“I wish,” Ayrton said, accelerating even more. “A Pratt & Whitney would really give her some kick.”
I couldn’t tell if he was serious or kidding. All I knew is that he could drive.
“Don’t go giving Cecil any ideas, please,” I said, barely holding on to my breakfast. “She can really fly.”
Ayrton nodded, taking the 23rd Street exit at the last possible second, nearly smashing us into the concrete berm. He sped down 23rd and made a hard left on Park Avenue South, following it until it led to Broadway.
“I’m going to take a bit of a roundabout route, if you don’t mind, sir,” Ayrton answered with a tight smile. “I want to make sure we aren’t followed.”
“I don’t think there’s anything on four wheels that can follow us in this thing.”
“That’s the plan, sir. Please brace yourself.”
I didn’t think it was possible, but he managed to squeeze more power from the engine, pushing us faster. I kept stepping on the imaginary brake pedal on my side every time I saw him get too close to another car, only to slip to the side, avoiding it altogether.
Even taxis made room for the LUMPS barreling down the city streets.
“How are you doing that?” I asked, amazed. “Taxis don’t usually move out of the way like that for anyone.”
“Avoidance runes,” Ayrton answered, as traffic parted for us. “Sends out an omnidirectional pulse saying to get out of the way. It makes life easier, that’s for sure.”
“No kidding,” I said. “I might have to have Cecil put some of those on the Dark Goat.”
“You have those on steroids,” Ayrton said. “Everything and everyone wants to avoid that car. Only the Beast is worse.”
He was right. The Dark Goat sent out some not-so-subtle stay the hell away from me vibes. I figured it was part of the rune package, but I didn’t realize they were specifically designed to keep people away.
“That would explain some of the reactions I get,” I said, thinking about it. “Still, I wouldn’t trade her in for anything…not even a LUMPS.”
“The Dark Goat is a sweet ride,” Ayrton said. “Shame I can’t drive her…I like breathing.”
“That is one downside,” I said. “At least you get to drive this monster.”
“That I do,” he said with another grin. “Cecil wanted me to tell you that your vehicle will be waiting for you at the Club within the hour. It needs to be transported.”
“Thanks,” I said with a nod. “Maybe one day he’ll lend me a LUMPS?”
Ayrton laughed.
“He said you’d say that,” Ayrton answered. “He said, when you bring him the steering wheel, and only the steering wheel of the destroyed Dark Goat, he’ll consider it. Otherwise don’t even dream about it.”
“I don’t see that happening anytime soon. The Dark Goat is invincible, I think.”
“Cecil says that about the Beast, too,” Ayrton said, squeezing between two cars, barely grazing them. “Says he’s starting a Lamborghini abstract art museum with your wrecks…an expensive one.”
“Sounds like Cecil.”
We had to stop a few blocks away from City Hall because the area was cordoned off due to NYTF activity.
“This is as far as I can go,” Ayrton said, parking near the cordon. “NYTF has the area around City Hall closed off. All the streets heading south are blocked. Apparently, there was an explosion.”
“I heard something about that.”
“Did you have anything to do with it?” Ayrton asked. “Cecil says if you were in the neighborhood. You were probably involved.”
“I was not involved, or even near the area, thank you very much.”
“I’ll let him know,” Ayrton said, smiling and unlocking the doors. “You’d better get in the Club. If anyone is following you, your signature will give you away soon enough.”
“Even in here?” I asked, looking around the LUMPS. “You can sense it?”
Ayrton narrowed his eyes and stared at me.
“Whatever you have going on, it’s powerful,” Ayrton said after a few seconds. “I can’t see much in here because of the runes, but out there? You’ll be shining like a small star.”
“A small star with a target on its back,” I said, worried. “I’m working on it. The Hellfire Club should shield me enough to deal with it.”
Ayrton nodded.
“I hope so, sir,” Ayrton said, serious. “Last time I saw that kind of energy, the client exploded in one of our cars.”
“That’s encouraging,” I said, getting out of the LUMPS. “Thanks again. I’d say drive safely, but that’s probably not one of your skills.”
Ayrton laughed again, and waited for Jessikah and Peaches to exit the SUV.
“I’m always safe,” Ayrton said, giving the engine some gas and increasing the roar. “It’s just not safe for those who try to follow.”
He locked the doors and pulled away slowly, before gunning the engine and disappearing around the corner in a blaze of speed.
“I can’t believe he evaded the Interceptors,” Jessikah said, still in awe. “No one has ever outrun the Black Orchid.”
“I’d say they’ve never come across that particular driver in that particular vehicle,” I said, moving down the street. “Let’s not waste the time he bought us. Hellfire is a few blocks from here.”
“Isn’t the Hellfire Club part of the Dark Council?” Jessikah asked as we moved quickly down the street. “The mage division?”
I nodded.
“Something like that,” I said. “The person who runs the Hellfire, Erik, heads the mage division of the Dark Council, but the Hellfire Club is a separate entity from the Dark Council.”
“And this Erik can help you?”
“I think so,” I said. “The real question is…will he?”
“Why wouldn’t he? Jessikah asked. “You’re a friend in need. It’s the most natural thing.”
“I wouldn’t exactly say we’re friends,” I said with a grimace. “More like acquaintances, very loose acquaintances. He’s closer to Monty than me.”
“Tristan is a mage after all,” Jessikah added. “Mages don’t like to mix with non-mages—it leads to complications. You’re not a mage, but you’re not entirely powerless either.”
“I can hold my own, most of the time.”
“What did the driver mean when he said he couldn’t drive your car because he likes
