Fang Shway in LA by Casey Knight Page B

the room. “You two need to get a room or get over it.”
    Turning to face Tokem, Traygen glared at him without speaking. Instead he turned to me, “What makes you think that? Isn’t he supposed to be protecting the cartel from the Daywalker? Why start anything? I believe you’re jumping to conclusions.”
    “Well unless we are missing something Azif killed Farok. It was an act of aggression, not self-defense. That’s not a guess, it’s a fact. Once Ekil finds out there’s going to be hell to pay. It’ll take me about ten minutes to get ready if you’re coming.” I spat as I stomped out of the room.
    I went to my room and screamed into my towel before running a comb through my hair and changing into dark loose-fitting slacks. The loathsome things had no style but I had to hide some weapons. I pulled on a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark soft-soled cross trainers. I completed my outfit with my bracelet, thigh holster and a belt fitted to hold my vials. I never knew when I might need one. Then I joined the guys in the living room
    “Ready?” I asked as I picked up my staff. “Traygen do you want to drive?”
    He nodded without speaking, turned and walked to the door. It seemed he was still irked about me sending for an Elemental without back up. He’d let it go when he was ready. No worries, he was the consummate professional. I knew he would be dressed to kill and I hurried to catch up with them. There wasn’t much traffic and we made it to the docks in half an hour. We got as close as we could. I didn’t want to draw any unwanted attention from the LAPD. We weren’t dressed like tourists, nor were we licensed to carry concealed weapons.
    Traygen hadn’t said a word since we left. “How do you want to handle this?” I asked before we got out of the car.
    “I suggest sending Tokem out as a lookout. Then you and I will knock on his door. I think we need to make this look like a social call, at least initially. If Azif is still here he’ll have to adhere to the council’s rules of etiquette. Unless you have a better idea.”
    Traygen was correct, annoying but correct. Rogue or not, Azif had to adhere to the laws of decorum. Kind of ironic, when you think about it, he didn’t mind murdering people. Yet, he would abide by the rules of civil behavior. “I agree. We wouldn’t want to be mistaken for one of the vamps. After you,” I said sliding from the car.
    Traygen went to the large door in front of the warehouse and pounded. It didn’t take long to get the cartels attention. Obviously convinced we weren’t vampires, they opened the door. I clearly wasn’t the only one Ekil threatened.
    “What do you want,” said a beefy looking thug. He smirked as he looked us up and down.
    I stepped around Traygen. “We are here to see Al Azif.”
    “What for?” snarled our visibly perturbed inquisitor.
    “Let them in,” came from a disembodied voice, somewhere deep in the shadows.
    “But, the boss…”
    “I said let them in. Now. I’ll deal with the boss or are you challenging me?” A small, swarthy looking man stepped forward into the light.
    “Lauren, Dragon, please forgive his bad manners. Please come in and tell me to what I owe this visit.”
    We followed Azif into the building. The cavernous main room was empty. A light burned in a side room which was our apparent destination. The room wasn’t big, maybe 70’ x 70’. There was a long table in the middle of the room, while the lab was equipped with beakers, dried herbs and other wizarding essentials. There were foul smelling beakers simmering, making my eyes water and my throat scratchy. Azif directed us to a pair of chairs and a sofa. Motioning for us to take a seat he said, “How may I serve you?”
    Traygen and I took a seat on the sofa and Azif sat opposite us. “I want to know what role you’re playing with the cartel. I’m sure you are aware of the potential violation of the World Council’s laws.”
    “You’re a smart woman Lauren