[3]
After I left the meeting, the weather had decided enough was enough and gave us mere mortals a break from the constant bombardment of rain. The sky looked to be clearing up for hopes of a mild afternoon. I made a call to someone I who thought could help. We arranged to meet an hour later near Embankment Pier, which was fine by me as it would take nearly forty five minutes to walk there. Yeah taking the train would take a fraction of the time but then you're dipping into the realms of magic verses technology again. That in itself would be inconvenient, but I knew the types of creatures that live in the dark places of the London Underground and I didn't particularly want to be trapped in a malfunctioning metal tube, in the darkest parts of the Underground network with those things all round me.
You can call me paranoid if you want, but that doesn't mean there's not an angry creature wanting to eat my face off.
Besides, the walk would do me some good. Let me think about the situation and the problems I'll no doubt be facing soon enough. This had to be the boldest move the Red Court had made since they pushed us back and followed us into the NeverNever six years ago. An attack that nearly wiped out the White Council. To actually break into the Council's supposedly most secure area and steal the Icarus Charm right out from under their collective noses.
That's big balls boldness right there.
But knowing the Red Court like I do, I couldn't say I was surprised that they seized such an opportunity. I mean it's not every day that one of the big brass of the Vampire nations wants to talk peace in their enemy's stronghold, their place of power. It's the type of power play that the aggressors hope would put their adversary's on the back step, giving them time and space to plan and make their next move.
And that's why I'd been called in. I'm the guy who stops the Vampires from making their next move.
I made my way across London, ignoring the chaos of city life, lost in my thoughts, heading towards Embankment pier, another good place to meet people. You see magic is disrupted by running water and the Thames is a pretty big supply of running water. It's why you never heard of any real ghost sightings or hauntings by rivers. The greenery and trees running along the pier's walls helped make the area stand out from other parts of the city's centre. Like Hyde Park it showed that London isn't just a city of concrete and steel and glass. That nature still existed and was allowed to thrive.
I leaned against the wall overlooking the river, resting on my forearms, taking in the sights. Across the water the London Eye stood tall, slowly showing people the wonders of the city from up high as it rotated in a big circle. Down below different kinds of boats drifted up and down the river, some carrying people enjoying an afternoon boat ride, some carrying goods from one end of the city to the other and some that I just didn't have a clue about but looked like they had somewhere important to be. I honestly don't know how long I was standing there, just looking out over the water. It was kinda peaceful just watching the world go by, the water lapping against the embankment. It was nice knowing that even with all the crazy and all the crap happening, there was still proof that life went on, despite magical beings trying to kill each other.
Like I said, crazy.
"Penny for your thoughts." A voice said from behind me which almost immediately snapped me out of my reverie.
I looked around to see a woman dressed in a white blouse that was covered by a smart black suit jacket, comfortable light blue denim jeans and sensible shoes. Mousey brown hair framed soft features and hung unrestrained over her shoulders.
"Hey Lou, thanks for meeting me."
Louise Wheeler was one of my oldest and closest friends. We grew up together. You know, chasing each other around the playground, sleeping at each other's house, the whole nine yards. She was someone who I could count on and trust no matter what. She was also a Detective Chief Inspector with the London Metropolitan Police, which helped if I needed any information.
It's not what you know it's who you know.
"To be honest it's nice to get out of the station and get some fresh air," she replied. "It beats sitting at my desk filing reports."
"Fresh air in London?" I said in a mildly mocking manner. "Sure, I mean if you don't mind it laced heavily with diesel fumes and cigarette smoke, there's plenty of fresh air to be had."
She smiled and displayed some of the sexiest dimples I'd ever seen. Regardless of what people say, we never had the whole 'will they, won't they' kind of relationship. When we were old enough I guess you could say that our friendship went to the next level. We started dating and seeing each other in a more intimate fashion and then magic happened.
Actual magic.
Not the foofoo type you get in romance novels when everything is 'perfect'. I accidentally set her bedside lamp on fire, which under different circumstances, would have been pretty spectacular. At first it scared the crap out of us, especially me. Somehow I knew it was me, that I had caused the fire but I just didn't how or why. We put the lamp out and reasoned the whole thing down to really bad wiring. Later I found out that I could use magic and that I was going to be trained to become a Wizard – but that's for another story. Discovering that I could do magic, for me it was amazing, the feeling that I had become a part of something so much bigger than myself and, not to sound too cliché, make a real difference.
