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With a quick nod, Tomi snatched Rory by the shoulders, shoving him forward. Seeing something to do to stay on Dax’s good side, Boudreaux jogged over and took an arm so that each of them could move the fae ranger closer.
The other ranger, wearing green and brown leathers like Rory’s, stood still in the middle of a cage set near the beasts. She looked similar to Rory but had a reddish tint to her hair and more feminine features.
Dax turned to Rory. “You will translate for your companion.”
Rory nodded vigorously, eager to do whatever was necessary to keep his life thread unsevered. Bruce or his factor had likely taken the bracelets from her.
“You were both sent here to collect this creature and return it to its master.” Dax waited until Rory finished translating. “I am its master now.”
Spinning, Dax carved the air with a wide upward swing that reached its peak before descending through the cage and pierced the soul-eating beast, pinning it to the ground.
“No…” Rory whispered.
“That creature is an abomination and has no place in the world of the living. To use it as a punishment is beyond evil.” Dax turned on Rory. “Tell your master, whoever it was who sent you to collect this creature, that I know the kind of being they are. Put the rest of these beasts down or I will come looking for them.” He let go of Rory’s thread with a shove.
“Now take your friend and return to your realm.” To emphasize it, he turned up the heat pouring from his eyes.
Rory nodded hastily, mumbling promises to do as he was told. Dax held him with his gaze for a moment then stepped away, swinging the magical pouch into the cage that held the other ranger, deactivating it. Then to save the effort of finding the key, he sliced through the lock with his scythe.
“Go!” He pointed toward the exit.
Tomi pulled the door open and the other ranger darted out, hugging Rory, both of them shaking. Once they parted, they took a few hesitant steps away then burst into a mad dash out of the building.
“Dax. They’re gone. I think you can turn off the theatrics now.” Tomi nodded toward Boudreaux who’d returned his hand to his gris-gris, though he no longer chanted for intercessions from the lwa.
Nodding, Dax let go of his anger and his reaper form and diminished into his human shape. He sighed, looking around at the mayhem he’d created. The beast needed to die, but killing someone like Bruce DeForbes could only lead to trouble. Before he could take a deep dive down that well of pain, The Rat, strolling along with his hands in his pocket and whistling a jaunty tune, rounded the curve of the path and came into view.
“A fine mess. Yes. Fine mess.” His high-pitched voice caught Dax off guard. “But The Rat fixed it. No cameras left. No security. My little friends had busy teeth tonight.” He sighed sadly. “Though some of them will not go home at all.” He perked up quickly. “But not many. My little friends will mourn then celebrate. We found the kitchens.”
“Enjoy.” Dax nodded respectfully at The Rat. “Thank you for your help.”
“No thanks needed. Boudreaux pays with favors.” He winked at Boudreaux. “And we’re not sure we wish to owe you any favors.”
“Fair enough.”
Rats flooded out from around the solarium and gathered around The Rat, chittering at him as they swirled in a whirlpool of fur. Without another word, he turned and strolled away, reaching up to scratch behind the ears of a rat sitting on his shoulder.
Dax shook his head and chuckled. There were some weird people in Red City, but then again, he was one of them.
Epilogue
Once Boudreaux calmed down, he called in the boys, who’d reported the rest of the security guards had fled before the army of rats. That left them alone to take a spin around after freeing the remaining creatures of the “menagerie” of Bruce DeForbes, starting with Minh, who said nothing but slipped behind Tomi to avoid talking to or looking at Dax. It definitely wasn’t the time to find out how and why she’d ended up in a cage here. He’d give her time to recover before making polite inquiries.
“You got someone keeping an eye out for cops, right?” Tomi asked.
Boudreaux’s brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed. “Tomi, bruh, I’m offended you even have to ask. Now I want to see what Thurston Howell has in the garage.”
Dax gestured around. “I’m sure there are loads of valuable shit in the house.”
“True, but I don’t have a contact for Imperial French antiquities. And unless you know where the safe is and how to crack it, I don’t have time enough to get a cracker in. Cars carry themselves, and I can move them.”
Tomi chuckled. “He’s got you there, boss. Who knows? Maybe there’s something down there that’ll tickle your fancy. You’ve been bitching about riding your motorcycle in the rain. And it’s not like you can really afford much without a stiff discount.”
“Won’t it be traceable?” Dax asked.
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.” Boudreaux laid a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it. “You’re keeping my wallet fat. Least I can do.”
Dax was glad that Boudreaux had calmed down now that the skeleton form had been put away. He liked the good-natured fellow, who wasn’t afraid to commit a few felonies along the way.
