Bitten in Two

I laughed. “Bergman, we gotta go.”

“Okay, then.” He waved at Monique like she was boarding a bus. And, hilariously, she waved back before heading downstairs.

Deciding it was time to let him off the hook, I changed the subject. “Vayl’s waiting for us. I stil have to get Kyphas and Sterling.” I glanced through the hal window into the courtyard. Our warlock was back at the gazebo. Which meant Kyphas was probably hiding from him. “C’mon,” I ordered.

His shoulders slumped. “Al right.”

Her room was just down the hal from Bergman’s. I patted him on the shoulder when we got there. “Cheer up, Miles. Didn’t anyone ever tel you that guys are supposed to be happy when they’re getting some?”

“I’m not getting any!” Bergman shouted just as Kyphas opened the door.

She arched her eyebrows at our sci-guy, who looked to be searching for handy trapdoors in the floor.

I beamed. “This night just gets better and better.” CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Sterling and Cole sat waiting for me in the riad’s romantical y lit courtyard.

Cole wore a calf-length overcoat whose lining had been removed as a nod to the weather. He’d stil look weird strol ing around Marrakech dressed in gangsta duds, but it was better than walking down the street with his rifle flapping. And what a weapon. Before his death, Pete had caved to Cole’s nagging and bought him a Heckler & Koch PSG1, which was arguably the most accurate sniper rifle in the world. With it he could strike multiple targets with very little lag time in between. Ideal if the mage turned out to be less of a loner than we’d anticipated.

As I settled in across from the men, Sterling growled,

“Where’s the demon? You didn’t leave her alone with that defenseless little stick boy of yours, did you?”

“He’s more skil ed than he looks,” I said. “Besides, she’s stil under contract. Anyway, she was right behind me.” I looked. Nope. No Kyphas. Squelching the uneasy feeling that she’d fol owed Bergman, not to kil , but maybe to try a little torture like she’d done with me, I went on.

“Miles said he’d get Vayl.”

No need to explain that I needed five more minutes away from the Madame Berggia persona he’d forced on me. I knew they could see it in the way I pounded his cane onto the floor tile.

Cole patted me on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’l find the perfect target for your frustrations tonight.” He turned to Sterling. “Unless you’re planning on blasting the bad guy with something menacing from your pocket-o’-doom?” The warlock had been hiding his hands behind his back, which made me more nervous than I liked to let on.

Now he brought out an antique teapot.

“I was expecting something a little more… penis shaped,” said Cole.

Sterling smirked. “My best stuff is designed to put the victim completely at ease before it strikes.” He tipped up the lid so Cole and I could look inside. It already contained half a cup of dried leaves and some dehydrated berries.

“When this is boiled, it’l fil the air with an odor that’l deeply relax anyone who smel s it. I have a special wax to plug our noses, which wil protect us from the other effects.”

“Which are?” Cole asked.

Sterling said, “They vary. But overal people find it hard to concentrate on a fight. It begins to seem pointless and sil y to them. So at one end of the spectrum they’l be less aggressive during battle. And at the other they’l give up al their secrets, because suddenly they love everybody.” Cole clapped him on the shoulder. “I like having you along. We should work together more often.” Sterling’s smile leaned closer to sly than I felt comfortable with. “That may have already been arranged.” I began to say, “What do you mean by that?” But somewhere around the word “do” Bergman jogged into the courtyard, completely winded from his previous run down two flights of stairs and a couple of short hal ways. Have I mentioned that he sits too much?

He gasped, “Vayl’s gone.”

“Again?” Goddammit! Suddenly he’s harder to keep track of than a pissed-off teenager. “Are you sure?” I asked.

His reply was to point over his shoulder, where Kyphas had just joined us carrying an open note and a closed envelope. I went over and snatched the riad’s stationery from her hand. Out loud, I read,

My Friends,

I cannot, in good conscience, ask you to risk your lives in a cause which began—and should end—with me. My tiff with Madame Berggia before was, I fear, a ruse designed to distract you from my true intent.

I would never forgive myself if any of you ladies were harmed in the coming battle. Therefore, I am going to face the mage alone. Please make sure Helena reaches a safe haven. When the war in the Colonies has ended, I think perhaps she should sail there, but until then, my dear Berggias, I leave the choice in your capable hands.

Please accept my deepest gratitude. And a final boon, if you will? The delivery of my second note to Lady Jasmine.

— Lord Brancoveanu

Kyphas curtsied with a mocking grin, saying, “It’s such fun being Vasil’s secretary. I like it a lot better than the maid gig,” as she handed me the envelope. Since I didn’t trust myself to hide my reactions, I took it into the gazebo and sat down on the couch with it, only then realizing that my legs had begun a fine tremble.

What if he dies before we can get to him?

Nonsense! Granny May set down her embroidery and stood, moving to the