Chapter 8
“I thought you would want to know,” Ren said right before putting on his sunglasses and teleporting from the office.
Ren teleported to an alley in the middle of downtown Los Angeles and readjusted his jacket before walking to the end of the alley. Stepping out into the direct sunlight, he mentally growled wondering what in the hell Storm was thinking about. He’d ordered Ren to stay away from the main clusters of demons congregating in mass numbers and stick to picking off stragglers as they popped up.
He couldn’t understand why Storm was giving the master demons more time to grow stronger. It was now that they needed to strike rather than wait. If they waited much longer, the power levels would go through the roof.
Ren growled in agitation at what he saw as a waste of time. He would rather be dead center in a mob of powerful demons right now instead of walking down the sidewalk searching for the rest of the garbage. He smirked when most of the other pedestrians started getting out of his way, giving him a wide breadth on the sidewalk.
Ignoring the few fearful but appreciative looks from some of the females he passed by, Ren paused for a moment and looked around when he felt a foreign power tingle across his skin.
‘Victim number one,’ Ren said mentally and headed toward a parking lot behind one of the shops.
*****
Storm frowned up at the huge computerized map on the wide screen TV built into the office wall. He watched some of the blinking lights move across it and finally become one with the circles already growing in mass.
Based on the team’s findings the night before, they had been able to identify various races among the demons and each color constituted each race; vampires, ghouls, shadow demons, and the most frightening Storm himself had ever encountered… Cerberus.
It wasn’t that Storm was frightened of the Cerberus, it was the fact they were damn scary to watch. They had forged a very dark reputation for themselves in ancient Greece and Italy thousands of years ago.
Cerberus were rumored to be the servants of the underworld much like the shadow demons, though in reality they served none but themselves. They were actually a distant cousin of the werewolf and could shift into human forms to disguise themselves.
Storm shook his head and pushed the self-imposed history lesson to the back of his mind. The Cerberus weren’t his main worry and, at this time, posed no true threat. The master demons were still gathering their underlings to forge into armies. It would seem the leaders who made it out of the pit had wasted no time in establishing territories. The battles over land and underlings would go on for months before things even thought about settling down.
It was Storm’s hope that the demons would be so busy fighting each other in their twisted reenactment of the land rush, that they would do most of the work for PIT by destroying each other. As their numbers dwindled from their own wars, they wouldn’t see the PIT teams coming for them until it was too late to do anything about it.
Then again… the difference between angels and demons was always in the eye of the one beholding it. Most of the PIT teams where descendants of demons.
“What a tangled web we weave,” he said sarcastically to himself as he looked away from the monitor.
Feeling the frustration of not knowing the outcome, Storm decided to cheer himself up. Leaving the office, he walked out to the garage where Evey was quietly singing to herself as she flipped through the radio stations.
“Hello Evey!” Storm said with a bright smile.
“Hello Storm,” Evey answered with her sexiest voice. “Would you like to ride me now?”
Storm shook his head and smiled… he couldn’t believe he was thinking this but he thought Evey was absolutely adorable.
“No my dear, I’m going to give you a different kind of ride.” He answered and, instead of getting behind the wheel and driving the car to the station, he gently touched his hand to the hood and they were suddenly sitting in the police station parking lot.
“Ooh,” Evey said softly. “Can you do that to me again sometime?”
Storm smirked and ran his fingertips across the top of the hood and over the edge of the roof. “Perhaps, but for now I must let Trevor know you’re here waiting for him.”
Evey sighed and started humming softly again as Storm walked away.
*****
Trevor and Chad had just gotten back to the station and were sitting at separate desks with their heads on the surface. They’d been running down leads all day due to the amount of complaints coming into the department. He’d even had to bring in a couple of PIT members with CIA badges just to screen the calls and keep the cops from responding to the ones that might get them hurt.
“I need some quiet time,” Trevor grumbled when the phones started their excessive ringing again. He’d already decided whoever invented the phone should have been strangled by the cord.
“Interrogation room three is open,” Chad muttered knowing it was the quietest place in the hectic station. It was also his favorite place to take a nap if he was too tired to drive home.
Trevor stood up, “I’ll get the coffee.”
Chad started walking toward the other room while Trevor went over to the numerous coffee makers and took one of the glass pots right off the burner along with two cups. Some of the officers looked at him oddly but didn’t say anything. They were probably silently bitching about the CIA thinking they could get away with anything. Trevor smirked at the thought.
