Other Places 2: Road Blocks (12 page)

 Instead he nodded, realizing that he'd already sort of been hired for that, hadn't he?

"Right. I'm getting everyone that wants to go in, if I can. Leadership first. That's going through you and Bob, as well as Representative Swerlin's office. People shouldn't call there until tomorrow, since his aide has a date tonight. It's already arranged and covered payment wise, since this is really important. I'll give you his number so you can coordinate with him?"

She let her mouth hang open, which looked kind of tempting for a moment, even if he was being a bit of a perv.

"I... Ms. Morse, did you get all that?" She walked away, chatting the whole time, seeming happier. Perhaps excited was a better word? Zack didn't get that, since it was likely to be a lot of work, and not just for him. He had no clue how many groups would be represented, or where the Ettarian lands were at all, for instance. He figured that they'd need to get everyone in for it.

On the very good side Merry woke up, as in all the way, and actually stood, stretching cutely, her tiny form nearly perfect looking, if too small for him. Without a word Conrad stood too and bowed to Elis, who climbed to his own feet.

The tiny man spoke with great certainty.

"I can do the rest of this, if your charge allows? Merry and I both are well and should return to our place. If you have need of us, Line Walker, call and do not hesitate. We shall come and stand our duty." Then they both walked out as if they'd just been there for a short visit. Elis looked around, blinking, and then stretched himself.

"So, that's done. Thankfully. It's a lot harder to do that kind of thing than it seems. So, I guess I just hang out here until I'm called for?" He sounded hopeful, his bright red eyes shining a bit, but Zack had to shake his head.

"Nope. I'm heading to Keeley's in a bit, after I eat, so should return you. Thanks, by the way. I know you didn't get a choice, but you probably saved Merry's life, making sure she was so well cared for." He meant it, but the chalk white Vampire snorted at him anyway.

"If it wasn't me, it would have been you. Glad I could help anyway. It beats sitting in my room or re-cleaning the gutters on the house for the eightieth time. They're
clean
. We're in Arizona, and trust me, they barely collect dust at the best of times. The food here was better too. I normally get goat and alpaca. Not that those are horrible, if you have to drink animal, but the energy value of Human is
so
much higher." He shook his head a bit and then stretched again, his wiry muscles standing out cleanly from his flesh.

"The Mistress of Souls is
not
a big fan of mine, personally. The others get treated well really, Balthias and her Hsreth. Those last two are practically free, to tell the truth. She actually
asks
them to do things. Unlike me." He looked away though, before Zack could ask why and shook his head. "It was a bit of a ... miscalculation on my part, I guess. We, my old coven, were told that Eve belonged to The Technician, so when we took her I used a bit of mental persuasion to get her to sleep with me, not really thinking anything of it. I mean, after all, look at me. I don't get girls otherwise. Instead of thinking it an advanced pick-up technique, the Mistress of Souls decided that it was rape, and worse, the rape of her personal friend." He shuddered a bit, which seemed real, no matter how old he was. "She took me. A
Manthori
. That's supposed to be impossible you know? Even Greater Demons can't do that, except her. It didn't even take her much time. She did it without a real bargain or anything, just..." He snapped his fingers to show what he meant.

Zack absorbed the information, nodding when he figured he had it.

"That doesn't sound fun."

"It isn't. She doesn't let the others hurt me, not really. Balthias keeps trying to screw me up the ass. Eve has actually helped me out there, keeping him occupied. It's a convoluted fuck fest all around, in case you missed that. Still, this has been a change of pace, so, thanks." He stuck out a cold hand to shake.

When they finished, Zack started to collect the cushions, since they had to go back, and managed it, with a bit of help from Elis. Lisa was still on the phone, so they had to wait in the door to talk, but as soon as she hung up she smiled.

"We're on it. I'm in charge of scheduling for it, so it's a joint effort. Are you taking off for the night? Also, what's in these boxes, and can I have some if it's food?"

"Yes, French pastries, and yes, but leave some for Bob, since he asked specifically. Judy Swan went to Paris earlier to pick them up. They're good."

"Hmmm... So worth about what, ten thousand dollars a bite? I'm going to have some then. Thanks."

He started to leave, then turned back.

