"Hoss, you can't be serious."
"Sir, I don't care what White Council tradition dictates. I'm not giving up my duster," Dresden said. This whole situation had him in a shitty mood, and he didn't care who knew it. "A draftee should be given some latitude when it comes to his wardrobe."
"As the new Gatekeeper you are now the second most important wizard in the world," Martha Liberty explained patiently. "Your personal appearance should reflect that fact."
When the new Merlin heard that comment he cupped his hands together and let out a loud raspberry.
"Injun Joe, is there something you'd like to add to this conversation?" Ebenezer asked dryly.
"Not to speak ill of the recently departed, but if you think I'm going to wear that ridiculously white robe Arthur use to prance around in, you're all crazy."
"So I can keep my duster?" a hopeful Dresden asked.
"Kid, whatever floats your boat. This is what I'm wearing to the shindig," Injun Joe told them. The old wizard had on jeans and a pair of old boots, but his embroidered buckskin shirt somehow made the ensemble seem dignified.
Ten minutes later the four made their way to the swearing-in ceremony for the new members of the Senior Council. Once this was out-of-the-way there was to be a memorial service for the old Merlin. Arthur Langtry might have been an arrogant tyrant, but he had earned the genuine respect of supernatural world. With just a week's notice the crowd in Edinburgh had swelled from one to nearly four thousand, and latecomers were still arriving from Nevernever. Captain Luccio had been worried about maintaining security until two very important guests showed up with their retinues.
"Queen Titania, Queen Maeve. Your presence here today is a great honor for the White Council," Injun Joe said as he bowed deeply to the Sidhe rulers of Summer and Winter.
"You have our deepest condolences. When the Lady Lily returned to my Palace with the awful news, I could scarcely believe it," Titania replied.
The Queen of Summer and her Honor Guard were all wearing traditional mourning robes, but they did nothing to hide the Sidhe's ethereal beauty. Dresden found himself wishing that his grandmother had some age-appropriate outfits. Maybe something like a moo-moo.
"Do you have any idea where the traitor Rashid fled to?" an impatient Maeve demanded. Her only guard was Tycho the Snorkack, but who in their right mind would want to start a fight that thing. "His attack on the late Queen Mab and her handmaiden Leanansidhe warrants a brutal punishment... and a lingering death."
The Queen of Winter certainly had changed since the last time Dresden had seen her. Before Maeve had looked like a punk rock tart, albeit a hot one. Now she had magically matured into a woman at the height of her physical attractiveness. Even the old dreadlocks were gone, although her long white hair was still streaked with the traditional blues and greens of Winter.
"Rashid opened a portal to the far reaches of Nevernever," Injun Joe replied. "None of our Wardens have been able to discover his current whereabouts."
"After the memorial is over we have vital matters to discuss with the Senior Council and the Archive. It is clear from recent events that the Unseelie Accords are no longer in effect. A new treaty must be drafted at once," Titania said. "Will you guarantee our safety until this meeting is over?"
"Yes, it would be a shame if Tycho accidentally ate one of your Wardens," Maeve said as she stroked the massive beast. Everyone present caught the irony.
"Your Majesties are honored guests of the White Council, and I give you my word that no harm will come to either of you," Injun Joe replied.
The swearing-in ceremony took all of five minutes, but it was the longest five minutes of Harry Dresden's life. He had been horrified to learn that every new Gatekeeper had served as an apprentice to the previous Gatekeeper. That was the real reason they had dumped the job on him: no wizard loyal to the White Council had any idea what skills the job required. Dresden could only pray that his unique magical power over the Outsiders could counter Rashid's extensive knowledge and experience.
"How are you holding up Harry?" Bob asked later on as Injun Joe began his eulogy of Arthur Langtry.
"The White Council just painted a huge bull's-eye on my back, which means that I'm now the number one target for the Black... Hats. Other than that I'm just fine. How about you?"
"I'm over the moon. With this many practitioners in one room there is bound to be a few gorgeous ladies harboring mythology-based sex fantasies."
Dresden looked over at the young and handsome satyr who used to be Bob the skull. Since Ebenezer had learned of his continuing existence, Bob knew it was only a matter of time before he was destroyed. With no real alternatives available, he went to the Queen of Summer and begged for asylum. The spirit of intellect had once grossly offended Queen Mab, so a grateful Titania granted his request by trapping him in the body of satyr.
