flailing metaphorical arms and wailing Danger, Will Robinson! Danger! He didnt have a bad feeling about things, and he had no idea if this was a threat or some kind of symbolic wizard experience. Maybe it was something all wizards saw on top of buildings athe checked his watch11:17 on Thursday nights in early October and hed just never been looking in the right place at the right time.

Still, as a general rule, when he saw things others couldnt, the situation went south in a big way pretty fucking fast.

Unfortunately, none of the second unit crew had been in the house. Theyd heard the stories, but they didnt know. Not the way those whod been trapped and forced to listen to hours of badly played thirties dance music knew. If he told Pam, the second unit director, that he intermittently saw a translucent, antlered figure on the roof, shed assume controlled substances and not metaphysical visitations.

Tony hadnt done hard drugs since just before Henry pulled him off the streets. Point of interest; hed never seen big, see-through guys with horns while he was shooting up.

He glanced down as a gust of wind plastered a grimy piece of newspaper to his legs. Evening weather reports had mentioned a storm coming in off the Pacific, and the wind was starting to pick up, sweeping up all kinds of debris as it raced through the artificial canyons between the buildings. Before he could grab the newspaper, another gust whirled it away and slapped it up against the big blue inflated bag Leah would land on.

If Daniel thought it was too dangerous, hed cancel the stunt regardless of the shooting schedule. Tony hurried over to where the stunt coordinator was checking the final inflation of the bag.

Its getting kind of windy.

Yes, it is.

Four stories is a long way to fall.

Uh-huh. He straightened and bounced against the side of the bag. Thats why they call it a high fall.

Yeah, its just that falling four stories the windll have longer to throw her off As Daniel turned to look at him, Tony sputtered to a stop. But youve taken that into account.

I have. Stern features under dark stubble suddenly dissolved into a smile. But I thank you for staying on top of things. It never hurts to have another person thinking about potential problems. He unclipped the microphone from his collar. Hey, Sam, whats the wind like up there?

Little gusty. Not too bad. 

Whats Leah think?

During the pause, the antlered figured came and went and came again. It almost seemed to wave when Leah did.

She says shes good to go whenever you give the word. 

Were ready down here. Pam, we can go any time.

Glad to hear it. Pams voice in the ear jack. Lets have a slate on the scene and get started!

Tony backed away from the bag as Daniels people took up their positions. Since a high fall relied 100 percent on the stuntees ability to hit the bag safely the stunt crew were essentially there to deal with a miss. Tony wouldnt have wanted to see the backboard so prominently displayed were he about to jump off a roof, but, hey, that was him.

Quiet, please, cameras are rolling.

A repeat of Rolling! in half a dozen voices rippled out from the directors chair.

Scene 19b, high fall, take one. Mark!

Action.

Far enough away now, Daniels voice sounded in Tonys ear jack. On three, Leah. One

Up on the roof, Sam would be echoing the count, fingers licking up to give visual cues.

A gust of wind blew a bit of dirt in Tonys eye. He ducked his head just in time to see that same gust about to fling a ten-centimeter piece of aluminum with a wickedly pointed end into the bag.

Two.

Impact wouldnt make anything as simple as a hole. At that angle, at that speed, it was going to be a gash. And a big one.

Three. 

The wham whoosh of impact and applause from the crew covered the sound of aluminum slapping into Tonys palm. The jagged piece of debris had probably blown down from the construction site. Revenge of the backhoe.

Cut!

He looked up as Leah climbed down off the bag, Daniel, grinning broadly, reaching out a hand to steady her. The fall had clearly not been a problem; the high heels, on the other hand, were giving her a little trouble. She was smiling, definitely happy, but less overtly euphoric than a lot of stuntees were after nailing a four-story fall.

She didnt look like Padma. She looked like a stuntwoman wearing the same costume over some strategic padding.

So much for the magic of television.

It took a moment for Tony to realize she was staring at him.

No, not at him. At the piece of aluminum still in his hand.

As though shed suddenly become aware of his attention, she lifted her head. Lifted one dark, inquiring brow.

Even the see-through guy with horns sharing her space seemed interested.



Chapter Two

  


NIGHT SHOOTS ALWAYS THREW Tonys sleeping patterns out of whack. When a guy his age got off work, he was supposed to go out and do things. He wasnt supposed to drive straight home and fall over. It wasnt just wrong, it was old. It was what old guys did.

Except there wasnt a whole lot to do at 2:30 on a Thursday morning in beautiful downtown Burnaby.

Cradling a bag of overpriced groceries from the 7-Eleven, Tony kicked the door to his apartment closed and shuffled into the tiny kitchen. The shuffling was necessary because hed started sorting laundry back on Monday, hadnt quite finished yet, and didnt want to start again from scratch because hed mixed the piles. The bread and milk went into the fridge. He tucked the bottle of apple juice under his arm and carried the bag of beef jerky and the spray cheese into the living roomwhere living room was defined as the part of the long rectangle that contained an unmade sofa bed instead of a stove, a fridge, and a sink.

The television remote was not in the pizza box under the couch. It finally turned up on top of the bookcase by the window, half buried in the pot with the dead geranium. Raising it in triumph, he settled back against the pillows, sprayed some cheese on a piece of jerky and started channel surfing with the mute on.

Replay of a hockey game on TSN, end of hurricane season on Outdoor Life, remake of Smokey and the Bandit

Which after The Longest Yard and The Dukes of Hazard pretty much proves there is no God, he muttered, jabbing his thumb at the remote.

 some guy eating a bug on either the Learning Channel or FOODhe didnt stay long enough to see if it came with a lecture on habitat or a raspberry vinaigrettethree movies hed already seen, two he didnt want to see, a bug eating some guy on either Discovery or Space, someone knocking at the door

His thumb stilled.

Someone knocking at his door. Carefully. Specifically. Trying not to wake the neighbors.

It didnt sound like Henrys knock. He checked his watch: 2:57. Besides the vampire, who did he know whod be up at this hour? Even tabloid journalists eventually crawled back under their rocks for a nap. It wasnt Jack Elson or his partner; the police had a very distinctive knock.

Might be Conner, that friend of Everetts hed met while visiting the makeup artist in the hospital. Theyd gone for coffee but hadnt been able to hook up sinceConner worked in the props shop at one of the other Burnaby studios, and his hours were as insane as Tonys. Maybe their schedules had finally matched up.

Of course, Connerd have no way of knowing that.

Unless Everett had told him.

Hell, if he was going to imagine hot guys, why not drop all the way into fairy-tale land and assume it was Lee, no longer conflicted and unable to deny the blistering passion between them. Okay, for passion substitute a couple of possessed kissesbut theyd been pretty damned hot.

Another knock.

Of course, I could just get off my ass, walk a few meters, and find out. Dropping the spray cheese down in a pile of blankets by the jerky, Tony headed for the door.

There was a spell on the laptop called Spy Hole that allowed the wizard to see through solid objects. The first time Tonyd tried it, hed given it a little too much juice and gotten way too good a look at Mr. Chansky across the hall in apartment eleven. Talk about being scared straight. The experience had convinced him that sometimes the old ways were the best. Leaning forward, he peered through the security peephole.

Leah Burnett.

And the translucent overlay of the big guy with antlers.

She grinned up at the lens and lifted a bag of Chinese food into Tonys field of vision.

All right. She had his attention.

Stepping back, he opened the door.

Hey. She waved the bag. I thought we should talk.

All three of us?

Three? If you have company

No. He just moved enough to stay solidly in her line of sight, blocking her view of the apartment. You, me, and the guy sharing your space.

Dark eyes widened. Guy?

Big guy. He held his hand about half a meter over her head.

Really? What does this guy look like?

Hard to say, hes a little fuzzy. Got a rack on him like Bambis dad, though.

And you can see him right now?

Not right now. He kind of comes and goes.

Uh-huh. A quick glance up and down the hall. Maybe we should discuss this inside.

Got something to hide?

Just trying to keep you out of trouble with your neighbors.

That seemed fair. Besides, there were precautions in place in case he was actually in any danger from her. Them. Although, given the Chinese food and all, he doubted it. Opening the door all the way, Tony tucked himself up against the wall and beckoned the stuntwoman in.

The glyphs painted across the threshold were supposed to flare red and create an impenetrable barrier if danger approachedit had taken days of fine-tuning to stop them from going off for the pizza girl, Mr. Chansky, and the elderly cat who lived at the end of the hall. As Leah stepped into the apartment, they flared white then orange then green then a couple of colors Tony suspected the human eye shouldnt actually be able to see. The pattern slammed out to fill the doorway, turned gray, and fluttered to the floor.

Leah brushed at the shoulder of her jacket, the pale ash smearing across the damp fabric. Sorry about that. Her nose wrinkled as the smell of burned cherries momentarily overwhelmed the smell of the Chinese food. What did you paint those on with, cherry cough syrup?

Yeah. When she stared up at him in astonishment, he shrugged. Carefully. His head felt like hed just been hit repeatedly with a rubber mallet. Cherry was the only flavor that worked. And, he added, hoping he sounded like he believed it was possible, I will fireball your ass if you try anything.

Like what?

Sorry?

She pulled the door out of his hand and closed it. What are you expecting me to try?

He had no idea, so he followed her farther into the apartment.

I suppose I should be impressed that a guy your age actually sorts his laundry, she muttered stepping over a pile of jeans and up to the kitchen counter where she set the bag down, shrugged out of her jacket, and started opening cupboards. Ah. Plates. And a moment later. Cutlery?

In the drawer by the fridge.

Right. Its mostly plastic.

They were free.

Fair enough. She handed him a full plate and stepped over socks and underwear and stood staring at the rest of the apartment. Daniel told me you were gay.

Yeah.

Way to work against the stereotype.

What?

Her gesture took in the walls, the floor, and most of his furniture. Its beige.

It was beige when I got here.

You have a flag tacked up over the window.

Im a patriotic kind of guy.

The only thing on the wall is a poster for Darkest Night. 

It was free.

I figured. You seem to have spent everything youve made in the last year on that entertainment center.

Look Tony pushed the laptop to one side and set his plate down on the small square table.  if youre here on some weird makeover thing, I dont want my apartment redecorated or my life rearranged.

You sure?

Her smile changed the whole shape of her face. Made her look years younger. Made her eyes sparkle. Made her look like someone hed like to get to know. Really well. Made him want to slide the sweater off her shoulders, push back the dark curls and

 he suddenly noticed that the translucent antlered guy looked a lot solider. Except for the horns, and the weird way his eyes had no whites, he seemed to be human. His skin tone was a little deeper than Leahsa regular coffee instead of a double doublehe had a lot of long dark hair twisted into dreads, and he was naked. And, although it was difficult to tell for certain, given that he and Leah were still sharing the same space, remarkably well hung.

What the fuck?

Tony shook his head and Leah was once again just a not very tall stuntwoman eating chow mein in his living room. Alone. No overlay of antlered guy. Eyes narrowed, he took a step back and raised the plastic fork. What was that?

A test. She caught a bean sprout before it fell off the edge of her plate. Ninety percent of men fail it.

Tony did the math. Well, good for me. Im really most sincerely gay.

And yet you still cant afford a gallon of periwinkle paint?

Yeah, well heres a thought He moved a pile of old sidesthe half-size sheets with all the background information for each days shoot as well as the necessary script pagesand sat on the steadier of his two folding chairs.  unless that guy is your inner interior decorator, how about you let the beige thing go and tell me what the hell is going on?

She thought about it for a moment, then nodded and sat on the edge of his bed. Youre a wizard.

Tony just barely managed to resist coming back with, I know I am, but what are you? It was just past three in the morning, for fucksake. He was a little punchy. He swallowed a mouthful of beef fried rice and said: Youre ?

Not. A wave of her fork, dangling a piece of overcooked bok choi, cut off his reply. Its complicated. Maybe you should call your teacher, and Ill only have to go through it once.

My teacher?

Mentor. Whatever you call the senior wizard in charge of your education. Dark eyes sparkled again. Im assuming that in this brave new millennium you dont use the word master.

What makes you think I have a teacher?

Leah sighed. Youre young. Far too young to be on your own.

Surprise. He spread his hands.

Brows rose. What happened to your teacher?

He pushed chow mein around his plate. I thought we were going to talk about the naked horny dude.

Fortunately, only a little rice went up her nose. When she finished laughing and snorting and blowing her nose on the crumpled handful of toilet paper Tonyd brought from the bathroom, she said, His name is Ryne Cyratane. It means: He Who Brings Desire and Destruction. Hes a Demonlord.

Oh, man. The fork bounced as he dropped it on the table. Not again.

Excuse me?

A few years ago, some friends of mine stopped a Demonlord from coming through in Toronto.

Coming through?

Yeah, there was this lesser demon writing the Demonlords name on the city in blood and He frowned, trying unsuccessfully to remember the specifics Henry had told him about how theyd finally defeated it. It got complicated, but he didnt make it.

Obviously. Her tone went beyond dry to desiccated. Well, theres no need for you to worry about this one. Ive got him contained. She stood and pulled up her sweater.

Nice tat.

Thank you. It circled her navel, row after row of black glyphs spreading almost up to the edge of her ribs like ripples moving out from the point of impact. Its a Demongate. As long as I live, the gate stays closed and my lord is denied reentry to this world.

Your lord?

Long story.

Okay. Reentry?

He was here about four thousand years ago. For almost five hundred years, worshiped as a god, he ruled a territory in whats now Lebanon. Ish. Same general geography anyway, near as I can figure. He had a temple, he had handmaidens, he had a lot of sex.

That would be the desire part, Tony figured.

Then something came uphes never said whatand he created a gate to return to the hell he came from. It took a lot of power. To get it, he killed everyone in the village and, with their blood, anchored the gate in his sole surviving handmaiden.

And that would be the destruction. Tony leaned closer. The tat wasnt black. Not exactly. It was a very, very dark red-brown. Youre the handmaiden.

Handmaiden, priestess, lover; I was his

Girlfriend? He winced at her expression. Sorry. I was just channeling Young Frankenstein, you know when Frau Blucher is explaining and Never mind. Sorry. Totally inappropriate interruption. Ill just, uh, be quiet now.

She waited a moment longer.

Tony picked up his fork and ate some more rice and tried to look like there was some other idiot in his apartment who couldnt keep his mouth shut.

I was his most beloved. Leah continued at last. Her fingertips lightly stroked the edges of the pattern, raising goose bumps on her skin. He cut the gate into my flesh, glyphs written in the blood of my people, because he intended to return but would be unable to open the gate from the other side. Gates from the hells have to be opened from our side or wed be overrun by demons in a heartbeat.

And they have to be asked in? Then he remembered that hed said hed be quiet and he shrugged apologetically, but she seemed resigned to the interruption.

Youre confused, thats vampires.

It didnt seem like the right time to correct her. Henry went where he wanted. Why didnt this Ryne Citation

Ryne Cyratane.

Right. Why didnt he just leave the gate open?

Because that would have been just asking for another Demonlord to come along and try to take it over. And, before you ask, the wizard who had opened the original gate was long dead.

Dead wizard. Yeah, that sounded encouraging. Nice.

Probably not. Anyway, Ryne Cyratane figured that Id be able to stand what hed done to my people for just long enough for him to finish up his business at home and then grief and guilt would cause me to take my own life. Should I be stronger than my grief, it wouldnt much matter because time was on his side and a human life is pitifully short to the demon kinand, back then, pitifully short was even shorter. Unfortunately for his plans, he made a small erroralthough, to be fair, I was squirming a bit while he incised the protection runes. She traced the outer ring. He intended to protect the gate from me, to keep me from defacing the pattern, thus destroying the gate and preventing him from returning, but he ended up writing in a much more powerful and general protection.

The gate protects itself and, in protecting itself, protects me. I cant be injured because that would affect the gate. I cant age because that would affect the gate. I am held as I was the day he left this world.

Four thousand years ago? And that would make her Youre four thousand years old?

She shrugged and sat back down on the end of the bed, retrieving her plate and looking mid-twenties at the absolute outside. Jeans. Sweater. High-tops. More or less. Probably closer to thirty-five hundred. You lose track after a while.

Given the whole vampires, wizards, other worlds, sentient shadows, trapped ghosts deal, he saw no reason to doubt her. Precedent suggested the world was about a hundred and eighty degrees weirder than most people suspected and, these days, nothing much surprised him. Besides, hers wasnt the kind of story a sane person would make up. On the other hand, she did fall off buildings and set herself on fire for a living, so perhaps sanity wasnt a given here.

So He groped his way back to the beginning of the story.  this Ryne Cyratane slaughtered everyone you knew?

Every single person. Even called the goatherds in from the hills.

I dont want to bring up old shit, but Tony pushed a cashew around his plate until it slid off the edge, bounced across the table, and off onto the floor. Only then did he look up and meet her gaze. He slaughtered everyone, and you dont seem too upset by that.

What do you expect? Her shrug was perfect twenty-first century ennui. It happened a very long time ago. Ive dealt. You should have seen me right afterward, I was a mess. She widened her eyes, raised both hands, fingers spread, and shook them from side to side. I was the crazy lady who lived in the wilderness for about three hundred years. One day I was a warning to misbehaving children, next thing I knew I was being fished out of the Nile by the servants of a priest of Thoth. He cleaned me up, brought me back to myself. He was a wizard. Her eyes unfocused and the corners of her mouth curled into a smile as she examined the memory. And kind of cute in a shaved head, totally fanatical sort of way.

What happened to him?

He got a little too ambitious and the governor fed him to the crocodiles.

Crocodiles? Tony wished the threats on his life were so mundane. Couldnt have been much of a wizard.

They were very large crocodiles. And there were a lot of them.

What happened to you?

Attention snapped back onto Tonys face. Do you really want the whole life story? Because until the last couple of centuries, its been pretty much centered in and around the beds of powerful men.

Itd been more than thatfrighteningly moreTony could see a bloody history lurking behind Leahs glib comment. But he could also see she didnt want to share. Not a problem. He didnt like handing out every detail of his back story either. So this demon has been trying to get back through the gate for thirty-five hundred years.

Dark brows drew in. No. What makes you say that?

Well, hes you know. He waved at where the translucent image would be and realized it hadnt been around since Leahs little orientation test.

Oh, that. Were connected, of course, but after all this time he knows Im not going to kill myself, so he lives his own life. Hes probably hanging around the gate right now because of the Demonic Convergence.

Say what?

The reason Im here.

Right.

And hes usually around during sex.

Tony raised the fork again.

She grinned and rolled her eyes. Stop panicking, weve already established thats not going to happen. But if it did, the energy created while I adjusted your lifestyle would go through the gate and into my lordas long as hes close enough to the gate at his end.

The Demonlord gets off through you? That sounded just a little ethically kinky.

Not exactly off. He gains power from sex. Always has. The man/woman variety only, though Her voice picked up a slightly mocking tone.  which seems kind of limiting for a demon powered by sexual energies, but there you go.

Youre feeding him? With sex? Scratch the qualifier.

Tony liked to think he didnt judge, but there was a definite ethical kink in the stuntwomans lifestyle.

Well, he was my god, Leah reminded him pointedly. And, she continued before he could respond, thereve been benefits on my side over the years. Like the years. And a certain Dark eyes gleamed.  vitality.

He slaughtered your people!

Youre going to have to let that go, she sighed.

Why?

Because its ancient history, its not important, and we have bigger problems.

Bigger?

The Demonic Convergence. Tony could hear the capital letters in her voice. Energies are aligning. Powerful energies. Powerful enough to crack the barriers between here and the hells?

He had to agree that didnt sound good. Hells? More than one?

Many more.

Well, isnt that just fucking great. All at once, Chinese food seemed trivial. He put down his fork. And these energies are powerful enough to open a Demongate?

Her hand dropped to cradle her stomach. It was the same gesture Tonyd seen pregnant women make and in this context that creeped him right out. Not this gate. Like I said, its protected. New gates will be created. Okay, not really gates, more like access points that can be exploited just long enough for something to come through.

One to a customer? That sounded good.

She nodded. But there could be hundreds of them.

That didnt. Hundreds?

Rough estimate. When her expression grew reassuring, Tony figured he must have looked as stunned as he felt. But dont worry, most of these holes will only go through a few layers, just to the closest hells. The convergent energy has to hit the same spot over and over before we get to anything much bigger than imps. She got up, walked into the kitchen, and set her empty plate in the sink.

Empty. Shed kept eating while she was telling him about demons, and Demongates, and slaughter. I guess she really has gotten over it. Its just a story to her now. Maybe someday the Shadowlord and the house would be just stories to him. Maybe. Probably not. Thirty-five hundred years was a lot longer than hed get. He watched her rinse the plate, set it on the counter, and turn to face him.

Well?

Well what?

Her expression slid from reassuring to impatient. Dont you have questions?

Yeah. A couple. Understatement. He had so many questions he could barely drag one free of the mess. Okay. Imps. Theyre not a problem?

Without a wizard they can be one hell of a problem, pardon the pun, but you should be able to deal with any that manage to get through.

Manage to get through?

Didnt I tell you? Leahs sudden smile had so much wattage behind it, her Demonlord made a brief, translucent appearance, flickering in and out again before Tony fully realized he was there. Well be smoothing out realitys potholes before anything can come through. Ill find them, she added when he shook his head, and youll close them.

I dont know how!

I do. She all but patted him on the head as she passed on her way back to the sofa bed. I just needed a wizard to implement the knowledge.

Just. As far as Tony could tell the word just didnt belong in any sentence spoken since Leah had walked through his door. Just thirty-five hundred years old. Just got a Demongate on the old turn. Just a Demonic Convergence. Just imps. Just needed a wizard. Wait a minute How did you know?

Know?

That I was a wizard?

I felt you use your power when you kept that piece of flying metal from puncturing the bag, of course. Over the years Ive become attuned.

To power?

Among other things. Her expression as she looked up from rummaging in her purse was subtly smuttier than anything Tony could have ever managed. He felt his ears grow hot. Hotter when he realized she was doing it on purpose.

Stop it.

Sorry. Bad habit. Sugarless gum?

No, thanks. She seemed more amused than contrite. Hang on; I thought the He waved a hand in the general direction of her stomach.  the gate thing was supposed to protect you.

Her hand slipped under her shirt again. It does.

Then why did you need me out there saving your ass tonight?

What makes you think that you werent there because I needed you to be? Three and a half millennia of confidence in the question.

Well, I

They tried to burn me at the stake oncewell, actually, they tried a number of times, but in this particular instance, it rained for eight days. The wood was too wet to light, and finally one wall of my cell washed away and I escaped.

Im surprised you didnt just

Fuck my way free? Devout Dominicans; a little too fond of barbeque but devout. They werent interested. So She stood and slowly walked over to stand beside his chair, pushing a pile of laundry out of the way with the side of her foot. She wasnt exactly looming over himshe wasnt exactly tallbut she was so there that he had to fight the urge to move away from her, to give her space.  are you going to help me out or not?

Help you close up imp holes made by a Demonic Convergence? He was amazed he got that sentence out with a straight face.

This isnt funny.

Okay. Maybe not entirely a straight face.

If a shallow hole isnt filled in and the convergent energies keep hitting it and making it deeper, then something a lot more demonic could get through. If that happens, people will die.

That took care of the smiling. I figured. Nikki, Alan, Charlie, Rahal, Tom, Brenda, Hartley They always seem to.

Yeah, they do. Her palm cupped his cheek for a second and he saw thousands of years of people dying while she lived on. Hed have jerked back, but she was gone before he could move, sitting once again on the end of the sofa bed. It had happened so fast he could almost convince himself hed imagined it. In fact, he had every intention of convincing himself hed imagined it.

So She leaned back on her elbows, crossed her legs, and kicked one sneakered foot in the air.  what happened to your teacher?

And here they were back at the beginning. And why not answer? It seemed he owed Leah a confidence or two. She went back to her own world.

Her own world. Another world? Leah asked when he nodded. Not a hell?

There were wizards nailed to a blackboard. Not exactly.

Damn. Apparently, after living for so long, nothing much surprised her either. Tony appreciated how much that simplified things. Realitys getting a little crowded.

Tell me about it.

No. Her foot kicked out and pointed. Your turn.

So he told her. About the Shadowlord because that was tied up with the whole wizard thing but mostly about Arra and how he hadnt wanted to leave and she hadnt been able to stay. But she left a lot of information on her laptop about how to be a wizard and Ive been He stopped when Leah raised a hand. What?

Youre learning how to manipulate cosmic energies from a home study course designed by a wizard from another world?

Yeah.

Unbelievable.

What is?

Her cosmic energies arent your cosmic energies.

What?

Shes not from this world.

Duh.

Gripping the edge of the sofa bed, Leah sat up and leaned toward him. Okay, Ill try and make this simple. Its all about energy, right? This Arra did teach you that?

Yeah. He tried not to sound defensive and had a feeling he was failing miserably at it.

So the energy of her world has to have been different from the energy of this world because the whole One hand rose to sketch a circle in the air.  world is different. Different planet. Different stars. Her energy pattern is therefore different. Following me so far?

Yeah.

So, on this world she had to adapt everything she knew to fit a new pattern. To make a square pegherfit in a round hole. What worked for her here wont necessarily work for you. You are not a square peg. Youre a round peg. The hole is also round. You need to find a teacher who knows whats going on in this world.

Beginning to get pissed about the distinctly patronizing tone, Tony reached out for the spray cheese and the container slapped into his hand. I seem to be managing.

What is that?

She sounded more appalled than impressed. Not the reaction hed expected but then, he reminded himself, she claimed to have met wizards before. Its a can of spray cheese. He turned it so she could see the label. I was eating it on beef jerky.

On beef jerky? Leah rummaged around in the blankets, pulled out the open bag of jerky, stared at it, and shuddered. I can see Ive got my work cut out for me. Never mind, well deal with your eating habits another time.

Hey, Im not the one with a demon in my belly!

Oh, for crying out loud, I didnt eat him! And I certainly didnt cover him in Leaning forward, she snatched the can out of his hand.  an edible cheese product. Doesnt it worry you that the manufacturers feel they have to define it as edible?

No,

Fine!

All right, then!

Leah glared down at the can in one hand and the bag in the other and her lips twitched. Then her whole body. Just for a moment, Tony was afraid that spray cheese and beef jerky were the secret ingredients Ryne Cyratane had been holding back and now, with them both in close proximity, the gate was opening. Then he realized she was trying not to laugh.

Then she wasnt trying anymore.

She laughed like they hadnt been talking about demons and wizards and the possibility of people dying. She laughed like this moment, the moment when laughter overwhelmed her, was the only moment that mattered. Tony smiled as he watched her; it was impossible not to.

It was just as impossible not to join in.

They almost managed to stop a couple of times, then one of them would wave the can of spray cheese and theyd lose it again. Finally, they ended up lying side by side on the sofa bed, gasping for breath.

Oh, yeah. I needed that. A long breath in and she sat up, twisting just enough to look back over her shoulder at him, pushing dark curls off her face. Was it good for you?

Tony ignored her, frowning as he tugged a familiar plastic bag out from under her butt. Youve crushed my jerky.

The brow he could see lifted in a decidedly smutty manner. Is that what you crazy kids are calling it now? Damn. And the brow dipped down. Is that the time?

He squinted toward the TiVo. 4:46. He had to be up for work in three hours and fifteen minutes. Fuck.

Her turn to ignore him. He was kind of amazed by that actually, all things considered. Ive got to get some sleep. She slid to the edge of the mattress and stood. Ive got a two oclock call for a CBC Movie of the Week.

Stunt?

Its what I do. Scooping up her purse, she hung it on her shoulder and headed for the door. If youre finished with work before sunsetthey want the light for the shot, reflections on the water and all that artistic crapcan you come by VanTerm? Ill leave word with security.

Hang on! He jumped to his feet and followed her. Thats it? We eat chow mein, you tell me were having a Demonic Convergence with a high chance of imps, and then we just go off to work?

Unfortunately, saving the world doesnt buy the groceries. Rummaging in the depths of her bag, she pulled out a slightly crumpled card and passed it to Tony. My cell number. Call if youre going to be late or you cant make it.

And?

And well reschedule. This isnt going to go away; weve got lots of time to fix it.

Yeah, but when did it start?

A week ago Monday afternoon at 2:10.

Really?

No. And yes. Approximately. He could hear her smile even though he couldnt see her face. You really are gullible for a wizard.

Maybe. Reaching out, he stopped her from opening the door. But one thing before you go; are you here, in Vancouver, because this is where the convergence is happening, or is it happening here because its where you are?

Her expression was almost proud when she turned; like she was about to praise a puppy. Youre smarter than you look.

Thank you. You didnt answer the question.

This A light, almost reverent touch against her stomach.  is the second oldest and most powerful continuously running bit of magic in the world.

Whats the first?

Im not allowed to say.

Seriously?

No, Im just bullshitting you again. A firmer pat on the sweater above the tat. This is the oldest.

He literally felt his heart start beating again. The way his life had been going lately, if there was an older bit of magic in the world, he could expect it on his doorstep at any time. Thats a sick sense of humor youve got there; I can see why you were a demons favorite handmaiden.

Sticks and stones Ryne Cyratane flashed as she smiled.  wont actually touch me.

Lucky you. So if youre walking around with the oldest magic in the world, then the convergence is here because you are? Nothing personal, he added when she nodded, but I wish you were somewhere else.

Too late now, things have started. And when I say things, I am, of course, referring to the Demonic Convergence eating holes through our reality into a myriad of hells. Bright side, though, with a wizard in the immediate area, the world stands a better chance. Dark brows lifted as she grinned. You wouldnt wish a worse chance on the world, would you?

He made a show of thinking about it but didnt fool her.

Youre a good man, Tony Foster. Taking hold of his shoulders, she kissed him gently on both cheeks and murmured something in a language he didnt know. Sumerian blessing, she told him stepping away. Roughly translates as the gods help those who help themselves. I left out the part about the goats. Redo the wards before you go to sleepthey wont stop a Demonlord, but they might stop lesser demons.

Might?

Should.

Shoulds not a lot more encouraging.

Best Ive got.

Ryne Cyratane flickered again as Leah went out the door. Head half turned, he seemed to be paying more attention to Leahs surroundings than to his handmaiden although, since Tony was trying to get a better look at his ass, there may have been subtleties missed.

He had just enough cough syrup left to reset the wards. Finished, he closed the file on the laptop, powered down, and closed the door.

They wont stop a Demonlord, but they might stop lesser demons.

He locked the door, put the chain on, and shoved a chair up under the handle. One thing hed learned over the yearsit didnt hurt to take precautions and not taking them often hurt a lot. Where hurt could be defined as, Oh, look, here I am back in the ER.

He could still catch two hours and forty minutes of sleep if he fell over right now. When the paper bag the Chinese food had come in rattled as he tossed it onto the counter, he realized that they hadnt eaten the fortune cookies. He grabbed one and cracked it.

The blow from sunlight is more unexpected than the blow from darkness. That was new. Cookie guys must have gotten themselves a new Magic 8 Ball. Shoving the slip of paper in his pocket, he stripped off his clothes and dropped onto the bed. As he leaned across to get the light, something crinkled under his elbow.

Somehow a copy of TV Week magazine had gotten shoved under the bottom sheet. It had been folded open at Star Spotting and the photo of Lee and the blonde du jour. It looked like they were coming out of a club. She had both hands wrapped around Lees arm, her gaze following the strands of long, pale hair blowing up into his face. He looked like he was saying something clever to the crowd of paparazzi, his hand holding a shape in the air.

Wizards see whats there, Tony told the picture.

He wasnt touching her. He wasnt looking at her. She was an accessory.

A smoke screen.

A lie.

Yeah. The magazine hit the far wall and fluttered to the floor. Bitter much?

He left the television on a blue screen with the sound off. A high-tech night-light for people who knew there were things to be afraid of in the dark.






Hey, Tony, I got an e-mail from Brianna.

Tony lowered his coffee and peered blearily across the office at Amy. He must be getting old. Two hours and forty minutes sleep just didnt do it for him anymore. So?

You want to know what it says?

No.

It says, Tell that jerk-face Tony to check his e-mail. You know She leaned back in her chair and flicked an eraser at him.  you might want to try and establish a relationship with someone your own age.

He should have gotten a larger coffee he realized as the eraser bounced off his forehead. Except that he didnt think they made a larger coffee. We dont have a relationship.

No? Then whyd you give her your e-mail?

I didnt.

Sure you didnt. You look like shit, by the way. Late night?

Very.

Hot date?

Not even remotely.

Cold date?

Henrys body temperature was several degrees below normal. Tony wondered why his brain decided to throw that into the conversation. No date.

Ah, so you stayed up drowning your sorrows. Dude, Im there.

Amy had gone off again with Brianher on again/off again boyfriendjust after the incident in August. She insisted it had nothing to do with what had happened that night, but Tony still felt vaguely guilty even though nothing had specifically happened to Amy. Of course, given that it was Amy well, that might have been the problem.

Tuning out Amys litany of dating woe, he negotiated a maze of papier-mch tombstones and headed for the soundstage.

He wasnt sure how he made it through the morning.

Masons close-ups.

Lees close-ups.

Padmas close-ups.

The same lines, over and over.

Sorges anticipated rant about matching light levels between studio and location.

Welcome to the thrilling and exciting world of syndicated television.

Peter half turned. What was that, Mr. Foster?

Oh, shit. Had he said that out loud?

I um was just

Why dont you go make sure Raymond Darks office is ready.

Right.

The next scene would be one of the first scenes in the episode, the scene where Padmas character arrived to hire Raymond Dark, someone or something in an advanced state of decay having been lurking about her windows at night. People who worked in the entertainment industry got very blas about the dead walking.






This isnt just a stalker, Mr. Taylor. Stalkers dont shed parts of their body Sorry.

Dont shed body parts behind the hedge, Peter called from behind the monitors. I like the emphasis on just and were still rolling.

This isnt just a stalker, Mr. Taylor

Tony let the words wash over him. And over and over, and the moment Peter called lunch, he dropped onto the office couch and closed his eyes.

Late night?

No mistaking that crushed-velvet voice. He opened his eyes to see Lee gazing down at him from a little over an arms length away. For one damn-the-torpedoes moment Tony thought about asking, Afraid Ill drag you down here with me?but sanity prevailed and he said only: Very.

Hot date?

Been there, done that, had the conversation once already today. Not even remotely.

Hey, too bad.

Oh, no. You dont get to be all happy my love life sucks. Bite me.

Pardon.

Oh, shit. Had he said that out loud, too? So much for sanity prevailing. Miss a few hours sleep and his sense of self-preservation took off for parts unknown. He shoved his fist in his mouth to block a yawn and, when he could talk again, said, Sorry. Im so out of it, I dont know what Im saying.

Sure.

What was that supposed to mean?

Pleasant dreams.

Or that, he wondered as Lee walked away.

Worrying about it probably kept him awake for all of three or four minutes. He tossed. He turned. He realized he was probably dreaming about the time Lee suddenly acquired an impressive and familiar set of antlers. Usually, that kind of awareness woke him up but not today. He heard Leahs voice say something about feeding on sexual energies, and he settled back to enjoy the show.

Tony!

No.

Come on, wake up.

Not going to happen. Not now. Not when

I havent got time for this shit.

He didnt have a whole lot of choice about waking up when he hit the floor. Rolling over onto his back, he glared up at Jack Elson. What?

Ive got a body I want you to look at.

What?

They found a construction worker just down from where you lot were shooting last couple of nights, torn to pieces.

Tony took the RCMP constables offered hand and allowed the larger man to drag him up onto his feet. Sucks to be him, but whats that got to do with me?

Something bit his arm off.



Chapter Three

  


COUGAR. DIDNT THEY HAVE one in Stanley Park a couple of years ago? Probably ran out of house pets to eat out in the suburbs and wandered into the city.

Coroner ruled it out.

Bear, then.

No.

Really big raccoon. When Jack took his eyes off the road long enough to glare across the cab of his truck, Tony shrugged. Raccoons can be pretty damned big. I saw one once about the size of small dog.

You sure?

About what?

Jack downshifted and accelerated through a changing light. About what you saw. Maybe it wasnt a raccoon.

You think I saw a small dog?

Dont tell me what I think.

Fine. Tony sighed. If you dont think I saw a raccoon, what do you think I saw?

Another glance across the cab. You tell me.

Oh, for fucks sake; sometimes a raccoon is just a raccoon! He sank down as far as the seat belt strap would allow.

Tony hadnt wanted to go look at a dead body, particularly not a dismembered dead body, and hed half hoped that CB would refuse to allow him the time off. Although CB hadnt been happy about losing his TAD for the afternoon, he was well aware of the benefit of remaining in the RCMPs good graces and hed waved off Tonys protests that he was needed on the soundstage with one massive hand. As difficult to believe as it may be, Mr. Foster, I believe production can continue for a few hours without you. 

Boss, theres no PA out there yet. Im it. 

So if an errand needs running, someone on the soundstage will have to run it. 

Tonyd opened his mouth to point out how unlikely it was that grips or electricians or carpenters would do any such thing and then closed it again when CB added: Theyll do it for me. 

Yes, they would. Because no one who worked for Chester Bane would be suicidal enough to refuse although theyd tell themselves they were doing it because it never hurt to do the boss a favor.

Which was also true.

As Jack pulled into the underground parking at Vancouver General Hospital, Tonys stomach growled. You made me miss lunch, he muttered.

You may thank me for that, Jack told him, turning off the truck. Come on.

The city morgue was in the basement near the end of a long hall made narrow by line of gurneys, wheelchairs, and a locked filing cabinet. Cramped conditions along the outside walls of the outer office made the reason for outsourcing the filing cabinet clear. A middle-aged Asian woman wearing the end-of-her-rope expression common to professionals who fought with bureaucracy on a daily basis sat at one of the cluttered desks forking noodles out of a Styrofoam bowl.

Dr. Wong.

She waved the fork in Jacks general direction and continued chewing.

This is the witness I mentioned earlier. Should we just go on in?

Fork tines pointed toward the set of double doors in the back wall.

Thanks. We wont be long.

A large hand between Tonys shoulder blades got him moving again in spite of his brain locking things down by suddenly repeating dismembered dead body over and over as though it had just realized what that meant.

Elson.

Jack paused in the doorway, leaving Tony staring into a harshly lit room at a bank of stainless steel drawers familiar to anyone whod ever turned on a television set.

If he pukes, you clean it up.

Jack snorted. If he pukes, he cleans it up.

Hey! He turned just far enough to glare back through the open door at the doctor. Im not going to puke.

Yeah. She plunged her fork back into the noodles. Thats what they all say.

And then the door was closed and Jack was walking across the room and opening a drawer.

Pulling it open.

Exposing the dead body.

The dismembered dead body.

For him to look at.

Look at the dismembered dead body.

Oh, for Christs sake, Foster. Youve seen bodies before.

I know.

So get your ass over here.

It wasnt so much the body, it was the morgue and the drawer and the smellthe place smelled like the grade ten biology lab just before the whole fetal pig fiasco; hed dropped out a week laterthe combination made it creepier than he was used to.

Creepier than a dead baby in a backpack, its life sucked out by an ancient Egyptian wizard? Creepier than a man bouncing off a window, every bone in his body broken? Creepier than watching a wardrobe assistant gurgle out her last breath through the ruin of her throat?

Well, if you put it that way

At least this guy was likely to stay dead.

Fingers crossed about that whole staying dead thing, Tony walked over to the open drawer.

He didnt recognize the construction worker, but then he hadnt seen any of them naked so that might be a factor. The left arm was missing about ten centimeters below the shoulder, the edges of the wound ragged, the end of the bone crushed. Wheres the arm?

No one knows.

Nice.

Probably not. Losing the arm didnt kill him; whatever took it also broke his neck. What do you see?

Dead guy missing an arm.

Tony.

Seriously. Thats all I

What?

Frowning, Tony walked around the drawer and stared at the construction workers other side. Head cocked, he spread his fingers and tried to match the tips of the first three and his thumb into a line of gouges ending in deep punctures. Is there a set just like this on the guys back?

Why?

Wizards saw what was there. Because if there is, its how it held on while it bit the arm off.

There was a set of identical punctures in the guys back.

It? Jack demanded.

Tony shrugged. Your guess is as good as mine.

Probably not!

Yeah, okay. That was valid. He took another look at the body. Something with three fingers and impressive claws had definitely bitten the poor bastards arm off. And that was all he had.

Not an imp, though. Not unless the Demonic Convergence imps were bigger than the regular kind, and Leahs attitude had implied they werent. Shed said he wouldnt have any trouble dealing with them and, although his ego was plenty healthy, he suspected hed have a little trouble dealing with whatever the hell had been snacking on construction workers.

Worker.

So far.

Great. This meant there was something going on in Vancouver besides the Demonic Convergence. And Henry. Yeah, were a happening kind of place.

If youve got something, Tony, spit it out.

He rubbed the edge of the stainless steel table with his thumb. Its not about this.

For Christs sake, try and stay focused. Ive got a dead man here, and When Jacks voice trailed off, Tony looked up to find the constables pale eyes locked on his face. Its more weirdness, isnt it? Therere two sets of weird going on. This He waved a hand over the body.  and whatever you decided didnt do this.

Its nothing.

Oh, no. This is something so the other thing, it doesnt get to be nothing until I say its nothing.

Tony ran over that in his head and wasnt sure where he ended up. What?

Talk. Or we stay in here until you do.






So this Demonic Convergence thing, it started a week ago but it isnt responsible for this?

No. Probably not. Jacks expression suggested he be more definite and since hanging around in the morgue was beginning to freak him out, that seemed like a good idea. Definitely not, he amended.

Demonic Convergence says demons to me, and a demon could have done this.

Yeah, but theres barely even been enough time for it to wear reality away to the point where imps could get through. Tony was improvising now off very little information, but Jack didnt need to know that. No way the Demonic Convergence had anything to do with this unfortunate mans death.

Jack stared at him for a long moment and then slammed the drawer. Fortunately, the seals absorbed most of the sound. So what did?

I have no idea.






Layers of hells?

Yeah.

But if hell exists, then just, no.

Tony braced himself as the truck briefly lifted up onto two wheels while taking the exit off Lougheed. If it helps, its not hell like a church-sponsored hell. Its hell like a really shitty place to be stuck in, so why not call it hell. If you live there, you probably call it something like Scarborough.

What?

Its a Toronto thing.

Then no one outside of Toronto cares. Palming the wheel around, Jack hit the gas and set about trying to break the sound barrier heading south on Boundary Road. So I can expect demons as this Convergence goes on?

First, demons would be a long shot even if there was no one around to take care of things. Second, Im on it.

Is that a no?

Thats a no. Although there might be a few imps.

Imps?

Sort of small, mostly harmless demons.

Can I shoot them?

How should I know?

Youre the wizard. How long is this Convergence going to last?

No idea.

Like many very fair men, Jack turned almost purple when upset. Tony took pity on him before he blew an artery. Ill check some stuff out, okay? When I have answers, youll have answers.

What kind of stuff?

Wizard stuff.

This is totally insane.

Dont blame me, youre the one who decided to go all Nightstalker. You know, a little denial can be a lot healthier.

Not in my line of work. Im after the truth. He narrowly missed running down a young woman pulling a two-meter-high Dutch windmill on a dolly and sighed. That sounded inanely pompous, didnt it?

Had a certain Fox Mulder-like quality to it, yeah.

The truck rocked to a stop in front of the studio, momentum fighting brakes hard enough that Tonys face nearly impacted with the dashboard. From his sudden vantage point, he could see other vaguely oily scuff marks. His face hadnt been the first. He supposed it was encouraging that Jacks driving hadnt been aimed specifically at himhed been starting to think he inspired a certain lunacy behind the wheel. Some kind of wizard leakage thing.

Im fine, thanks for asking, he muttered as he straightened, fumbling for the seat belt.

Youre welcome. Youve got my cell number?

Yeah. Jacks card was in his wallet right next to Leahs. The cop and the stuntwoman. The RCMP and the Demongate. Small world. He jumped out of the truck and turned to close the door.

Hey. Jack leaned toward him. If you find out what killed that guy, you call me.

Ill call, Tony sighed. He closed the door and looked in through the open window. But whatever it is, you wont be able to arrest it.

I can arrest anything I can get a pair of cuffs on, Jack snarled, slammed the truck into gear, and roared off. Traffic stuttered to give him room, and Tony had an instants unobstructed view of the other side of the street

 and Kevin Groves. The tabloid reporter looked like hed just won a lottery.






How long until we can shoot at UBC? Eyes rolling, Amy beckoned Tony over. You have got to be kidding me! Who? That cant take more than a What, them again? Right. Fine. If anyone cancels, will you call me? Thank you. She dropped the phone onto the receiver and sighed. Once again, UBC is standing in for every alien city in syndication. Youd think it was the only place in the lower mainland that looked science fictiony.

He balanced half his butt on the edge of her desk. So why do we want to shoot there?

Giant mutant plants escape from a genetics lab and start blinding people. Raymond Dark goes in at night when theyre doing whatever plants do at night.

Like Day of the Triffids. 

What?

RKO movie with Howard Keel and Janette Scott. Although I think it was a meteor shower that actually blinded people. They mention it in the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Frowning, he reached for a plastic six-legged octopus and got his hand slapped.

So there are no new ideas in television. Quel surprise. Not. She moved the octopus out of his reach. No one will notice we stole it.

Ill notice.

Yeah, and if you spent more time learning wizard shit and less time watching Movie Central, you might be useful.

For what?

Thats the question, isnt it? Leaning back in her chair, she laced her fingers over the line of skulls embroidered onto her raw cotton shirt and smiled. Tony mistrusted the smile. So, an afternoon off with the new boyfriend?

And that was why. Youre delusional.

I just want you to be happy.

We were at the morgue.

Cool. Why?

He wanted me to look at a body.

Kinky. Pre- or post-autopsy?

Tony couldnt remember any stitching, so he guessed. Pre.

Kinkier.

Before the conversation could devolve further, they were distracted by a young woman fighting to get a Dutch windmill through the front doors and into the office. She looked familiar.

This is the last one they have, she gasped over the noise of balsa wood and canvas hitting the floor, so it better be the right one.

They? Tony asked, ducking a flimsy-looking blade. Windmills R Us?

Prop shop over at Bridge, Amy explained. We borrowed it. And before you ask, I suspect it was part of some bucolic alien landscape.

I was actually going to ask if they know we plan on burning it down in a blatant Frankenstein rip-off.

With any luck, that would be a big fat no and, according to the writers, its not a rip-off, its an homage. Krista, this is Tony, our TAD. Tony, this is Krista, the new office PA.

Hey! Krista waved a hand in Tonys general direction. I dont suppose you could help me get this onto the sound-stage.

Through there? He glanced toward the scuffed door that led to the hall that led to the soundstage that led to the show that CB built. Lined with racks of extra costumes, the hall was barely wide enough for one and not even remotely wide enough for one and a windmill.

Well, duh.

Not possible. Youll have to take it outside and go around to the carpenters door.

Krista looked at the windmill and then at the bloody knuckles shed acquired getting it into the office. Youre fucking kidding me.

He really isnt, Amy told her cheerfully.

The new PAs brows drew in, stretching the blue crescent moon on the left side of her forehead. This is a test, isnt it?

As Amy shook her head, Tony leaned close and murmured, Youre lucky. The last two got sent to Starbucks.

Bad?

One of thems still there.

Right. She took a deep breath and began to force the windmill back outside.

Need some help?

No, thanks. Ive got it.

Tony backed toward Amys desk as something cracked. View blocked by the base of the windmill, it was impossible to tell what.

Get out of my way, you fucking asshat, Kristas voice snapped out like a whip.

Or who.

I think Im starting to like her, Amy said, grabbing for the phone. She has a way with words. CB Productions.

I definitely like her, Tony growled as Kevin Groves came into the office cradling his left arm. Anyone who recognized Groves for the fucking asshat he truly was, was a person worth knowing. Hey, he waved a hand in front of Amys face. Im out of here.

She nodded at him and began explaining the company policy regarding their actors and reality shows. As far as Tony knew, CB didnt actually have a company policy, Amy just enjoyed maligning the intelligence of reality show producers on CBs dime.

Tony Foster. Groves voice matched his looks; thin and unmemorable.

Cant talk. Tony spun on one heel, rubber squealing against tile, and headed for the exit. Have to work.

Just a few minutes of your time.

No.

Why were you out riding with RCMP Constable Jack Elson?

Ask him.

Is it true youre lovers?

Tony turned in the open doorway and laughed in Groves face. You know, you should ask Constable Elson thatbut wait until Im there so I can watch you get your ass kicked.

I just intended to get your attention. Groves took a step closer. His jaw worked at a wad of gum. Spearmint from the smell. He was holding up his PDA, the record icon flashing. Were you with him today because of the construction worker who was killed last night by your location shoot?

My location shoot?

Fine. By the shows location shoot. By the location being used by the television program known as Darkest Night. Whatever. Do the police believe that supernatural forces are responsible for the removal of the mans arm?

Groves knowing the arm had been removed was better than him knowing it had been bitten off, Tony supposed. Over one of the reporters polyester-clad shoulders, he saw Amy stick her head in Masons office. Are you on cheap drugs? he asked conversationally.

Do you use drugs to heighten your senses? Groves asked in turn.

Tony smiled as Jennifer, Masons personal assistant, emerged. Part of Jennifers job was to protect Mason from unwanted press attention. When she was in a good mood, she extended that protection to the rest of the studio. His smile widened as one set of impeccably manicured fingers clamped down on Groves shoulder and the other reached low to give the wedgie to end all wedgies.

He joined in Amys applause as Jennifer frog-marched the reporter across the office by the grip she maintained on the waistband of his tighty whiteyswhich was now considerably higher than his waist.

Foster! Not surprisingly, Groves voice sounded shriller than usual. Does this have anything to do with the Demonic Convergence?

He stopped applauding and ducked quickly through the door, closing it behind him before Groves could see his face.

Demonic Convergence?

Too late to hide his expression from Lee whod apparently been lurking in the hall, one arm draped nonchalantly over a rack of faux Gypsy-wear.

Tabloid reporter. Tony shrugged, hoping he sounded a lot more dismissive than he felt. That sort of shits his stock in trade.

Like haunted houses.

Sure. Shit. Not sure. The last thing he wanted was for Lee, who knew damned well haunted houses were real, to start thinking they were about to be involved in an actual Demonic Convergence. Which they were. Tony worked his way past a pair of gorilla suits wondering how the hell Groves had known about the DC. Had Leah spoken to him? And if she had, why? And if she hadnt, how else ?

Tony!

He turned just far enough to see that Lee had followed him. Given his ongoing obsession with the actor, not noticing that kind of proximity had to be healthy. Healthier had he not been distracted by the thought of Leah taking Kevin Groves, of all people, into her confidence, but lately hed take any emotional stability he could get.

Well?

From Lees tone of voice, hed missed half of an entire conversation. Sorry. I wasnt listening.

Yeah. I noticed. And Lee wasnt happy about it. Another time, a time when Tony didnt have an immortal stunt-woman, a gung ho RCMP constable, and a Demonic Convergence to deal withand lets not forget theres also something out there that reduced a grown man to snack foodLees unhappiness at his lack of attention would be bringing on a case of the warm fuzzies.

Another time.

Right now, he had rather a lot on his plate. Did Jack expect him to go hunting the snack food reducing monster? Because that so wasnt going to happen.

Tony!

Right. Sorry. Distracted.

Lee sighed and ran a hand up through his hair. I was just asking if there was anything in what Groves said. That you were out with Constable Elson because a construction worker got killed.

He wanted to be a part of itwhatever it turned out to be. It was obvious in his voice, in his expression, in his body language. Everything said: Let me help you.

Oh, yeah, like Tony was going to let that happen. In the last six months, Lee had been possessed three times and there was no way in hellany hellthat he was going to add to that list.

Let me help you.

Why?

Because I seem to have a deep-seated metaphysical death wish Im not even aware of. Maybe it stems from my repressed sexual identity, but since thats tied up with you, too, I guess Im in the right place.

No fucking way. He was not going to be responsible for Lee getting whammied yet again. Tony managed a near approximation of a smutty grin and flashed it in the actors general direction. Hate to admit it, but Groves was right. I was with Constable Elson because we were having hot Mountie sex in the cab of his truck.

Long pause.

Lee stared.

Tony kept grinning.

Finally, Lee sighed again, the exhalation a type of surrender. CB let you off work for that?

Yeah, the boss is all about keeping the cops happy. He started walking again. Once in the soundstage, Peterd have them both back at work and this conversation would be over. Just be thankful Jacks not interested in your ass, or hed pimp you out, too.

You call him Jack?

When I call him other things, he reminds me hes armed.

Tony

Tony sped up just enough to keep Lees hand from landing on his shoulder. Goddamn it! The red light was on, and they were stuck together at the end of the hall, waiting for the camera to stop rolling in a space barely a meter square. They were not going to talk about the Demonic Convergence. He was not going to give Lee the chance to talk him into changing his mind, then somehow put himself in danger, and confuse the hell out of both of them when Tony had to ride to the rescue. Again. So, hows the blonde?

Lee frowned. Which blonde?

You cant keep track?

Sure, but

The one you took to the latest premiere. Hands curved out in front of his chest indicated her dominant features. Nice picture of the two of you in TV Week. 

Ah, yeah Judith. Shes fine. Great.

Rented?

Jesus, Tony. Lee rolled his eyes. No, she was not fucking rented.

Borrowed?

Where do you go to borrow a blonde?

Tony snorted. Probably not the same place you do. So how was the movie?

What movie?

The one you went to with the borrowed blonde.

Obviously, not great; I dont remember it. How was the morgue?

Nice try. What morgue?

The one you went to with your borrowed blond.

Before or after the hot Mountie sex?

Look, Tony, if you dont want me to have any part of thiswhatever this isall you have to do is say so.

A long moment passed, and it was as if all that guy banter hadnt happened. They were back at the Demonic Convergence part of the conversation.

Tonyd never noticed before that the red light made a noise when it went off. Sort of a faint plock. I dont want you to have any part of this, he said, yanked open the door, and stepped out onto the soundstage.






He hadnt expected to be done with work by sunset let alone have time to get from the studio to VanTerm before Leah finished her stunt. But at 5:50, almost an hour before the sun actually went down, he was in his car and heading west on Hastings, squinting behind the shield of his dark glasses.

VanTerm was a container terminal up on Burrard Inlet. Eventually, everyone shooting any kind of shipping in the Vancouver area ended up there because its layout made it easy to crop the shot. For the short time Tonyd been paying attention, it had stood in for San Francisco, New York, New Jersey, Singapore, Gotham City, and at least two alien planets not to mention the half-dozen times it had actually played itself. It was the UBC of shipping locations.

He turned right on Victoria Drive, drove more or less the speed limit to Stewart Street, turned left and then right onto the terminal grounds.

Im here for the CBC shoot. He fumbled out his Directors Guild Card, but the middle-aged security guard in the box barely looked up from his laptop before waving him through.

Berth three was past the reefer yard, past the container yard, jutting out into the inlet across the end of the jetty that also held berths one, two, and four. Tony parked by the first truckfreshly purple, the CBC logo bright and shiny on both sides and across the backlocked his car, and started walking. Quickly. It was still a bit of a hike and he wanted to make sure he saw Leah take her dive. It was more of a stunt than CB would ever be willing to pay foreven if the season one Darkest Night DVDs sold as well as Olivia in marketing predicted. Since Olivia in marketing was ten thousand or so in debt to a bookie named Icepick Ernie, no one put much faith in her ability to pick a winner.

They had four cameras set for the shoot. One up on the back end of the container ship to catch the fall from above, one in a Ports Canada Police boat about ten meters out, and two on the jetty. The two on the jetty were, Tony was happy to notice, one model older than the cameras used by CB Productions.

Lets hear it for government spending, he muttered, hands in his front pockets as he watched the second unit director set the shot. Repaint the trucks before you replace the equipment.

Still, hard to argue with the kind of pull that got clear skies and a totally killer sunset in a city that got roughly three hundred days of rain a year. When the CBC wanted a sunset, they got one.

A familiar voice shouting his name turned his attention away from the water.

Daniel?

CB Productions entire stunt team jogged over, grinning.

What are you doing here?

Daniel patted his radio. Im on the safety crew. You dont honestly think I can support a family on the hours I get from CB, do you?

I thought your wife supported your family. Daniels wife was in advertising. Tony wasnt exactly sure what that meant, but it had, at one point, involved Daniel bringing in packages of wieners for everyone on the shoot.

Ouch. Way to kick a guy in the nuts. But he was still grinning when he said it, so Tony decided not to worry about insulting a man who had black belts in three martial arts and who cheated death for a living. Okay, maybe not death, not most of the time, but he definitely cheated soft tissue damage on a regular basis. So, youre done early today.

I am that.

You here to see Leahs dive?

Yeah. Tony nodded up at the container ship. She going from the back end there?

Its called the stern, you ignorant git.

Looks stern. Also high.

And this is one of the smaller ones. Theres ships out there today that can carry up to and above 8,000 TEUthis one, Id say no more than 4,000.

No shit.

You have no idea of what I just said, do you? TEU stands for twenty-foot equivalent unit and uh, never mind. Essentially, this may look big, but theres lots bigger. He waved a hand; a Blues Clues bandage wrapped around one finger. Approximately seven meters, railing to surface, into water approximately fifteen meters deep.

Deep enough?

Daniel snorted. More than. And cleaner than usual, too. Ports Canada guys on the boat were saying it was highest tidal backwash theyd ever seen up the inlet. Swept all sorts of crap out to sea.

And thats good?

Very. Hitting a hunk of crap that floated in past the cleanup crew is always a frightening possibilitywhere always means not today.

Not today, not for Leah, Tony thought as Daniel took on the unmistakable characteristics of someone listening to voices in his head. Coincidence or Demongate? He didnt have enough information to answer that. He really didnt want enough information to answer that, but then, it sucked to be him.

Divers are in the water. Daniel clapped him on one shoulder hard enough to rock him back a step. Were ready to go. Ill talk to you later.

You know youve got a burning windmill in your future, right?

He paused, half turned. Frankenstein rip-off?

Homage.

Thats what they all say.

True enough, Tony admitted as Daniel jogged back to join the rest of the safety crew on the jetty. The sunset had painted the tops of the waves red-gold and burned highlights along the edges of the ship. Leah, wearing a short blonde wig and a shorter red dress was standing at the rail talking to a heavyset man with a gleaming shaved head and a down vest. Probably the shows stunt coordinator. As Tony watched, she glanced down and lifted a hand to acknowledge the divers, then positioned herself with her back to the rail. She had to be on a box. She wasnt that tall.

Bald-and-gleaming moved back to stand by the camera.

The entire crew gathered itself up.

Rolling!

Tony repeated the word silently as it bounced up and down the jetty. As it faded, he knew the director would be telling Bald-and-gleaming that Leah could go when she was ready.

Leahs arms went out; she jerked back, and went over.

Seven meters later, she hit the water butt first, folded just enough to take the heavy slap off her back. From the pumped fist rising up over the video village, the splash, lit by the setting sun, was everything the DP wanted.

He couldnt see her surface, the edge of the jetty was in the way, but he heard her.

Damn! Thats cold!

He joined the crews applause and moved closer as the divers swam up to help her to the aluminum ladder Daniel had just lowered into the water. The strappy, red high heels seemed to be giving her a bit of a problem, but hands reached down to pull her the rest of the way. She accepted their congratulations with a coy and dripping curtsy, waved toward the directors double thumbs up and again to Bald-and-gleaming. By the time she got to Tony, she was wrapped in a thermal blanket.

You okay? he asked, falling in to step beside her.

Please. Went out of the crows nest once on a pirate ship in the Caribbean1716, it was. Now that was a fall.

I thought you said you spent your time in the beds of powerful men?

She winked at him from under a dripping fringe of wet wig. What do you think I was doing in the crows nest?

Keeping watch?

I had my eyes open if that counts.

Tony followed her up into the makeup wagon where she sat, still wrapped in the blanket so that a middle-aged Japanese woman could work the wig off without ripping the lace that attached it to her face.

Tony, Hama. Hama, Tony.

The makeup artist nodded without looking up.

Tony works over at CB Productions.

The vampire show?

Thats the one.

She looked up then. Everett Winchester still with you?

Yeah. But dont quote me on that.

Hama grinned at Everetts signature line. Tell him I said hi. All right, thats got it. She tossed the wig onto the counter where it looked like blonde roadkill. Drowned blonde roadkill. Get into dry clothes, and Ill take out the pins.

Her own hair still up under a net cap, Leah left the towel in the chair and slipped in behind the set of shelves that separated makeup from wardrobe. It was a layout Tony was familiar with and therefore just a bit on the cheap side for any other show. Still, with only Leah on camera, there wasnt a lot of point in bringing out two separate trailers.

So, you the boyfriend?

Given the peal of laughter from behind the shelves, Tony didnt see much point in answering.

Hama raised a delicately arched brow. Apparently not.

Were just Then he paused. What were they? Friends? Not yet. Metaphysical accidents? Closer, but hard to explain.

Were compatriots, Leah declared emerging from behind the screen in jeans, a white T-shirt, and a yellow hoodie, dress dripping from one hand and a pair of yellow high-tops in the other. Partners in crime. Paesano! She dropped back into the chair and drew her feet up to lace on the sneakers as Hama took the pins out of her hair. Released, it fell in thick black curls reaching just below her shoulders.