Louise however felt a little differently about the whole thing.
Seeing how close we were, I told her everything. About how I could use magic, how I could bend the essence of life and creation to my will and that great things were in store for me. She tried to understand, she really did. We continued seeing each other for another year or so but Louise couldn't take it any longer. She could see that the more I was being pulled into the world of magic the further I was moving away from her. She told me that she couldn't live in that world, that it held no place for her. It was sad and upsetting but she was right. We both agreed to step back from our romantic involvement but vowed that we would always be there for each other, that we would always be friends.
It was the right thing to do.
Doesn't mean it don't hurt like hell.
"I'm sure you didn't call me out here just to mock me," she said, "What's up?"
Louise walked over to stand to the right of me and mirrored my stance, leaning against the wall resting on her forearms.
"I'm working a case," I said turning my head to keep her in view. "And I need some information. So I thought you might be able to help me."
She said nothing for a couple seconds and just stared out over the river. After a moment Louise slowly turned her body towards me, still leaning against the wall using her right hand to support her weight.
"This case you're working, it wouldn't happen to be anything out of the ordinary would it?" she asked. I don't know if I was imagining it or not, but I thought I could detected a little annoyance in her tone.
"If by that you mean is it of a supernatural nature? Then I would have to say yes."
As soon as I answered I could feel an uneasiness wash other Louise. She sighed and resumed her mirrored stance.
"Christ Gabe," she sighed again. "I've told you before that I can't get involved with that part of your life. I just can't"
"I know Lou. It's not something that I wanted to come to you with," I said, trying to reassure her. "But without going into too much detail, if I don't deal with this situation quickly, then it could be the end of everything that I swore to protect."
I kept quiet for a second longer than needed in between sentences, just to let my point sink in.
"I know the truth," I said trying to sound as gentle as I could. "I know that you don't understand the world that I have to live and fight in and because of that it scares you. Hell, it scares the crap out of me on a good day. The first time you told me that you couldn't get involved I said ok but I truly didn't understand why. I mean the things I could do and could achieve, not in my wildest dreams did I ever think this would happen to me."
I stopped for a second to catch my breath and turned to fully face Louise. Placing my left hand on hers, I squeezed it gently.
"After these past few years, doing what I've had to do, I finally understand why you couldn't be part of that life. And to be honest I don't really want you anywhere near it. The things I've seen, the things I've done, you should never have to go through that. But this is different, this is bigger than me and it's bigger than you. Lives are depending on me and so I have to do the one thing I promised not to do, I have to ask for your help, I have to ask you to get involved."
I felt like a bastard for even asking this of her but I wasn't lying. Without her help I wouldn't be able to catch up to the Vampires in time. Neither of us said anything for a couple of minutes. Louise continued looking out over the river and I kept my focus on her, trying to get a read on her thoughts. I could see the conflict in her eyes, the willingness to help me battling furiously with the fear of getting in too deep and finding herself in way over her head. While this was going on I said nothing. I didn't push her for an answer. I just stood beside her with my hand on hers, trying my hardest to reassure her with my presence.
"Ok," she signed after a long silence. "What do you need?"
"I need to find out if there have been any suspicious increases of missing person reports," I explained keeping things calm and simple. I was really relieved when she agreed to help me despite everything, but jumping for joy in giddy delight was really not the best idea considering the huge emotional hurdle that Louise just cleared. "Anything going back forty eight hours to now."
"Why do you want to know about missing persons?" She asked.
"Because they might lead me to what I'm trying to find."
Louise nodded slowly once and then said "Seven o'clock, the usual steak house in Leicester Square, dinner is on you. We'll go through what I find and you can tell me everything."
As she started walking away I spoke up a little confused. "Everything?"
Louise turned back and gave me a little smile as she replied. "Yeah, everything. I mean the more you tell me, the better I can help you find whatever it is that you're looking for."
Well…That I didn't see coming.
I returned the smile and Louise went off to find me the answers I needed. I couldn't help it but I was grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Of all the bombs dropped on me today, I could at least be happy about that one. My closet friend was willing to step outside her comfort zone and help me.
If everything else went to hell, I could at least call that a victory.