C. E. Murphy - Hands of Flame

M ARGRIT SHOT A compulsive look toward the west, as if the sun might have gone down and brought night to the city hours early. It hadnt, of course: it was white and hard in the sky above. She looked back to the empty rooftop, aware that a double take wouldnt prove that shed somehow missed two massive, stony gargoyles frozen in battle, but simply unable to comprehend what she saw.

Her body, less numbed than her mind, dialed the number Daisanid given her and lifted the phone to her ear. Silence preceded a burst of static, and then a connection went through, a mans cheerful voice saying, This is Bird One. Were coming in from the south. Turn around and youll be able to see us.

Margrit said, Abort, mechanically, intellect still not caught up with what she saw. The statues we were going to collect have already been removed. No sense in drawing attention here. Thanks for your time, guys.

Bird One aborting, the pilot said just as cheerfully. Maybe another time, maam. Margrit folded the phone closed, straining to hear the helicopters as they retreated, uncertain if she did, or if it was simply the roaring of her blood and too-hard beat of her heart. She wanted to burst into speed, as though a mad dash across the rooftop would somehow retrieve a pair of missing gargoyles.

Hank had been too angry at her reappearance and not guilty enough at taking the money to be responsible, she thought. She would confront him, but gut instinct said the building manager hadnt broken the gargoyles to pieces and dumped them. Gut instinct and a lack of dust or rubble, though those could be taken care of with a broom. But unless Daisani had double-crossed her, Margrit had no other explanation. Color rushed to her cheeks at the idea, her vision tunneling and expanding again. There was nothing she could do to the vampire if he had, but there were things he wanted she could withdraw from the table. It was better than nothing.

The rooftop doors knob nudged her hip, making her realize shed backed up without noticing. Margrit folded a hand around it, still staring blankly at the empty roof, then shook herself with deliberate violence and turned away. Whatever answers there were, they wouldnt be found by helpless inaction.

The building manager blanched so white Margrit had every confidence he hadnt been responsible for the gargoyles disappearance. She left him with his wad of cash and found a subway station, unwilling to wait on a taxi making its tedious way through traffic.

Her slow burn had lit to genuine, body-flushing anger by the time she reached Daisanis building. She didnt bother checking in, using her key card for the elevators with impunity, and stalked through what had been Vanessa Grays reception area to throw Daisanis private offices door open.

He wasnt there. A dry crack of laughter hurt Margrits throat as indignation deflated under the heavy weight of reality. Once in a while the world allowed itself to be set up for dramatic confrontations, but arbitrary disappointment was the more likely scenario at any given moment. She paused at Daisanis oversized desk to leave the envelope of cash on it, then stepped forward to lean against the plate-glass windows that overlooked the city. It looked serene from so far above, no hint that the lives taking place within it were chaotic and unpredictable.

The elevator in the front office dinged. Margrit straightened from the window, turning to find Daisani, looking as disheveled as shed ever seen him, at her side. Genuine concern wrinkled his forehead, and he offered a comforting hand. I came as quickly as I could.

Margrits eyebrows arched and a faint crease of humor warped the vampires mouth. I came as quickly as humanly possible, he amended. The pilot informed me theyd already been picked up. Who?

I dont know. I didnt know what else to tell him. They were just gone. I dont think it was the building manager. Margrit thinned her lips, eyeing Daisani. He caught the weight of accusation and rolled back onto his heels, giving her a brief, unexpected height advantage.

And now you suspect me. You promised me something I wanted in return for their safe rescue, Margrit. I rarely renege on scenarios which provide me with things I desire.

You know that bargains moot now. You didnt rescue them. Im not spilling secrets for noble attempts.

Pleasantry trickled out of Daisanis expression, leaving his dark eyes full of warning. Thats a dangerous choice. Are you sure you want to make it?

This is twice youve failed to come through, Eliseo. Hell, right now Im wondering why exactly it is I should come work for you. I promised I would in exchange for you keeping Malik alive. Hes dead. An image of flames burned Margrits eyes and she blinked it away as Daisanis countenance darkened. Sharp awareness that she should be afraid brightened Margrits focus, but no alarm triggered. Whether the vampires too-fast, alien nature had ceased to be a source of alarm, or if fatalism simply outweighed nerves, seemed irrelevant.

Youve become dangerously bold, Miss Knight.

I always have been. Ive just gotten to where Im not afraid of laying it out with your people, as well as mine. Oh, dont give me that look. She snapped away Daisanis expression of faint dismay. I wouldnt be any use to you if I was terrified. Vanessa couldnt have been.

Vanessa and I, Daisani said after a measured moment, had a very different relationship than you and I do. And terror has its uses.

So does boldness. If you didnt take them, who did? Margrit put the argument aside firmly, confident shed won.