Your mouth is open, she snickered, looking up from tying her second shoe. What?

How the hell do you fit all that hair He waved at the wig on the counter.  under that?

Magic.

Tony believed her.

Bouncing out of the chair, she zipped up the hoodie and turned just far enough to kiss Hama on the cheek. You are a wizard of the makeup chair. Ive stair falls next week, will I see you there?

You will.

Bueno! She scooped the strap of a plaid shoulder bag up and over her shoulder, and grabbed his arm, not quite dragging him out the door. Come on, Tony, Ive got to sign off, then we can go.

The stair falls for the same movie?

Yep. Hell of a way to make a living, eh?

Then why do you do it?

Are you kidding? Its the most fun Ive had with immortality since the thirteenth century. She raised a hand. Dont ask. And the moneys nothing to sneeze at. I mean were talking $500 a day base rate plus, for this shoot, the CBC increase of 25 percent. I get called for a big budget movie and the increase can be as high as 130 percentyou should maybe learn some basic physical protections and think about it.

No, thanks, I want to direct.

Of course you do. Hey, Im starving. The moment I finish the paperwork, lets head for some food.

Were eating?

And talking. I think you proved last night you can handle both.

Last night. Right. Wheres ? He gestured at the space over her head.

Ryne Cyratane? Probably as far from the gate as he can get. Hes like a cat, hates water. Shit. Shoelace. Hang on.

Tony whod taken a couple of extra steps, turned as she dropped to one knee. The sunset was behind her, the last of the light unexpectedly bright. He raised a hand to shade his eyes, and saw something move. At first he thought it was the Demonlord, then he realized it was significantly solider and swinging a human arm directly through the space Leahs head had just occupied.

She dropped flat, warned by the swish or the smell or both, and rolled away from a kick that would have disemboweled her had the claws made contact.

Disemboweled anyone else.

As Leah rose to her knees, he thought he saw a familiar breadth of translucent bare shoulders behind her although with the sun in his eyes it was hard to tell for certain. Do something!

Do what? There were scales and horns and whoa! Teeth!

Wizard it!

Right.

He folded the middle two fingers of his right hand in and swung his right arm back and then around and over his head. He was supposed to shout the eleven words of the spell clearly and distinctly, but clear and distinct got dumped in favor of speed. Things that were mostly serrated edged were fucking motivating! As long as the arm motion and the words finished as the same time it should

Energy surged up from his feet, roared through his body, and blew out of his outstretched arm, arcing between forefinger and little finger then blasting forward.

The sudden flash was impressive.

Tony? Leah scrambled across the asphalt toward him. Are you all right?

Good question. Bits hurt. Hardly surprising since the spell had knocked him back on his ass. He blinked away brilliant blue afterimages. I think I broke my tailbone.

Yeah She slipped an arm behind his shoulders and levered him up. Fortunately, her Demonlord seemed to have taken a powder because being cuddled by them both would have been too weird.  and your fingernails are smoking.

One last narrow wisp of smoke drifted off into the twilight from the ends of both blackened nails. Ow.

Well put. What do you call that?

Arra called it a Powershot. His fingers felt scalded, but he could use his hand. What the hell was that thing?

That was a demon.

A demon? Like a Demonic Convergence demon? Like nothing to worry about because well only have to deal with imps? That kind of a demon?

It shouldnt be here!

No shit!

Still supporting most of his weight, she glared down at him. From this close, Tony could see a tiny scar at the edge of her right eyebrow. Quit yelling at me! Its not helping!

He could also see that she was really most sincerely freaked and that threatened to send him into strong hysterics. When thirty-five-hundred-year-old immortal stuntwomen got freaked, it was time for the rest of the world to fucking lose it. Fortunatelyfor some weird definition of fortunately he didnt want to go into right nowhe was too exhausted to start up the whole oh, my God, were all going to die thing. After a couple of deep breaths, he managed a fairly calm, What happened to it?

Ash.

And the arm?

Leah nodded toward a long, narrow lump of black on the pavement. It got just a little overcooked.

But the demon is ash?

The demon was other, the arm was flesh.

That almost made sense. Tony struggled to sit up a little straighter, but someone seemed to have snuck into his body and replaced all his muscles with marshmallows. I dont feel so good.

Considering the way you just blew your wad, Im not surprised.

Nice imagery.

Thank you. Can you Approaching voices cut her off and suddenly it became necessary he sit up on his own as Leah withdrew her arm and stood. Oh, no, here comes the cavalry. They mustve seen the flash. You get that arm packed up and let me deal with them.

Deal? Tony managed to brace himself on one hand and turn enough to see three men approaching from the jetty. Then Leah crossed into his line of sight, hips moving to an ancient rhythm. She laughed in answer to something one of the men said, a low, throaty sound that held heated suggestion.

And if even he could feel the heat, the odds were very high that none of the three men were now paying any attention to anything else.

You get that arm packed up.

Yeah. Right. Like that was the sort of thing he did every day. Well, actually, given the content of Darkest Night, hed done it a couple of times helping out the set dresser. He rolled up onto his feet, swayed for a moment, and staggered back to the makeup trailer where he begged a garbage bag from the box on the counter.

Are you feeling all right? Hama asked as she handed it over. You dont look so good. Her eyes narrowed. You should be a medium beige and youre down to a light ivory.

Im fine. Just a little tired.

You need more protein and less pizza. Especially if youre going to spend time with Leah.

Im not spending that kind of time with her. Hed just rest for a moment longer against the open door.

Uh-huh.

Im gay.

Im generally fairly cheerful myself, she said dryly. Trust me about Leah and red meat. Now close the door and go; youre letting cold air in.

It wasnt easy finding the remains of the arm. The banks of overhead lights shining down on the stacks of containers created nearly impenetrable shadow and, half blind, he almost tripped over it before he saw it. It looked like a long lump of charcoal roughly carved into the shape of an arma slight bend in the black where the elbow might be and little stubby fingers on one end. Given that the construction workers other hand had been relatively normal, he had to assume the stubbiness occurred after death. Had the Powershot burned the fingers away? Or had the demon snacked on the end of his weapon?

Demon snacks. Right. Why cant I ever spend time thinking about cars or getting laid, like a normal guy? He sighed as he shook out the garbage bag. It was one of the small white ones made for garbage pails under the sink and it smelled vaguely of mint.

The scar on the palm of his left hand twitched as he dropped heavily to one knee beside the arm, and he hesitated, fingers spread out about five centimeters over the burned flesh.

Problem? Leahs voice behind his right shoulder.

The last time I picked up an arm, it wasnt fun. Hello, understatement.

Well, this ones pretty much pure carbon, so I dont imagine itll give you any Oh, my God! The fingers moved! She snickered as he threw himself back so quickly he toppled over and pulled the garbage bag from his hand. Kidding. Here, Ill get it.

You seem to be feeling better, he muttered from the asphalt.

Theres nothing like a little slap and tickle to remind a girl of whats important. Slipping the bag over her hand, Leah bent and scooped up the arm like she was scooping an enormous turd. An enormous burned turd. With fingers. Stubby fingers. Im going to be feeling better than you will for a while, she added, straightening. You just ripped that energy right out of your guts, didnt you?

I guess. Feet, legs, guts eventually. Tony rolled up onto his knees as Leah closed the bag and reached into his pocket for the twist tie Hama had given him. A narrow piece of paper fluttered to the ground, a small line of white against the dark asphalt.

Whats that?

Fortune from last nights cookie. He picked it up and turned it over, leaning back just a little to bring it out of shadow. The blow from sunlight is more unexpected than the blow from darkness. That demon just attacked you in the last of the sunlight, he said slowly as he got to his feet. And Id say that was unexpected.

Leah rolled her eyes. You got a fortune cookie that really tells the future?

Youve got a tattoo thats a Demongate.

So youre saying stranger things have happened?

Youre holding an arm.

She glanced down at the bag. Good point.

Can I ask you something?

Sure.

It took almost more effort than he had available to pull his car keys out of his jacket pocket. Can you drive?






Tony didnt notice the rip in the side of her hoodie until they were going into the steak house and he stumbled. Leah turned to steady him, and he saw the fabric gape. Looks like that demon almost got you.

She glanced down at the sweater and shrugged. Its the almost that matters; I cant be hurt, remember? Unfortunately, that doesnt extend to my clothes. The important thing is that I ducked at exactly the right moment and you were there in time to blast the little bugger into dust.

Not so little, Tony grunted. And not an imp!

Would you let that go? She maneuvered them around a table, toward the back of the restaurant. So there was a lot of convergent energy hitting the same spot early on, and something a little bigger than an imp got through. It happens.

Is it likely to happen again?

She flashed him a sunny smile. Well, if it does, youll be there to deal with it, wont you?

You said imps, he muttered. That wasnt an imp.

And speaking of how much size matters She waited until shed helped him into a high booth against the back wall and they were holding laminated menus before she continued.  you might want to dial your Powershot down a bit. I think youre going to lose those nails.

The nail on his pinkie had begun to curl. It wasnt painful when he poked it, but it wasnt a pleasant feeling. Sort of a condensed memory of the energy surge.

When he looked up, Leah was shaking her head. You dont know how to dial it down, do you?

Tony thought about lying, but there was an arm in his trunk and transporting detached, carbonated body parts made lying seem a little pointless. That was the first I ever did. Ill get better with practice.

Uh-huh. Hell have the sixteen-ounce T-bone, she told the waitress.

I cant eat a

Both women turned to stare at him. Leahs gaze flicked down to his fingernails.

He had the sixteen-ounce T-bone.

All of it.

And two baked potatoes with sour cream and chives.

And a side of creamed corn.

And a side of fried mushrooms.

And three huge pumpernickel rolls with butter.

And two beers.

Once he got started, he barely paused to breathe.

Leah had a lot less of the same things.

So, she said at last when he set the gnawed bone on the plate and sat back with a satisfied sigh, you got lucky.

Lucky? Maybe wizards had a second stomach. He should have felt sick, but he only felt comfortably full. In fact, he felt like dessert. He yawned. And a nap.

You got lucky with your first Powershot. You didnt blow off your hand.

And I saved your ass, he reminded her, through another yawn. Stress the negatives much?

Sorry. The dimples flashed. You did, indeed, save my ass. You got lucky.

Isnt that what happens around you? My day ends early enough to let the only person who can save you arrive in time to save you?

Yes, but

I see no buts.

Youve just eaten enough for two people

Why is that bad?

You needed to replace the energy you used.

But thats normal for a wizard, right? Its not bad. Demons running around VanTerm are bad. But, like you said, I dealt, so thats good.

Fine. She rolled her eyes. If you want bad, I have a hole in my favorite hoodie!

Tony grinned as Leah shoved her hand through the hole and waved it at him. Youre right, thats

He stopped grinning.

She frowned. What?

Your T-shirt.

She twisted and looked down, pulling the yellow fabric aside. There was a smaller hole in the T-shirt.

And under that, the very tip of the demons claw had lightly scratched Leahs skin. Her finger shook as she traced the tiny burgundy beads of dried blood on the centimeter-long scratch. No. Thats impossible. I cant be hurt.

Thats not exactly hurt, Tony began but she cut him off.

You dont understand. Thats blood!

The scratch was barely visible from across the table. Not much

My blood! Leah spat the words out through clenched teeth. I havent seen my blood in thirty-five hundred years!

You must have

No!

Other people in the restaurant were beginning to turn and stare. Come on. We need to go.

Where?

Back to my place. All of a sudden he didnt feel like dessert. Her eyes were wild and he wondered just how close the crazy lady in the desert was to the surface.

What are we going to do about this there?

Good question. Too bad he didnt have an answer. Wait We can start by reading your fortune cookie.



Chapter Four

  


I HAVE TO SAY THAT Im not surprised you lost the fortune cookie in this mess.

Tony sat back on his heels in time to see Leah shake her head at the pair of boxer-briefs dangling between thumb and forefinger, then toss them to one side. Shed calmed down a lot in the car, and by the time they got to the apartment, shed either got a handle on things or slid so deeply into denial she was living in Egypt. Tony wasnt sure which, but that was okay because he didnt care which. Whatever worked. I told you, I was sorting laundry.

She prodded a pile of jeans with the toe of one sneaker.

Historically, most people sort laundry in order to do laundry.

I was going to get to it.

When you get down to a pair of paint-stained sweats and a T-shirt you got free from a promo guy?

Pretty much, yeah. He smothered a yawn with the back of his hand and nodded toward the kitchen. The garbage is under the sink. Try there.

You said you didnt throw it out.

I didnt throw it out on purpose. Shoving a pile of old newspapers out of the way, he dropped to his belly to look under the sofa bed. Dead batteries. Firefly disk two. Blue silk tie. One dress shoe. Where the hell was the other one? Assorted balled-up socks. Empty Timbit box. Three issues of Cinefex. As the cheap parquet floor warmed under him, it got harder and harder to stay focused. Empty sample bottle of guava-flavored lube. Empty beer bottle. Unopened can of generic cola. No fortune cookie.

Clutching the can of cola, he shuffled backward until his head cleared the bed frame, dragged himself up onto his knees with a handful of mattress, and allowed his upper body to collapse onto the bed.

Something crinkled.

Setting the can aside, Tony rummaged in the tangle of sheets. Found it.

Leah stared down at him in disbelief as she turned from the sink. You slept with it?

Calm down, were just good friends. Although the packaging had maintained physical integrity, the cookie within had been crushed. He got himself up on his feet just long enough to shuffle around and sit down on the edge of the bed. Then he reached out and dropped it into her hand.

Her other hand moved to cover the scratch on her side. This is foolish.

Maybe.

Yours could have meant anything. It didnt have to refer to the demon; that could have been coincidence.

Could have. But I doubt it. Wizard, he added with a shrug when she glanced at him.

Crumbs whispered against each other as she shook the package, the motion hiding the way her fingers had started to tremble. Yeah, but this is my cookie, and Im no wizard.

He understood why she was delaying; a certainty she had held for her whole life had changed and, given the length of her life, that was saying something. Change could be terrifying. He understood; he just didnt have a lot of patience with it since these days his life changed every twenty minutes. Would you just open the damned thing!

She hesitated a moment longer, then caught the edge of the plastic between her teeth and ripped. A small strip of paper spilled out of the pile of amber crumbs on her palm.

Ambitious change requires help; timing is everything. Oh, yes, very clear and extraordinarily anticlimactic. Eyes rolling, she dusted the crumbs off into the sink. That could mean anything.

It could mean that your Demonlord is getting ambitious and is using the Demonic Convergence to send through minions with the ability to kill you so that the gate opens and he can come through.

Minions?

Demonic minions.

Yes, I got that. She sat beside him on the bed, dark brows drawn in. The rest of it, thoughyoure really reaching.

Im really not. Grinding the heels of his hands into his eyes only blurred his vision. The steak seemed to be wearing off. Tony patted the blanket until he found the cola, popped the tab, and took a long swallow. When you were attacked, he told her, feeling the sugar and caffeine hit his bloodstream, when that demon drew bloodsuch as it washe was there, Ryne Cyratane. I saw him.

So? I told you last night hed be close because of the Convergence. Her hand went back to her side. He had nothing to do with this.

He likes sex, he hates water. You were with me so that takes care of the sex, or lack of sex, and you were still close to lots of water. He had to be in that parking lot with you for another reason.

Tony The paper crinkled slightly as she waved it.  this is a fortune cookie fortune. Its a mass-produced platitude. Ambitious change could mean anything.

You said he made a mistake on the spell. Hes had thirty-five hundred years to figure out how to fix it. He cant get through himself

Why not?

How the hell should I know? He cant because he didnt, but he can send

Minions?

Yeah. Hes got motive and opportunity, and all the pieces fit.

Based on a fortune cookie.

He snatched the paper from her, crumpled it up, and threw it at a pile of T-shirts. Wizards see whats there.

Youre learning to be a wizard from a correspondence course. Did it ever occur to you that youre seeing the wrong thing?

Okay. Fine. What do you thinks going on? They were sitting side by side. Not looking at each other.

Ryne Cyratane would have nothing to do with this.

With hurting you? When she didnt answerand given that the Demonlord had carved those runes into her flesh using the blood of her people, Tony figured she didnt really have an answerhe asked, Would he let another Demonlord use the gate?

No.

No question there.

Then since hes still around, hes got to be the one trying to open it. He probably figured out a way to direct the convergent energy to one spot.

Okay, fine, you have all the answers Leah twisted around to face him, eyes narrowed. Why did that demon bite the construction workers arm off?

Tony sighed. Duh. Demon.

He downed half the can of cola while she thought about it.

It explains everything.

Yeah.

I bet youre feeling pretty smug about figuring this out, she muttered at the toes of her high-tops.

He assumed she was actually talking to him. Not really. It was kind of obvious. For a long moment the soft squeak of his fingers rubbing the cola can was the only noise in the apartment. I guess youre feeling kind of betrayed.

Well, yes! After contemplating her shoes a while longer, she lifted her head and pushed her hair back off her face. And no. Her laugh was a bit shaky, but to Tonys surprise, it wasnt faked. I mean, he is a Demonlord, after all. He did slaughter everyone I knew, so this isnt exactly out of character for him. It just took him a while to make his next move.

Maybe time runs differently where he is.

Probably not. He was never very bright. One hand slid under her clothes to stroke the tattoo, and she smiled. The sex was great, though.

Tony stared at her with as much astonishment as he had the energy for. And that makes everything okay?

Well, no, not okay; but it puts it in perspective, doesnt it? So, she continued before Tony could respond, assuming that hell try it again as soon as hes used the convergent energy to open a new hole, how do we keep these minions of his from killing me?

And releasing a Demonlord into the world.

Thats part two. Youll excuse me Her hand moved around from the tattoo to the scratch.  but Im more concerned about part one.

Since keeping Leah alive would keep the Demonlord out, Tony decided there was no point in calling her on that. They needed a plan. And while they were planning Can he hear us?

No. He says he gets impressions of my life, but our only real conduit is sexual energy.

Good. Hang on. He says? You have conversations?

Sometimes, when hes right up by the gate, I enter a meditative state and we talk.

Sometimes?

Postcoital.

Why did he even ask? All right, were not totally helpless; I dusted the demon with the arm.

And got knocked on your ass, Leah reminded him. Its been what? Three and a half hours, and youre still too wiped to get it up again.

I could so Actually, no, he couldnt. Not even thinking of Lee in his motorcycle jacket and chaps got a response.

That was a metaphor, Tony.

Her expression suggested she knew what hed been thinking. He could feel his ears go red. It doesnt matter. Ive got time to recover for another Powershot, he added hurriedly as she grinned. Itll take him a while to get another minion through, right? So we just have to stick with the original plan. We find out where the weak spot is, and you teach me how to close it down.

No.

Why not?

If Ryne Cyratane is sending demons through to kill me, my going anywhere near the weak spot would be like waving a steak outside a lions cage. It might provide enough incentive for a breakoutresulting in a really bad time for the steak.

Tony fought his way through this second metaphorwhich was, at least, not about sex. Fine, you dont have to go near the weak spot. You tell me where it is, teach me what to do, and Ill deal.

Its not that simple.

He sighed. It never is. All right, what do we do? How do we stop your Demonlord from opening the gate?

We keep me alive.

Yeah, I got that.

Seriously, thats all we have to do. She reached out and touched his arm. I teach you how to send the demons back without destroying yourself, and every time one shows up, you zap it.

That sounds simple. Or not, he amended when her expression threatened bodily harm.

One question: whatll the demon be doing while Im zapping?

Trying to kill me. Her expression added a clear and succinct You idiot.

Or trying to kill me, and you cant stop it because, guess whatoh, yeahit can kill you, too. Im thinking we need some backup. Leaning forward, he could just barely reach his jacket hung over the back of a kitchen chair. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket, turned to Leah, and grinned. Who you gonna call?

She looked confused. Im not calling anyone.

He sighed. No one watches the classics anymore.






Nelson.

Nice phone manner, Victory. You always bark at your clients?

Good to hear youve regained consciousness, Tony.

I wasnt

You werent? Then you had another reason for not calling?

I was

Busy? Hang on a sec. Her voice faded slightly as she moved the phone from her mouth. Drop the pins and step away from the doll.

Vicki?

Yeah?

Are you working? Victory Nelson had once been a much decorated Toronto cop, now she was a vampire P. I. just like Raymond Dark only without the sidekick, the contrived plots, and the need to keep the violence under PG-13. Tony heard a couple of muffled thuds and some moaning.

Its no big. These guys are total wannabes. What can I do for you?

I have a friend with a bit of a problem.

Is this friend another wizard?

Oh, crap. She knew. He hadnt called because he hadnt known how to tell her and make it sound believable. How ?

Henry told me, idiot.

Right. Because Henry still considered Tonys life to be his. His Henrys, not his Tonys. God, he was too tired for this. No, shes not a wizard. Shes a stuntwoman and an immortal Demongate.

Cool.

Not really. He outlined the problem.

Vicki let him talk without interruption. Okay, she said when he finished. Heres what you do You listening?

Yeah. Im listening.

Stop acting like an ass and call Henry.

Im not

Bullshit. Look, Im not saying hes not indulging in a bit of testosterone-fueled assness as well, but one, hes out there in Vancouver and Im not. Two, he owns a grimoire. Maybe more than one. He understands the whole demon thing. And, three, he needs to know whats going on, unless youd rather he found out that you were dealing with demons in his territory and didnt tell him.

I dont think

I know.

Tony waited and when she didnt say any more, he sighed. Of course she heard it, even three thousand miles away. She could hear the blood moving through the hand holding the phone.

You know Im right.

He sighed again. I guess.

Tony

Fine. Youre right. Happy?

Ecstatic. Let me know how it turns out. Unless, of course, I find out on the news and then you neednt bother.

Because then Ill be dead.

Thats not as much of an excuse as it used to be. Now you call Henry, Im going to grab a bite.

The background moaning grew louder.






Henry paused outside the door to Tonys apartment. He could feel the power painted around the frame. He could smell the cherry cough syrup. It seemed that in the weeks since theyd talked, Tonys studies had progressed. And adapted.

Tony had always been adaptable. It had helped him survive on the street. It had helped him accept that the world held wonder and darkness beyond the barriers most people thought marked the edge of reality. It had certainly helped him working in an industry that created yet another reality and very nearly believed in it.

Yes, adaptable was good.

Young, arrogant, prickly, possessive; not so much.

And if Tony didnt exactly go out looking for trouble, he certainly seemed to call it to him.

A noise pulled Henrys attention to the far end of the hall, and he turned in time to see an overweight tabby slip out of the last apartment. The cats owner kept the door open on the safety chain so that the cat could wander in and out at will. Henry had never met the owner, but he and the cat had come to an understanding months ago.

The tabbys yellow eyes narrowed; he raised his tail and sprayed the wall just outside the apartment door.

Mine.

Henry sighed and raised a hand to knock. That was exactly the sort of welcome he was anticipating.

He could feel a life on the other side of the door. Hear a heart beating. Feel power When the door opened, he smiled. It was more of a warning than a threat. Leah Burnett?

She was no more than five foot five, Mediterranean lookingsouth side of the inland sea. Almost, but not quite, Arabic. Under black-and-yellow clothing she had the kind of curves most women in this age dieted away. Thick dark hair fell in soft curls just past her shoulders framing a face with full lips, high cheekbones, and dark eyes narrowed in a frown.

Youre Henry Fitzroy?

I am. He could feel old power clinging to her like smoke. No, not merely old. He was old. This was ancient.

I thought youd be taller.

At six feet, his father had been hugeeven before his girth had expanded to fit his ego. At five six, Henry was more typical of his century. Sorry.

No, its all right. I like a man I can look in the eye without getting a crick in my neck.

And she was looking him in the eye. Wondering what she was trying to prove, he let a little of the mask fall and a little of the Hunger rise.

She smiled in a way that told him she knew exactly what she saw. Then she drew her tongue over her lower lip, leaving it glistening, and tossed her hair back off her face to expose the curve of her throat. Looking up at him through thick lashes, she drew in a deep breath and exhaled a challenge.

Henry felt himself respond and only barely managed to keep himself from moving toward her. He dragged the Hungerboth hungersback under control and asked, Should we be doing this in the hall?

She laughed and stepped aside, her power masked as his was. Tonys asleep.

The wards on the doorframe stroked against him as he stepped over the threshold but made no attempt to keep him out. Leah seemed satisfied with that as she closed the door, and Henry wondered just how sensitive to Tonys wizardry she was.

Did he tell you he dusted a demon this evening?

Dusted?

Well, specifically ashed. He called it a Powershot. Took a lot out of him, she added quietly as they stood together looking down at the young man on the bed. How much did he tell you on the phone?

He told me your history. Your pertinent history with the Demonlord, he added when she snorted. He told me of the Demonic Convergence, and he told me how this Demonlord is planning to use it to kill you.

Pushing her hair back off her face, she nodded. Demonic minions. As long as the spell controlling the Demongate holds, they shouldnt be able to hurt me, but they have.

Minions. He could hear Tony in the word. May I see the spell?

Moving away from the bed, she unzipped her hoodie and raised her T-shirt. Be my guest.

It was an amazing tattoo. Even no, especially knowing what it was. He dropped to one knee to get a closer look. And frowned. I have seen the language of the damned, he said softly, head cocked to one side as he followed the curve of the characters, and this writing I do not recognize.

There is more than one hell, Nightwalker. She matched his formal cadence. And more than one heaven, I suspect.

Blasphemy.

The two fingers she placed under his chin were warm, and he allowed her to lift his head. A religious word. And a strange word coming from a man whose church believes him soulless and damned. I say there is more than one hell and I am in a better position to know. By the time your lord was born, I had been carrying mine for over a thousand years.

Your lord is

I know what he is. You take yours on faith.

Mine is not trying to kill me.

His And she grinned, breaking the mood, suddenly looking no more than the young woman she appeared to be.  minions would.

Again with the minions. Henry strongly suspected Tony had provided it. The church does not think of itself in that way.

Yeah, like that matters.

She had a point. They would kill you as well.

Oh, theyve tried.

Which brought them neatly around to the matter at hand. Holding her hips, he moved her around so that he could see the wound. It was small, a minor flaw on the smooth curve of caf-au-lait skin and only barely deep enough to bleed. Not worth noting had it not been the first blood drawn from this body in over three thousand years. Bending closer, he drew in a long, slow breath. The scent of her blood was familiar, neither the demon that had attacked her nor the demonic power that enveloped her had marked it. The scent around the blood, her scent, was almost smoky and he found himself wanting to taste. To lick a moist line along the curve from hip to ribs. Could he feed? Would the protective power perceive the threat or the seduction?

The flesh of her hips was warm and yielding under his grip. The air between them began to heat. Henry caught the scent of her arousal and growled low in his throat. She wound her fingers into his hair and subtly shifted her weight to bring bared skin closer to his mouth.






The growl snapped Tony fully awake. One moment hed been dreaming of driving his car from the backseat and the next he was up on his elbows staring at Leah and Henry at the foot of his bed.

Actually, Henry on his knees, his hair wrapped around Leahs fingers, his mouth about to descend to skin was pretty damned hot. Tony could feel his body responding like it always did when Henry got the vampire mojo going. His responses had gotten a bit kinky after all those years of teeth and, under normal circumstances, hed be more than happy to lie here and watch while they went at it.

Unfortunately, the word normal had sweet fuck all to do with his life.

Not a good idea, Henry.

Oh, yeah, interrupt a vampire when hes about to chow down. Not the best way to live a long and happy life. Henrys eyes were dark, and he had the whole Prince of Darkness thing on full blast.

Too bad.

Their history helped him hold Henrys attention but only just. Ryne Cyratane is in the building and he doesnt look happy. In fact, for a guy who supposedly fed off sexual energyand there was enough floating around that Tony strategically draped a fold of blanket over his boxer-briefs as he sat upthe Demonlord looked decidedly unhappy. Possessive even. Possessive and pissed. Tony recognized the expression even when he could see the wall of his apartment through it. Henry! Im guessing he doesnt like to share with other powers! Hes already sending demons after Leah; it wont help her if he starts sending them after you, too.

Henrys lips drew back off his teeth.

Great. Vampire, prince; they both saw the whole thing as a challenge.

Leah! Turn it off!

Yeah. Like that was going to happen. Her head was back, her skin practically glowed, and even he was starting to find her tempting.

Henry was after blood. Leah was after sex. Together, theyd make a bad situation worse. As far as Tony could see, there was only one thing to do. He picked up a pillow and threw it as hard as he could at the vampires head.

The next instant, he was flat on his back, Henrys hands around his wrists, Henrys body driving his down into the thin mattress. Tonys hips bucked up as Henrys teeth closed through the skin of his throat and concerns about demonic interference abandoned ship along with pretty much anything else resembling cognitive thought.






Oh, please, theres no need to be embarrassed, its not like Ive never seen ejaculate before.

Make her shut up, Tony muttered as Henry handed him a glass of juice.

How?

I dont know, vamp her or something.

I dont think we want to go there again.

Tony wasnt sure he could go there again. At least not for a couple of days. Provided those days included thirty-six hours of sleep and a lot of liquid. He handed the empty glass back to Henry, wrapped the sheet and the shredded remains of his dignity around him, and stomped off to the bathroom to clean up.

The shower helped. Although he had to brace himself against the tile to keep the water from pounding him down onto his knees.

After, wrapped in his one thinning bath towel, he wiped the mirror clean and studied the mark on his neck. It was noticeable. In spite of the coagulant in Henrys saliva, the actual bite within the impressive bruising still seeped blood. Fortunately, in the almost empty medicine cabinet, he had one sterile pad remaining from the exploding beer bottle incident. No gauze, but there was a rolled-up tensor bandage with very little tense left that should do, provided he kept it fairly loose.

Tomorrow

Crap.

He didnt think he even owned a turtleneck.

Tony?

Henry outside the bathroom door. Worrying.

Im okay.

It seemed a little pointless to balk about being seen in a towel, all things considered, so Tony squared his shoulders, stepped out into the hall and across it to his closet. Hed have gone back into the bathroom to dress except Henry needed a few moments in there. Leah was out of sight, so she had to be in the kitchen end of the room where the angle was too tight to see or be seen from the hall. He pulled on jeansHenry had destroyed his last clean pair of underweara T-shirt and a sweatshirt over that, then socks and shoes. Dressed, he walked into the living room and quickly stripped the bed, throwing the bedding onto a pile of dirty laundry in the corner and folding the mattress up into the sofa. It was a little stiff; he didnt close it often. The two cushions went back on as he shoved debris that had been under it out of the way with the side of his foot.

There.

That ought to help bring things back to what passed for normal.

He turned to find Leah standing behind him. Could you not fucking do that!

Sorry. She offered him a large glass of what looked like chocolate milk. Its an instant breakfast. I dropped a couple of packages from the craft services table into my purse.

Thats not

Please, its a CBC show. Think of it as your tax dollars at work.

It didnt seem worth it to argue. Tony sat at one end of the sofa and took a cautious swallow. Its a little slimy.

How old was your milk?

Oh, ha. Another swallow. He frowned as she pulled a chair out from the table and dropped onto it. Are you.. um Tall, dark, and naked is gone, did you um

Get off? She crossed her legs and smiled at him. Dont worry. I took care of it. Although, if truth be told, you guys almost took care of it for me. Woof!

His blood pressure was too low to raise a decent blush. Could you not talk about it?

At all?

Ever.

You know, youre weirdly prudish for someone with a Nightwalker as a lover.

Its not its having an audience. A memory of a night in an alley off Charles Street back in Toronto surfaced. No, its having you as an audience.

Hey. You will never find a more appreciative audience than me. Although the audiences for this live sex show I was in back in London in Dark brows drew in, and the yellow toe of the sneaker in the air drew circles.  1882 were great.

At the Midnight Lily?

Tony was childishly pleased to see her jump as Henry appeared behind her.

The what?

The Midnight Lilywas that the name of the club?

Yes

Henry nodded thoughtfully and walked past her to sit on the other end of the couch. I thought you looked familiar.

Rolling his eyes, Tony reached for the remote. Ill just watch a little TV while you two trade flashbacks.

Then the remote was gone. I dont think so. The fingers of Henrys other hand gently touched the rough bandage on his neck. You took a chance.

Shaking his head hurt. Not much of one. You never really damage what you consider to be yours. He was impressed by how nonchalant he sounded about the whole thing.

A good thing you stopped us, then. Fingertips lingered a moment longer then withdrew. A good thing you saw the danger.

Yeah, well, wizard. We see whats there.

True. Henry sat back against the sofa cushions. And occasionally what isnt there.

It might have been wiser to just let that go but, given what hed already survived tonight, Tony was feeling a little reckless.

He turned and faced Henry, eyes narrowed. Are you telling me youre not doing CB?

And are you deciding who I can and cannot feed from?

You have the whole damned lower mainland. CB, the studio, thats mine!

Your employer might argue that.

Are you two always such drama queens, Leah demanded, or is this special for me? And, she continued before either of them could respond, while its painfully obvious you two are dealing with the kind of personal shit that would give Dr. Phil reason to retire, this isnt the time. Lets concentrate on the important thing here. Me. You, she pointed at Henry, are here for backup. Tony seems to think youll be usefulthe brawn to our brains and beauty combination although there was some mention that you might have access to information we can use. I doubt youre going to know anything about demons I dont, but, hey, better safe than sorry. Also, given what you are, and given how stupidly territorial vampires can be, Id rather have you with us than against us. You Her finger moved to Tony.  need to conserve your strength. Between that spell you threw earlier and your exs feeding habits, you havent got energy to spare for arguing. She paused just long enough to ensure she had their full attention. Now then, who has a plan?

I think, Tony said slowly, we should bring Jack Elson in on this.

One red-gold brow lifted as Henry drawled, Now, do I say anything about you and Constable Elson?

There is no me and Constable Elson; the man is straight!

Youre doing it again, Leah snapped.

Fine. The look Henry shot her would have caused strong men to run. Leah rolled her eyes. Why Elson?

Tony finished swallowing the last mouthful of liquid breakfast. I have an arm in my trunk.






This is a human arm.

And hes what? Only four hundred and sixty-ish? Leah shot an anime-sized look of wonderment in Tonys direction. What amazing deductive powers! And to Henry. I have to know; how did you work it out?

It smells like burned pork, Henry told her dryly, not rising to the bait. Not to mention, its wearing the remains of a watch. From what you said about Tony dusting a demon, I had assumed it was a demonic arm.

We wouldnt need Jack for that. Tony yawned and nodded toward the arm. This got bitten off a construction worker. Jack took me to see the body this afternoon.

Why?

Because he doesnt believe in giant raccoons and he wanted some answers.

Im moderately disturbed by how much sense that makes, Henry muttered. And you think we should give this arm to him?

Sure. He can put it with the rest of the body.

And you dont think that would cause more questions?

Well, wed Id answer his questions. Mostly. He knows whats going on. I mean, he knows theres stuff going on. I told him about the Demonic Convergence. Tony yawned again. Hes still at least one version of the script behind, but it wont take long to bring him up to speed.

I wasnt actually thinking of questions from Constable Elson, Henry pointed out. I was thinking of the coroner and the victims relatives. It might be best if they continue to believe that the arm was bitten off by a wild animal and eaten. Another urban myth of man-eating cougars in the city would be preferable to an investigation. Modern forensics can be remarkably thorough.

Let me guess, youve been watching CSI. This time, Tony yawned so widely his jaw cracked. Besides, well need Jack to work backup in the daylight.

Demons dont Henry began and stopped.

The last one did. Which leaves us kind of screwed if youre all we have.

Thank you.

Crap. Sorry. That was

Tactless, Leah offered. But true.

Henry nodded, graciously acknowledging the point. And you think Jack Elson can stop a demon?

He has a gun.

Will a gun have any effect on these creatures?

Forgetting the wound in his throat, Tony shrugged and ground out, I have no idea, through gritted teeth.

Then perhaps wed best not involve Constable Elson until we know more. Why dont you start by telling me exactly what happened this afternoon.

Ive got it. Leah lifted a hand to cut off Tonys protest, but he hadnt actually planned on one. Exhausted, he sagged back against the sofa cushions half listening to the immortal stuntwoman tell Henry about the demon attack but mostly thinking how immortal stuntwoman sounded like a cool idea for a show and wondering if he should pitch it to CB.

Hell, at some point someone had to have thought that vampire detective was a good idea.

Tony?

Im awake.

Of course you are.

Leahs eyes were so dark a brown he could barely make out where the irises ended and the pupils began. What?

Henrys going to get rid of the arm.

Tony shot Henry, still standing by the arm, a thumbs up. How?

Leave that to me, Henry said quietly, Leah knows a better way of returning the demons to hells, one that wont nearly kill you. Shell teach it to you. But not tonight, he added. Tonight you need to regain the energy you spent. And the blood you lost. Tony felt his heart beat just a little faster. Henrys eyes darkened slightly, aware of Tonys response.

Youre doing it again, Leah sighed.

You are not totally without fault here, Henry told her, masking the Hunger. Your presence is provocative.

Why, thank you.

What about more construction workers? Tony asked.

Dimples flashed as Leah turned her attention to him. Im very much in favor of construction workers.

Yeah, funny. Remember the arm. That demon that attacked you killed someone else first.

The Vampire and the Demongate exchanged nearly identical glances.

Tony sighed. Figured that hed be the only one who thought of the little guy. If either of you says the words collateral damage, Im going to be really pissed.

Tony

Henry cut her off. If we concentrate on keeping Leah alive, on keeping the gate from opening for this Demonlord, we prevent mass slaughter. With the demons focused on her, there will, hopefully, be few other lives lost. Henrys tone suggested this was the last he was prepared to say on the matter.

Cant make an omelet without breaking eggs. God, I must be tired if Im thinking in bad clichs. So tomorrow I learn a better way to return demons to hell and then I become Leahs bodyguard for the duration of the convergence. As each demon pops out and attacks, I send it home. If it attacks at night, are you willing to make sure I stay alive long enough to do the spell?

I am.

And if it attacks in the daytime

It is ultimately your choice if you involve Constable Elson.

Sure it is. Both Leah and Henry looked as if they wanted to respond. Tony ignored them. Okay, Im seeing one big problem here. I already have a job.

Henry folded his arms. I will talk with CB.

And get me some time off.

It seems like the best idea.

With pay.

You have a high opinion of my powers of persuasion.

Am I wrong?

No. And now, you need to sleep. Where do you keep your clean sheets?

Tony glanced around the room at the piles of laundry. There were less of them than there had been, but that was only because theyd been unsorted over the course of the evening. I only have one set.

Then we wont worry about it. Henry crossed the apartment at close to mortal speed and knelt by the sofa. I dont suppose one night without sheets will hurt you.

Tony nodded. Once I was pissed off about having no sheets, then I met a man with no blankets. When the only response was confusion, he sighed. Its a variation on the shoe/feet thing. The confusion deepened. He waved a hand; hardly his fault if he was being profound and they were being dense. Forget it.

I dont think thatll be hard, Henry murmured slipping one arm under Tonys legs and the other behind his back.

Hey, dont

Henry ignored him and straightened. Big surprise. Tony squirmed a bit but nothing he could do was going to change the fact that he was being held in Henrys arms like an overgrown infant. I hate it when you do this.

I know. Leah, would you fold the bed out, please.

Sure thing. Im good with beds.

Too tired for innuendo, Tony let that go. Besides, it seemed to be the simple truth. In a remarkably short time, he was shoeless but still dressed and stretched out under a blanket.

Okay, its a long shot, but what if another demon attacks tonight? he asked as Henry turned off the overhead lights.

These are lesser demons, not the Demonlord himself. They may not even be able to get through your wards and, if they can, Im sure I can at least slow them until you wake.

At least slow them?

Good night, Tony.






So Leah pushed a curl back off her face.  what do we do while were waiting for dawn?

I suggest you sleep. Henry nodded toward the bed. Tony wont even know youre there.

And you?

Im going to get my laptop from the car and do some work.

She slid out of her sweater. You can do that; work with me lying right over there?

I am perfectly capable of maintaining control regardless of your provocationhowever involuntary that provocation is most of the time.

Maybe together we could provoke Ryne Cyratane into making a fatal mistake.

His lip curled, showing teeth. Since the only person in this room likely to be a fatality is Tony, Id have to say no, thank you.



Chapter Five

  


TONY WAS CHASING A PENGUIN around the Darkest Night set when the phone rang. Which was when he realized he was dreaming. Given his experience in television, penguin chasing was a distinct possibility; a phone ringing on the soundstage was not. The last time it had happened, Peter had promised to castrate the next recipient of an incoming call, and hed promised it with such sincerity that even the women on the set had been nervous.

It was almost fortunate that Arras gate reopening had destroyed cell phone reception, downgrading the threat to a moot point.

As the penguin shuffled off past Raymond Darks coffin, Tony dragged himself up out of sleep and groped amid the debris on the bedside table. Lukewarm liquid splashed onto his shoulder as he attempted to answer the half empty can of cola. When he finally found the handheld, he sank back against the pillows.

What?

Mr. Fitzroy just explained your situation, Mr. Foster.

None of his three functioning brain cells allowed him to mistake CBs less-than-dulcet tones. Uh

He seems to think that it will be too dangerous for you to be Ms. Burnetts bodyguard at the same time as youre being my TAD.

Demons

Yes. Mr. Fitzroy mentioned that there may be demons and, as Id just as soon not have demons on my soundstage disrupting my production schedule, you may have the time you need to deal with them.

Thanks, Boss, I

Dont make a habit of this, Mr. Foster.

No, I

And while youre sitting around waiting for something to attack Ms. Burnett, I suggest you answer your e-mail.

Boss, I wont exactly

But he was talking to the dial tone. Wondering what Henry had said, or more importantly, what CB had heard, Tony tossed the phone down onto the tangle of blankets on the bed beside him.

The tangle snorted and swore in a language he didnt recognize.

Three guesses who and the first two dont count.

He grabbed one of the tangles rising curves and shook it. When it gave under his fingers and kept shaking on its own, he snatched his hand away. Hey! Wheres Henry?

He left about an hour ago

Tony squinted toward the entertainment unit. 6:55. Sunrise was at 6:49. He must have called CB from his car.

 he said I should wake you, but I figured the wards would give enough warning.

Why didnt he wake me?

Leahs head and shoulders emerged from beneath the covers. Hey, you guys have issues Im not going near. When she stretched, Tony had an epiphany.

Youre naked!

I hate sleeping in my clothes.

He was still in his jeans and T-shirt although someone had removed his socks and sweatshirt.

Relax. She yawned. Although Ive contaminated your space with girlie bits, your honor remains safe.

Its not my Taking a deep breath, he sat up and swung his legs out of bed. I just think you got naked a little fast.

Warm fingers patted his arm. Sweetie, Ive gotten naked a lot faster.

Okay. Shouldve seen that one coming.

Another deep breath as he shifted his weight forward. He seemed fine. Internal fluid levels had to still be low, but he wasnt feeling faint or light-headed. In fact, he was feeling pretty good. If he had to, he could probably toast another demon.

Three. Two. One.

When something with horns and scales missed its cue to break down the apartment door, Tony stood and made his way past the piles of laundry to the bathroom.

The bite on his neck still looked like hell. A hickey of the damned. In all the years he and Henry had been together, Henryd never lost control like that.

Issues.

Yeah. Right.

Leah was up and dressed by the time he got out of the shower. The bed had been reconverted into a sofa and she was stuffing clothing into a pillowcase. Ive got a washer and dryer. You can do some laundry at my place.

Your place? Had he missed something?

You didnt think we were staying here, did you?

Tony shrugged.

It seemed to be the answer shed expected because she grinned and tossed the stuffed pillowcase down beside its equally stuffed mate. Get together everything you cant leave behind. Well grab some breakfast on the way.






So those files your wizard mentor left you, theyre cued to you, right?

Tony resisted the urge to glance toward the laptop case in the back seat, keeping his eyes on the road instead. You booted up after I fell asleep?

I was curious. All I got was spider solitaire.

She used it to tell the future.

It?

Games of spider solitaire.

Well, who hasnt used that excuse to justify not working? Hash brown?

Sure.

Leah lived out in Sullivan Heights and the fastest way there from Tonys apartment was to get onto Lougheed and head west. When they crossed Boundary, Tony had to remind himself not to turn. It was weird driving almost right past the studio on a Thursday morning.

I should be there. They need me.

Or worse, they dont really need me and I should be there so they dont find out.

Did you see that?

See what? Caught up in his concerns about remaining employed, Tony had no idea what Leahd seen.

There was a spot back there, by the gas station, where the rain wasnt.

He glanced over at her, but the back of her head didnt tell him a lot. Shed twisted around in her seat and was staring out the window, back the way theyd come. Say what?

I saw an interruption in the rain. Some demons dont like to get wet.

Tony snorted. Man, are they converging in the wrong place. And then the program loaded. Hang on! Theres another demon through?

Looks that way. Drive faster, she commanded, throwing herself back into the seat.

What? No! I can get off Loughheed on Douglas and back on at Springer.

Leah turned to stare at him. He could feel incredulity hit the side of his face as he changed lanes. And do what?

If theres a demon back there, it might eat someone. Or part of someone. I cant let that happen.

So if we go back and wave me around like bait, and you Powershot it, what happens then?

No one gets eaten.

Yeah, but youre out on your ass for another twelve hours. Youre too wiped to learn the new spell and youre not able to protect me. Then, during those twelve hours, another demon shows up and eats me, opening the Demongate and ending the world as we know it.

If it eats you, will the gate open inside it? Ow! He rubbed his thigh where shed smacked him.

If you drive faster, well put more distance between us and it, and itll take that much longer to find me. During that time, you can learn how to send it back to hell so that, when it finally catches up, youll be able to save me without taking yourself out of the fight.

They were almost at the off ramp.

I cant just let a demon run around loose.

You cant just let a Demonlord into the world either.

Valid point.

Past the ramp. Too late to go back.

If someone else dies

Better them than me.

He fought the urge to hit the brakes and skid to a dramatic halt. It was the kind of reaction that would look great on screen and accomplish absolutely nothing in real life. He wanted to snarl, It isnt all about you! but, until the Demonic Convergence was over, it was. He wanted it to be about imps again. Hed kind of been looking forward to that.

All right. Deep breath. No option but to deal. A little more gas and they were matching speeds with the fastest car on the road. Why wont this new thing youre going to teach me knock me on my ass?

Her seat creaked as she shifted her weight, tucking her knees up to brace her feet against the dashboard. Youll be manipulating energy instead of just hurling it.

Say what?

She sighed impatiently. Well, Im no wizard, but that Powershot of yours looked like the magical equivalent of picking up the biggest rock you can find and crushing your enemies with it. Of course youre exhausted afterward; youre also looking at pulled muscles, back trouble, and probably hernias.

Hernias?

Magical equivalent of. What Im going to teach you is more like rolling the rock to the edge of a cliff and pushing it off as your enemies pass under it. Theres a lot less effort involved and result is the about the same.

Really?

No, not really. Slouching as far as the seat belt would allow, Leah propped her yellow high-tops up on the dash. Its actually a pretty lousy analogy and only applies to the amount of power involved. Powershot lots. My way, less.

Yeah, but you said youre not a wizard

No, Im not. Im just the one who stands to be eviscerated if you dont get it right. She gave his leg a patronizing pat, her fingers lingering just a little too long. And then the world as we know it ends.

Yeah. Yeah. No pressure.

Leahs condo was in a clump of high-rise concrete towers overlooking the TransCanada and a railway ravine, and it wasnt hard to understand why she objected to his beige. Her walls were shades of yellows, oranges, and reds. Her furniture was large and heavy and predominately wood and leather with cushions the same shades as the walls softening the angles. Every piece looked sturdy enough to take the weight of two moving adults.

From the sparsely furnished second bedroom on the north side of the corner unit, Tony could almost convince himself he could see Simon Fraser University high on the heights of Mount Burnabywhere height was a relative term given the actual peaks of the Rockies less than an hours drive to the east.

He couldnt see any interruptions in the rain.






All right. Leah opened the bottom of the white silk shirt shed changed into after an impressively quick shower and, pushing her black track pants dangerously lower on her hips, stepped closer to the gooseneck lamp they were using as a spotlight. The innermost circle of runes defines the actual gate. All you have to do, because were not talking about creating an actual gate as much as reminding reality that demons dont belong here, is burn these four into the air One finger, a careful distance from skin, indicated the runes in question.  each rune more or less an equal distance from the other, with the demon in the middle of the pattern. When you finish the fourth rune, reality will reset itself and no more demon.

With his nose so close to her skin, she smelled like soap and cinnamon. Or cinnamon soap. Which was a weird choice, but it suited her. All I have to do? Tony muttered, peering at the intricate tattoo.

Leah chose to ignore the sarcasm. Because the demon doesnt belong here, you dont have to be specific about its name or its ultimate destination. Once you weaken the barrier, itll snap back to where it belongs. Its a variation on what we were going to be doing before Ryne Cyratane upped the stakesonly then youd have been pushing the runes through the weak spot to reinforce it.

Yeah. Okay. The individual runes were a lot more complex up close than they were when they were just a part of the larger pattern. What happens if I screw one of these up? Squiggle when I should spiral?

Probably nothing

The probably was a little worrying.

 although if, by chance, you re-create an entirely different power definition She shrugged, the curve of her belly rising and falling with the motion. Maybe death. Destruction. Perpetual reruns of The Family Guy. 

Hey, that shows a classic!

Every now and then, Leah muttered, flicking Tony on the top of the head with one finger, I think, why not let him in? How much worse could things get? Youd better draw the runes on paper first.

Sure. He straightened. But what did Tucked into the front pocket of the laptop case, his cell phone played the Darkest Night theme; Zev had made a digital file available to anyone in the studio who wanted to use it. Tony suspected he was hoping it would get picked up as a download by one of the big online ring-tone sites, but so far there were no takers. Flicking the phone open, he checked the display. Its Amy.

Who?

Assistant office manager at the studio. I should take it.

Why?

It might be about work.

Youre a TAD. Leah allowed her shirt to fall closed. Nothing you do is more important than learning how to keep me alive.

Since she put it that way, he answered the phone.

Tony? Amy had conspiracy in her voice. You okay?

Im fine, why?

Because CB said you werent coming in today. Or tomorrow. CB. The boss. He didnt show up at your place last night and beat you into a coma, did he?

No. Why would he? Did Amy know something about CBs feelings toward him that he didnt?

Why would he carry your messages unless he was feeling like mondo guilty?

I asked him for some personal time.

Personal time? Amy snorted so vehemently, he had to move the phone away from his ear. Loss of consciousness is CBs definition of personal time. Its not She lowered her voice dramatically.  the other stuff is it?

The other stuff?

This isnt a secure line, nimrod.

It isnt a line at all.

Exactly my point. Well?

And who was to say that Kevin Groves wasnt crouched in a bush outside the studio attempting to intercept his phone calls? It was the kind of sneaky underhanded, not exactly legal thing that tabloid reporters did, wasnt it? Its sort of the other stuff.

Bastard. Just so you know, if you have any Her voice moved away from the phone. CB Productions, please hold. And back.  extracurricular fun without me, I will kick your ass up onto your shoulders.

Its not fun. He said the last word to no one in particular.

Leah sat down and pushed the lamp out of her line of sight. So Amy, the assistant office manager at the studio, knows youre a wizard?

Yeah.

And your boss knows?

Well

Well, she mocked, fingers tapping out annoyance on the polished tabletop. Most people who have, lets say, unusual powers dont go talking about it to all and sundry since all, and particularly sundry, dont usually deal well with unusual.

Thing is, we were trapped in a haunted house together.

All three of you?

No, CB was outside.

But he knows?

He knew before, during the Shadowlord thing.

So Amy and your boss

The Darkest Night theme interrupted.

Tony glanced down at the screen. Its Zev. Hes the music director at the studio.

Does Zev know?

He was in the house.

Along with how many other people?

Not many.

Good.

About thirteen.

Dark brows rose almost to her hairline. About?

Three of them died.

Yay. Her fingers stilled.

Its when the drums stop that you have to worry. The Darkest Night theme looped back to the beginning and kept playing.

Tony, answer the damned phone.

The conversation with Zev paralleled the conversation with Amy minus the speculation about a coma and the final threats.

Youll call me if you need me?

Sure.

And youll be careful?

Count on it.

Because youre an annoying pain in the ass, but Im used to you being around.

Im used to being around. Dont worry. As he hung up, Leah slid a sheet of blank paper in front of him.

Practice, she snapped, handing him a pencil. Before someone else

The Darkest Night theme.

Once.

Lees cell number.

Tony had, of course, memorized it even though hed never used it. He stared at the phone, but Lee had obviously reconsidered calling.

Earth to Tony. One bare foot kicked him, not particularly gently, in the shin. Lets try and remember were on the clock here! Leaning back, she reexposed the Demongate. Now that your fan club has checked in, can we get on with this?

Sorry. He peered at her belly, put pencil to paper, and stopped. Look, when you said, burn these four runes into the air, what did you mean?

You know. The tip of one finger sketched invisible circles. Draw them in the air with lines of energy.

Okay. He remembered Arra creating golden lines of power as she called on light to banish shadow. I dont actually know how to do that.






Everything in here is about energy. Theres just nothing specifically about energy.

Well, thats useless. Leah pushed a curl away from her face and tried to shove Tony away from the laptop. Look up drawing.

Tony flicked the same curl away from his face and refused to be shoved as he scrolled up the file list.

Drawing, of the Dark.

Vaguely familiar but not helpful.

Drawing, Down the Moon.

Also familiar. He opened the file.

This is womans magic. You dont need to know it.

Then why the hell did you list it, you crazy old

Drawing, Blood.

What did she think she was training, Leah snorted, a wizard or a paramedic?

So she was a bit rushed when she put this together.

A bit rushed? Da Vinci was a bit rushed when he was finishing the Mona Lisa. This wizard of yours seems more like a complete incompetent. Her breath hit the side of his head, warm and impatient. You scroll; Ill stop you if I see anything useful.

Storms, Calming.

Poison, Checking for.

Water, Purifying.

Demons, Banishing.

Hold on. Right there. One fingertip tapped the screen. You have a spell to banish demons. The fingertip moved to tap him on the forehead. Hard. You think maybe you should have mentioned that? Just in passing, perhaps?

I forgot it was there. He jerked away before she could tap him again and opened the file.

Calling demons is among the stupider things you can do with your power. I am inclined to allow stupidity to be its own reward; however, it is possible that someday you may need to clean up anothers mess. Begin by drawing six drops of blood from the idiot who called the demon. Do it quickly before the corpse cools.

This is useless. Leah straightened, turned, and dropped onto the edge of the table. These demons werent called, theyre being sent. Theres nothing we can use in there

It says we should use an unnatural rope to hold the fiend.

And then do what with it? Why dont I just kill myself and save them the bother? Dragging both hands back through her hair, she began to pace. I cant believe this wizard of yours would leave out something so basic.

Tony scrolled up and down the list one more time and frowned. Hell, if its all that basic, maybe theres something about it in the instructions.

The sudden silence was so complete, he could hear the traffic passing on the TransCanada six stories down and almost a half a kilometer away. He twisted around on his chair to find Leah staring at him from across the room. What?

Theres instructions?

Yeah. I didnt read them, but

You didnt read the instructions? Of course you didnt, she continued before he could answer. You just opened the spell list and started trying things out, didnt you? While he was thinking about denying it, she closed the distance between them and smacked him on the back of the head. Men!

Hey!

Leaning back she flashed him a narrow-eyed glare. Hey, what?

Nothing. It just seemed like a bad time to go into the whole gender stereotyping thing.

Good. Now then

He could feel every one of those thirty-five hundred years leaning over his shoulder with her.

 lets have a look at the instructions, shall we?

Power, Responsibilities of.

Power, the Focusing of.

Her finger touched the screen. Thats got subdirectories.

On it. The next layer down had been divided into basic, intermediate, and advanced. As Tony moved the cursor onto advanced, Leahs hand closed around his wrist and moved it back to basic. I thought we were in a hurry.

We are. But as much as I dont want to be killed by a demon, Id also rather not be killed by you. Start at the beginning. Read fast.

Fortunately, the lesson was, well, basic and it seemed hed been instinctively doing most of it already. The rest of it seemed simple enough. When he mentioned that to Leah, she snorted.

Lots of things seem simple when you read the instructions, but its an entirely different story when you actually try to hook up the DVD player.

Fair point. It doesnt seem that complicated, though. Mostly, I just have to shift my internal focus to external.

Do you even know what that means?

Tony pushed his chair out from the table and stood, forcing her to take a couple of steps back. Its sort of like choking up on the Powershot.

Choking up on the Powershot? Muttering under her breath, she moved around until she stood behind him. Your keen grasp of description fills me with confidence.

I need to practice.

You think? Make it fast and dont destroy my apartment.

Your faith is underwhelming, he muttered, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet and shaking the tension out of his arms. He could do this. He called things to his hand by knowing where they were, by being aware of the space they defined. According to Arras notes, focus meant being aware of the space he defined and pulling in energy to fill it. That was the part hed been doing instinctively.

Once he had the energy, all he had to do was pick a spot outside his body, shift the focus to that spot, and re-form the energy in his chosen pattern. Like writing with sparklers only the images would stick around longer. Arras notes suggested he practice with a neutral symbol, something that could only be what it was.

Okay.

Right index finger extendedbest not toss the scar on his left hand into the mix until he had a better grip on what he was doinghe picked a point about halfway to the window, refocused until his right eye started to water, and began burning his chosen symbol onto the air.

Leahs curtains caught fire.

Crap! That wasnt supposed to happen. Glancing down at the laptop, he checked the screen. No, definitely not supposed to happen.

He opened his left hand. The fire arced toward it.

The curtains separated at the char line, the lower third dropping to the floor.

Tony coughed, smoke pluming out on his breath. Back in his teens, although he couldnt afford the habit, hed bummed the occasional cigarette from other guys on the street. The coolest guys could always make the biggest plumes of smoke. Apparently, for wizards, the cigarette had become optionalalthough he wasnt sure that the present circumstances were any healthier.

He was sure blowing out a nice big plume, though.

Leah crossed the room and picked up the burned fabric. Ash crumbed off between her fingers, drifting to lie like dirty snow on the hardwood floor. She stared at the ash, at the curtain, and finally at Tony. Damn. What did you do?

It was an accident.

After the accident. When you put the fire out.

Oh. He coughed again. There was a little less smoke this time. I called it to me.

The fire? Still holding the piece of curtain, she started back toward him. You called the fire toward you?

Its just another kind of energy, right?

Yeah. Right. Her fingers left dark gray smudges behind when she patted his arm. You just keep believing that, okay? A wave of the ruined curtain for emphasis. Try dialing it back this time.

It? One last puff of smoke as punctuation. You want me to do it again?

Curtains can be replaced, she reminded him as she returned to her place out of the line of fire, I cant. Once more, with less feeling.

I dont think

Good. You think too much and were running out of time. Do what you just did, only less.

Less. Right. Tony wiped damp palms on his thighs, extended his finger again, and very carefully refocused. To his surprise, a bright blue light burned in approximately the right position and then went out. Okay, almost there. He needed less less. Thats more, right? Licking dry lips, he tried again. The blue light burned longer. A little more. And again. This time the light maintained; became a line; the line bent into a circle; the edges of the circle sputtered, but the shape held. Within the circle, two dots of power for eyes. The curve of a smile.

It was slightly lopsided but recognizable.

What is it?

Or not.

Its a happy face. Even when he turned away, the power hed used to create the symbol hung in the air. It was bone useless but way cool. I told you it would be His voice trailed off as the sound of laughter filled the condo.

Tony whirled around, both hands up, expecting some kind of demonic clown charging in from the balcony. There was only his happy face, all blue and glowing and hanging in the air. Given the way it was laughing, it seemed to be very, very happy indeed.

Simple, Leah said, raising her voice enough to be heard. You said it would be simple. I think you meant to tell me that you were simple. And when I say simple, I dont mean that youre easy, I mean that youre

The Darkest Night theme joined the laughter to drown out her last word.

Since he couldnt think anything else to do, Tony answered his phone.

Tony! Theres something in the soundstage! Its ripping the place apart. Theres crashing and screaming and

Lee!

No, its Amy, you ass!

He knew that. I meant

I dont give a good goddamn what you meant! Get in here!

What

But there was only the dial tone. Over by the window, the happy face kept laughing.

Shoving the phone back in his backpack, Tony hung it over one shoulder as he ran for the door. The demons at the studio!

Tony! Wait!

Forget it, Leah. You want your body guarded, you come with me.

I intend to. She grabbed his backpack and dragged him around. But you cant leave that thing hanging in my condo!

The happy face kept laughing.

Tony stretched out his left arm and sucked the energy back through the scar. He had the giggles all the way to the underground garage.






Leahs driving made it difficult to practice the four runes he needed to know. Hed taken half a dozen pictures of the tattoo with the camera on his phone and, with his knees pressed against the dash and the phone open on his knees, he tried to memorize the swoops and curls as he sketched.

Tried to sketch.

Leah!

You want to get there in time or what? Considerably over the 100K limit, she cut in and out of westbound traffic in order to maintain her speed.