When he entered the interrogation room, Chad was already sprawled out under the table using his jacket as a pillow.
It had been a very long night for the both of them and Trevor took into consideration that Chad was only human… an extraordinary one for having fought off exhaustion for this long. He had just set the coffee pot down on the table when his cell phone started buzzing at him. Taking it out of his pocket, he inspected the messages coming across one from Zachary.
“Something new?” Chad asked refusing to open his eyes.
“Yeah, something from PIT that I need to go take care of in a couple hours,” Trevor answered.
“Give me a few minutes of shut-eye and I’m right there with you,” Chad promised.
Trevor poured himself a cup of the strong, dark liquid making Chad crack an eye open. “Coffee?”
“The nectar of the gods,” Trevor said before taking a long drink.
Chad groaned and sat up before crawling out from under the table. “The things I do for coffee.”
Trevor smirked, “You’re not the only one.”
Chad had just poured himself a cup when the door was thrown open scaring the hell out of the blonde. A tall man stepped in to the room wearing a floor length London Fog coat and what looked like a dark blue shirt with skintight jeans and heavy boots… he looked like something out of one of those fashion magazines Envy read from time to time.
Something about the man’s presence made the air sizzle with power making Chad feel like he was in the middle of a lightning storm.
“Who the hell are you?” Chad demanded, trying to cover up the scare.
Trevor sent him a glare, “He’s my boss.”
Storm sighed, “Now Trevor, there’s no need to get all testy. Chad and I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet.” Storm extended his hand, “Nice to meet you Chad, I’m Storm… Trevor’s head torturer.”
Chad smirked and shook Storm’s hand. “So, got any ideas for me?”
Storm shook his head, “I never reveal my secrets.”
“It’s not time to meet Tiara at the graveyard already is it?” Trevor asked.
Storm shook his head, “Not for a few hours yet. I just stopped by to give you your new and improved car.” He tossed the keys to Trevor. “I’m hoping it’ll stand up to the next demon that attacks it.”
Trevor caught the keys, “Awesome!”
“Yes she is,” Storm said. “She’s bulletproof and has attitude. I think you’ll like her very much.”
Chad noticed Storm’s face contort slightly as though he were trying not to smile. There was something very devious in that expression and Chad had a feeling Trevor was about to be the butt of a very interesting prank.
“When you reach the parking lot just press this button,” Storm indicated by pointing to a button on the key ring. “The car alarm will tell you which one is yours… but she’s rather hard to miss.”
With that said, Storm spun on his heel and left the room, his long coat flowing out behind him like a regal cape. Chad couldn’t stop the image of Batman from popping into his head and almost smirked.
“Wanna go check the car out?” Trevor asked.
Chad nodded, “Yeah, in a minute. I want to call Envy first and make sure she’s safe.”
Trevor pretended not to pay attention as he poured himself another cup of coffee from the cooling pot. Chad quickly pressed the speed dial and held the phone up to his ear.
“Hey sis,” he said with a smile on his face.
“Are you checking up on me again?” Envy asked with a laugh.
Chad snorted, “Yeah right, I’m more concerned that you’re out in the middle of this mess somewhere.”
“In other words, you’re checking up on me.” Envy elaborated. “I assure you I’m just fine. In fact, I found out earlier that Devon’s family has a Halloween Masquerade every year at the club. We’ve already started the planning and you’re invited.” She paused before adding, “Bring a girlfriend with you.”
Chad sighed, “I need you to stay safe Envy. You don’t know about all of the bizarre calls we’ve answered today and it’s probably only the beginning of the strangeness.”
“Oh? Do tell.”
“Let’s see, a pack of very large dogs have been running around in Bel Air on their hind legs,”
“Werewolves,” Envy said then frowned knowing werewolves were just like cougars and jaguars… they looked normal and would have been on all fours.
“People with wings on their backs have been seen flying around.”
Envy grunted, “Probably fallen.”
“I didn’t say it was angel wings… more like bat wings,” Chad corrected.
“Batman,” Envy nodded not really wanting to take the other option seriously.
“And a bunch of really ugly critters were reported attacking cars,” Chad finished.
“Demons,” Envy frowned giving up on the bright side.
“Yeah well,” Chad could hear the frown and smiled since he was getting his point across. “So far we’ve convinced people it’s just teenagers starting Halloween early.”