"Oh, right, in the morning, the Trolleinkein should be scheduled first, coming here I think. Two for that, unless they have an entourage. I kind of hope not, since they're kind of going to have to jump for themselves to make it work. I can't carry them. Then most of the rest in the evenings, as much as possible, if they're willing to work with Vampires right now at least. If not... I don't know. Maybe I can get Hildegard to help out?" She was strong and easy to get along with, so it might work, if she were willing, in the early part of the day, or for those that were too busy hating Vampires to realize that he wasn't going to be able to pick them up personally, at least in most cases.

Lisa nodded, as if not paying attention at all.

"I'll get in touch with them on it. I'll make a note that they get the first slot. Let's call it... ten in the morning?"

"Sure. I'll be in. Make sure that you sleep and don't over work. I'll go and grab someone from the head office if you need the extra bodies." He was a bit worried about her overworking, but she actually smiled.

"That's not a horrible idea, I'll call about that too. I bet we can manage something, since we just became the most important Mage embassy in the world. I made such a good decision, hiring you." She sighed and looked self-satisfied, if in a joking way. It was true though. For him at least, it was working out way better than starvation, wasn't it? "Now,
get
. Go do something fun. See a movie or whatever it is kids do these days."

He went, taking the Manthori Vampire along with him.

That meant he was able to get to Yoghurt World about five minutes after five and that they were able to call for an order of food from the Italian place in the food court. Elis just sat, but didn't seem bored or anything. As he pointed out when Zack asked, it wasn't like he was in a rush to get home. Slavery wasn't all that brilliant an occupation it seemed.

Then, the guy was a rapist, which meant that neither Zack
or
Mirror Him actually wanted to help him out all that much. That was more of a feeling, from the other part of himself, rather than direct conversation, which was rare, but a pleasant change.

The food came, delivered by a large Trolleikein man that he didn't know, who smiled, his tusk like fangs showing as he did. It was done with precision and care and the man had nearly run it seemed, since the food was still hot and smelled really good.

"Thanks." He wanted to tip the man, but that would be awkward, since they didn't do that there.

The man seemed pleased enough with the words and left without saying anything. Then he ate. It was pasta with a cheese sauce and garlic bread, along with a small salad. It was good, and unlike anything that he'd ever had before. Zack thought that might be because it was actually an Italian dish, not an American knock off version. Just as he got the last bite, Lenore came and sat down across from him, her face serious.

"I was asked by Bey if you might see to picking him up from his home? It's in China. I can pay-" She stopped as Zack stood and looked at the clock.

"This is what you wanted yesterday? It's my fault, not finding out. I can get him now, or whenever he's ready. I didn't realize. I should have
asked
."

She forced a bit of a chuckle.

"Bey doesn't expect you to hop to his needs like a servant. In fact, if it wasn't that he was needed here, or might be soon, he wouldn't come at all. Not like this."

"Not a problem. Is he near a Node at all?"

It turned out he was waiting at one, just in case, so Zack ran to the back of the shop and found him, which took a minute, then stepped into place, looking around. He was rushed from all sides, but they stopped nearly as fast as the Vampire bodies had started moving and Bey clapped from across the strange room. It took a bit for him to orient, but he could feel it when he tried. The whole thing was in a cavern. Underground, about twenty feet.

"Friend Zachary! I did not know if you'd be available, but Lenore held hope that she could pay enough for a passage, not that we can repay our current debts to you." He seemed
ashamed
as if it were a real thing at all.

"This isn't that, I'm just coming to take you to my place. We'll set up a space in the basement and you can have a room there, for when you visit. We'll make it nice, don't worry. After all, both Troy and I think of you as a friend, so why not?" It was heavy handed, but the fact was, neither of them were afraid of the little man with his big ears, large nose and polite manners.
All
the Vampires were, including Lenore, who was his daughter.

The little man bowed his head and smiled.

"That is an unprecedented kindness. If I may question it, without seeming rude?"

"I don't know, to be honest. Still, why not? If nothing else it will get the basement renovated, right? Are you any good at carpentry? I don't really know how to do that kind of thing. Troy can, so maybe he can teach us?"

The ancient being smiled hugely.

"I have been known to partake in woodworking, a time or two. I accept your offer and thank you, friend Zachary. It is as kind of one as I have heard in... why, nearly a thousand years."

He had his trunks there, so Zack got
him
through, then those, and realized that, if they hurried, they could get Judy back to the house before he had to leave. The only snag there at all was that Bey insisted he go along, if Zack might have to face the Mistress of Souls. He didn't really mind, but it was going to be more work that way.