The TransCanada was a slightly less direct route back to the studio, but it had no lights and they were making amazing timeeven considering the amount of lateral movement. Flung right then left, Tony wondered again why every time something metaphysical came down, he ended up in a car with people who drove like complete maniacs. Henry, Arra, Mouse, Jack, Leah

Hey! The car started to hydroplane on the wet pavement, the back end fishtailing for about thirty meters before Leah got it under control. Tony caught the phone before it hit the floor but lost his pencil. Were not all immortal here!

Trust me. Im a professional stunt driver.

They arent! The drivers of a late 90s Buick and a little imported hybrid flipped them off in quick succession. Hoping Leahs protective coating would work against road rage, he bent to find the pencil. Hed just about decided to take off his shoulder belt when he heard the siren and straightened so quickly he cracked his head on the dash. Shit. Is that for us?

Seems to be. Are you crying?

No. My eyes are watering, I hit my head. Youre not stopping!

Neither is the demon at the soundstage.

Good point. He wasnt looking forward to explaining it to the police but, still, a good point.

If it is a demon. She slid between two transports, passed on the right shoulder, and somehow ended up back in the left lane.

What do you mean if? Tony demanded.

If its a demon, why is it at your soundstage? Why isnt it hunting for me? As they passed the Kensington on ramp, an unmarked car squealed onto the highway in front of them, siren also wailing, the light on the dash just barely visible through distance and rain. Theyre trying to cut us off!

He grabbed the wheel before Leah could change lanes. No. Follow them.

Are you insane!

Theyre not slowing down, and the car behind us has fallen back.

I lost him.

No. There was no mistaking Jack Elsons pale blond hair in the unmarked car. I know these guys.

Leah shot him a quick glance. Your Mountie buddy?

Eyes on the road! My Mountie buddy and his partner, he expanded when his heart started beating again. An East Indian woman was driving and he was willing to bet she had to be Constable Danvers regardless of how much ethnic recruiting the RCMP did.

I forgot to add them to the list of the people who know what you are, didnt I? Why didnt you just tell the papers? she continued before he could answer. Itd save time.

As the two cars sped toward the studio, he tried to remember if hed told her about Kevin Groves. And what it was about Kevin Groves that hed intended to tell her. Well, technically

I dont want to know.

They fishtailed off the ramp onto Boundary, squealed tires through the gate of the industrial complex, and sprayed gravel in tandem as they pulled up in the parking lot at CB Productions.

Jack was out of the car, gun in his hand, before the gravel hit the ground again. When they called in your plates, I figured something was up. What is it? he demanded falling into step as Tony sprinted for the building.

Tony hesitated, wondering if Jack had kept his partner in the loop. Television cops never kept secrets from their partners. Theres a demon ripping up the soundstage!

A what? Danvers yelled as the four of them pounded in through the office doors.

A demon! Tony skidded to a stop as the dozen or so people in the office turned to stare.

He stared.

They stared.

Jesus, Tony Amys brows dipped to nearly touch over her nose.  what the hell happened to your neck?

Not important. Trust Amy. He couldnt stop himself from touching the bite as he hurriedly counted heads. Not everyones out.

Such a grasp of the obvious, she said to the room at large. This is why I called him.

Amy. Tinas tone suggested that was enough. A few people got out the back, the script supervisor continued, rocking the new and teary assistant set decorator in the circle of her arms. Theres a few still in there.

CB?

All heads turned toward CBs office as though they were on a single string.

He went in as we came out.

Of course he had. Tony took a quick mental inventory of CBs office but could think of nothing that the big man could use as a weapon.

Okay. Deep breath. A quick, purposeful crossing to the doormade slightly less purposeful by the people milling about in his way.

You brought the cops? Zev asked, pushing through to his side.

They brought themselves. He reached for the door and paused. This wasnt a case of reacting to an attack, blasting before he could consider the consequences; this was deliberately going after a demon. Deliberately going after something with teeth and claws and attitude. Try not to look like youre nearly pissing yourself.

You went after the thing in the basement, a little voice reminded him.

Did you miss the part about teeth and claws? he asked it.

A quick glance back over his shoulder. You guys dont have to

Jack reached past him and shoved the door open. Move! he snapped.

So he moved.

They ran in single file between the double racks of costumesa wizard-in-training, two RCMP officers, and an immortal stuntwoman/Demongate bringing up the rear. It sounded like the punch line of a bad joke. All they needed was a duck. Tonyd been a little afraid that either Zev or Amy would follow, but they both seemed to have more sense.

The door to the soundstage was closed.

When Tony reached to open it, Jack stopped him, hand without the gun wrapping around his wrist. You dont just go charging in! Listen first.

Leah raised an eyebrow in Tonys direction, sharing her amusement. The doors soundproof. We might as well go charging in.

Fine. We Jack used his weapon to indicate that we in this case meant him and Danvers.  go in first.

Good idea.

The constable fixed Leah with a pale stare. Who the hell are you?

Leah Burnett.

And?

Im a stuntwoman.

Let me rephrase. Why are you here?

I dont even know why were here, Danvers muttered.

Believe it or not She pointed at Tony.  the safest place I can be is next to him.

Not, Jack snorted.

Tony could feel momentum slipping away. Once it was gone, he was afraid hed never be able to force himself onto the soundstage. Ignoring the others, he yanked open the door and charged through, heading for the area under the gate.

The Demonic Convergence was happening on the lower mainland because Leah and the oldest spell in the world currently lived here. But she didnt have the only spell around. It might not even be the strongest. It sure as hell wasnt the freshest.

Looking for that nice, fresh demonic feeling?

Oh, man, I seriously need some downtime with my brain.

In the last few weeks, the set under the gate that had brought Arra Pelindrake into this world and then taken her out again had been the living room of grieving parents, a medieval dining hall, and a veterinary officeanything they could fit into the space without moving the walls or windows. CB disapproved of unnecessary rebuilding.

The end wall had been reduced to a jagged bit of framing and a dangling piece of plywood. Standing surrounded by debris, one sleeve ripped from his suit jacket and the exposed arm hanging limp by his side, CB shook a length of pipe up at the lighting grid. Get your scaly red ass down here so I can kick it back to whatever overblown special effect it crawled out of!

A shriek of tortured metal from above.

One of the big lamps plummeted toward the floor.

Time was supposed to slow as certain death approached. That was the theory. Total bullshit as far as Tony was concerned. The lamp exploded against the painted concrete floor, CB dove out of the way, swinging the pipe to deflect a shard of glass away from his leg, and Tony barely had time enough to realize he should do something. No time at all to think of just what he should do.

The sound of another lamp ripped from the grid made one thing clear; he had to get the demon down.

Tony held out his hand and called.

The demon was about the size of a ten-year-old but remarkably heavy for all that. The impact knocked the breath from them both and for a moment they sprawled together on the concrete, arms and legs tangled in interspecies intimacy. Then it blinked orange eyes, and a mouth, far too wide for the face that held it, opened.

Black teeth.

Shiny and black like that lava rock Tony could never remember the name of.

Lots and lots of black teeth!

Pain flared in his left shoulder, something squeezed around his right leg, and the demons head snapped forward.

Fuck! Teeth!

Four shots jerked it back far enough for Tony to get his left leg free. He kicked out, hard. It reared back, hissing and snarling, still attached by the tail wrapped around Tonys leg. He kicked it again, a little lower, and black claws on the hind legs shredded his jeans below the knee.

Jack took another shot. The tail whipped away. Danvers grabbed his shoulders, dragging him up onto his feet.

Why are you wrestling with it? Leah screamed, crouched behind a yellow chaise lounge. Get those runes in the air!

Tony ducked as the demon launched itself over him, heading for Leah. Ducked a little lower as it returned the other way, arms and legs flailing as CB yanked it back by the tail.

It folded back on itself, squirmed free, and leaped straight up.

If it regained the high ground

No way in hell he remembered the runes.

So we stick with what we know.

Miraculously still standing, Tony made a mental note that a Powershot released inside was blinding. Hopefully, temporarily blinding.

Mr. Foster!

Patterns of blue light danced across the inside of Tonys lids. At least, he thought he had his eyes closed. Yeah, Boss?

Was that you?

Yeah.

Did you hit it?

I dont know.

Is anyone being disemboweled? Sarcasm dripped from Leahs voice.

It seemed that no one was.

Well, isnt that lucky. Not so much dripping now as flowing freely.

What was that? Jacks voice, demanding an answer.

The demon? Or Tonys pyrotechnical answer to the demon?

Hey! He turned toward where Leahs voice put her. We were all screwed if it got back into the light grid.

Damned right. Danvers this time. Nice that someone understood.

A hand closed around his arm and by blinking rapidly he could almost make out the silhouette of the person attached to the hand. At least he hoped it was the person attached to the hand.

Youre bleeding. Danvers again.

He should count his blessings hes alive to bleed. Leah, closer now, sounded distinctly unsympathetic. What happened to the plan, Tony?

You guys had a plan? Jack didnt sound like he believed her.

Theres a way to send the demons back where they came from without wiping out our best defense.

If this ash is all that remains of the demon, hes out of the picture. CB. From near the floor. Except for a few minor punctures, I believe Mr. Fosterwho, I assume, you were referring to as our best line of defenseis fine.

Tony, can you see yet? Leah. Right in his face.

He could sort of make out shapes, but he got a little dizzy when he turned his head. Uh

No. He cant. We can. He cant. Probably Leahs hand on his cheek. The fingers were trembling a little. Someone had better grab him before he cracks his skull open on the floor.

On cue, Tony felt his knees buckle.

Ive got you, kid. A dark Jack-shape with blond highlights.

These holes look clean, and theyre not as deep as they could be. Danvers, as she pulled his shirt off and started working on the punctures in his shoulder. Tony was starting to really like her. Damp denim seems to make decent body armor. I dont think he did much damage to your leg either. Is there a first aidThanks.

No mistaking CBs presence up close and personal. There was a sudden lack of open space in the immediate area.

Jack shifted his grip to give Danvers a better angle on the shoulder. So whats wrong with him?

You mean besides the holes? It was the Powershot. Not the smartest thing to do.

Jack answered Leahs question with one of his own. Who are you?

Hed keep asking until he got an answer, like the worlds biggest, red serge-wearing terrier. Given Leahs earlier opinion of all and sundry, and given that Jack was definitely one of the sundry, the odds were good she wasnt going to tell him. The trick was figuring out how much of the truth would shut him up.

Shes a demonic consultant, Tony told him, trying not to think about what Jacks partner was doing to his shoulder.

A what?

Demonic consul OW!

Sorry.

Its okay. And it was. The flash of white light accompanying the pain seemed to have cleared his vision. Where cleared meant he could see people standing around him and pretty much figure out who they were. Beyond about three meters, things were still a little fuzzylike his focus had been pulled so he had no depth of fieldwhich likely meant thered be something with teeth and scales charging in from the fuzzy any minute now.

Tony?

Or not.

Lee gradually came into focus as he came closer. Then came into focus a lot faster as he broke into a run and dropped to one knee.

What happened? he demanded, his hand closing around Tonys wrist.

Tony opened his mouth, but Jack filled the words in. Its the aftereffects of frying a demon.

Youre hurt!

Its uh He glanced over at the blood-soaked pad in the RCMP officers hand and decided not to bother with the whole manly denial thing. Yeah.

Its not as bad as it looks. Danvers matter-of-fact tone made it convincing. Given that it was his blood, Tony wasnt entirely convinced, but Lee seemed to be.

Seemed to be glaring at Jack.

Who still held Tony cradled against his body while Danvers finished with his shoulder.

Lee was glaring?

Tony had no idea how Jack was responding, but something in the way his grip shifted and the way muscles moved in his chest, made Tony think he felt amused.

How are the others, Mr. Nicholas? CBs bulk reappeared like a mahogany wall at the end of Tonys feet, the force of his personality enough to break through Lees well, to break through whatever the hell was up with Lee.

Fine. Theyre good. The actor sat back and turned, visibly distancing himself from the scene on the flooralthough his fingers maintained their grip. Mouse thinks the gaffers nose might be broken.

And Mason?

Would be on the phone to his agent if there was a phone around to be on.

Ill speak with him in a moment.

I cant say that I blame him, CB.

Demons. Jack ignored Lees reinstated glare, but there was nothing that suggested amusement this time. He shifted Tonys weight onto his partner, who caught it, steadied it, and raised a skeptical eyebrow when Tony muttered, I can sit on my own.

What about them? CB demanded as Jack got slowly to his feet.

She said demons. As in more than one. They had a plan to send the demons back where they came from. That

All eyes turned with his gesture to the smear of ash on the floor. Tony could just barely make it out.  isnt the end of this. Is it?

And all eyes turned to Leah.

Who looked at him.

His stomach growled.



Chapter Six

  


HOW LONG IS THIS Demonic Convergence going to last?

I dont know.

You dont know? CB repeated Leahs answer as a question, an eyebrow raised for punctuation. There were rumors that eyebrow had once caused a loan manager to wet himselfa rumor that Tony, having more than once been on the receiving end of said eyebrow, was inclined to believe.

Leah proved to be made of sterner stuff, but then shed already survived plagues, the Inquisition, disco Information on the last Demonic Convergence was passed on as an oral history for centuries before finally being written down by an insane monk in 332. He was a little vague on duration.

Rather an important point, dont you think?

As a matter of fact, I do. She matched his dry, sarcastic tone precisely and then sat back and crossed her legs. Fortunately, we know that the Convergence is of limited duration, just not exactly how limited. My best guess would tie it to the moon through one full cycle. A month, no more. Maybe a little less.

And your worst guess? CB growled.

She shrugged. The planets change position slowly and the stars slower still.

Youre saying this could last years?

It could.

Demons could be dropping into my studio for years?

Or the one Tony destroyed could be the only one youll see. Theres no way of knowing for sure.

Liar, Tony thought. He was impressed by how much like a consultant she sounded and less impressed by how heavily edited the story had become. She hadnt mentioned that the demons were only coming through because a Demonlord was directing the convergent energy. Nor had she said anything about being an immortal Demongate, confident that Tony would keep her secret. Since hed already lied for her once today, he supposed she had reason for the confidence. After all those years with Henry, he was good at secrets. And given that the residue of Arras spell seemed to be exerting a stronger pull than Leah, the whole Demongate thing seemed a little less relevant than it had.

I have a question! Perched on the edge of CBs desk, Amy waved her hand above her head, the charms hanging off the polished bicycle chain she wore wrapped around one wrist glinting under the fluorescent lights. How does one become a demonic consultant? Exactly?

Amy hadnt been included in the we when CBd growled, We need to talk. When those whod been involved in the battleplus Lee whod arrived on the scene before anyone thought to adjust the storyfollowed CB into his officewhere followed, in Tonys case, meant hanging off Jacks arm and more or less putting one foot in front of the othershed invited herself along, dragging Zev behind her. Tony was glad they were there. Although the odds were good Zev would have understood, keeping Amy out of the loop had limited survivability, and even CB seemed to realize it would be easier in the long run to let her stay.

I have a better question, Constable Danvers sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. Who the hell is going to believe all that damage in the soundstage was caused by a deranged fan?

Drugged fan, Lee corrected. Hed suggested the cover story.

Whatever. Drugged, deranged; no one will buy it.

Mason did, Lee reminded her. Mason had been thrilled to think that one of his fans had gone berserk and trashed the soundstage. Mason was thrilled to believe pretty much anything that made it all about him.

Once Mason starts talking about it, CB explained, everyone else will believe it, too.

Like hell give them a choice, Amy snorted.

CB nodded. My point exactly. You should use the tools you have to hand.

Everyone turned to look at Tony.

You calling me a tool? he roused himself enough to mutter.

Yes.

So much for humor.

I shall sum up, then. CB leaned back in his chair which creaked alarmingly under his bulk. We are in the midst of a Demonic Convergence of indeterminate length. The demons are attracted to this building because of

Tony hoped no one had noticed the slight pausewhere no one referred to the RCMP officers who hadnt been told about the gate or Arra or the Shadowlord when they were told about what had happened in the house. Given that theyd been standing on the front lawn when the heavens opened, the story of the house had been unavoidable, butso farTonyd managed to avoid filling in the whole metaphysical backstory.

 the residual energy; energy most likely connected to Mr. Fosters abilities.

Thats right. Make it believable. Blame me.

Ms. Burnett, CB continued, who has made a study of demonology

No one seemed to have any trouble believing in a stunt-woman as a student of demonology.

 just happened to have recently contacted Mr. Foster to inform him about this Demonic Convergence and to instruct him on how to return said demons to the hell they came fromalthough, as circumstances have forced Mr. Foster to fry both demons he has already faced, whether or not he can return them remains theoretical.

Tony rubbed the bandage on his shoulder. Nothing much about this seemed theoretical to him. His whole body ached.

Because both demons have been reduced to ash, we have no proof should we decide to make the story public, so rather than be mocked by those who have not shared our experiences, we are maintaining that todays incident was caused by a drugged fan of Mason Reeds. Constables Danvers and Elson will support that story in their reports.

I cant believe were going to falsify a report! Constable Danvers punctuated each word by banging the back of her head against the wall.

CB laid both hands flat on his desk. The fingers of the left hand started to tremble. Muscles tensed in the arm the demon had dislocated and Jack had snapped back, and the trembling stopped. Given that you arrived here in an official capacity, the report is unavoidable. You may, of course, choose to tell the truth.

Danvers looked at CB, she looked around the room, and, finally, she looked at her partner. Who shrugged. Jack had been remarkably quiet since hed brought up the point about multiple demons. Tony wondered what he was thinking. His partner seemed to be wondering the same, but after a long moment, she sighed and muttered, Fine. But what happens if these things go public? You know, suddenly show up on the six oclock news climbing the Lions Gate Bridge?

They dont show up on camera, Leah told her.

Why not?

They dont have souls.

What?

A camera steals a piece of your soul, Leah explained. Demons have no souls, so they dont show up on camera.

Thats total bullshit.

A raised hand cut off the murmur of agreement. Leah leaned toward the constable, smiling slightly. Why dont demons show up on camera, then?

Because they I mean, they When no one seemed willing to help, Danvers shoulders sagged. I cant believe Im even having this conversation. Bang. Bang. Bang against the wall.

Jack reached out and grabbed her shoulder, stopping the motion. Once shed stilled, he stepped past her, swept a narrow-eyed gaze around the roomwhich would have been more effective had most of the people in the room not recognized it as having been inserted for effectand finally locked his eyes on CB. As long as demons are attracted to your soundstage, for whatever reason

Translating the emphasis, Tony could see another talk with the constable in his future. Probably accompanied by shouting.

 youll have to close the studio.

Zev hummed a few portentous bars of music under his breath.

Amy moved off CBs desk and out of the line of fire as the producer smiled. I have an episode and a half of a show still to shoot, Constable. I have to do no such thing.

People are going to get hurt. Someones already been hurt. Someone besides Tony.

It was the gaffer, Tony murmured. Hes the guy who sets the lights to get the effect the DP wants, he expanded when Jack turned to glare. When things get weird, its good to hold onto the stuff you know. Not you, personally, he added quickly. Us you.

Did you get hit on the head?

I dont think so.

Check. Jacks attention relocked on CB. Your gaffers nose is broken. Hes on his way to the hospital. You were lucky no one was seriously hurt. Or killed. Youre closing the studio.

I am contractually obligated to provide twenty-two episodes of Darkest Night within a specific time frame, CB told him. If I close the studio, this wont happen, and we will be in violation of our contract. There will be no season two. My people will be let go. Most will not be able to find new work as many of the network shows that were filming in Vancouver have moved back across the border.

So you think your people

That was the most sarcastic set of air quotes Tony had ever seen.

 would rather be exposed to demonic attacks than unemployment?

Speaking as one of his people Perched now on an arm of the couch, Amy waved again.  definitely.

You are not the average employee, Jack pointed out.

I am, Zev broke in before Amy could respond. He shuffled forward to the edge of the couch cushion. I vote we finish the season.

Jack stared at the music director for a long moment. Why are you even here? he asked.

A nod toward Amy. I came in with her.

Thats not helping your case, you know that, right?

Yes, but He winced and fell silent as Amy smacked him on the arm.

And, Jack continued, as I understand things, neither of you spend much time out on the soundstage where the demons are going to be.

I do. Lee rose slowly off his end of the couch and moved until he stood face-to-face with Jack. And I say we dont close the studio.

Tony had a feeling that, right at that moment, Lee would say black if Jack said white. He cleared his throat and was more or less gratified when it drew everyones attention back to him. Look, Im going to be here anyway He tried to sit forward like Zev had, found he didnt have the energy, figured screw it as he fell back, sagging slightly into the warmth Lee had left.  and it would be a lot easier on me if I didnt have to waste time and energy A short rest for emphasis before he finished.  keeping friends and coworkers from being eaten while I deal.

Eaten? Amy and Zev together. Lee came in a little late.

Weve got a dead guy without an arm in the morgue. Killed by a demon who ate the arm. Jack folded his arms triumphantly.

He didnt know the arm hadnt been eaten, and since he was helping Tony make his point, Tony wasnt planning on mentioning it.

So CB steepled his fingers and peered over the mahogany triangle at his TAD. You think I should close the studio.

No. Leah jumped in before Tony could get his mouth open. I dont think you should close the studio. She stood and spread her hands, looking earnest. We dont know how long the Demonic Convergence will last. Tossing her hair back over her shoulders, she adjusted her posture subtly. Theres no reason to risk putting so many people out of work. Tony will be here. Ive taught him everything he needs to know.

The simple statement sounded pornographic.

Lee, who was closest to her, made a sound low in his throat. CB and Jack leaned in.

Ryne Cyratane flexed translucent muscles and ran his hands down Leahs arms.

Then its settled. CBs voice slipped past Barry White and headed toward registering on the Richter scale. Well keep the studio open.

Jack nodded, absently drying his palms on his thighs. That sounds reasonable.

Nothing about this sounds reasonable, Danvers muttered. What the hell are you talking about, Jack?

Shes the demonic consultant. A nod and an appreciative smile toward Leah. Were out of our depthwe should listen to her.

Youre out of your mind.

Charms chimed as Amy waved. Id like to second that, except I want the studio open, so I wont.

All right. Enough was enough. If Leah didnt want her secrets told to all and sundry, she needed to lay off taking advantage of all and sundry. Tony frowned at Lee. Especially this particular sundry. Shes using demonic sex appeal to convince you.

Leahs dark eyes widened, and her lower lip went out. Tony!

Do you have proof of this accusation, Mr. Foster?

No, but

Then dont make it.

Hello! Wizard! He tried to stand and fell back onto the couch. His second attempt was more successful but only because Zev helped. Okay. Wizard. Lets assume I know more about whats going on here than The room shifted out of focus and back in again.  than not-wizards, okay? And lets assume that I can Whoa. His head felt like a raw egg balanced on a strand of cooked spaghetti.  I can

You can barely stand, Tony. Lee didnt sound particularly sympathetic, but then Lee was as enthralled by Leah as Jack and CB.

Okay, forget the room. Focus on Lees face. Youre good at that. He was. But it had never been so hard before. His brain attempted to toss in a smutty innuendo but didnt quite manage it. Behind her theres a big a big naked

On naked, Lee turned his attention back to Leah.

Crap.

Tonys knees gave out, and Zev was a second late keeping his head from bouncing off the floor of CBs office.

That sounded like it hurt. Amy frowned down at him.

Way to state the obvious.

He needs to see a doctor.

Constable Danvers was rapidly becoming one of Tonys favorite people.

No, he just needs rest. A Powershot uses a lot of personal energy, and thats not something a doctor can fix. No wonder hes babbling. Leah sounded convincing. Tony would have been more convinced if when his head fell to one side, he hadnt been looking through a bare foot. An enormous bare foot.

What happens if another demon attacks before he recovers? Jack demanded.

Were screwed.

Tony wondered if he was the only one who heard, Youre screwed.

I can shoot it.

Thats sweet, but bullets will only slow it down. All you can do is hope Tony recovers and that from now on, he does things my way.

Tony was starting to think Leah had some serious control issues. He closed his fingers around Zevs wrist. All about sex.

As darkness claimed him, he heard CB snort. Welcome to the wonderful world of television, Mr. Foster.






He came to, stretched out on the couch in CBs office, all his attention on the vegetable soup in a Styrofoam bowl steaming on the coffee table beside him. Ignoring the spoon, he grabbed it with shaking hands and downed it in four swallows. Or, more accurately, three since a good portion of the fourth he coughed out his nose.

A familiar hand passed over a wad of paper napkins.

Wheres everyone gone? he asked when he could talk.

Back to work. Ryne Cyratane had vanished and Leah looked no more than normally attractive. Your friends on the force have reports to file and a nonexistent drugged fan to pretend to track down. Your coworkers are finishing the days pageswell, except for Mason Reed who leaked news of the incident to the press and is now giving interviews.

Tony snorted out an alphabet noodle; an F or maybe an E deformed by its passage through his sinuses. The studios staying open.

Yes.

The demons will come here.

Yes.

Because the gate is putting out the kind of residual power that attracts them more powerfully than you do.

Yes.

If therere people in the studio, the demon wont just check out the gate, realize its not you, and go hunting as instructed by its boss. Itll try for a snack and make itself obvious. If its distracted by a meal, itll be easier for me to send it home. His subconscious had put the pieces together while hed been out. Youre setting up the people here as bait.

She stared at him for a moment, then she smiled. Only during business hours. Your vampire can still deal with it after dark. More soup?

Sure. Tony drank, slower this time, and considered his options. His brain felt like it was wrapped in barbed wire. It hurt to think and, as far as he could tell, he didnt actually seem to have any options. Sucked to be him. I could tell them.

About what?

About them being bait. About you being a Demongate. About the Demonlords plan to kill you and take over the world. I could tell them everything.

And that would accomplish what? she asked reasonably, crossing the office and perching on the edge of the coffee table so she could stare earnestly into his face. CB has very good reasons for not shutting the studio down. I agreed with him, so I helped him convince your friend Jack. Yes, your crew will be in a bit of danger, but if you get your head out of your butt and learn how to deal with the demons, its all incidental anyway. Youll send them back before they do any damage.

Yeah, tell that to Ritz.

Who?

The gaffer. He waved at his nose.

Your gaffers name is Ritz?

Probably not, but thats what he goes by.

Right. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. If youd been here, instead of at my place

I was protecting you!

Leah ignored him.  Ritz wouldnt have gotten hurt.

So what happened was my fault?

It was no ones fault. Leaning forward, she patted his knee. Tony, this is working out perfectly. The gate obviously has a more powerful signature than I do or that demon wouldnt have come here first.

First. He frowned. First? That wasnt the first demon.

Leah wrapped a curl around a finger. Well, no, but

And the first demon didnt come here first.

Ah! She held up a cautioning finger. We dont know that.

It killed a guy, ripped off his arm, and then came after you.

It probably came to the studio at night when there was no one here, then it found my scent at the stunt site where it killed the construction worker. It was the next day before it found me. If thered been a wizard in the studio prepared to send it back Her voice trailed off dramatically.

Im seeing a problem with that.

Im not saying it was your fault that man died.

Yeah. Bite me. Lets consider the word probably. 

She frowned as she went back over what shed said. Then she rolled her eyes. Fine. But the second demon definitely came here firsteven though we drove right by itso the odds are certainly in favor of the first demon having done the same thing. Demons at this level arent known for independent thought. Theyre just big scary, scaly killing machines. Fortunately, this lot has been given a mission, so theres less random killing.

Thats comforting. Tonys head hurt, his shoulder was throbbing, the soup had barely taken the edge off his hunger, and at some point while he was in la-la land, his torn and bloody clothes had been replaced by geek wear off the costume rack. He couldnt decide if he was pissed off, resigned, or just hungry, and he was doing it all while wearing polyester. So Ill be sitting under the gate, 24/7 until the convergence is over.

Youll have breaks between demons. It takes time to divert enough convergent energy to get a demon through even a thinned barrier, and I cant imagine that my lord will be able to pop them out any closer together.

Hes not still your lord! Hes trying to kill you!

Sure, now, but hes been my lord for thirty-five hundred years. Its not going to be an easy habit to break.

And you like using his power.

Well, duh.

Kind of a hard response to argue with. Tony wasnt sure if he admired her honesty or was appalled by it. Bit of both, probably. He dropped his head into his hands and scrubbed at his face. I took out demon-with-the-arm last night and red-and-toothy this morning, thats barely twelve hours apart.

No, its closer to twenty-four. Demon-with-the-arm acquired the arm the night before he attacked us, she reminded him. And look at the bright side, when youre not sending demons back to hell, you can do your job and, more importantly, collect a paycheck. You couldnt work or get paid if you were still following me around.

He didnt really have an argument for that either. My laundry is at your place.

Sensing the win, she smiled. Ill deal with your laundry.

Yeah. The edge of the Styrofoam cup flaked apart under his fingernails. Look, the only way I can see ruling out that probablyas in probably the demons will come here firstis if youre here with me. Then the demons will definitely come here first.

Her hand dropped to her side, and the smile disappeared. Tony, I bled.

So? When he moved, the adhesive tape holding the gauze pad over the hole in his shoulder pulled at sensitive skin.

The demons can hurt me.

Yeah, well, big scary killing machines, remember? You got off easy. There were three deep scratches under his polyester pant leg. We both did.

Leahs eyes narrowed. Are you being deliberately stupid, or did you hit your head harder than I thought? Theyre the only thing in the world that can hurt me!

Ah. So, given the chance, youd rather they werent given the chance?

And a second brain cell comes online!

He supposed he could understand her reaction. Except

You came to me so that I could help you deal with the Demonic Convergence, and now youre putting other people in danger.

Oh, no! Both hands went up, palms toward him. Dont put that on me. I came to you so we could spackle the weak spots and maybe deal with a few long-legged beasties thatd scuttled in from the closest hells. I never intended to face down demons. And people? People are in danger every time they step into the shower. Do you know how many household accidents happen in the bathroom? Should they stop showering? Or what about the chance of choking and dying? Should everyone stop eating? These demons are the only things that can hurt me, and I dont think its unreasonable that I should avoid them!

But they cant only hurt you! Youve lived for thirty-five hundred years; dont you think shorter lives should be protected because they are shorter?

She sat back and frowned. No.

Actually, he shouldve seen that coming.

Look, lets forget about me for the moment and talk about you. Youre a wizard, and wizards pretty much have three options. She flipped up a finger. An ascetic life of learning. A second finger. World domination. A third finger. Or supporting the greater good. Whats it going to be?

World domination.

All three fingers snapped down. Wrong answer.

Was it fair that she could go for so long without blinking? Finally, he looked away and sighed. Do I get a big red W on my chest?

Why would I know about your skin problems?

Just asking.

Her expression bordered on triumphant as she patted his arm and stood. You really shouldnt waste any time learning those runes. CB says you can stay here and use his office.

Me? Where are you going?

To get your laundry. Tone and expression together suggested that if he was all that stood between the world and demonic domination, the world was doomed.

Right. Laundry. He watched her walk to the door. Leah?

She paused, holding the door handle.

What if youre wrong? What if the next guy doesnt come here first? What if it goes after you?

She chewed the corner of her lower lip, looking a lot younger than someone whod seen her entire village slaughtered thirty-five hundred years ago. Then she tossed her hair back over her shoulder and smiled. It wasnt a particularly believable smile, not when one hand dropped to rest against the curve of her belly. Then I race back here and you get to be my hero again.

But if

Tony, relax, we drove right past that demon this morning and it still came here first. Since I seem to have another option, Im not going to spend the rest of the Demonic Convergence, however long it lasts, cowering behind you. Nor will I let this latest plan of Ryne Cyratanes control my life any more than I let his first plan control me. Youll deal with the demons; Ill get on with living.

And my life?

Do you have a life that doesnt involve your job? Her wave gathered in the studio beyond CBs office. And, hey, here you are.

The door closed behind her. Tony stared at it a moment longer. He felt like he should have argued harder. If Leah stayed at the studio, then the demons would head here guaranteed, and he had a feeling there werent many guarantees in demonology. But even on short acquaintance it was obvious that Leah was all about having things happen for her, her way. Itd likely become habit after the first couple of millenniaright about the time shed got out of the habit of relying on other people who inconveniently died just when they were needed.

Still, at least she wasnt cowering behind him. That was a good thing, right?

The four sketches hed made in the car were spread out on CBs blotter. His weight on the edge of the desk, Tony picked up the least complicated and stared at it for a long moment, his thumb leaving a vegetable-soup-colored print on the paper. He raised his other hand. He focused. He picked his spot. He drew the pattern.

Or not.

The blue lines sputtered and broke apart, tumbling out of the air like fireworks.

Tony braced himself and somehow managed to neither slide to the floor nor end up sprawling and drooling across CBs desk.

Afterimages floated across his vision. Blue sparks tumbling and falling. Tumbling and falling. Tumbling and

He swallowed hard, belched vegetable soup, and didnt throw up.

Go me, he muttered, staggering forward to stomp out a bit of smoldering carpet. Going actually sounded like a good idea. He needed food. Lots and lots of food.

Who the hell had moved CBs door so far from his desk?

Since Amyd never let him live down a little heavy breathing, he clutched at the door handle and tried to stop panting before he went out into the office. It was quiet. Too quiet. The hair lifted off the back of Tonys neck

 and settled down again as he realized that Amy wasnt at her desk. That always lowered the noise level. Shed probably sent Krista out to the soundstage to find someone and then, with the office PA still gone, had to deliver the next urgent message herself. Given the belt of red lights blinking across the bottom of her phone, shed been gone for a while.

Even though there seemed to be a perfectly mundane reason for the unnatural calm, Tony walked carefully out into the middle of the room, his heels barely touching the floor. Caution, yes, but also he had a suspicion that the wrong step would cause his head to fall off his shoulders. After the year hed had, rhetorical statements became frighteningly possible and he much preferred his head where it was.

He could hear voices raised in the bull pen as the writers bashed the last rough edges off the seasons final script. It didnt take much concentration to make out the actual words.

Because we need a little physical action here! Its a classic bit and it always gets laughs. We cant lose!

It sounded like Mason was going to get nailed in the nuts again. The writers never got tired of slipping physical humor into the script. So far, Peter and the other directors had managed to keep this particular piece of physical humor from actually happening to their temperamental star, mollifying the writers with guest stars and bit players curled around their crotches and moaning. The writers had some issues.

He could hear Rachel Chou, the office manager, talking quietly to someone in the small kitchen.

And just what, exactly, do you mean by that?

Masons voice boomed out of his small office on the other side of the main doors. Was he still with the press? And, if so, shouldnt he be back on set by now? Tony tried to remember Raymond Darks call sheet for the day and drew a blank.

He shuffled a couple of steps forward but still missed the reporters reply.

Mason, however, had done Bard on the Beach and knew how to project above the sound of flapping canvas and not so distant traffic crossing the Burrard Bridge. One hollow-core door was nothing to him. How dare you insinuate that about my fans!

Masons fans were predominantly middle-aged women with Web sites and frighteningly explicit imaginations. Less common were those who believed that vampires truly lurked in the darknessbeyond that, they couldnt seem to agree on the particulars. Tony was fairly certain hed never seen Henry actually lurk. Rarest of all were the fans who admired Masons acting.

My fans are the salt of the earth!

Who really talked like that? Tony wondered, moving closer still. Although, in all fairness, some of those Web sites had some pretty salty language, not to mention an interesting concept of male anatomy. Or at least of Masons anatomy. And, while he was hardly one to complain about hot man-on-man action, he was a little confused by all the Raymond Dark/James Taylor Grant stuff out there. Leaving the actors preferences out of it entirely, Raymond Dark was a tomcat with a new conquest every week and half a hundred tragic love affairs in his past. Even James Taylor Grant had buried one true love and staked another.

Leed dated the second actress for a while until a chance to star in a remake of Time Tunnel had drawn her to Toronto.

The door of Masons office flew open, snapping Tonys attention back to the matter at hand. He barely had enough time to look like he hadnt been eavesdropping when the star of Darkest Night made a dramatic exitor entrance, depending on point of viewannouncing, This interview is over!

Mr. Reed, you have to be aware that this show has been attracting an unhealthy amount of paranormal attention.

Tony knew that voice.

I dont have to be aware of anything, Mason snapped as Kevin Groves followed him out of the office. And I very much dislike what youre implying!

Which is?

Lip curled, Mason turned on his heel and headed for the exit. My assistant will deal with any further questions.

Groves blanchedwhich wasnt surprising given his last encounter with Jenniferand allowed Mason to leave unimpeded. Physically unimpeded. I will discover the truth, Mr. Reed!

Even from across the room, Tony could tell Mason was considering whether or not he should respond.

Please, not the Nicholson!

After a long moment, Mason snorted and walked out of the production office.

Tony released a breath he didnt remember holding, then looked up to see Kevin Groves heading his way.

We need to talk.

About to suggest a biological impossibility, Tony suddenly remembered just what exactly it was about the reporter hed wanted to pass on to Leah. Kevin Groves knew about the Demonic Convergence. Tony had to find out how much. Okay.

Groves opened his mouth and then closed it again, looking confused. Okay?

But not here. He had to work here and the last thing he needed was for someone to see them together. Where someone meant Amy. Hed never live it down, especially since his breathing was decidedly still on the heavy side. I need to eat. Well go across the road.

Still clearly taken aback, Groves shrugged. Sure.

So lets move! Before Amy got back. Tony led the way out to the street and almost didnt make it. Had that outside door always been so heavy? Groves reached past him, laid a surprisingly large hand against the glass, and shoved. Thanks.

Are you all right?

Im fine. If anyone saw them, he could just say he was doing a bit of follow-up damage control. It never hurt to know what Mason had told the press before the headlines made it onto CBs desk.

The green light barely lasted long enough for him to shuffle across Boundary.

Were not heading to the Dukes? Grove asked as Tony turned and walked past the damp and deserted patio.

Man, you really are an investigative reporter, arent you? You dont miss a thing.

I thought all you guys always went to the Dukes.

Thought wrong.

The Dukes was a gathering place for the various actors who made the Burnaby area their home, or at least their place of employmentactors, directors, producers, but seldom crew. Crew had their own place cut from the front of an old warehouse, three quarters of the building still used by one of the bigger studios for storage.

Okay, heres the deal. If he concentrated, he could talk without panting. You only talk to me, and you keep your voice down.

Or?

Or youll never know whats going on.

You dont look so good.

Who asked you?

Im just saying, Groves muttered as Tony led the way into the Window Shot, adding as they paused to allow their eyes to adjust to the gloom, Youd think thered be more windows.

Thats not what it means. He could feel Groves waiting for an explanation. Why not give him a freebie? Crews used to get paid daily. Theyd get what they were owed in cash from a payroll window after shooting ended, so the last shot of the day was called the window shot.

And now you come here after the last shot of the day for the first shot of the day.

Youre smarter than you look. Bigger, too, Tony realized as they made their way across the scuffed tile floor to the empty booths under the single window. Tony was five ten; Groves was a couple of inches taller and broader through the shoulders. Not much meat on him, though, and the cheap gray suit did a lot to hide what size he had as did the way he curled in on himself as though he expected to be hit. All things considered, not an unreasonable expectation.

The booth smelled like beer and fries and damp clothes, but Tony felt a lot more secure with the dark wood supporting him. If he craned his head just right, and the traffic on Boundary cooperated, he could see the main entrance to the studio parking lot through the streaked glass. Leah seemed pretty sure that nothing would happen for a while, but he felt better being able to keep an eye on things. Even a minimal eye.

Tony! The owner of the bar approached, drying her hands on a green apron. What can I get for you?

Large poutine and a glass of milk, please, Brenda. Milk was like food. Hed seen a PBS program about it.

Oh, yeah, thats healthy. And your friend.

Hes not my friend, Tony put in quickly before Groves could speak. Hes a reporter for the Western Star.

Ah. One steel-gray brow rose as she turned and gave the reporter the once over. That cover picture last week, the creature of the night? It looked like a raccoon in a Dumpster. You guys arent even trying.

Groves lip curled. I have nothing to do with the cover photos.

Yeah, I bet Id have a little trouble finding someone who admits they do. What do you want?

Coffees fine.

My coffees better than fine, she snorted and headed toward the kitchen.

Why did you tell her who I was like that? Lacing long fingers together, Groves braced his forearms on the table and leaned forward.

So shell watch what she says around you.

You think she knows things?

Tony shrugged and sucked air in through his teeth as the claw holes in his shoulder pulled with the motion.

What is it?

Pointless to lie about the obvious. Lies should be held against need when they could be camouflaged by bits of the truth. I hurt my shoulder.

Behind the glasses, dark eyes narrowed at the straight answer. How?

Tonys turn to snort. You were talking to Mason, how do you think?

I can say you were hurt in the attack?

Go ahead. Im a TAD He remembered pain in time to cut off the shrug.  no one will give a shit.

You saw this deranged fan?

Duh. You know its funny. You believe in all sorts of paranormal crap, yet you dont believe that one of Masons fans could go bugfuck.

Its not that I dont believe He paused and leaned closer still. Tony got a whiff of mint and wondered, since there seemed to be no gum chewing going on, if it was a default odor. Ive met some of Mason Reeds fans, he said, and its a short trip to bugfuck. But theres more going on.

More?

Why are we here?

I wanted some poutine, Tony told him as the food arrived.

Groves waited until they were alone again, until hed emptied three creamers into his coffee, and said, Why are we here together?

You said we needed to talk.

You agreed with me.

Youve been stalking us since August.

Because I know when Im being lied to.

About what?

Anything.

Like creatures of the night? Tony asked. His tone implied he couldnt believe they were talking about stuff no one in their right mind believed in.

Yes.

Tony nearly choked on his mouthful of fries and gravy and cheese curd. Youre serious?

Its a Groves stared into his coffee as though he could find the missing word. Finally, he raised his head and met Tonys eyes.  curse.

You know when youre being lied to?

I do.

He did. And more, he expected Tony to believe him.

What are you doing? he asked as Tony frowned at the scuffed wood beside his bowl.

Im trying to decide if beating my head against the table will be worth it.

Why?

Because like drew to like. The Demonic Convergence was in Vancouver because Leah was there and the gate was there and he was there andoh, yeahHenry was there. Since hed first met Henry, thered been ghosts and werewolves and walking mummies

It was like murders always happening around Jessica Fletcher. Who the hell would want to live in the same town as a little old lady who solved crimes?

Or never noticing a white van until you owned one and then they were all over the goddamned place.

There was a gate to another world in the studio where he worked.

The house they used for a location shoot just happened to be haunted.

When Darkest Night needed a stuntwoman, they hired an immortal Demongate.

It was like eight oclock on the WB.

And Kevin Groves, who knew when he was being lied to, was still waiting for an answer. Tony sighed. Im having one of those days. Absolutely not a lie. So let me guess He took a swallow of the milk.  you went to work for the tabs because theyre the only ones who dare to print the truth?

Thats right. After a long moment, Groves rolled his eyes. Now what?

Sorry. Tony blinked and started eating again. Just having an MiB moment. Youd like the regular papers to print the truth?

Who wouldnt?

Good point. Under your byline.

I dont do what I do for the good of my health, Mr. Foster. Im a journalist.

Or he wanted to be seen as one, which, for all intents and purposes, amounted to the same thing. So, are you saying Mason lied to you?

Mason Reed believes everything he says.

Thats not an answer.

Groves only shrugged and took a long drink of his coffee. Waiting.

He knows I have something to say or we wouldnt be here together.

He believes that I have metaphysical powers, that weird metaphysical shit is happening around the studio, and hes looking for proof.

Lets not be too impressed by him sharing his lie detecting ability since Im guessing he tells everyone. Of course he probably doesnt expect everyone to believe him.

Probably.

Yesterday, you said the words Demonic Convergence like you expected me to know what they meant. Why?

Groves smiled. Because I expected you to know what they meant.

Why?

Nope. You asked a question, now I ask a question. Thats how these things work.

Maybe it was. Almost able to feel the calories in the poutine winging off to various body parts, Tony pushed his empty bowl aside, laid his forearms on the table, and leaned forward, deliberately mirroring the reporters earlier position. Not this time, he said quietly. I ask the questions, you answer them, and if Im happy with the answers, maybe Ill tell you some of what you want to know.

Groves started at him for a long moment, then he sneered and stood. I dont have to

Yeah, you do. This is your only chance, Kevin. Screw it up and you spend the rest of your life on the outside looking in. Knowing things are happening but never being a part of it.

His lips drew back off coffee-stained teeth. Idiot. I want to expose it, not be a part of it.

Tony locked their gazes and refused to let the other man look away. Bullshit.

Everything okay here, gentlemen?

Fine, Brenda. I could use a coffee now if you wouldnt mind. And Mr. Groves could use a refill.

Hes not leaving?

No. He sat down, hands shoved under the edge of the table a little too late to hide the trembling. Im not leaving. Refill would be good. Please.

Tony sat back feeling powerful. Feeling like a wizard in control. Feeling like hed just kicked a puppy. A mangy, annoying, nippy puppy that no one liked but a puppy nevertheless. He shot what he hoped was a reassuring smile at Brenda who frowned at them both as she set a clean mug on the table and then filled it before refilling Kevins. She frowned once more, just at him, before she walked away.

You thought Id know about the Demonic Convergence because of what you believe I did last summer at that location shoot, right?

Witnesses said you spoke with the dead. Witnesses agree you

Yeah. Tony raised his hand. His right hand. No point in flashing the rune burned into his left at this point in the game. I dont need to know what you believe I did. Just answer the question.

Thats what I thought. Sullen but cooperating. Wanting desperately to be on the inside. With the cool kids.

How do you know about it?

I was researching you, what you might be involved in Black masses and deals with the devil were strongly implied by his tone.  and I found an old book in a used bookstore. It was written in German. I could read just enough to recognize that it was about talking to the dead, so I bought it figuring I could get it translated. The sullen started falling away. Tony had a feeling that being taken seriously was a new and exciting sensation for Kevin Groves. There was a piece of folded paper in it except it wasnt paper. It was vellum. You know what that is?

I have no idea.

Its a piece of calf hide tanned really fine for writing on. Point is, its old. Really old. On the vellum was a chart drawn up by some astrologer. He wrote that the powers would align to create a Demonic Convergence and the walls between the world and hell would thin. I took his calculations to the astrologer at the paper and she worked out the dates.

Is she the real thing?

Groves snorted. Not hardly. Shes got a Ph.D. in math, but she hates teaching.

Damn. Tony scrapped his idea of a metaphysical Justice League.

Its happening now, isnt it? The Demonic Convergence?

Why not? Hed already done the math. Or had the math done for him. Mouth open to admit that yes, the Demonic Convergence was in fact happening now, Tony got distracted by the sight of his own car driving by and turning into the studio lot. Then he realized that if Leah had gone back to her place for his laundry, of course she had to take his car.

Then he noticed that there was a spot by the entrance to the parking lot where the rain wasnt quite falling.



Chapter Seven

  


WHAT THE HELL IS UP with you?

Tony ignored Kevin Groves yelling behind him, concentrating on getting through the traffic on Boundary without being killed. Wizardry wouldnt keep him from dying under the oversized wheels of some guys SUVor under the wheels of one of the new hybrids for that matter. He might be more environmentally dead, but hed be just as dead. Horns blared, tires skidded sideways on the wet pavement, creative profanity blasted out of half a dozen open windows, but he made it to the other side alive. From the continuing sound of horns, tires, and profanity, Kevin was right behind him.

Great.

In about thirty seconds, deciding how much to tell him would no longer be a problem.

Tony could see the headlines now: IMMORTAL STUNT-WOMAN SLAUGHTERED IN BURNABY; DEMONGATE OPENS AND THE WORLD ENDS! Bright sidehed be dead and someone else would be cleaning up the mess.

He could see his car at the far end of the lot and thought he could see Leah twisted around, rummaging in the back seat. Then the drivers side door opened and an enormous white-and-red umbrella emerged, tipped down to keep the rain from blowing up under the outer edge. Unfortunately, tipped down, it was also keeping Leah from spotting the anomaly moving across the parking lot toward her.

Lifting his left hand, Tony called the umbrella. The demon appeared as nylon and wire and wood passed through the same space it was occupying, and Leah, mouth open to demand answers, had just enough time to fling herself back inside the car as claws struck sparks off the closing door. For a heartbeat the car filled with a translucent, naked, and very pissed-off Demonlord, then it was only Leah.

Yeah, well, Id be pissed, too, if my way back into the world kept ducking at the last minute.

Thats a

No shit. Tony thrust Leahs umbrella into Kevins arms. You might want to get behind something solid.

I dont

Or not. Just stay out of my way.

Fortunately, the demon was intent on peeling his quarry out of her strange new shell. Where fortunately didnt refer to the damage being done to his car. As he started focusing energy, Tony realized hed pretty much run out of options. Another Powershot would use all the energy hed regained and then somethe and then some was the worrying bit. Hed done a little gaming in his day and he knew what happened when stats fell into negative numbers. Leahs runes were his best chance. He was pretty sure he could remember the first one and then, with any luck, the others would fall into line behind it.

Except he couldnt quite remember the first rune.

Curves here. Crosses back. And theres sort of a circle thing

Crap!

The demon shot him a disdainful sneer over one shouldergiven the excessive teeth and the glowing yellow eyes, it was a pretty damned effective sneerand then slammed its palm down on the window. The window cracked.

He could hear Leah screaming.

Fuck!

No time to get this wrong!

He wiped out half the glowing symbol, realized it now looked sort of like the word go

Palm against glass. A louder crack. More screaming.

 and went with plan B. The rune on his left hand grabbed ghosts. Ghosts were energy left over when flesh rotted. Therefore, the rune should allow him to grab this energy.

Grab it and throw it.

The glowing blue go hit the demon between the shoulder blades and sucked into the scaled skin with a disconcerting sizzle.

The demon spun around

H

 shifted its weight onto two different legs

0

 and charged.

M

Tony didnt have to keep throwing the letters. The demon charged through them, no longer sneering, clearly intent on ripping apart this puny mortal who dared to interfere.

Puny mortal? Where the hell had that come from?

Sizzle.

Sizzle.

Sizzle.

Too close!

The world had not gone into slow motion. Too bad because he could have used a bit more time. Eyes locked on the charging demon, his breath coming fast and shallow; he was only going to get one chance. Panic lending speed, more focused than hed ever been in his life, he scrawled the last letter in the air.

E

Not so much a sizzle as a ZAP. Like the worlds biggest bug hitting the worlds biggest bug zapper.

The impact threw Tony backward as the demon flared a brilliant lime green and disappeared, leaving nothing behind him but a piece of smoking pavement and the smell of charred fish. It was over before his ass hit the parking lot; a large, deep puddle absorbing most of the impact.

What was that all about?

He could feel power racing over his skin as he peered up through the afterimages at Leah. Youre welcome.

It was kind of hard to see what you were doing Her voice grew shriller with every word.  but those werent the right runes!

They worked.

They shouldnt have!

Tony would have shrugged, but his shoulder hurt way too much and, from the line of warmth dribbling down his chest, he had a feeling the bandage had come loose. He should have felt like crap, but he didnt. He felt invincible. It was like the way he knew where things were when he reached for them except more. He knew where the whole world was. He knew where he was in the world. No. More still. He was the world. Just him, no backup singers.

It was the most incredible feeling. There was nothing he couldnt do, and no one could stop him. Without really thinking about what he was doing, he healed the puncture wounds in his shoulder.

And was amazed by the new and exciting levels of pain.

SonofafuckingBITCH!

Then world was a big ball of rock again, and his place in it involved a puddle and a parking lot.

Tony! Leah was right in his face. What did you do to the demon?

I told it to go home.

Her mouth opened and closed a couple of times. She took a step away. Go home?

Yeah. Even on the lower mainland, October rain was cold. As the water soaked through the cheap polyester, his balls tried to climb up and sit on his lap. You said it yourself, the demons dont belong here. I sent it back where it belonged.

Its not that easy!

It is if I want it to be. Teeth clenched, he checked to make sure his arm still worked, then he got to his feet. This is my world, not his. No need to define the pronoun. He may need to slaughter whole villages and draw complicated esoteric symbols, I dont. Rain ran under his collar and down his back. Intent is nine tenths of the law.

No, it isnt!

It is, he repeated slowly and deliberately, if I want it to be. He could feel the world waiting for him. What was it Leah had said earlier? He was the round peg in the round hole and, here and now, it was a perfect fit.

She shook her head, rain flinging from the ends of dripping curls. It isnt

Is.

No.

Hes telling the truth.

Who the hell are you? Leah snarled as Kevin Groves and her umbrella emerged from behind a parked van and joined them.

Tony smiled. This might be fun. Leah Burnett, Kevin Groves. Kevin is a reporter for the Western Star.

The press? You brought in the press? She grabbed a double handful of white and red and yanked the umbrella out of the reporters hands. This is mine! Why does he have it?

So my hands were free and I could save your ass. Again.

Save my ass? Her eyes widened and her posture changed subtly, her focus shifting from him to Kevin. From a special effect? Dont be silly.

It wasnt a a special effect. Kevin scrubbed his palms against his suit. Kind of pointless given that the suit was soaking wet, but Tony had to admire the fact that he was still thinking for himself. No other straight boy had managed as much when Leah turned it on.

Of course it was. She moved a little closer. Tony amused himself by watching Kevins Adams apple bob up and down as he reacted to Leahs proximity. What else could it have been?

D demon.

Speaking of demons, Leahs Demonlord seemed more present than usual. He noticed Kevin, frowned, and dismissed himalthough Tony wasnt sure how he knew that since Ryne Cyratane hadnt actually focused on anything in this world. There was just something in the way he stared through the space Kevin was occupying that said, I know you and you mean nothing. Then the antlered head went up and his nostrils flared as he searched for

Me.

Hes searching for the power that sent his demon home.

But the Demonlordsattention?slid right past him.

Like Im not even here

And he wasnt, Tony realized suddenly, not according to the Leah-filter Ryne Cyratane experienced the world through. He wasnt reacting to Leahs Im an enormous metaphysical slut performance, so to the Demonlord he didnt exist. Except that he obviously did since there was a demon back home blubbering about the big mean wizard whod kicked demon butt. The Demonlord had come looking for the wizard but wasnt finding him.

Two possibilities.

Straight woman. Gay man. In the far end of both options where there was no attraction at all to what Leah was offering.

A kind of strangled moan jerked his attention back to the here and now. Offer accepted; lip lock commencing.

For crying out loud, get a room, you two! Rolling his eyes at such blatant and public heterosexuality, Tony took four steps back and yanked open the side door of the van Kevin had been hiding behind. Peter never locked it. He was hoping some lowlife would jack it so that he could replace it with wheels a little less suburban.

It wouldnt be comfortable, but it would be private. Privater. More private?

Leah, in spite of being quite clearly in the midst of giving a fairly thorough tonsillectomy with her tongue, acknowledged the open door, gave Kevin a shove, steered him through half a dozen stumbling steps, pushed him into the van, climbed in after him, and pulled the door closed.

Lets hear it for centuries of practice.

Kevin yelped once, the muffled sound verging on desperate.

All that adrenaline had to go somewhere, Tony figured, walking away. Leah probably just wanted to forget shed been attacked by yet another demon and, more importantly, she wanted Kevin to forget the demon entirely. It was a more physical solution than Arras memory erase spell, but both parties involved had to be enjoying it more.

He hadnt even reached the back door of the soundstage when a shout stopped him in his tracks and he turned to see Leah emerging, adjusting her clothes.

That was fast, he observed when she joined him. Not that hed been moving particularly quickly or anything since every step sent reminders of extraordinary pain up from his feet to his skull, but still

Tell me about it. But she looked happier. Grounded. The familiarity of sex erasing the terror evoked by the possibility of death and dismemberment.

Jesus, thats profound.

He still knows what happened, he said, nodding past her to Kevin who was hoisting his backpack up over one shoulder and looking a little happier himself.

Leah glanced over her shoulder and looked smug. He knows what I told him.

And you told him it was special effects. Tony waited until Kevin had crossed the parking lot, anticipating what was about to happen with a certain amount of petty glee. So, Kevin, what did you think about those special effects? Not Leahs special effects, he clarified hurriedly, before that, in the parking lot.

The reporter shrugged and, at Tonys gesture, blushed and zipped up. It was a demon.

Tony leaned against the building where he was out of the rain and less likely to fall over. He has a power, he explained before the astounded immortal Demongate found her voice. He knows the truth.

Leah frowned at him. Seriously?

Yeah.

Turned and frowned at Kevin. Seriously?

Yes.

Back to Tony; still frowning. So, what? You got yourself a sidekick?

Wizardman and Reporterboy!

That was wrong on so many levels.

The glee evaporated as he looked up and realized the shooting light was on and they were stuck outside. Only a few meters to the back door and warmth and coffee and it might as well be in Alberta. No, he told her flatly, I got myself someone who may know how long the Demonic Convergence is going to last.

Wait a minute, the Western Star. Leahs fingers closed around Kevins wrist and she hauled him around to face her. You know someones lying and you still print crap like I was impregnated by a Sasquatch?

He chewed on a corner of his lower lip. Who says that was a lie?

And youre going to report on all this?

I dont More chewing. Tony thought he seemed torn. He was inside the story now, hed had a look at what Tony could do, and had to believe Tonys threat about stuffing him back outside with his nose pressed against the glass. But demons, actual demons and wizards, that was a byline on the front page. I mean, if someone noticed

No one noticed, Tony assured him. And if anyone did, theyll think it was a special effect. Even without Leahs reinforcement.

Kevin stared at him like he had oatmeal coming out his ears. Theyd think a charging demon disappearing in a flash of lime-green light was a special effect?

You should see what the guys at Bridge get up to in their parking lot, Tony snorted as he pushed off the wall. The demon had obviously rattled him more than hed thought. The craft services truck was parked no more than three meters from the back doorhe didnt have to go inside for sustenance, he could go to the source. He paused on the metal stairs that led into the back of the truck and glanced down at the other two who were watching him like he might do something interesting. Like blow something up. Or fall over. Or fall over while blowing something up.

You guys want a coffee?

Are you sure you should be touching stimulants? Leah asked.

Yes.

Okay, then. Double cream, no sugar.

Kevin?

Im good.

Tony didnt quite hear what Leah muttered as he went inside and he was just as happy not to given that, when he came out holding the two coffees with a muffin in his pocket, Kevin was still blushing.

All right, he said, pushing back in under the scant overhang. When we go in, you guys go straight through to CBs office. Leah, tell him what happened. Kevin. He held up a hand for emphasis. Dont talk to anyone in the soundsta What?

Kevin pointed to the rune on his palm with a shaking finger. The demon had one of those. I saw it when it was charging at you!

Like this one? Tony demanded, turning his hand so he could see the rune.

How should I know?

Right. Sorry. He pointed the rune at Kevin again, who ducked. Relax, its for making energies solid enough to hold.

Yeah, well, she has them, too. All over her um her

Stomach? Jesus, Kevin, you just had sex with her in the back of a van. You ought to be able to name body parts.

I dont do that. The reporter looked seriously freaked, like reality had finally caught up and smacked him on the back of the head. I dont have sex with women I dont know. My God! We didnt use protection! Do you know what the STD statistics are in this city? I could have caught somethi OW!

You were hysterical, Leah explained, picking her coffee up again.

He rubbed his cheek. I was not! I was reacting in a perfectly A cult!

Tony blinked at him over the edge of his cup. A what?

You belong to a cult! You and her, and thats why youve got those things and thats why the demon did, too. Youre both mixed up in something thats out of your control!

Its not a cult. Tony waited for Kevin to realize the truth of that and carefully said nothing about things being out of his control. Although, technically, theyd never been in his control. The Demonic Convergence brought us together, and now, with or without your help, we have to save the world.

Kevin straightened, grabbing his backpack just before it hit the ground. You dont scare me.

He should, Leah snorted. He doesnt know what hes doing. Making it up as he goes along. Wild cannon. Could go off at any moment. And speaking of going off at any moment

Dont, Tony told her. This was not the time to hit back at the reporter for that STD comment. To his surprise, she didnt. Was this the rune on the demons hand? he asked Kevin again.

He shook his head. No. It was more squiggy. And fresher.

Fresher?

Not a scar, a wound. And not burned, cut.

Tony finished his coffee and started on his muffin while staring down at his palm. If the demons were coming from Ryne Cyratane, why would he be marking them? Hes marking them so they can hurt you, he said at last. Slipping them between the runes in the existing spell.

Yeah. Leah brushed crumbs off her sleeve. I got that. She grabbed a double handful of the track top and the shirt under it and pulled them up. Her track pants were riding low on her hips and most of the tattoo was exposed. Did it look like one of these?

Kevin stared. And blinked a couple of times, overcome by memory. I uh I thats not I dont

Would you concentrate!

No?

No you wont concentrate, or no it wasnt one of these runes?

Forget that for now, Tony sighed as the red light over the door finally went out. What had they been shooting in there? Raymond Dark meets The Fellowship of the Ring? Show him again in CBs office when youve got a chaperone. Right now, lets move before were stuck out here for The Two Towers.

What?

Just move.

He got them most of the way across the soundstage before anyone noticed, and by then they were close enough to the other exit that he gave them a shove and turned to face the approaching first assistant director.

Was that who I think it was? Adam demanded as Tony moved to block his line of sight.

The stuntwoman we used the other night? Yeah. That was her.

Not her. The guy. That was that reporter thats been hanging around. Graves.

Groves.

Right.

Mason called him in to brag about the deranged fan. As the star of the show, Mason was pretty much untouchable. Made him handy to blame things on. I saw him hanging around out back and had Leah take him in to see CB.

