“Simon,” Monty said with a sigh. “That…is how the Supernatural War started: with those ideas. Normals felt it was better to remove magic from the equation, that life would be easier or better. The outcome of those thoughts and of the war, were horrific. The cost in life, on both sides, immeasurable.”
“I understand.”
“Not really, you don’t—but you will. Please watch your words in the future. Some of the older mages would have taken offense. Violent offense.”
“Duly noted,” I said. “What are we going to do about the new golems and Toson?”
“Call Ramirez,” Monty said. “Tell him we need Times Square shut down tonight.”
“Are you insane? Tonight? There’s no way he can pull that off.”
“He can, if he uses just the NYTF.”
“He doesn’t have the manpower. We’re being hasty. Think this through, Monty.”
“We don’t need all of Times Square shut down, just the center, near the station.”
“Just the center? Are you listening to yourself?”
“Orahjene wants revenge,” Monty said. “Toson wants power. I say we give them to each other.”
“What the hell are you talking about? Did you get hit by a stone during my fight with Toson?” I asked. “Or maybe he fried some of those brain cells when he tried to barbecue you?”
“Call Ramirez,” Monty said, his voice certain. “I’ll make the other arrangements. We end this tonight.”
THIRTY-THREE
“Are you sure about this?” I asked again before connecting the call. “Ramirez is going to go ballistic.”
“I’m willing to risk the Director’s ire if it means saving the city,” Monty answered, his jaw set. “I’ve made calls to the five movie production companies. They will start bringing in the trailers and trucks around six.”
“That should block the Square, but not for long,” I said. “This permutation thing. How long before it takes effect?”
“The effect is immediate. Once we interrupt the flow of energy, I anticipate Toson will appear shortly after. He will think the tampering was done by Orahjene.”
“…who will show up not too long after he gets here.”
“She was being dishonest about her shift,” Monty answered. “I’m sure she had her reasons for the subterfuge, but it still stands—her shift is complete. With her heightened power, she will know where he is once he surfaces.”
“You know that once you tamper with the central hub, the hammer-wielding, werebear protector of the nexus points, Ursula, will arrive too…right?”
“It will be some time before she gets here, due to her keeping the flow of energy regulated downtown. We should be done before she gets on site.”
I took a long breath and let it out slowly.
“Here we go,” I said, connecting the call to Ramirez. “I hope you’re ready.”
“Strong,” Ramirez growled. “To what do I owe the displeasure?”
“Tristan wants to speak to you, Angel.”
“The answer is no,” Ramirez said, preemptively. “I don’t know what you want, but the answer is no.”
“Hear me out, Director.”
“No,” Ramirez said. “You can’t imagine the number of favors I had to call in to get Times Square closed in three days.”
“What if I told you this could be an NYTF operation only?” Monty asked. “You keep your favors uncalled for another day and we only use your people?”
“I’d say I don’t have enough people to shut down Times Square.”
I was noticing a distinct lack of screaming and ranting.
“You do, if a major blockbuster film will be shooting there tonight.”
“We don’t have a major—wait, you mobilized all those production companies?” Ramirez asked. “How did you get the permits?”
Monty glanced my way. “I know a gentleman who knows a gentleman.”
I sighed and shook my head.
“Angel,” I interrupted. “We aren’t closing Times Square for the whole night. One, maybe two hours, tops. The movie trucks and trailers will be the outer cordon keeping out pedestrians. NYTF and EMTe will form the inner cordon around the police station. What do you think?”
Asking Ramirez his opinion wasn’t going to change the outcome of Monty’s actions tonight. I knew Monty well enough to know he had entered his “hurricane track” of execution. His plan was going to go through with or without NYTF cooperation—like a force of nature. It would just be easier and contain much less screaming if Ramirez was on board.
“I think you’re both insane,” Ramirez said, pausing for a few beats. “But it could work. How soon do I need to re-route my people to Times?”
“The trucks will arrive at six,” Monty said. “By the time they set up and shut down the streets, we’re looking at a few hours. The NYTF should be there half-past five to start redirecting pedestrian and vehicular traffic.”
“How far out from the station do we need to control?” Ramirez asked. “More importantly, will my people be in danger?”
“The moment you see us, pull your people back at least two blocks,” Monty said. “That should keep them safe. We’ll control the area near the station.”
“Is that rock thing showing up again tonight?”
“Yes,” Monty said. “But this is New York. No one gets fazed in this city…right?”
“Got that right. You need to keep any and all damage centralized. If you two renovate Times Square, you better look for another city to call home.”
“Understood,” Monty and I said in unison. “See you tonight.”
“We need to go prepare the area,” Monty said, looking at his watch, which caught my eye. “Let’s head to Times Square.”
“You stopped wearing the Patek?” I asked curiously. “Since when?”
“Since an orb of energy cracked the case, followed by the movement deciding to take an extended leave of absence.”
“What is that now? It looks decidedly non-Montague like. Functional and ugly.”
“This is a Lemania 5100,” Monty said, holding up his wrist. “It’s not aesthetic, but it works and has the added bonus of being the only watch Cecil was able to rune against massive damage.”
“Now, all you need—is to do the same thing to your clothes.”
“Cecil refuses to rune my wardrobe,” Monty said, irritated. “Said it would be a bloody waste of time and clothing.”
“I’m going to go with Cecil
