Haunt

Sleepsong and Sourgrapes

"Dead? How the hell did you not get there in time? Spec!" Crowe rubs his eyes and paces his office. "It was a simple recon, Victoria!"

I fume silently, clenching and unclenching my fists.

Crowe's cropped salt-and-pepper hair shimmers in the morning sun, the remnants of an old spell making him glow gold every now and then.

"Dammin, it wasn't Spec's fault, we'll find him again." Soot stands smoothly from her seat in the corner, sashaying past the desk.

The were-cat's yellow eyes flick between us, seeming to glow in her ebony skin, truly the colour of dark soot.

I raise my hand slowly, "If I can speak at my own hearing, however informal it may be, the Daja is dead. Severe got away. But it wasn't my fault. I can go after him again, I won't screw up this time."

Soot looks to her husband. "It was partly my faulty equipment. I'm so sorry about the headset, hon."

A soft growling comes from Crowe's hidden throat. "Fine, but no more cock-ups."

Trenny Weather's high voice interrupts on the intercom, "Ms. Spectre, a call for you?" She squeaks, Soot rubs her ears. "He said to tell you that his wings haven't melted yet? You would understand?"

I snatch the phone, "Thanks, Tren. Do you mind if I take this, sir?"

He shrugs, and leaves, followed by Soot.

"Icarus?" I hiss into the phone, "What the hell?"

A familiar Australian accent answers, I can practically hear him grinning. "You got the joke? Severe killed the Daja, huh?" He finishes sourly.

I nod, then remember he can't see me. "Yeah, how did you find me?"

"Name and rank, Glassgirl." He chuckles.

"Don't call me that. What do you you want?" I sit across from Crowe's desk and swap hands, moving Soot's notepad closer and picking up a pen.

"Revenge, retribution, not to lose my job, take a pick." There is a rustle as he sits down. "I'll clear it with your boss, but I am going to hunt Severe like a curse." He growls.

The phone clicks when he hangs up and I put it down, having noted the phone number he gave me.

Five hours later I sit in The Hole In The Wall club/restaurant across from the Australian mole.

Icarus is wearing a simple pair of Osiris Sunglasses to protect his underground eyes, "It's so bright up here!"

I'm humming the theme to Gilmore Girls and so miss the first half of his sentence. "Mmm..."

"Spec?" He waves a hand in front of my face.

I raise my eyebrows.

"We're supposed to be on the trail of a terrorist? Why are we having lunch?" He waves a menu at me, this time.

"We're meeting an old friend of mine, she'll give us the info on Severe that we need, and fill you in on the previous details. Should be here any minute. I'm thinking Italian Pasta Salad." I finish.

He shrugs and returns to the menu, smoothing the wrinkles in his grey skull T-shirt.

"Victoria, Mr. Barrow." A petite, blonde woman spoke with a slight Russian accent. Her sandy bangs almost reached her ice blue eyes, and her pixie cut barely moved when she turned her head to survey the room.

"I have the information you need."

I grin widely and pull out the third chair for her. "Galina! Wonderful to see you again."

She smiles widely, making her elfin face light up. "Johnothan Severe, fourty-two years old, American born. Grew up in post WWIV California," She referred to the fourth war, when all of Earth worked together to fight the Hallidetes before they invaded. Now the two live together in peace, under a lengthy treaty and trade agreement. "And moved up here only five years ago. He harbours and immense hatred of the Hallidetes." Galina finishes, eyeing me.

I nod slowly. "I know. But it's not like we have to be friends."

"I thought you looked different! Oh, crap, that was mean, wasn't it?" Icarus covered his mouth with a dark soil-coloured hand.

I shrug. "It doesn't much matter to me, I'm a Galactic Union Citizen, I have an Earth Passport from my mother's side. She was human from Cornwall."

Galina waits precisely three seconds and begins again. "Since the incident in the tunnels, a message has been received through a secure line, Severe has contacted us."

"Waddeesay?" Icarus says through a mouthful of bread roll.

Galina spares a minute expression of disgust at his manners before continuing. "He said, quote; 'It is ridiculous that you would send an alien after me, it is ludicrous that the very moles have more stakes in this than rightful top-worlders! I almost feel insulted. But rest assured. Only those who associate with the above will be targeted,' he laughs, 'and that means you. And everyone. I'M COMING FOR YOU!' unquote." She takes a deep breath and watches us. Icarus' fists are curled and his jaw is set. I have dealt with Severe before, he no longer scares me.

"How dare-" Icarus begins, but is cut off by the waitress appearing.