Adam had no special lie detecting powers, but he was responsible for seeing that actors and crew managed to get their collective shit together long enough to produce a weekly show. He didnt need to know the truth as much as he needed to know what would get the job done. Mason needs his goddamned ego examined. Why is the stuntie hanging around?

Shes with me.

Dark brows rose. Adam had been on the haunted location shoot and on the soundstage when the demon attackedeven if he hadnt been part of the battle or its aftermath. He knew things. Maybe not specifics but definitely things.

Arms folded across a barrel chest, he frowned at Tony for a long moment, but all he said was, Good enough. Then his eyes unfocused.

Recognizing the expression, Tony reached for the volume on his radio, remembered he wasnt wearing one, and waited, growing increasingly twitchy. It was one thing to be momentarily aware of his place in the universe and another entirely to be on the soundstage unplugged. He hated not knowing what was happening.

Its the same goddamned coffin lining weve used since the beginning, Sorge, Adam barked into his microphone. Why is it making Mason look ruddy now? No, I dont know. Hey! Dont be calling me names in French; you want to call me names, you do it in English. Or Greek. Fine. Ill be right there. He pivoted on one heel, paused, and turned back. Get your ass back to work as soon as humanly possible.

Ill do what I can.

The set under the gate had been cleaned. The broken wall had been cleared away and, from the rhythmic spit of nail guns in the distance, was being repaired. The painted plywood floor had been swept. Tony dropped to one knee and dragged a damp fingertip over the floor where the demons ashes had been. Nothing.

Crap.

You look disappointed.

He looked up. Lee wore a pale khaki golf shirt tucked into darker khaki Dockers under a black leather jacket, over black ankle boots. James Taylor Grant was supposed to look preppie-tough; today, theyd gotten it right. Other days well, no one looked tough in tennis whites. Except maybe Serena Williams. I wanted to look at the ash. No need to lie to Lee; he knew as much as any of them. Besides, there were enough lies between them already. And cue the worlds smallest violin

The demon ash? Why?

I dont know. I guess I thought maybe it could tell me something.

Because youre working for CSI: Second Circle of Hell?

Tony snickered and stood. You want to bet they pitched that?

No bet. Tony, you Lee frowned, his gaze tracking up from the damp spot Tonys knee had left on the floor. Youre wet.

Yeah. Reaching back, he yanked the cheap polyester pants away from his body. Im just glad Im not wearing underwear.

Green eyes gleamed.

Had he said that out loud? Crap again. Sorry. TMI.

A little. Maybe. The actor shifted his weight as Tony wondered what he meant by maybe. So, uh, your friend is attractive.

My friend? He ran over the friends he had that Lee knew. Jack? For the last fucking time, man, hes straight.

I meant Leah. The asshole was silent but understood.

Oh. Right. Duh. Attractive to Lee.

Shes got a certain I mean, you cant help but react to her.

That almost sounded like an apology. Tony rubbed his temples and tried to figure out what Lee was apologizing for. Demons were fairly straightforward compared to most conversations he and Lee had these days.

And I saw you with Kevin Groves.

Half a smile. Hes straight, too.

Half a smile back. You sure?

Well, hes never had his tongue down my throat.

Unlike you.

The actors expression suggested the subtext came through a bit louder than Tony intended.

I didnt mean Look, I wasnt

Its okay. Its not like I thought you were hitting on me or something. Lee tried to make it a joke, but neither tone nor grin matched the way he shoved his hands in his pockets looking suddenly young and unsure.

Which was weird because Lee wasnt young, he wasTony frowned as he did the math, Lees birth date being all over the Internet. Only a year older? It was just he was always so self-assured and Tony always seemed to be scrambling to survive that the gap seemed a lot larger most of the time.

Not this time.

In fact, there wasnt much of a gap at all.

Between them.

No gap.

Which one of them had moved? Tony didnt remember moving.

Jesus, Tony. Youre bleeding again.

I was. He could feel the heat of Lees fingers through the shirt. It stopped.

Hey!

Lee jumped back, his ears crimson. It was the most awkward movement Tony had ever seen him make.

Adam scowled at them both from the edge of the set. You, he said, pointing at Raymond Darks mortal sidekick, are needed, and you His finger moved to Tony. Peter wants to know if youll ever be doing any actual work again any day soon.

I have to talk to CB.

Whatever. By the coffin, Lee.

Yeah, Ill be right there. When Adam was gone, he said, Someday, youre going to tell me whats going on, right?

You know

I meant all of it. Details.

What, you didnt like Leahs explanation? Kind of looked like you did.

Long pause. Probably not as long as it seemed. Time slows when you have both feet in your mouth.

Just let me know if I can help, okay?

Been there. Done that. Got the T-shirt. And since Tony knew from sad experience how the conversation would go if he said no, he decided to take the path of not having yet another argument with Lee. Sure, he lied.

Lee looked surprised. With the He gestured at the floor. You know.

Yeah.

Wizardman and Actorboy.

Nope. Not going there either.






Tony! Why is Kevin Groves in CBs office?

Tony glanced down at the hand holding his arm. Specifically at the large black spider that covered the back of it. New tat?

Dont be ridiculous, Amy sneered. A new tat would still be all red and puffy and gross. Now, answer the question; has CB agreed to give that creep an interview?

No.

Her grip tightened. Stop being coy.

He Kevin saw something, in the parking lot.

Brown eyes rolled between the double fringe of thickly mascaraed lashes. Saw what?

Tony jerked his head toward the door to the bull pen, currently open a suspicious six inches. The walls have ears.

Yeah? Well, they also have the coffeemaker from the office kitchen. Amys voice rose to dont fuck with me levels. So unless they want me to take it back

The door slammed closed with near panicked speed.

Start talking, she continued, before my phone Her phone rang. Bugger. Talk fast.

Amy Shed filed points onto her fingernails and those points were now dimpling the sleeve of his borrowed shirt. Considering how much his amazing new healing ability hurt, it didnt seem smart to just jerk his arm free.

Faster than that.

Talking seemed to be his only route to freedom. Groves saw me vanquish a demon in our parking lot. I thought CBd be the best guy to deal with it.

Vanquish?

Amy! Rachel Chou stuck her head out of the finance office. Are you going to get that?

Not really a question.

She let go of Tony and snatched up the phone. CB Productions! Our mailing address? Okay, but Im warning you right now that we use unsolicited scripts in the porta John on location shoots. Yeah, exactly for what you think. Hello? Ha! The receiver went back into the cradle with a triumphant clatter. Tony!

Hed have been safely inside CBs office if he hadnt stopped to knock. Knocking seemed like a good idea given that Leah was behind closed doors with two men. Although the thought of CB and Kevin Groves as two parts of a threesome made him want to scrub his brain out with bleach. Since no one had commanded/invited him in, he turned to see Amy standing by her desk, hands on her hips. Even the PowerPuff Girls on her T-shirt looked annoyed.

Vanquish? she repeated, pointedly.

I sent it home.

Leahs way or BOOM! SIZZLE! ASH! Her hands flicked open on each of the last three words.

Sort of Leahs way. He shrugged. Sort of not.

Can it come back?

Its not dead, so I guess it can. Just in time he remembered Amy knew the Readers Digest version and stopped himself from saying, Itll come back if Ryne Cyratane sends it back.

I want to help.

Thanks to Lee, he knew how to cut this off. Sure.

Dont bullshit me, she snorted. I mean it.

I know. Tony tried to sound like hed meant it, too, even though they both knew he hadnt.

Her eyes narrowed. Well?

Odds were good she wasnt going to take Ill get back to you on that for an answer. What did it mean that he could lie to Lee but not to Amy? Was it some sort of weird psychological thing or was it just because Amy was scarier? A memory poked at him. Jack had shot the red demon, at least twice. Bullets can hurt them. Can you find us a gun?

Are you insane?

A good question and one hed been considering himself lately. Just for backup. In case I fall over again.

Are you likely to? she demanded as the door opened behind him.

Odds were good. Whatever hed done in the parking lot had healed his physical injuries but had left him feeling weirdly fragile. Not tired, exactly. He reached out with his round peg, looking for the round hole in the universe

Tony?

Okay. Definitely way past time to ditch that analogy.

Tony!

Leah this time, not Amy. She grabbed his arm, dragged him into the office, and closed the door while he tried to decide if she looked any more disheveled than she had. He decided she didnt but only because the alternative was too disturbing.

Kevin was sitting on CBs couch poking unhappily at his handheld. I cant get an uplink.

I told you, CB growled from behind his desk as the reporter set the PDA on top of his open backpack. Were in a dead zone.

Your phone wont work either. Tony crossed the room and dropped onto the other end of the couch. His trousers squished, and he realized a little too late he should have stayed standing. But since there was already a damp imprint of his ass on the cushion, he remained where he was.

You seem confident, Mr. Foster.

Phones havent worked since Wait. Not confident about the phone thing?

No.

Confident. As in filled with confidence. Hey, why not? Hed just sent a demon home by force of will alone. His will. His will alone. He had been the world. He had the power! Although it might be best to play that down a bit in front of the boss. He shrugged.

Ow! The lines of blood on the shirt had dried, sticking the fabric to his skin. Specifically to his right nipple. Shrugging had ripped it free.

Im pleased to see that this new confidence hasnt changed you, CB growled as Tony clutched at his chest.

Weirdly, in spite of the sarcasm, CB actually did seem pleased. What had he expected? What had Leah told him?

Tony repeated the latter question out loud as Leah perched on the far edge of CBs desk.

Ms. Burnett told me what happened in the parking lot. That you returned a demon to its hell without using the proper runes. That wizards who feel they can ignore the rules are dangerous.

I saved her ass. It seemed so obvious and yet he kept having to bring it up.

She doesnt dispute that, Mr. Foster, but she considers it a matter of luck that youve injured no one but yourself to this point.

Tony frowned at Leah who was looking smug. Not overtly, but it was there. She doesnt like that she cant control me.

To Tonys surprise, CB smiled. No, I dont imagine that she does.

Thats not Leah began, but CB raised a hand.

Mr. Foster, he said, has always been able to see what is in front of him. Its a rare skill. Mr. Groves

Kevin jumped.

 has identified the rune cut into the demons hand as this. The sheet of paper he lifted held a new swoop and squiggle. It is on the third circle of Ms. Burnetts interesting tattoo

Interesting? That was a bit of an understatement. Tony glanced at Kevin who was blushing again. Hed have heard a lie even with his ears that interesting color of puce, so if Leah hadnt told them what the tattoo actually was, what had she told them?

 and it seems to indicate, CB continued, that she was its primary target.

Why? Tony prodded.

Because its on my tattoo, Leah told him, smiling. Ryne Cyratane flickered behind her.

Rune-to-rune attraction was apparently true enough for Kevins gift and banal enough to give nothing away. Looked like Leah still hadnt given up her backstory, using her demonically-fueled sex appeal to keep CB and Kevin Groves from asking inconvenient questions. It seemed only vampires and Demongates got to have secret identities while wizards were left flapping in the breeze. Tony frowned at the rune. Did the demon in the soundstage have one?

There was something, CB acknowledged. But it moved too fast for me to get a good look at it.

I knew it wasnt a fan, Kevin muttered.

Actually, Mr. Groves, there is nothing that says the demon isnt also a fan.

The reporter snorted. You think they watch syndicated TV in hell? Never mind, he continued before anyone could answer. I withdraw the question.

Mr. Groves was attempting to access the electronic copy of the page he found. CB set the rune to one side and laced his fingers together. His astrologer friend was only able to work out the time of the Demonic Convergence in a general way, so I suggest he retrieve the original and bring it here for our demonic consultant to study it. Perhaps, with her experience, shell have more luck. The look he shot Leah said he figured she could do anything she put her pretty little head to.

Eww. Tony felt slightly sick.

The look Leah shot CB in turn sat just to one side of Are you nuts? Youre going to let him walk out of here?

Why not?

With this story?

Your story is safe with me, Kevin told her.

Tony snorted. The ringing tones and the hand over the heart detracted somewhat from the believability. Seemed that twenty minutes or so removed from the demon, being inside the story was no longer enough to suppress old habits. Safe doesnt mean out of the paper, does it?

Kevins betrayed expression was slightly less believable than his sincere expression. After a few moments of reorganizing his face, he ended up in the general vicinity of resigned. Okay, fine. But were a weekly. Ive got until next Tuesday at 3:00 to file, so youve got until then to change my mind, right?

Yeah, that sounds fair except that youve been digitally recording on that handheld, so youve got blackmail material if nothing else.

Kevin!

As Leahs shocked exclamationheavy on the second syllablecaught his attention, Tony grabbed the PDA from the backpack. When Kevin lunged for it, Tony held up his left hand. We cant trust you.

Back in the corner of the couch, as far as he could get from Tonys hand and still be on the couch, Kevin glared over the barrier of his backpack. Im a journalist!

Essentially. Still working the rune, Tony stared down at the screen and double-tapped the record icon with his right thumb. If hed got the uplink, hed probably have shot the sound file back to his office.

No, I The weight of disbelief cut him off. Yes. Fine. I would have. But you dont understand. He lowered the backpack onto his lap and fiddled with a strap. This is a complete validation of my entire life. Demons and wizards and sex!

Sex? CB asked. One eyebrow rose.

Tony suppressed a shudder. Dont ask. Sounded like CBs virtue was intact at least. Back to Kevin. So youve been validated, big whoop; youve still got questions. You want to know why the demons are attacking Leah. You want to know where they come from. Tony took a moment to study the rune on his palm, then he grinned at the reporter. You want to know how I sent something capable of smashing its way into a car out of this world using only the finger of my right hand. Hell, thats not even my good hand. He waved his left, feeling power ripple with the movement. Not even my wizard hand. Youve got to be wondering exactly what Im capable of.

Not exactly a threat.

Are you threatening me?

Okay, maybe it was.

I dont even know you guys, he continued. Why should I do what you want?

Because were trying to save the world here, Kevin.

By suppressing the truth?

If thats what it takes.

And what kind of a world will that give us?

One not strewn with dismembered bodies, you shortsighted jackass.

You want that page I found. His chin lifted. I think Ive got bargaining power.

Yeah? I think youve got

Mr. Foster.

Tony sighed. At this rate the Demonic Convergence would be over before the conversation. Heres a thought: you let us look at that page, you dont talk about this to anyone, and I dont erase your memory.

No one is erasing anyones memory! CBs protest added a certain verisimilitude to the bluff.

Tossing her hair back over her shoulders, Leah crossed to kneel gracefully by Kevins feet. Reaching out, she took both his handsand his backpack strapsin hers. No sign of Ryne Cyratane and no sign CB was reacting.

Shes playing the long shot. Appealing to Kevins better nature. Given what he did for a living, wondering if he even had one seemed redundant.

Kevin, please. Work with us. Dont just report the truth, become a part of it. Make a stand against the darkness you know exists. Be one of the heroes.

He rolled his eyes. Heroes die young.

Yeah. Redundant.

Mr. Groves, if you dont want to help, we cannot will not force you. CB sat back in his chair and laced his fingers together. Mr. Foster, return his equipment and show him out.

Just like that? Ragged unison from everyone in the room who wasnt Chester Bane.

Yes.

Kevin pulled free of Leahs hands and stood. Youre just going to let me go and tell the world what Ive seen?

Mr. Groves, I have spent my entire career ignoring what the tabloids print about me. I think I can manage to ignore this as well.

You dont think anyone will believe me.

Have they ever? As the reporter sputtered, Tony caught Leahs eye and shook his head. Kevin could spot a lie and, so far, he hadnt accused the boss of lying. She closed her mouth as CB sighed. People have no interest in the truth, Mr. Groves. Theyll enjoy the story while its being told and forget it the instant the next story comes along. Its why television is so successful.

Reality TV

Isnt. Now, if you dont mind, in spite of delays Somehow he made the delays seem like they were Tonys fault.  I have a show to produce.

No. You need the page I found!

I expect well continue to manage without it.

It could have important information!

Mr. Foster, tell Ms. Chou to arrange to have my couch cleaned. Ms. Burnett He frowned at her. If you intend to continue hanging about my studio, find something to do.

Kevin didnt quite stamp his foot. You need the information I have!

And you havent convinced me of that. Good afternoon, Mr. Groves.

Then I will convince you!

Fine.

Ill prove it to you!

Very well.

Ill be back with that page. It has important information!

I look forward to you proving it to me. You will, however, have some difficulty returning if you dont actually leave. The final word carried enough volume to lift Tony and Leah to their feet as well and move all three of them across the office and out the door.

Kevin pointed a finger at the two of them. Dont go anywhere. Then he turned and ran for the street.

Dont let the door hit you on the way out, asshat! One hand covering the phone, Amy flipped him off with the other.

Thank you for holding, Father Thomas; we really need to use that graveyard

Leah smoothed down her clothes; not because they needed it, more because she needed something to do with her hands. Your boss is an impressive man.

Yeah. Tony carefully detached the rest of the shirt from his chest. All his ex-wives think so.

I meant hes a manipulative s.o.b.

Theyll probably agree with that, too.

Amy hung up and grinned at them as they drew even with her desk. I got you the g u n.

I can spell, Leah sighed.

Im not spelling it out for you. She jerked her head toward the bull pen. I dont want that lot to get excited. Its never pretty. Anyway, the guys bringing it over later.

Tonight? Tony asked incredulously.

This very.

That was fast.

Im the best.

Youre kind of scary.

Just part of my charm. Head cocked, she examined him through narrowed eyes. So what are you going to do now?

I dont know what shes going to do, he nodded at Leah as he pulled polyester away from his body. He might have the whole world in his hand, but he also had wet fabric in the crack of his ass. But Im going to talk to Rachel and then Im going to get my laundry out of my car and change my pants.



Chapter Eight

  


ALL RIGHT, THAT ONE 0works for me. Peter tossed his headphones onto his chair and walked out into Raymond Darks office, one fist pressed against the small of his back to knuckle out the stiffness of a fourteen-hour day. Mason, you happy with it?

Im happy with anything that lets me get rid of these damned teeth, Mason muttered around the fingers shoved into his mouth. I bit my lip again.

Bad?

Nothing thatll show on camera, thanks for the sympathy.

Youre welcome. Lee?

Lee, sprawled on the red velvet sofa, waved a weary hand. It was art. Emmys all around. Are we done?

Were done. Thats it, people Peter raised his voice as he turned to face the crew.  good work, thanks for staying late, and make sure you have tomorrows sides before you leave.

That wasnt it, of course, but with the last shot in the can the mood lifted as everyone found enough energy to get them through wrap-up and out the door. With no demons currently ripping either place or people apart, Tony did what he always did. He made sure the radios were back where they belonged, put the batteries in the charger, ran an errand for Peter, helped Tina close the trunk she locked her computer gear into, had a short meeting with Adam about an error in the advance schedulewhere meeting would be defined as Adam pointing it out and telling him to see that it got fixedand then he was done and the rest of the crew were heading for cars and home and the soundstage was empty.

Nearly empty.

Leah was somewhere around.

And Lee was standing just inside the door, watching him, his face expressionless enough that it was kind of creepy.

What? Tony demanded. Hed stopped just a little too close, almost inside the other mans personal space, but if he backed up now, hed look like a dork.

Youre staying in case another demon shows up.

That was the plan.

Its not a great plan.

Yeah? So far its wizard three, demons big fat zeronada, zilch, and three asses kicked. I think its a workable plan.

Workable, Lee snorted, rolling his eyes. Expressions were catching up to himconcern, disdain, and exasperation chased themselves across his face. Youre just going to live in the soundstage until this Demonic Convergence is over?

It wont last forever.

You dont know that.

Shrugging, Tony tried to look like a wizard on top of things. When it happened before, it ended. Precedent suggests itll end this time.

Precedent suggests? Precedent? A twisted smile appeared to punctuate the silent but obvious give me a fucking break. What? Youve been watching Court TV?

Tony chose to answer the actual question. Nah, CITYS had Ironside running Mondays at midnight. Raymond Burr, he added at Lees blank stare. Wheelchair lawyer? Black-and-white lawyer show ran from 61 to 68? Dude, its classic television.

Im not big on the classics. Lee sketched air quotes around the word classics, body language relaxing as they moved away from demons and wizards. I dont watch anything older than I am.

Your loss. Youre missing your own history.

My history?

As an actor.

Ah. Well, maybe someday you can expose me. Challenging eyes. Flirty smile. Tony took an involuntary step back, not caring how it made him look. Never a demon around when you need one

Hang on. Flirty smile?

Was Lee possessed again?

Tony cleared his throat. Expose you?

To my history.

Ah.

The pause stretched toward uncomfortably long, and Tony frowned as the expression left Lees face. And how am I supposed to respond? We dont do that joking around with sexuality thing anymore, remember? Not since you took that one step too farand may I point out that it was you and not me. But, hey, you responded to Leah this afternoon, so now youre comfortable in your sexuality again and Im fair game. His brain just wouldnt shut up about it. Look, some guys like black and white, some guys dont. Some guys try it but end up holding on to the whole Technicolor thing. Great. Now his mouth was in on it.

Any chance the anvil missed?

Tony

No chance in hell. In any of the hells.

The coyote wouldnt have missed with that anvil.

And now its his turn to pauseexcept his pauses seem to be meaningful instead of empty. I wonder if I hurt his feelings by reminding him of how he gets indiscriminating under stress? Now thats an idea; he should hang around, and if the next demons big enough, I could do him up against the wall after the fight.

Shut up, brain!

 I just want you to be careful. Okay? Since theres seems to be nothing I can do to helpeven if I thought you meant it

Martyr much?

 I just, well, be careful.

Without waiting for an answer, he was gone.

Tony stared at the door for a moment, wondered what hed been reaching out for, and let his hand drop to his side.

He wants you.

Bite me.

And you have some unresolved aggression toward him. Leah fell into step beside him as he turned and headed for the area under the gate. You want to talk about it?

No.

Theres not a lot I dont know about the psychology of sex.

There is no sex.

Why not?

Because hes straight.

Please.

Why are you even still here? he demanded moving into her path and stopping suddenly, forcing her to stop as well. I thought you were off to live your life, to take a chance, refusing to be held hostage by your Demonlords expectations.

That sounds like bad country music.

You said you werent going to cower behind me.

Im not cowering, she snapped. But given what happened this afternoon, I think staying behind you might be my best option. Youre here, so Im here.

The demons

The demons wont be sneaking up on me if Im sitting here waiting for them, will they? Something in Leahs face told Tony not to press it. Told him shed been a lot more freaked by the demon in the parking lot than shed let on, and what she didnt want to be was alone. Besides, she added, pushing past him, Ive got nothing that pressing to do until Tuesday anyway. What on earth makes you think that Lee is straight?

Tony scrambled to catch up. He sleeps with women.

Oh, yes, thats conclusive. Moron.

He got stupid over you.

Ninety percent of the male population does. Means nothing. Didnt you see Kinsey?

Sure. Liam Neeson totally got screwed by the Oscars that year.

Granted, but my point is that if most of the worlds population is neither completely gay nor completely straight, then even the odds are in your favor. Im not sure why hed choose you to break cover with; I mean, youre just passably attractive, reasonably intelligent, excitingly powerful, remarkably pleasant, appealingly broad-minded, definitely loyal, and appallingly self-sacrificing.

Reeling under the torrent of adjectives, Tony opened his mouth to respond, but nothing came out.

Next to a man like, say, Liam Neeson, she continued before he could find his voice, youre practically invisible. Hes someone Id do in a minute.

Right, Tony snorted, finding his voice. Youd do ninety percent of the male population in a minute.

She shrugged. Eighty max.

Kevin Groves.

Fine. Eighty-one. She dropped down onto the end of the chaise lounge. Its always amazed me, she sighed, that two men can ever manage to get together at all given the whole lack of being articulate. Maybe hes scared.

Lee? Scared? Of me?

Dont be dumber than you have to, okay?

Tony dragged his jeans back up over his hipsthey were a little big and shoving his hands in his pockets dragged them lowand sat down beside her. You sounded like Amy.

You discuss your sex life with Amy?

Okay, first, Lee has nothing to do with my sex life, and two, are you insane? Give Amy an inch and shell take a kilometer.

A dark brow rose and one hand patted his thigh. Mixed metaphors, thats whats wrong with the world. Leah glanced around the empty soundstage as though shed lost something. Where is Amy? Based on our very short acquaintance, I would have thought shed be here.

She left with the rest of the office staff. She had a date.

On a Thursday? Good for her. Im all for a sister getting some.

Big surprise. Not. But its just for coffee at Ginger Joesits a Goth coffee place she likes. Shes meeting a guy she knows from the net.

You told her to be careful because she didnt know this guy, right?

Yeah.

And she told you that you were the one waiting for a demon, so you should be the one being careful, right?

Not in so many words, but yeah.

Leah nodded, smug. After a few thousand years, people get predictable.






So wheres your partner?

Jack jumped and only just resisted spinning around and answering the question physically. He put most of the energy into slamming the door of his truck and managed to turn with something approaching calm. Shes home with her kids. Tony call you?

Henry Fitzroy nodded and Jack wanted to wipe the smug, superior look right off his face. Which wasnt fair because all the guy had done was nod, but there was something about him, something that made Jack want to fall in behind him and charge the shield wall. He wasnt even sure what a shield wall was, but he fucking hated the feeling.

Tony tell you whats going on?

Yes.

Yes? Thats it? Fine, you want to be mister one word answer, we dont need to talk. But the dark eyes were strangely compelling, and Jacks mouth kept moving without any apparent prodding from his brain. He thinks the demons are attracted to the soundstage, to his accumulated power at the sound-stage.

But you dont believe that.

Hes not telling me everything.

Why would he?

Because Jack had a feeling that because I told him to wouldnt fly. Because its my job to protect the public!

I think weve moved some distance away from your actual job description, Constable.

No, we havent. Look He folded his arms, unable to look away but unwilling to appear compliant.  I catch the bad guys; thats what I do. These are bad guys. In order to catch themall right, deal with them, he added as a red-gold brow rose, I need to have all the facts. Which I dont.

Perhaps he doesnt think you can cope with all the facts.

Well, he should try me.

Yes. Perhaps he should.

Distracted by Fitzroys too-charming smile, it took Jack a moment to realize that the other mans eyes werent dark at all but hazel. Frowning, he matched his shorter stride as they headed toward the studios back door.

I assume youre here as backup muscle? He sent me out to buy cherry-flavored cough medicine, Fitzroy continued before Jack could answer. A specific brand thats, unfortunately, not particularly popular. He hefted a bulging canvas bag. I had to visit nearly every drugstore on the lower mainland before I found the volume he asked for.

Whats Tony going to do with that much cherry-flavored cough medicine?

Hes going to do magic, Constable Elson.






What the hell was that!

I think someones at the back door, Leah sighed.

Right. On his feet, heart pounding, Tony could barely hear short, sharp bursts of the buzzer over the thrum of blood in his ears. Do you think its a demon?

I think demons seldom ask to be let in. And I think that your boss gave the security guard the night off, so youd better get it.

Right. Tony headed for the back of the soundstage, his breathing almost returned to normal.

There was no security hole in the door and since Leah hadnt actually said it wasnt a demon, he took a moment to find his focus and wrote go home as small as he could manage it an inch or so from the pitted steel. If there was a demon, and the demon charged when he opened the door, it would charge right through the command and that would hopefully be that.

Except that the door opened inward.

Having a fish fry? Jack asked, grimacing as he stepped over the threshold. Because if you are, your fish are burning.

Im not. Given that the door was in the only home it had ever known, nothing had happened but sizzle and smell. At least he hoped it was because the door had no other home to go to because a bad smell wasnt much of a weapon against claws and teeth. Hey, Henry. Calmly. Business as usual. Do not touch the bite on your Crap. He forced his arm down. Did you get the stuff?

Every bottle left in this part of British Columbia.

Thanks. He took the bag and turned his attention back to Jack. What are you doing here?

The nutbar who works in your front office called me.

As a general rule, that wasnt a specific enough description, but Amy?

She said you needed a gun.

You brought me a gun?

Im carrying a gun. My gun. Youre not going anywhere near it.

A gun? Henry asked, in a tone that managed to squeeze are you insane into the two small words.

You can shoot demons, Jack told him before Tony could answer. It may not stop them, but it sure as shit slows them down. I shot one this morning half a dozen times. Exactly six shots. I know that because theres one fuckload of forms I have to fill out when I fire this thing, so Half a pivot and he was facing Tony.  you can thank me for coming back and risking yet another three hours of paperworkinvolving, lets not forget, lying. And, while were on the subject, lets not forget the interviews with my superiors during which I will also have to lie.

You didnt have to come.

Yeah, and risk you actually getting your hands on a weapon? Like thats going to happen.

I think youre taking the greater risk being here, Constable. Your career

Bugger my career. I got a one-armed dead guy in the morgue.

Tony watched Henry study Jack for a moment and then turn and flash him a smile. Perhaps you should just thank him, Tony. After all, you wanted to bring him in.

You did? Jacks brows rose but he looked pleased.

I did. Past tense. But Henry He glanced over at Henry who was wearing his blandest expression. Like blood wouldnt clot in his mouth. Fine. Whatever. Thanks. Come on. He led the way back to Leah and the chaise lounge wondering if hed actually been in control for that short time in the parking lot or if hed been delusional.

Circumstances were pushing him strongly toward the latter belief.






And this is supposed to do what, exactly? Jack demanded at last. Hed been amazingly quiet until they were two thirds of the way around the soundstage, so points for patience. Or he was just too stubborn to ask until the frustration levels rose sufficiently.

Tony was betting on the latter. He finished the last ward along the side wallor as close to the side wall as he could get, which meant, in a couple of places, two to three meters into the soundstage. Its an early warning system, he said as he dipped the number two brush back into the bowl of cough syrup Henry was holding and bent to paint the more complex rune in the corner. Something crosses the line with ill intent He paused, squinted up at his laptop open across Jacks hands, then added a final flourish.  and well know it in time to brace ourselves.

How?

Will we know? I have no fucking idea. Ive never done this before.

The wards on your apartment Leah began.

Were meant to keep things out, Tony interrupted. But we dont want to keep them out of here; we want them in here, so I can deal with them. This is new.

Then arent you moving a little fast?

He twisted around just far enough to scowl at her. This is the fourth wall. Theyre long walls. Im getting the hang of it.

Okay, but the end of that squiggle has always turned left before.

Fine. A little more cough syrup turned the squiggle to the left. Happy?

Who wouldnt be?

Im not, Jack grunted. What happens if demons drop in from above?

Its covered. Just give me a minute to finish.

And if something with claws and teeth attacks before youre finished?

Then we wont know until someone gets eviscerated.

No one gets eviscerated!

Not if youll shut up and let me work.






Arras instructions said he should visualize the complex corner runes and then mentally draw a line from corner to corner, the lines crossing overhead in the middle of the square. Okay, so the space enclosed wasnt exactly square, but it did offer the biggest bang for the buck, so Tony was still going with it. He closed his eyes. Saw the runes. Drew the lines.

Cool. Leah sounded as though she was smiling.

When Tony opened his eyes, there was a cherry-cough-syrup-colored translucent dome over the soundstage.

And then there wasnt.

Although the scent of expectorant lingered.

Is it gone? Jack asked, breathing through the neck of his T-shirt pulled up over his mouth.

Tony checked. No. Its still there. That was like a test pattern to show that it worked.

A red-gold brow rose as Henry studied his face. Really?

Made sense, so why not. Yeah. Really.






The second time the buzzer went off, Tony sighed and headed for the back door as though hed never been startled, never jumped to his feet at the sound. Not that it mattered much since he could hear Leah telling Jack and Henry about how hed reacted the last time. Jack seemed to think it was pretty funny.

First demon that showed up, Jack was going to be out in front.

When the door opened, the pizza delivery girl handed him a plastic shopping bag containing two bomb bottles of cola and began pulling the extra large pizza out of the insulated pouch. You Tony Foster? she asked without looking up.

Yeah, but I didnt order a pizza.

Come from your boss, Chester Bane. He order. He pay. She shoved the box into his hands and grinned as his stomach growled. He say I give you message, too. He say you should answer your damned e-mail.






Pepperoni, sausage, olives, tomatoes, mushrooms, green pepper, and double cheese; your boss knows how to order a pizza. Jack pulled a slice from the box and bit off the tip with obvious enjoyment. None of this good-for-you broccoli crap.

Personally, I could have done without the olives, Leah muttered, flicking a piece off her slice.

There was always someone who bitched about the toppings, Tony reflected as he chewed. It was practically a requirement of pizza eating. Three people in the group, one person bitched. Five to seven people, two bitching. Unless there were anchovies, and then everyone but one person bitched, regardless of numbers. Of course, in this particular group, the stats were kind of skewed

You not having any, Fitzroy?

No, thanks. I ate before I came.

Jack shrugged and took another piece. Great. More for me. Where are you going?

Barely two steps away from the chaise, Henry turned and smiled at Jack. Why?

Because, I think, given all the weird shit going down Jack paused to wipe a bit of grease off his chin.  that if were going to work together, we shouldnt leave each other in the dark about whats going on.

Fair enough. Im going out to the office.

Why? Theres no one there.

Henrys smile grew a little edged. Tony shuffled back just far enough to be out of the line of firejust in case. Better Jack caught that look than him. Television people, Henry explained pointedly, dont keep the same hours as mere mortals. Theres probably a few people still working on post-production

Post? Tony stiffened.

 and Chester Bane never leaves his office before midnight.

You and Mr. Bane friends?

Weve dined together a few times.

Son of a BITCH! Tony tossed aside his crust and clawed at the hot cheese and pizza sauce that had slid off it and onto his crotch. By the time he finished scraping and swearing, Henry was gone.

Just as well. Not like I was going to call him on making stupid vampire double entendres in front of Jack. He took another handful of napkins from Leahwho had almost stopped laughingand scrubbed at the denim.

You guys have some issues, Jack snorted.

Tony snatched the last piece of pizza out from under his hand. Do not. Great. Even straight Mounties were noticing.

Uh-huh. So why here?

Why not here? Leah wondered. They have issues everywhere else.

No, why are we waiting here? Jacks gesture took in the immediate area, empty but for two folding chairs, food debris, and the chaise he shared with Leah. Theres a lot more comfortable places to wait in this soundstage, so why specifically here?

I did a spell here, Tony told him, gesturing with the pizza crust. A big one. It left a mark.

What kind of spell?

Im not sure. Teeth slightly clenched, half a shrugTony was a very good liar. I screwed it up.

It had something to do with the ceiling?

Had he looked up? He didnt remember looking up. Yeah. It had something to do with the ceiling. But the rest is classified. If I told you, Id have to turn you into a frog.

You can do that?

He swallowed and smiled. I could try.

Jack shook his head, but what exactly he was denying wasnt clear. Like I said to your friend Fitzroy, I dont think we should be keeping secrets.

Is this a police thing; asking so many questions? Leah leaned in. Tony figured shed suddenly remembered she had a few secrets of her own. Or are you naturally so curious?

No sign of Ryne Cyratane, so at least Jack had a fighting chance, but Leah on her own, being intense and interested and brushing breasts against bicep, was enough to attract male attention.

She attracted Jacks. He probably wasnt even aware hed straightened his shoulders. Its what cops do, ask questions.

And spout bad cop show dialogue.

Tony cleaned up while they flirted and tried not to think about what was happening in the boss office. Figures. The one time I could use a little e-mail distraction from a psychotic eight-year-old, Id never get an uplink. Even if he had a cable, there wasnt a phone jack on this side of the soundstage.

I was thinking.

Since hed gotten used to Henry suddenly appearing by his side years ago, Tony enjoyed Jack and Leahs reaction.

Wasnt your original plan to find the weak points between this world and the hells Four-hundred-and-sixty-odd years of Catholicism gave him a little trouble with the plural.  and have Tony close them before they open and expel a demon?

Where the hell did you come from?

The original plan? Henry repeated pointedly to Leah, ignoring Jacks question.

Yes, that was the original plan. So?

So Im not sure we shouldnt return to it.

Hello! The eye roll was dramatic. What happened to hunker down, protect Leah, and save the world? Im not going on walkabout across the lower mainland if demons are coming after me personally.

Hang on, Jack interrupted. Why are the demons coming after you?

Tony reviewed various meetings in CBs office and realized that only he and Henry knew Leah was anything more than a stuntwoman who did demonology as a sideline. CB and Kevin Groves knew demons were coming after her, but Jack, his partner, Amy, Zev, and Lee knew only the basics of the Demonic Convergence. Fuck this; I need a scorecard!

Maybe they want my recipe for goat cheese pizza, Leah snapped. Duh! Theyre trying to kill me!

Why are they trying to kill you? Jack was using his dont even try to bullshit me voice now. Interestingly enough, it worked.

Because I know things and that makes me a threat.

How do they know you know things?

What difference does it make?

Jack sighed, ran a hand up through his hair, and took a moment to get comfortable on his end of the chaise. Until you jokers listen, Im going to keep repeating that, under the circumstances, I dont think we should keep secrets from each other.

Oh, I see. Leahs second eye roll was more sarcastic than dramatic. You show up with a gun and suddenly we should trust you?

Under the circumstances, I dont think we should keep secrets from each other.

Its the Mountie thing, isnt it? she sneered. How can we not trust the stalwart in red serge?

Under the circumstances, I dont think we should keep secrets from each other.

She spun around to glare at him, their faces inches apart. You have only the faintest idea of whats going on here!

Under the circumstances, I dont think we should keep secrets from each other.

Stop saying that!

Dinner and a floor show, Tony snickered quietly, well aware that Henry could hear him even over the sound of shouting. Im having a lot more fun than I thought I would.

Good. Henry flashed him an affectionate grin, then turned his attention back to the battle. But were not getting much accomplished. He stepped closer to the chaise.

Tony didnt need to see his eyes go dark. He could read the change in the set of Henrys shoulders. In the stillness that accompanied him. The Hunter was in the building.

Jack Elson.

Names held power. Unable to resist the pull, Jack looked up and was caught. Safely behind Henrys left side, Tony saw his eyes widen, his cheeks pale, and his hands clutch compulsively into fists. Jack would never willingly show his throat, but Henry wasnt giving him the choice.

Some secrets are too dangerous to be lightly shared. You know what you need to know. Accept that and move on. And, he added in a lighter voice, Ive changed my mind about the validity of the original plan. Stopping the demons before they emerge now seems to me to be the safest way to deal with them.

He has a point, Jack acknowledged slowly, frowning as though he was searching through the conversation to discover how theyd gotten this far. Tony knew the feeling.

No, he doesnt, Leah argued. Its not safe putting me right up next to a hole. It could goad the demon to burst through prematurely.

So? Tonyll be right there.

Ill be right there.

Tony? Henrys use of his name drew all of Tonys attention. To be fair, he didnt think Henry could help it. What do you think?

So they were going to play that game. Pretend that Tony was making the decisions until he made one Henry didnt like. Pretend that the wizard was in charge and the vampire was just backup muscle. Fine. Leah and Henry had ditched the original plan when he was asleep. Unconscious. He forced himself not to touch the mark on his throat and realized hed get absolutely nowhere if he brought any of that up now.

Leah, how do you find the weak spots?

She shrugged. Gut feeling.

Considering what was on her gut, hed let that stand. Can you mark them on a map?

Its not that exact. Its more like playing hot, warm, cold; the closer I get to them, the stronger the feeling gets.

But it should be easier now that theres not a lot of them, right? Because the convergent energy has to be slamming down on only a couple of spots in order for the holes to be going deep enough for demons to come through, he tossed to Jack before the awkward questions started.

Not exactly easier, Leah began. Paused. Frowned. Sighed. Okay, easier to find. But harder to close.

Harder than facing down the actual demon? These weak spots have teeth? Claws? Other unidentifiable sharp bits?

They will if you screw up.

No, if when Im facing an actual demon. He started pacing. He was onto something. How many weak spots out there now?

I dont think

Come on, Leah. Try, please.

Fine. She slid a hand under her clothes and closed her eyes.

I thought she was a demonic consultant? Jack stage-whispered dramatically.

Shes consulting, Tony told him.

Yeah? Who? Or should I say, what?

There. Leah cut off Tonys answer. Theres a strong feeling that way. Deep hole. She pointed. And a weaker one, that way. Still nice and shallow. Thats all.

So two?

Deep. Shallow. She looked down at the fingers shed raised as she spoke each word. Yes, thats two. Your grasp of higher mathematics makes me feel so much safer.

Well go to the shallow one first.

No.

Tony turned just enough to frown at Henry. What?

We need to go to the deeper one first because it is closer to expelling its demon. Youll have more time to close the shallow hole.

Except that Im making the decisions and I say we go to the shallow hole first to see if Leah has an effect. If she does, theres no chance of a demon getting through immediately. No harm, no foul. If she doesnt, then we take her near the other one.

Henry shook his head. Reckless.

I think youve forgotten what reckless means, Leah told him as she stood. Tonys playing it safe.

Tony risks allowing a demon to break through while no one is here to protect the soundstage.

Then you stay. He tried not to feel pleased about how startled Henry had looked if only for an instant. Jack, youd better stay with him. If this worked, they wouldnt need muscle out on the street. Leah says these things are just killing machines, theres nothing magical about them, so if one does show up, you two ought to be able to knock it on its ass and hold it until I get back.

Us two? Hes a romance writer. Jack shot Henry an incredulous look.

Tony didnt see the look Henry shot back, but it wiped the incredulous right off Jacks face. Unnatural ropes best for holding them, and theres a whole lot of the yellow nylon shit over with the carpenters gear. Dont worry about hurting them. Apparently, theres not much actual damage you can do. Dont get eaten. You know, by demons, he added as Henry frowned.

Eaten. Not a question, but then Jack had seen the one-armed man.

Welcome to the wonderful world of the weird and metaphysical, Tony told him, shrugging into his jacket. Remember, youre the one who insisted on playing; Id have happily kept lying to you.

Youre still lying to me.

Yeah, but not happily. And not about anything that counts. It was important Jack believe that. Tony refused to look away until he nodded an acknowledgment. Leah, where are you going?

She sighed as she turned. In the interests of not having any secrets between usbefore we hit the streets, Im off to the little stuntwomans room where Ill pee and then wash my hands. Maybe Ill put some lip gloss on while theres a mirror handy. Or do you need a definitive answer on that?

Great, Tony muttered to Jack as Leah spun on one heel and strode off. You see what you started? He jiggled his car keys, stopped when he saw Henry wince. Hed made his point, no need to annoy sensitive ears.

He wanted to say: If something does show up, dont let Jack be a hero. He breaks easier than you do.

He wanted to say: Dont you be a hero either. Let Jack shoot it a few times before you move in.

And he wanted to say: Maybe we do have issues, but we also have history, and so weve got to work through them. Because youre not going to let go, and I dont think I am either.

He settled for saying, Be careful.

And was pretty sure Henry heard all the rest.






So, what do I do?

Go west; toward the city. Drive slowly. Ill tell you when to turn.

Tony pulled out around an ancient chartreuse minibus covered in lime-green religious slogans. More than one kind of weird ended up on the west coast. Can I ask you a question, or do you have to concentrate?

After thirty-five hundred years, Ive learned how to multitask, so ask.

Ryne Cyratanes been doing this from the beginning of the Convergence, right? Directing the energy to where he needs it? So, if you only ever felt a couple of weak spots at a time, why didnt you expect the first demon that attacked you?

Why didnt I expect a demon to charge out of the sunset swinging an arm on a CBC Movie of the Week location shoot?

Yeah.

Who the hell would ever expect something like that?

Tony glanced over to the passenger seat. Leah had her shirt up and her hand resting on the exposed tattoo. Fair enough.






They found the shallow hole in an alley off Hastings Street between Gore and Main. The Chinese restaurant along one side was just closing, so they waited while a bored young man in kitchen whites tossed yellow plastic bags of garbage into the Dumpster. Then they waited a moment longer while a pair of Dumpster divers retrieved the edible bits.

Were wasting time, Leah hissed as Tony grabbed her arm and yanked her back into the shadows.

So well waste a little, he said quietly, watching the two women who looked middle-aged but were probably younger sort through the restaurant waste. This might be the only meal they get all day. What? he asked when she turned to glare at him. In thirty-five hundred years, you were never hungry?

The glare softened to impatience. Maybe once or twice, but

We wait until theyre done. Theyll want to go someplace safe and eat, so it wont take long.

It didnt.

Why do these kinds of metaphysical things always happen in alleys, Tony wondered as they walked past the Dumpster.

Why not in the middle of the TransCanada? Or a meter over the sock counter at Sears? Or in someones apartment?

Who says they dont? Leah asked, looking ready to bolt. All thats necessary is that something be missing to anchor the convergent energy. She indicted a rough-edged pothole in a remarkably filthy bit of pavement. Were just lucky this ones where we can get to it.

So?

So what?

So are you affecting it? The pothole didnt look like it had changed since they arrived. It didnt look like the weak spot between realities either. It smelled like rotting melon and Kung Pao Shrimp.

Frowning, she prodded the air over the pothole with one foot. I dont feel any Oh, no! Arms windmilled as her foot slammed down. Its got me!

Leah! Tony grabbed her, dragged her back, and nearly dropped her in a particularly pungent bit of rotting garbage when he realized she was laughing.

Kidding. Its fine. I dont feel anything different. She pulled out of his grip and tucked her hair back behind her ears, still snickering. You should close it up now.

I dont know how, he reminded her, folding his arms.

Oh, cranky. A raised hand stopped his step toward her. Okay, okay. Forgive me for being relieved. Before you can close the holeor, this early in the game, just strengthen the weak spotyou have to see it.

I see the pothole.

Look harder.

There wasnt a lot of light in the alley; a couple of yellowing, bug-speckled bulbs over back doors and the spill from the streetlights. I cant see

Yes, you can. Wizards see whats there. She sighed and folded her arms, shifting her weight onto one hip. Look harder.

I can see where the smell of Kung Pao Shrimp is coming from, he said after a minute. And youre scraping off your shoe before you get back in the car.

But you dont see the weak spot?

No.

Okay, dont look as hard. I guarantee its there, in the pothole, a place where the absence of what should be there has left an opening.

An absence of what should be there? Dial it back a bit, would Tony froze, half turned away from the scum encrusted bit of pavement in question. From the corner of his eye, he saw a heat shimmerexcept, of course, it wasnt actually a heat shimmerstretched horizontally across the top of the pothole. I see it. What now?

Burn the runes one at a time and push them through the weak spot.

Through? Even cracked, the pavement seemed pretty damned solid. Right. Why dont I just burn close up or keep out?

Tony, use the runes.

He shifted his foot a little farther away from a particularly nasty bit of melon. Why? Go home worked fine on that charging demon.

I know. It shouldnt have.

But it did. He was definitely taking his turn to be smug.

But it shouldnt have.

But it did.

Yes, it did. It shouldnt have, but it did. And is this the time to be experimenting with new techniques that may or may not work? That may or may not make things worse? No. The fate of the world is at stake. You risk my life and everyone elses on a whim!

But it worked! Wasnt that the important bit?

That time. Under those circumstances! A deep breath, both hands against the clothing over the tattoo. When she spoke again, she wasnt shouting and she sounded sincere. I promise you that the runes will work every time. Under any circumstances.

Tony wasnt sure how to take sincere. Swear this isnt just part of your whole control issue thing.

You want swearing? Garbage squelched under her sneakers as Leah stepped toward him. Ill give you thirty-five hundred years of swearing in a minute! Write the runes and push them through!

One at a time?

Now youre being deliberately provoking.

Yeah. He was. If it means that much to you, Ill do it your way.

Sometime soon!

Whats the hurry? The shimmer was kind of pretty in an entrance to hell sort of way. You said this one was shallow.

It was when we got here, she snorted. Why are you standing like that?

Hed shifted to stand angled at the pothole, facing Leah, eyeballs rolled into the lower left corner of each socket. I can see it better if I dont look at it straight on.

You know where it is; do you have to see it?

I guess not. He turned to face the pothole, rubbing his eyes. Problem. I dont think I remember

I know you dont, Leah interrupted, pulling four sheets of folded paper out of the back pocket of her track pants. So I brought your cheat notes.

Considering how tight she wore the upper part of those pants, fitting four sheets of folded paper in the back pocket was one of the most impressive things Tonyd seen all day.

He ended up shoving the runes through physically with the scar on his left hand, ignoring his companions sotto voice commentary about cheating. Is it cheating for a basketball player to use their height?

Okay. Maybe not so much ignoring.

Youre not a basketball player, youre a wizard.

And Im using what I have. Its not my fault other wizards havent had it.

You should be moving them with power.

Why?

Because thats how its done.

Since he was the wizard and she wasnt, he decided to ignore her. As the last line of energy vanished, there was a soft, almost soggy pop that lifted all the hair on the back of his neck. The skin around his eyebrow ring suddenly began to burn.

I wouldnt touch your face with that hand, Leah cautioned.

His left hand had been pressed flat against the pavement. Or more specifically, flat against elderly grease and rat droppings and more recently deposited bits of chow mein. Gross He wiped it on his jeans as he stood. One knee was damp and he smelled like rotting bean sprouts. By no means as wiped as he would have been after a Powershot, he still felt a little hungry. So, on to the next one or back to the studio? he yawned.

Why is that my decision?

He shrugged. Youre taking the biggest risk.

Her fingers stroked the edges of the tattoo and she smiled. The smile said we can beat this, and for the moment at least she completely believed it.

Tony smiled the same smile back at her.

Lets close the second one, she said.

Great. Youre driving. And I need something to eat. As they passed the Dumpster, he swerved to miss a small pile of suspiciously moving rice. But not Chinese.






At a quarter after midnight, they were in Richmond, driving slowly south on No. 3 Road past the old Canadian Pacific Railway lands.

Feelings getting stronger, Leah murmured, drumming her fingers against the steering wheel. It feels like I have slugs writhing in my navel.

Tony hurriedly chewed and swallowed his eleventh glazed chocolate Timbit. Thank you for that image.

Any time. She turned left on Alexandra, slowing further. Were close.

They found the weak spot halfway up the side of a building, anchored on a crack in the masonry. There were a few taxis down the street by a hotel, but other than that, the street was empty. Quiet. Once they parked, nothing moved.

Is this because of the weak spot? Tony wondered as they crossed the street. All the empty was beginning to creep him out.

No, its because its Thursday night and the bars dont let out for a couple of hours.

Right. Head cocked to one side, eyes rolled up and over, Tony frowned and lost sight of the blazing line of energy spilling out of the crack as his face realigned.

See, this is why you learn to do it properly. Hands on her hips, Leah glared up at the building. Unless we break and enter and dangle you out the third-floor windowwhich Im not philosophically againstyoure going to have a little trouble just shoving the runes through this one.

Feeling he should protest, more on principal than because he actually had something valid to say, Tony squinted the crack back into alignment. This ones a lot brighter than the last one.

Its a lot deeper. Better hurry.

I could probably throw them into it.

Whatever. Just do it.

Her tone, bordering on panic, pulled his attention off the weak spot and that, he realized as he took Leah with him to the ground was probably all that kept him from being blinded as light flared brilliantly purple and something big burst out of the crack.

She slapped the asphalt on impact, grunting as Tonys weight drove the air out of her lungs. Get! Off!

Youre welcome! As the light show from the building dimmed, he rolled off, scrambled to one knee, and aimed his left hand down the road, blinking away afterimages and breathing heavily. He wouldnt be able to see the cheat sheets through the sparkly purple blotches, so hed have to do this his way.

Not that sparkly purple blotches suggested imminent danger.

On the other hand, the large asymmetrical shape in the middle of the road did.

Bright side, large was easier to hit.

Eyes watering, he scrawled a very quick go home and threw it.

Blue sparks on impact.

Blue sparks, purple blotches. Its like demonic Lucky Charms.

A sound like wet sneaker tread dragged against tile. A giant wet sneaker tread.

What have you done?

I told it to go home! He grabbed Leahs hand and dragged her with him as he rose to his feet.

It didnt work!

I know! Rapid blinking brought the street into partial focus. The demon still looked a little blurry around the edges, but Tony had a bad feeling that wasnt his eyes.

I told you it wouldnt work!

Youre not helping! Just stay behind me and He squinted. I mustve done some damage, its Running seemed as close a description as he was going to get.  running away.

Leah grabbed for his sleeve as he started moving. Where are you going?

After it. To stop it from killing people who arent you, he added when she didnt seem to understand. Come on. Its not going that fast. Mostly because bits of it seemed to be moving in opposite directions.

Her fingers tightened to the edge of pain. What part of if I die the world ends are you still missing?

The part where its not after you. When attempting to jerk free only proved that Leah was stronger than she looked, he waved his free hand toward the demon. Hello! Youre here, its there!

She frowned. Right. And let go. And smiled. Well, showed teeth. Come on!

They were no more than three meters behind it as they rounded the corner onto the section of Alexandra that curved to meet up with Alderbridge Way. The demon turned an eyestalk toward then, put on a surprising burst of speed, and crashed through a poster-covered door into the only lit building on that end of the street.

Ginger Joes.

Raise your hand everyone whos surprised by this, Tony grunted as they ran after it.

According to Chekhov, Leah panted, you should never hang a coffee shop on the wall unless you plan on using it.

Chekhov? The navigator with the bad wig on classic Trek?

Leah took a moment to sneer. Read a book. She paused as they reached Ginger Joes. Didnt this used to be the Caf Cats Escape?

How would I know? Tony asked her. For that matter, how do you know?

Inside the coffee shop, cymbals crashed and someone screamed.

Never mind.

They jumped the debris of the door together and skidded to a stop. The demon had gotten tangled in a drum kit left on the small stage when the nights live music had ended and lay half sprawled across two tablesalthough since it still had two legs on the floor, it wasnt exactly lying. Just past the wreckage a young man crouched, leather-kilted butt in the air, head to the floor, hands over his head, the chrome studs on his heavy leather wristbands gleaming in the dim light. Tony could just barely make out two more pale faces up against the back wall, their terror lending the whole Goth look a certain authenticity.

It took him another agonizingly long moment to find Amy because the demons bulk blocked his view. A meaty squelch gave her position away just before she danced into sight, black-rimmed eyes locked on the enemy, the hand holding the skull shaped candle holder raised to land another blow.

Enough staring already! Leah snapped, racing by him. Seemed that the relief of not being the target was making her a little reckless. Make with the runes!

Tony pulled the papers out of his jacket pocket as Leah went up and over the demon, planting her hands between the spikes and flipping in the air to land on her feet on the coffin shaped bar. Possibly not just coffin shaped

The first rune formed as Amy smacked the demon again while Leah kicked it in the head.

It roared, lunged at Leah, got tangled in the snare drum stand, and stumbled, allowing her to leap over the clawed tentacle whipped around toward her.

The world rearranged itself in Leahs favor.

Amy wasnt so protected.

As Tony threw the last loop on the second rune, it wrapped a handor whatever the hell it was on the end of its armaround Amys neck and squeezed.

Screw the runes!

One more Powershot probably wouldnt kill him.

As he pulled his right arm back, Amy reached behind her, scrambled amid the debris, grabbed a full cup of coffee, and threw it in the demons eyes.

It shrieked.

Dropped her.

And charged for the door.

One meaty appendage smacked Tony in the chest, lifting him off his feet and slamming him into the side wall. He spent a moment really, really hoping the crack was one of the fixtures and not a rib, then spent the moment after that trying not to scream.

He could sort of hear Amy yelling that the demon had broken into the wrong damned coffee shop as he raised his left hand and sucked the two runes hed finished back into his body. It wasnt exactly hard to find his place in the universe now given how well pain seemed to be defining it.

This is me.

This is everything else.

Everything else doesnt hurt.

I do.

Turned out the crack hadnt come from one of the fixtures.

Breathing shallowly, he focused his attention on the broken ribs, smoothing the jagged halves. Pain exploded into a thousand razor-edged shards.

When he regained consciousness, Leah was kneeling beside him and frowning down into his face. When you heal yourself, she said softlynot kindly, but softly, you still experience the same amount of pain you would have had the injury healed normally.

I do?

Every last bit of it. All at once.

He supposed he was glad of the explanation. That totally sucks.

Its why most wizards dont do it.

Most wizards, he muttered, pushing himself up into something close to a sitting position. Right. Why dont we get some of those fuckers to help?

Can you stand?

Since there was only one way to find out, Tony let her help him to his feet. It was a little lopsided, but it was standing. Except that Amys date was now having hysterics on a chair instead of the floor, nothing looked like it had changed. How long was I out?

Couple of minutes.

You really It wasnt as easy to mime jumping a demon as hed expected. You know, went after it.

You destroyed the rune that would have let it damage me back there on the street when you burned go home right across it. After that, I was safe enough. Although, she added pointedly, it didnt go home. We need to get back to the studio.

Hang on. He shuffled toward Amy who left her date to meet him halfway. The hug nearly knocked him on his ass, but he appreciated the sentiment. You okay? he asked as they pulled apart.

Not really, but Im faking it well.

This is going to need a creative explanation.

Her eyes regained a bit of sparkle. Im all about creative explanations.

Good, cause weve gotta

Go. I know. She waved a shaking hand in the general direction of the door. So go! Kick ass.

The demon was nowhere in sight as they emerged onto the sidewalk. There was a taxi pulling into the hotel on the corner but no other people in sight. After what had just happened, the whole area seemed strangely quiet. Strangely normal.

Totally devoid of demon.

Well never catch it.

We dont have to, Leah reminded him. We just have to get to the soundstage. She took him by the shoulders and leaned him up against the side of the nearest building. Ill go get the car. You wait here.

As she ran off, Tony concentrated on staying upright. He knew why the go home hadnt workedit had come to him just before he healed himself. Standing out on the street, blinking away the aftereffects of the demons entry, he hadnt been connected to the universe. Well, no more than usual anyway; not in a round peg/round hole kind of way. Back in the parking lot, panic had pushed him into place. Here, just now, it had been pain. Actually, thered been pain in the parking lot, too. Pain seemed to be compulsory.

I bleed therefore I am.

To bleed or not to bleed, that is the question.

Ultimate cosmic power! Itty bitty bandages!

This could be the beginning of a beautiful laceration.

Man, I really need a coffee



Chapter Nine

  


CLOSED COURSE. Professional driver. Do not try this at home.

What are you muttering about? Leah demanded as, with a screech of rubber against pavement, she deftly maneuvered the car around a corner at significantly more than the posted speed.

Nothing. The best part about the level of exhaustion Tonyd reached; he just didnt care. He didnt care when Leah ran two stop signs and a red light. He didnt care when she passed on the right using four empty parking spaces. He didnt care when she ignored a detour and took a shortcut through some roadwork, fighting the car through six blocks of chewed-up pavement and scraping the undercarriage on an exposed sewer grate. Actually, he cared about the last bit since hed be the one paying for repairs but not enough to do anything about it.

Licking the last of the chocolate donut crumbs off his fingers, he watched the streetlights go by so quickly they were very nearly a continuous blur. If he turned to look through the drivers side window, the cracks in the glass refracted them into a thousand flares of moving light. When you said before you were a stunt driver you went to stunt driving school, right?

Top of my class.

Because you knew you couldnt be hurt?

That, and because I really like to drive fast.

For a Thursday night not long after midnight, the streets were unusually empty. Tony wondered if that was Ryne Cyratanes spell helping to keep his Demongate from dying in a fiery car crash. So that was a wicked move you made, back in the coffee shop when you used the demon like a vault and flipped up over its head. Whered you learn to do that?

I played second bull dancer in a Greek production of The Minotaur once. Except that I wasnt in a loincloth and the demon wasnt tranked out of its little bovine mind, it was essentially the same stunt. With less ouzo, of course.

I thought you said the bull was tranked.

Him, too.

That probably made sense in a world where he wasnt so tired his eyes kept crossing. Do you think we can beat the demon to the studio?

She snorted. In this car?

Since its the car were in, yeah.

Theres a chance. After all, its not a speed demon. Snickering, she flashed him a smile. Speed demon. Get it.

Yes. The chance to fight back had put her in an interesting mood. Using the may you live in interesting times definition of the word. Please watch the road.






With a cops nose for contraband, Jack had found the deck of cards shoved in the back of a drawer over in the carpentry shop. Wiping the sawdust off them, he whistled softly.

Now these, he said, returning to the chaise, cards in hand, are hard core. You wouldnt be interested, he added as Henry stood, its all man/woman action.

Why wouldnt I be interested?

I thought you and Tony were You know.

We were. That doesnt prevent me from being interested in women.

I thought not being interested in women was the point?

For some men. Not for me.

Yeah. Thanks for shar About halfway through the deck, he froze. Holy crap. I dont think thats possible!

Henry leaned around Jacks shoulder for a look. Its possible, but the second woman has to be very flexible. And his backs going to ache afterward.

Jack stepped away, turned, and stared at the other man. How the hell old are you, anyway?

Older than I look.

Lets hope so. If hed been asked an hour ago, hed have said the guy was Tonys age, early twenties, maybe a couple of years older. Now, he wasnt so sure. There was something strange about him, something more than just being ass-deep into the weird shit that went with having a wizard for an ex. Maybe it was the whole romance writer thingthat was definitely a little creepy. Maybe hed researched exotic positions for one of his books. More comforting a thought than the possibility hed spent his teens as a pornographic gymnast. Jack sighed. You play rummy?

Penny a point?






