Soul Mayhem: Zed's Chronicles of the Parallel Universe Disruptions Read online

  “What type of work? My hands are sensitive. They blister.”

  “I’m sure we’ll be able to cope with your sensitivities.”

  Dena said, “Hurian, if you promise to act honestly with me, I’d be willing to try to teach you how to read.”

  I’d never witnessed a demon go into shock before. I said, “Dena, ease off your restraints. He can’t escape, but I don’t want to tell Lucifer we accidentally killed one of his demons.”

  It took a few minutes for Hurian to recover. Leopold paced back and forth, muttering under his breath. Dena was worried she’d somehow harmed or insulted Hurian.

  At last, the demon opened his eyes. “No one has ever offered such assistance to me, no one, ever.” He turned his head to look at Dena. “You are serious? You would do such a thing?”

  “Yes, of course. As long as you promise to behave.”

  “I promise, I promise.”

  Leopold said, “Demon. Reading. Outrage.”

  Dena smiled. I loved those dimples. “Leopold, I could teach you, too.”

  Never, never, had I before heard such depth of silence. Dena’s smile faded. I looked at Leopold. He was trying to speak.

  “Spit it out,” I instructed.

  “Me. Hurian. Both learn?”

  Dena’s smile brightened. “Yes, both of you. Hurian has to stay in the pentagram, though. I’m allergic to sulfur fumes.”

  Leopold approached and stood against the edge of the pentagram and stared at Hurian. Both were silent. Leopold said, “Demon, do harm, threaten Lady Dena. I. Kill. You.”

  Hurian said, without any sign of whining, “I promise. I promise. Pentagram restrictions will be fine, I can cope. When can we start?”

  “First, deliver the book of spells. Do that tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll work out a schedule. If Dena agrees, it will be one hour a day for seven days,” I said. “We’ll review progress and determine what happens for the next phase after the first week. Agreed?”

  Dena said, “Yes.”

  Hurian said, “You have my promise. I will deliver the book of spells to your pentagram in two hours.”

  I asked, “Well, Leopold?”

  “Yes. Learn. Guard. Kill if harm.”

  “It sounds like we have an agreement.” I released the demon and he departed with a fraction of his typical noise. Leopold was pacing back and forth, trying to wear out a small portion of the carpet. He was muttering. I think it was ‘Learn. Guard. Kill if harm’ over and over.

  “Dena, I’m surprised—well, perhaps stunned is a better description. Somewhat worried, although Leopold will see you don’t come to any harm. Are you sure?”

  “Of course. You said always have a wild imagination—I think I’ve achieved that?”

  “More than. I have to hurry, I told the Tir-Kiran Embassy I’d be there late this afternoon.”

  “You need to dress more formally. I don’t think workout clothes will suit.”

  “Same for you. Let’s go. Leopold, you’ll be ready to leave in forty minutes?”

  Leopold stopped his muttering for a moment. “Will be ready.” He kept pacing, his voice low.

  I led the way out of the basement, Dena close behind. I not only had to dress more formally as Dena had suggested, but also was intending to prepare some of my more potent potions to take with me to the embassy. Time was running, and I still hadn’t addressed how to discover the location of the soul stealers.

  oOo

  Chapter 8

  The Tir-Kiran Embassy had been a victim of the Disruption. The grounds, buildings, and according to reports, its embassy people including a large military contingent, had been transferred, without damage, and now occupied a substantial portion of Hyde Park, on the eastern side. Its front entrance was opposite the Dorchester, accessible from Park Lane.

  I walked up to the front entry with Dena at my side. Leopold followed, unobtrusive as usual. Dena was wearing a very sensible business suit; a navy-blue jacket and skirt with a white blouse. She had foregone her almost landmark colored tights. She wore high heels, very spiky; I think they were designed as attack weapons. I wore a more subdued silk suit, grey, with a soft pink shirt. My socks were bright yellow, and my shoes were from the very fashionable Briggs label. They pinched my toes. Leopold was dressed in an anonymous uniform, at least the parts in this universe.

