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The light through the office blinds speared into Kai’s eyes and she blinked, “What time is it?”
“Nearly seven pm, Miss Riordan.” Edward said as he came into the room with a large mug of coffee. Kai’s nostrils flared appreciatively at the aroma, and she sat up, her shoulders and back crackling.
She yawned into the back of her hand, “I suppose I should have gone home instead of coming into the office last night.”
“Probably would have been a good idea.” He put the mug down in front of her.
“If you were to fly north to my summer home, you would find the Eastern City of the Fae, hiding in plain sight. Here is where the Fae Queen makes her plans.” Kai said as she sipped.
“I beg your pardon?”
“It’s the hint that Ao Qin gave me,” She tapped the map that was spread out on the desk in front of her, “I’m trying to work out where he was talking about.”
“Ao Qin? You really haven’t been sleeping enough recently have you.” Edward folded his arms.
“You don’t believe in the Dragon Kings?” Kai said.
“I believe in what I can see and touch.”
Kai began laughing.
“What?” he looked perplexed.
“We live in Te Ling where there are Vampires, Werewolves and Dragons. You work for someone who can connect spiritually with other people and the dead, yet you don’t believe in the Dragon Kings?”
He shrugged, “I’ve never met one and I don’t know anyone else who has. They’re stories that Grandmothers tell.”
“Well, you know two people who have met one now; Officer Clarke and I both saw Ao Qin and I spoke to him.”
He humphed sceptically.
She sighed, “You’re used to me getting information from strange sources, so just accept it.”
“Yes, Miss Riordan. You had an email from Detective Zhao to visit him at Special Division. He said he would send a car to pick you up at nine. I have no idea how he knew you would be here though.”
Kai stifled her laughter by drinking. “Officer Clarke probably reported in to him when she got back there.” She said when she was calm again.
“That would do it.” He looked her over critically, “You’d better get changed; I’ll dive out and get you something to eat.”
Kai opened the folder that she’d fallen asleep on. I’m glad that he didn’t ask what I was working on; I hate having to deceive him. The small map inside tallied with the hint that Ao Qin had told her so closely that she wondered how on earth she could have missed it. They’re in Mailith then. So how do we get them out of there without causing any kind of political incident? She closed the folder again and put it away, locking the drawer before heading into the small toilet and washroom attached to her office.
A quick shower and change of clothes later, she came out into the office to find Officer Clarke sitting in one of the chairs.
“I ran into your assistant on my way up to collect you. Told him not to worry about breakfast.” The vampire said, “We’re going to Mother’s.”
“Not Special Division then?” Tabatha paused in the process of putting her jacket on.
“There’s been a development; we’ve been summoned.”
Tabatha raised an eyebrow, “We’ve been summoned?” she suppressed a laugh as Clarke looked embarrassed.
“Um...”
“I’ve never seen a vampire blush before.” Tabatha grinned. Leaving the office, she noticed that Edward was looking more than a little uncomfortable, “What’s up?” she asked him.
He held up the office tablet, showing an email, “This just came from 10 Downing Street.”
Kai took the machine and scanned the text, “So I’m being ordered by a foreign government to drop my investigation. I wonder who could possibly be behind that one...” she sighed, “I suspect that The Triang will have something to say about that; you’d better come with me to this meeting, Edward, and take notes for later.” She passed the tablet back to him.
He went from uncomfortable to shocked in seconds, “Me? Go to a Triang Council Meeting?”
Clarke laughed, “You’ve got clearance, don’t worry.”
Edward’s face cleared and he headed into the little kitchen to collect his jacket.
As he left earshot, Kai frowned, “Zhao said otherwise.”
“You just gave him clearance by telling him to come with you.” Clarke’s grin got wider, “You’re the Jade Cat remember.”
“I didn’t think that you knew.”
“You really think that Zhao wouldn’t have told us that you’re the new boss?” Clarke said as Edward came back out, grabbed his messenger bag and slid the tablet, a pen and notebook into it.
Kai shrugged and walked out of the office, leaving Clarke and Edward to catch up. I’m not sure that I can get used to this.