Afterwards Ebenezer agreed that Bob no longer posed a threat, since he had been stripped of the knowledge the necromancer Kemmler had once given him. To say that the formerly incorporeal spirit was enjoying his new corporeal body was a gross understatement. In just a few short months he had humped half of the humanoid creatures in Nevernever.
"Just stay away from my daughter," Dresden warned Bob as he looked over towards Maggie. She was sitting next to Andromeda Tonks and holding Teddy Lupin on her lap. He was glad to see that she was still enough of a little girl to be fascinated by a shape-shifting toddler. "And stay away from Molly too. And Justine."
"What about Murphy?" a cheeky Bob asked. "Speaking of the little she-devil: your favorite blonde is headed this way with that limey oaf of hers. What could she possibly see in him?"
"Longbottom killed four Denarians. He probably could take out an annoying satyr like you in his sleep," Dresden pointed out as he strengthened his privacy ward. Karrin looked like she had some bad news to deliver.
"Dresden, we have a major problem," Murphy whispered.
"So what else is new?" Bob remarked.
"This is serious goat-boy!" the Knight of the Cross snapped. "I have a powerful urge to visit Hoover Dam back in the US, and I think your ex Elaine Mallory has something to do with this crisis."
"Is she in danger?" a concerned Dresden asked.
"No," Murphy said slowly. "The evil Denarian bitch is about to cause the danger. Neville and I think she and her friends are going to try to breach the dam. I can't even begin to imagine how much damage that would cause."
"Go talk to Ramirez. The Southwest region of the United States his responsibility, and he would kill us if we even thought about leaving him behind," Dresden said as he rubbed his temples. Dealing with Elaine and her Fallen Angel Lasciel was the last thing he wanted to do at the moment. "I have to talk to Maggie and Ebenezer, then I'll meet you all at the exit tunnel."
After Dresden kissed his daughter good-bye, he explained the situation to his grandfather and brother in a few short sentences. The two were cold and formal with each other, but at least they were now on speaking terms. "You both are still too weak to come along, so please just stay here and watch Maggie for me."
"Hoss, be careful. The Denarian may be treating Mallory like an equal now, but it can take control of your old girlfriend in a heartbeat," Ebenezer told him. "If you get a clean shot, take it."
"Yes, sir."
"And try thinking with your brains, not your balls," Thomas added. "We both know how stupid you can be when it comes to dealing with damsels in distress."
Dresden rolled his eyes. "You're a pot, I'm a kettle, and we are both stupid when in comes to women."
The crowd for the funeral was so huge few people noticed twenty Wardens and two Knights leaving. As their war party crossed over into Nevernever everyone tried to remember what they had been taught about Hoover Dam back in school. They knew that it was huge, made of concrete, and that it supplied electrical power to three different states. That was the sum total of their knowledge.
"Is it even possible to destroy something that large and durable with magic?" Murphy asked as they trotted along one of the Ways.
"Yes, it is," Dresden replied as he remember the devastation Ebenezer had caused in Missouri. "It won't be easy though, and we should be able to stop any major rituals they try."
An hour later they reached their destination. Ramirez thought that they should have some sort of battle plan before they went rushing in. It was a good idea since they were probably going up against one or more the Black Council's heavy-hitters.
"Alright, listen up! We are going in staffs-a-blazing," Dresden told the group of Wardens. "This place is a major tourist destination so if you see anyone without a fanny pack or a cell phone, kill them. If your magic doesn't seem to be working than we might be facing Outsiders. If that is the case you will retreat as quickly as possible, and leave them to our two Knights of the Cross. They can fight back against those things, you can not."
"Have you ever considered a career as a motivational speaker?" Ramirez deadpanned.
"I'm not fucking around here. No stupid heroics, or I will curse you myself," Dresden continued. "And if any of you see a tall brunette practitioner throwing around some major fire spells just leave her to me. Are you all ready?"
Neville and Murphy seemed calm but everyone else looked like they wanted to vomit. Facing an Outsider was every wizard's worst nightmare. One of the Wardens opened a portal to the gracefully curved roadway atop Hoover Dam. In the distance Dresden saw dozens of burning cars and dead bodies. He also saw Elaine Mallory drawing a Spell Circle on the bloody pavement.
When moving to or from Nevernever during wartime it is a standard operating procedure for the Wardens to immediately check behind the portal for any possible threats. Four wizards did exactly that, but they swiftly disappeared over the side of the Dam. Even with magic there was no chance of surviving a two-hundred and twenty meter drop.
