Page 51 of Knight of the Sword

Chapter Fourteen

This time it was Carl Landon who hung semi-suspended from the leather straps and steel girder in the South Dallas warehouse, being whipped. “Don’t let him pass out, Lucien,” Baylor said, using his brother’s modern name. “I want him to feel every minute of pain.”

Lucifer grinned, looking for all the world like some college kid pulling a frat hazing. “Not to worry.”

Balor shifted his attention to the others in the room. Morgan was eyeing his brother appreciatively. Alan Caldwell was pretending disinterest as usual and Toby Clark was clearly terrified. Good. He liked to give his minions reminders of his power. Of course, they had no idea who “Lucien” really was.

Balor began to pace in front of them. “Things are not going as well as they should. The video-cam that Caldwell placed in Sophie Cameron’s home is worthless if she’s not there, as is the wire-tap at the clinic. It’s most unfortunate that the lady had that car accident.”

“But she was lucky you were following her!” Morgan said quickly.

“Yes, you’ve mentioned that before,” Balor said and wondered why she was giving him such a wide-eyed look. Was she hiding something? He filed the thought away. “Furthermore, the woman seems to have been spirited away while Mr. Landon says he was watching the front of the house.” Balor ignored the garbled sounds coming from the kid. “It seems that when she left, she didn’t bother taking the key ring with her that had the GPS on it.”

Toby Clark blanched even further at that statement and Balor almost smiled. Let him think maybe he was next. He glanced back at Lucifer, who grinned, and then turned back to his minions.

“She’s probably with McCain,” Alan said.

Brave of the man to speak. But then, Balor appreciated Caldwell’s guts. “Undoubtedly she is. But the warlock seems to have disappeared as well.”

“I’m sure you have a backup plan,” Caldwell replied, eyeing him steadily.

Had anyone else said that, Balor would have considered it fawning. “Of course.” He motioned to Morgan. “My pet. Would you bring our other pet out for these gentlemen to meet?”

She gave Lucifer a big smile as she brushed past him and he grinned again, watching her hips sway as she went by. Lucifer let his victim drop to the floor and went to Balor’s side. “I wouldn’t call Sigurd a pet in front of him, bro.”

Sounds of steel-like claws tapped the concrete floor of the warehouse as the white dragon lumbered forward, his metal scales rattling as he looked at the humans. His spiked neck scales rose and smoke streamed from his nostrils.

“Nicht hier!” Lucifer said sharply.

The dragon rumbled, the sound thundering off the walls, and settled onto his haunches, thumping his speared tail once for good measure.

Landon had managed to crawl toward the others and now all three men looked warily at the white dragon that Morgan still stood beside.

“There are two dragons?” Caldwell finally asked.

“Very good,” Balor answered. “Yes, and they have been rivals for a very long time. This is Sigurd, and he has agreed to help us track the warlock and his red dragon, along with the woman.”

“How?” Caldwell asked.

The dragon emitted another small puff of smoke. “Stillstand!” Lucifer ordered and then looked at Caldwell. “I don’t think Sigurd cares to have his abilities questioned.”

“No, indeed,” Balor added. “He already knows the red dragon’s scent, and since he has come to us, he’s picked up both the warlock’s and the vet’s, as well. He’ll be able to get us fairly close to where they are.” Balor looked over to Carl. “I’m going to give you one more chance to prove your worth before I turn you over to the bookmakers.”

“Yes, sir,” Carl managed to gurgle through the foamy spittle in his mouth.

“Sigurd scented them last night at Love Field. It wasn’t hard to obtain a copy of the flight plan. They’re in Charleston. You will fly there, rent a car and follow them.”

“But how will I know where to find them?” Landon managed to say.

“Lucien will be accompanying you and he’ll be in contact with the dragon.” Balor smiled. “And just think of how much you’ll enjoy Lucien’s company.”

The kid’s face turned ashen as Lucifer reached down and stroked his cheek. “And I can show you lots of new skills. You’ll be a different man when I get through.”

****

Soft light swirled around Sophie’s head as she drowsily listened to muted voices in the background. They must be in the motel, but she didn’t remember how she got there. Those pain pills were really something. She turned over in the bed, burrowing her head deeper into the pillow and drifting back into her odd dream of the Mediterranean seaside.

“What did you mean, Sophie isn’t human?” Michael asked. “She’s not an immortal.”