Because hed noticed that the queen of hearts was unnaturally wornnoticed and then refused to think whyJack was up forty-two dollars when Henry stiffened and dropped his cards.

What is it? Damn if it didnt look like the guy was sniffing the air.

Somethings coming.

Something? Jack tossed his cards aside and stood, pulling his weapon from his shoulder holster. The something were here for?

Probably.

To Jacks surprise, Henry flipped the chaise up on its side and shoved it toward the wall. Get behind that.

Up yours.

Youll have a place to brace your weapon as well as some small amount of protection.

And youll be where?

A loop of rope dangled from one hand. Ill be attempting to

A rain of cherries cut him off.

What the hell?

Henry looked up and moved just enough to avoid being hit. Its our warning. The demon is through the wards.

Jack winced as a cherry bounced off his cheek. You think?

And then there was no time for thinking as all at once, tentacles and claws and spikes dangled from the light grid, filling the space between the grid and the floor. It took a moment for the parts to become a whole and when it did, Jack wished it hadnt. Monsters didnt scare himover the years hed seen too much of what people could dobut this one gave it the old college try.

With a shriek of rending aluminum, one of the struts tore free and Jack decided that maybe being behind the fancy sofa wasnt such a bad idea. It had seemed solid. Well made. Likely to survive. He dove over the piece of furniture, rolled, and came up on his knees, ready to fire. Suddenly a line of yellow nylon rope was around the bulk of the demons body. And then around most of the legs, snugging them in tight.

The demon screamed.

Something snarled an answer.

Jacks hindbrain sent up flares. Fight or flee! And flee seems like the better idea!

Right at the moment, denial seemed like a much better idea, but it was way, way too late for that.

Jack popped off three quick rounds at the demons head and held back the fourth when Henry Fitzroy caught a heavily muscled arm in another loop of rope and began fighting it to the demons side.

It seemed the not very tall man was stronger than the demon.

Stronger.

Faster.

More fucking scary.

Thats not possible. Under the circumstances, a stupid thing to say, but Jack was having just a little trouble coping. Romance writer, my ass.

The demon hit the floor with a noise somewhere between a crash and a squelch.

A writhing tentacle-like arm split the air where Henry had been seconds before, twisted around for another blow as a second clawed tentacle came straight up out of the demons body. No way Henry could avoid both. No way Jack could get off a clear shot. Trying not to think about what he was doing, Jack went over the chaise and tackled the arm.

Pinned under the length of his body, it was warmer than hed expected.

Warmer, and a little damp.

It took him a moment to realize why it smelled so strongly of crushed cherries.

Heavy muscles bunched up to try and throw him off and, with the right leverage, Jack was pretty sure itd be able to toss him across the soundstage.

It shifted within the confining rope.

Suddenly the floor was farther away.

Oh, fuck






Henry had faced a Demonlord and bled to keep an ancient grimoire from falling into the taloned hands of the lesser demon it commanded. In comparison, this creature seemed no more or less than it appeared. Strong. Fast. Other. But not necessarily evil.

If there are, as the Demongate supposes, a multitude of hellshe slid under a clawed tentacle that would have disemboweled himthen perhaps, in some of theseanother loop of rope secured the limbwe name the inhabitants demon based on appearance not motivations.

As the creature hissed and writhed, he spun about in time to see Jack Elson lifted into the air on the largest of what seemed essentially its arms.

And then the arm flipped over and Constable Elson was heading back toward the concrete floor at high speed.

There were no visible joints to act as weak spotsor rather too many joints to attack in the little time he had. Racing in toward the creature, Henry grabbed the arm just under the front set of claws and kept moving, dragging itand the constablearound until he could brace himself against the creatures own body.

Teeth bared, he managed to stop the momentum of the limb and snarled, Let go!






Letting go seemed like a fine idea to Jack. He dropped and rolled and crushed a little fruit, finally turning in time to see Henry drag the tentacle down to the body of the creature and secure it with another loop of the yellow rope.

No one was that fast. Or that strong.

What the hell are you? he panted, pulling himself up onto his knees.

He knew when Henry looked up and smiled. He couldnt put it into wordshell, he didnt think he could form words right at that momentbut he knew. He knew it in the way the hair rose off the back of his neck, in the way a sudden drop of sweat ran down his side under his shirt, in the way he couldnt seem to catch his breath or hear himself think over the pounding of his heart. He knew it in his bones.

No, in his blood.

And then he fell into dark eyes and he forgot that he knew.






Hey! You guys! Theres a demon heading this Tony skidded to a stop, dragging Leah, who was half supporting him, to a stop as well. He stared at the demonwhich may or may not have been staring back. The eyestalks were flipping around in a way that made it hard to tell. Never mind.

Whats with the cherries? Leah demanded, scraping pulp off the bottom of her high-top.

Tonys early warning system, Jack grunted, getting to his feet.

It made cherries?

Apparently.

She turned to Tony, who shrugged. They had bigger problems than fruit. He shook free of Leahs hand and shuffled carefully toward Henry. Trouble was, when a romance writer slash vampire fought a demon, it wasnt the romance writer that then had to be dealt with. He could see the Hunter in the set of Henrys shoulders. In the way he was standing, his back to them, perfectly, impossibly still.

At Henrys side, he leaned forward, careful not to touch, and murmured, If you need

Not from you. A quiet voice. Barely audible. A voice that stroked danger against Tonys skin. Not after last night.

Last night. This time, he didnt stop himself from touching the mark on his neck. No wonder he was exhausted; it wasnt just the wizardry. Then who? The emotional kickback was as important as the blood and Jack, as hed been insisting to all and sundry, was straight. Leah was far too dangerous.

Give me a moment.

Sure. Terror was as valid an emotion as any other and the shadows in Jacks eyes suggested hed seen something more frightening than the big rubbery monster tied up on the floor. Tony tried not to wonder what would have happened had they got there a little later and had pretty much buried the question by the time Henry turned, the mask of civilization firmly back in place.

Pretty much.

A red-gold brow rose.

Tony shrugged.

So Leah sighed loudly.  if you two are finished with all the silent communing, you think we could get going on sending Maurice here home?

Maurice? Jack snickered, the sound just this side of hysteria.

She pushed a handful of curls back off her face and smiled, deep dimples appearing in each cheek. What? You dont think he looks like a Maurice?

About to tell her to knock it off, Tony realized what she was doing as Jacks shoulders squared and he rubbed a hand back though his hair, standing it up in damp, golden spikes.

If youre asking, I think he looks like a Barney.

Isnt Barney a dinosaur? Her tongue licked a glistening path along her lower lip.

Jacks eyes half closed. Barney, Freds neighbor.

The only thing keeping them from consummating the repartee was the demon, tied and pissed off, filling the space between them.

When Ryne Cyratane made his expected appearance, Tony frowned. The Demonlord looked frustrated?

Because Leah wasnt actually getting any in the here and now?

Because his demonic minions kept failing?

Because he couldnt find the wizard who kept defeating him?

Except this demon hadnt been sent back to hell, so how would he know it had been defeated? And why did he look frustrated rather than angry? A glance down and Tony realized the Demonlord wasnt even particularly interested in the whole Jack/Leah dynamic. Interested, yes, but not, well, fully.

Tony!

Sorry. He shook his head as Leah turned her attention to him and Ryne Cyratane faded. He was missing something, something important, but he was just too damned tired to make the effort and figure out what it was. Ill start drawing the runes.

Are you strong enough?

Sure. Why not lie on the side of truth, justice, and the wizardly way given there was a distinct lack of choice regardless of how he felt. The demon was fighting against the ropes, rocking back and forth and in a few other less easily defined directions. Although His stomach growled on cue.  I wouldnt say no to food.

Theres half a bomb bottle of cola left, Jack offered, clearing his throat and looking everywhere but at Leah. And some cherries.

Close enough. Or not. The cherries had no pits and tasted like cough syrup. Fortunately, the cola, essentially sugar and caffeine, faked nourishment.

Its weird how it cant break the rope. Jack circled the demon slowly as Tony began to burn the first rune on the air. We know its strong and the rope isnt that thick.

Its an unnatural rope, Tony reminded him, squinting through the blue lines. Whats weird is that Arra would know that it would work. She never faced demons here in this world.

Leah snorted. Where do you think her demons came from? Wal-Mart?

These are not the demons I know from the past, Henry said quietly as Tony started the second rune. This poor creature is nothing more than an animal out of its place.

Lets not forget these things are killers, Jack pointed out.

They kill to eat, Henry told him. So do you.

Yeah, well, so far Ive managed to avoid ripping any arms off while Im having lunch.

Good for you.

Youre not entirely wrong, Leah broke in before Jack could respond. Neither of you. These guys are on the low end of the demonic pecking order. She waved a hand at the demon on the floor. It writhed at her. Theyre all about the rending and the killing and, yes, the ripping off of arms, but theyre not really very motivated by anything other than the rending and the killing. Relatively speaking, they come from fairly close by. The hell that the ancient mystics saw She turned her attention to Henry.  the hell adopted by your religion, that was considerably farther away.

Your Demonlord is no beast. If he uses these creatures, then he has moved closer without using the gate.

Theres some movement within the hells, Leah admitted. But he cant get here without help. If you want the big guys, the demons with dialogue and motivations, then you have to call for them specifically. It takes a lot of power to punch a gate through to their level, a couple of artifacts that arent easy to get, and, if you want to survive it, a will of iron.

Actually, its not that hard. Henry folded his arms. I know a not very bright young man who brought through a creature capable of speech and independent evil with a small barbecue and a few cheap candles.

Did he survive?

Not ultimately, no.

She spread her hands. I rest my case. Before anyone could demand to know what that meant, she added, And with that kind of power he was probably an untrained wizard.

Not likely, Henry snorted.

Outsider?

Yes, but

Its been my experience A twitch of her sweater hem directed attention to her abdomen and the physical evidence of that experience.  that potential isnt particularly rare. Actually accomplishing something with it, now thats unusual. If Tony here hadnt met Arra, he wouldnt be fighting demons today. Heroes rise when we need them.

Tony let the observation pass without responding as he finished off the third rune, going over the last curve three times before it stopped sputtering. The buzz from the cola had burned off and it was getting harder and harder to focus.

Tony?

A cool, familiar touch against his wrist. He blinked a couple of times in Henrys general direction. Im okay.

Can you finish?

Do I have a choice? The demon was writhing again, bulging around the rope. Why doesnt it make any noise?

Perhaps it communicates by motion.

No, it made a noise before. Although weak sneaker-against-tile noise could have easily been made by rubbing demon against asphalt. So weve tied and gagged it. He snickered, but he didnt really think it was funny. It was just easier to laugh than run screaming from the room. Besides, he was starting to feel sorry for the big squishy thing. That burned in go home looked painful.

Tony.

Im okay.

Look at me.

Henry, Im Henrys eyes were dark and the masks were gone. Hunger. Danger. Tony felt his heart race and a sudden wave of energy flood his body. He jerked back, blinked, and Henrys eyes were hazel again.

Can you finish now?

Oh, yeah. Word up for adrenaline.

The red-gold brows dipped. I have no idea what that A silent pivot toward the soundstage door. Someones coming.

Tony? You around?

Zev? Damn. It was Thursday. Zev left midafternoon Fridays, so he always worked late Thursday.

Good, youre still here. I was finishing up the score on that last episode, and I just wondered if you were on the sound-stage. Rising volume suggested he was walking toward them. You know, given the possibility of demons and all. Ive got this great complicated harp piece and His eyes widened as he came around the corner of the set and he stopped so quickly he rocked back and forth.  never mind. So. The pause extended almost a beat too long. Thats a demon?

No reason to deny it. Yeah.

Really? Okay. Its, uh, you know, big. He frowned, opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, shoved his hands into his front pockets, and took a bravado-inspired step forward. Then glanced down at the floor. Whats with all the cherries?

Theyre part of the early warning system, Jack said dryly, picking one up and flicking it into the wall.

They must have cost a fortune. Theyre out of season, he added when it became obvious no one got the point. Apples would have been significantly more cosahhhhh! Yanked off his feet by the tentacle around his ankle, he screamed as he slid along a path of crushed fruit toward the demon.

Dont shoot! Tony grabbed for Jacks arm as Henry grabbed for the tentacle.

Still screaming, Zev slapped into the demons side.

Henry twisted a loop into the excess flesh, tightened it, and shoved the music director away with the side of his foot as the demon went after more immediate prey, driving the end of the tentacle spikelike toward Henrys head.

The possibility of the demon getting free, not to mention eating his ex, added a whole new burst of adrenaline. Tony sketched the fourth rune. Crap! Erased the last line. Drew it again.

There was a sudden, intense smell of sulfur and Henry hit the floor beside Zev and a tangle of yellow nylon rope as the demon disappeared. Fortunately, the runes only worked on creatures not native to this reality.

Fortunately.

Really, really fortunately. Tony wiped sweaty palms on his thighs and tried to remember if he knew that.

I assume theres a reason for all the noise?

Swaying, he fought to focus on CBs face. Demon.

Screaming?

That was me! Zev scrambled to his feet and thrust his arm toward his boss. It had a mouth in its side! In its side! Not its face! It bit a hole in my sleeve!

How fortunate it didnt remove your arm. As Zev absorbed the truth of that, CB stepped forward and caught Tony as his knees unlocked and he began to topple. And the smell of sulfur?

Tradition?

Are you asking me?

Tony sneezed. No.

And the cherries?

Long story.

I see. Mr. Fitzroy, if you could place the chaise upright again, please. Constable Elson, there should be food of some kind in the office kitchen.

Tony managed to remain on his feet as they crossed the set, but he suspected that had more to do with the grip CB maintained on his arm rather than any macho shit on his part. Although the chaise looked hard and lumpy, it was the most comfortable piece of furniture hed ever collapsed on. No need for anyone to worry; he was just going to take a few minutes to recover the feeling in his extremities.

A little easier to do, actually, after CB let him go and moved away.

Ms. Burnett, I thought your technique of dealing with the demons would use less energy and leave Mr. Foster on his feet.

It did use less energy, Leah protested indignantly. After the day hes had, any other wayhis whole mano a mano way, for instancewould have killed him.

Yeah, yeah. Dj vu all over again.

Well have to take your word for that. Mr. Groves is in my office with the page of demonology he found. If you could bring him here, Id appreciate it.

Kevin Groves? Tony lifted his head to check if the disapproval he could hear in Henrys voice matched his expression. It did. The tabloid reporter whos been hanging about the show?

Thats the one. Leah answered, walking backward toward the exit. It turns out he knows about the Demonic Convergence and may have primary source information.

How does someone like that get hold of primary source information?

The easy way, she snorted, one hand against her belly as she turned and left.

Shes an odd one, Zev muttered. He had a plastic broom in his hand, the kind with a scraper along one edge. Even for a stuntie.

Hes right, CB murmured, stepping closer to Henry as Zev began sweeping up the cherries. Tony strained to hear him; this was not a conversation he was going to miss. Theres something about that young lady thats different. Unusual.

No shit.

Fortunately for Leah, Henry had secrets of his own. She studies demons; thats got to skew things a little.

And again, no shit.

It seems to be time, CB said, still talking quietly to Henry, for Mr. Foster to put some serious work into that memory erase spell of Arras.

Henry glanced down at Tony and then up at CB. Its like youre reading my mind.

It wouldnt be the strangest thing that happened today.

Word. Tony snickered at their expressions, or at as much of their expressions as he could see through eyes that kept sliding closed. You two need to get out more.






Mr. Foster?

Let him sleep.

Are you certain hes sleeping?

Henry laid a hand gently against Tonys chest, listened to his heart beating slow and sure. Im certain.

Ive never seen anyone eat that fast. I mean, that was almost a whole carton of potato salad and almost a liter of milk, gone between one blink and the next. Jack brought his hands together, crushing the empty milk carton. I dont know why he didnt choke. Or puke. Or both. You know, choke and puke. Especially considering it was potato salad and milk, for Christs sake.

Henry exchanged a glance with CB.

Are you all right, Constable Elson?

Me? Jacks chin lifted and his chest went out. Henry hid a smile. Although the RCMP officer wasnt a small man, there was no way he could avoid being dominated by CBs bulk. Im fine. Why wouldnt I be fine?

You have been exposed today to not one, but two demons.

So have you.

Yes, but Im in television.

Jack jerked his head toward Zev who was sweeping up the last of the cherries in the immediate area and muttering quietly. Hes in television and hes freaked.

He was nearly eaten.

Yeah, well, Im fine. Arms folded, he swept a scowl around the soundstage. Id be better if I knew how that thing got in.

Thats easy enough to answer; we left the door to the carpentry shop unlocked. I didnt want any more of my property destroyed, CB added as the constables scowl lit on him.

We wanted it in here, Henry reminded him, coiling the yellow nylon rope, so it could be taken down without risking innocent lives.

Right. We wanted it in here. A glance toward the place where the demon had lain. Okay. Then tell me this? If we knew it was coming in a specific door, why did Tony put his warning thing around the whole place?

For the same reason were ankle-deep in fake fruit, Leah snorted coming around the edge of the set, Kevin Groves following behind like a puppy. Tony doesnt know what hes doing. Hes making things up as he goes along.

Jack shifted slightly so that he was between Leah and Tony. Familiar with the protective instincts of the police, Henry decided to let it pass. It was interesting that on some instinctive level the constable thought Tony needed protecting from Leah. Hes doing fine.

Stopped about two meters away, Leah folded her arms, metaphysical seductress buried under indignation. Well, according to you, everythings fine. Youre fine, Tonys fine. Everything is not fine. We have demons

Who dont always use doors, Henry interjected. Leaving a door open does not guarantee theyll go through it. Tony laid out his wards wide enough to take that into account.

And the cherries? she asked, kicking at a piece of fruit Zev had missed.

Henry waited until it rolled to a stop. Im not saying he doesnt need to refine his technique.

Perhaps it would be a good idea CBs tone had nothing of perhaps about it.  if we move to another part of the soundstage and leave Mr. Foster to his rest.

Jack shook his head. We shouldnt leave him alone.

No, we shouldnt.

Ill stay with him, Zev offered, stepping carefully over the pile of fruit hed collected and walking to the chaise. You guys can go make plans for dealing with demons and just leave me out of them.

If youre sure, Mr. Sero.

Oh, yeah. He held the broom across his body like a weapon. Im sure.

If you hear or see anything, anything at all

Trust me. Ill yell.






Henry had always liked Raymond Darks office. It was, he thought, the kind of office a vampire should haveall dark wood and heavy velvet curtains and shelves of ancient knick-knacks. It had weight. Authority. It wasnt anything like his office, which tended toward beech veneer, piles of research books, and stacks of authors copies he hadnt been able to give away, but that was the difference between artifice and reality.

The black leather desk chair creaked as CB lowered himself carefully into it. Now then, Mr. Groves; your documentation.

But Kevin Groves was staring at Henry. He swallowed once, punctuated by his Adams apple rising and falling in the column of his throat. Youre not I mean, youre

Hes what? Jack asked from where he leaned against the corner of the set, positioned so that he could see both the desk and a bit of Tonys head on the upper end of the distant chaise.

Good question. Frowning, Henry caught Kevins gaze and held it. The Hunger had been buried deep, the masks were in place disguising the Hunter, and yet this reporter knew exactly what he waswhich was both disturbing and useful. He smiled and then a little more broadly as, behind his glasses, Kevins left eye began to twitch. Im what?

Nothing. Kevin started to shake as his muscles tensed for a flight not permitted to him. He stank of fear. Fear and

Henrys attention flicked for an instant to Leah, tucked up in one corner of the red velvet sofa. That explained why it had taken her those extra moments to retrieve the reporter from the office.

She blew him a one finger kiss.

Nothing, Kevin repeated as he staggered, released but still unable to run. Youre nothing.

You didnt see him earlier, Jack muttered.

Before Kevin could turn, Henry shook his head and the reporter froze.

The page, Mr. Groves.

His head jerked around toward CB. Then back to Henry.

Still smiling, Henry stepped away. Well talk later, you and I. Right now, I think you should get Mr. Bane that page.

Oh, for pitys sake, Leah sighed as Kevin dropped his backpack off his shoulder and began to rummage frantically in its depths, leave the poor guy alone.

I have done nothing to him. Which is more than you can say.

Hey, I did nothing to him. With him, yes. Not to.

Are you so sure of that? Demongate.

She straightened. Dont push me. Nightwalker.

CB cleared his throat.

Silence fell.

What the hell is going on? Jack demanded.

Mr. Groves has brought us a piece of a manuscript that seems to define the Demonic Convergence.

From the crazy monk guy Leah mentioned this afternoon?

That has yet to be determined. With the page on the desk in front of him, CB leaned back and steepled his fingers. Mr. Fitzroy and Ms. Burnett are going to have a look at it.

What; is he a demonic consultant, too?

In a manner of speaking. CB shot a look at the reporter that cut off an already somewhat strangled laugh.

Tonys the wizard, Jack said pointedly. He should examine it.

Later, Henry said as he moved around the desk. Right now, he needs to regain his strength. The vellum was badly yellowed, the edges touched with water damage.

Thats not from the monks book, Leah sighed as she joined him. Its all numbers.

Its astrological charts. Kevin looked up from fussing with Raymond Darks inkwell and added defiantly. I told you that.

How did you know it had to do with the Demonic Convergence?

It says so on the other side.

Frowning, Leah carefully turned the page over. In the margin, about halfway down, someone had written charts Demonic Convergence in pencil.

Not me! Kevin protested quickly. That was there when I found the page.

An earlier researcher? CB suggested.

Probably. Hang on. One hand holding back her hair, Leah leaned forward and squinted at the bottom of the page. Theres more writing, but its faint. She carefully flipped the page. Its on both sides. I think it was done at the same time as the charts.

It looks around the same age, Henry agreed, when she moved out of the way so he could examine the barely visible brown marks. But those arent words; thats a pattern.

Just because you dont recognize them, junior With one finger, she spun the vellum around and bent to breathe gently on the lettering. Damp will sometimes bring the ink up a bit.

Or damage an irreplaceable artifact.

I think the margin notes have already lowered the value a bit.

Still.

She flashed Henry a smile hed very nearly seen in his mirror. The dimples were noticeably absent. I know what Im doing. Breath gives life to death.

Thats a total He let his protest trail off when it became obvious the ink was growing darker.

Its a prayer, Leah announced after a moment. Or part of one. Keep us safe, Guardian of the West. She turned the page again. In light and life I beg thee. 

Let me see the other side again.

She sighed but complied. Youre still not going to be able to read it.

No. Frowning, he traced the largest of the letters, its loops and swirls now visible. But I recognize it.

How? CB demanded.

Henry straightened. Im not entirely positive, but I think I own the rest of the book.

You own an ancient book on the Demonic Convergence? Arms folded, Leah raked him with a disbelieving stare. You dont think you might have mentioned this earlier?

I didnt know it earlier. But this lettering He tapped the air above the prayer.  is the same. The same shape and in the same place on the page. The document as an object was familiar. It was only the content he didnt recognize. Unfortunately, because I couldnt read it, I didnt know what the book was about. If this is a page from it, I do now. And you can read it.

Slightly mollified by his acknowledgment of her ability, Leah shook her head. Why would you own a book you cant read?

He owns it so others cant, CB said quietly.

Oh, my. Her eyes widened in mock outrage. Censorship. I need to see that book, she continued when Henry didnt bother denying it.

He looked at his watch. Its almost three. Ive time to get it and bring it back here.

Bring back coffees, too, Jack told him, reaching for his wallet. Hit a Timmys. Extra-large double double and whatever anyone else wants. Oh, and grab some of those special Halloween donuts with the black and orange sprinkles.

Way to work the stereotype, Leah snickered as Henry suggested the constable call it a night.

No. And if Jack didnt meet his gaze, he came closer than many whod seen what hed seen. Im here until this ends.

You dont have to work tomorrow?

Ill take a sick day. Im not leaving until I know whats going on.

You know

And, he interrupted stubbornly, until you can guarantee no more horror movie rejects will be out and about on my streets.

Your streets? Leah asked.

Its a cop thing, Henry told her before Jack could answer. Theyre all remarkably possessive.

Well, youd know possessive. I should go with you, she added crossing the office as he took Jacks money and folded it into the front pocket of his jeans. Just in case.

In case theres an attack on you while Tony sleeps?

She moved a little closer and tossed her hair back over her shoulder. With Tony out, youre my best bet.

Henry stared for a long moment at the creamy flesh below the curve of her ear. No, he said at last. Too great a risk.

You think thats a greater risk than running into a new demonic minion?

He gave her back the smile shed given him earlier. I do.






What the hell is going on between those two? Jack muttered as Leah returned to the astrological charts on the desk and Henry headed for the back door.

You dont know?

He turned to see Groves standing tucked in behind his left shoulder. No, he snapped, putting some decent distance between them. I dont know.

The reporter shuddered. Lucky.

You know? Stupid question. He obviously thought he did. So, whats going on?

And why is a romance writer a better choice to protect her than an armed police officer?

Groves answered the actual question instead of the subtext. She tried for power over him. He threatened to kill her.

Jack blinked. Youre completely bugfuck; you know that, right?






It wasnt so much a book Henry dropped on the desk as a collection of loose pages stuffed between wooden covers. The pages were paler and the writing darker, but that, Jack realized, had more to do with the way Groves page had been stored than any actual differences.

He wasnt a big believer in inanimate objects having an aurain the last few months new and unusual animate objects had pretty much used up all available ability to believebut under oath on the stand hed say this book felt unpleasant. He was just as glad he wasnt the one with his nose barely an inch above the writing.

Do you think you could avoid dropping sprinkles on a priceless literary artifact? Henry carefully swept a bit of orange icing off the top sheet.

Jack backed up a step. Not like he minded being farther away from that book. So whats it say?

Ill let you know when Ive got it in order. Leah sat back, rubbing her eyes, then bent forward again. This page seems to be more dates. This is a description of a body, the injuries, and how it was found. Oh, this is about the woman who found it and what relationship she was to the well to either the dead guy, a dead guy who might not be that dead guy, or to the person writing. Boring stuff so far.

It sounds like a police report.

She looked up and nodded. Jack barely resisted the effort to reach out and push her hair off her face. It could be. Somewhere in here, theres probably information on whos writing and why. Its going to take a while before I can find anything thats going to do us any good. If theres anything in here. She yawned. Im beat, and my eyes hurt. I need some sleep.

We need the information.

Then you stay up and get it.

He cant read it, Jack reminded her as Henry checked his watch. And were all tired.

Dimples flashed. Then we should all find a bed.

Cute. A strangled noise flicked his attention momentarily to the reporter. From the expression on Groves face, he couldnt take a joke. But youre right Back to Leah.  weve got to sleep sometime. And finally to Chester Bane. If you closed the studio, we could make this our command center.

The big man shook his head. I cant afford to lose a days work. Make it your command center with the studio open.

And if a demon shows up when the director yells quiet, we all just pause until the cameras off?

Yes. That should be sufficient.

Jack studied his face and realized: Youre not kidding.

I dont kid. The studio stays open.

We should be safe enough tomorrow, Leah told him, covering another yawn. One way or another, we dealt with the two weak spots I could sense.

Fine. Since no one was listening to reason and since the RCMP wasnt backing his play, giving him no official weight to throw around, hed just have to make the best of things. Tonys security system has been breached. Is it still functional?

No. Leah pulled the sleeves of her sweater down over her hands and folded her arms. I crossed it with no reaction when I got Kevin from the office.

Why would it respond to you?

Everything responds to me.

She sounded so matter-of-fact about it, Jack decided not to argue. All right. He drained the last sweet dredges of his coffee. If we can get some more cough syrup, Tony can resecure the perimeter when he wakes up.

Cough syrup?

Jack explained quickly, and Chester Bane nodded.

Get me an empty bottle, and Ill see that he has what he needs.

Good. And tell your people that a rain of cherries is the sign to hit the deck. He glanced around the office set. You got a shower in this place?

Two. The producer held up the requisite number of fingers. There are en suites in both of the large dressing rooms although Id advise you not to use Masons. Mr. Nicholas is likely to be much more reasonable, particularly as he is aware of whats going on.

Maybe youd better talk to him, then. Jack tilted his head back and stared over the tops of the walls, up into the grid hanging from the ceiling. Its a big place. When your crew shows up, well just stay out of each others way. Well send He paused, leaned back until he could see the end of the chaise and frowned. What the hell is the name of the guy with Tony?

Zev Sero. The musical director. Although he and Mr. Foster are no longer A pause. Ah. With. Currently. Never mind.

Send him home. Whether he comes back is up to you two. If it was up to Jack, hed send Chester Bane home as well. The last thing they needed was more civilians around. You Groves jumped. Im not inclined to let you out of my sight in case this all shows up on page one next to the cow that does Elvis impersonations.

It wont. He was facing Jack but looking at Henry, picking at the cuticle around his right thumb, two spots of color high on each cheek. I promise.

The look was either terror or love, and in this crowd, Jack figured the odds were pretty much even. You break that promise and

Trust me, Constable Elson, Groves interrupted, his Adams apple bobbing as he swallowed, theres no need to make threats. I know whats at stake. Oh, God! Both hands rose to cover his mouth. I didnt mean to say stake!

Clearly, Tony wasnt the only one a little brain fried. Go home. Sleep. Come back.

This time Groves turned to face Henry as he asked, Now?

This time Jack wasnt going to put up with it. Hey. Im telling you to go. And then he decided not to notice that Henry nodded, an almost friggin regal incline of the head before Groves finally got off his ass and started moving.

Pausing. My page

Stays.

Leah leaned forward and caught the reporters eye. Ill take good care of it.

How the hell did she make that sound pornographic? Jack shifted his weight to make an adjustment. And it wasnt just him. There was shifting going on all over the room.

Ill be leaving as well. Henry came out from behind the desk. I have commitments I cannot break.

Hey. Jack stepped into his path. If I can break mine, then uh It was too damned dark and he couldnt find his way out. He had no backup. No weapon. He was was Eyes, they were just eyes. Fuck. Okay, go.

Ill be back as soon as I can. Mr. Groves, Ill walk you to your car.

Jack watched them leave, wondering how high Groves would jump if Henry Fitzroy reached over and tapped him on the arm. He turned to find himself under examination by Chester Bane.

You seem to be taking this in stride, Constable.

He reached for another donut and realized there were bruises on his back that were going to hurt like hell come morning. Well, the perps are uglier, but its hardly the first stakeout Ive been on.

You are serving and protecting?

Yeah. Thats what Im telling myself.



Chapter Ten

  


TONY HOPED HE WAS dreaming although, given the way his life had been lately, he figured there was a fifty-fifty chance he was actually physically standing somewhere white. White up above, white all around, white and solid underfoot. At least he was dressed. One of those naked and somewhere white dreams would be more than he could handle right about now.

If he was dreaming.

Hello?

No echo. No bounce at all. Not inside, then.

Unless he was under a giant white insulated dome that was sucking up the sound of his voice.

Yeah. That was likely. Itd be like The Truman Show only without Jim Carrey. Or a set.

The air was warm and smelled like

Well, that was embarrassing. The whole place smelled like him. Still, he supposed a guy whod had a three-demon day was entitled to stink a bit if anyone was.

He lifted his left hand to run it back through sweaty hair. Stopped it at eye level.

The rune burned into the palm of his left handusually a thin white linehad turned a dark blood red. The rune allowed him to hold energy. Energies. Did the color change mean that the rune was holding all the white in place or was that too much of a leap?

Okay, lets go over what we know.

White place.

Red rune.

That was about it.

As far as Tony could figure, there was only one way to find out if there was a connection. He dropped to one knee and poked at the ground. It felt like a really good kitchen countertop, that stuff where the pieces got melted together and couldnt be scratched. Henry had it in his condo.

And that was as far as he got for a while.

Hard to tell how much time had passed because nothing changed, but Tony was fairly sure hed been kneeling there for hours. Or hed gone somewhere else and was just getting back because that sort of thing could happen in a dream. This kind of a dream anyway. The truly weird kind.

Before it could happen again, before he could convince himself that this was a remarkably bad idea, he raised his left hand and slapped his palm down on the ground.

It gave slightly. A noticeable ripple moved out from the point of impact. He rose and fell as it passed beneath him, like riding a solid wave. He watched the shadow that followed the crest until it was too far away to see. His time in television had taught him that a shadow meant a definitive light source, but apparently that rule didnt apply in dreamland.

That was productive. Not. Rubbing the rune against his jeans, he stood.

And squinted.

A black dot marred the perfect white of the horizon. Or of the distance anyway since horizon might be giving the distance more credit than it deserved.

Tony waited and when the dot didnt get any bigger, he started walking toward it.

And walking.

And walking.

And not really getting anywhere.

Of course, it wasnt like he had anything else to do.

Hey! You want to meet me halfway? And Im an idiot, he said in a less carrying tone. What, he asked his immediate surroundings, is the one thing Im good at? Yes, I am amazingly good at my job, but Im speaking metaphysically here, here being somewhat metaphysical. I can call things into my hand. I say come here and things come. Now, admittedly I dont know what this In spite of squinting until his eyes ached, the dot remained a dot.  is, but it appeared after I smacked the white with the rune and so, therefore, if I call it to the hand with the rune that should make up for a lack of defining characteristics. Right?

Nothing disagreed with him.

He waited a moment longer.

Okay, then.

Holding up his hand, reaching, Tony could feel something. Something that was either bigger than anything hed ever moved before or something that didnt want to come to him. Since the first theory allowed for a little more peace of mind, he went with that and pulled harder.

He hadnt had to use the words that focused this particular ability since the haunted house extravaganza back in August. He used them now.

Shouted them out, one at a time. By the sixth word, he could feel movement. By the seventh the black dot was longer than it was wide, kind of person-shaped. Panting, he lowered his arm and squinted again.

Person-shaped with antlers.

Seemed like hed been trying to call a Demonlord to his hand.

So, now he knew that, the question was: Did he keep doing it?

Was Darkest Night the highest rated vampire detective show on syndicated television?

Duh.

His whole arm shook as he raised it, lowered it, raised it again. Apparently his arm wasnt convinced this was a good idea, but if he wasnt dreaming, Ryne Cyratane might be his only way out. Hell, if he was dreaming, Ryne Cyratane still might be his only way out.

This time when he called, the Demonlord didnt move. He did. His feet skittered along the countertop surface until he could see the Demonlords face and then stopped so suddenly he nearly pitched forward. Too far away to touchand that was probably a good thingclose enough to see expression. The Demonlord didnt look happy, that was for sure. He looked frustrated. Like he knew the thing he was looking for was right there, right in front of him, but he couldnt find it.

Me again. Tony couldnt have explained how he knew. It was like when he was on the street and some nights when the cops cruised by they were just out and about and some nights they were actively looking to score some law-and-order points, and it got so he could tell the difference. This feeling felt like that feeling.

Although, if Ryne Cyratane was looking for the wizard who kept sending his demons back to hell with their dicks in their hands, shouldnt he be angry?

Hey!

No response.

Dude! If you want to talk to me, Im right here!

Here and not moving any closer. He could step back but not forward. There didnt seem to be any kind of an invisible barrier, he just couldnt do it.

Tony slid his gaze down Ryne Cyratanes body, got distracted for a moment or twoDamn!and realized that the Demonlords feet were likewise held in place. Back up the long expanse of skin, another moment of distractionDamn, damn, damn!and this time he saw that the Demonlords mouth was moving.

Okay. He ran a hand back through his hair. The frustrated expression was beginning to seem like a good idea. You cant hear me. I cant hear you. So what the fuck is the point?

When no answer was forthcoming, Tony reached into his pocket and pulled his only twoonie out of a handful of change. Two bucks seemed a small price to pay if this worked.

It didnt.

The tossed coin went through the Demonlord as if he wasnt there, hit the ground behind him, and rolled for a couple of meters before toppling over to wobble into stillness.

Heads or tails?

No answer to that either.

Yeah, well, from what Leah says, youd prefer tails, wouldnt you?

He was a big guy; powerful looking with great muscle definition and enormous hands. Tony wasnt much for gym queens, but these muscles had a purpose and that made all the difference. It looked like he could rip the heads off small animals and what was more, looked like hed do it, too, if the mood struck him. Although thick dreads covered the base of the antlers, the curved horn didnt look glued on. They looked like weapons.

He was proportional.

Oh, come on, its hanging out there. Im supposed to not look at it?

Fortunately the whole rip-the-heads-off-small-animals observation was putting a damper on his completely understandable reaction.

Or not.

The inside of his right arm was suddenly very warm. Lines of warmth trailing over the skin applied with the perfect amount of pressure. It felt really good. Had he not been stuck in a dream with a frustrated Demonlord, it would have felt like foreplay.

He closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them again, he had an instants flash of Ryne Cyratanes face, onyx eyes actually focused on him, then the onyx turned to jade and the Demonlord became Lee kneeling beside the chaise, one hand wrapped around his upper arm, fingers rubbing the soft skin on the inside just under the edge of his T-shirt.

Dream, then.

Hell, maybe dream now. Hed had this dream before, he realized as his brain took the opportunity to repeat, felt like foreplay half a dozen times.

Hey.

Tony thought about pretending to still be asleep because it felt so good to have Lee touching him. Sure, it was kind of taking advantage, but hed had a rough day and he knew that the moment he showed any awareness Lee was back in the happy hetero land of denial. Why shouldnt he take a moments advantage? Because, unfortunately, he was one of the good guys.

So he blinked and focused and said, Hey back.

Weird. Lee kept up the caress. Not that it was a big deal or anything, but it was definitely a caress.

Maybe Lee didnt realize he was awake. So he added, What time is it?

Almost three. Although the fingers quit moving, the hand stayed where it was, and since Lee was smiling right into his face, it seemed like he knew who he was holding.

Hang on. If it was almost three, then hed only been asleep for about an hour and what the hell was Lee doing at the soundstage when hed been told to stay out of danger?

Friday afternoon, Lee added, smile broadening.

Had he said any of that out loud? Or was he really so easy to reIts when!

Lees grip on his arm kept him pinned to the chaise. Leah says you cant do the with one bound he was up and away. She says youll fall over.

His brain kept repeating, Friday afternoon! but he managed to catch the last two words. Fall over?

Seems like your busy day turned into a busy night, Lee explained, fingers tracing tiny circles. Leah said you needed to recover, so weve been keeping an eye on you.

Tiny circles. Warm fingers. Focus damn it! We?

Me, mostly. He shrugged. I finished up just before we broke for lunch and I was going to head home, but Jack said that as long as Leah was tied up in translations, I might as well make myself useful.

Jack?

Sound asleep in CBs office with his jacket over his face.

Tony ran down the list in his head. CB?

Has a meeting with his insurance people. Lee glanced at the pile of broken lumber that had been part of the set on Thursday morning. Cant think why.

Zev?

I assume hes at his board. The tiny circles stopped as dark brows drew in. You know, its interesting, I seem to be the only person who knows about this who wasnt here last night.

Youd be surprised at what people who think they know dont know.

Pardon?

Yeah, Tony wasnt sure he understood that either. Amy wasnt here.

Apparently, Amy was a part of the road show. He sighed and the frown morphed from annoyance to frustration. I just dont seem to be getting through to you. I am over what happened last summer

Then why all the touchy-feely now? Oh. Right. Over being possessed.

 and I dont want you to protect me. I dont need you to protect me. In case its escaped your notice, Im a fair bit bigger than you.

Whip it out and prove it, Tony muttered. Size isnt the point, he added quickly. When youre No. I dont Uh-uh. This is Nope. Probably shouldnt go there either. He closed his eyes and sighed. When youre involved, I think about you. Not about saving the world or whatever part of its in danger this month. You. I dont think I can handle seeing you in danger again. This is hard enough without all that extra emotional baggage. How hard could it be to say that out loud? When he opened his eyes, Lee was watching him. Still holding his arm. Waiting.

Stupid question.

It was fucking impossible to say all that out loud.

Lees turn to sigh. Asshole. Come on, sit up slowly. Ive got you.

The world made a few interesting adjustments as, with Lees help, he dropped his feet to the floor and managed to get at least partially vertical. The soundstage slipped sideways for a moment and, true to his word, Lee was right there, his arm around Tonys shoulders. Waking up was turning out to be even more surreal than his dream. Although one thing hadnt changed.

I stink.

You do. Think you can make it to a shower? He pulled away a little, half turned to face the far side of the sound-stage. Props might still have that wheelchair. I dont think we completely destroyed it.

We set it on fire, pushed it down the ramp at a parking garage, and it slammed into a concrete block wall.

Still

No. Deep breath and a surge upright. Im fine. Im just a little stiff.

Whip it out and prove it. Almost under his breath. Almost not loud enough to hear except that his mouth was close enough to the side of Tonys head for the words to brush against his ear.

If he wasnt before, he was now.

He didnt close his eyes, although he wanted to. He wished he knew what Lee was thinking. What Leed been thinking when hed been sitting and stroking and waiting for Tony to wake up. Conscious of every point of contact, he said, Stop screwing around, Lee. Unless youre ready to cross the line, its not fair.

The other man flushed and suddenly there were half as many points of contact. Cant a guy help a friend whos been fried? he asked, his mouth twisting into an approximation of a smile.

Were they friends? Theyd been friendly although theyd never been the go out for a beer together kind of friends. Made sense. Beer and subtext was a bad combination. For the sake of getting where he was going, he supposed he could fake friend if that was how Lee wanted to play it.

Sure. Speaking as the friend who got fried, Im glad of the help.

As they shuffled across the soundstage, Tony nodded toward the back wall of Raymond Darks office. A couple of grips were opening the trap and wrestling the camera through the space where the imitation Turner had been. Whats up?

Fortunately, Leed had enough of innuendo. Masons doing the existential moment that leads us to the final episode and all those frigging flashbacks. He wasnt in the flashbacks, which cut his time in the final episode to the teaser and the tag. Thered already been discussions about an extra feature on the DVD to make up for it. Mason and existential, he snorted. Those are two words I never thought Id put together.

Does Mason even know what existential means?

It means its about Mason. Hes happy with that. Hes an uncomplicated guy, our Mason.

Uncomplicated would be nice. Tony leaned against a Gothic revival pillar as Lee reached for the door. Itd be a nice fucking change.

Before Lees fingers closed around the doorknob, it moved. They shuffled back as the door opened, shuffled back a bit farther as Adam came into the soundstage carrying a huge sheet of white foam board.

So, hows the fallen warrior? he asked, peering around it at them.

Wizard. But it seemed pointless to protest. Im fine, Tony told him and when Adam snorted, expanded it to, a little unsteady.

The IAD craned his head until he could get a line of sight on Lee. Dont drop him, he told the actor as if he was saying, Dont miss your mark. Weve got one more episode to shoot and Id like to have a roof to do it under. Without waiting for a response, he adjusted his grip and walked away muttering, Demons want to invade, they can bloody well time it for hiatus like everyone else.

He knows

CB did a little explaining when the crew arrived this morning.

I dont think

CB thought, Lee interrupted again, that the known isnt half as likely to be gossiped about as the unknown. Also, given what some of us have already been through, we deserved better than bullshit.

That explains it, Tony muttered, as they proved that it wasnt entirely impossible for two people to get through the costumes that lined the hall outside the soundstage. Best to just ignore the implication that CB had given Lee permission to be involved in the fight.

What does?

Your sudden attention. Were fighting a kind of a war here, so its a two guys in the trenches thing.

That sounds vaguely pornographic.

I meant like in episode fifteen.

That was vaguely pornographic. Masons fan mail jumped seventeen percent after the World War I episode. Maneuvering around the gorilla suits pressed Lees body tight against his.

Safest to blame the gorillas. Itd keep him from punching Lee in the face. You know what I mean. Helping a fallen comrade is very butch. Very safe.

One rack of costumes ended at the door to the womens washroom, opening up enough room for them to stand side by sideface-to-face with a little distance between them. Albeit a very little distance. Tony wanted to mutter, Take a picture, itll last longer, except that would be childish and there was nothing even remotely childlike about the look on Lees face. For a long moment, he was convinced that Lee was going to kiss him. Right there. Right in front of the womens washroom and the tattered sign about no fucking when the red light was on.

Then the moment passed.

Lee nodded toward the dressing rooms, still half a dozen meters down the hall. Come on, you need to get cleaned up.

Maybe it came from facing demons. Maybe he was lightheaded from hunger. Chicken.

Fuck off.

Lee really sounded pissed, but to Tonys surprise, he didnt let goalthough his grip on Tonys upper arm tightened until his fingers were digging into flesh. They walked in silence to the door of his dressing room where Tony balked.

Im using your shower?

Youd rather have Mason walk in on you?

He was a heartbeat away from saying what hed rather have. He said nothing as Lee opened the door. Nothing as he walked inside. Nothing as Lee released his arm, stepped back, and asked, You going to be okay?

Ill be fine.

Well, that was something but not exactly relevant.

He said nothing as Lee tossed him a towel. Said nothing as Lee left.

As he dropped to the end of the couch and bent to fight with his shoes, he muttered, Whos chicken now?

At least if they were both chickens that was sort of a species step in the right direction. Or possibly hed moved beyond light-headed to completely fucking insane.






Amy was setting a tray of food on the battered coffee table as he stepped out of the tiny en suite, the towel wrapped around his waist. There was no sign of Lee.

And the repressed gay interlude seems to be over; back to business as usual.

Just so you know, Im not accepting a supporting role. Amy stuck a fork upright in the lasagna. I lied my ass off to the cops last night, she continued, straightening, and I demand a spot in the front Whoa, Tony, those are some interesting scars.

It took him a moment to realize she meant the Crosshatching on his left pec. Most people who saw him with his shirt off didnt mention them.

Who did this to you? Henry traced cool circles over the damaged skin.

If I tell you, what'll you do? 

His smile had been like a knife in the dark. Make them pay. 

So Tonyd told him. Hell, he was eighteen. Revenge had seemed like a good idea. He still didnt regret it.

Zev had said nothing, merely acknowledged the evidence of old pain with a gentleness that had broken Tony apart. And then acknowledged that by putting him back together again more gently still. I so didnt deserve him.

Are they tribal markings? Amy asked as he rummaged a shirt out of the garbage bag of his clean laundry.

Sort of. They were what happened to those who got caught on the wrong turf.

Cool.

Not really, no. But Amy was looking at darkness from the outside where it was a lot safer and practically branded. What the hell are you wearing?

She pulled the front of her T-shirt out far enough to be able to look down at the picture of a nearly skeletal man climbing out of the bisected body of a rotting bear. New movie shooting in the park. I scammed it off one of the publicity guys. Werebear!

Where castle? He shimmied jeans up under the towel and let it drop.

What?

Are you kidding me? When she continued to look blank, he shook his head and dropped down onto the couch. No one cares about the classics these days.

Yeah, yeah, tell it to your next boyfriend. And speaking of, that cutie cop wants to see you on the soundstage when youve eaten; hes taken your spot on the chaise. Lee says you can leave your clothes in here as long as you need to. Zev says try not to get killed before tomorrow sunset because hed like to say good-bye. Adam wants to know why you cant work since youre in the building anyway. And Id be kind of pissed about taking messages for you except Im sucking up in the hope youll take me demon hunting.

He muttered a negative around a mouthful of lasagna.

I can get my hands on some holy water.

Wrong kind of demons.

Theres a right kind of demon?

Damned if I know. He smiled up at her.

Ew. Mouth closed while eating, pig person. Wiggling her fingers at him in what may have been a sign against the evil eye although it looked more like she was trying to flick a booger free, Amy backed out the door. Dont forget the cop on the chaise, she warned as she closed it behind her.

Sometimes, Tony acknowledged, stuffing another forkload of pasta and cheese into his mouth and this time chewing with his mouth closed, the tricks a guy learned grossing out girls at twelve ended up helping him out for the rest of his life.






Your friend Fitzroy doesnt answer his phone.

Tony shrugged in Jacks general direction. It had been Henry last night. Now it was Fitzroy again. At least he hadnt shortened it to FitzHenry reacted badly to diminutives. Hes probably on deadline.

Oh, yeah. Romance writer. Reclining on the chaise, fingers laced over his stomach, wearing the pale blue dress shirt with the handprint scorched on to it that Mason had worn in episode five, Jack crossed his legs at the ankles. I dont know many romance writers who can do what he did last night.

How many romance writers do you know? And how many of them have you seen deal with a demon?

Good point. Points.

He crossed to the chaise, fighting the urge to look up at the gate as he passed under it. Technically, he fought the urge to look up into the lighting grid at the place the gate would be if it was still opening, but that was more complicated than he was up to right now. Amy said you wanted to see me? His attempt at not sounding defensive failed miserably.

Jack grinned. Thought youd like to know what you missed after you went all Sleeping Beauty on us last night and before Prince Charming showed up this afternoon.

Who? So much for defensivenow, he was just trying not to sound confused.

Leah sent that actor guy youre so hot for in to watch over you. The grin broadened in a decidedly shit-disturbing manner. I suggested he wake you with a kiss. Howd that go? Im curious, he added as Tony opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, because he looked like he was considering it. Good-looking guy if I was interested in guys, which Im not.

Neither is he.

Bullshit. I pointed out that the place is being overrun by demons and we could all be dead tomorrow, so he should take the chance.

Hes st Tony couldnt get the word out. Apparently his subconscious would only allow hypocrisy to take him so far. Hes not interested.

The hell he isnt. Im a trained observer Jack unlaced his fingers and thumped himself on the chest.  your tax dollars at work. The girls are either camouflage or hes willing to switch hit.

Spare me the lame sports analogy, Dr. Ruth.

Shut up, Im not done. Hes decided he wants you, but hes too fucking freaked to take that final step. Cant say as I blame him, him being in the public eye and all. A thoughtful frown. Or he would be if anyone actually watched this dumbass show.

Hey! Weve got the highest numbers of any vampire detective show in syndication.

That and a buck seventeen will buy you a bad cup of coffee. Swinging his feet to the floor, Jack sat up. So, the story thus far: Your reporter buddy Groves showed up with that page of his. Your romance writer buddy Fitzroy went home and got the rest of the book. Your very hot stuntwoman buddy Leah knows how to read the book, and shes working on the translation. Basically, were all waiting to find out what the hell is going on. Oh, and your freak buddy, Amy, kind of grows on you. Is she seeing anyone?

Not right now. He dropped onto the end of the chaise. And forget it.

Jack made a noise Tony couldnt identifyalthough he was pretty sure it wasnt agreementand said, So, whos Arra?

Arra? He needed to find out how much Jack knew, then he could craft the lie. How do you know about Arra?

You mentioned her last night.

Crap.

We were talking about the rope, the unnatural rope, and you said it was weird that Arrad know it would work since shed never faced demons here in this world. Then Leah said that if youd never met her, you wouldnt be fighting demons today.

You remember all that?

Its part of my job to remember the details.

That wasnt the part of his job Tony had trouble with. It was more the parts that involved the government and arresting people and sure hed been willing to falsify reports and get involved on his own time, but how long before the weird built up past the point he could justify not mentioning it. Justify not bringing out the big guns to try and stop it. And would that even be a problem? People had died. Tony stared at the toes of his Doc Martens. They were in the midst of a Demonic Convergence; odds were good that more people would die.

You want me to take a guess? Jack leaned forward, forearms balanced on his thighs. Im guessing she was the wizard who fingered you as a wizard and that she was from another world, like the demons are. I figure this happened back last spring when I got fed a bullshit line about what happened to Charlie Harris and Rahal Singh.

He didnt need to be reminded of their names.

I figure she either died then, too, or went home since she wasnt around this summer while you were talking to the dead and she isnt around now.

Tony opened his mouth and closed it again when Jack kept talking.

At first I thought you may have made some kind of mistake when this Arra was starting you out as a wizard and thats how those two men diedand thats what youve been hiding from me.

He could feel Jacks gaze on the side of his face. He didnt turn. Its not.

I know. Leah said something else last night.

Um take me? Take me, Im yours? A weak attempt to lighten the mood but pretty much a gimme.

She said that heroes rise when we need them.

That forced the turn. You think Im a hero?

Jack shrugged. I did a background check on you, he said matter-of-factly. I know what battles youve already won.

Holy after-school special, Batman, Tony muttered, cheeks flushed. He hadnt won any battles; hed done what hed had to in order to survive.

So what happened last spring? Still matter-of-fact.

Why not. Arra and I fought off a guy called the Shadowlord invading from her world. After we won, she went home. Coles Notes version.

The Shadowlord was responsible for the deaths?

Yeah.

What happened to him?

He got eaten by the light.

Is that some kind of wizard metaphor?

Not really.

Here? His gesture took in the immediate area.

Yeah.

Good. Jack nodded. Good, he said again, sounding more satisfied the second time, as though hed taken that moment to consider things and now was able to let it go.

They sat silently for a moment, Jack staring down into his loosely clasped hands. Voices across the soundstage sounded like they were coming from another world. Tony glanced up into the lighting grid and then back down at his shoes. An old friend of mine says theres too often a difference between law and justice.

Would that old friend be Detective-Sergeant Mike Celluci?

Christ, no!

Fortunately, any discussion that might bring up Vicki Nelson was cut off by the bell and calls of Rolling! from the permanent sets. It sounded like they were shooting by Masons coffinfar enough away for quiet conversation but just as well Jack didnt know that. Tony did not want to talk about Vicki Nelson with Jack.

Talking about Vicki would only lead to more lying and basking in the warm glow of even a truncated confession, Tony didnt feel like lying. With any luck, the feeling wouldnt last, but for the moment he decided to go with it.

Cut! Reset! Well go again from the top.

They heard the door open almost immediately after the light went out.

Must be nice, Constable Danvers muttered, stopping at the foot of the chaise, arms folded over her damp, brown corduroy jacket. Sitting around, head up your butt, not actually accomplishing anything.

We had a demon last night, Jack protested.

Yeah? I had a six-year-old who disassembled the DVD player, an eight-year-old who wants a tattoo, and dog vomit all over the living room rug. Trade you.

When she motioned for Tony to move over, he stood. Ill get a chair. No way he was sitting between two cops. That brought back bad memories.

 good news is, no bodies, she was saying as he returned. No body parts either. We had Sammy Kline making his biweekly call about lights in the sky and, this time, he might actually be onto something since there was a slightly more credible report about a flash of light across the Arm from the airport. She turned the page of her occurrence book and squinted at her notes. Pilot saw it when he was circling for his final approach and thought it might be an explosion. Richmond detachment sent a car over, and it turned out to be some kind of gas leak and blow in a Goth coffee shop. Goth coffee shop, she repeated with a snort. That almost qualifies as weird shit on its own.

A demon knocked the door down. Tony told her. He hid a grin as her head jerked up. That flash by the airport was the weak spot opening.

Her eyes narrowed and suddenly he didnt feel much like grinning. Weak spot? she demanded.

Between here and the hells.

You were there?

He shrugged. I was trying to cut it off at the pass.

Great, she smiled insincerely, the expression barely reaching her mouth let alone her eyes. Youre a cowboy now. So there was a demon at a Goth coffee shop? They mustve been thrilled.

Not really. Not all of them, he amended, remembering Amy.

Youd think that the sort of people whod drink at a Goth coffee shop What? she demanded as Jack growled something under his breath. I just like saying it. We, where we refers to the police in general as opposed to our detachment in particular, also received a number of calls about vandalized satellite dishes, a couple of downed power lines, a destroyed pigeon coop, and, not far from here, a balcony railing ripped right off the twelfth floor. No one saw anything, though.

It took the high ground between the coffee shop and here, Tony realized. Thats why there were no casualties.

Not a lot of healthy pigeons left in that coop, Constable Danvers pointed out dryly. And when you say it, youre talking demon, right?

Right. They move really fast.

No shit.

Can you check for more flashes?

She shook her head. There was only the one reported last night.

Not just from last night, Jack broke in. Go back at least a week, he told his partner, then turned to Tony. You want to compare the flashes to the demons you dusted, get a count, and find out if theres any still hanging around.

Itll get us the timing, too. Unless the intervals are completely random, well know when to expect the next one.

Youre smarter than you look.

I hate to put a damper on the mutual congratulations, Danvers sighed. But last nights report was a fluke. Pilot just happened to be passing over at the right time. No one else called it in.

Theres not much around there. It was on the edge of an industrial park, as far as Tony could remember and, that close to the airport, what locals there were would be used to blocking out lights and sound. The guests at the hotel down the street wouldnt know what passed for normal in that part of Vancouver and the staff would be too busy to care. If a weak spot opened where there were more people, someone probably called the cops.

Looking thoughtful, she snapped the occurrence book closed, slid it into an inside pocket, and pulled out her PDA. Worth a try, I suppose. I can access the electronic files from here.

Not from here, you cant. You cant get an uplink any closer than the other side of the road, he explained in answer to the questioning curl of her lip, impressed by the amount of information she could convey in a sneer.

Fine. She stood. Ill check and then Im gone. Some of us cant waste precious sick days saving the world. Oh, hell, Im going to have to come back, arent I? I cant just call you with the info.

Lets settle down, people! Adams voice, rising from around Raymond Darks coffin, dampened the ambient noise. Quiet on the set!

Tony glanced over toward the door. The light was still off. You wont get to come back if you dont go away.

You can talk after he says quiet?

Yeah, but you cant leave after the red light goes on.

She took two steps toward the door and half turned, one hand rising to touch the loose knot of hair at the back of her neck. Lee Nicholas?

Is in Chester Banes office with the demonic consultant, Jack told her. I thought you didnt have time to hang around and save the world.

I may need to ask him a couple of questions about that deranged fan. She flashed him a two can play at this game look and ran for the door.

Lees with Leah? Tony asked when no one yelled rolling. He was aiming for nonchalant. He suspected he missed.

Thats where I left him. I took over out here, remember? Leaning on the curve of the chaise, Jack raised an eyebrow. You think hes in there shoring up his increasingly dubious heterosexuality? He snickered as Tony shrugged, once again missing nonchalant. Yeah, its all right there on your face. Except the increasingly dubious bit. I added that myself.

So whats with the lights in the sky?

Jack straightened, allowing the subject to be changed. Sammy Klines a janitor out at SFU. Every payday he goes on a bender and reports lights in the sky. Pale brows drew in. Any chance he could be right?

Another shrug. Beats me. I dont do aliens.

I cant work like this! Masons protest cut off whatever smart-ass response Jack was about to make. When he wanted to get his point, across the star of Darkest Night fell back on skills hed learned doing summer theater unmiked in leaky tents situated by a major highway that was uphillboth waysfrom his drafty and unheated garret room. No one had suffered for their art like Mason. Look! Right there! There is a cherry in my coffin!

Mason Peters voice faded just below where they could hear it.

Mason and a cherry; that was just too easy. Even across the soundstage, Tony could hear the snickers.

I called quiet, people! Adam had been around the business too long to allow any amusement to show in his voice. Settle down! And rolling!

Rolling, Tony repeated softly.

Mark!

They couldnt hear the scene called, but they heard the clapper.

Action!

Action He wanted to be by the camera watching Mason overact, the only demons on the set the metaphorical demons in Raymond Darks past. He wanted bad coffee and long hours and he very much didnt want to be tucked off to one side while he dealt with the weirdness du jour. He wanted his life back. There had to be a way he could deal with this shit instead of just reacting to it. Leahs original idea of preventing the demons from crossing over was a good one, but finding them by driving around the lower mainland was stupid and inefficient.

He had to stop thinking like a TAD and start thinking like a wizard if he ever wanted a chance to be a TAD again.

Yeah. Thats it. Aim high.

So this is the infamous game of spider solitaire.

Infamous? Tony smacked Jacks hand away from the keyboard and winced as it returned to impact against the back of his head.

The game that masks the wonders of wizardry.

Tony shot him a sideways look as he scrolled down the index. Youve been talking to Amy.

No law against it. He winked over the cardboard lip of his coffee cup. And like I said, shes cute.

Shes not your type.

You dont know that.

Youre not her type. Youre way too normal.

A pale brow arced up. I took a sick day to hunt demons.

Maybe normal isnt the right word. Tony paused and frowned at the screen. Here it is. Finding.

What? Nemo?

Tony double-clicked the icon. Therere a few files in here. Finding Living Creatures

The demons are living.

Yeah, but were not trying to find demons, were trying to find where demons will be.

Time travel?

Not allowed.

Jack finished his coffee and crushed the cup. Too bad.

Finding Inanimate Objects.

Ive lost my TV remote.

Its in the sofa cushions.

I am in awe of your power. Nothing on finding your way to hell?

Wrong reference material. Tony grinned as Jack snorted. Here it is. Finding a Power Source.

You need to be plugged in?

I dont think so. He scanned the instructions. I need a map.

Ive got one in my truck.






The wardrobe department needed more space. Which was pretty much true of every department but finance; they had plenty of space but needed more money. Wardrobe made it obvious with a leaning tower of shoe boxes, shelves six deep in hats, and bolts of fabric piled by color and weight. Since most of the fabric had been bought as remainders, some of the colors were a little frightening. A huge chart delineating what costumes were needed and when covered one wall. Sketches had been pinned up to every nonmoving surface as well as a couple of surfaces that werent moving now but would be later. The actual clothing hung out in the hall.

When Tony came in with Jacks map, he found Alison Larkin on her knees in front of the thinnest of the staff writers adjusting the length of an apron over a full peasant skirt. Dana, her most recent assistant, sat bent over one of the three sewing machines.

I need to iron a map.

Were busy, Alison snapped without looking up.

