(35) When all else is lost the future still remains

“Screw you!” Shan turned away, taking a step toward the control room below them.

“It won’t end till you face it Shan.” Race’s voice although shaking, was soft, pleading.

Swinging back Shan growled, “It ended when this place blew up.”

“He died then, but it hasn’t ended.” Race backed away when Shan stormed towards him, ending up in the shattered, rubble-filled hall of the second level. As he did his foot hit something and he stumbled, landing hard on his ass.

Shan’s shadow darkened the doorway as he stared down at Race. Then, with great reluctance, he stepped inside. Looking at the fallen young man he held out a hand. “You all right?”

Ignoring Shan’s hand Race stood slowly. “I think so,” he replied, rubbing his ass. “Mostly,” he qualified when he felt something damp running down his forearm.

“What does that mean?” Shan moved closer and Race carefully backed away again.

“I’m bleeding a bit, but nothing that’ll kill me. I don’t suppose you have a handkerchief or something.”

“How bad?” Shan pulled off his shirt. “And stand still damn it,” he added when Race took another step backwards. “Next time you might hit that hard head of yours instead of your elbow.”

Figuring he was far enough into the hall now, Race did as Shan asked, staying where he was, holding out his arm to him as Shan approached.

Shan took it, checking the damage and then wrapping his shirt around the long, bloody gash. “You’re right, you’ll live. But we should get some antiseptic on it. The med room’s right down…” He froze as the reality of what he was saying hit home. He looked down the hall and shivered. Then he began to shudder, his gaze turning dark when it landed on one of the doors.

“That was his room?” Race asked; his voice soft with concern.

“Our…room.” Shan gripped Race’s arm so hard the young man knew there would be bruises later. “I need… I have to…”

“Finally say good-bye.” Race’s words were barely spoken, just a ghost of a whisper.

(34) When all else is lost the future still remains

“This could be perfect,” Race replied, not really answering Shan’s question as he studied a spot along one wall of the tunnel. “How does this open?” He touched what at a closer glance appeared to be a steel door that matched the surrounding rock.

“It doesn’t,” Shan growled. “So forget it.”

Shan turned to look at him. “It does and you know it. It has to lead to the level above the one we were on. If you don’t open it, I’ll get Kayne up here to do it.”

“Fuck that.”

“Then get it open. Are you afraid to? Afraid of what will happen if you do?”

“Meaning what?” Shan leaned a foot back against the tunnel wall and crossed his arms as he stared at Race.

“Meaning that if this place was set up as a military compound, then the living quarters would have been above the command center and whatever else is down there. That way, personnel could go either way depending on the situation. I bet there’s another floor above this one with a dining room, rec room and all of that stuff. At least that’s the way I would have set things up, if it were me.”

“Your point being?” Shan asked, although he knew exactly what Race was getting at.

“Meaning this level,” Race smacked the palm of his hand against the door, “was where you and Lav had rooms, or a room, however it was set up. So did Addie and her family, and probably everyone else who lived and worked here.”

Shan nodded, scrubbing a hand over his face. “It was and it’s been destroyed so we are not opening that door. It would be a waste of time and energy.”

Race started down the tunnel. “I’ll get Kayne to do it.”

“Get your ass back up here!” Shan’s tone was low, deadly and filled with pain.

“You’ll open it?”

Without answering, Shan pressed his hands against the door. There was a low rumble of protest as it moved a few inches and then stopped. Trying again, he managed to push it a few more inches to make an opening large enough for a man to squeeze through. Stepping back he said, “Have at it.”

“Not without you. Your magic is my light source.” Race pointed to the small radiant ball hanging above their heads.

“It will follow you,” Shan said succinctly.

“Please come with me, Shan.”

“Afraid of what you’ll find?”

Race stared at him, into his eyes. “No, but you are.”

Guardian Angels – An Interesting Life (17)

"He doesn't look like a dastardly criminal," Evan said. They were sitting in his car, parked across the street from the auto repair shop, with Paddy and Dom invisible in the back seat. The man he was talking about was standing in the shop's doorway smoking a cigarette, a billed cap pulled low, probably to shield his eyes from the sunlight.