"Dresden, on our six!" Ramirez yelled as he and the surviving Wardens turned to face a living nightmare called a Skinwalker.
The Skinwalker was a Naagloshii, a type of semi-divine monster which had lived in this area of North America for thousands of years. It was strong, fast, and could perfectly mimic the form of any animal or human. It was also just about an evil as anything Dresden had faced during his eventful career. The Skinwalker had almost beaten him to death on the island of Demonreach before Injun Joe had come to his rescue. It was too bad they left the new Merlin back in Edinburgh.
In the second it took Dresden and the two Knights to turn around three more Wardens were slaughtered. Not only was this a tragedy in-and-of itself, but it also made the fight that much more difficult. The Skinwalker had the ability to absorb the magic of any wizard it killed, which meant it was getting stronger by the second.
However the Wardens were trained to face supernatural threats just like this, and those who were still alive began casting a variety of offensive spells, mostly fire-based. Unfortunately all the fire plus the relatively narrow width of roadway meant that Murphy and Neville couldn't get close enough to attack with their swords. The Skinwalker was able to dodge all but a few of the spells, and those that did manage to hit their target did little damage.
"Wizard, this time you are far away from your sanctum of power!" the monster screamed with its repulsive voice. "Now we fight on my ancient homeland!"
Dresden quickly recognized how weak their tactical position was. "Everyone pull back! Pull back!"
But it was already too late. The Skinwalker shifted from a hulking beast to a small bobcat and back again in the blink of an eye. It was simple too fast and too agile for the tightly packed group of wizards, and one by one it ripped them apart. Ramirez was the one of the last to fall to the ambush. The Naagloshii picked him up by the neck and then shattered his spine against a bony knee.
The two Knights were just about to move in when Dresden stopped them. "No, leave this thing to me."
"Harry, this isn't the time for a duel!" Murphy shouted.
"Not a duel, an execution," Dresden said as he looked down over the edge of the Hoover Dam.
This was a hydroelectric dam after all, and that meant the buildings down there had huge electrical generators inside of them. Generators which produced power for three separate states, and that was more than enough for this job. Years ago in a moment of desperation Dresden had once harnessed the power of a thunderstorm, and this really wasn't any different. Yes, it was absurdly dangerous, but he had done it once before and survived. The wizard took a deep breath, gathered his will, and then lifted his staff in the air.
"Fulminous!"
All at once dozens electrical arcs shot up out of the power stations and converged right on top of the Skinwalker. This lightning-like attack was so intense it temporally blinded all three of them. When their vision finally returned they found nothing but a huge collection of scorch marks. Seeing that his enemy was dead, an exhausted Dresden promptly fell on his face.
"Neville, see if any of the Wardens are still alive," Murphy said as she bent over to check on her best friend. His black duster was hot to the touch and literally smoking. "How bad is it?"
"I will live. I think."
Suddenly they heard someone clapping and turned to see who it was. Standing there next to Elaine was a grinning Nicodemus.
"Bravo, bravo. That had to be one of the most impressive bits of magic I've ever seen," the Denarian remarked in a mocking tone.
"You're not getting away this time you coward. You are going to pay for Sanya's death," Murphy hissed as her sword Fidelacchius began to glow with a blinding radiance.
"Spare me your threats little girl," Nicodemus said. "I have important information to share with you about the group you know as the Black Council."
"Nick, at the moment I wouldn't believe it if you told me water was wet," Dresden remarked as Neville helped him to his feet with one hand while holding Amoracchius in the other.
"You have to listen to us Harry," Elaine pleaded. "Lasciel thought those fools could be reasoned with, but they are all insane."
"If you were having second thoughts than why didn't you come to me earlier?" a furious Dresden asked. "And why didn't you help us a few minutes ago when the Skinwalker was butchering my friends?"
"Dresden, why must you always be so melodramatic?" Nicodemus complained. "The Naagloshii was under strict orders to kill us if we tried to escape, and the vile thing already consumed my wife and daughter. Our only hope was that someone from the White Council would arrive, and get rid of the monster for us. In return for your services, we will provide you with some very important information."
"Please Harry. You have to trust me this one last time," Elaine said with tears in her eyes. "They are going to end up destroying us all if we don't stop them."
"As you may already know, they called themselves the Circle," Nicodemus began once they reached Edinburgh.