  The steps were marble, as was the lobby floor. There were fine gold and red grains throughout the stone. Impressive. Two security guards, Tir-Kiran, stood either side of the entryway. A large security detection system filled part of the left side of the lobby. The guards were wearing traditional uniforms, very old fashioned and impractical, jacket and pantaloons, bright red, with high boots, brass helm, and brass chest plates. Their weapons, however, were modern; one carried a small machine gun. I sensed magic, a powerful layer, around the foyer. There was a guard station, further back, containing another three guards. All the guards were well shielded.

  I handed my card, formally, with both hands, to the nearest guard. “Zed and companions. We have an appointment to meet with the ambassador.”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you. We were informed of one companion. We will need to verify the identity of the second companion.”

  I couldn’t help it. The last couple of days had proved tiring. “Listen, brass hat. Either we keep our appointment with the ambassador, or I’ll pull this facade down around your ears. Starting from now.”

  The guard’s eyes widened as the marble under his feet began to turn to dust. “Sir, there is no need for such action. Stop now, or you’ll be subject to arrest for destruction of Tir-Kiran property. The penalty will be at least a year of forced labor on one of our mining planets. STOP!”

  He shouted the last word because his boots were also beginning to crumble. His companion and the guards in the back area showed a sudden interest at his excitement. A senior officer approached and said, “What seems to be the problem, corporal?”

  “Sir—sir, he’s a mage. He’s damaging—” He looked down at the marble and at his boots. Neither had been harmed. “Captain, he was using a spell.”

  The captain looked me up and down. He, too, was dressed in this outlandish uniform. I smiled. “We’re here to visit with the ambassador. Three of us. Your man has my card. Your ambassador has his calendar. We’re wasting time. Either let us through, or I’ll immediately complain to your senior officers and to the ambassador.”

  Dena tugged my arm. I ignored her caution.

  The captain said, “Sir Zed. We were informed your Lady Dena would accompany you.” He looked out, toward Leopold. “Damn.”

  I turned and looked, too. Leopold had grown far taller than his usual two feet. He stood at over six feet and now weighed probably two hundred and twenty pounds. His brassware was more elaborate and extensive than that worn by the guards. His uniform was modern military. I was surprised.

  The captain chastised me, “Sir, you should have informed us you would be accompanied by Dar-Iide royalty.” He turned to Leopold, “Your Lordship, I apologize, from my heart.” He bowed low. “I didn’t know you were here, in Londin.” He turned back to me, an anxious expression on his face. “Sir Zed, I apologize to you, too.” He turned to his men. “Contact the brigadier. We need a formal welcome platoon—two platoons. Urgently.”

  The rapid descent into chaos was almost amusing. I looked at Leopold, shook my head, and said to him, “You’ve been hiding something from us?”

  “Imprudens. Relinquetur. Disruption. Liberandum. Debt owed, not repaid.”

  Leopold had been inadvertently marooned by the Disruption and, as a result of the girls and I jointly rescuing him after he had been beaten near to death and almost drowned, considered he still owed us a debt. Yes, I know, I haven’t told you that story. Later.

  “Leopold, your debt is discharged. Totally.”

  “Generous. Disagree. Brigadier.” He pointed.

  I turned to see a senior military officer heading toward us. He was accompanied by a coterie of junior officer
s while numerous lower ranks ran around in an attempt apparently to establish a welcome committee. They all wore this outlandish uniform with their brass fittings.

  The brigadier approached and switched his attention from me to Leopold and back again, repeatedly. I was the formal visitor, Leopold was the royalty. “Sir, Your Lordship—”

  Leopold interrupted and said something presumably in Tir-Kiran, a language I had never previously encountered. It sounded direct and pointed. The brigadier appeared shocked. Leopold repeated part of his comment, apparently in emphasis.

  The brigadier replied, “Sir, I’ve been remiss in our treatment of you, and of his lordship. He has directed—instructed—ordered—me to treat him as your companion as stated by you. Please, all of you, come with me.”