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AT MOTHER’S THEY WERE ushered into a private dining room. Edward stared around the sumptuously appointed room; his mouth open until Clarke elbowed him in the ribs. Sat at the large dining table in the centre of the room were the Crystal Dragon, Wood Horse and Silver Wolf, all in their ceremonial robes and masks.
Kai gave them a florid bow as both Clarke and Edward dropped to one knee, the latter looking terrified, “My Lords of the Triang. Do we wait for any more guests?”
“The Black Dragon will be joining us, along with an unforeseen complication.” The Wood Horse replied, “You will have enough time to get into your ceremonial robes before they arrive.” He waved toward a door in the rear of the Dining Room, “Officer Clarke if you would aid the Jade Cat, please.”
Edward followed them as the two women bowed their acknowledgement and entered the small room beyond the dining room. As soon as the door shut behind them, he dropped into a chair beside it and stared at Kai with fear in his eyes.
“What in the Seven Hells have you gone and got me into, Miss Riordan?” he blurted out.
“I’ve had a promotion, Edward.” Kai replied as Clarke unzipped a clothes cover that hung from a rail by the opposite wall, “I thought you’d appreciate the extra income flow.”
Clarke brought out a long green silk robe embroidered with peach blossom and lotus flower, “Here, this should cover up your street clothes nicely.”
Edward watched Kai put the robe on as Clarke turned to a delicately carved red wood box beside the rail, “But it means that you’re... that you...” his voice disappeared as Clarke opened the box and brought out a jade and gold cat mask.
“Spit it out, we haven’t got time for these histrionics,” Kai snapped, using the small gold cords to tie the robe closed.
“You’re the Jade Cat. The only member of the Triang that can take overall control of the Dark Cities in the event of the council being destroyed.” He stood up and began to pace, “That puts you in a great deal of danger and by extension, me as well.”
“Calm down, man.” Clarke grinned, her fangs glinting in the light, “Why do you think I’ve been assigned to her.”
He stared at the Special Division Officer, “How does that help me? It’s death for anyone to see the faces of the Triang, I’ll never be able to leave the Dark Cities.”
“You were planning on leaving my employ?” Kai felt oddly betrayed. Just when I thought I’d found someone I could rely on.
“Well, not exactly...” Edward said, “Not yet anyway.”
Kai sighed, “We’ll talk about it later. Just stay quiet in a corner with Clarke and take notes please.”
The vampire brought the mask over to Kai, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep him safe.”
Taking the mask from Clarke, Kai smiled at Edward, “Relax, nothing is going to happen to you.” She slipped the mask over her head. The inside of it surprised her; the surface was lined with padded silk and the eyes were enclosed with a fine golden crystal.
“Are you ready?” Clarke’s voice was as clear in her ears as it had been without the mask.
“I don’t have much choice really, do I?” Kai laughed, “Come on let’s get this show on the road.”
Edward stared at her and paled as her voice came out in a low, rumbling growl. Sounds like this mask has a voice changer as well. I wonder what else it can do. Kai made a mental note to find out and straightened up.
She was about to open the door when Edward bowed and slid between it and her, “If your Grace will allow me.”
Kai stopped and let Edward open the door for her, then she swept through in a swish of silk, Clarke following two steps behind.
In the time it had taken Kai to get dressed, the Black Dragon had arrived with the White Tiger and a newcomer, who wore a red silk robe with a gold bird mask.
“I see that we are all present and correct now.” Kai quipped.
The Black Dragon inclined her head, “Jade Cat, this is the Gold Phoenix. If you wouldn’t mind joining us at the table...” she looked around at the other Triang, “...If your staff wouldn’t mind stepping away, please.”
Clarke and Edward retreated to a small table in the corner of the room, followed by various functionaries in suits and bodyguards.
Kai moved over to the seat beside the White Tiger, “Why are you included? I thought you were...”
“Shh, I’ll bring you up to speed about that later; it’s a complex situation and not essential for you to know about yet.” The Tiger murmured.
