Ann Aguirre - Devil's Punch

“You could probably tell us,” I said, as the idea struck me.

Chance’s expression brightened. “You want me to turn my luck to it?”

“If you can.” He’d managed it in the tunnel, but we were in the city, surrounded by demon magick. In Kilmer, due to the demon magick that sealed the rest of the town away from reality, Chance had trouble with his luck. That shouldn’t be the case here, though, unless those who took Shannon had known to shield her. Since Chance’s ability wasn’t one I’d encountered before, it was safe to guess they wouldn’t have planned for him.

“I’ll try.”

The air crackled with power, and he closed his eyes. Greydusk watched with apparent fascination as Chance spun in place. It took several moments, but he eventually said, “That way, pretty far, I think.”

“Still in the city?” the demon asked.

Chance shrugged. “How would I know?”

“What’s the fastest way to travel?” I asked.

Please tell me it’s not that Klothod-fueled carriage .

In reply, Greydusk summoned something like a pedicab, but it was pulled by a hulking, red-skinned demon. I noted the resemblance between this cabbie and Caim, which made it Hazo caste, lower in rank than the knight.

It growled, “Where to?” as we slid onto the box seat.

The Imaron thought for a second. “Toward the Barrens. I’ll let you know when.”

“People usually give me an address,” the cabbie muttered.

“You’ll earn your tip,” I put in.

Redskin sniffed the air appreciatively, and said in a bass rumble of a voice, “Mmmm. Human. Lost, pretty thing? Want to—”

“Drive,” Chance said softly. That was all.

That was all he needed to say. Something had shifted in him; and even though he didn’t alter in appearance, he gave the impression of being larger and more menacing, as if he held power enough to snap the cabbie’s spine.

“Yes, boss.”

Greydusk regarded Chance with new respect. “What did you do?”

“Nothing.”

It wasn’t, but I didn’t press. Neither did the demon, which spoke volumes on how much scary Chance was channeling. In a way I couldn’t nail down, he was different here in Sheol. Not himself. From what Greydusk had said, he was becoming less Chance and more the consort. I didn’t like the idea of him losing himself, but hopefully, we’d be in and out before he yielded everything that made him Chance. Once we got out of Sheol, he should return to normal.

Shouldering the poles, the Hazo took off, weaving into traffic with kamikaze intent. The other vehicles weren’t like those in the human world. Some were obviously Klothod-powered, and others were pulled by demons. Yet others ran in a disconcertingly magic/mechanical fashion. The carriage next to us had a pair of spindly legs that didn’t look strong enough to bear the weight, but they clattered on, running, running. It and reminded me of the legend of Baba Yaga’s house.

We passed by a market with vendors hawking and customers haggling. I would’ve liked to have taken a look, as I could imagine the kind of items for sale in Sheol. But at Chance’s direction, the Hazo ran on. It was incredibly strong and fast, and I remembered the terror of facing down Caim in Peru. More of the beasts I’d first glimpsed outside the city circled in the air above us. Greydusk had called them quasits.

“Left.”

The turn carried us into a narrow alley between buildings. On the other side, the neighborhood deteriorated swiftly. In big cities, it was often like that. Two or three blocks could mean entering a different world. How odd that it would be the same in Xibalba. More twists, until I was hopelessly lost. These small thoroughfares were a warren of crumbling stone and dangerous characters. And you’d get a lot worse than mugged if you wandered off alone.

“Stop,” Chance said at last. “She’s nearby, I think. I should get a better fix if we walk from here.”

Elated, I slipped from the pedicab while Greydusk paid the Hazo. Into his shovel-size palm, the Imaron counted out a number of ivory disks. I guessed those were coins, but they didn’t look like any I’d ever seen. The cabbie growled a farewell, leaving us in the Barrens. As he lumbered off, we drew some interest, but Greydusk discouraged it with a gesture.

“Who runs this part of the city?” I asked, noting its influence.

“It’s neutral ground. Each caste controls its own territory with the exception of the Mhizul. We came from the Luren sector, which is called the Mirror.”

“Because they’re obsessed with them or because everything is shiny?” I asked.

The demon bared its teeth at me in an appreciative smile. “Both.”

Chance had his eyes closed, circling. It wasn’t exactly like the dowsing that witches did to find water. Instead the luck drew him in the right direction, which would in turn put us onto something that would help us in the case. For the first time, I wondered why he hadn’t just done that to find his mother, why he’d needed my help at all. So I asked.

“I can’t effectively turn it on people I love,” he answered. “I tried when my mom first went missing. But it was erratic and my emotions got in the way.”

“Would you be able to use it to find me if I was in trouble?”

“Not a chance.”

Crazy, but his reply sent a thrill through me. Time to focus on the big picture, though. Chance got a fix and I trailed after him, keeping my purse tight to my side. Butch stared out the top of it warily, eyeing one demon that looked like it might be considering us for a snack. The Chihuahua growled and then graduated to yapping; his ferocity wouldn’t deter this creature, which had the look of a deformed child with a big head and green skin. Through thin lips, it licked sharp teeth and took a step toward us.

“Do not interfere, Noit.”

Was that the thing’s name or caste? I waited to see what the other demon would do. Beside me, Chance was ready for a fight. Since our arrival, he had become steadily more aggressive…and it worried me. He’d never been the alpha-dog type, at least not in this way; it made me wonder if something in his heritage was reacting to the pervasive presence of demon magick. What would he turn into if we stayed?

“Not interfering. I sees things. Knows things.” The Noit did a little jig at our feet, edging closer.

Greydusk took a step forward. “Be advised that you bargain with your life. Do you still wish to trade?”

Shit, it was going to kill the Noit if it didn’t go away. That shouldn’t bother me. It was a demon, after all, even if it was short and had a crazy-playful look in its muddy eyes. Without understanding my reasons, I put myself between them.

“Wait. Let’s hear what it has to say.”

“That may prove a mistake, Binder. The Noit are notorious for their mischief.”

I ignored the advice. “Speak your piece, but stay away from my dog.”

“Mmm, dog…” The Noit stared at Butch for a few seconds, and then tilted its head back to meet my gaze. “Binder, binder, never find ’er. She’s gone, gone, for a song, into the heart of where it’s dark, and nevermore, forevermore.”

Before I could ask any sensible questions, the Noit scampered off, cackling madly. Greydusk heaved a sigh. “I told you.”

“Let’s check out Chance’s lead.”

The split and bloody sun threw a queer, scattered light over the broken stones. I pictured Shannon here, as I had avoided doing up until now. She must be so terrified. If I knew her at all, she would cover it with bravado, but deep down she must be wondering if she’d ever get out alive.

You will , I promised.

It was my fault. I’d make it right.

Chance led us to a building constructed of strange red stone. It looked almost like blood and dirt, baked into bricks, but surely not. Even demons weren’t that awful. Were they?