Temp Work: A Dresden Files Short Story
This story takes place sometime after the events in Small Favor.
One
I really don't know how I get myself into these situations. Well, on second thought, I actually do know how I get myself into these situations. And I keep doing it - over, and over, and over again. At least this time the building wasn't on fire – at least not yet. Running down the main hallway at something close to speed of light (okay, okay - I might be exaggerating just a tiny bit) I summoned my will and sent it through my blasting rod. A loud shout of "Forzare!" preceded the rapidly approaching set of doors being blasted off of their moorings and out into the street, which were followed quickly by, well, yours truly.
I knew Molly, my young (and somewhat reluctant apprentice), was hiding somewhere across the street concealed by a veil (and believe me when I say the girl can do a veil - she really has a talent for them). I shouted at the top of my lungs (between gasping breaths), "Molly, its time for Plan B!"
I heard a small, feminine voice reply as if, literally, from nowhere, "Harry, why are you running?"
"That's Plan B! Now move your ass!" I somehow managed to get out between breaths. Molly dropped her veil and started running. She had a pretty good lead on me, but I was closing on her quickly. I don't like to run. I really don't. But I consider it an important survival skill as opposed to anything akin to, ugh, exercise. And it works. I can't tell you how many times I have extended my life span due to my ability to run away from all kinds of scary things that were trying their best to kill me.
The down side to this tactic is that you can only run for so long. At some point you have to man up (or should I say wizard up) and fight. I'm no slouch in that area either, and over the last few years I've become even better. Starting, and then fighting in, a war with the Red Court of Vampires; fighting in and surviving a battle between the Summer and Winter Courts of the Sidhe, in which I even managed to kill the Summer Lady; as well as facing off with the Denarians (or Nickel-Heads as I like to call them), a particularly nasty and powerful group of Fallen Angels, sort of does that to a fellow.
Reaching an all but deserted stretch of alley, I turned to face the nasty-of-the-week that had prompted my flight-or-fight response to begin with. Or should I say nasties? Three darkhounds were in pursuit and closing on my location, and therefore me, very quickly. I stumbled upon them while searching the afore-mentioned building (that I only just recently fled from) for vampires of the Black Court. In the confined spaces of the building - such as rooms and hallways - I wouldn't have had even the slightest chance of survival. But out here in the open I felt I might at least have the slightest chance of survival.
Behind me, I heard Molly shout, "Harry, what are you doing?"
"Molly, get your ass to the car! Now!" I shouted in return.
"But I want to help!"
My apprentice has never been short on courage - or seen from another point of view - stupidity. But she doesn't have the necessary skills yet to be good in a fight. Hell, she might not ever have them. Her talents just don't seem to run in the direction of combat wizardry. If she stuck around I would have to divide my attention on saving not only my own ass, but hers as well (and though I hate to admit it, hers is awesome).
"Hell's bell's, Molly! Just get to the car! Please?" I shouted at the top of my lungs.
And then the time for conversation was over. I shook out my shield bracelet and sent a small portion of my will through it - readying it for the coming fight. My rune- and sigil-carved staff began to glow as I began to push my will into it as well. I lifted my right hand and pointed it at the lead darkhound, revealing the latest addition to my arsenal of offensive weapons - a solid-silver bracelet.
The bracelet is a couple of steps up from the three-tiered silver rings that I wear on each finger of my right hand. The bracelet, obviously being much larger than the rings, is able to store more kinetic energy than all of the rings combined. I've also been able to inlay some runes and sigils on it that enable it to be charged much more quickly than my rings. It's a one-time-use "weapon" that releases all of the kinetic energy stored within it in a single burst. It is also extremely powerful, so much so that I don't dare use it on anything except supernatural threats - it would easily kill a vanilla-flavored mortal.
I triggered the bracelet by pushing a tiny portion of my will into it. The blast of kinetic energy struck the hound full-on. I obviously can't tell you what that blow felt like to the animal - but I think you could liken it to being hit by a train. The beast was hurled backwards, crashing through a broken, brick retaining wall and into a large garbage dumpster, before finally coming to a stop. The darkhound didn't get back up. One down, two to go.
I started to aim my staff at the next beast, when it was struck broadside by a hurtling mountain of grey fur, snapping jaws, and very sharp, very large, teeth. It was my dog, Mouse. He was waiting for Molly and me in the Blue Beetle (my car) and must have sensed that I might be in need of some help. I watched as my dog and the darkhound fought a most savage duel that would surely end in death for one of them. The battle was fierce, but short, and pretty-much one-sided. When it was over, Mouse turned to face the last remaining animal.
"No, Mouse!" I shouted. "This one is mine!" The darkhound began a somewhat slow and stealthy approach, as opposed to a quick, aggressive charge. Once he was in range I whirled my staff in a tight circle above my head and then brought it down in a vicious strike to the animal's head while shouting "Fuego!" Fire leapt from my staff and engulfed the supernatural creature in a raging mini-inferno. It never had a chance.
I looked at Mouse and said, "Did you see that? Damn, I'm good!" I don't know if dogs can actually roll their eyes or not, but it sure appeared that Mouse was doing exactly that. Scowling, I said, "Don't roll your eyes at me, you…you… Wooly Mammoth masquerading as a dog. And, well, thanks for the assist. Hot dogs are on me when we get back home." I think my last two remarks are what earned me the big doggy grin and a couple of slobbery dog kisses on my hands and face.
Shortly after the brief, but deadly (at least in the case of the three darkhounds), encounter, Molly pulled up in the Beetle. Mouse worked his way into the backseat and I rode shotgun. "The Weary Wizard Taxi Service has answered your call! Where would you like to go?" inquired Molly.
"Heh. Heh, heh. Very funny. Head for the Bat Cave, Batgirl." I said, sounding less tired than I actually felt. Combat wizardry takes it toll on the entire person - mind, body, and spirit. And when you throw around the kind of power in a fight that I tend to, well, it can be pretty exhausting. I actually came out of this fight in much better shape than any other fight I've been in - but there's always tomorrow. I was looking forward to getting back home and curling up on my couch in front of a cozy fire, with one of Mac's heavenly micro-brews.
"Thanks, Grasshopper." I said, looking at Molly.
"Thanks? Thanks for what, Harry?
"One, for listening to me. Two, for going to the car when I told you to. And three, for sending Mouse back to help me." I said in reply. "You've come a long way kid and you will probably never know how proud I am of you. But you aren't ready for the Big Leagues yet. If you had stayed I would have been worried about you and I couldn't afford that at the time. I hope you understand."
"I understand, Harry. And thanks." Molly said, her eyes beginning to moisten with tears.
"Hell's bell's, Molly, don't get all emotional on me," I said, "you know I don't like to see anyone of the female persuasion cry - for any reason."
"I'm sorry, Harry. But what you just said, well, it was nice. Really nice. You're nice." Molly said, smiling brightly through waning tears.
Muttering under my breath, I softly exclaimed, "Hell's bell's!" I will never understand women.