The blessing in it all was that Judy was easy, and ready to go instantly, so he didn't have to dig her up. She even came out of the plus-sized women's clothing store on her own, so that he didn't have to risk being jumped when he went in. Not that it was horrible when it happened, but he was running a little behind.

In the end, to make it all work, he had to jog places. That meant he was a little out of breath when he knocked on Keeley's door, but despite Bey's fears, they only had to meet with a very nicely made up Rebekah. Elis was left behind, and they took off, a sweet scent of perfume wafting off of the woman, who was wearing a nice teal skirt and a black top, to accentuate her skin. It worked, since everything pretty much went with white.

She saved her reaction until they were under way, him jogging and the other two walking a little quickly.

"So, Bey, are you here on business?" Unlike every other Vampire... ever, she seemed relaxed enough about it for some reason. Professional.

"Indeed. We have you and Richard Swerlin in the same place, which means we may arrange a meeting in regards to the new hunting prohibition. It is an excellent opportunity."

Rebekah didn't even let her face change at the news, but Zack did.

"Nope, sorry Bey. She has a
date
, as in, meeting a guy, going out and maybe doing things that are none of our business. We have phones here anyway, so you can all call each other, in the
morning
. The blood will still be there. Though, Rebekah? If I can get some for my place? Bey's moving in, you know, as a roomie, so we'll want some of that for him, I think. Troy and I normally do the food shopping." It seemed about right. Hopefully Troy would be cool with it all. Zack hadn't exactly asked, had he?

Bey clapped a few times, not slowing down at all as he walked.

"A date? How marvelous! You look lovely too, so I should have known. Yes, tomorrow then. It will be done."

The woman looked at him, and then Zack, her face blank.

"Roommates? Really?"

She probably would have said more, but they were at the first shortcut, and needed to coordinate it all.

When they got to the office, which was in a rather plain building somewhere in Maine, but was nice enough inside, with red and black carpets and wood panel walls, almost everyone except the guards on the doors had gone home. There was a metal detector they had to pass through, and a list that they were supposed to have identification for. Otherwise, how could they prove they were them?

Zack nearly threw his hands up, that being a barrier to entry he hadn't planned on at all, but Bey handled it much more easily than that, just looking at the man on duty and then his friend. They were both white, but not nearly as much as Rebekah was. In fact Zack would have figured that they'd have a problem with her first, looking so strange, but the guard in front just smiled at her.

"Rebekah? Jonas Carver mentioned you'd be by soon. He told me about your band, how's that going for you all?" His uniform looked decently tidy, but it was still rent-a-cop, not state police, if Zack had it right.

"Not horrible. No major contracts yet, but I figure it won't be too long before someone picks us up, if only for the novelty factor. The All Vampire Band. It just has a ring to it, don't you think?"

The guards both did, but
also
didn't act like she was about to suck their blood. They took it as a joke, no matter what she looked like. He decided to file that one away in case it ever came up later.

Bey moved in then and mentioned that both he and Zack were on the list, and checked out. That's all he said, but with meaning, and in a way the man couldn't ignore. Neither of the other Humans could, it seemed. It was either an area of affect power, or Bey had
really
good targeting of it. Zack wasn't being affected at any rate.

That got them up onto the fifth floor, where Rebekah introduced them first to the correct door, then to Jonas Carver, who shook their hands before jumping his girlfriend.

He looked... normal. Zack was almost certain he wasn't, being a bit too pale for that, and moving with too much energy, but he didn't have fangs and his body motions were too Human still. That probably meant he was young and a different sort of Vampire than say, Bey was. He certainly wasn't one of the distinctive Manthori, which was what Zack had expected.

'Because you're a racist. Just can't stand to see the hot white chick with someone with darker skin, can you?' Mirror Him didn't wait for a reply at least, just laughing inside their head. "I kid. I get what you mean, but different strokes and all that. By the way, since I'm the brains of this outfit, you might just want to go gently, introducing Bey. Having the Representative running around screaming for mercy might not be the best trick ever.'

That was a great point, but he didn't get much of a chance to try anything subtle, since Rebekah looked at the door that had to be to Swerlin's office, a tan wood thing, and then it opened. The man himself came out with a small bustle of energy, shaking hands as if it were an attack, first his, then Bey, without asking names at all, then giving Rebekah a quick hug.