I dont need you to iron it, Tony amended, wondering if shed ever swallowed a pin. I need to iron it.

Why? Never mind. Dont touch that dirndl on the ironing board! Toss the sheet of white felt down on the cutting table and do it there. And Roger She slapped a hairy calf.  stop fucking moving, or Ill stick you on purpose. Weve got another eight of these to get through.

Be sure the map is free of creases.

Ironing the map, not a problem. Not much of a problem anyway. Getting it back to the soundstage without folding it was a little trickier. Tony shuffled sideways through the costumes, arms outstretched, swearing softly under his breath and wondering why they had half a rack of silver lam jumpsuits.

The door out into the production office opened as he passed and only a last second, desperate lunge to the right kept Leahand Lee right behind herfrom slamming new creases into his map.

Tony! Good news!

He continued shuffling toward the soundstage. I could use some.

Its possible that because of the way the energy is being used this Demonic Convergence wont go on as long as it has in the past.

According to?

According to the book that your friend Henry provided last night. Following close behind, she waved it in his general direction.

Tony peered at it over the upper edge of the map. It didnt look much like a book. It looked more like a lot of loose, yellowing pages crammed inside a worn, brown leather cover.

While you were sleeping, she continued, I was working on a translation.

With first Jack and then Lee in the office with her, Tony doubted that was all shed been doing. A glance past her at Lee showed the actor was looking a little ruffled. And wizards saw what was there, didnt they? Hey, more power to him. Tony was all in favor of everybody getting some. A happy Demonlord was a well, he was a happy Demonlord, thats what he was, and a happy Demonlord was probably less likely to send over demons to slaughter his favorite handmaiden. Mores the pity.

Are you grinding your teeth?

No. He stepped over a pair of old steel-toed work boots painted in patterns that might look like urban camouflage on a thirteen-inch TV. In HDTV, not so much.

Ryne Cyratane is using the energy up.

That was enough to stop him. The ironed paper rustled. What?

The Demonic Convergence produces a limited amount of energy. Usually, its spread out more and the world is dealing with small shit for months. One or two demons show up near the end.

Because the energy burns through the hells like acid rain, Lee expanded. As time passes, stronger drops burn right through the upper layers and end in deeper, nastier places. From his tone, hed been the one to come up with that bit of description.

Before or after the two of them tested the strength of CBs coffee table? They wouldnt have used the couch, or the floor, or the desk it had to have been the coffee table. Why am I thinking about this? he asked himself as he started moving toward the soundstage againwhich meant moving away from Leah and Lee. Giving them room. They, of course, followed. So much for symbolism.

And hang on

Another look at Lee. She told you?

The actor nodded. End of the world as we know it.

Was he blushing? The light in the hall was so bad Tony couldnt tell. Not that it was any of his damned business. So all this means the Demonic Convergence is going to end when?

Sooner. Were not talking months; a month maybe. Maybe not even that if he keeps up this pace. Which raises the question, why is he going to all this effort? If demons always show up at the end of the Convergencewhich, according to this The book was waved for emphasis.  they always do.

Always? Tony interrupted.

According to this book.

Didnt you tell me they sometimes show up at the end of the Convergence?

That was before I had a first-person account to read. And they happen more often than I thought, too. She smiled. It was a remarkably sarcastic expression. So now Ive proved Im not infallible, can we move on?

He shrugged, careful not to crinkle the map.

Ryne Cyratane is not big on Dark brows drew in. Why are you carrying a map of the lower mainland and why you are carrying it like such a spaz?

Its for a spell.

Oh. All right, then.

He managed to hold back a bitchy Glad you approve, long enough for Leah to continue talking.

Ryne Cyratane, she repeated, is not big on personal effort. It would be more like him to wait and use whatever was going to get through at the end regardless. This is bigger than we thought. Hes really motivated.

Why?

How the hell should I know?

Okay. Good to know the time frame had been shorteneda half season of Convergence instead of the full twenty-two episodesbut from where Tony stood, that didnt make a lot of difference. He flattened against the soundstages outer wall to give them room to get past. Can one of you get the sound-stage d

The soundstage door opened.

 never mind.

Hello, pretty lady! Framed in the doorway, Mason smiled unctuously down at Leah. If youre here to watch me tape, were done for the day, but Id be happy to make the trip worth your while and sign a few photos. I have some in my dressing room

Shes not a fan, Mason, Tony interrupted before Leah took him up on it. Not the signed photos but the other non-verbalized offer. Shes a stuntwoman here to talk to Peter about the last episode.

Ah. Red-gold brows drew in as he visibly retreated back out of sexual harassment territory. Fans wanted his attention. Coworkers werent fans. Am I throwing you off the windmill?

Very likely.

Gray eyes gleamed. Im sure Ill enjoy having you in my arms.

Ryne Cyratane flickered as she smiled up at Mason. You have no idea.

Leah! The stunt!

What st oh. Right. She reluctantly dialed it back and the Demonlord disappeared. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Reed. Dimples flashed. My mother loved you in StreetCred!

Tony winced as Mason deflated. This was the first hed ever seen Leah turn off a guys interest as fast as she turned it on. Nothing like a reminder you used to be a network cop and now youre a syndicated vampire, he mused as Mason stepped into the hall and squeezed past his costar. With the soundstage open before him, he could move a little faster.

Too fast to catch just what Mason muttered to Lee that Lee denied so vehemently. Given the salacious tone to the muttering, and the source, it wasnt hard to fill in the blanks.

I hear stuntwomen are very athletic and flexible. Wink. Wink. Nudge. Nudge.

I would never take advantage of a coworker, you cad! 

Great. His brain seemed to be lifting dialogue from Henrys books.

Whats the spell? Leah demanded, catching up.

Tony listened to be sure Lees footsteps were following behind them. Im going to search for the power signatures of the weak spots. The spell should tell us not only where they are but how close they are to opening, so well know which ones to close first. Its possible Not very likely, he admitted silently to himself, but possible.  that itll also map out where the next few weak spots are going to be.

Predictive magic? Wow. You worked that out yourself?

Thanks for sounding so surprised.

No. Hand against her heart. Im impressed. Youre taking charge.

Hey, he was a hero. Yeah, I am.

As they crossed to the chaise, Sorge left Jacks side with a wave and instructions to have a good weekend.

What were you two talking about? Leah demanded as Tony carefully laid the map on the floor.

Jack snorted. I have no idea.

Somehow, staring down at the map lying flat made Tony intensely aware of how thin most peoples versions of reality were. Most people believed that this was all there was. He kind of missed believing that. Dropping to his knees, he bent carefully and began to breathe on the paper.

Leah broke off explaining demonic acid rain to Jack to ask him what he was doing.

The instructions say that the map must know the wizard. This was the least gross option. He finished up by panting at Richmond and stood. Jack, could you His open laptop appeared at the edge of his peripheral vision. Thanks. Now everyone step back. I need to circle the map three times.

Shouldnt you be naked? What? Leah protested as he turned. So nothing would happen; I still like to look.

Jack waved a hand. Pass on the naked: public indecency. Id be forced to use the cuffs.

Dont worry about the naked, Tony snorted. Ill just be reading some words out loud while I walk. Long, complicated words so, once I start, no interruptions.

You dont go through this when you call things to you, Lee reminded him. You just reach for things and theyre there.

Hed reached for Lee once.

Thats a good point. Jack nodded an acknowledgment at the actor. What makes this different?

Do you play an instrument? Tony asked him, grateful for the redirect.

Yeah.

What?

The RCMP Constable glanced over at Leah and Lee and dragged a hand back through his hair, fingering it up into pale spikes. Accordion.

Much mutual blinkage.

Okay, Tony said quickly before Leah found her voice. You know how, when you were learning, you had to think about everything you were doingright hand, left hand, bellows, melody, words, rhythm, and mostly, you had to wonder why you didnt learn a cool instrument? And then, after a shitload of practice, a song clicks and you could just play without thinking about the bits? Come to Me is like that. It clicked. Other spells, Im still figuring out as I go.

Since that was as good a cue as any, he started his first circle. The words were not only long and complicated, but there were a shitload of them and he barely managed to get them all in. Third circle complete and the last few words crammed in tongue twister fast, he knelt by the edge of the map, breathed on his fingertips, and pressed them down on the edge of the ironed paper.

What are you ?

Shhh. Leah. Whod worked with wizards before.

He concentrated. Nothing happened. He could feel the map waiting. Could feel the information he needed just beyond his fingertips. He concentrated harder, focusing power. He could do this. He had to do this. This is what Im supposed to do. Wait. Not do. He didnt do wizardry. He was a wizard. Something shifted and blue light spread out from his fingers pouring like water across the map. Then, suddenly a flare. And another.

And a burst of light.

Coughing and waving away streamers of smoke, Tony looked down at the light dusting of ash on the concrete floor. I think Im going to need another map.






The four of them stared down at the pattern of little burns on the second map. Bad news, there were a lot of them. Maybe he was pissed about losing so many demons, but Ryne Cyratane was definitely motivated. Good news, most of the burns were very faint. Only three were significantly darker than the rest.

Whats it mean? Lee asked, arms folded.

If it worked Tony rocked back off his knees, picked up the map and stood.  it means theres a lot of weak spots building at the same rate, and when they break through

Wall-to-wall demons, Jack finished grimly.

Leah shook her head. That cant be right. Henrys book said the Convergence had a limited amount of energy.

Atomic bombs have a limited amount of energy, Jack snorted. You need to define limited.

We know for sure that Ryne Cyratane wants you dead and his gate open, Tony reminded her over the upper edge of the map. Im guessing hes working the convergent energy to create a lot of weak spots, so he can send through a whole bunch of demons at once, figuring at least one will get through me to you.

And these darker ones? Lee tapped the back of the map where the darker burns showed through.

Best guess; theyre distractions. I figure these guys wont be after you, theyll be free agents. If even one gets through, itll start rampaging through the lower mainland and keep me too busy to close the multiple weak points before they open.

Arms folded, Leah sighed heavily. Thats one complicated assumption there, Tony.

Hes smarter than he looks. Jack gently pushed the top edge of the map down and stared at Tony. Now, lets fill in the blanks. Who is Ryne Cyratane?

Hes a Demonlord.

Tony!

Whoa. If looks could kill. Jacks involved in this, Leah. He has a right to know. Still holding the map, he jerked his chin toward the actor. You told Lee, and hes less involved.

Whose fault is that? Lee muttered.

Youre a civilian, Jack snapped. Tony had every right to try and keep you safe.

Lee took a step forward, chin up. Hes a civilian!

Hes a wizard!

He has no secrets, Tony sighed. Leah? He didnt need her permission, but he didnt want a fight either.

She dropped to the end of the chaise and crossed her legs. Fine. Whatever.

Ryne Cyratanes a Demonlord who used Leah as a part of a gate spell more than three thousand years ago and, if he kills her, he gets to come back.

Jack turned toward the chaise. Youre three thousand years old?

Her turn to sigh. More or less.

You look great!

The dimples made a brief appearance. Thank you.

If he kills you, he gets to come back?

She spread her hands. The gate opens.

Im guessing its going to take more than a yellow rope to hold this guy?

Tony shrugged. From what Ive seen, it depends on what part youre holding.



Chapter Eleven

  


ALL RIGHT, THIS is what were going to do. Theyd moved across the soundstage to Adams officethree wooden stacking tables arranged in an L shape, a home for unavoidable union forms, the battery chargers, and a decapitated head from episode three that the IAD had grown inexplicably fond of. Tony carefully moved a stack of ACTRA forms and spread out the map. These three spots He tapped the darker burns.  have to be closed fast, so I can get as many of the rest shut before the shit hits the fan. The Demonlord knows theres a wizard on this side, but he doesnt know about you lot and he doesnt know that the residue in the studio is drawing his demons. Those two things might give us an edge.

He glanced around at the worlds best chance to remain demon free. CB and Amy, Lee, Jack, and Leah. And Leah was pulling double duty as probable cause. They were watching him like he knew what he was doing, and he could only hope they werent delusional.

Well break up into three teams. Amy and CB, Jack and Lee. Leah stays with me because shes safest there even if it turns out this lots not after her, just here for general, all-purpose mayhem. Well go to this spot here He tapped the map.  closest to the studio and shut it down. The rest of you, youre my eyes and ears. CB, you and Amy will go here, due south down Boundary to North Fraser Way.

South to north, Amy snickered. When everyone turned to stare, she shrugged. Well, I thought it was funny.

Amy had come from the office with CB and refused to leave. Either Im in or not, and after last night, the train to not has left the station. Reluctantly, after hed figured out what the hell she was talking about, Tonyd agreed.

Jack, you and Lee are heading out almost to Simon Fraser. It was insane, completely and absolutely insane for Lee to be a part of this given that metaphysical energy looking for a home seemed to consider his body prime real estate. It really pissed Tony off that his I dont want you involved had been canceled by one you should stick around from Leah. He was trying to keep Lee safe. She just liked having attractive men around. And, okay, he liked looking up and seeing Lee on the other side of the table, too, but hed also seen Lee on his knees screaming, tortured by the dead to force him to cooperate, and he never wanted to see that again. Hed stuff Lee into a closet and lock the doorfuck the symbolismif it was up to him. But it wasnt.

The burns showing in this industrial park here off Eastlake Drive. Its late enough that there shouldnt be anyone around.

So no one out there except us to get eaten, Jack put in.

No one gets eaten, Tony snapped. Its entirely possible that nothing will happen tonight, but He raised a hand and cut Amy off before she could speak.  if it does, get clear and then call me, and Ill haul ass back to the studio instead of heading out to the next weak spot.

Well all haul ass back to the studio.

Heads nodded at Jacks statement.

Fine. A grudging admission that he couldnt stop them. But dont go charging in until Im here. Jack, you know how hard it is to take one of these things down. Jack nodded reluctantly as Tony continued. We go after them with everything we have, or we leave them alone. You go in without metaphysical backup, and these things could take you out like that! He snapped his fingers and something large hit the floor on the far side of the soundstage with a sustained crash.

After a long moment of silence, CB folded his arms. Mr. Foster.

I didnt do it! He frowned. At least I dont think I did it.

Well, this is filling me with confidence, Leah muttered as Jack pulled his gun and moved to check it out.

Maybe I should

CB laid a heavy hand on Amys shoulder. You should let the police handle it.

Chairs! Jack called, heading back. A pile of those metal folding chairs fell over.

They were stacked pretty high, Lee recalled. Last couple of days, Adams been talking about restacking them before they fell.

Coincidence, Amy snorted. No boogeymen in the shadows? she asked as Jack rejoined them at the map.

Not that I saw.

But you wouldnt see them, would you? Was I the only one who heard skittering? She glanced around the group. Okay, I guess I was.

Can we just deal with the trouble we know we have instead of looking for more? Tony sighed. Or are three demons not enough for you?

Lee raised his hand. Enough for me.

Thank you. When Leah and I finish closing the first weak spot, well join CB and Amy and then, when were done there, head east. Remember, if anything happens, dont try and be a hero, just call me.

The whole you shall not pass thing always ends badly, Amy added, shrugging a plaid plastic raincoat on over a black hoodie.

Isnt that what youre telling these things, Tony? That they shall not pass?

He turned to Lee, intending to deny it, and heard himself say, Yeah.

And if it ends badly for you?

Im hoping for weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Joke, he added when no one seemed to appreciate the humor. If it ends badly for me, throw everything you have at keeping Leah alive. The hell with secrets, the hell with not causing mass panic. Mass panic sucks less than mass slaughter.

Do we know therell be mass slaughter? CB asked.

He sounded as though he was requesting confirmation so that he could hire enough extras to make mass a valid description, but it was still a good question. Tony let Leah answer it.

Demons gain power from each life they take, and there are a lot of lives crammed onto the lower mainland. Her right hand lay against the tattoo, her left pushed her hair back off her face, tucking it behind her ear. Enough lives for a satisfactory number of worshipers with plenty left over to spend on other things. Also, she added, the words gaining emphasis, since any mass slaughter will start with my slaughter, Im all in favor of stopping it.

Start with? Amy was on the words like a terrier.

Right. Amy didnt know that Leah was the Demongate.

CB.

The producer nodded. Ill give her the new information in the car.

Jack folded his arms, leather jacket creaking as he ignored the exchange, his attention locked on Leah. People are a lot more powerful than they used to be, he pointed out flatly.

True, she acknowledged. And you may have powerful enough weapons to stop him, but dont think for a moment that with this many lives to feed on, hell be the only one coming through an open gate. The last time, he was called and the gate was destroyed behind him. This time, hell control it.

And we already know that Demonlords have demon minions, Amy put in, shifting her weight back and forth, heel to toe. He could, like, throw them at the military while he feeds and gets too strong to stop. Then the only option would be a surgical nuke. Pow! Hundreds of thousands more die, radiation spreads, one of his minions escapes the blast and absorbs the radiation and mutates so that nothing

CB returned his hand to her shoulder, cutting off the flow of words. I dont like the thought of leaving the studio unprotected, he growled.

Tony didnt much like the thought either. Even if he knew where to send the bill, it seemed ethically questionable to charge for saving the world, so hed really like a job to come back to on Monday morning. However, if he had to choose between a building and warm bodies I dont want anyone out there alone.

Perhaps I can help with that.

Lee, Amy, and Jack jumped; Jacks hand dropped to his gun. Leah looked like nothing much surprised her anymore. CB looked unimpressed. Tony tried not to give in to nerves and snicker.

Where the hell did he come from? Jack demanded as Henry walked up to the table and studied the map. No one moves that quietly.

Clearly, someone does, CB told him as Tony started in on the highlights of what Henry had missed.

When he finished, Henry nodded. Ill stay here. If unnatural rope works on all demons, I can work on securing anything that might show up until Tony arrives to deal with it.

More metaphysical backup, Jack announced almost too quietly to hear. And then he point-blank refused to explain what he meant, cheeks flushing as Henry caught his eye.

Tony could see that CB wanted to say hed stay behind. It was his studio, and he was, in his own way, as possessive as Henry. But he was smart enough to know he couldnt do what Henry could, and so he said nothing. That pretty much proved he knew what Henry was, but Tony found he didnt much care. Sometime in the last couple of days, hed gotten over it. Hell, if CB wasnt big enough for them to share, no one was.

Lets go. He folded the map and stuffed it into his jacket pocket. Those three holes were almost burned through. We dont have much time.

I thought you said that nothing should happen tonight? Amy reminded him.

Yeah, well. Tony shrugged. I was trying to raise morale. And nothing should. Maybe. But we probably still dont have much time.

Have you any idea of whats going on?

Bite me.

Amy flipped him off and headed for the door. Be vewy vewy quiet, she muttered as Jack fell into step beside her. Weeh hunting demons.

Jack did a passable Elmer Fudd laugh.

Mr. Groves will be by later, CB told Henry as he followed.

Lee opened his mouth. Closed it. Sighed and finally said, Id be better at this if I had a script.

Since that was pretty much a given, Tony said nothing.

Look, I just want I mean. Fuck it. Be careful, okay?

Yeah. You, too.

He nodded and hurried after the others.

You know, Leah said thoughtfully as she zipped up her jacket, I was thinking it was just you, but I was wrong. Youre both pathetic.

Leah

Dont bother saying it. Ill meet you in the car.

Tony listened to the soft sound of her footsteps die away. He shrugged a backpack strap up onto one shoulder and looked Henry in the eye. Vicki told me to call you. You know, back when this started.

Henry smiled. I know.

Youre a hard man to be separate from. Tony wasnt sure he understood that, but Henry seemed to.

I know.

With any luck, Ill close those three spots before they open, and youll have a quiet night. Didnt cost any more to look on the bright side.

Good luck, then.

Cool fingers rested for a moment against his cheek and, just for a moment, Tony longed for the days when he was the sidekick. Yeah. You, too.






I cant believe you dont know how to pick locks, Leah muttered, one hand flat against the steel door, the other working the pair of straightened bobby pins back and forth.

Why would I know how to pick locks? Tony demanded quietly.

Well, youre clearly a man with a past.

And my entire B&E career consisted of heaving a brick through a grocery store window and then sprinting two blocks carrying a watermelon.

Two blocks?

Ran into a cop. Big guy. Splat. Knocked me flat on my ass.

Hmmm.

The noise may have been in response to his story or to the lock on the apartment door, Tony wasnt sure. He glanced down at the open laptop, silently ran over the words to the Notice Me Not one more time, and hoped he wouldnt have to use it. Not only because new magic was always an exciting crapshoot, but also because he needed to hoard as much personal energy as possible given what the immediate future was likely to hold. Although hed topped the tank with a double bacon cheeseburger and large fries on the way to the first site, he had no idea how long that would last. He probably should have bought a second milkshake, just to be on the safe side.

Leahs dimples had gained them access to the high-rise as an elderly gentleman was leaving. Ignoring Tony entirely, hed held the door open and waved her through, making a rather explicit suggestion that Tony very much doubted heor any man over sixtywould have the stamina to carry out, little blue pills or no little blue pills.

Dude, if yours are lasting more than four hours, someone should check for rigor mortis.

Finding the right floor had been simple. Theyd taken the elevator up one floor at a time until Leahs gut had pinged. Finding the actual weak spot had been a little trickier, but they were about 90 percent certain it was inside apartment 708. Unfortunately, it seemed the tenants werent.

Or fortunately, given how little hed been looking forward to explaining what was going on.

Youd think itd be in apartment 666, wouldnt you?

Like I keep telling the vampire, Leah snorted. Wrong kind of demons.

Hey!

Im picking a lock here, Tony. If someone hears us, the words vampire and demon will be the least of our problems.

She had a point.

He could hear at least one televisionmaybe twoand a couple of different kinds of music, but at just after nine on a Friday night, most of the people who lived on the seventh floor seemed to still be out. Or they were sitting silently in the dark behind their locked doors. Tony had no intention of ruling the latter out.

The hall smelled like sausages and a spice that bounced around the back of his nose like a pinecone, doing multiple points of damage with every landing.

Thats it. Leah rocked back off her knees and stood, reaching for the door handle. But if theres a chain

There was. It was dangling down inside the door, unlocked.

Nice to see theyre taking home security so seriously.

You come home drunk and the chains a pain in the ass to get open, Tony explained as they moved inside and closed the door behind them. And why do you know how to pick locks?

I hang around with a bad crowd in the fifties.

You mean hung around.

No. I mean that every century, I hang around with a bad crowd in the fifties. I like having a schedule. She didnt sound like she was kidding. Reaching back, she flipped on the lights. Good lord.

Tony snapped his laptop closed and raised his left hand, palm out, rune in defensive position. What!

It looks like your place: beige walls, cheap furniture, and an overpriced entertainment system.

That was it? I thought you saw something dangerous. He started breathing again and his heart rate began to slow.

No, just bland. Walking out into the living room, she shook her head. And if it wasnt so bland, the similarities would be frightening.

First of all, Tony muttered, sliding his laptop into the backpack, thats a sheet on the window not a flag, and second, this has a separate bedroom.

Which is probably beige.

Hey, he has a set of RexTeck speakers3-D sound effects and an awesome bass boost. Leahs silence pulled him around. What? Ive heard great things about them.

Heard great things about demons taking over the city?

Oh, sure. But she could take the time to discuss interior decorating. Half turned from examining the speakers, he paused. The weak spots right there. He could see the shimmer hanging just in front of the floor-to-ceiling shelves of DVDs. But I thought there had to be something missing?

Leah moved closer and examined the shelves. Hes missing the third Aliens movie.

Hes not missing much.

And Star Trek, the Motion Picture although he has all the rest.

Motionless picture, Tony grunted.

Oh, my God, hes got a copy of The Princess Diaries. One and Two!

Maybe I should just close this up before he comes home and finds you dissing Julie Andrews. Setting the backpack on the floor, he wiped damp palms on his thighs and pointed a finger to start the first rune. A horrible groan came from the far wall. What the hell was that?

The elevator.

Is it ?

Him? Her gesture made it clear she meant the usual occupant of the apartment. How should I know? Just wiz.

Wiz?

Wiz!

The first rune went through the wall of DVDs with no problem. So did the second. The third got stuck.

Stuck? Leah moved away from her listening post by the door and glared at him. It cant get stuck if youve done it right.

Its right.

Are you sure? Check the cheat sheet.

I didnt bring it.

Oh, for She came farther into the apartment, and hauled up her track jacket and the shirt under it. Check the original, then.

Tony gave the rune another ineffective shove and dropped to his knees, thumbs hooked behind the waistband of Leahs track pants to pull them low enough to see the rune. Head cocked to one side, squinting a little, he moved so close he could feel the air between them warm.

The apartment door opened.

Tony glanced up to see a young man blinking at them blearily, keys dangling from one hand. When he finally managed to take in the tableau, he grinned and flashed a double thumbs-up. Dude!

Ignore him, Leah snapped, tapping the tat with one scarlet-tipped finger. Check the rune.

Wait a minute. He was sounding less bleary by the word. Why are you in my

Got it.

 apartment?

Tony stood as Leah turned, dimples flashing an offer no straight boy could refuse. He tugged the center of the glowing blue line farther out from the center of the pattern then pushed. With a sizzle and a faint smell of burning plastic, the rune slipped the rest of the way through.

One more.

Half finished with the fourth rune, refusing to be distracted by what was happening on the sofa, Tony felt the hair lift off his bodyhis entire body, not just the back of his neck. Man, never going to get used to that. Turning, he got an eyeful of Ryne Cyratane and had barely made the very short trip from appreciation to apprehension when a spray of red-and-purple sparks arced out into the room.

They were coming from the shelves of DVDs.

Crap!

Tony finished off the fourth rune so fast he nearly sprained his wrist. Left hand flat against it, he shoved it after the others.

And stumbled forward unable to lift his hand.

A heartbeat later, he was wrist-deep in the DVDs.

Leah!

Busy.

I dont care! Yanking back only threatened to dislocate his elbow. Le!

Hands closed on his shoulders, fingers digging in painfully tight. Next thing he knew he was flying. A short flight and a bad landing. Lying in a crumpled heap on the ruin of a cheap coffee table, Tony checked to make sure his arm had actually come with him.

Time to go.

Ow. Ow! OW! Protests didnt seem to matter. Leah hauled him to his feet and hustled him toward the door. Seemed like everything worked. Not quite to the original specs, but he was up and moving. He snagged his laptop case as they passed. What about ?

He got a great memory and a broken coffee table, Leah snapped, dragging him out into the hall and shutting the door. I think he came out even. Come on. If we get into the elevator before he gets his pants back on, hell never know what we looked like.

What if we have to wait for the elevator?

They didnt.

She shoved him in, charged in after him, hit the button to close the door, hit the button for the first floor, and sagged against the stainless steel wall. What did you do?

Me?

That spot wasnt close enough to blow like that.

It was plenty close.

Not close enough. Id have felt it!

They glared at each other for a moment.

Okay. Tony flexed the fingers of his left hand. The scar felt hot. Let me think about this for a minute.

Dont strain anything, she muttered, adjusting her clothes.

Nice. I think we hit a metaphysical overload.

A what?

Between that weak spot being so close, you and your tat, me and my He waved the scar.  power, then the whole distracting with sex invoking your Demonlord, I think we reached a point where things started to happen.

That actually makes a certain logical sense.

Yeah. Thanks. Sighing, he mirrored her position on the opposite wall. And thanks for hauling me out.

She stopped buttoning her shirt long enough to shrug. Even I cant get a guy to ignore you if you keep hanging around.

Not then. When you pulled me out of the DVDs.

Dark brows rose.

You didnt pull me out of the DVDs?

I didnt pull you out of the DVDs.

Then who His gaze dropped to the tat, disappearing under white silk.

No. Leah shook her head as the door opened and they moved quickly across the apartment building lobby. First of all, he has no corporeal form on this plane and second, why would he help you? Youre trying to stop him.

Maybe Im not.

What? Stopping him? She linked her arm through his and dropped to a sedate walk as they moved away from the apartment building and toward his car. He wanted to run, but he made himself match her pace. Since I remain unslaughtered, I think youre stopping him fine so far.

Not what I meant. Maybe The theme from Darkest Night cut him off. Sliding his cell phone out of the pocket on his backpack, Tony flipped it open and glanced at the screen. Its Amy. Thumbing it on, he held it to his left ear.

Tony! Its out! There were all kinds of wild lights, and then it was like a bomb went off! This tanker by Ballard Power Systems totally blew! I had to call 911 before I called you!

Shit. Shit. Shit. CB?

Hes making sure everyones out of the building. Im heading to the Future Shop warehouse to do the same! Tony, this thing was nasty looking. It took a swipe at me as it went by.

The metaphysical taint! Hed totally fucking forgotten it when hed sent Amy out to face a demon.

To observe a harmless little weak spot.

Yeah. Big difference.

Are you okay?

It knocked me on my ass, but it was like I wasnt worth its time. Im

Call waiting beeped out the last few words.

He checked the screen. Lee. Whod been shadow-held twice. And possessed. If Amy had a faint taint just from acting as an anchor while he spoke with a dead housemaid, Lee must have a big red metaphysical target painted on his chest. Amy, tell me youre fine!

Im fine!

Stay that way! Left hand thumbed the link. Right hand unlocked the car. Stomach twisted as he fought the urge to puke. Lee?

Tony! The tear ripped just after we got to it!

Are you hurt?

What? No! Jack emptied half a clip into the demon, and it lost interest in us.

Lost interest in you. My fault.

What the hell are you talking about?

I sent you out there.

Hey, grown man here. I knew the risks.

He didnt know all the risks because Tony hadnt thought to tell him. How could I have forgotten about Hang on. There were alarms going off in the background. Whats happening?

Our demonic buddy didnt so much explode out of the building as explode the building!

Fire?

No. Rubble. I thought there was smoke, but it was steam. Jack says there mustve been a boiler plant in the basement. A few of the surrounding buildings took some collateral damage. The whole place looked empty; the lights were off and all, but Jacks checking for casualties. I called it in before I called you. Tony, were going to have to stick around here. We wont make it back to the studio before

Good, because theres going to he demons at the studio! Where it looked like it would be just him and Leah and Henry, and that was how it should be. No normal peoplehowever taintedgetting hurt. Circumstances had stepped up to the plate.

Dont sweat it. Phone clamped between ear and shoulder, he slammed the car into gear and roared out of his parking space and down the empty street. Youre sure youre okay?

Yeah, were good!

We? Right. Jack. Stay good.

Can you handle ?

Yes. Tony took his hand off the gearshift long enough to turn off the phone and toss it toward Leah. Both of the other weak spots blew.

Another metaphysical overload? She didnt seem to be making fun of him.

Probably the same one. They were timed to go off together, remember. When ours tried to open, theirs did, too, but only ours got closed. Were heading for the studio.

I guessed. At the edge of his vision he could see her clutching the dashboard, knuckles white. Is everyone okay?

Yeah. Things blew, but no one got hurt.

No one we know.

Hey, if you know how I can fucking save everyone, tell me now!

I was just Her protest trailed off as he ran a stop sign. Sorry.

We know where theyre going, and if they do any more damage, itll just be en route.

And once they arrive.

Yeah. A light rain speckled his windshield. He flicked on the wipers. Trashing the studio meant trashing a lot of expensive equipment.

They wont be expecting a vampire. Her tone suggested she was trying to cheer him up. It almost worked.

Who does?

The damp roads were greasy. Speeding around a corner, the car started to fishtail. Tony stomped on the gas and fought to straighten out, cursing under his breath. Something crunched as he passed an old blue Buick Regal, but he convinced himself it was garbage on the road and not a door panel.

You just

No, I didnt.

Why are you driving? Specifically, why are you driving instead of me?

Good question.

Okay. After a moment, she said, Ballard Power Systems is a hydrogen fuel development company.

How do you know that?

I did some wire work around one of their tanks.

Big boom?

Then, no. Tonight, very.

Good thing CB and Amy were right there to call it in. It made him feel a little less guilty about sending them.

Seems strange that there were two sites that led to explosions plus a Jesus, Tony! Her fingers locked back down on the dash. What was that for?

Squirrel.

You swerved into oncoming traffic to miss a squirrel?

Hes not protected by a Demongate.

You dont know that.

Very funny. Not much farther. Napier Street would take them right to Boundary. Two explosions plus a what?

An apartment building. He heard her settle back in the seat and wondered about her expression, but it didnt seem smart to take his eyes off the road.

So? You said the weak spots happen anywhere somethings missing.

Well, yes, but if these three are deliberate, aimed for maximum shit disturbing, as it were, why an apartment building?

Population density. Lots of people screaming. Boundary traffic was annoyingly heavy. Tony slid between a truck and a hatchback and sped south toward the studio. Furniture thrown off balconies. A distraught mother screaming that the monster has her baby.

You had me at population density.

I like to be thorough.

Tony

And sometimes, just one word was enough. South of the studio, the streetlights were blowing out all along the east side of the road. Bam. Bam. Bam. Heading north. Shards of glass showered down, glittering in the passing headlights. Tires screamed. Horns blared. No accidents yet.

No accidents in sight, Tony amended, barely slowing to head into the studio parking lot. There was a whole lot of road in between the Fraser and CB Productions. The lot lights blew as he parked the car, and a shadow passed between him and the building.

A big shadow.

So much for beating it back to the studio and setting a trap.






Feeding off Kevin Groves had been reflex. The reporter had walked into the soundstage, realized they were alone, and bared his throat, a desperate desire rolling off him like smoke.

Henry could have stopped himself, but the emotional need drew him as much as the blood. He expected the sharp intake of breath as his teeth met through soft skin. The look of peace as he swallowed a single mouthful of blood then drew back was less usual.

Complete truth, Groves sighed. No codicils, no compromises. Then his eyes snapped open, and he stared at Henry in rising panic. Its just, you know, lies. I get so tired of them. Everyone lies. You dont. Even when you are. Lying. Please dont hurt me. He stared at the drop of blood rising from the puncture on his wrist and his eyes widened. You really did it. Oh, God. Shaking fingers fumbled his PDA from his jackets inside pocket. I need to ask you some stuff.

No.

The PDA fell from nerveless fingers, the plastic case cracking against the concrete floor. Okay.

Go to Raymond Darks office and sit down. Stay there. Dont move unless youre avoiding a threat. He could hear glass shattering outside.

What about

Now.

Raymond Darks office was safer, given that it was not directly under the power residue drawing the demons. Safer. Not safe.

Concrete block walls, no windows into the soundstage. The weakest point was the large door the carpenters used. It had, once again, been left unlocked.

Metal screamed.

Henry raised a speculative brow. Apparently tonights demon would rather go through the door than open it.

Expected, the shower of cherries was no less annoying.






Son of a fucking bitch!

The big sliding door had been pulled half off its track, the steel scored in three parallel lines. CB was going to be pissed.

Something howled. A cherry bounced out into the parking lot.

Tony dropped his laptop case by the wall and took a deep, steadying breath. Get in there and see if its marked for you. If not, help Henry.

And if it is?

It wont be. Maximum mayhem, remember? Theres a lot less mayhem if it heads right for the person standing beside the guy kicking demon ass back home.

That was actually very convincing.

He glanced up to see her staring speculatively down at him. Thank you. Now haul ass. Without waiting for a response, he turned his attention back to the laptop, clutched the pull thing on his flythe spell needed a metal groundand recited the words of the Notice Me Not.






This demon was no tentacled monstrosity. It walked on two legs like a man and had a caricature of a mans facetwo eyes, one nose, and a mouth. Except the eyes were orange lid to lid, the nose nearly invisible under a plate of its chitinous body armor, and the mouth lipless, with more of the body armor growing up into gleaming tusks. The armor changed color to match its surroundings, and it was now fading down from night-sky black to concrete gray. Henry got a close look at one of the arm plates as it knocked him across the soundstage to slam into the outside wall. When it withdrew the arm, it dangled a length of yellow nylon rope from one thick wrist.

It was fast but no faster than Henry.

Strong, but no stronger.

Four arms, however, thats a bit of a problem. This time, at least, he managed to keep hold of the rope. He rolled back under a slash that gouged the floor and managed to get a loop of rope around one leg as it lifted to stomp him. Ducked. Whirled.

Nightwalker!

Threw the coil of rope over the left arms to the Demongate.

She caught it. Whipped it back along the floor.

Henry kicked at the side of the demons knee. Heard chitin crack. Scooped up the rope as he took a blow hard enough to crack even his ribs. He crashed to the floor and thought just for a moment he heard his fathers voice bellowing at him to get up. His father had never approved of him being unhorsed. Snarling, Henry caught the next descending arm and threw himself back still holding it, trapping it under another loop of the rope.

Too close!

One of the lower tusks raked his shoulder, ripping through shirt and skin and filling the room with the rich scent of his own blood. At first he thought the flash of light was based in pain, but then he saw the rune take shape.

The demon veered away from the lines of blue fire, giving the Demongate a chance to slam it in the side of the head with what looked like a microphone stand.

Closing three hands around one end of the metal pole, the demon yanked it from her hands, raising it over its head to bring it down in a killing blow. At the apex of its backswing, the microphone stand went flying from its grip to land with a clatter behind one of the false walls.

You must hate it that your masters spell protects her even from you, Henry growled and ripped a plate of chitin from its shoulder.

It shrieked.

A second rune hung in the air.

He couldnt see Tony although it was obvious that Tony was there. Not obvious to the demon, thank God. It continued to keep clear of the runes but made no attempt to find the wizard drawing them.






Henry was hurt.

Leah wasnt. The world rearranged itself so that that demon kept missing her. The resulting contortions would have tied a human spine in knots. Demons were more flexible.

Lots more flexible, Tony realized as, chitin plates creaking, the demon curled around limbs wrapped in rope and charged toward Henry from a completely unexpected angle.

Concentrate on the rune!

Hed already screwed the third rune up once tonight. He couldnt afford to do it again. More specifically, Henry couldnt afford for him to do it again.

Three runes.

His head pounded as he began the fourth, keeping it next to the third as he finished it. If he drew the final rune in its proper place, the demon might realize his intent before he finished and go after him instead of Leah and Henry. The demon wouldnt be able to see him, not if the Notice Me Not was still working, but any kind of a charge in his direction would take it out from between the runes.

With any luck, his ability to move energy around was unique enough it would be unexpected. After all, how many wizards got trapped in haunted houses redolent with the waxy buildup of evil and ended up symbolically branding themselves in order to save the day? Well, the rune on his palm was symbolic; the branding part had been agonizingly real.

Tonyd just sketched in the final swooping crosspiece when the door between the offices and the soundstage bounced off the wall of Raymond Darks sanctuary and crashed to the floor.

The wall swayed but stayed up.

It had been a soundproof door. Big, and thick, and heavy, it used to be attached to the wall with large metal hinges. The demon that had thrown it was mostly two enormous arms and the supporting torso. No head to speak of but just under where logic insisted the lower edges of its ribs should behad logic not decided discretion was the better part of valor and buggered off for coffeewas a huge fang-filled mouth. There were no runes or glyphs or Post-it notes allowing it to take out Leah.

Jack and Lees demon.

It had fucking well better be Jack and Lees demon! Because if it wasnt, theyd missed a hole, and if theyd missed one, then they could have missed a dozen and a dozen extra demons were twelve more than Tony wanted to deal with.

He finished the final rune but didnt move it into place, waiting until the second demon joined the first under the gate.

It stood, weight forward on its knuckles, and watched the fight. Maybe it sensed the traphardly surprising with three blue patterns of glowing energy suspended in the air and nothing distracting it. Maybe it was waiting until the first demon took the edge off a common enemy. Maybe demons liked to see other demons get the chitin kicked off them. Whatever the reason, the gate wasnt enough to draw it between the runes.

What could he add as enticement?

What did demons want?

Foot on knee, on elbow, on shoulderLeah leaped for the light grid, kicking the demon hard in the face. It fell back, she dangled, and Tony called her jacket and shirt into his hand.

Fabric tore, buttons bounced off demon, vampire, and concrete.

Most of the Demongate was exposed between track pants and white lace bra.

The oldest operating spell in the world. Leahd said it was what had drawn the Demonic Convergence, so demons were obviously interested in it even when they hadnt been marked to destroy her. Since they hadnt been marked, Leah was half dressed but still completely safe, protected by the spell.

From the look on Leahs face, if this didnt save the day, demons would be a minor problem as far as Tony, personally, was concerned.

The second demon roared and charged forward.

Tossing the handful of white silk aside, Tony shouted out the words for the clean cantrip.

Scrubbing bubbles covered the floor of the soundstage, knee-deep.

The second demon started to slide, threw out a massive hand to stop itself, overbalanced and, other arm flailing, slammed into the first demon. Chiton cracked. They both went down.

Tony threw the fourth rune into place.

Leah dropped onto a spotlessly clean circle of floor empty of demons and bubbles both, landing in a deep crouch as her knees took up the shock of the landing. Henry straightened, left arm held tightly against his side, blood soaking through the shoulder of his cream-colored sweater. The empty loops of yellow nylon rope gleamed, cleaner than theyd ever been.

Slipping and sliding through the scrubbing bubbles, picking up speed once he hit the dry concrete, Tony raced to Henrys side. This was where hed been dragged into the story, back in Toronto after another demon attack had left Henry nearly dead. He had his jacket off before he stopped moving.

Henrys gaze slid past him. Tony?

Crap. The Notice Me Not.

Where are you, you little shit! How dare you use me as bait! Leah stomped across the soundstage toward the place the fourth rune had been, kicking bubbles out of the way.

How did he turn this thing off?

Quit screwing around, Tony. Turn the spell off.

He waggled the tab on his fly. Nothing. I dont know how.

Henry cocked his head.

Leah threw up her hands. I bet you dont know how to turn it off, do you? Im telling you, square pegs round holes and if I ever get my hands on this Arra person, Im going to kick her ass.

Hes here, Henry murmured, his eyes darkening.

No shit, Nightwalker. I think the overactive cleaning supplies are a dead giveaway.

This time when Henry called him, there was no question, no doubt that Tony would answer. He said, Tony.

Tony heard, Mine. and stepped forward to meet the darkness in Henrys eyes.

They stood for a moment, barely an arms length apart, Tony breathing heavily, listening to the song of his blood responding to the call. When Henry made no move to close the distance between them, he swallowed and said, Youre hurt.

Henry glanced at the wound on his shoulder. So it seems. And back at Tony. Ive been hurt worse.

Not because of me.

This wasnt your fault.

You have to feed. Tony watched the Hunger rise, and offered his wrist. Ignored the way his hand was trembling.

To his surprise, Henry shook his head and his eyes lightened. Not completely, but it was clear hed locked the Hunger down. His good arm reached for Tony, pulled him close. Cool fingers clasped the back of his neck, drew his head down onto a broad shoulder. That Tony was a good two inches taller didnt seem to matter. We cant go back to the way we were.

I dont want to go back. But he did. Right now, right at this moment, right after sending two very large demons back to their hell, right after stopping a third, right after sending friends out into danger, he wanted nothing more than to go back to when Henry made the decisions. When life went on around him without him having to be so damned involved. You need blood.

Yes.

He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. But not from me.

Fingertips caressed the bite on his throat that was still only partially healed. Its too soon. And the wrong time.

They meant the same thing. Except they didnt.

The wizard in charge didnt get to lie down and have it done to him, no matter what the current value of it.

Will you Hunt?

No.

Amyll be back later tonight. Is this how Vicki had felt? Like she was pimping for Henry? Shed be thrilled. Shed be impossible to live with, but since he only had to work with her, he thought he might survive.

Kevin Gross is in Raymond Darks office.

Ah. Tony stepped back, Henrys hand falling away. Is he you know, okay with it?

Henry smiled, his teeth very white. He likes that I tell him the truth.

Yeah? I kind of preferred it when you lied.

No. Again fingertips touched the bite on his throat. You didnt.

Tony turned before he had to watch Henry walk into the office set. He drew in a long breath, let it out slowly, and noticed Leah staring at him as she shrugged into her shirt.

Im fine. Tying the front tails into a knot, she yanked it tight. Thanks for asking.

You were protected.

That didnt give you the right to use me as bait.

I know. Im sorry.

The apology seemed to take her by surprise. Oh. Okay, then. And it workedso good idea.

Thank you.

Just a thought, you might want to avoid that invisible wizard thing until you learn how to turn it off.

Had Henry not been here, how long would he have remained unnoticed? Im planning on it.

Good. So, about these bubbles

The remaining bubbles, those that had been outside the runes, were continuing to clean, moving out and over the soundstage.

Just ignore them. Eventually, theyll dry out and pop.

Leaving a sticky magic residue?

How do you make that sound so smutty?

Practice. She grinned and shrugged back into her track jacket, ignoring the ruined zipper. Now what?

Now I need a confab with Ryne Cyratane.

A what?

Tony squared his shoulders and looked as resolute as a man could with a clump of scrubbing bubbles halfway up his leg. We need to talk.



Chapter Twelve

  


ALL RIGHT, LETS ASSUME, just for interests sake, that you havent completely lost your mind. Finger combing hair disheveled by the fight, Leah crossed over to the chaise lounge, waited until a wave of scrubbing bubbles finished cleaning the last bit of grimy upholstery, and sat, staring up at Tony as though his lost mind was a forgone conclusion. Why do you want to talk to Ryne Cyratane?

Dealing with two demons at once almost got our collective butts kicked. Im still finding it a little hard to believe that the slapstick defense actually worked.

Youre suggesting that were not in a Three Stooges movie?

He snorted, and ran a hand back up through his hair. Look, even if I deal with most of the weak spots before they openand thats doubtful because theyre not all going to be in easy-to-access placeswere still screwed. Three demons would have won that fight, and if they win the fight, theyll open your gate.

What about the rest of the troops?

We dont have troops!

Okay, fine. Keep them out of it. Leah rolled her eyes. Youre still missing the obvious solution.

Okay?

I get on a plane as soon as possible and get the hell away from here. Ryne Cyratane has committed his power to bringing the demons through at those points in this place. Hes not going to be able to follow me.

Tony frowned. That seemed so reasonable he automatically suspected it. So hell break off the attack?

Are you listening to me? I just said hes committed his power.

So he wont break off the attack?

Her smile was scathing. As you kids today say: duh.

Then thats only a solution for you. And only a temporary one. Hell know where you are because of the gate, right? Then as long as the Demonic Convergence is still going on, Tony continued when she nodded, hell redirect things and just shove the next demons through there. Where youll face them alone. Without the wizard. Because Ill probably die when the studio gets swarmed. And then youll be dead, he elaborated when she didnt look convinced, just like you would have been with that first demon if I hadnt been there.

She crossed her legs and scowled at the toe of her shoe. You dont know that.

Yeah, I do. So, your obvious solution is crap. The only way were all going to survive this is by staying together and stopping that swarm.

By talking to the Demonlord whos sending it?

I dont think its him.

Brows drawn in, she peered up at him. Did you get hit on the head?

No! He bent to pick up the rope just to give his hands something to do. The scrubbing bubbles had left it not only clean but smelling faintly of lemons and free of static cling. Jack asked me the same question yesterday, he muttered, feeling slightly picked on.

Its a reasonable assumption when youre saying things like you dont think the demon who created the gate is trying to reopen the gate by taking out the person he created the gate on that only hed know about, she snapped.

Why?

What?

Holding one end of the rope in his left hand, Tony began to coil it between hand and elbow. Why would Ryne Cyratane be the only who knows about you? Theres clearly more than one demon down there. Out there. Wherever the hell their hell is. Odds are good they talk to each other. Get together Friday nights, drink a little demonic beer, play a little demonic poker, talk about gates theyve got set up to get back into a world where the inhabitants are easy to rend and will worship you in order to keep from being rended.

Demonic beer? Leah tossed her hair back over her shoulder. Please.

Stop fixating on the details. The theory is sound and those other Demonlords have also had thirty-five hundred years to make plans about how theyll use the gate yours left behind. And besides

The Demonlord didnt look happy, that was for sure. He looked frustrated. Like he knew the thing he was looking for was right there, right in front of him, but he couldnt find it.

 he wants to talk to me.

He wants to feast on your steaming entrails.

Maybe.

Youre not his type. Trust me.

Look, hes been appearing when these attacks are going on, even when youre not aroused. The first time, he looked angry, and I figured it was his motivation showing and he was angry at not getting back here to the worship and the slaughter. Or maybe it was the too-close-to-water thing. Who knew? Then, after it became obvious to anyone with half a brain that there was a wizard involved, he showed up looking for me. But I dont react to you, so he couldnt find me and that was making him frustrated. Then I had a dream about him

Oh, thats a good reason for me to stick around. You had a dream.

Tony ignored her, both hands working the rope. He was wearing the same expression L other people do when Im obviously not getting their message.

Leah snorted. Good luck with that since he hasnt decided what message hes sending.

What? Wait, youre not talking about Ryne Cyratane there, are you? No. She wasnt. You think we could deal with one communication problem at a time?

Hes conflicted.

I got that, Tony sighed, tying off the coil. Now could we

You should kick his feet out from under him and beat him to the floor.

Is that what you did?

Dimples flashed. I never have to work that hard.

That answered that question. Lee wasnt just using the women as a blind; he liked women, or he wouldnt have fallen for the primal do me, baby Leah was offering. Of course, liking women didnt necessarily preclude liking men. Take Henry, for example. He was about as enthusiastically nondiscriminating as they came.

Not that Lee had ever been enthusiastic.

Except that once.

With him, anyway.

He could have been enthusiastic with any number of other men for all Tony knew and was just being carefully closeted at work. Or all the metaphysical shit Leed been through in the last six months combined with Tonys not so secret attraction had seriously fucked with his head.

Yeah. Lets not forget option B.

Or that a whole herd of demons on the way is more important than your pathetic lack of a love life.

He leaned the coil of rope against the far wall of the set where it would be out of the way but still convenient for immobilizing creatures from hell and turned to face the immortal Demongate. Ryne Cyratane has something to say to me, and I need to hear it.

The immortal Demongate snorted again. Well, unless you have a really good calling plan, youre out of luck, arent you?

You said youd been in contact with him. That you meditate

Its a postcoital meditation, Tony, and one thing Im sure of is that since you and I have no coital in our future, theres going to be no post. Oh, wait, I have an idea. You, me, and Lee. Might be just the thing to break the ice. Grinning, she leaned back on her hands and crossed her legs. Youre thinking about it.

He was.

But then he was a guy and he wasnt dead, so that was pretty much a gimme. Actually, the evidence suggested a growing number of guys didnt let being dead stop them.

Im not kidding about this. Tony tried to look like he wasnt kidding. So unless you know another way to contact him

You could always try switching your long distance service and then having a fast wank.

Leah.

She stared at him for a long moment. Youre serious, she said in amazement, sitting up straight.

Completely. Well have to use Henry as a conduit between us.

Henry? Well, she admittedly slowly, one hand disappearing under the knot in her shirt, thatll definitely get his attention.

Yeah. Tony touched his throat, the skin still puckered under his fingertips.

Leah still didnt look entirely convinced when she raised her head and locked her gaze with his. Do you even know how to meditate?

I dont think Ill have to. I think your Demonlord wants to talk to me badly enough that as soon as he has a way to grab onto me, hell make the connection. And with any luck, hell want to talk to me more than hell want to destroy Henry for messing with you.

Do you think Henry will go along with this?

Along with what?

Tony turned as Leah answered. A threesome to save the world.

Red-gold brows rose briefly and dipped again when he realized that no one was kidding. Whose idea is that?

Not mine, Leah smirked. Guy rips your clothes off, and suddenly he wants to get hinky.

The hazel eyes darkened just a little as he turned a disbelieving gaze on Tony. I cant wait for the explanation.






Because your place is a dump, Henry doesnt trust me enough to let me into his sanctuary, and I have a king-size bed.

No surprise, Tony grunted.

Leah leaned over CBs desk to poke him in the chest. Hard. I can still get on that plane.

He waved her quiet as Amy finally answered her phone.

Tony! He could hear sirens and angry shouting in the background. There was like this massive accident by the stadium!

Are you all right?

Yeah, were good, but theres no way we can get by. Boundarys just this total mass of twisted metal and emergency vehiclesfire, police, ambulance. We cant even go around cause were in the middle of the block. CBs a little annoyed.

That explained the angry shouting. Where is he?

Right in the thick of things. I think hes trying to get the road cleared.

When he stops shouting, tell him that we took out the two demons and the soundstage has never looked cleaner.

Cleaner?

Long story. The scrubbing bubbles had petered out just past Raymond Darks coffin. Downside, the big steel door got bent, the soundstage door is now lying on the floor of Raymond Darks office, and the front door got shattered. If you guys cant make it back

We cant friggin move!

Okay, then can you call the security guy and have him come around? Henry and Leah and I have something we have to do.

Something kinky?

His jaw dropped. Not a lucky guess, he reminded himself picking it up. Just a smart-ass Amyism.

Oh, my God! Is it something kinky?

Shit. Hed paused too long. No, it isnt! Its something demonic.

Demonic doesnt preclude kinky.

Youre right, Tony told her, hoping that the whole best defense is a good offense thing wasnt just blowing air. It is something kinky and will likely involve a pair of handcuffs and a couple of liters of maple syrup.

Her snort came through loud and clear. What, is Jack playing, too? Fine, dont tell me, and the number for the security company is on the list by Rachels phone. Call them yourself. Ill find a phone booth and look up twenty-four-hour glass companies. Zevs gonna be so pissed he missed this.

In what universe?

You know he likes to be around when things are happening.

So well try not to have things happen on the Sabbath from now on.

Its good to have a plan. Oops, I gotta go; CB just assaulted a taxi.

A taxi driver? Leah asked when Tony repeated the high points of the conversation.

He shook his head as he thumbed in the number for Lees phone. Probably not.

Lee answered partway through the second ring. Tony? Are you all right?

Henry took a couple of hits, but Leah and I are fine and the demons are gone. You?

Were still at the site. Theyre digging for a custodian buried in the rubble and so far theyve only found part of him. Jacks dealing with the emergency crews, but I can get a cab back to the studio if you need me.

For sex to save the world.

Tony?

Sorry. Got distracted for a minute. Um, Leah and Henry and I just have some loose ends to tie up He turned his back on Leahs obscene gesture.  before I start dealing with all those other weak spots, so when you want to leave there, you guys can call it a night.

You sure?

Sex to save the world. The perfect excuse.

Yeah. This is wizard work now, so unless Harry Potter and Gandalf drop by to help out, Im on my own for this next part.

Be careful, then.

You, too.

So Ill see you Monday unless the world ends or something.

Yeah, or something.

Youll call me if I can help?

Sure.

Tony.

I promise.

Youre lying.

Im not. If anything came up he thought an actor in the highest-rated vampire detective show on syndicated television could handle, hed call Lee first.

Well, thanks for letting me help tonight

Even if it wasnt my choice.

 even if it wasnt your choice.

Okay. That was a little scary. No problem.

I mean it.

I know.

He listened to Lee breathing for a moment, enjoying the sound.

I uh, think my batterys dying. Ive got to go.

Right. And thank God for dying batteries, Tony thought, hanging up. So much more believable than theres someone at the door or my appendix just ruptured. He looked up to see Leah watching him, wearing a frankly speculative expression. Life was a lot easier when I thought he was completely straight, he sighed, tossing plausible deniability into the toilet.

If theres one thing Ive learned in thirty-five hundred years, Leah told him as they crossed the office, its that almost no one is completely anything. Were in the minority.

That doesnt change the fact that life was easier when I thought he was completely straight.

Cant handle the thought of reality intruding on your fantasy life?

Something like that.

Listen, if Harry Potter and Gandalf do drop by, were going to need a bigger bed.

Tony ignored her. The moment the words had left his mouth, he figured that comment was going to come back and bite him on the ass and, all things considered, that was barely a nibble. Theres at least one dead out by Simon Fraser, he told Henry as they exited into the outer office. And Amy says theres a shitload of injuries in a pileup on Boundary by the stadium.

We got lucky. Henry dumped a dustpan of broken glass into the garbage and straightened. The residual power of the gate is keeping the death toll down by drawing them directly here where they can be immediately dealt with, and your forcing both weak points to blow open tonight made sure the explosions occurred when there was almost no one at either site. Things could have been a lot worse.

You had to feed off Kevin Groves.

Ive fed off worse.

Hes a tabloid reporter, Tony muttered as he picked up Rachels phone to call the security company, absolutely not thinking of what else Henry did when he fed. If theres worse, I dont want to know.






Tony put down his toothbrush and stared into the mirror in Leahs guest bathroom. Quick shower to get the higher bits the scrubbing bubbles missed. Debris from the recent half dozen soft tacosgone. Was there anything else he should do to prepare?

Tony! Sunrise is at 6:52pick up the pace.

Apparently not.

Leah and Henry were in the bed when he got to the bedroom, carefully not touching, their respective powers dialed way back.

Making sure theres no premature communication? he asked, turning to stroke glyphs into the doorjamb with one toothpaste-covered finger.

Practicing safe context, Leah corrected. What are you doing?

Warding the room.

With toothpaste?

You didnt have any cough syrup. With any luck, cavity protection plus whitening and mouthwash would work as well. This may be dangerous.

This? Using a vampire as a conduit to contact a Demonlord? Cant imagine why youd think so, especially considering that the last time it almost happened you stopped it with your throat. She folded her arms under the swell of her breasts. Tell me again why Im going along with this?

Because you havent said no to sex in thirty-five hundred years.

One dimple flickered. Well, its not a good reason, but its a reason.

And you dont want to die.

Thats a good reason.

Wiping the remains of the toothpaste on the towel wrapped around his waist, he set the tube down on the edge of the dresser and approached the bed. Henry

A pale hand rose to cut him off. If you hadnt convinced me, I wouldnt be here.

Sure. Hed been hoping for some kind of reassurance that this was the right thing to do. That attempting to contact Ryne Cyratane was the right decision. It seemed like a naked vampire was as much reassurance as he was going to get.

Tony half expected commentary as he dropped the towel, but either Henrys presence or what they were about to attemptmetaphysicallykept Leah silent. He slipped into the bed on Henrys side as Henry shuffled over and let out a breath he hadnt realized he was holding. Okay. Henry has to be in contact with both Leah and me when this goes down, so I think we need to

Relax.

What?

Leah rolled onto her side and up on one elbow. You need to relax, she said, sliding her upper hand along Henrys chest. Youre not suddenly directing an X-rated episode of Darkest Night, so lets just forget about hitting our marks, shall we? Were taking part in an ancient sacrament. With a twist. She frowned. And a small chance of death and dismemberment. You just lie back, she continued before he could respond, and think about whatever you have to. Leave this up to me; I used to do it professionally.

Her superior tone brought him up to mirror her position. Youre not the only one with a past.

In this bed? I wouldnt assume I was.

She still sounded patronizing. Just remember, I know things you dont.

About what?

Tony slid his hand under the sheets. Henry gasped. About him.






Henry had not initially gone along with the idea of contacting the Demonlord. Or rather, hed agreed with the idea but not the method suggested. Sex with Leah, given what they were, could never be anything but a power struggle, and even the possibility of sex had resulted in a loss of control he didnt want to remember. Couldnt help but remember given that his Hunger still marked Tonys throat.

That wont happen this time because youve just fought a demon and that has to have taken some kind of physical edge off and, besides, Ill be plugged in from the beginning. When the power starts to risemetaphysically speakingIll grab it and ride it to Ryne Cyratane. 

Its a dumb idea, Leah had put in, adding, but it might work. 

Tony ignored her, concentrating on Henry. There wont be a risk of you biting Leah and pissing her Demonlord offwham bam feedback blows you into little piecesbecause Ill be there for any tooth action, and because youve been topped up recently, theres no chance of you getting carried away. 

Henry had stared at the younger man for a long moment, unable to look away from the visible part of the damage hed already done. Youd trust me that much?

Jesus, Henry, what kind of a question is that? Ive trusted you with my life from the moment we met. Ive always known what you are. 

That, in the end, was what had brought Henry to this place, to this bed.

He had intended to take a more active role, but perhaps between a wizard and an immortal Demongate it was safest to lie back and be used. To not be drawn into competition. He breathed in the warm, rich scent of their arousal mixed with his own and let the Hunger rise just enough to let them know they used him at his pleasure, that he had power of his own.






Tony knew how to keep himself separate from what his body was involved inhe couldnt have survived the streets if he hadntbut separate wouldnt get Ryne Cyratanes attention. He had to be as much a part of what was going on as Leah and Henry. This was not, as it turned out, particularly difficult. Familiar skin, familiar hands, familiar need got him over the small hurdle of girly bits doing their thing off to one side and in a very short time, he was fighting to remember that he couldnt be drawn into the maelstromit had to be drawn into him.

Then Leah cried out.

Henrys teeth closed through a fold of his skin.

As he arced up off the bed, he could feel a fourth presence and opening himself up to the surging currents of power, he raced to meet it.

It was a lot like absorbing the fire hed set in Leahs curtains.

Except this fire burned.

His heart pounded, he couldnt catch his breath, and bits of his life were passing before his eyes. No. Wait. That wasnt his life. He wasnt double-jointed. And then he was back in the white and two very large, hot hands were wrapped around his biceps and lifting him into the air.

Someone was talking. Deep rumbling. Shades of Barry White.

Tony struggled to focus and finally managed to hear words.

What place is this, Wizard?

Good question. It took him a moment to figure out how his mouth worked, but he finally managed to form the words, Neutral ground.