“Good,” Envy pouted because Chad was killing her festive mood.
“Then there’s the little bitty things like that really nasty shifter that’s been reported cutting out girl’s hearts.” Chad added. “You want to invite him to your masquerade party too?”
Trevor shook his head and took the phone out of Chad’s hand. “Don’t worry. We’re going to have some undercover guys at this masquerade of yours, just in case something uninvited shows up.”
“Thanks Trevor!” Envy said happily. “Maybe now the guys will stop giving us girls a hard time… even though we won the argument.”
Devon had been listening to Envy’s side of the conversation thinking she was only talking to Chad. The moment Trevor’s name left her lips, he felt his animalistic side raise its head and look at his mate.
Trevor smiled hearing the excitement in her voice but it quickly vanished when he heard her moan into the phone. There was a smacking sound that Trevor knew was that of a kiss and then a thunk that told him the phone had been dropped.
“Envy?” Trevor could feel his anger growing.
Chad frowned when Trevor growled and took the phone back. “Envy!”
He hit the speaker on the phone and the two of them listened with wide eyes as the sounds of Devon making love to Envy came over the device. Chad quickly snapped the cell phone closed and put it in the center of the table. The two of them stared at it like it had suddenly grown legs and started moving around.
“That was just wrong,” Chad said after a minute.
“I agree,” Trevor said and inwardly seethed at the jaguar with his hands all over Envy.
Trevor’s phone suddenly beeped making both men jump in surprise. Trevor grabbed it up and scrolled through the messages before sighing.
“Looks like we got another live one here… another pack of dogs have been spotted in Beverly Hills.” Trevor said with a sigh.
“Great, more werewolves,” Chad grumbled.
Trevor shook his head, “Nope, these have three heads.”
“Say what?” Chad asked.
“Three heads,” Trevor repeated. “Storm has already warned us about this type of demon. If we don’t mess with them they’ll leave us alone. We still need to check it out though.”
They quickly finished off their cups of coffee before leaving the room. Trevor was a little anxious to see what his car looked like now and couldn’t wait to drive it. Walking out into the parking lot, Trevor pressed the button Storm had pointed out to him and his eyes lit up when he saw a beautiful black car beep and flash its lights in response.
“No way,” Trevor whispered and Chad had to smile at the look on his partner’s face.
“She’s beautiful.” Chad said. “I’ll bet she rides like a dream come true.”
Trevor smiled and opened the driver’s side door. He bent down to look in at the interior and whistled appreciatively.
“Hello Trevor,” a voice that sounded disturbingly familiar spoke to him. “Won’t you come in?”
“Is that Envy’s voice?” Chad demanded looking at Trevor accusingly.
“My name is Evey… I am Trevor’s to do with as he pleases,” Evey answered. “I am fully functional in all areas.”
The driver’s side door swung in and bumped Trevor on the ass. He went sprawling across the front seat face first making Chad smirk.
“I’m going to kill him,” Trevor growled.
“Evey,” Chad began. “May I ride with Trevor?”
Evey hummed seductively, “The front seat or the back seat?”
“The front seat for now,” Chad answered.
Evey’s voice became sultry, “Oh, a possible promise.”
Chad opened the door and stared down at Trevor still face down in the seat. “Move before I sit on your head.”
Trevor sat up and pulled his feet inside the car before shutting the door.
“Where should I drive you?” Evey asked.
Trevor sighed and covered his face with his hand, “Crazy would be a very short trip.”
“Can you take us to Beverly Hills?” Chad asked.
The engine came to life and Evey pulled out of the parking space. Trevor was blushing ten shades of red while Chad was having a grand old time keeping Evey talking… on purpose.
*****
Zachary parked the car in front of the graveyard Storm had directed them to and got out, gazing over the top of the vehicle at the huge wrought iron fence that surrounded the semi-kept cemetery. Jason and Guy got out of the back seat and Zachary glowered at Jason when the other man rushed to open the door for Tiara and help her out.
“Where’s Trevor?” Guy asked while looking around. “You’d think he’d be the first one here.”
Zachary moved away from the car and shut the door, shrugging as he pushed his hands into his jacket pockets. “Who knows?”
Footsteps on the sidewalk caught their attention and they all turned their heads. Storm was approaching them, lowering a cell phone from his ear.