  By this time, the welcoming squads had sorted themselves out and were standing either side of the doors into the embassy. I looked at Leopold who shrugged in return and gestured we should accompany the senior officer.

  The guard captain made as if to protest at the weapons we were carrying and was stopped in mid-word by the brigadier. Of course, I don’t know what he said, but it was effective. We followed the senior officer and each guard saluted as we passed.

  The brigadier said, “The ambassador has instructed me to bring you to his private residence. He said you all will be far more comfortable there instead of in his visitors’ office. It’s not far.”

  We walked along a gold-marbled corridor, branching away from what appeared to be the embassy-proper, through an elaborate and fountained garden to a large—mansion, I guessed. It, too, had gold and silver embedded in the marble stairs, floors and columns, and guards stood on each step into the building. The ambassador’s chief steward stood at the top of the stairs, his expression anxious. We joined him, while behind us I sensed the guards dispersing, their duty done.

  The steward’s first words were totally incomprehensible to me. Leopold snapped back, sounding curt. I suspect he gave the same instructions to the steward that he’d given the brigadier. The officer nodded, and the steward’s expression grew even more horrified.

  He turned to me. “Sir, I apologize. Please enter. The ambassador will be with you very shortly. Come with me.”

  We followed the steward further into the mansion. The rooms we passed along the way were large, with furniture that appeared to be comfortable in colorful designs. At last, the steward stopped and indicated a larger room. “Sirs, my lady, please enter and make yourselves at ease. My staff will attend and bring you refreshments. The ambassador will be here in less than five minutes.” He left.

  In the center of the room, there were eight large chairs set around a low table. The chairs were cushioned, and smaller tables were set beside each chair. A colorful flower display centered the main table. Vases, four or five feet tall, were placed around the room and their flower displays complemented the overall setting.

  Dena tugged my elbow and indicated the chairs. I silently agreed and signaled Leopold to join us. He frowned, smiled, and sat in one of the seemingly more comfortable chairs. Dena and I followed his example. Almost immediately we were seated, two of the steward’s staff arrived with coffee and a variety of small cakes. A third person followed with what I assumed was a liquor bottle and glasses, set out on a silver tray. The wait staff were silent, dressed in an enveloping dark brown fabric, and moved stiffly. Their faces were veiled, and it was not possible to determine whether they were Tir-Kiran, nor could I tell if they were male or female.

  Leopold sat up when he saw the liquor bottle, alert. “Royal Tir-Kiran. Rare. Taste. Take care. Strong. Strong.”

  He gave instructions and small glasses were quickly filled and set in front of each of us. Coffee cups, delicate white china, were also laid out, and coffee poured. The cakes were set in front of each of us. It was very welcoming. Leopold held up his glass. “Small sip. Salut.”

  Dena and I followed his example. Startled, Dena grabbed my arm. I was glad I took only the tiniest sip. The taste explosion was exceptional. I detected a very mild euphoric impact, and demonstrated a sigil to Dena, which would reduce its effect. Leopold smiled at us and said. “Good.” The staff silently withdrew.

  About five minutes later the steward returned and checked everything was set out to his satisfaction. He added a setting and pulled a chair an inch closer to the table. He left. A minute or less later the ambassador arrived, accompanied by his personal aide. The aide stood behind the ambassador’s chair. The ambassador was about six feet tall, his build and features human-like, and he wore a red three-quarter length jacket over his shirt and, in his case, smartly tailored pantaloons. I thought I saw a dragon emblem on the front of his jacket. That single glimpse set my mind in a whirl.

  The ambassador smiled and said to me, “Welcome, Sir Zed, Lady Dena.” He looked at Leopold and bowed. “Your Lordship. You are very welcome. I ask you to consider this as an informal meeting. Please, Sir Zed and Lady Dena, call me Aston.” He changed languages as he sat, and a short exchange followed between him and Leopold. He frowned and Leopold repeated himself, more forcefully. The ambassador nodded in reluctant agreement. He turned back to me. “Sir, I apologize for that diversion. Lord Dar-Iide Ren has explained how you saved his life. Believe me, we warmly appreciate your rescue. Anything I can do, please ask. Dar-Iide and Tir-Kiran are in your debt.”