It was a guess, but it seemed to be enough of an answer since the hands released him and he found himself sprawling at the feet of Ryne Cyratane.

The view from down there was pretty damned amazing.

You risked much to speak with me, Wizard.

Did I? That was news. Did he want to know what hed risked? No, he decided, getting carefully to his feet. You wanted to talk to me, big guy. I made it happen. Say what you have to so I can go put on some pants.

The Demonlords lip curled, exposing long ivory-colored teeth. Recognizing one of Henrys expressions, Tony realized Ryne Cyratane had just hung out a sign saying Want to be eaten? Ask me how. You speak bravado out of fear.

Duh. Had he come into this cold, without all those years of Henry behind him, hed be a gibbering wreck.

You desire me.

That was too obvious to require a response. Tony had no idea where the energy was coming from, considering the rocket ride hed taken to get here as well as the mentioned and admitted fear.

You have been protecting my handmaiden from the attacks of an Arjh Lord.

No, shes been attacked by Hang on. He could feel his brain begin to sluggishly work. Whats an Arjh Lord?

I am an Arjh Lord. Sye Mckaseeh is another. The first statement was very nearly a roar. The second merely a comment.

Right. Theyd hardly call themselves demons. And, apparently, the new one was a Scot. Which brought up another point. Why are you speaking English?

Massive arms crossed over a hairless chest. I am speaking what you are hearing.

Sure. Okay. That made as much sense as most things in his life these days and was, at least, useful. Absently scratching at his left palm, Tony backed up a few steps, hoping a little distance would help clear his head. Look, why dont I tell you what I think is going down, and you can yay or nay the synopsis?

Dark brows drew in. I am unaware of your meaning.

Just listen. He laid it all out. An Arjh Lord directing the Demonic Convergence to create specific weak spots he could use to push through his own minions, marking them so they could kill Leah, thus opening the gate and allowing the Arjh Lord to enter their world and try to take it over.

Minions needed explaining, and Tony downplayed just how easy that takeover would be. No point in giving the big guy ideas.

When he finished talking, Ryne Cyratane nodded. It is as you say; Sye Mckaseeh is warping what you call the Convergence to her own place.

Sye Mckaseeh is a wo is female?

Yes. And a mighty warrior among the Arjh Lords.

Great. A mighty warrior. Tony cleared his throat. Look, you wanted to talk to me, what did you want to say?

I wished to give you, as the wizard protecting my handmaiden, the information you already possess. Your people have grown wiser since last I walked your world. He didnt sound like he approved.

Probably not wiser, were just more used to processing information. But if thats all you wanted, lets move on to what I want need. The Arjh Lords expression suggested Tonys needs were so low on his list of priorities they were essentially nonexistent. Time to evoke vested self-interest. I need your help, or your handmaiden is going to buy itdie, shell dieand youll lose all that energy she keeps sending you, not to mention any chance you might have of using the gate yourself sometime in the future. You know, in case she finally gets depressed enough to He drew a finger across his throat.

The gesture didnt need explaining. Go on.

Sye Mckaseeh is creating twenty-seven weak spots between your world and mine. Hed finally taken a moment to actually count them. Apparently three nines are a mystic number or something, but thats not the point. Very shortly well be ass-deep in arjh and the odds are good one of them will get through to your handmaiden and kill her to open the gate.

You are a wizard; you hold the eternal cosmos in your hand. Strengthen the weakness before it tears. With power drawn to so many places, it will take time before the arjh are through.

Not enough time. My world is a complicated place, and I dont think Ill be able to get to all the weak spots before they rip open. I need youyour handmaiden needs youto slow things down on this end. The arjh end. We need you to interfere with Sye Mckaseehs plan.

No. I am not one who battles with the other lords for power.

Tony blinked as that sank in. Youre kidding me. Youre a lover, not a fighter?

As I understand your use of the language, yes. And there is disunity between Sye Mckaseeh and I.

Disunity?

The Arjh Lord shrugged. Once there was unity. Now there is not.

Standing on that featureless white plane, Tony had a sudden strong desire for a wall, so he could bang his head against it. She was your girlfriend and you guys broke up and thats how she knows about the Demongate and thats why shes trying to get it open, to screw you. Same old story, add a truck and a dog and they could set it to country music.

Ryne Cyratane shrugged again. Her arjh watch for me. I could not get close to her should I desire it.

Hey, you fighting your way through a few of her arjh would be a distraction, at least. We could use that.

No.

Yeah, we could.

No, I will not fight.

Yeah, but this isnt a power struggle with another lord, Tony reminded him. Youll just be smacking around a few arjh.

I do not fight.

Then what the hell are those horns for?

They are a symbol.

Oh, that was useful. Not. Fucking great. Youre nothing but Bambis dad.

Ryne Cyratane may not have understood the reference, but he definitely understood the tone.

Actually, Tony figured as he was once again lifted off his feet, it was probably a good thing the reference sailed right on over. Im sorry, okay! Im just worried about your handmaiden! He could see himself reflected in the onyx eyeswhich was more than a little disconcerting since the hands holding him did not appear in the reflection.

I do not wish my handmaiden to die. This close, the Arjh Lords teeth were as out of proportion as certain other parts of his anatomyonly not in a good way.

Bonus, because she doesnt want to die.

But neither will I put myself in danger.

Not even for her?

This new expression was not one of Henrys. Tonyd last seen it on Masons face when CB had set up an interview with one of the science fiction media magazines. The expression of the innately selfish forced to acknowledge they had responsibilities they didnt much like.

If Sye Mckaseeh is indeed attempting to control so many entries to your world, she will not be able to watch all of her lesser arjh, Ryne Cyratane admitted reluctantly after a moment. It seems her continuing defeat at your puny hands has caused her to rage against you and to overextend. He smiled but, whether at Sye Mckaseeh overextending or at her continuing defeat, Tony wasnt sure. While she is distracted by the great effort she makes, I will mark one of her waiting arjh with my sigil so that when it breaks through to your world, it will fight at your side and rend the others of its kind. Rend was pronounced with enough relish to supply an infinite number of hot dog carts.

If you could mark one of her arjh, Tony pointed out, you could kill it. And if you could kill one

Death of her arjh, she would most definitely notice.

Okay, back to your original plan. Tonys lower arms were going numb, but the Arjh Lord didnt seem to be tiring. Problem is, Im closing as many of these things as I can before they open. What if I close the weak spot youve co-opted?

Do not.

Yeah. That was helpful.

If my handmaiden, my priestess, my love is with you, she will know which weakness I use as mine.

Okay, that actually was helpful.

Tell the Nightwalker I will allow his interference with what is mine this one time and this one time only. If you desire to speak with me again, find another way. Now go.

Tony bounced a little as he hit the ground. Bounced a little higher. The white began to darken. Higher still. Fighting a rush of nausea, he closed his eyes.

Tony?

Opened them to find Henry bending over him. Bucket, he gasped, rolling for the edge of the bed. It was a good thing the wicker garbage container had a plastic bag in it because there wasnt time to forage any farther out.

A familiar growl. Your arms are bleeding.

Not now! His blood was Henrys. He got that. Given that no one else had ever wanted it, that usually wasnt a problem. At the moment he was a little too busy to deal with vampire issues.

He started shaking just before he finished vomiting and barely made it to the bathroom in time to empty the rest of his digestive tract. Things got a little messy anyway, and he closed the door on the scrubbing bubbles bleaching the color out of Leahs towels.

The bedroom was empty when he got back, his clothes folded neatly on the end of the bed. Reaching for his jeans, he caught sight of his reflection in the full-length mirror and paused. Purple-and-green handprints covered most of both biceps, the soft inner skin of his arms scored by Ryne Cyratanes claws. Tony scratched at a dribble of dried blood, decided against risking the bathroom while the bubbles were still working, and reached for his jeans.

They seemed loose. Barefoot and holding his T-shirt, he staggered out into the condo, following his nose.

Leah was in the kitchen stirring what looked like a large pan of scrambled eggs.

Wheres Henry?

Gone. Apparently, he didnt trust my closet space. I put some cheese and some cold ham into these, she continued without turning. Youre going to need the fats as well as the protein.

Considering the fun hed been having since he got back, the last thing Tony wanted was food. Im not hungry, he groaned, dropping onto a stool by the breakfast counter.

I know. Youre starving. When he snorted, she turned and glared. Do you have any idea how much energy you used tonight? She gestured at his arms with the spatula. You created a physical form, you idiot. Okay, maybe that was partly because of how we made contact, but I still cant believe you were so stupid!

Im fine, Tony protested as she began to scrape the eggs out onto a platter. I just got a little bruised.

You could have been killed. How many times do I have to remind you that demons gain power by slaughter? Youre just lucky that slaughtering you didnt occur to him.

It didnt occur to him, because I was right; its not him sending the demons. He needs me to protect you. Tony frowned, suddenly realizing that Leahs eyes were bright with unshed tears. Youre really upset.

Of course Im upset! Holding the full sleeve of her dark green dressing gown back with one hand, she slammed the platter down on the counter in front of him with the other. If youd gotten yourself killed, what would have prevented all those demons from coming through and killing me!

Of course she was upset.

Strangely comforted by this indication of normalcywithin his current fluctuating definition of the wordTony flicked a bit of scrambled egg out of his chest hair and back onto the plate. Hes going to do what he can to help.

Youre sure.

Positive. By the time he finished repeating everything that had been said in the white, the platter was empty. He didnt remember eating, but since he was holding a dirty fork, it seemed safe to assume he had.

Sye Mckaseeh?

Thats what he said.

Scottish?

I didnt ask.

I cant believe Im in danger and I could die because Ryne Cyratane broke up with his girlfriend.

Shes definitely holding a grudge. And I think hes a bit afraid of her.

He could have been lying to you.

I know. I dont think he was, but

But you dont have a lot of experience judging demonic veracity.

Uh.

You had no way of knowing if he was telling the truth.

Right. Tony tapped the fork against the edge of the platter. Maybe I should have taken Kevin Groves with me. You and Henry have already had him, it wouldnt have been that much of a stretch.

Hed been kidding, but Leah rolled her eyes and snatched the fork out of his hand. Fine time to think of that now.

Eww.

Oh, grow up. And get dressed so we can get started on saving the world. Weve got twenty-seven weak spots to find and close before my gods ex-girlfriend stomps through and tries to take over the world.

Yeah, well, you know what they say. Hell hath no fury like a demon scorned. A broad wave at her robe. Youll be going out in that?

I dress very quickly.

The obvious comment was, well, too obvious to bother with. His T-shirt seemed to have more holes than he remembered, but eventually he got it over his head and both his arms. His arms hurt, but that was hardly surprising. His shoes and socks were still in the bedroom, but when he stood up to go and get them, the floor moved.

Or maybe you should sleep for a few hours first, Leah sighed, walking around the edge of the counter and peering down at him.



Chapter Thirteen

  


HE HADNT HAD ENOUGH sleep, and in the lasthe counted back on his fingers Saturday to Wednesdayfour days hed probably lost a good ten pounds. Thats right, folks, its not only a Demonic Convergence, its a workout plan. Sign up now and well throw in the Sye Mckaseeh Diet free! All the carbs you ever wanted, but you have to get them away from an Arjh Lord before you can eat them.

Tony!

The level of pissyness suggested Leah had been calling his name for a while now. What?

Were here.

Here was Richmond, in a company parking lot nearly empty except for a premillennia Buick and two Smart Cars.

The weak spot is in the lot? he asked hopefully. With any luck, number one of twenty-seven would be an easy fix.

The weak spot is in the building.

So much for easy. Of course it is.

Its a Saturday, Leah reminded him, opening her door. Ill distract the security guard, you close things up, slam bam, we move on.

Isnt that supposed to rhyme, he muttered getting out of the car. His knees hurt and his back was stiff; he felt about seventy-five. You know, Gandalf was probably no more than thirty and the whole gray hair and beard thing was payback for being a wizard. Explains the break dancing with Saruman, he added as they walked toward the front doors. Cause thatd make them the right age in the backstory.

Leah turned to stare at him in confusion. What are you babbling about?

The break dancing scene in the movie. Okay, it was supposed to be a fight, but, man, the fight choreographer really fell down on the job.

She rolled her eyes. For pitys sake, read a book.

There was a book?

The building containing the weak spot belonged to a company called Seanix Technology Inc.

Number one PC manufacturer in Canada, Tony announced as they moved out of the fine mist and into the shelter under the concrete overhang bordering the front of the single story building.

You know that and you didnt know Peter Jackson made Lord of the Rings from a book?

He shrugged. Ive never had time to watch the appendices. And we have a problem.

Besides your appalling ignorance of anything besides television or movies?

The security guard is a woman.

What? That was on the sign, too?

Tony sighed and pointed.

The tall blonde sitting behind the desk in the main lobby was intent on one of her monitors and hadnt seen them.

Youre right. We have a problem.

Fortunately, I have a solution.

You know a spell to take care of her?

Nope. I dont need magic for this.

Leah patted him gently on the shoulder. Tony, youre gay.

Thatll help, he said, quietly pulling open the heavy glass door, but more importantly, Im in television.

The door got the guards attention. Wearing a professionally neutral expression, she watched them cross to her desk. Can I help you? she asked, the neutrality touched with suspicion.

Tony smiled and pulled a business card out of his wallet. I hope so, he told her, passing it over. My boss sent me out to find a location for our next episode and with any luck, this building will have the perfect space.

You work on Darkest Night?

I do.

Oh, wow. I love that show! Lee Nicholas is so hot! That episode where he got captured by the coven and they were going to sacrifice him unless Raymond Darkwho theyd been hunting for centuriessurrendered to them and he was tied out over that altar; that was just brilliant! And that scene where he was chasing that mad scientist down the street after he was ex-sanguinating people and blaming it on vampires, that went right past my mothers best friends ex-husbands store! Her enthusiasm dropped about five years off her age. It says here youre a TAD?

He cranked up the camp, just a little. Im also a location scout, the photocopier repair person, decorating consultant, and, occasionally, second dead body on the right. He leaned in. That leg at the edge of the screen after the massacre on that container ship at VanTermmine. CB had been way too cheap to have a leg made when he had any number of them walking around collecting a paycheck.

No.

Yes.

She rose up on her toes and peered over the edge of the desk. Oh, my God, it was your leg! I recognize the shoe!

No she didnt, it was a different shoe entirely, but Tony wasnt going to mention that. Look Donna Her name tag, now close enough to read, said Donna Hardle.  I know you cant leave your post, but would it be possible for us to wander very carefully around the buildingnot touching anything, I promiseto see if we can find the space my boss is looking for?

I dont know; its Saturday, and

And there wont be many people working, so we wont disturb them. We thought about that. And besides, well want to shoot on a Saturday.

On a Saturday?

Uh-huh.

Im here on Saturdays!

Hey His cheeks were beginning to hurt from all the lunatic smiling.  thats great. You know, Lee loves to meet his fans.

Her cheeks went pink. He does?

Loves to.

Donna glanced down at the card, looked over the bank of six monitors, bit her lip, and said, I guess its okay if you dont touch anything, and Ill have to make sure youre not carrying cameras.

Thats fair. Because if they were intent on industrial espionage, theyd surely have their corporate spy supplies out where they could be easily found. On the other hand, as he turned out the front pockets on his jeans and patted down his jacket, he gave her points for even considering it. Leah had his car keys, so all he was carrying was his wallet.

And you Donna frowned at Leah. Are you with the show, too?

Stunts, Leah said shortly, holding out her bag. The location needs a safe fall site. Why dont you just hold onto this.

You do stunts? That is so cool! Setting the bag down on her desk, she keyed in a fast run of numbers and the door at the end of the lobby buzzed. Go on through. Theres a couple of guys working today; dont disturb them, okay?

Well be as quiet as the mold man in episode nine.

That was a great episode!

Leah snorted as the door closed behind them. Somebody should tell Donna that womb to tomb she only gets so many exclamation points and shes wasting them.

Be nice, Tony muttered, massaging the inside of his cheeks with his tongue.

No.

Sye Mckaseehs potential entrance was in a multidesk office with windows overlooking what was probably a manufacturing area. There were long tables and individual stations of tools, and if it wasnt manufacturing, Tony had no idea what it was. I dont see the two guys the guard mentioned.

Theyre probably in R&D if theyre in on the weekend, Leah told him, down on her knees running a hand over the teal blue carpet. Its under here. Theres a bit of a bump. I think there was a wall taken down and the office made bigger.

When he cocked his head, he could see the shimmer. Back up.






What was with all the hand waving? Donna asked as they came back out into the lobby. I could see you on the security monitors, she added before they could ask how she knew.

I was setting up the shots, Tony told her, peering at her through the square of his fingers. You know.

Of course! So cool! Did you find what you needed?

I think so, but now I have to tell the boss. He makes all the final decisions.

So you dont know what Saturday youll be here?

Not yet.

Thats okay, I wrote down all my days off until after Christmas, so can you try and be here when I am?

As Tony took the piece of paper, he laid his other hand over his heart. I will do my best.

Thats just so great! She was handing Leah back her bag, but her attention never left him. Tony, can I ask you a question?

He noted the impressive amount of information conveyed by Leahs we have another twenty-six of these things to close and not nearly enough time so we need to haul ass expression and then ignored it. Donna had done them an enormous favor and right now was definitely not the time to be acquiring a karmic burden. Sure.

Its about Raymond Dark and James Taylor Grant. She lowered her voice and glanced to both sides, as if worried about eavesdroppers. Is there, you know, a subtext there on purpose because they always stand so close together?

Sorry, thats standard blocking for television, Tony told her. Actors have to be well within each others personal space in order to get them both in a small screen closeup. Theres no subtext; theyre just hitting their marks.

Donna clearly didnt entirely believe him. But theyre so perfect together.

He winked, and gave his best imitation of a lascivious screaming queen. You dont think James Taylor Grant would prefer a younger man?

Giggling, she waved them toward the exit. Go on. I have work to do!

Subtext? Leah demanded incredulously as they walked to the car. What was she talking about?

You dont spend much time online, do you?

I have a life. And what was with the Queer Eye schtick?

He snorted as he dropped into the passenger seat and let his head fall back. I know our fan base. Be sure to hit a drive-through on the way to number twenty-six.






This is looking very familiar. Tony finished his coffee and tossed the empty cup into the back seat. Isnt this near ?

The place the tentacled demon broke through and terrorized your friends coffee shop? Yes. Same neighborhood. And this is where our next stop is. Leah pulled into the parking lot at the Four Points Sheraton, narrowly missing two middle-aged women dragging an impressive amount of luggage.

Its not just a residual reading from the old place that blew?

No. But Id have thought it was if you hadnt mapped it and Id have gone right on by and we wouldnt have closed it and it might have spat out the demon ready to destroy the world as we know it. Not to mention me. The parking space she chose was some distance from the building. Probably Sye Mckaseehs intent. Good thing she doesnt know what youre capable of.

Yeah. Good thing. Right at the moment, he didnt feel capable of much.

Theres a few too many men in there for me to distract them all, not to mention women.

Not to mention.

So how do we play this?

He sighed and unfastened his seat belt. We get lost in the crowd.

And if the weak spots in one of the rooms or one of the offices or in the middle of the lobby?

Why dont we just cross that bridge when we come to it? And speaking of Bridge Standing just outside the car, he stared at the hotel.

Superficial resemblance at best, Leah snorted. Come on. Lets do this.

Dark girders held the Four Points sign out over the main entrance. Tony stared up at them, noticed a spot where a bit of paint was missing, and closed his hand around Leahs arm. Tell me its not up there.

Its not up there.

Thank you. Just look like youre supposed to be here, he murmured as they entered the building. Theres hundreds of people in and out every day. Were just two more faces in the crowd.

Youve done this before?

Why not. It would look better if they were talking. He kept his voice low. Big hotels with conference rooms have bathrooms tucked away in odd unwatched corners. If youre not so filthy you get noticed right off, you can use them to clean up as long as you miss the suits having their post-conference piss. Sometimes, you can score a coffee and some food from outside the rooms.

Leah looked intrigued as she guided them past the front desk. The hotel rooms?

Them, too. Half-eaten room service beats Dumpster diving any day, but I meant from outside the conference rooms. Pastries and stuff. Handful of creamers if nothing else.

For all its been short, youve had an interesting life.

Yeah, and getting more interesting by the day.

The weak spot they were searching for wasnt in the lobby.

Or by the pool.

Or in the Business Center.

It was in the ballroom. Although there were round tables draped in peach tablecloths set up for later in the day, at the moment, the ballroom was empty.

And we catch a break. Go us.

Maybe. Frowning, Leah trailed her hand along one of the long walls until she came to a narrow wallpaper-covered door. Opening it exposed a dark, empty cubbyhole.

Its where those folding walls go, Tony said, peering over her shoulder and squinting a little to see the familiar shimmer. You know, the kind that divides the room into smaller rooms.

I guess this ones missing. Motioning him forward, Leah stepped back out of his way.

Excuse me? What are you doing?

They turned to see a man in a navy blue suit staring at them suspiciously from just inside one set of double doors. He was wearing a Four Points Sheridan name tag and the slight bulge at the waist of his jacket was either a radio or the hotel business in Vancouver was excessively competitive.

Ive got it, Leah murmured and started across the room.

For the first couple of steps, she was just a good-looking woman walking, then even Tony could see the difference as she cranked up the metaphysical attraction. Checking on the hotel employees reaction, Tony noticed the gleam of a gold band against a dark finger.

The guy was married.

Just fucking great.

He sketched out the first rune at full speed, shoved it through the shimmer, and glanced over his shoulder.

Leah was almost at the door, the translucent image of her Arjh Lord flickering around her. Youre the manager? he heard her purr. Just who I wanted.

Second rune.

She had her hand against the managers chest and he was smiling.

Third rune. At little slower because this was the one that gave him trouble.

Tony turned in time to see the door close.

Crap.

Fourth rune and he was sprinting across the ballroom before the shimmer had entirely disappeared. Fighting off a wave of dizziness, he crashed through the door, stumbled, apologized as he bounced off a passing luggage rack, and caught sight of Leah and the manager going into a conference room.

If the door closed, he wouldnt be able to stop her.

As it swung shut, he called.

The door jerked out of Leahs grip. Brass hinges creaked but held.

The look she shot him through Ryne Cyratanes torso promised a thousand years of torment and an immediate butt kicking. Tony let his arm drop back to his side and croaked, Come on. Were on a tight schedule.

Theres time

No. He sounded definite. Go him. He had no idea of what hed do if she refused to listen.

Fortunately, he didnt have to find out. Leaving the manager standing confused and unfulfilled in the conference room, Leah stomped down the corridor, right past him and out into the lobby, heading for the exit. Half expecting to see smoking footprints in the carpet, Tony followed.

Disoriented by the unexpected sunshine, he had to dance around a shuttle bus and a pair of taxis vying for the same spot. By the time he was in the clear, she was already at the car. That manager, he said before she got a chance to speak, he was married.

So?

So he was married.

Leah settled back against the trunk and crossed her arms. Are you telling me you never got into a car or went into an alley with a married man? Most hustlers cant afford those kinds of scruples.

He didnt remember telling her in so many words that he used to hustle. Still, took one to know one. That was different.

How?

This guy, the manager, he didnt make that choice. You didnt give him a choice.

Her eyes widened incredulously. So you were saving his marriage?

Maybe.

You know nothing about him. He could be putting it to half the cleaning staff.

That has nothing to do with me. This did. If he decides to betray his wife, thats his business, but we dont get to make that choice for him. Suddenly, the pavement was a lot closer than it had been. Ow. Why was he on his knees?

Tony?

He blinked up at her.

You didnt take the time to focus properly, did you? You used your own internal power for those runes, didnt you?

Could have. He honestly didnt remember. I was in a bit of a hurry, he reminded her as she helped him back onto his feet. You dont generally demand a lot of foreplay.

He expected more argument, but she was quiet as she opened the car door and eased him down onto the seat. He couldnt read her expression and he didnt trust the silence, so just before she slid the key into the ignition, he grabbed her arm. What?

To his surprise, she leaned over and kissed him gently on the cheek. Youre a good man, Tony Foster. A good man with power. Im not sure if I find that terrifyingly hopeful or just terrifying.

As she effortlessly shook free of his grip, Tony sagged back against the seat and frowned. Yeah, well, that and five ninety-nine will get you a meal deal, he said after a moment, unable to decide if he should be flattered or insulted. Which reminds me; youll need to

Hit a drive-through on the way to number twenty-five. Yeah, I figured.






Tony, wake up!

There was a certain, this is the last time Im going to say this tone to Leahs voice that dragged his eyes open. He could see trees silhouetted against a sapphire sky. Its almost dark.

I know. You ate and then you fell asleep, and I couldnt wake you.

Why am I wet?

I said I couldnt wake you, she snapped, tossing the empty cup into the back seat and starting the car.

Now he thought about it, it was a pretty stupid question. Although shed reclined his seat as far as it would go, sleeping in the car had left him stiff. And not in a good way. Oh, man, I have really got to take a piss.

Theres a gas station on the corner.

Where are we?

Just down the road from number twenty-five, she told him, pulling up to the pumps. Its on a private house. Give me your credit card. For gas! she added when he stared at her blankly.

Whats wrong with your cards?

The gas is going into your car.

Right. Fine. Whatever. It wasnt until he was getting back into the car having visited both the bathroom and the convenience store, holding a bag of beef jerky and a giant sport drink and feeling much better that he realized what shed said. On a private house? Not in?

Theres a piece of soffit missing. Do you know what that is?

Sure. Im a wizard. We know things.

Its the piece that fills in the angle between the roof to the house.

Ah. He chewed a piece of jerky as she pulled out into traffic. Bungalow?

Two stories.

Two stories with a porch and a flagstone walk and some bushes clipped into tight little spheres. Dark curtains were drawn over lace sheers in the front window, but a thin line of light seemed to indicate someone was home.

Standing on the sidewalk and craning his head, he could just barely make out the shimmer. I can get it from here.

The first rune slammed up against the eaves trough and rained down in a shower of blue sparks. Tony threw the remains of his sport drink on a smoldering spherical bush. Good thing neighbor in the city means minding your own business. Son of a bitch. I cant get the right angle on it, the porch is in the way. Im going to have to lean out that second-story window.

And how, Leah snorted, peering up at the house, are you going to get to that second-story window?

I guess were hunting for another location, he said as he headed back to the car.

She caught his wrist as he was opening the trunk. Tony, people with that kind of repressed shrubbery are not likely to be fans of Darkest Night.

So we expand our demographic. Shaking free, he pulled out his show jacket and shrugged into it, dropping his jean jacket into the trunk. It was the ubiquitous black satin with a blood red logo across the back, and he didnt wear it oftenthere were only so many Donnas a guy could face in a daybut it made him look more official and at past seven on a Saturday evening, that could only help. Well get whoevers in there to take me to that room because we want to use the view out of it on the show.

They wont care.

And well offer them a great deal of money.

Leah glanced at the shrubs as they walked up the front path. That might work. Except, she added, I get the impression CBs not going to sanction that.

Were not actually going to use the view, he reminded her, heading up the porch stairs.

Fair enough. But once youre in the room, theyre not just going to let you lean out the window.

No, youre going to distract them. Or him. Or her. Or the Brady Bunch. Without forcing he, she, or them to break any vows.

Okay, Mr. Ive-got-an-answer-for-everything: if its not a him, how?

Well be on the second floor.

So?

Tony sighed and pressed the doorbell. Youre a stunt-woman, right? Fall down the stairs.






I dont understand. Mrs. Chin clutched at the front of her pale blue sweater with one hand and peered anxiously from Tonys card to Tony. Therell be a television show on our front lawn?

No, maam. We just want to shoot film, he corrected when she looked startled. We want to film the scene out the window just like it is.

But why?

For the television show.

Yes, you said that, but why?

Itll be what one of the characters sees when they look out their window, Mrs. Chin.

Except they wont ever be in your room, Leah added quickly. Well put the pieces of film together back at the studio.

I see. Either she didnt, or she was confused about something else. And youll pay me money for this?

That was almost a statement and definitely not what she might be confused about.

Yes, maam.

Because you always hear about how much money there is in television. She glanced at the card again. How much money?

I cant say exactly, maam. I need to take a look and see if its suitable and then He pulled his cell phone from his pocket.  send a couple of pictures to the boss.

Her eyes narrowed. Youre not taking pictures of the inside of my house.

No maam. Just the view out the window.

And you want to do this now?

The sooner the boss makes a decision, the sooner we can cut you a check.

But its dark out, she protested, leaning just enough to see past them and get confirmation.

Thats okay. Its a television show about a vampire. But a good vampire, he qualified as her eyes began to narrow again. Its about a vampire detective who solves crimes and protects people.

Mrs. Chin nodded, slowly. That sounds familiar. Whats it called again?

Darkest Night. He half turned so she could see the logo on his back. We shoot right here in Burnaby.

Ive never heard of you, she declared, but she stepped back and let them into the house.






Oh, good heavens! Miss? Are you all right?

Tony hadnt seen the fall, but it had certainly sounded impressive; lots of bumping, lots of crashing, and finally some very believable moaning. As Mrs. Chin ran out of the room, he leaned out of the windowfortunately, one of the old-fashioned kind that lifted up and had no screentwisted around and, using the frame, pulled himself up to sit on the ledge. He had to lean away from the building, left arm stretched right out to get the runes through the weak spot and although all four slid through, he wasnt entirely positive that it had closed. He leaned a little farther. Squinted

The world tilted in an interesting way, but there was definitely no shimmer.

No window ledge either.

Porch roof, though.

And then a bush.

A bush that turned out to be just a little sturdier than he was.

Oh, thats just fucking great, he thought, rolling out onto the lawn, breathing fast and shallow through his teeth so as not to scream. Four days of fighting demons, and I get taken out by shrubbery.

Lying there and bleeding seemed like his best option, but unless they wanted to deal with more questions than he was prepared to answer, he had to get away from Mrs. Chin before he fell over. More specifically, he had to stand up and then get away from Mrs. Chin before he could fall over again.

Bright side, nothing was broken.

Nothing important anyway.

Thankful he seemed to be in marginally better shape than the bush, he staggered up the porch steps and peered into the front hall. Leah was sitting on a wooden chair, head in her hands. Mrs. Chin was nowhere in sight. Opening the door, he waved Leah quiet and moved as quickly as he could to her side as Mrs. Chin came from the back of the house with a glass of water.

Oh, there you are, she snapped, her gaze flicking to the stairs as she handed Leah the glass. She obviously thought hed just come down them and just as obviously disapproved of his lack of concern for his companion. This young woman should be taken to the hospital.

Hospital? Was the spell no longer protecting her? Are you hurt?

She fell down the stairs, Mrs. Chin told him grimly. There could be all sorts of internal damage and I am not responsible. Those stairs are safe. I wasnt near her when she fell. I gave her a glass of water.

Of course not.

If you try to sue me, thats what Ill tell the judge.

Okay, sure.

Maybe youre right about the hospital. Leah stood and handed back the glass. We should go now.

Tony was all in favor of that. Left arm pressed tight against his side, he extended his right. Ill help you out to the car.

Somehow Leah managed to support most of his weight and still make it look like he was helping her. A lot of stunties were better actors than the industry gave them credit for, he acknowledged silently as he thanked Mrs. Chin for her time and the two of them moved as quickly as possible toward the street.

Leah tipped her head toward his. You fell out the window?

What was your first clue?

Could have been the way you were upstairs and then came in through the front door. Or it could have been the crash you made as you hit the porch roof.

Mrs. Chin ?

Kitchens in the back of the house. She might not have heard it.

Is she still watching?

Clothing rustled as Leah half turned. Yes.

Then lets move a little faster before she comes outside and sees what I did to her bush.

You damaged one of her bushes!

The damage was mutual.

If I let you go, can you lean on the car until I get the door open?

Sure. Or not so sure. The adrenaline was wearing off, he hurt in more places than he cared to catalog, and the world was beginning to tilt again. Fuck that. Tilted world had got him into this mess. Mess. Messed. Missed. Didnt miss that damned bush. Wouldnt miss it. It could just lay there and well, rot.

Come on, Tony. Into the car.

Leahs voice seemed to come from very far away and she seemed taller. Or he had gotten shorter. And that would suck.

God fucking damn it! Cracking his head on the edge of the car roof helped him focus. He collapsed into the seat and whimpered a little as Leah buckled him in. You know what needs seat belts? Fucking window ledges, thats what.

This isnt good.

She was sitting beside him in the drivers seat and, since he couldnt remember her going around the car, it seemed hed lost a few minutes somewhere. She was looking at a dark stain on the palm of her hand.

Shit. Youre bleeding!

No, Tony. Youre bleeding. Its soaking into your jacket. Thats why I didnt see it before. How badly are you hurt?

I cant feel the fingers of my left hand. When he lifted them up into the light of the streetlamp, they looked kind of like sausages. But thats good I cant feel them, he added. Because when I could feel them, they hurt like fuck.

Let me see where youre bleeding.

Im bleeding? Oh thats just great. Henrys going to kill me. He hates it when I waste Um The word just wasnt there. And then a good chunk of the world wasnt there. Then what was left started beeping.






Henry pulled up behind Tonys car and was out of his own almost before the engine stopped.

The supplies you asked for are in the backseat, he snarled, pushing past the Demongate and yanking open the passenger side door. The blood scent, no longer confined but spilling out to almost overwhelm the night, would have been dangerous had his anger at the circumstances not been so great.

Scooping Tony up into his arms, he led the way into the apartment building.






Hey, Henry. I was just thinking about you.

Were you? Henry sat on the edge of the bed, his cool fingers gently gripping Tonys jaw.

Yeah. I was thinking youd uh Interesting that it hurt so much to frown. I dont remember. But you were there. His gaze flicked up over Henrys shoulder to Leah and he snorted. And you were there. And there was a wizard. Oh, wait. That was me.

Smiling, Henry released him. Dont frighten me like that again.

Youre frightened of me misquoting The Wizard of Oz?

Youve been in and out of delirium for the last two hours. We were just discussing whether or not we should take you to a hospital.

What happened?

Apparently, you fell out a window.

It all came rushing painfully back. The window. The bush. The bleeding.

And now?

He was in his own bed, in his own apartment. His left arm was on top of the covers, forearm wrapped in a tensor bandage, the fingers an ugly shade of grayish purple and still sausagelike. With his right hand, he explored the gauze corset wrapped around his torso. If he hadnt been to a hospital

Leah does a decent field dressing, Henry said, reading the question off his face. We dont think the wrist is broken, but you wont be able to use the hand for a few days. What happened?

Duh. I fell out a window.

He got careless, Leah muttered, stomping to the kitchen.

I didnt. Was her bad mood because she cared, or was that just lingering delirium talking? The world tilted.

I thought as much.

A little surprised, Tony turned his attention back to Henry. You expected a tilted world? What? It was part of the whole Demonic Convergence thing? Next time, warn a guy.

I expected something like this to happen. Not this specifically.

Cryptic much. I thought youd be more pissed.

Oh, he was. Leah reappeared holding a mug. The anger and the yelling and the accusing me of trying to kill you went on for a while. Henry, lift him into a sitting position.

Tony wasnt given a chance to protest, and it didnt hurt as much as he expected it to.

Now, drink this.

Henry had to help him get his working arm out from under the covers, but once he had his fingers wrapped around the mug, they seemed to be holding. His mouth filled with saliva as he breathed in the meaty scent of the soup and he had to swallow spit before he could get to the good stuff. Since he didnt think hed survive another alphabet noodle out the nose, he drank slowly without being told.

No one said anything until he finished.

Theres more.

Good. He passed Leah the mug. Im starving.

Literally.

And back to Henry again. What?

You are literally starving. Your body is not up to the demands youve been making on it. That weve all been making on it.

You havent been Cool fingers brushed the scar on his throat. Yeah, okay, maybe a couple.

Weve been forcing a couch potato to run a marathon, Leah told him handing him the refilled mug. For the last four days, youve been using your power almost constantly. Youre not in good enough shape for this.

Thanks.

Im serious. The world didnt tilt, Tony. You fainted. Well, almost fainted, she qualified, stepping back from the bed and folding her arms. Thats why you fell.

I almost fainted?

Yes.

That was remarkably unbutch of me.

This isnt something to joke about, Tony. Henry pressed his palm against the gauze. You need to rest, regain your strength, heal.

Tony glanced down at Henrys hand. The gentle pressure remained just this side of pain. He was either saying, I dont want you getting hurt. Or Ill hurt you if you try to get up. Tony wasnt sure which. How long do you want me to rest?

For as long as it takes.

I cant

You dont have a choice, Leah pointed out, sounding no happier about it than Tony felt. Your body is setting the agenda now.

Yeah, but theres still two dozen demons coming through.

Tomorrow, Henry told him in a tone that suggested he not bother arguing, Leah and Jack will go out and get detailed information on as many of the weak points as they can.

Doesnt Jack have a job?

He has Sunday off. Amy will be here, sitting with you. Making sure you sleep and eat and dont do anything stupid.

Amy will be making sure I dont do anything stupid? She attacked a demon with a candle.

Henry smiled. Which is why we assume she can handle you. As soon as you can use your left hand again, youll be driven to the easier points. Youll leave those in more difficult positions until youre in better shape and, hopefully, by then theyll be less difficult. CB thought using a location search to gain access to private property was a good idea. When we find out where the weak spots are, exactly, hell call in some favors if he has to. Lees willing to use his celebrity as a distraction when theres no stairs for Leah to fall down.

Youve got everything planned. Didnt mention Kevin Groves, but Tony wasnt going to remind him. He could think of a use for a man who knew a lie when he heard it and didnt want that use to occur to Henry.

He drank his soup. He slept for a bit. He ate a plate of eggs when he woke up. And he complained just enough to keep Henry from getting suspicious.






On his way out of the bathroom some hours later, having stumbled out of bed and to the toilet without actually opening his eyes, he realized the apartment smelled like lasagna and patchouli. That gave him enough warning that he didnt embarrass himself when Amy rose up out of his single armchair like the shark from Jaws rising out of the sea. Except it was a great white and she was all in pink-and-black plaid and Okay, it wasnt a very good metaphor, but hed just woken up so tough.

Hey.

One of the kitchen chairs was closest to hand, so he sat on that before he fell down. Hey, back.

You look like crap.

Funny, that. His wrist ached, he had enough bruises he looked like the one hundred and second Dalmatian, and his stomach felt as if it was lying flat against his spine.

Amy handed him a bunch of bananas and dropped into the other chair. Henry said Im supposed to keep feeding you whenever you wake up, but the lasagna isnt ready so youll have to eat something healthy. Should you be sitting?

Instead of?

Lying down.

Up is good for a while. That was the best banana best two bananas hed ever eaten.

Youre not chewing.

Its a banana, he protested around a third. You made lasagna?

Please, she snorted. I bought lasagna; family-sized and frozen. You fell out a window?

By the time he finished telling her the adventures of Wizardman and Stuntwoman, the food was ready. By the time he finished eating, he could barely keep his eyes open.

Hey, have Lee send Donna a signed picture, care of Seanix Tech, okay?

For the third and final time, she sighed as she lowered him onto the sofa bed, okay.

The next time he woke up, his apartment smelled like chicken, and Amy was watching The Princess Diaries III. He must have made some kind of noise because without turning she said, Yes, I enjoy movies made for teenage girls. Before you make something of it, remember that in your weakened state I can kick your ass.

Figuring he had enough going on with two dozen demons, he staggered silently to the bathroom.

How long was I out? he asked, returning to his kitchen chair.

Almost three hours. I was just going to take the chicken out of the oven. Leah said this time youd need food more than sleep.

You cooked a chicken?

Like its hard. The oven does all the work. You didnt have a roasting pan, though, so I had to make one out of three aluminum pie plates, half a roll of aluminum foil and the lid off the jar of pickles.

He didnt really want to know.

Jack called, she told him while he ate. Theynot him but you know, they the copsfound the leg of that guard from out on Eastlake Drive halfway to the studio.

The whole leg?

Most of it. She plopped another spoonful of instant mashed potatoes onto his plate. I guess the demon got tired of carrying it. What do you figure; snack or weapon?

Either. Both.

Yeah. So youre not going to have time to close all those new weak spots, are you?

Not if I have to lie around here much longer. Since he couldnt walk to the can and back without holding the walls, lying around seemed like the best bet.

If you dont take time to recover, Henry says youll die and then where will we be? At least with you alive when they come through, we have a chance. What do you think theyll look like?

Who?

She rolled her eyes. The new demons, dipshit.

What difference does it make?

Im curious, okay?

Leah says the more human evil looks the more dangerous it is.

More dangerous than that one we chased from the coffee shop? Damned thing had tentacles and claws and spikes and mouths in weird places and

He held up a hand to cut short the litany. Maybe it works better as a metaphor in this case.

Ooooo, metaphors. Burgundy lips pursed. Someone doesnt want to be a TAD all his life.

I want to direct.

You and half the lower mainland. Come on, sleepyhead, back to bed.

Next time he woke up, he definitely felt stronger. Still punctured, bruised, and unable to use his left hand, but stronger. There was a bit of blood soaked through the dressing on his side, but he could walk without holding the walls and he remembered to chew his foodat least as much as he ever did. He was back in control of his body instead of the other way around. But what would it hurt to give Jack and Leah the day to detail the weak spots? It would probably speed things up when he got back out there wizarding.

While Amy spooned red Jell-O into bowls, Tony phoned Zev because he wanted to talk about something that wasnt demonic, something normal. Too soon, he found he had almost nothing to say.

Depressing?

No shit, Sherlock.

As the apartment grew dark, he realized he was running out of time.

I know that look.

What look?

She cocked her head and snorted. The Im about to do something stupid look. Henry said Im not to give you your laptop.

It didnt matter; he could call it to his hand no matter where it was.

It didnt matter; he didnt want it.

Im just going to lie down again.

And sleep.

Sure.

He closed his eyes. Concentrated. Twenty-four soon-to-be-arriving demons had a way of focusing the mind.

He needed to find the square hole to his square peg.

Or was he a round peg in a round hole?

He couldnt remember and wasnt sure it mattered.

If pain was a compulsory part of defining his place in the universe, he had it to spare. His wrist ached. Add it to the definition. His side hurt. Add it to the definition. His nose itched. What the hell

The universe began to take shape around him.

There.

No.

There!

This is pain. This is me. The part that doesnt hurt, that isnt me.

And this is how those parts fit together.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are the world.

He really didnt have much time, but a quick look around from this vantage point might pick up some useful insights. Allowing his consciousness to move out from his body, he brushed against Amy and smiled to see her spirit as a blazing tower of light. Kind of like six or seven of those big opening night searchlights all shining up at the same point.

His wards were a gleaming crimson cage around the apartment, promising safety and danger simultaneously. Tony hoped they were supposed to, but what the hell did he know? Way too many of the last few scenes were being shot on the fly.

Beyond the wards, another tower of light blazed so brilliantly he didnt need contact to see it.

Henry.

Weird that a Nightwalkers spirit would be so bright.

Not weird at all considering it was Henrys.

Henry.

Crap.

No more time to play tourist.

No more time to be an invalid.

Sinking back into his own body, he took a calming breath and forced himself to relax into his place in the universe, his square and/or round hole.

Hesitated.

Remembered.

Bad idea.

Trying not to brace against the anticipated pain, he healed his wrist and the wounds the shrubbery had gouged in his side.

And then he rode that distilled pain deeper. He could see the contradiction in using magic to heal the damage the use of magic had caused. He could also see how to get around it. His back bowed until only his head and his heels were touching the mattress. Just before he lost consciousness, he heard Henrys voice and was glad Amy wouldnt have to explain the screaming on her own.



Chapter Fourteen

  


TONY WAS HEARING VOICES. All things considered, that hardly seemed worth getting worked up about, so he lay there, drifting just below consciousness and listened to the rhythmic rise and fall of sound. After a while, he realized there were words involved.

Loud words.

I said he was no use to us injured; that doesnt mean I told him to heal himself, and it doesnt mean hed listen to me if I had told him, so just back off.

A womans voice. He knew that voice.

Leah.

I dont see the downside, guys. He knew that voice, too. Knew it better. Trusted it more. Amy. Okay, hes gonna have to pig out again and get his strength back, but then hell be good to go, and thatll happen a lot faster than it would have taken for his arm to heal.

His point exactly.

Thank you, Leah agreed.

This doesnt mean Im on your side, Amy snorted. Im just saying.

And what if, in his weakened state, his heart had given out? Or a blood vessel had burst in his brain? You couldnt hear his body fighting to survive what hed done to it. I could. A new voice. A mans voice. A really, really pissed-off voice. Tony had been thinking about maybe trying to open his eyes, but it suddenly seemed smarter to wait until Henry had calmed down a little.

Leah sighed. The point is, Henry, he did survive. He gambled and he won.

He had no idea of what the stakes were.

Hes trying to keep the world from being overrun by demons. Hes trying to prevent a mass slaughter of innocents. He knows how high the stakes are.

And how could he have done that if he killed himself?

But he didnt kill himself! Have you always been such a pessimist?

Oh, yeah. That was going to calm him right down. Realizing that if he waited for Henry hed be lying here all night, he forced his eyes open. Leah and Henry were facing off by the table. Amy stood a careful distance away, leaning on the counter.

Hey. It came out less like a word and more like a cough, but it was enough to get the attention of everyone in the room. I smell honey garlic He needed a second breath to finish.  ribs.

Amy grinned. Leah stopped for Chinese. You hungry?

Star Catching sight of Henrys expression, Tony decided that admitting he was starving might not be the best response. I could eat a horse.

Thats too bad; she stopped at the good place. Grabbing a towel off the counter, Amy opened the oven door. I stuck it in here to keep it warm.

How domestic.

Oh, about this much. Its a mess in here by the way. You should clean your oven.

I figured Id just move.

Men are disgusting, Leah announced stepping over to the bed. She pulled a can of nutritional supplement out of her shoulder bag, popped the tab, and held it out. Drink this first. Itll take the edge off and keep you from choking.

Although nothing hurt, he was embarrassingly weak and just starting to wonder about sitting up when Henrys arm slid under his back and lifted him up to lean against the pile of rearranged pillows. Youre good at that.

Too much practice.

It was my choice, Henry.

The vampires eyes were shadowed. I know. But she suspected youd try a healing when you were strong enough. She could have warned me or stopped you.

She is the cats mother, Leah muttered.

My grandma used to say that. Amy appeared beside her holding a plate of food. So you shouldnt. And you She switched her attention to Tony.  should drink that so you can eat so you can get your strength back, so you can get back out there and kick demon ass.

Henry watched him while he drank. The supplement was supposed to taste like chocolate. It didnt. It tasted the way people whod never had chocolate thought chocolate might taste based on descriptions of the cheap waxy shit they sculpted into rabbits at Easter.

Henry watched him while Leah quickly unwound the bandage on his left wrist and he flexed the fingers, checking that everything worked the way it was supposed to.

Henry watched him while he forked Chinese food into his mouth. Actually, all three of them watched, but Henrys gaze was the heaviest. Leah kept her expression neutralprobably so as not to provoke Henryand Amy made pig noises.

Want more? she asked when he finished. Never mind. She took the empty plate before he could reply. Stupid question.

Beginning to feel better, Tony sat up straight and Leah leaned in to remove the gauze wrapped around his torso. Henrys hands were there first. She backed up, her own raised in exaggerated surrender.

Tony shivered as cool fingers touched his skin, checking that the punctures had healed and the bruises were gone. They lingered last against his throat where the bite mark had been. This time it was gone. The skin was smooth.

Your choice, Henry said softly and straightened.

What just happened? Amy demanded as she set another filled plate of food on Tonys lap.

Our little boy just grew up.

Pausing just long enough to glare in Leahs direction, Tony dug in as Amy snorted.

As if.






Just after three, Tony dropped Amy off at her apartment.

Are you going to be okay? he asked as she leaned back into the car.

Me? Im fine. Why?

Youve got to be up in three hours for work.

I sit on my ass most of the day, Ill be fine. Besides, Ive never needed a lot of sleep. What about you?

Me? Im fine. Hed damned well better be cause that whole healing thing had fucking hurt.

Uh-huh. She looked as though she was planning to argue but thought better of it. Just be careful, okay? And thanks for letting me help. This stuff is, you know, real.

He frowned, not sure he understood. Real?

Were saving the world from demons who want to slaughter and enslave us, Tony, and it doesnt get more real than that. Straightening, she hung her Vampire Princess Miju backpack over one shoulder. Keep me in the loop or its chow mein noodles under the fingernails, she growled and quietly closed the car door.

Real demons. Two words guaranteed not to show up in the same sentence in most lives. Tony watched Amy trot into her building, waiting until he saw the light go on in her apartment before he turned the engine back on and put the car in gear. It was chivalry she wouldnt thank him for, but tough. Demons werent the only metaphysical creatures wandering around the lower mainland and she had a big I believe stamped on her forehead.

Henry pulled out right behind him.

Tonyd slept all day and hadnt wanted to waste any more time, so the moment the calories kicked in, he left Leah asleep in his apartment and headed for the one easy access weak spot of the six shed mapped out with Jack.

Separate cars because Henry had his own inflexible timetable.

New Westminster had been replacing old water mains for some time now. According to Leah, Mckaseeh had plans to pop a demon through in the trench on Fader Street. Tony drove past and stopped at the Hume Park end of the road.

In case an insomniac across from where Im working glances out the window and reports something hinky going on, he explained to Henrys raised eyebrow as the vampire got out of his car.

Henry made a noncommittal noise.

It could happen, Tony muttered as they walked back.

Is there no security on the site?

Just the kind that drives by every couple of hours. If they show up while Im wizarding, you can go talk to them. He sketched a set of air quotes around the word talk.

Thank you for letting me help.

Sarcasm? Tony didnt think so. Henry sounded just as sincere as Amy had and, come to think of it, just as sincere as Lee had earlier. He frowned. Why would people be grateful for a chance to die by demon? Because no one likes to sit around with their thumb up their butt when the world is ending, feeling helpless.

Whoa. Epiphany. In a time of crisis no one wanted to feel they were less than they were.

He wasnt just sending his friends and coworkers out into danger, he was empowering them. Okay, except for Henry who was about as empowered as it got all on his own. This didnt mean he could thoughtlessly thrust them into danger, but he could stop feeling so friggin guilty about the danger they were in.

I wonder if I will

The Arjh Lords weak point was at the bottom of the trench, the shimmer nearly indistinguishable in the dark patterns of turned earth and old pipes.

Tony peered down into the construction site, his weight sending a small avalanche of dirt off the crumbling edge. If I burn the rune then tip it on its side then shove it out over the trench and you hold me in place, I could push it down into the pit without having to climb down there.

A red-gold brow rose.

Not going to happen, is it?

Henry pointed along the trench. I think youll be safest climbing down there at the end where the new pipe has been laid. Its a gentler slope.

For not particularly large values of gentle.

Surfing the last meter on a wave of rubble, Tony hit bottom buried knee-deep in dirt. He glanced back at the new angle and sighed. Getting out was going to be fun.

But first the fun of dragging his lower legs free and then the fun of getting to the weak spot without breaking his neck.

Cocking his head, he could see the shimmer, but he couldnt see his footing.

Memo to self. Next time, bring a flashlight.

First, buy a flashlight since he didnt own one.

Because he didnt need one

The first couple of weeks after the haunted house, hed practiced the Wizards Lamp spell obsessively, but it had been months and he wasnt 100 percent positive he remembered the wording.

Or, as it happened, how much juice to give it.

Any possibility of developing night vision was obliterated in the sudden flare of brilliant white light which broke his concentration so completely that it shut off again almost immediately.

That was unpleasant, Henry snarled.

Tony peered up through the afterimages at where he thought Henry might be standing. Sorry.

Just do what you came to do and do it quickly before someone arrives to investigate that flare.

You think someone saw it?

I think they saw it in Alberta.

He didnt so much find the shimmer as trip and fall into it. He expected it to feel unpleasant, but it actually felt anticipatory. A moment spent considering who was doing the anticipating added in the unpleasant.

After burning the first rune, he realized that they shed enough light for him to find a path.

I shouldve just dragged a rune along with me, he muttered, shoving it through the weak point.

Yes, you should have. Henry had, of course, been able to hear him. He wasnt sure why he could hear Henry, whether it was a vampire thing or a wizard thing or Henry just didnt care who he woke up, figuring he could handle anything that lived in New Westminster. Theres a car coming, he continued, breaking into Tonys musing. If it stops, Ill deal with it.

Sure. The musing was new. He never used to muse.

The car stopped right about the time Tony was pushing through the second rune. He waited until he heard Henrys quiet, Can I help you, Officer? and then burned the third rune on the air.

The car pulled away as he finished and he drew a two foot WBecause todays show is brought to you by the words wizard and whateverto light his way out of the pit.

Almost out of the pit.

The slope began to crumble. Henry!

Strong fingers closed around his wrist and yanked, defying gravity and slamming him into the reassuringly solid barrier of Henrys chest.

Do you have to make even the easy ones difficult? the vampire murmured, the words cool against the back of his neck.

I didnt make it difficult, Tony panted. It was in a pit! What did the cop want? he asked, pulling far enough away to see Henrys face.

He wanted to know about the light.

What did you tell him?

A flash of teeth. That he didnt want to know about the light.

Four down, twenty-three to go.






Okay, Jack and Leah will keep mapping out the sites, so we dont have to figure out how to deal on the flythey get the information back to CB, he works out the plan. I use the location search cover for the shopping mall and the restaurant and the garage while Amy runs interference. Tony picked the list up off CBs desk and shoved it in his back pocket. Thats a start anyway.

If you want, I could stay here and plan with CB while Lee runs interference, Amy offered.

Mr. Nicholas is working this morning, CB growled. In spite of the damage to my building, we are still attempting to shoot a television show here.

She rolled her eyes. No point in saving the world if we cant save Darkest Night?

No point at all. He wasnt kidding.






No, no, theyll walk through the actual mall, but the chase scene will play out here in the gritty back corridors of commerce. Amys voice drifted around the corner to where Tony was pushing runes between the brackets that had once held some kind of storage rack. Itll be an exotic locale with lots of atmospheric shadows and very little chance of anything expensive getting broken.

The head of mall security snorted. Thats almost exactly what your boss said when he called.

Yeah, well, hes big on nothing expensive getting broken.






It was harder to spot the shimmers without Leah beside him playing Marco Polo with her belly, and a scrawled note directing them, Toward the back of the restaurant, wasnt a lot of help. Tony took an embarrassingly long time to find the weak spot on the wall of the walk-in freezer.

Is there something missing here? he asked the restaurant manager.

Yeah, used to be a set of shelves that bolted to the wall. We took em out about a month ago, why?

Just wondering.

Yeah? Well, Im wondering what a vampires going to be detecting in my freezer.

Aliens, Amy drew the manager back out into the kitchen. Kept on ice by the CIA. But dont worry, no one will ever connect this freezer to your restaurant, so you wont be overrun by hoards of alien conspiracy freaks. Unless you want to be.






No, its like theres this car accident, see, and they bring the car back here. But Raymond Dark suspects that it wasnt an accident and that the car didnt really hit a tree. Okay, it did hit a tree, but the tree really did jump out into the road.

The way the garage owner and both mechanics were hanging on Amys every word, not to mention her cleavage and the very, very short skirt she was wearing over the black tights and combat boots, Tony figured he could have turned the 63 Thunderbird on the rack into a pumpkin and none of them would have noticed. Not that hed do anything so heinous to such a wicked ride, but still.

Later, he mentioned that she was disturbingly good at coming up with freaky story ideas.

I know. She slouched lower in the seat and pulled out her phone to call the office. It scares me a bit, too.






Seven down.

Tony had an entire barbecued chicken for lunch, a 500-gram tub of potato salad, and three organic bananas Amy made him eat for the potassium. He was hungry, sure, but he still felt great. That last healing had totally been worth it.

Leahs marked two more construction sites I can do after dark. If I can get another three tears sealed up this afternoon, well, Im starting to think we might actually be able to win this.

I am uplifted by your confidence. Another banana?

No, thanks. Threes fine.






For the last time, Mr. White has been called away, and I dont care what television show youre from; no one goes into his office without his permission.

I keep trying to tell you, Amy sighed, that my boss phoned and spoke to your boss, and he said it wouldnt be a problem. Well just be in and out.

Mr. Whites secretaryexecutive assistant? Pit bull? Tony had no ideafolded her hands into what shouldnt have even remotely resembled a threatening position. Shouldnt have. Did. Mr. White left no such instructions with me. Youll have to come back tomorrow when Mr. White is in the building.

But

Tomorrow.

Will he be in later today?

One perfectly plucked brow rose. What did I just say?

Come back tomorrow?

She smiled, not exactly in approval. Did you want to make an appointment?

We had an appointment!

So you say. Not that it matters as Mr. White isnt here.

Okay. Fine. Well make an appointment.

Im sorry. Mr. White has no time tomorrow. Would Thursday fit your schedule?

What happened to Wednesday?

Hes in court on Wednesday.

Amy took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Mr. Bane will call Mr. White again and set something up. Well be back.

Mr. Whites secretary seemed unimpressed.

That was a fucking waste of time we dont have. Tony sagged against the elevator wall and glared at their reflections in the stainless steel. I should come back with a Notice Me Not on and just boogie by.

I thought you didnt know how to get noticed again after you did a Notice Me Not.

Yeah, well. Flaw in a brilliant plan. Without Henry around to call him back, hed be stuck unnoticed.

I say we just let the demon trash Mr. Whites office. Amy snorted, rocking forward and back, heel to toe.

Works for me. This could be one of the ones I dont get to.

Unless you get to all of them, shut Mckaseeh down cold.

Not going to happen.

Her lip curled. Not with that attitude.

Not with only twenty-four hours in a day.

Time travel!

No. He locked eyes with her reflection so shed know he was serious. No messing around with time. Its a lot more dangerous than demons.

And you dont know how to give us more time anyway, do you?

So much for that whole locking eyes thing. Well, no.

She bounced, once, happy with her victory. I wonder whats missing in Mr. Whites office?

Hes a lawyer, Tony muttered, as the elevator door opened and he pushed past a neoprene-covered bicycle messenger and out into the lobby. Where to start






Ms. Wong, please. If you could just wait for a couple more minutes. Were stuck in traffic. Yes, I realize youd like to go, but Were coming in on Hastings. No, that probably wasnt the best idea at this time of day. Just give us fifteen Amy glanced over at Tony who raised his right hand, fingers spread.  twenty minutes. No, we wont be long once we get there. I promise. Thank you. We wont be long, will we? she asked, closing her phone.

Hard to say, the old Carnegie Library probably has Hey! He broke off his explanation to yell at the car ahead of them. What are your fucking turn signals for, asshole! And broke back on at:  a shitload of nooks and crannies. It could take a while to find the exact position of the weak spot without Leah.

I dont think were going to have a while.

You said the library was open until ten every day, Sunday to Monday. And this is Monday.

The person CB spoke to is only there until five and, if youll recall, our plans did not enjoy much success in the absence of Mr. White.

Tony sighed and geared down. Im clinging to the hope that librarians are more helpful than lawyers.

Wizards had the same trouble everyone else did finding a parking space in Chinatown at nearly five on a weeknight. Or any other time for that matter. He thought about parking illegally and putting a Notice Me Not on the car but was afraid he wouldnt be able to find it again later. They got to the library at 5:21. Ms. Wong was not impressed. Nor was she impressed by their desire to just wander around and get the feel of the place.

You are not the first people who have wanted to use our interior in their television show. She folded her arms and the toe of one sensible black pump tapped lightly on the tile. Youre not even the first people this month. Tell me the effect youre looking for, and I will take you where you need to go. This does not have to take the rest of the evening.

Couldnt you just hand us over to the evening staff? Amy asked.

No. Youre my responsibility, and the evening staff has work of their own to do. What do you need?

Well

We need a place where somethings missing. Tony stepped into Amys pause.

The librarian frowned, stared at him for a long moment, and said, Theres a cushion missing off one of the seats in the reading room. Someone walked off with it last week.

Thats a good place to start. If you could He gestured and waited.

She stared at him for a moment longer and then shrugged, the barest lifting of one worsted shoulder. This way.






Eight down; nineteen to go.

Talk about a hot seat, Amy snickered. Some guys sitting there, reading a newspaper and pow, demon up the ass.

Tony suppressed any thought of Ryne Cyratane in that context.

I called the office when you were closing that last one because Ms. Wong didnt need to be distracted, and CB says the next one is another private house and Lees going to meet us there at seven.

Why?

Teenage daughters.

Okay. Why at seven?

Because youve got to eat. And, she added before he could suggest they hit a drive-through and eat in the car, because CBs estimating another half hour before Peters through with Lee for the day.

Oh, for Tony accelerated through a yellow light. I think saving the world from demons is more important than getting Lees last shot.

Amy snorted. No, you dont.

No, he didnt.

So whyd you just tell that librarian you needed a place where something was missing?

Good question. Honesty is the best policy?

As if.

I thought shed understand. She looked like shed been He searched desperately for a less PAX TV way of saying it and couldnt find one.  touched by magic.

Folding her knees up by her chest, Amy propped her boots on the dashboard. Touched by who?

I dont know.

But she was a good-looking woman and he knew Henry Hunted in that part of the city.






That sounds absolutely fascinating, ladies.