"So nice to see you again. I've been meaning to grab your ear on blood shipments..."

Bey moved in, smiling benignly and bowed a bit, catching the politician's attention. Swerlin looked like a regular Vampire. Like Lenore, or Bey himself, if a bit younger in real years. He seemed about thirty to forty and was more medium of build however, rather than slight. He had light brown hair, and light colored eyes that Zack didn't bother examining closely. His suit was decent, but slightly worn at the cuffs, a few threads showing. It was a deep blue, rather than black, and the man had on a red and blue power tie.

Bey was in a gray outfit that was similar, unlike Zack's sweater and blue jeans. Then,
he
worked in a shop in the Mall, not politics.

"Ah, perhaps we can arrange that on the telephone tomorrow? I believe that young Rebekah has a date? From the greetings, that would be with your man here? I think we should let them be young, while they can, don't you?" He seemed so sweet about it that the other politician grinned, no fang showing at all.

"We can do that. I will call, Rebekah, so expect it?" Then without missing a beat he oriented on the others, first on Bey, since he was clearly a very ancient Vampire, and then Zack. "I was hoping that Mr. Hartley and I could meet. We have some business matters to go over..." It was leading and the idea, politely, was to lead the other man away, or at least into waiting. Bey just looked at Swerlin and let his eyes close slowly.

"That will be fine. To speak to both of you is why I came, myself, so we'll all win. Perhaps in your office?"

At least that let Rebekah and Jonas off the hook, the much younger seeming Vampire having flowers for her and everything. They were gone before the rest of them were settled into the main offices at all, Zack thought. It was clever of them, if they wanted the night off. Otherwise they'd end up in the office working all night, instead of enjoying life.

Sort of like what seemed to be happening to him.

Before he could try to introduce Bey in a soft and gentle way, the little man smiled and did it himself.

"I've been meaning to come and interview you for some time now. I am Bey Transmorguir. The council is most interested in what you're doing. Not all of us favorably, I might add. It's roughly split. There are those that enjoy the spectacle of you living so openly, making promises for us, and others who are very opposed to your plans, prohibiting live human feeding."

Zack looked at the scene and had to give Richard at least a bit of credit, since there was no screaming for begging for his life.

"Ah. So, am I to die this night, for the final time? I'm flattered that they sent The Bey for it, if so. It probably isn't needed, to tell the truth." He seemed resigned to his fate, whatever it was, but Bey gave him a serious look and reached out slowly across the desk to touch his hand.

"No. This is a much less formal meeting, and not even a warning. Zachary was coming here and allowed me to follow along, as it were. I hope only that I might add something to the conversation?"

Since he already had, letting them know how the Vampire Council was split, that seemed likely, but it took a bit for Swerlin to get his feet back under him. He managed finally, speaking of the calls he'd gotten from Lisa, and the fact that she was telling everyone that it was the Vampires that were paying for Zack's time and effort.

"It's really the Mistress of Souls. After a fashion. I..."

Bey growled and shook his head.

"You did not sell Mr. Hartley to her in this, did you? If so, know that you will never leave this room." The small face was suddenly very fierce.

"
No
! I had nothing to do with it. I can't control a Greater Demon, but I didn't suggest it at all. He isn't being hired for transportation duties either, if I have it right, but to prevent a war. This is, I think, just how he's doing it, making certain we all get to the meeting on time and spreading the word that
we
have something to do with it. I was told that he even has beings to help him with the travel portions? A Vampire and a Trolleinkein. Both women, but for most groups that will be easier to accept. Right off the start it shows everyone cooperation, and how we're willing to work with others, to prevent a tragedy." He'd fallen into politician mode and sounded like it, but didn't seem self aware enough to know it was funny.

"Ah." Bey stood and started pacing a bit, moving rather slowly for him. "Very good. I'll warn you then that you have enemies on the High Council, Richard Swerlin, though you know it not. Marisa and the Wanderer in particular. You might seek to smooth ways there. Others may be turned against your will as well. I suggest you tread most carefully. Remember, none there love you well enough to stand against the others. Not even I. That said, you seem to have a good start. If war is avoided, opinion of your plan may soften. Perhaps not, but it wouldn't hurt." He stood then, as if to leave, but Richard held out a hand, toward Zack.