"You're presuming that's him," Vic replied.

"From what I can see of his face, he looks like the picture you found, so yeah."

Vic laughed. "Touché."

Everyone got out of the car, the two angels remaining invisible. They crossed the street and were greeted by, "May I help you?" from the man when they came up beside him.

"Mr Peake?" Vic asked.

"That would be me."

"A friend recommended you."

"Does this friend have a name?"

Vic glanced around before saying, "Can we go into your office to talk?"

"We can, as long as you realize it's Saturday and I close at two." Peake dropped his cigarette butt on the ground and headed inside. As they followed, Vic heard Paddy say, "The man working on that red car at the back of the garage is one of the pair who tried to break into Evan's house."

Vic quickly ducked his head, getting between Evan and the mechanic, just in case the man looked their way. He was—to put it mildly—startled to hear Paddy's voice in his head. But then, given what he is, I suppose he can do that. I wonder… "I thought you said they didn't know who hired them." Vic figured he'd try the whole 'mind talking' thing, since it worked one direction, maybe he could do it too.

"They didn't, since it was all done by phone. Perhaps Mr Peake disguised his voice?"

"Or it wasn't Peake who hired them. We did consider the phone might have been stolen."

By then they were in Peake's office. The man sat down in a battered chair behind an equally battered desk, looking up at Vic and Evan. "So who's this friend?"

"I have a question first," Vic said. "Do you have a cell phone with the number 555-6162?"

"Not any more." Peake's mouth tightened angrily. "My wife watches the office sometimes when it gets busy and I'm needed out there"—he pointed to the garage area—"so I leave the phone in here with her.  A couple or three days ago, she's helping some guy who says his car needs worked on. Stupid…" He shook his head. "She goes out to look at it with him and when she gets back, the phone's gone. I asked the guys about it. They said they didn't see anyone take it, so I figure maybe it was the man she was helping who copped it. If it was, who knows where it is now?"

"Did she get his name or a description of the car?"

"Name? No. The car was blue, like a million others in the city." Peake shrugged. "She may be good with people; she's lousy when it comes to identifying cars. Just said it wasn't old, whatever that means."

"Not a Model-T," Vic said with a grin.

"Yeah, that would be about it. Anyway, the phone is long gone so I got a new one, which sucks because I had to go through the records to put in all the numbers I had on the old one—suppliers, customers, and what have you."

"Employees?"

"Yeah, them too. Why you asking?"

"I think that phone was used in the commission of a crime."

"Damn. You're a cop?"

"No, a private investigator." Vic took out his wallet to show Peake his ID.

"And you thought maybe I was involved because it was my phone number."

"Yep."

Peake shook his head. "I got enough to keep me busy running this place. Besides which, it brings in good money. I don't need to be doing anything illegal to blow that." Peake smiled when someone came into the office. Vic turned and saw a woman who looked vaguely familiar, although he couldn't put his finger on why. He figured she must be Peake's wife and found out he was right when Peake introduced her as "Virginia, my better half. You can ask her about that guy."

Virginia tilted her head in question. "What guy?"

"The one you were helping when my phone disappeared."

"What did he look like, Mrs Peake," Vic asked.

"Maybe six foot, dark hair graying at the temples, horn-rimmed glasses, mustache. I've never seen him before—or since, as far as that goes. I asked him if he wanted me to get one of the mechanics to come with us to look at his car. He said no, that he could show me the damage, I could tell Carl, and find out what he thought it would cost to fix."

"What kind of damage?"

"Bent fender. Nothing big. I told him what our usual rates were for that. He said he'd get back to us and that was it."

"Was he alone in the office at any time?"

Virginia nodded. "Only for a second. He had a coffee mug with him when he came in and left it on the desk, so he went back to get it. Like I said, it only took him a second."

"Long enough to pick up the phone too," Peake grumbled. "If it was him that took it and right now, I'm betting it was."

"No bet," Vic said with a brief smile. "Okay, I guess that leaves you in the clear and me no closer to finding the guy I'm after. Thanks for your time."

