A Wolf at the Door

The garden on the roof was stunning. It was easy to believe I’d suddenly stepped back in time to feudal Japan, walking through some shogun’s carefully sculpted courtyard.

A path had been formed of white river stones, carefully sealed down so they wouldn’t scatter underfoot. The trail was bordered by large bonsai-style shrubs and low bamboo posts containing solar-powered lights. There were small alcoves carved out, with benches for sitting, and if you followed the path far enough, it opened up into a large gathering area. Already, there were tables and chairs set up, paper lanterns hanging, preparing for the New Year’s festivities to come. A small stream wove in and out through everything, adding a soothing music to the morning air, ending in the reflecting pool at the center of the roof. I peered over, looking through the rippling water all the way down into the hotel lobby.

Like any true child at heart, I fought the urge to drop a rock on the glass, just to see what would happen. Surely, it had been designed with just that impulse in mind. Breakable glass would be a pretty big design flaw.

No one else seemed to be around, this early, which was good for me. I really didn’t want anyone to see what I was about to do.

“Axel.” I whispered his name into the morning air, then waited. Sure, I’d never tried to actually get his attention before, but I firmly believed he could hear me, wherever he was. When I got no response, I tried louder. “Axel!”

A few minutes went by with no response, and I tried one last time, yelling as loud as I could. “AXEL!!” On a nearby roof, some birds took off, squawking in protest, but that was all I got. No blond demon. Not even a possessed squirrel. I guess he meant it when he said he couldn’t be caught here.

“Dammit.” Then I felt stupid for expecting otherwise. He was a demon, after all. He’d protect his own ass before anything else.

When my phone rang, I almost jumped out of my skin and part of me wondered what the area code was in Hell. But no, it was just Ivan. “Dawson.”

“Mornin’, Ivan. How goes it?” I found a seat on one of the benches bordering the stream, just letting the sun soak into me.

“This contract is to being very interesting.”

“You were able to read it, then?”

“Ni.” Not one for small talk, our Ivan.

I sighed. “Great. So we’re no closer to finding out what the hell is going on.”

“Hm. Ni. But do not to be despairing. I am to be knowing a few people who may be able to help. I will make phone calls.” We were both quiet for a few moments. “Will you to be challenging for this, once it is translated?”

Would I? That was a good question. “I asked her. She doesn’t want me to. And I wouldn’t feel right, challenging for her soul against her will, y’know? That’s a kinda personal thing to do.”

“Perhaps if I was to be speaking to her, I could convince her to accept our aid.” That thought made me smile. I wondered what the Hollywood starlet would think of my gruff Ukrainian mentor.

“You can try, I guess. She’s still sleeping, though.”

“That is all right. I will speak to her when I arrive.”

“Um…you really don’t have to do that, Ivan. I have this under control.” I had nothing under control.

“Regardless. I will arrive tomorrow. Where are you to be staying?” I told him. There was no point in arguing once he’d made up his mind. “Until tomorrow.” He hung up on me.

“Do you often talk about people when they’re not around?” Gretchen’s voice might have startled me, if I hadn’t caught a whiff of her perfume a couple of minutes before. She stepped out of the little alcove where she’d been hiding—poorly—wearing yoga pants and a tight T-shirt, her feet bare on the river stone path.

“Well, yeah.” I spun around on the bench, flipping my feet to the other side so I could face her. “They tend to get upset when I talk about them to their faces.”

“I told you, I don’t want out of my contract.” She frowned at me, crossing her arms over her chest. She looked very much like her mother at that moment.

“I know. And I won’t do anything without your say-so. I’m just trying to get the damn thing translated for you.” I stood up. Having her look down at me was too much like being scolded by my mom.

“Who were you talking to? You sent my contract to him.”

“His name is Ivan. He’s another champion, like me.” He was more than that, but…need to know basis, and she didn’t need to know. “He can’t read it either, but he might know some people. He’s gonna call back.” I tilted my head at her. “You know, your demon was the weakest one I’ve ever seen. I wouldn’t want to jinx myself and call the fight a sure thing, but…if you wanted it…”

“Don’t you dare.” She advanced on me, poking one finger into my chest, and I held my hands up defensively. “I told you, I hold up my end.”

“Hey, whatever you say. Just pointing out your options is all.” I glanced around. “Where’s Tai? He let you come up here alone?”

“I told him I was coming up to work out with you.” She shrugged. “I wanted to see what you were doing. And I find you poking your nose in my business where it isn’t wanted.” Once more, she jabbed her finger into my chest, which was one more time than I intended to tolerate.

Her eyes went wide when I snatched her wrist away, and but she recovered quickly and struggled against my grip. “Let go, asshole!” When that didn’t work, she tried to kick me in the shin, which was gonna hurt her way more than it was me, with her feet bare.

“Bobby and Tai never taught you how to get out of this hold? Seriously?” As short as she was, I may have even been able to pick her up and dangle her from that delicate little arm, were I so inclined. “Here, quit tugging, you’ll never get loose that way.”