He seemed totally blasé about his circumstances, despite the fact that he was facing the Archive, the two Sidhe Queens, the three Knights of the Cross, and all seven members of the Senior Council. On the other hand Elaine was obviously terrified. "Their goal is to return human civilization on this planet to a more primitive—and more tractable—level of development."
"Isn't that what the Order of the Blackened Denarius wants as well?" a skeptical Injun Joe asked.
"True. But it's not their goal I abject to, it's their methods," Nicodemus replied. "Your former Gatekeeper Rashid intends to open the Outer Gates and call forth the Great Old Ones. Ferrovax believes that the Circle can control them for a brief time."
This news shocked the room, and even Queen Maeve couldn't think of anything witty to say. As dangerous as the Outsiders were, they were nothing but foot soldiers for their masters: the Great Old Ones. These mysterious beings were of immense size and power. But even worse, according to the ancient historical sources, was the alien nature of their minds. There was no way of knowing what they truly wanted, or why they killed with such reckless abandon.
Dresden finally broke the uneasy silence. "Ferrovax the Dragon? He is a member of the Black Council... of the Circle?"
Nicodemus smiled. "You should hear the stories he and Maeve tell about how they tricked Dresden into starting a war between the Red Court Vampires and the White Council. The vampire claims it was like taking candy from a baby."
"Finish your story Denarian, or I will destroy you were you stand," Ebenezer snarled.
"As you wish Blackstaff," an amused Nicodemus said. "Once released, the Great Old Ones will cause an obscene amount of destruction, but only for a short time. For some reason Ferrovax believes he can force them to return to their home dimension. After they are gone the Outer Gates will be sealed once again by your friend Rashid, and the Circle will be free to rule over a ravaged and depopulated world."
"Dragons are old and extremely intelligent. How can Ferrovax be foolish enough to believe that he can impose his will on beings as powerful as the Old Ones?" Queen Titania asked.
"I have asked him that very question a dozen times, and he simply refused to give me a logical answer," Nicodemus told them. "Perhaps his mind is failing after all these millennia of existence? Your guess is as good as mine."
"This is all fascinating, but that does it have to do with blowing up a dam?" Injun Joe asked.
"I believe I can shed some light on that subject," Ivy offered. "While the Circle has hidden itself from my view, I have been able to trace the movements of its various lackeys. Approximately eight hours ago they launched a massive campaign of terror. As of this moment they have managed to destroy over sixty of the world's largest dams and bridges. They have also sabotaged close to a hundred nuclear power plants—a majority of which have already gone critical and are now leaking clouds of radiation."
"Are you joking?" a horrified Martha Liberty asked.
"I am the Archive," Ivy replied. "What do you think?"
"So this is just the opening act," Dresden reasoned. "They want people to be terrified before they unleash the real monsters. Civilization will completely collapse in a matter of hours once the Old Ones finally arrived on the scene."
"Vlad Drakul always claimed that pain was useful tool, but that the mere anticipation of pain could get you even better results," Ivy explained.
Ebenezer's face went pale when he heard that particular name. "Drakul has come out of seclusion and joined the Circle?"
"You don't have to worry about him anymore," Kincaid said as he walked into the conference room accompanied by John Marcone and the great Odin himself. Ivy's bodyguard then placed a plastic garbage bag on the table in front of this young employer. "I ran into my old master in Germany. It wasn't exactly what you would call a happy reunion."
"Jared, you always get me the best presents," Ivy said with a sly smile.
"Thanks to Monoc Securities and the intelligence provided by Mr Marcone we were able to limit the amount of damage caused in Europe and the eastern half of North America," Kincaid explained.
"Unfortunately these psychos have had a free rein elsewhere, and their attacks have proven to be quite successful," a weary Marcone pointed out. "They have inflicted trillions of dollars worth of damage on the world in just a few short hours."
Injun Joe got up and walked over to the towering Odin. "If Arthur Langtry was still with us he might have pretended to be your equal, but the truth is the White Council is out of its depth here. I think you should take command before it's too late."
"I agree with him, my old friend. You always did have a talent for this sort of thing," Queen Titania added.
"I think that would be a dreadful idea," Ivy said in a forceful voice. "The All-Father has nothing to offer any of us expect an honorable death on the battlefield."
"And what, pray tell, do you have to offer us child?" Queen Maeve asked with a lovely sneer.
"Victory."