Chapter 29: Joe

Chapter 29: Joe

The shadows in the room vanished as it fell and Yeo darted in, his eyes flicking about for any more sign of enemies. Chances heart thundered in his chest as he rose to his feet, vividly aware of how close hed come to spilling his guts out across the floor.

Bella held one of the Imps hands with one hand, and ice had traveled down it, freezing the two together. Her other hand was encased in a sphere of ice that dripped with the Imps black ichor.

Do whatever you were doing, Chance, Bella ground out.The original appearance of this chapter can be found at Ñøv€lß1n.

He scrambled into motion, squinting at the strings. He started with the ones that he recalled being approximately Abes size and was relieved to quickly spot the proper one. It went straight up through the roof, presumably onto the second floor of the house.

I think hes above us, Chance said. There arent any other strands going in that direction, so I dont think there are enemies there. None associated with this thing, at least.

Good. We can kill it, then, Bella said.

Wait, Chance said, squinting at the largest of the karmic strands and bringing the images out. He wasnt about to miss important information not again.

Through the golden light, Chance caught flashes of several other Imps at least, he was fairly sure they were different. They all looked pretty similar. Before the visions ended, they came to a stop on a large, purple skinned Imp that was nearly twice the size of the one on the ground before them.

The Imp lurched, lunging and reaching out for Chance. Bellas hand swung down, striking it with such force that its head rebounded off the ground. The monster went still. She ripped her hand away, shattering the ice connecting them.

Thanks, Chance said, his voice trembling slightly. Even though it wasnt his first time in a fight with a monster, this one had actually talked. Also, as unsettling as Yamish was, his presence was comforting. At least, if he told himself that, the Old City felt a bit less terrifying. I wish I got a chance to look at more of those threads. This is bigger than we think it is.

I gathered that much considering there was a Greater Imp in someones house, Bella growled. The ice covering her arms melted away. That wasnt bad, though even if you did charge into the darkness like an idiot.

I could see it, Chance protested.

But we couldnt, Yeo said, taking one of the gray marbles from a pouch and flicking it onto the monsters body. The Greater Imp disappeared into a streamer of light, flooding into the marble, which Yeo picked up. You were basically fighting on your own. Its a good thing you managed to get some light for a few seconds, or things might have gone really badly. We didnt even get a Ward down!

Oh shit, Chance said. I forgot about Wards.

He glanced around the living room. His urumi had made several cuts through the wooden walls and carpet. Oops.

Bella grimaced. I forgot about it too, actually. We need to go find the kid and see if hes okay. Thats priority number one. Chance, did you manage to see if the real Maria was anywhere?

No, Chance said, shaking his head. I was trying to sift through the karmic threads when the stupid thing attacked again.

Hopefully shes still alive, Yeo said. If the boy is still in this house, theres a good chance that she is too. Maybe you can try to track the Karma between him and his mom?

Chance frowned. Id think that, but I apparently didnt even notice it the last time I looked. There are some weird karmic rules that I think I might not understand that might stop them from being linked.

Doesnt matter, Bella said. She extended her hand to help Chance off the ground. Lets find the kid and search the house for Maria.

The movement revealed several gouges in her arm, where the imps claws had broken through her ice shield and carved into her skin.

Chance let the matter drop. It wasnt worth pressing any further, even though he still strongly disagreed with the idea of not stepping in to help when it was possible.

They drew up to a large, stone tower on a street corner a few minutes later. Chance craned his head back, counting off the floors in his head there were ten. Each one was separated by a jutting balcony that ringed the square building.

Loud conversation came from inside, and the clink of utensils on silverware marked the building as some sort of tavern. Through one of many large windows ringing the building, Chance could see dozens of men and women sitting around wooden tables.

Shikari base? Chance guessed.

Most of them look like this, Bella said with a nod she pushed the door open and golden light spilled out, washing over them as they walked inside.

A large man wearing nothing but a leather apron and short cloth pants that were far too tight for him smiled as they approached him behind a counter. Muscles rippled over his chest, glistening with oil.

He made most of the greatest bodybuilders on Earth look like theyd been slacking off, but somehow managed to look proportionally large. When they arrived before him, Chance realized why the man was easily eight feet tall. A single strand of black hair stuck out of the top of his head, curled over lazily.

New faces. You can call me Joe, the man said, his voice a low purr and about as far from what Chance had expected to him to sound like as possible. He sniffed the air, then smiled. Oh, youre really new. Foundlings for sure. Whats with the child?

I think hes under some sort of magically induced sleep, Bella said. We defeated the Greater Imp that was taking the form of his mother, but we werent able to find her.

Joe took Abe from Yeo and laid him down on the counter. He gently pulled one of the boys eyelids back with a single finger and peered down at him, then let it close and leaned back.

Kid should be fine. Greater Imps dont usually kill their targets. If you didnt find the womans body, shes still out there somewhere. Greater Imps arent all that strong anyway, but from youre smell, youre really green. You only just got your Wards. Why are you going after a Greater Imp for your first or second job? You should start smaller.

They all relaxed at the news.

It was supposed to be a Lesser Imp, Yeo said. And that one is still running around. We realized the kids mom was replaced because she was acting strange when we interviewed her.

Thats concerning, Joe said, pursing his large lips. I dont like this at all. Multiple Imps working together usually doesnt bode well for anyone. Damn little nuisances. Janet, take over the counter for me. Im heading out.

A woman wearing a frilly maid outfit bounded out from a door behind him, an excited grin on her face. She pulled herself up and swung her legs over the counter, kicking them in excitement. Okay! I love counter duty.

Chance did his best not to stare, but he couldnt help but notice she had a long, wicked looking machete strapped to one of her legs. Joe patted her on the head, his enormous hand nearly completely engulfing her face for a moment before he let go.

Dont worry, Joe said. Shes small, but she can handle any problems that rise up. Finding our missing mother is the most important thing to do right now, and Ive got a good sniffer.

Chance was pretty sure not a single one of them had been worried about Janets chances of controlling the Shikari. As far as he could tell, everyone in the room was more than content to just sit around and eat peacefully.

Youre coming with us? Yeo asked.

No. Youre coming with me, Joe corrected. He extended a hand and a ring on one of his fingers lit with a dull glow. Energy poured out of it, forming into a large metal disk akin to a sewer cover. You know what the lady looks like, and some visual confirmation will be nice when we find her. Makes the paperwork easier. After that, well be reporting this to a higher-up. Youre in over your heads with this job.

Joe sat down on the center of the metal disk. Come on. Sit. And hold on. I dont drive slow.