  “Thank you, your Excellency,” I replied. “We enjoy his lordship’s presence and support, and he is welcome to remain our guest for as long as he wishes.” Leopold almost spluttered into his coffee. “Thank you for allowing us to meet with you.”

  “You’re welcome, Sir Zed. And Lady Dena—I’d heard how beautiful you are but must say the words are less than reality.”

  Dena smiled, blushed, and replied, “Thank you, your Excellency. It’s a pleasure meeting you and enjoying your hospitality.”

  “Thank you. Now, that’s enough of formalities. I said my name is Aston. Zed, Dena—please be informal.”

  “Thank you, Aston,” I replied.

  “Zed, can we get our business out of the way, so that we are able to relax and be far more social?”

  “Certainly.”

  “Excellent. First, I must say I totally withdraw all suspicions I may have entertained about you, Finders, and your young wards, and wholeheartedly apologize for my disrespect.”

  “Aston, thank you, and accepted without reserve.”

  The ambassador nodded. “We have acknowledged receipt of the remittance sent by Finders. Thank you. Someday—his lordship said I must not explore now—you must tell me the story of how you managed to recover the funds.”

  “Others are involved, and I prefer to maintain confidentiality for the moment. Perhaps in a decade or more I might be able to discuss it with you.”

  Leopold added some words. The ambassador’s eyes widened. “Zed, I would never wish to put your life at risk.”

  “Neither would I. Aston, we have hopes of recovering the remainder within the next sixty or so days and will confirm with you when—or even if—that happens. In the meantime, I can assure you the Finders’ people involved in this crime have been suitably punished.”

  Leopold said, “Confirm. Hard. Life.”

  The ambassador sat back. “I’m impressed. If there’s anything we can ever help you with—either personally or for Finders—don’t hesitate to ask.” He looked at Leopold. “So, we’ve finished with business matters, I believe?”

  Leopold nodded. “Good. Zed is friend.” He finished his comment in Tir-Kiran and the ambassador replied. The conversation continued for a minute or two.

  When they finished, Aston said, “Zed, you are forever in our debt. Ren has added some details, of which I previously was unaware. We will provide whatever assistance you might need in your duties to provide safety to the inhabitants of this world. I didn’t know of your responsibilities. And Lady Dena, you are accomplished, too. I am impressed.”

  My mind flickered on the image of the red dragon on the ambassador’s
jacket. I said, “Aston, before we move entirely away from business, I do have a request. We have been reliably—very reliably—informed there is a nest of soul stealers in Londin and they’re only days away from hatching. If you have any resource, if there’s any way you could assist either in finding or destroying these monsters, I would appreciate your assistance.”

  Leopold said. “True. Danger threatens.”

  Aston looked worried, appearing almost as concerned as I felt. He said, “We can’t allow them to take over. Zed, we have some junior mages. Of course, their powers are nothing like yours and Dena’s.” He didn’t mention Leopold, and I wondered if Aston realized he was a high-level mage. “I will second them to you, to assist with your searching. They are excellent trackers. If you require military assistance—just ask.”

  “Thank you, sir. Their assistance will be invaluable. Do you mind if I require your mages don’t speak to anyone about what they see, for example, of our powers, or of those with whom we work? There are some very confidential matters—”

  “If it doesn’t involve Tir-Kiran or doesn’t harm us, they will remain silent. Is that the end of our business?”

  “Definitely. If you wish to converse with Ren, please do.”

  “Ah—thank you. I’ll accept your offer.” He turned to Leopold and launched into speech. Leopold replied. Dena and I relaxed.

  Staff, apparently signaled by the chief steward, rushed out with jerking movements to clear away the table, collecting glasses, plates, the remaining cakes, and other items. One moved between Dena and me and as he or she leaned over to reach for the plates on the table in front of us, bumped my jacket. It was a slight and unobtrusive maneuver. I ignored the faint touch and the chief steward hadn’t noticed. I thought the message would be interesting to read. Later, though, when we were back home.