“Trevor’s not coming.” Storm informed them. “He’s swamped and can’t make it. I’ve decided to come in his place.”
“What’s happened that he can’t make it?” Tiara asked worriedly knowing he was a plant inside the local law enforcement office. “He’s not hurt is he?”
Zachary frowned wondering why she was so worried. Was Trevor on her list of potential lovers? Had she given him the dagger during the meeting so that he would offer to join the team? If so, then it had worked out for her wonderfully… except for the fact that he didn’t show up… oh, and the little thing about being in love with his soul mate Envy. He still wanted to thrash the other man for pulling that stunt in the boutique.
Storm shook his head, “The police station is getting double its normal calls an hour. Luckily, most of them are only reporting what they think is normal city violence. On the down side, that’s leaving Trevor and the other team members I sent to help him under the guise of FBI and CIA scrambling to cover up the panicked phone calls about aliens invading the city,” he answered.
“If I didn’t have a clue what was going on, then that’s exactly what I would think too… alien evasion,” Jason didn’t know whether the smile or frown at the joke, so he did neither.
“This is already getting out of hand,” Zachary added disapprovingly.
“I agree,” Storm nodded toward the graveyard in front of them, “An elderly lady was viciously attacked and killed in this graveyard today,” He informed them. “It’s been listed as a robbery/murder.”
Tiara cast a sad expression toward the old tombstones sitting ominously in the darkness of the graveyard.
Storm followed her gaze wondering what she was thinking or even seeing. Deciding to start the night off on a happier note, he walked up behind her. When Tiara turned to look curiously up at him, he gave her a slight nod, “I’ll be right back,” and then immediately vanished.
“Where’d he go?” Jason asked, looking around with wide eyes.
“Everywhere,” a voice whispered in Jason’s ear making him jump nearly a foot off the ground.
Zachary smirked at Jason before turning a frown on Storm. “What did you do?”
“It’s sad really,” he smirked, undermining what he’d just said. “The elderly woman in question walked out to her car this morning only to find out she had four flat tires and couldn’t make it to visit her dearly departed husband today. Although, she’s now one of the citizens that called the police department this morning reporting vandals,” Storm answered and started walking toward the cemetery entrance. He slowed down once he was beside Tiara.
Turning his head, Storm gave her a heart-stopping smile. “She’ll probably have those tires fixed by tomorrow morning, so let’s make this cemetery a safe place for her this time.”
Tiara’s eyes lit up as she smiled back at Storm. “My mother was right… you’re a saint,” she praised meaning every word.
“Every little bit counts… right?” Storm winked at her then entered the graveyard with the absence of a nosebleed or the headache that usually followed. Maybe there was hope after all.
Zachary looked away not wanting to see the hero complex Tiara was feeling for the time walker. The sudden jealous reaction shocked him making him frown harder. Why had Storm suddenly decided to pick this team to baby-sit over everything else going on in the city?
They all fell in step behind Storm, unconsciously forming a perimeter of sorts around Tiara as they walked. Zachary became very alert as he gazed at their surroundings… trying to take in every detail. Glancing to his right toward Tiara, he noticed her gaze stopping in odd places and he could tell by her expression that she was meeting things eye to eye.
The knowledge that she could see the monsters when he couldn’t was already starting to eat at him. Storm was right about one thing… he needed to know what was truly out there among them if he was to protect her.
The cemetery was small for one this far inside the city limits… only about five acres or so, but it was an old graveyard. Zachary’s only experience with necromancy had been through Myra, but he’d been able to visibly absorb a lot of knowledge the short time he’d worked with her. One thing he had learned was, the older the graves… the harder it was for a necromancer to set them right.
Just like older people, the longer the dead remained undead, the more set they were in their ways. They could be even more stubborn after they died than they were when they were alive. If the dead didn’t want to return to the other side or worse yet… had never been to the other side, it took nothing short of a miracle to coerce them. They liked things they were used to.
On the way here, Zachary had also noticed with satisfaction that the graveyard Storm had chosen was at least ten blocks away from the closest known vampire nest… the fanged soulless shouldn’t be a problem tonight. At least he hoped not.
His eyes narrowed noticing the grass was yellowed and the trees were dead. Even the flowers that dotted some of the more, well-tended headstones were completely wilted and colorless. Whatever had disturbed this area had been powerful enough to suck the life from the ground in more ways than one.