"Would it be possible to arrange for myself and Jonas to attend the meeting in Ettarian lands? Normally I wouldn't rate that kind of thing." It was a simple statement, with no explanation, but if it was about stopping a war, why not?

"Get on the schedule with Lisa for it? It makes sense for you to be there. Her too, really, even if you'd both normally be a ways down the line for it. The attack on the Mall in New Mexico was linked to your ideas and both of you are helping with this. I don't know." He could get them there if they wanted to go. If not, he was cool with that too.

For his part, Zack wasn't planning to head that way, other than as transportation. Why go to a government meeting where you wouldn't have a voice at all?

Bey gave a slight and very particular bow toward the other man, and moved to the door, which meant they were leaving, Zack knew, reading the subtle signals in a way that left him feeling proud of himself. A man halfway out of the building might just be hinting it was time to leave? Brilliant deduction on his part.

"Bye. Call if you need anything."

That nearly got him yanked out by the arm, Bey coming back for him, his face a bit upset by the time they were down the hallway. He didn't mention anything until they were back to the Node in Maine, which was set up as a wilderness retreat in the middle of nowhere. His words were soft however.

"These people abuse your good spirit. Worse, I fear that it is
I
that have led them to it. They see me traipsing around as I please, going hither and yon in the blink of but an eye, and think to themselves 'why not me, as well'. The work that you are undertaking, it would take any of us so much as a cost that no one would go at all. It is a trick, certainly, meant to shame us or control a vote, but such meetings do not have meaning without all being present. A call for war, the threat of it, is an empty thing if only a few can be there. The rest will not abide." He looked grumpy for him, a bit upset and like he was ready to call the whole thing off.

For his part Zack was looking forward to it, if he were going to be honest about it.

"It will be good experience, and show people that we can work together. Plus, maybe it will stall some of those rumors that I'm a Demon? I don't know how those got started, but they seem to be growing for some reason. You'd think that anyone seeing me would be able to tell the difference, but..."

That got a scoffing laugh, just before the little man hopped and they ended in the back of Zack's Candles and More.

"Truly, you wonder at it? Someone is trying to tear you down, before they strike. It could be anyone, given who you are. A Mage threatened by your growing power in that organization, or even a Vampire that fears your backing means that the Council will soon be too powerful for their liking. The Shifters are not normally a clever group of people, as far as intrigue, but it takes only one or two, and my sense is that not all love you evenly there. In the main you help others, but there are always those that will feel slighted or taken for granted. That is the way of power. There is no helping it either, only enduring the weight." He sounded wise, and like this was a topic he wasn't just talking about on the fly. As if Zack's rumors had come up for him before at some point.

Not that it would make sense at all.

The strange thing was that he felt the regard of others, their like and dislike of him, and just the fact that he was considered special at all, as a weight. Something that pressed him down and reshaped him into a smaller and lesser being than he was supposed to be. It was just shy of crushing him, and he didn't really know what to do about it at all. Wasn't it enough for him to simply be himself? OK, not with girls, but the rest of the time? How could he make anyone understand that he just wanted to be helpful and nice to people?

It was like no one expected him to be and really, in their deepest hearts, didn't
want
that at all.

Lisa popped her head out of her door, looking like an underfed meerkat and blinked a bit. She didn't say anything, just waving a little with the tips of her fingers, and moving back to answer the phone, which was ringing again. Zack didn't speak, just leading Bey over to his own people's Embassy, hoping that something good might have happened by that time, to find that it hadn't.

In fact there were several Vampires there, screaming and yelling at Edom and Lenore, with enough force that Zack actually moved between them, as if
he
were somehow going to physically protect anyone in the world? Then again, that got Bey to move into place directly beside him, which made everyone shut up
very
quickly. There were far too many fangs out, if all on the other side, and some of the five Vampires that had been shouting in the front of the yoghurt shop had red eyes already. That wasn't a good sign, if Zack was learning anything at all.

'And yet here you are, standing right in front of them like a juicebox.' Mirror Him didn't sound surprised by it, and simply sighed in his head.

"Hello, everyone. Sorry to interrupt, but..." He shook his head and went silent for a few seconds not really knowing what to say at all. He had nothing to threaten them with at all, did he? He just didn't want some big fight breaking out, especially when things looked to actually be quieting down a little so far.