"No problem. I hope you locate him."

(33) When all else is lost the future still remains

Race shivered as he stood in one of the empty rooms along the hallway. He wished with all his heart he’d remained behind and taken his chances at staying hidden in the city until the evil entity in the Messenger’s body had been taken care of. Instead he was stuck here with a man who at best saw him as the ‘kid’ that he called him, and at worst despised being encumbered with a human he’d have to protect while trying to deal with keeping Addie safe.

Sinking down, he leaned back against the desk that sat askew in the center of the room. Wrapping his arms around his knees he closed his eyes.

“Okay kid, come out where I can see you,” Shan growled.

Race’s eyes flew open in surprise. He was tempted to ignore Shan’s order but had the feeling that if he did the man would just come in and drag him out from behind the desk. Somewhat sulkily he stood, turning to face him.

“Look, I’m sorry that I came across as such an ass back there,” Shan said in way of apology. “I’ve just got too much on my mind right now.”

Race shrugged. “No problem. I understand.”

“Do you?”

‘Yes. You have to figure out how to catch the sorcerer and keep Addie safe at the same time.”

“Exactly. And since you seem to think you have some ideas how to secure the tunnels I’d like to hear them.”

“Seriously?” Race looked at him in shock.

“Yeah, seriously. I have a feeling you’ve done that kind of thing before during your stay on the streets.”

“Yeah, well, more to keep my stuff safe when I wasn’t there than to keep me safe. It’s all in creating an illusion is the way I think of it. See what you have to do…”

“Come and show me.” Shan stood at the door waiting for Race to join him.

An hour later, some what dirtier than when they’d started out, the two men made their way down the second tunnel, Shan doing some magical reinforcing of broken walls while Race made suggestions on what could be done in the way of camouflage. They were almost to the bottom, the light from the command room showing dimly ahead of them, when Race stopped suddenly.

“Now what kid?” Shan asked, barely avoiding bumping into him.

(32) When all else is lost the future still remains

“No way in hell,” Shan barked out before realizing he was being a bit of an ass to so forcefully deny any wish to train Race. “Sorry kid but I really don’t have the time either.”

From behind him Kayne winked at Addie. She bit back a grin, knowing it wouldn’t help defuse what could become a situation. Instead she patted Race’s arm. “Don’t mind him,” she said in seeming innocence, “he’s just a bit stressed right now. Once all this is over I’m quite sure he’d love to teach you.”

Shan scowled at her then turned away from all of them to check out the computers lining one wall.

“I don’t think he’s interested,” Race said quietly, his gaze locked on the back of Shan’s head.

“Of course he is. He’ll see the logic of it, just give him time.”

::Addie, quit,:: Shan growled in her mind.

::Quit what?:: she responded, her tone amused. ::I think you’d be the perfect tutor. You’re quite skilled…in magic and sorcery.::           

::That is not what I meant. Don’t encourage the kid. I’m not the least bit interested in…anything he might have to offer.::

::Of course you’re not. I know that. However…::

Shan spun around then took a deep breath. “With no power, the computers are useless, which means so is the security system.”

“Even I could have told you that,” Race commented. “But, unless whoever the sorcerer is who wants Addie can teleport in here, this place is easily secured without electronics. Especially,” he shot a rather scathing look at Shan, “since you’re such a powerful magician. Do you pull rabbits out of hats too?” With that said he turned on his heel and left the room.

“I do believe you’ve hurt the boy’s feelings,” Kayne commented.

“Yeah, well he’ll get over it. Right now we need to decide if we’re actually going to stay here or find some other place.”

“I shall tell you right now we are not taking this to the alternative plane. The students are still on edge after the battle there. My personal opinion is you could not do much better than here. I know it will be hard on both of you, but you could consider it a way to exorcise the last of your ghosts. Besides,” Kayne tapped his lip thoughtfully, “with some work after this small problem is dealt with, this place would make an excellent site for a school to train battle-mages. It is remote; no civilians would be harmed if someone’s magic went awry. Consider it, Darshan.”