Fang Shway in LA (16 page)

Chapter 26

Traygen looked at me and held my gaze. “I’m almost afraid to ask what those surprises might be. Since, we need to figure out how to get close enough to Azif, for you to challenge him. We have no idea where this tunnel leads. We could be walking into an ambush. In fact I’m sure we will be if we continue.”

“I agree, in fact I’d say it is likely we are. I’m open to any suggestions.”

“I think we need to try to find the tunnel’s outside entrance. I agree with you it opens on or near the beach,” he concluded.

“What are you waiting for? We need to move before he gets away. I suggest we leave Tokem to guard the tunnel entrance in the basement. It isn’t likely Azif will return, but I don’t think we can take the chance.”

We sprinted back the way we’d come. There was no need for stealth. It only took a few minutes to reach the basement. Stepping over the mutilated body provided us with a reminder of Azif’s ruthlessness. Once we got outside Traygen whistled for Tokem. He sped into sight and Traygen briefed him.

I paced nervously along the bluff, while I waited for Traygen. My senses tingling, I felt like a fighter preparing for the final round. I knew we needed a knock out and soon.
There wouldn’t be any judges to give me a decision. The longer I internalized the energy of the spear, the greater the risk of permanent damage. The spear was definitely powerful enough to kill me.

Traygen jogged toward me. “Tokem is all set. Where do you think we should begin?”

“At the base of the bluffs, we can follow the shoreline. I’ll send out my sense, hopefully, I’ll detect Azif before he senses me. We better get a move on.”

We slipped and slid our way down the cliff, throwing caution to the wind.
The going was difficult and it took us a long time to reach the beach. Thankfully, the beach was deserted and the tide was low, sticking close to the rocks, we hurried along the shoreline. The house was almost directly above us. After we walked another ten minutes, I tapped Traygen on the shoulder.

“I’m not sensing anything. Do you think we should try going in the opposite direction?”

Traygen scanned the shoreline before replying. “I think we should continue just a little further. I’d like to see what’s on the other side of that jetty. Then if you still don’t sense anything, we’ll head in the other direction.”

“All right, I’m right behind you lead the way.”

I looked at the area Traygen wanted to scout out. It was a jetty or breakwater that poked out into the ocean maybe twenty yards give or take. I nodded in agreement and we trotted off.

As soon as I put my foot on the jetty, I knew we’d found Azif, the air was humming with energy. I tapped Traygen on the shoulder, stopping he turned toward me, leaning in close. “Do you sense something?”

“Yes, we should proceed with caution.
The air is alive with energy which means he can’t be far.”

I followed Traygen and the further out on the jetty we went the stronger I felt Azif’s presence. Willing my senses closed, I started looking for the entrance I knew had to be nearby. Eagle eyed as ever, Traygen spotted it before I did.

There were air bubbles rising to the surface on the left side of the jetty.
Slowly, silently we inched our way over the slippery rocks, to the water’s edge. That’s when we saw it, a large pipe, big enough to drive a small car through. It looked like a large drainage pipe, and it drained God only knew what into the ocean. My mind just didn’t want to go there.

Traygen stepped down onto the pipe.
The water was up to his waist, rising with each step. He motioned for me to wait and then he dove into the water, disappearing beneath the surface. Where the hell was he? He’d been gone for almost five minutes, deciding he might be in trouble, I started toward the pipe. Just before I took the plunge his head broke the surface. “You scared me to death. What did you find?”

“Azif, the pipe opens into an underground cavern. I didn’t see him, but I heard him. He was talking to one of his men. They were too far away for me to make out what they were saying.”

“Lead the way. It’s time to put an end to this. You have the cuendillar and you know what to do. Is there room for me to call him out?”

“Yes, the room is a big underground cave. The main room is empty, except for a Zodiac loaded with scuba gear. I think we caught him on his way out.”

“How are you going to stab him in the chest with the cuendillar? You will only get one chance and if he sees it first you’re done.”

“I found just the weapon in the zodiac. Give me five minutes to attach the cuendillar.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem.
You know I can talk that long. I’ll follow you in. Then I’ll distract him until you are ready.”