Tony could hear the smile in Lees voice and knew that Mom and both girls were basking in full-on Lee Nicholas charm. Thered been shrieking when the door had first been opened and constant babbling as the whole group of them headed upstairs. When it looked like the babbling might ease up, Lee merely asked a question or made a comment and they were off again.

Dad had retreated behind a copy of the Vancouver Sun pretty much immediately.

Tony faced the five closed doors at the top of the stairs and pointed toward the northeast corner where Leah had placed the weak spot. That room.

Oh, my God! The fourteen-year-old grabbed at Lees sleeve. Thats my room.

May I see it?

Tony would have shown him anything if asked in that tone. If the renewed shrieking was any indication, he wasnt the only one. Fourteen raced in to tidy up while her sixteen-year-old sister tried to convince Lee that her room was infinitely better. Mom pointed out that hed find the master suite not only bigger but more comfortable. The wink, wink, nudge, nudge was strongly implied.

Once in fourteens bedroom, after his vision adjusted to the Day-Glo That 70s Show decorating, Tony discovered that the closet door was missing, replaced by a curtain of multicolored beads. The weak spot filled the space. With any luck, it was practice making the shimmer easier to see, not the imminent arrival of a host of demons.

I might need to look at the other bedrooms, Lee said thoughtfully, when Tony gave him the sign.

More shrieking.

It suddenly became clear why Lee was willing to face demons. Demons were quieter.






Nine down. Eighteen demons were still eighteen demons too many.

Where to after this? Lee asked sotto voce as they walked side by side down the porch stairs. This prime space had opened up when Mom had been forced to physically intervene before an argument over whod walk beside Lee to the curb had come to blows.

Im meeting Henry at a construction site, Tony told him as, behind them, fourteen accused sixteen of having been in her face her entire life. Youre okay driving Amy home?

Sure. Youll get some sleep? I mean, later.

I dont need much.

I have to admit you look better than you did. Lees gaze skittered across the side of Tonys face and ended up locked on the path. Better in a medical sense. Were all worried about you.

Tony took a few seconds to examine and abandon several possible responses before sticking with tradition. Im fine.

Youve lost a lot of weight.

When this is over He paused as sixteen threw in an oh, grow up too vehement to talk over.  Ill gain it back.

Im not saying youre looking less studly; Im saying you look a bit thin is all.

Studly? Tony tripped over a bit of concrete edging. Lee grabbed his arm and yanked him roughly back onto his feet.

Guys! Amys voice cut through the October evening like a siren. Weve got incoming fen!

Fourteen and sixteen buried the hatchet and began yelling at their friends to hurry.

Several voices shrieked, Oh, my God, its Lee Nicholas!

Several more shrieked, Lee, I love you!

Tonys car was across the street and half a dozen houses down. Lee had found a spot barely twenty meters away. Run! Tony gave him a shove. You can make it to your car!

What about you? Lee demanded as the shrieking lost vocabulary and degenerated into a primal fannish keen.

Dont worry about me, once youre gone, theyll calm down.

What if they dont?

Damn it, Lee, run! Just for a second, Tony was sure he heard an overwrought soundtrack, then Lee turned and sprinted for his car, digging out his keys as he ran.

A chime as the doors of the new Mercedes SUV unlocked.

Amy!

Already here. She glared across the hood as Lee raced for the drivers door. And do you have any idea how much gas one of these things uses?

Its bio-diesel!

No shit? Half in, she leaned out for another look and nearly went flying as Lee pulled away from the curb. She dragged herself in and as the door closed, Tony heard Lee getting an earful of Spanish profanity.

At least Tony thought it was profanity. He didnt speak Spanish.

News to him that Amy did.

As the crowd realized theyd lost a chance to get up close and personal with the actor second billed in the opening credits of the highest rated vampire detective show on syndicated television, they turned their nearly hysterical, thwarted gaze on Tony. Just in case Lee hadnt been impressive on his own, Tony was wearing his show jacket to impress the homeowners.

The crowd didnt know who he was or what he did, but they knew he was with the show.

They were between him and his car.

Hed never make it.

This was not the time for discretion.

Bright side, no one would believe this lot anyway.

Tony grabbed for his focus, reached for his fly, and snapped out the Notice Me not.






There was a security guard on duty at the first construction site. A six-foot-four ex-cop from Ghana, he was studying to be an EMT. With an exam coming up, the odds were good hed have never noticed a quiet visit tucked in between his appointed rounds, but Henry leaned just enough to raise the odds a little more and then went out to meet Tony.

Although the last of the evenings commuters kept the traffic fairly heavy over on Norland Avenue, Ledger Avenuewhere the condominium complex was being builtwas nearly empty. Henry heard Tonys car before he saw it. Even knowing it was there, it was nearly impossible to keep his attention on it. He found himself distracted by the hearts beating all around him; by the scent of blood, warm and contained; by the hundreds of thousand of lives that could be his for the Hunting.

Snarling, he forced himself to watch as the car stopped and the drivers side door opened and

There was a woman singing in a third-floor apartment across the road. The song was melancholy, and it told him hed be welcomed should his Hunt take him to her door.

A touch on his shoulder.

He whirled, grabbed a fistful of fabric, and slammed someone, something to the pavementthe familiar scent registering a moment too late.

Fucking ow, Henry! That hurt!

Tony. Lying at his feet. Heart racing. Glaring up at him as if this was somehow his fault. I see. You used the Notice Me Not again.

I didnt have a choice, Tony grunted, accepting Henrys hand and allowing himself to be lifted to his feet. There was this horde of Darkest Night fans ready to tear me limb from limb.

A red-gold brow rose. The show has enough fans to make up a horde?

Small horde, he admitted, checking to make sure everything worked. More like a mob, really. Very feisty, though. And pissed. So, are you planning to apologize for dumping me on my ass? Which felt distinctly bruised.

Henry smiled. Your spell distracted me with thoughts of the Hunt.

So youre saying Im lucky I only got dumped on my ass?

Essentially.

Okay, works for me. He turned to study the steel skeletons of the three towers. Leahs notes say this ones tucked up in that first structure.






Tony knew Henry wouldnt drop him. Knew it without question. His hindbrain however, currently dangling four stories up supported only by a vampires grip on his ankles, was having none of that. As far as his hindbrain was concerned, they were going to die.

Painfully.

Messily.

On impact.

The hysterical background babbling of OH, MY GOD! was annoying. And distracting.

I dont want to rush you, Tony, but the moon has risen and were not exactly invisible up here. If a resident living on the upper floors of any of those buildings across the way should happen to glance out their window

Yeah. I get it. Wed be screwed. Sorry.

The orientation of the runes didnt seem to matter.

Good fucking thing, too, because I dont think I could draw them upside down.

Right side up. Im upside down.

OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD!






Ten down. Seventeen to go.






The second weak spot of the night wasnt so much in a construction site as an excavation.

Whats with the attraction to holes in the ground? Tony muttered as they walked down the packed dirt ramp left for the excavation equipment.

They are creatures of hell. They would feel at home in a pit.

Its not that kind of a hell, Henry.

Would a man spend his time there in eternal torment?

I guess. Based on what theyd seen of the inhabitants, it seemed a fair assumption. Although eternal might be thinking a bit too long term.

Then its close enough for me.






Eleven to sixteen.

Oh, no, Tony protested, backing away even though Henry had made no move in his direction. Therell be time enough to sleep when this is over.

If you could finish it tonight, Id agree with you, but you cant and youre becoming visibly exhausted. When youre tired, you make mistakes. When you make mistakes, you get hurt. When you get hurt, you heal yourself and, as your body becomes progressively more worn down, there is always the chance you wont survive the process.

Theres not much room for argument when you put it like that.

Henry smiled his most irritating Prince of Man smile. Which is why I put it like that.






Television meant early mornings and habit got Tony to the studio by seven, a mere ten minutes after sunrise even though Henry had set his alarm for eight before he left. CB and Leah and Jack were already in the office. Amy arrived minutes after Tony and Lee minutes after that, carrying a tray of coffee.

You may be wondering why Ive called you all here, Jack muttered.

Only Amy laughed.

One hand up under the edge of her sweater, Leah stared down at the map spread out over CBs desk. Well, that confirms it. The tears are deeper than they were.

Sixteen of the burns on the map were noticeably darker.

The good news was, Leah had recognized Ryne Cyratanes ownership of the arjh coming through in the middle of the Willingdon overpass. And the bad news involved the Telus overpass and another weak spot.

While Tony and Lee had been dodging teenagers, CB had spent a couple of hours on the phone and called in some favors.






At exactly 9:45, an RCMP patrol car, lights flashing pulled out into the middle lane of the Kingsway and parked just out from under the Telus overpass. Morning rush hour traffic, finally having dropped from insanely busy to annoyingly crowded began to flow around it. When the uniformed constable stopped traffic entirely, Tony helped manhandle the rented telescoping platform out under the overpass. As the guy whod come with the platform locked it down, he set out orange traffic cones.

When CB had laid out the plan, Tony had stared at him in disbelief. What am I supposed to do while theyre setting up? hed demanded.

I suggest, Mr. Foster, that you do your job. Unless there happens to be a spell to turn straw into gold on that laptop of yours, in which case you may do whatever you please. 

As traffic began to move again, now including the area the platform occupied in their detour, he followed the steadicam operator up the short ladder and clutched the steel railing as the platform rose.

They were directly under the weak spot. He could burn the runes in the air just below it and then shove them quickly up and through. The steadicam operator had his back to Tony as he shot the traffic moving under the overpass. The occupants of the cars, used to having to accommodate a dozen studios plus visiting productions, didnt even look up.

He was finished in just under ten minutes.

Okay, lets go.

I dont think so, kid. Chester Bane is paying me for twenty minutes of brand spanking new stock footage and thats what Im going to shoot for him.

But

Do I look stupid enough to cross Chester Bane, kid?

Fair question. And no, he didnt. Then just let me down.

We have this spot for half an hour, kid, no more. Thats bloody close to not enough time so, again, no.

He couldnt climb down; dangling then dropping made him think of broken legs and Henrys reaction. Im trying to save the fucking world here!

Yeah, well, I only have your word for that whereas I know whatll happen if Chester Bane pays for twenty minutes and gets nineteen fifty-nine. The end of the world will seem tame in comparison.

Since Tony didnt have an argument for that, he folded his arms and fumed.






With the easy places already taken care of, he only got two closed that day and one closed after dark.

Fourteen to thirteen. Theyd pulled ahead by one. Two if he put Ryne Cyratanes marked arjh on their side of the count.

As Tony fell into a fitful sleep, he held tight to the hope that they might have a shot at winning this after all.

Three closed the next day.

Seventeen to ten.

Only two the day after that, though, and the second was nearly a disaster.

What the hell is he doing? Does he paint graffiti on the pool? I see him paint something! I dont believe you come from vampire television. You stay! You stay right there! I call the 911!

The Notice Me Not kept him from getting arrested, but it also kept him from interacting with anything until long after sunset when Henry finally found him. The longer the spell was on, the harder it was to get off.

Nineteen to eight.

Twenty to seven.

Twenty-one to six.

Those last two had gone relatively easily, but now he was stuck in traffic with Leah singing along to the latest from Radiogram. They were a local band whod recently rocketed off local playlists and into the international music scene. Tony liked the band and their music, but Leahs smug I followed them before they were famous attitude was driving him up the wall. She even sang along smugly.

Like I dont have enough to do without sitting here and listening to her

Hang on. Had Radiogram worked the Darkest Night theme into their latest release?

No. That was his phone.

Leah.

Im on it. She stretched an arm behind his seat, snagged his backpack, freed his phone, and stuffed it into the dock.

Tony, its Kevin Groves. I just got a call from one of our regulars. She says she saw something big with horns blow apart the Willingdon overpass.

Tony eased into the curb lane while he waited for the other shoe to drop.

She wasnt lying.

And there it was.

Thanks, Kevin. Hang up. The phone clicked off. He needed to get to the studio. He needed to get turned around. Diagonally through a gas station, out the other side, over a median strip, and into the left turn lane to more-or-less catch the final seconds of the advance green.

Half a block. Picking up speed. Cutting between two SUVs.

Sliding sideways on damp pavement, Tony fought the car back onto four tires. Keep that map down. I need to see out that window!

You need your fucking headBUS!head examined! And you need to look at this.

Another half block before he could take his eyes off the road long enough to glance her way. The way Leah was holding the map, he could see six pinholes where the light showed through. Six weak points burned through. Six demons in the city. One of them was theoretically on their side, but somehow that didnt make him feel any better.

Call CB, tell him to empty the studio. Then call Jack and Henry.

Suns not down. BIKE!

He missed the cyclist by millimeters. Leave a message.

I have a better idea. Her fingernails had left half moon cuts in his dashboard. Why dont you pull into that strip mall, then you can make the calls and I can get us to the studio alive.

Tony hesitated just for a second then bounced up over the curb and into the strip mall parking lot. This was not the time to let machismo get in the way of a professional stunt driver. Their odds would improve with stunt drivers in the surrounding cars, but hed take what he could get. As he dove back into the passenger side and buckled up, he glanced at the clock. 5:07. More than an hour and a half until sunset.

As Leah stomped on the gas, he reached for the phone.

Theyd be starting before Henry woke for the night. Then hed have to drive out to Burnaby. Theyd be fighting multiple demons without his strength and speed, and it was entirely possible theyd be finished without him. Fucking weak spots might as well have torn open at noon. TAXI!

Please. I saw it. You know, we still have time to get on a plane and haul ass out of here.

Suspicion tightened his chest. Was that why you wanted to drive?

No, no, Im doing the responsible thing.

ONE-WAY STREET!

Leah snorted and drove half a block on the sidewalk. You know, Tony, if youre going to save the world tonight, you really need to pace yourself.



Chapter Fifteen

 


FIGHTING TO KEEP THE nutritional supplement pouring into his mouth instead of spraying around the inside of the car, Tony watched in amazement as Leah forced every possible ounce of power from the elderly engine, took a few highly illegal shortcuts, and beat the demons back to the soundstage. The previous two trips theyd taken had clearly been nothing more than a rehearsal for this.

Bonus that theres never a cop around when you need one, he ground out through clenched teeth, really hoping he wasnt going to hurl as they bounced over the back curb of the CB Productions lot.

We werent on a major highway this time, so I doubt anyone called us in.

You doubt? His voice went up embarrassingly high on the second word. You went the wrong way down a Tim Hortons drive-through!

Please, in this area Leah yanked the wheel hard to the left and skidded to a stop, spraying gravel over the craft services truck.  they probably thought we were filming.

She had a point. A month earlier, Vancouverites had applauded an armed bank robbery; bank security hadnt intervened, apparently waiting for someone to yell Cut!

Therere too many vehicles still in the lot, Tony grumbled, getting out of the car. Sure theyd been speedy, but hed seen CB clear the building in less time. When the big guy said go, it took a stupidly reckless man to linger.

Leah grabbed his arm. Hang on. Dragging him around to face her, she licked the edge of a tissue and scrubbed at his upper lip.

What the

Supplement mustache. Sets a bad example for the troops.

We dont have any troops!

And the demons will laugh at you. One final swipe. There.

Thank you. It was as sarcastic an appreciation as he could manage. Do I look like I should be taken seriously now? he demanded as they raced for the rear door.

Not so much, no.

Big surprise. Not. Maybe he should get a pointy hat. Or a big sword. Or his head examined.

Charging down the center aisle, he jumped cables, dodged around equipment, stopped dead as he emerged out into the open area by Adams desk. What the ? He whirled to glare at Leah. Did you know this was going to happen?

She spread her hands. Hey, Im as surprised as you are.

You mentioned troops!

I was being facetious.

They want to help, CB explained, stepping forward,

Help? Tony moved his attention from Leah to his boss. What did you tell them?

That the battle would be joined tonight. Not as part of a general announcement, but to those who knew enough to ask.

Zev, Amy, Leeno surprise, although Tony would rather they were all somewhere safe, like New ZealandMouse, Peter

Sorge and Adam and Tina have kids, Peter said, one thigh propped on Adams desk next to a half-full box of flares last used in episode seven. Kids who actually live with them, he amended. We sent them home.

 Saleen, Pavin, and Kate.

Theyd all been in the house last summer. Theyd survived Creighton Caulfield and theyd heard about what had happened in the spring with the Shadowlord. They knew what Tony was, and they thought they knew what he could do.

Your fan club seems to be growing, Leah murmured, warm breath lifting the hair on the back of his neck.

Yeah, right. Kate had never liked him.

Guys, theres half a dozen demons on their way. Demons. Just like in the most clichd screenplay; all claws and horns and tentacles and bad attitude. Ask Zev, ask Amy, ask CB, theyve all seen them. Well, one. He frowned. Okay, I think CB saw a couple of them, but

Shut up, Kate snarled. We asked. We know. She snapped the loops of yellow nylon rope between her hands. We need to knock them down and tie them up so you can send them back right? Its a physical fightslam, bam, kick a little demonic ass?

Its not that easy

Did I say it was going to be easy? We get that theyre big and strong. What we dont get is how you thought you could take them out with only the boss and a Mountie at your side.

Hey! Amy protested. Lee and I were always staying!

Yeah, an actor and a receptionist, thatll make a lot of difference, Saleen muttered. The grip slapped a length of steel pipe into his left hand. These things have no special powers, right?

Well, they

No, Leah interrupted. Theyre just big and strong.

And ugly, Zev snorted, fingering the sleeve of his sweater.

Then its time we get some of our own back.

Some of your own back from what? Tony demanded, wondering when hed lost control of the situation. The words stupidly reckless were repeating on a background loop in his head.

The Shadowlord. Creighton Caulfield. Mouse never said much, so the big cameramans words carried a deliberate weight.

Theyre not doing this for you, Tony. Lee crossed to stand barely an arms length away. Theyre fighting for themselves. Because this time, they can.

Theyre not? They? The next obvious question had to be What about you? or maybe Who writes your dialogue? But he knew the answer to the second and this wasnt the time to hear the answer to the first, and anyway, there were half a dozen demons making tracks to the studio. He took a deep breath and one step to the side so that the others could see him. Everyone accounted for but Mason, and Masons absence was hardly sur

goddamned thing got buried in the closet! Clutching the double-handed broadsword from episode twelve and wearing the slightly squibbed camouflage jacket from episode sixteen, Mason rocked to a stop by CBs side. What did I miss?

Tony questioning our right to be here, Kate deadpanned.

Mason snorted. Tony questioning? Whos the star of this show, him or me?

Heads up, people! Jack charged into the group, glanced around, and obviously decided not to ask. I just got off the phone with Geetha. Therere six kinds of hell breaking lose and heading this way.

Youve been waiting your whole career to say that, havent you? Amy asked, snickering.

He flashed her a broad smile. Pretty much, yeah.

Okay. It wouldnt be in a few minutes, but right now it was. When they all turned to look at him, Tony said it again just because he liked the sound of it. Okay. Jack, help Leah and CB position the troops. Pavin, bring one of the Fresnos to the back. Im going to try and stop a demon at the door. He ran for the back without waiting for an answer. If they wanted to help, they could damned well be helpful.

Hed finished burning the first two runes by the time Pavin wrestled one of the small spotlights over from the office set. Does light hurt them?

No. Set up here. Aim the beam through that pattern and right out the door.

Blinding it? Pavin asked, remarkably blas about bright blue squiggles just hanging in the air. He used the knob on the back of the casing to adjust the beam. So it cant see what you wrote?

Lets hear it for tech support. Yeah. Thats the idea. He stepped out into the parking lot and drew the third rune with his eyes nearly squinted shut. Youd better get back with the others.

The light blazed out the open door, significantly brighter than the late afternoon sun and definitely blinding. He couldnt see the rune from any angle that would get him through the door. Hopefully, the demon didnt know how this world worked, so it wouldnt realize the light was too bright. If they were lucky, it might wonder about the sudden change in illumination and pause in the doorway giving him time to get the final rune in place. With a little more luck, it wouldnt be Ryne Cyratanes arjh who showed up, wasting a perfectly good trap or trapping one of their best chances of surviving this.

Good idea, Tony, use up all your luck before the fight even starts.

As he burned the fourth rune, he realized there was something not quite right about the ambient noise. The familiar background sounds of the city were less familiar than they should be. Hed nearly finished when those sounds separated into squealing tires and breaking glass. Less screaming than hed expected, but thered likely be time for that later.

Half a Honda Civic rolled past the edge of the building. Tony slapped the last curl on the fourth rune and dove behind the garbage can at the craft services truck, rune clutched in his left hand. The demon charged around the corner still holding the other half of the car.

What Im holding beats what youre holding

 unless you decide to throw the car at me. Crap!

The twisted hunk of metal crashed into the gravel right in front of the garbage can, covering Tony in glittering bits of safety glass and slamming the can into his shoulder.

He didnt think he made much of a noise, but when the dust settled, the demon stood just outside the beam of light, eyestalks turned toward him, the bit on its face that corresponded to a nose twitching and testing the air.

Not good on a couple of levels.

The runes wouldnt hang forever and a little experimentation over the last few days had proved that the longer they were in place, the less kick ass they became.

Also, the plan was to avoid the ultimate wizard and demon one-on-one for as long as possible. A Powershot would knock him on his ass and out of the fight, so if it turned out to be inevitable it had to happen late in the game.

From inside the soundstage, a girlie shriek. It sounded like Mason.

The demons head went up, exposing the get-Leah rune cut into its chest. Hard to tell, given the arrangement of its features, but it looked embarrassed. Maybe not Mason, then. Maybe some demons were less demonic than others. Grumbling under its breath, it stepped into the light, hissed and reared back, eyestalks withdrawing into the top of its head.

Tony had started moving as the demon moved. As it reared, he shoved the fourth rune into position.

It had time for only a truncated howl before the runes flared and it disappeared.

Yes! One down! Hed just started breathing normally for what seemed like the first time in half an hour when a clawed hand closed on his bruised shoulder.

There were only three entrances to the soundstage.

Three entrances. Six demons. Basic math.

Crap.

And fucking OW!

Wizard.

Talking? That was new.

Ignoring the blood dribbling down from the points of the claws, Tony twisted as far as he could in the demons grip. It looked sort of like a miniature Ryne Cyratane, although more Texas longhorn than Bambis dad, and it wore the most obvious of the Arjh Lords attributes sheathed up like a dogs. Unlike the single rune on the chest of the first demon, the black runes carved into mini-Rynes chest were oozing blood over a pattern very nearly as complex as Leahs. It seemed that slipping an arjh into another lords plan took more than a fake mustache, but since Sye Mckaseeh seemed to recruit from farther out on the horror show spectrum, that wasnt really surprising.

Help wizard.

Yeah. Fine. Release wizard! The claws hurt as much on the way out as they had on the way in. All right, if youre going to never mind. The completely blank expression suggested he keep it simple. Follow wizard!

Its a little like live action Zork, he thought as he ran into the soundstage, the demon hard on his heels. Eat snake. Thank you, that was delicious. I cant believe Henry still has that game on his system. And not a good time for silent babbling, Tony. Pull it togethFuck.

Three of the other four demons had arrived.

There wasnt room for all three of them directly under the gate, so theyd spread out within the confines of the set, turning the entire area into a seething mass of multicolored flesh and weaponry. Kate and Pavin were trying to loop a tentacled lime-green demon in rope while Saleen whaled on any bits he could get close to with his pipe. Amy, Lee, and Zev had another cornered. No, it had Zev cornered. No, they had it cornered. Jack was down on one knee, blood dribbling from the corner of his mouth. Mason was fighting sword to claw with the upper right arm of another of the chitin-covered demons yelling something that sounded like Parry, thrust, riposte! while Mouse silently fought the lower right, and CB dealt with the left side. Peter sagged against the wall, gasping for breath, arms wrapped around his torso. Leah was nowhere in sight. Since the point of this exercise from the invaders perspective was to open the Demongate, CB had stashed Leah somewhere safe.

And a good thing, too, since all three demons had a single, familiar rune etched into their chests. Or the equivalent area.

Tony pointed mini-Ryne toward the battle. Fight demons!

Mini-Ryne seemed less than enthused. Help wizard.

Fight demons!

Guard gate.

Left palm flat against the center of his back, Tony shoved him forward. Fight demons! Whether the pressure of the rune convinced him or hed run out of excuses, mini-Ryne finally charged into the fray, and Tony raced for the extension ladder. CB and Jack had been insistent that he not be in the middle of the fight; there were too many demons and if one of them realized he was the wizard, in the absence of the Demongate hed be the center of all the demonic attention by default.

From the top of the ladder, he crawled out onto the lighting grid. Technically, this was not someplace he should be, but the grid was built to hold hundreds of pounds of lights and sooner or later, every electrician or light tech in the business ended up with his feet off the ladder or scaffold. Since he was neither, it was a good thing CB ran a flexible studio. Had demons been attacking a CBC studio, the world would be screwed.

He burned all four runes into the air beside him before he looked down.

Lime-green-and-tentacles had moved away from the corner. Amy had danced inside the tentacles and was pounding a second, foot-long ash stake into the main bulk of its body. Lee bashed the end of a tentacle against the floor with an antique mace, ducked a second, and slammed a third away from his head at the last minute. Zev stood to one side cocking a crossbow, a length of the yellow nylon rope tied to one end of the quarrel.

They werent bringing it down, but they were definitely holding it in place.

Welcome to the set of Darkest Night, he muttered, stretching along the grid. Vampire shows inevitably acquired a lot of interesting weaponry. He dropped the first two runes into place and was ready with the third when Amy screamed, her leg caught in one of the demons unexpected mouths. Distracted, Lee went down, lime-green coils around his torso. You dont get to be distracted! he reminded himself. He was already doing the best thing he could do to help. Third rune down. Placing the fourth rune got tricky until Zev got off his shot, dropped the crossbow and tried to tangle the demons legs with attached rope. A glancing blow from the chitin-covered demon drove him forward into the grasp of another tentacle. Adjusting for Zevs weight, the demon jerked back against the first three runes. It shrieked as it brushed up against the power. As it charged forward, Tony threw the fourth rune into position.

And action!

Light flared.

Amy, Lee, Zev, and a meter of tentacle that had been reaching beyond the area the runes enclosed lay panting on the flooralthough strictly speaking the tentacle wasnt panting as much as twitching. Amy had both hands clamped against her thigh, blood seeping between her fingers. Rows of tiny holes in Lees jeans were beginning to darken. Holding the quarrel with the rope in one hand, Zev crawled toward the crossbow.

Focus on the demons!

Something grabbed his ankle.

He probably should have wrapped both arms around the grid and hung on, but that occurred to him a second late. Turning, Tony caught a glimpse of a familiar mouth with too many rows of black teeth between red scaled lips.

The sixth demon.

And then he was falling.

He curled in the air, landed on his right side, heard a bone snap. Since it wasnt his skull, he was actually okay with that. Arm maybe. No. Higher. Something in his shoulder. It hurt to breathe.

Then it really hurt as red-and-scaly flipped him over and raised a hand, trio of ten-centimeter claws extended. As the claws swung down for a disemboweling stroke, Jack caught the arm, shoved his gun in the demons armpit, and pulled the trigger.

On a good day, which this wasnt, Tony had no idea how many bullets Jacks gun fired, but it seemed to go on for a while. Five, ten minutes. Or maybe his sense of time had gotten scrambled by the fall because there was no way the demon should have waited that long to bring its tail around and smack Jack off his feet.

On the other hand, its arm flopped uselessly, so who knew?

One arm flopped. The other was working fine. The first strike removed the front of Tonys jacket and most of the T-shirt under it. For some reason, losing a second jean jacket in the line of duty really pissed him off, and as the demon threw back its head and screamed in triumph, Tony cocked his right elbow just enough to raise his hand off the floor.

Hed spoken the first four words of the Powershot when Kate appeared holding two lit flares that she slam-dunked into the demons gaping, tooth-lined throat.

The explosion was unexpected.

Welcome, but messy.

Too fucking gross, Kate muttered as Jack returned, kicked aside a twitching slab of meat and grabbed Tonys raised hand. On the way up onto his feet, Tony discovered hed broken his collarbone.

You okay? Lip curled, Jack flicked a wet, lavender glob off Tonys shoulder.

Lavender?

Hey! Tony! Are you okay?

Sure. He was standing. He was breathing. Everything from his eyelashes to the ends of broken bone grating in his chest hurt, but hed deal with that later. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something long and green whipping toward him. He ducked before he realized the tentacle was no longer attached.

Jack hauled him upright again. Tony?

Im fine.

What he first thought was a disbelieving snort turned out to be the sound of another tentacle being ripped free. Mini-Ryne, his horns dripping dark fluids, sat on top of the remaining lime-green demon, removing tentacles and deftly avoiding the many mouths trying to take a piece out of him. His victory would have been more impressive had the demon not been wrapped in enough rope it looked like it had been swept up by some kind of deep-sea fishing net.

This tuna is not demon safe. StarKist doesnt want demons with good taste, they want

Tony! Focus!

Right. Focusing.

Not the face! Not the face!

Masons shrieked protest spun Tony around in time to see the actor flung backward by the chitin demon, the sword he still held bent into a tight vee. Roaring a challenge, the demon charged after him. Mason was seconds from losing his face entirely when CB roared a challenge of his own, pounded across the soundstage, and slammed a shoulder into the demons middle in a perfect offensive tackle.

The demon went down.

Buildings would have gone down.

Unfortunately, CB went down, too. Worse, the demon bounced back up again dangling ropes like fat yellow streamers. Zev had clearly gotten off a couple more shots with the crossbow and just as clearly no one had been able to take advantage of them. It bent enough for its upper left hand to grab one of CBs ankles, and when it straightened, CB came off the floor.

Which pretty much proved that the demon was as strong as it looked.

The demon swatted Mouse away with its right hands. It seemed obvious that CBs head was about to be slammed into the concrete.

Tony jerked out of Jacks hold, grabbed his right wrist with his left, lifted the right arm to shoulder height then whipped it back and around while screaming out the words for the Powershot. Given the broken collarbone, the screaming was nonnegotiable. As his arm started back down, his right wrist slapped into his left palm, aiming the blast of energy that burned through chitin breastplates.

CB hit the floor with a solid thud, momentarily obscured by clouds of falling ash drifting back and forth.

No, wait. That back and forth, thats me. Swaying, Tony sank to one knee. Check CB, he panted as Jack began to bend. He needed time to recover, and if turned out they were going to have to buy that time, theyd need CBs strength. Fortunately, Jack got the subtext.

Keeping his breathing shallow and his right arm supported by his knee, he turned just his head toward the only surviving demon. Mini-Ryne seemed to have eaten his way through to the life-sustaining bits and was now clearly sitting on nothing but meat.

For a long moment, the loudest noise on the soundstage was enthusiastic chewing and swallowing.

Did we win?

All eyes turned to Mason who was crawling out from behind the upturned chaise lounge. When he looked up and realized he was the center of attention, he tried to pull the sleeve of the camouflage jacket up over his bare arm. Well? he demanded petulantly as he realized the sleeve wasnt going to stay. Did we win or not?

The only demon in the room seemed to be on their side.

Yeah. Tony sucked in as much air as he could, hoping for enough volume to carry over the rising tide of sound. It looks like we did. The nail on his baby finger curled up, dropped off, and wafted slowly to the floor.

Mason was limping on a wrenched knee but unbloodied. Besides innumerable small cuts, CB had broken three fingers on one hand but ordered Jack away to deal with his own injuries. Mouses nose had been broken again. Peter, Saleen, and Jack had cracked or broken ribs. Jack also had a split lip and a broken tooth. Amy and Pavin had been bitten. Amy had also got a bit of demon in the eye when Kate had blown it up. Lee, Zev, and Kate had long lines of tiny cuts from teeth in the edge of some of the tentacles. Zev had a line across his back and Kates went around one arm. Lees leather jacket had protected most of his torso but his pale jeans were marked with spiral blotches of blood.

Shouldve worn your motorcycle chaps, Amy noted from the floor as Zev cut away the leg of her 100 percent organic hemp cargo pants.

Good thing he didnt, Zev snorted. We needed Tonys mind on the job.

Tony considered protesting, but it was a fair assessment, so he saved his strength. CB was the only one not coming up in varying shades of purple and black, but that was because CB was the only one too dark for the bruising to show. They were walking wounded, all twelve of them. Emphasis on walking.

No one died, he said. And then because it was important, he said it again. Louder. No one died.

It was almost funny watching the various gazes tracking around the space, checking to make sure.

Jack pulled his T-shirt down over the binding Kate had just wrapped around his ribs. Not in here, he reminded them grimly, but Geetha told me there were at least seven dead out on the street before this started, plus a shitload of critical injuries. We didnt avoid a body count, not by a fuck of a long shot.

No one here died. CBs tone suggested no one argue this time. Right now, I think we deserve to celebrate that.

Tony was thinking about that lawyer, the one with the weak spot in his office and when he caught Amys eye, he knew she was thinking the same. Nothing they could have done about it then. Nothing they could do about it now. Hed just have to keep telling himself that. He didnt remember sitting down, but since he was on the floor, his back up against the underside of the yellow chaise, he must have. Little bits of broken glass surrounded him like glittering confetti. One of the lights had fallen at some point during the battle; crashed to the floor where every part of it that could shatter, had shattered into the smallest pieces possible. Theyd been lucky. If it hadnt hit so hard, they could have added shards of flying glass to the things trying to kill us list. Tony had no memory of hearing the impact.

Now then, CB stepped over the headless body of the red-scaled demon like it was of no consequence, and swept an imperious gaze around his domain, we cant all hit an emergency room at the same time. Ms. Anderson, youre in the best shape. I want you to drive He stared at his crew standing clumped together and came to the obvious decision to save time.  Peter, Mouse, Saleen, and Pavin to Burnaby General. Theyre used to the strange accidents of the entertainment industry, and with all the chaos in the area, there should be no problem.

What about Kate jerked a thumb at mini-Ryne, currently pulling a line of linked opalescent bladders from deep inside the body of his meal.

I doubt Tony will need all of us if he has to deal with him.

Tony expected a protest, but Kate merely rolled her eyes. Okay, but I cant fit five in my car.

Well take my van. Peter went to pull the scraps of his shirt back on, sighed, and tossed it on the floor. He waved those mentioned toward the exit. It seats seven.

Limping heavily, using his piece of pipe as a cane, Saleen fell into step beside the director. Dude, why do you have a van that seats seven?

Garage band.

Seriously?

No.

Hey! Tony wasnt sure they heard himgiven the distance and the whole about-to-pass-out thingbut all five paused. He needed to say something but wasnt sure what. Finally, he shrugged his one usable shoulder. Thanks.

Weirdly, Mouse spoke for the group. He moved the dripping handful of flannel shirt away from his nose and grinned, the bloodstained teeth and eyes already swelling shut making him look particularly disreputable. Wouldnt have missed it.

The other four, even Kate, nodded.

Hang on, Amy called out, head cocked so she could glare through her nonwatering eye. If they leave, whos going to clean this mess up?

They were gone before she finished asking.

Tony braced himself for her protest, but CB began a second set of instructions before she got the chance. Zev, take Amy and Lee out to Eagle Ridge. One of the demons came through near there. That gives us a ready-made explanation for the bite and the claw marks. If they ask, you were all out there because were thinking of shooting at Heritage Mountain.

And if they ask why we waited before coming in?

Formal cadences returned with the raised brow. I think Mr. Nicholas talent extends to providing a little attitude.

I could, Lee admitted, folding his arms. But Im not going anywhere until this is over.

Amy echoed his action from the floor. Neither am I.

Hardly seems worth going all the way to Eagle Ridge on my own, Zev pointed out with a careful shrug.

Youre all bleeding, Jack began, but Amy cut him off.

You call this bleeding, she scoffed, folding her good leg under her and using Zevs uninjured arm to pull herself to her feet. I lose more monthly. Besides, youre bleeding, CBs bleeding, Tonys bleeding

He was? He glanced down at his bare chest between the shredded wings of jacket and shirt and blearily focused on the lines of red rolling down from his right shoulder. Oh, yeah.

 and you guys arent leaving.

There is still a demon to deal with, CB told her. Not to mention, as you so helpfully pointed out, the mess.

Wizard!

Whoa! Amys head whipped around so fast her hair separated into bicolored layers. This one talks?

Yeah. Tony shifted position slightly and regretted it a lot. He talks. What do you want?

It was hard to tell because of the gore encrusting his faceplus Tonys vision was a bit wonkybut mini-Ryne looked worried. Demongate?

Safe. Frowning hurt, too. Quel surprise. Not. At least I think He turned to CB who took three long strides and dropped to one knee beside him.

If you cannot send this creature back, Mr. Foster

I can do it. It might be the last thing he did for a while, but he figured he had enough left in him to draw four final runes. Lets hear it for endorphins. Yay endorphins. As long as he didnt have to hurry. Or, apparently, stand up. Uh, Boss? Little help.

The big difference between being lifted onto his feet by Henry and CB was, well, about a foot vertically and at least that much horizontally. CB was a big guy and Henry was

Henry wasnt.

That meant something. Tony frowned. Winced.

Ms. Burnett is outside in my car. CBs voice was a low growl against his ear. Parked up against that outside wall He nodded across the soundstage to the wall closest to the gate.  she is close enough to the gate and to you that her own metaphysical signature should be masked but able to make a fast getaway should we have lost this fight. I doubt very much that any demon would have been able to catch her.

Drove the Jag today?

I did.

It seemed like a plan. Actually it seemed like a good plan, especially the masked signature part. Have you been reading up on this shit?

Mr. Groves has suggested a number of very helpful publications.

Ill bet. And shes going to stay out there ?

Until one of us goes and gets her.

Demongate.

I told you, shes safe. Hang on. That wasnt a question. The first time the demon had asked. This time

Would whoevers been calling for me, please shut the fuck up. Im not deaf, and Im moving as fast as I can.

Most of his weight still on CBs arm, Tony turned in time to see Leah stop walking and raise a hand to her nose. The other hand was tucked under her clothes, pressed up against the skin of her stomach.

Oh, wow. It stinks in here. Smells like offal and peppermint with the faintest hint of sulfur. She frowned over her hand at Tony. You had to ash one?

Yeah. Leah

Demongate!

What the hell? She jumped back, then stopped and blushed. Right. This is the one thats here to help and

When she stopped talking, Tony turned and stared at mini-Ryne. Standing on the partially eaten demon, he was, in turn, staring at Leah. His eyes were black, lid to lid, and even six meters away, he could see his reflection burning in them.

A heartbeat earlier, Tony would have denied any ability to move without help, but he pulled free of CBs hold before Leahs lips started to form the question and was standing in front of her before she asked it.

Lord?

Boss! Even as a physical barrier, he sucked right now, but when Leah tried to go through him instead of around, it gave CB enough time to grab her arms and hold her in place. Tony was pretty sure he was still standing, not exactly upright, not unless the studio had acquired a recent lean to the left, but standing. As he tried to straighten, he caught sight of Jack beginning to move.

Circle of yellow rope dropped around the demons shoulders.

Jack in the air, then crumpled motionless against the base of the wall.

Lee on one knee, one of the demons arms wrapped round his throat.

Amys scream lingering.

And the tableau froze.

It happened just that fast.

Ryne Cyratane smiled, now clearly in control of mini-Rynes body, his attributes no longer sheathed. I think we should talk trade, Wizard.

Trade? It took a moment to sink in. Finally, he dragged his gaze away from the six inches of detached claw protruding from Jacks chest and shoved his reaction behind old familiar shields. You want to trade Lee for Leah?

The demon looked confused. Who?

Her! Tony jerked a thumb over his shoulder.

Ah. That is not the name I knew her by when she was my handmaiden, my priestess, my love.

Leah leaned toward him, her arms angling back in CBs hold. I am not your love! she spat, tossing a curl of hair back off her face.

Am I not? He didnt seem too upset by her reaction. Do you not remember

I remember that you slaughtered my entire village!

Hang on. You said you were over that, Tony reminded her.

Her shrug was a bit truncated given her position. Yeah, well, you were right. Maybe I still have some issues.

So if CB lets you go?

Id be in his arms in a heartbeat. No need to define whose arms. Sorry. Its a built-in response, and guess who built it in.

The Arjh Lord cleared his throat. Tony turned to see Lee fighting for air, clawing at the arm around his throat. You dont seem to be taking this seriously, Wizard.

Stop it!

He loosened his grip just enough for Lee to draw in a painful sounding breath. And then another. Tony breathed in with him. In. Out. Finally, clutching the demons arm with white-knuckled fingers, Lee wheezed, Im so fucking tired of being the designated damsel in distress.

Yes. Ryne Cyratane smiled down at him. I can understand that. Even while wearing a body not his own, there was such understanding in his voice that Tony had a sudden epiphany about how hed convinced Leahs people to worship him. Lee actually looked comforted.

Okay. Tony cleared his throat and tried to sound a little more like he was in charge of the situation. If we tradeLee for your ex-handmaidenthen youll kill Leah the moment you get her and the Demongate will open and youll be here in the flesh, not just riding in the flesh of one of your arjh.

Yes.

Tony fought the urge to preen under the Arjh Lords approval. This was your plan all along, wasnt it? You used Sye Mckaseeh as camouflagewhile we were concentrating on her, you could slip in unnoticed.

No. I took advantage of the situation when I had time enough to mark this body as a vessel rather than merely as mine.

A spur of the moment kind of thing, then? With the added benefit of pissing off the ex?

As you say, an added benefit. And why should I not reclaim my handmaiden and then this world?

Because Ill stop you.

You forget. The demons grip tightened momentarily. Lee fought for air and then sagged, gasping.

Okay, so we trade. Whats in that for me? As I see it, Lee dies either way.

The man dies now in front of you. Or later with you.

Dude. Leaning on Zevs arm, Amy glared from between eyelashes clumped into damp spikes. Youll kill him the instant the gate opens just like you killed Jack! Hes the only thing here thats a danger to you.

As I said, later. I did not specify how much later. He swept a dark gaze over her, head to toe. You will enjoy my new world, little one. I promise you that.

Bite me!

Perhaps. This was most definitely not the same smile hed given Lee. Lees had been compassionate enough to be believed in spite of the choke hold. This was pure seduction. Only the choke hold hadnt changed.

To Tonys surprise, Amy brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and limped forward, eyes locked on the demon. Maybe we can OW! Zev! What the hell was that for?

You were walking toward that! Zev nodded toward Ryne Cyratane.

I was not! Measured the distance from Zev to the demon. Noticed how close shed come. Oh, crap, I was. She slipped the glare back on as the two of them began limping backward to the wall. Youre very convincing.

From seduction to amusement. Its part of my charm.

And it would be one hell of a lot more charming if you didnt have bits of that She jabbed a disdainful finger toward the remains of his meal.  between your teeth.

We will speak later, you and I.

The hell we

Slaughtered a whole village, Zev reminded her urgently.

So what? Behind the streaks of mascara, Amy wore the expression she usually reserved for those who wore fur. Or sweater sets in a nonironic manner.

Your friends are intriguing, Wizard. The Arjh Lord gave Lee a little shake. But not entirely correct.

About? Tony demanded. And then he had it. Im not the only danger to you, am I? After that, it was one small step. There werent a lot of names in Ryne Cyratanes current address book. Its Henry, isnt it? He could take that body out, even now. Tonyd missed the implications when Kevin called to tell him the overpass had blown. The overpass had blown first. You pushed this arjh through, creating a cascade like we did the other night because you had to be sure all this happened before sunset so Henry couldnt help. He knew he had it by the way the demons lip curled. Humans mean less than nothing to you, but hes another power.

Um, Tony Amy rubbed her sleeve under her nose. Henrys a romance writer.

CB rumbled an unnecessary caution behind him. Tony didnt need to be warned; hed been keeping this secret a lot longer than the big guy had.

It had to be past sunset. Tony glanced at his watch. Crap. Not even close. How could they have destroyed five demons and been betrayed by a sixth in so little time? Okay, fine. So he couldnt keep things from happening until Henry got here. Hed just have to keep talking, to keep the demon talking until hed regained enough strength to blast the Arjh Lord right out of his borrowed body.

Yeah. Like that was going to happen. He had no idea how he was still standing and the soundstage kept wavering in and out of focus like they were about to go to flashback.

Still, he had to try. Hopefully, Ryne Cyratane would see slouching as a sign of disrespect instead of an inability to straighten his spine. The sun will set after youve taken over, you know. Henryll still be around to kick your ass.

Once the Gate is open, I will rule with many arjh. And I will gain power from slaughter.

Hed forgotten about that bit. Killing Mckaseehs arjh gave that demon youre wearing power enough to activate the runes on his chest, didnt it?

Yes.

But youre using up that power maintaining the link.

This was the most unpleasant smile of all. Yes.

Ambitious change requires help; timing is everything. The fortune in Leahs cookie from way back when theyd first met. Hed forgotten it until now. So Im about out of my two hundred free minutes?

The amount of bone necessary to hold up his borrowed horns, kept the Arjh Lord from frowning very deeply. You make no sense, Wizard. But if you mean that you are out of time, then, yes. And he tightened his grip. Choose.

Lees face began to purple, green eyes bulging. He clawed at the demons arm, head immobile, body twisting and thrashing.

Eyes locked on Lee, Tony almost missed Amys charge.

Zev!

The music directors tackle took her to the floor, stopping her just short of the demon. Without the injured leg she might have made it.

No! No! No! Bastards not killing Lee like he killed Jack!

Youre right, hes not; Ill trade! Tony wasnt positive theyd heard him, but Amy stilled, Lee began to breathe again, and the demon beckoned with his free hand.

Tony turned just far enough to meet CBs eyes. He had to offer Leah to the demon, so this whole thing fell apart if the boss kept hanging on. Forcing his right hand high enough to close his fingers loosely around Leahs forearm, Tony saw CBs gaze flick, just for an instant, to his broken collarbone. Broken on the right side. Come on, boss. If Im using my right hand for this

Then, although he hoped it looked like he was jerking her away from safety, he hung on as Leah stumbled forward pushed by CB, the movement turning them both back to face the demon.

This demon was not Ryne Cyratane. The body was merely a meat puppet controlled by the Arjh Lords energy. Back in Leahs condo hed called energy into him. Called his own energy back. Called the fire.

These days, if he wanted something to come to him, it came. It took next to no power and it took almost no thought.

It came regardless of any solid object that might be in the way.

As Leah stepped out in front of him, Tony held his left palm against the small of her back and concentrated. Focused. Called.

The energy that was Ryne Cyratane tried to come to him through the only thing in the room designed to hold demons. He went through the Demongate.

Leah jerked once, made a noise somewhere between agony and ecstasy, and dropped to her knees, her arm pulling out of Tonys useless grip. On her knees, she curled forward, wrapped her arms around her stomach, and keened.

On the other side of the soundstage, the demon was merely a demon. Onyx eyes widened as the runes cut into his chest healed. He threw back his head and roared.

Still holding Lee.

Before Tony could figure out what to do next, Jack had the muzzle of his gun pressed into the soft tissue of the demons throat and was emptying it up into the skull. There were no exit wounds. A skull with horns like that had to be hard. Tony half thought he could hear the ricochets as blood dribbled from the demons eyes and ears and nose.

Ryne Cyratanes ex-puppet hit his knees much like Leah had. From his knees, he pitched forward to slam face first into the concrete.

Zev crawled to Lees side while Amy threw herself at Jack.

I thought you were dead, you son of a bitch!

He groaned and stumbled back as she made contact, then moved her slightly to one side so he could pull out the claw. I was wearing

A flak jacket or Kevlar or whatever the hell you lot call those things now! I cant believe I fell for one of the oldest fucking clichs in the business.

Actually, the claw got snagged on the bandages wrapped around my broken ribs and curved around instead of going in.

Then why didnt you get up!

I thought I should reload.

Bastard!

Ribs!

As Tony hit the floor beside Leah, Jack and Amy moved into the traditional end-of-scene mind-the-broken-bones clinch. Itd never work, Amy was too out there and Jack hadnt gone out far enough but, what the hell, there was nothing like a traditional endi






So it seems you managed nicely without me.

Tony blinked up at Henrys face and then past it at the ceiling of his apartment. Two things occurred to him. The first, that he had no memory of leaving the studio. The second, that Leah had a valid point about all the beige. Hed been looking at this ceiling a lot lately and boring didnt begin to cover it. Periwinkle, however, was out of the question. What the hell was up with her and periwinkle anyway?

Tony?

His gaze slid back to Henrys face. The eyes were a little dark, but it was mostly Prince of Man with just enough Prince of Darkness to command attention. He looked worried? Crap.

Before he could ask, Henry had an arm around the back of his neck and a cup of water at his mouth. He drained it, and then another before he got the question out. What did I miss?

A day and most of two nights.

No. Attempting to get up on his elbows, he discovered he couldnt move his right arm. And that would be because it was strapped to his body. Holding the sheet up in one hand, he stared down at the bandages and then back up at Henry. I broke my arm?

Collarbone.

The memory of pain. Right.

I know a very discreet doctor.

Impossible not to snort. Well, you would, wouldnt you. But that wasnt what I meant. You look like theres shit hitting the fan and Ive missed being there for it.

Henry took a moment to work that through and then he smiled, wrapping his left hand gently around Tonys jaw. I was worried about you.

Me? His throat was sore. He wondered if hed forgotten some screaming.

You were unconscious for a day and most of two nights, Tony. Leah insisted you were fine, that your body needed a time out to recover from the metaphysical strain youve been putting on it, but I suspect she was saying that just to keep me calm.

Ive seen you not calm. The coolness of the vampires touch felt good against heated skin. Calm is better.

Perhaps. Fortunately, although your heart had slowed, I could hear it beating strong and sure and was willing to wait a while. About an hour ago He moved his hand from Tonys jaw to rest it lightly on his chest.  it began to speed up. It reached its normal rhythm just before you opened your eyes.

My heart had slowed? I was hibernating?

Essentially.

Cool.

You need to

Pee, Henry. Its been a day and two nights, I really need to pee. His stomach growled. Is there food around here I can take with me into the can?

Tonys memory returned as he ate. Not the part where they carried him from the studio but the rest: the battle, Ryne Cyratanes betrayal, and his defeat.

Betrayal

Lee!

Bruised but fine.

CB and Jack had gotten rid of the bodies. Henry didnt know where and hadnt asked. Why would I? This wasnt my fight.

You upset about that? Tony wondered, his hand paused in the bucket of fried chicken. That we didnt, you know, need you?

Honestly? Red-gold brows dipped down. A little. And rose back up again. Its a conceit of mine that Im essential when it comes to saving the world. But mostly, Im proud of the way youve grown into your power. Proud that you found a way to prevail against nearly unbeatable odds. Proud that you refused to quit and kept fighting long after many would have given up.

Hey! Tony jabbed a chicken bone indignantly in Henrys direction. I couldnt give up; I was responsible for those people. They wouldnt have even been there if not for me.

And, mostly, I am proud of that.

If his ears got any hotter, they were going to ignite and there was a suspiciously damp itch in his eyes. Henry, Im carrying some serious negative father shit, and youre creeping me out here.

Youll have to get used to it if youre going to keep saving the world.

Yeah, well Im not He sighed as Henry smiled. I am, arent I? This kind of crap is just going to keep right on happening.

You said it to me once; like is drawn to like.

Yeah, yeah, and then I said it to Leah. Im a font of freakin wisdom. Looking into a future full of metaphysical bullshit, he sighed again and reached for the last piece of chicken. Paused, hand back in the bucket. Leah. What happened with Leah?

Happened?

After I pulled Ryne Cyratane through the Demongate. Is she all right?

Shes fine.

Shes really pissed, isnt she?

Shes a little Henry visibly considered and discarded several words.  annoyed.






Tony didnt see Leah until early Novemberher agent had called while he was recovering and shed gotten a job doubling on a CBC Movie of the Week being shot up in Hope.

Being immortal doesnt pay the bills; falling off a railway bridge in a corset and bloomers does. Ill see you when I get back.

His entire response had consisted of: Yeah, but, Leah and then he was talking to a dial tone.

The Demonic Convergence was still going on, but without Sye Mckaseehs manipulations, things were coming through from a lot closer to home. Tony was out for no more than a couple of hours most nights tracking down weird little odds and ends and sending them back where they belonged. With the exception of a city employee working in the old sewer tunnel under Highbury Street who ran into a rat carrying a short sword, no one got hurt. Kevin Groves became an invaluable filtermost reports came first to him, and he could tell if the weirdness was real or homemade. In spite of a few very visible incidents, there was a remarkable lack of hysteria from the general population. The people of British Columbia had always been more willing than the rest of the country to adjust reality to suit them, and the contrary attitude of Vancouverites kept them from agreeing on just what exactly theyd seen.

During the day, they were so busy getting the last episode of Darkest Night in the can before going on hiatus there wasnt time to replay the whole climatic battle scene in any detail. Maybe a few people struttedas soon as they stopped limpingand maybe Mason thought a little more of himself than usual, but his ego was so enormous already it was hard to tell. Mostly they worked at getting the stains off the floor under the gate and got on with the job. Where they included Tony. CBd given him as much time off as he was getting if he wanted to remain employed.




TO: tfoster@darkestnight.ca

FROM: bestbane@darkestnight.ca

u r teh suckhead!




TO: bestbane@darkestnight.ca

FROM: tfoster@darkestnight.ca

when you get back, ill teach you what i can




TO: tfoster@darkestnight.ca

FROM: bestbane@darkestnight.ca

OMG! I <3 U!




A small part of Tony held out a forlorn hope that something eldritch would attack and rip him limb from limb before he had to make good on his promise. Most of him had grown resigned to the inevitable where the inevitable had been defined by powers with a vicious sense of humor as his boss youngest daughter.






Nothing. Amy hung up the phone and looked up at Tony and Zev. Thats four days since Kevins had anyone call about something going bump in the night. Maybe Halloween was the last.

A pair of half-meter-wide, phosphorescent-green, eight-legged visitors had made the traditional Haunted Village at the Burnaby Village Museum out on Deer Lake a little more authentic than most years. By the time Tony found them hiding under the carousel, theyd been completely terrified by the giant bat on stilts and were more than willing to go home.

Halloween does have a certain satisfying end-of-season feel about it, Zev admitted. And that means this whole thing lasted about a month.

Golly, Tony. Amy batted bright orange eyelashes suggestively in his general direction. The Demonic Convergence is over and the shows going into hiatus, so everyone who works on it will have some free time. What are you going to do?

Before Tony could answer her, the door to CBs office opened. A motorcycle helmet cradled under one arm, Leah paused on the threshold and grinned. Ah, thats so sweet. Spanky and his gang. Oh, stop looking at me like that. Eyes rolling, she crossed toward them. I got back last night. I would have called.

Tony ignored the excuse. Henry says your tattoo changed.

That was a little abrupt. Whats up your skirt?

We were still in the Demonic Convergence. You should have checked in before you left, just to be on the safe side.

Should have? Arms folded. Lip curled. Youre not my keeper, Tony, she snarled.

Shed had millennia to work on that whole dont fuck with me thing, and it was definitely definitive. Zev took a step sideways, putting more of Amys desk between them. Amy looked like she was taking notes. Tony didnt really give a crap. All things considered, attitude from an immortal stuntwoman was pretty fucking low on his list of things to be impressed by.

Im the only wizard we know of, he told her flatly, and youre walking around with the oldest working magic in the world etched into your stomach. I need to know whats going on with it.

Leahs eyes narrowed, and she stared at him for a long moment. You used me to defeat Ryne Cyratane. You had no idea what slamming him back through the gate would do to me, and yet you did it anyway.

I knew what Ryne Cyratane would do to this world. Reshoot the scene and Id play it the same way.

Would you?

Yeah. I would.

Unexpectedly, she smiled, set down the helmet, and unzipped her jacket. Okay, then.

Can you say anticlimactic? Amy muttered.

Anticlimactic, Zev acknowledged.

Leah grinned and pulled her fuchsia turtleneck up off the tattoo. You were expecting a fight? I made my point when I blew town, leaving him to his own devices, and besides, hes right. He should have a look at this, just in case.

In case of what? Amy demanded as Tony peered at the interlocking circles.

These are new, Tony announced before Leah could answer. He traced the inner circle, his finger about a millimeter above the skin. And there wasnt this much color before. Not only the new runes in the inner circle but a few of the unchanged runes were now a deep crimson. The color of fresh blood instead of dried. What does it mean?

I dont know. Youre the wizard.

Yeah, but

No but, actually.

I guess Ill have to find out, he said, straightening.

Letting the sweater drop, Leah leaned forward and kissed his cheek. She smelled like cinnamon. Im not going anywhere for a while, Ill help. Theres not a lot about demonology I dont know.

You didnt know Ryne Cyratane would betray us.

Please! She smirked and reached for her helmet. Hes a demon, what did you expect? Ciao, Antonio! A second kiss on the other cheek and a wave with her free hand as she headed for the door. Bye, kids. See you around.

You going to stop her? Zev asked quietly.

Tony shook his head. No, if I need her, I just have to call. He rubbed the palm of his left hand against his thigh. You guys want to go get a beer after work?

As if, Zev snorted. CB wants the score for the last episode tweaked again. Hes looking for a John Williams sound on a Chet Williams budget. Ill be here all night. Probably tomorrow night, too.

Amy leaned out and dropped a stack of old sides into the recycling box. Id love to, Tony, but Jack and I are going to a zombie retrospective.

That was unexpected. Jacks into zombies?

Hes not into so much. He thinks theyre funny. She shrugged and pulled a strand of hair out from the inner workings of her skeleton earrings. I figure as long as were both enjoying ourselves, no harm no foul. Say, I know

Tony had always found ingenuous a worrying look on Amy.

 why dont you ask Lee if he wants to go for a beer?

Why dont you ask Lee if he wants to go for a

Zev!

Not at all repentant, Zev sighed. Youre willing to go mano a mano with invading wizards, haunted houses, and enough demons for a theatrical production of The Inferno, what are you so afraid of when it comes to Lee?

Im not afraid. Lees

I swear, Tony, if you say straight, Im going to feed you Amys stapler.

Hey! Clutching her stapler protectively, Amy rolled her chair over to the other desk. Use Rachels. Shes never in the office anyway.

Tony took one step back, just to be on the safe side. It has to be Lees choice.

Why? Zev folded his arms and glowered. It was a surprisingly impressive glower.

His career

Why would you affect his career? Amy snorted. You likely to do something kinky in public?

Actually

Zev!

Earth to Tony; no one cares but you. So Lee likes guys as well as women. Big whoop. Most of the world has more important things to worry about than a bisexual actor in a third-rate, syndicated, vampire detective television show.

Yeah, but

Hey. No buts. End the freakin suspense. She tossed Zev the stapler. He made threatening gestures with it, and Tony surrendered.

If the whole thing blew up in his face, hed be able to blame his alleged friends. And office supplies. Which was a dubious comfort.






Lees dressing room door sat partly open and Tony had a moments fear, relief, fear that hed already left. Thered been talk about an offer to do an Amazons in Space movie in the Australian outback during hiatus, but he had no idea if Leed got the gig. Between the end of the Demonic Convergence and the end of the season, theyd been so busy theyd hardly said two words to each other.

Yeah. That was the reason.

If hes not here, its a sign and

He was just taking his cell phone out of the charger. He turned. Saw Tony. Froze.

Okay. Thats not exactly a welcoming expression. I should just back away slowly

On the other hand, he did have a very threatening stapler waiting for him.

Oh, what the hell.

Tony stepped into the dressing room, reached back, and closed the door. One of Lees brows went up.

I didnt know you could do that.

Both brows dipped down. What?

The single brow thing.

Oh. Yeah. Since I was kid.

Cool.

A long moment of silence. It wasnt a very big room. They were no more than an arms length apart.

Tony wasnt sure which one of them sighed first. He ran a hand back through his hair. One of us needs to stop being such a guy about this.

Yeah, except were both guys.

Thats not a problem for me.

Me either.

It happened just that fast.

Where that fast ignored the events of the preceding six months, all leading up to this moment with the possible exception of those events that had been leading up to world domination, mass slaughter, or actually shooting an episode of Darkest Night.

Now he finally knew where Lee was, Tony wanted nothing more than to make magic, to hold out his hand and call the other man to himbut the smoop levels had already risen to nauseating heights. He felt like hed stumbled onto a Rainbow Network Movie of the Week and this was the part in the soundtrack where the female vocalist would come in with the power ballad. So what do we do

Lee tossed his phone aside, grabbed Tonys jacket in both fists, and swallowed the last word along with the lower half of Tonys face.

Later, when they finally broke for air, Tony felt he needed to make one thing perfectly clear.

I never once thought of you as the damsel.


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Although she left Nova Scotia at three, and has lived most of her life since in Ontario, Tanya Huff still considers herself a Maritimer. On the way to the idyllic rural existence she shares with her partner Fiona Patton, six cats, and a Chihuahua, she acquired a degree in Radio and Television Arts from Ryerson Polytechnican education she was happy to finally use while writing the SMOKE novels. Of her previous twenty-three books the fiveBLOOD PRICE, BLOOD TRAIL, BLOOD LINES, BLOOD PACT, BLOOD DEBTfeaturing Henry Fitzroy, bastard son of Henry VIII, romance writer, and vampire are among the most popular. Shes pleased to be returning to that world once again as Tony Foster, ex-street kid, and one of Henrys own, discovers that working in television has less to do with reality than he ever suspected.

Jacket painting by John Jude Palencar

Jacket designed by G-Force Design


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