The Black Dragon directed the Gold Phoenix to a seat beside the Wood Horse. Then she raised her hands above her head, “Let this emergency session of the Dark Cities Triang come to order.”
Kai followed the Tiger’s lead and bowed to the table in general. Everyone sat down except the Black Dragon.
“I am sure that you are all aware of the current problematic situation; the British MP David Smith, his wife and daughter have been taken hostage by the Fae.” The Black Dragon said, “At the same time, we have lost both the Silver Wolf and Crystal Dragon to an unknown assailant.
“They don’t look lost to me.” The Gold Phoenix waved a golden gloved hand at the figures wearing the appropriate masks.
“The representatives wearing the masks have not been officially sworn in yet, in the same way that you have not, Phoenix.”
“I see.” The Phoenix looked at Kai, “I was led to believe that there was no Jade Cat at all.”
Kai caught her gaze and tilted her head slightly, “I’ve been around and about for the last few years, not everyone knew about me.”
“Can we get down to the reason you called this meeting, Black Dragon?” The Wood Horse burst out, casting a nervous glance at the Phoenix.
“I requested it, Horse.” The Phoenix said, “I’m new to the role, like so many of you here it would seem, but I’m having to deal with a situation that is making things difficult. I need to get Mr & Mrs Smith back to the UK without upsetting my people.”
“What about the daughter?” Kai asked.
“That’s going to be a lot more difficult. Quite honestly, I don’t think the Fae Queen will ever let her go again.” Phoenix sounded a little depressed by the admission, “I’m arguing for her to be allowed her freedom to live where she likes, but the whole adoption situation isn’t giving me much hope.”
“Well that tallies with what I’ve been able to find out recently.” Kai sat back in her chair feeling a little more certain of herself.
“Have you anything to report, Jade Cat?” the Black Dragon said.
“I can confirm that David and Louise Smith are being held in Mailith. I know the city’s approximate location and with a little help from Special Division and Phoenix, I may be able to retrieve them.” Kai replied.
“What of the deaths of the Silver Wolf and Crystal Dragon.” Wood Horse asked, glancing at Gold Phoenix.
Why is he so nervous of her? I’m almost ninety percent certain that Phoenix is Tabatha and she’s not going to hurt him. So why is Derwin-Hepler acting as if she’s going to knife him at the table? Kai sighed and shrugged, “I haven’t been able to investigate that case more than was discussed the other day, Horse.”
“If you need my aid, you have but to ask.” Phoenix said, bowing in her seat toward Kai.
An odd wave of cold swept across the room, as if someone had opened a door. Kai looked around, pushing herself up to her feet as two spirits walked into the room through the wall opposite her.
One was Lady Yutu and the other, a werewolf in half change form, his head a wolf and body human. Kai watched them walk up to Phoenix and bow to her.
Phoenix pushed her chair back violently and scrambled away from them.
The Black Dragon stood and went to the Phoenix’s side, “Are you okay?”
Lady Yutu turned toward Kai, “We know it is not her fault, Jade Cat.”
The werewolf looked from the person wearing the Silver Wolf mask to Kai, “I am glad to see that my wishes on a successor were considered. Jade Cat, tell the White Tiger that I no longer blame him for his refusal to take the mantle.”
Kai nodded.
“What’s going on?” Tiger pulled on her sleeve, “I have the oddest feeling that I am being talked about.”
“You are, I’ll tell you later.” Kai replied, tugging her arm away from him. She concentrated and sent her mind voice out to the spirits, “Why have you come here tonight? Have the Gates of Heaven expelled you?”
Lady Yutu shook her head, “We came to warn the Horse. He will be joining us soon if he does not keep an eye on his dealings with the Fae. However, it is not the doing of the Phoenix, so he must leave her alone or face the personal wrath of the Queen.”
“I will relay your warning, Lady. However, if the deaths are not to do with the Phoenix, then where should I look?” Kai said.
“The King has spoken. Heed him.” The Werewolf told her.
The cold dissipated and the two spirits bowed to Kai, “Be well, Jade Cat. Stalk your prey and pounce.”
Kai bowed back and they disappeared.