Traygen hugged me and then he dove in. I followed closely behind him. I hated swimming anywhere I couldn’t see the bottom, in fact given a choice I wouldn’t have gotten in the water. The theme song from Jaws, playing loudly in my head, spurred me on. A few minutes later, my head broke the surface of the water.
Thankfully I was inside the cavern.

Traygen sprinted over to the zodiac and I saw him pull something out of it just before he slipped off into the shadows. I walked out of the water, straining to hear, listening intently for voices. Damn, I didn’t hear any so, I moved along the left wall, heading in the opposite direction, away from Traygen.

Ick, the cave walls were slimy with God only knew what. Shuddering, I crept forward until I felt a refreshing current of air caress my face. I followed it and the floor felt like it was rising slightly. Stopping to listen, I thought I heard voices. I waited a minute or two more, and then I continued inching forward.

The voices were getting louder and the darkness was lifting. I could now see my hand in front of my face. I’d just started forward again when I felt a chill begin to descend on me. Azif must be near, which wasn’t good because I could see pretty clearly. Damn if I could see clearly, then I would be clearly visible as well. Carefully inching around a corner, I spotted Azif. He and several of his hired men were loading equipment of some kind into crates. They weren’t aware of me yet. I think they still assumed I was coming down the tunnel. There was an armed man standing guard by what I surmised was the tunnel opening.

I picked up a small stone and lobbed it at him. He jumped and then spun to face me. “Were you looking for me?” He started to shoot, but Azif order him to holster his gun.

“Lauren, it is considerate of you to save me the time of hunting you down. This cave will make a nice final resting place for you. Don’t you think?”

“That’s thoughtful of you Azif but, it will be your burial site, not mine. I’m challenging you to a duel, pitting your magic against mine.”

“I’d love to, but as you can see I’m busy.”

I didn’t wait for him to finish his thought. I sent a blast of fire straight at his head, the startled look on his face, quickly turning to rage. We were on. Wasting no time, he leveled the spear at me and fired but, I’d already ducked back down into the tunnel. I sprinted back down the way I’d come, until it was too dark to see. I stopped just long enough to summon some light, “Illuminair.” A halo of white light flickered into existence at the tip of my staff and when I reached the cavern, I yelled, “incoming.”

“I’m in the water, you back him up to its edge and I’ll blast him.” Traygen said.

Before I could reply, I saw light illuminating the tunnel behind me. Azif was in pursuit and he wasn’t alone. I saw the first of his men cautiously approach the entrance to the cavern, taking careful aim, I dropped him before he took a step into the main cavern. No one moved for several minutes, I’m sure Azif was having trouble finding volunteers. Then I heard a click, diving to my left, just before a hail of bullets bounced off the rocks where I’d stood moments before. Fortunately, the shooter wasn’t sure if he’d hit me or where I’d gone.

I eased back into the shadows along the opposite wall and waited. Then noticing a little red dot bouncing up and down on my chest, I dove, hitting the ground hard. Pain threatening to overwhelm me; my hip throbbing, struggling to breathe; I gathered my thoughts. I needed to move, but I had to stay low. My hunter obviously had a night scope. However, I was in luck. There were small rocks and boulders littering the floor around me. Creeping as slowly and quietly as I could, I slipped down behind one of the larger rocks. It didn’t cover all of me, but it was better than nothing.

Where was my shooter? I hadn’t heard anything, and I was growing impatient. I didn’t like to be kept waiting.
Reaching around on the ground next to me I found several small rocks. As carefully as I could, I got to my knees and peered over the boulder, drawing my gun, slipping off the safety and I waited. Still nothing, no sound, no movement, no target, enough, it was time to act. Picking up the stones, I flung them quickly across the room.

Shots rang out and I saw the muzzle flash.
Yes, I emptied a clip in that direction and the sound of the killer hitting the ground was music to my ears. Needing to be sure he was dead, I quickly retraced my steps until I could see his unmoving silhouette. I was back where I’d started. This was the best spot to draw Azif out. I stood up and yelled, “You got anyone else to sacrifice, or are you giving up? I knew you were a lousy wizard but I never thought you were a coward, too.”

