Chapter 12
A glamoured Ulseere set a rapid pace as we headed away from the hotel. My fingers clenched tight around the flimsy cardboard handles of the bag with the book that started the trouble. To distract myself from the sense I abandoned my bestie, I chattered.
“How come you aren’t allergic to the sun like the demons are?”
“They are creatures born in the bowels of darkness, whereas the umbradriad are from the surface.”
“If you’re from above ground, then why the gray skin?” Probably a rude thing to ask, but on Earth, we had theories that environment contributed to the different flesh tones.
“Some theorize we, too, once came from under the crust of our land but adapted.”
“Guess that would explain why you’re called shadow elves. Are there different types of your kind? Blue elves? Green? Short ones?”
“While there have long been rumors of fair-skinned Elves, no one living has ever seen or provided proof of their existence.”
“I assume your people have explored every inch of Infernal?”
“Our continent, yes, and while we’ve sailed the ocean surrounding us, we’ve never found any other land masses.”
“Could be they went extinct.”
“Very possible and likely the umbradriad were the cause.”
“I swear you enjoy dropping these I’m-so-big-and-bad statements.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “Because I am big and bad. Or will I need to prove myself again?”
My cheeks heated. “Yes, but not on account I don’t believe. More because I really like it when you do.”
His laughter proved unexpected. “You never say what I expect.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“No. Infernal nobility is constantly involved in games of intrigue, which includes much lying. The ladies aren’t much better than the males, as they often will manipulate to improve their status.
So your frankness is not only welcome but enjoyable.
A pity I can’t introduce you to some of the royals. You’d certainly shock them.”
“Do humans ever end up in your world?”
“They do, usually because they’ve somehow managed to open a doorway and wandered through.”
“And?” I prodded, sensing something he wanted to avoid saying.
“Let’s just say it’s not a pleasant fate for them. If the perils of my world don’t kill them, my people tend to capture and keep them for sport.”
“In other words, don’t visit.”
He whirled on me so fast I almost slammed into his chest. “If you were by some ill luck to find yourself in Infernal, you must do your utmost to leave at once.”
“One, I’m not planning to go. Doesn’t sound like a great place to vacation. And two, if I did find myself there, damned straight I’d be fighting to get back to Earth. A place with no internet, no cars, and no prepackaged bags of salty chips sounds like Hell.”
For some reason, my declaration had him dropping a hard kiss on my lips and a murmured, “Let’s ensure such a thing never occurs in the first place.”
Seeing as how I was the only witch he knew that could open that damned door, pretty sure I could prevent it from happening.
“So where are we going?” I asked.
“I was hoping you could help with that. We need to get to high ground.”
I snorted. “This is Ottawa, dude. There are no mountains to stand on.”
“But you do have some very tall buildings. Direct us to the one with the most height.”
“Why do you want to be up high?”
“Because standing atop a rooftop means there will be nothing to impede my magic. On the ground, there are parked vehicles, civilians, and your electrical poles, which could disrupt my spells, not to mention structures Gryvak and his demons can use as shields or places of ambush. A rooftop that projects above the city provides me unfettered space to work with. So, where is the tallest building?”
I could think of one. “There’s the Claridge Icon—“
Before I’d even finished speaking, he interrupted. “Take us there.”
“The Icon won’t work.”
“Why not?”
“Because there are people living in those condos. You can’t simply waltz in and confiscate the penthouse. Not to mention, you’re talking about bringing Gryvak and his demons there, which will put anyone in the vicinity in danger.”
“Can we not fabricate a reason for evacuation?”
“We could pull the fire alarm, but that will just spill people onto the sidewalk, and then the firemen will show up to check out what’s going on.
” My brow scrunched as I sought another solution.
“Does it have to be the highest ground? Because there is a building that, while not the tallest, goes pretty high and towers over everything in its vicinity. It also just so happens to be vacant because the company that was funding it ceased construction when they went tits up.”
Seeing Ulseere’s confused brow, I murmured, “They went bankrupt, meaning no one will be inside, and it happens to be in an area with little development.”
“Which would minimize civilian interference.”
I was thinking more along the lines of innocent casualties, but at least he seemed interested. “From what I recall, there are walls and windows, but the inside is unfinished. No running water, electricity, or working elevators.”
“There are stairs to reach the roof?”
I shrugged. “Probably?”
“Doesn’t matter. I have ways of elevating us if needed. Take us to it.”
It occurred to me only now, blocks away from the hotel, that I didn’t have my car.
Nor could we return for it because Flo had the valet tag.
With few options left, I introduced Ulseere to our transit system—once he mesmerized two people into giving us their passes.
While the buses did get us across the city, Ulseere did not seemed impressed.
It might have been the unbathed dude who stood during part our ride screaming about the coming apocalypse—wouldn’t people shit if he turned out to be right?
Ulseere’s deeper-than-usual scowl could have been due to the fact he sat on something sticky.
Once we disembarked, he grimaced and muttered, “Next time, we will find different transportation.”
I couldn’t disagree since it reminded me why I spent too much of my paycheck to maintain my car.
As we walked toward the unfinished building, I asked, “What makes you think Gryvak will find us here, because I’m pretty sure we haven’t been followed.” Choosing to sit in the back row of the bus, I’d spent much of the ride half turned, watching traffic to see if anyone appeared to be trailing.
“He’ll know where we are because you are going to cast a spell that will draw him to you.”
I halted. “Is that really a good idea? In the two times I’ve used my magic, I summoned demons and knocked someone out.”
“It can be something simple like floating a rock or conjuring light. The simple fact you’re using your power will act as a beacon and draw Gryvak.”
“If that were true, then shouldn’t he have shown up at the hotel last night?”
“He might have and decided against attack. Could be he didn’t feel prepared.”
“And if he doesn’t come? Maybe he’ll decide I’m not worth the effort.”
“He’ll come.” A grim certainty.
“What makes you so sure?”
“Because Gryvak craves power. If he wants to rule over Earth, or even parts of it, he’ll need many legions of demons.”
“Will he, though? I mean he could just decide to mind-fuck anyone he needs to serve him.”
“Gryvak has likely already concluded that would be too risky, as the human consciousness is very good at fighting the compulsion. The stronger the will, the less likely a compulsion or orders will stick. He’ll need an army that is loyal to him.”
I spotted the unfinished building in the distance, surrounded by a chain link fence topped with barbed wire with signs plastered saying Danger. Do Not Enter. No Trespassing. Trespassers will be prosecuted. Most of the signs also had graffiti that included many dicks.
Entry proved easy since Ulseere pulled out his sword and sliced us a hole to pass through.
The plywood covering the main entrance also didn’t stand a chance against a determined elf.
Once indoors, he created a ball of light, not that there was much to see.
Dangling wires. Exposed beams. Drywall that hadn’t even been taped and also held more graffiti dicks.
To my chagrin, there were stairs. Lots of them.
I huffed and puffed by the fifth floor, not exactly promising, given there remained another thirty or so flights to go.
Ulseere offered to carry me, which, while tempting, meant he saw me as a pussy, not to mention, it didn’t seem right to make him do all that work.
I needed him in fit fighting form for when Gryvak showed.
My lack of cardio led to us taking many breaks.
Each time I sat and rested—doing my best to convince my heart we weren’t dying—Ulseere would massage my legs and feet.
A glow surrounded him as he kneaded my aching muscles, the magic soothing the tightness and aches.
To my surprise, I didn’t collapse—or die—and made it to the roof!
Only to realize something horrendous.
We’d forgotten to bring any food.