The ground shook and a blinding flash of light announced Azif’s entrance. I never did know when to keep my mouth shut. Azif
 stood in the middle of the room holding the spear in his right hand. “Show yourself so, I can kill you.”

I could feel him probing for me. I stood up taking careful aim at him with my staff. “We’ll see who kills whom.” I said as I moved around to stand before him. There was only the raft between us and the water was at my back.

Azif lowered the spear and pointed it at me. I raised my hands and brought my shield’s up in front of me. Then he sent a blast of pure energy straight at me. It pushed me back a step, but I managed to wrestle it aside. Enraged he lowered the spear at the same time I lowered my staff. The collision between the two forces knocked us both off our feet. I recovered my senses first and sent a blast into the cavern ceiling.
Bringing a torrent of rocks down and temporarily entombing him.

Son of a bitch, I couldn’t believe my eyes.
He’d survived and was coming at me again. He raised the spear and pointed it at a nearby boulder and then at me. The boulder lifted into the air and hurtled toward me. I didn’t have time to get out
of
the
way, so I blasted the boulder, breaking it and sending pieces of rock flying every which way. One hit me hard on the side of my head and I went down. I tried to move, but I couldn’t, another piece of rock had my legs pinned. Pulling hard, I tried to get out from under the rock that had me pinned. I couldn’t, I was stuck. I heard Azif start in my direction and I knew I was as good as dead if I didn’t do something.

“Is that the best you’ve got? You’re a hack, Azif. You might have the spear, but you don’t have the talent to use it.”

“Shut up, you fool. I’m going to enjoy killing you. You will beg me to kill you, before I’m through with you.” He said, knocked my staff out of reach.

“What’s the matter Azif? Are you afraid I might have something else up my sleeve? Like the truth about the spear.”

He paused for an instant, before kicking me hard in the ribs. Then he yanked my hair and pulled my head around, so I was facing him. “I’m going to enjoy this. I’ll kill…” He never got to finish the thought. Blood from the wound in his chest splattered everywhere. I was covered in it.

Shock registered briefly on his face, before he slumped over. Traygen hurried from the water. “Lauren, are you all right? I had to wait to get a good shot.”

I nodded my head before speaking. “Is he dead?”

Traygen turned and went to Azif. But, before he could turn him over Azif’s body burst into flames. Traygen hurried back to me, moving the rock off my leg, dragging me away from the flames. He started to go back to get the spear, but it was already turning to ash.

Returning to my side, he checked out my injuries before speaking. “He’s dead, but I didn’t bring back the spear. I’m sorry Lauren, I failed you.”

“No worries, you can make another one if that replica meant so much to you.” I replied, a smile creasing the dirt and grime on my face.

“Do you mean that was the spear I made?”

“Did you believe I’d give him the real one? Not even for your life, my love. If you think you’re shocked, I’d liked to have seen the look on his face when he realized he’d been tricked. I will settle for knowing he is dead.” I flexed my leg a few times and decided I could still move my limbs. I started to get up and Traygen reached down pulling me to my feet. It hurt like hell, and I winced.

Traygen scooped me up and headed toward the water. “Oh no you don’t, I’m bleeding and Jaws could be right outside the pipe waiting. Either you carry me back through the tunnel, or I’ll crawl. I swear I won’t go in the water.”

“Lauren, how would you feel about a compromise? I’ll put you in the boat and we’ll motor out. Will that make you happy?”

“Yes,” I said as he lowered me into the zodiac. He pushed the raft through the pipe and hauled himself in. We motored over to the beach near our car, Traygen pulled the boat up onto the sand. I stood up to get out of the boat but he lifted me into his arms holding me close to his chest. It wasn’t light yet and the beach was deserted. We stayed like that until Traygen asked, “I need to get Tokem and destroy Azif’s lab. Are you up for a ride or do you want to wait in the car?”