7.
“Volant?!”
“Glad to see you, too, guys,” answered the Rhodesian Ridgeback from his bed, where he sat cross-legged as if meditating.
A Rhodesian Ridgeback whose brown-golden fur had almost completely turned black. The LCG’s standard collar was still there…only, it also presented two curved spikes, like small horns protruding from his throat.
Shelter’s guest were encouraged to choose their own tags, a way to help them focus on their identities. In case of Volant Male, his tag represented the chess piece of the Tower.
NOT a good sign.
“Missed me?” Volant asked, with that tone that also said ‘do you think I care?’.
His guests, Tegan and Elliot, kept staring at him, and then, at last, turned to the human behind them.
Martin Foster, from the threshold, shook his head. “Don’t look at me, guys. Considering what I have been through in a relatively short time, I’m just glad that the DNA tells me this is Volant or a good clone. You deal with him.” And with that, he left.
When the door was closed, Volant laid himself down. “I see you like what you see, guys.”
“Are you planning to be a guest of
Extreme Pet Makeover?” Elliot asked.
“Nah,” the Ridgeback chuckled. Unfortunately, just as Tegan had feared, there was no trace of joy in that mirth. She had hoped that Volant had softened during his stay here, but he had grown even colder. “It’s the mark of my Master, the sign that I am his Dark Paladin. Admittedly, he had made a mistake with my predecessor: cuteness does not fit his servants. So, what brings you here? Wanted to report if poor Volly was crying and asking Daddy to bring him home? Well, you can tell Piper to shove—“
“He’s been arrested,” Elliot interrupted him.
Volant sat up suddenly, starting the retriever. “Say that again!” Did his left eye just
flash?
“*Eep!* I-I said that Piper’s been arrested. And Macajuel too. Something to do with criminal organizations. I know nothing else. Please don’t eat me!”
Volant did not get mad. Instead, an ironic smile crossed his lips. “Guess they had it coming after all. Thank you for making my day, you two. Anything else?”
Tegan stared back at him, showing no trace of hesitation. “Yes: Elpis wanted at least to know if you got his e-mail. Believe it or not, he still misses you.”
The mask cracked, and for a clear moment the Maine Coon cat could see another dog inside Volant. “An…e-mail?”
Tegan nodded. “He sent it to you shortly after you were sent here. Volant…”
The Ridgeback laid himself back down, staring at the ceiling, his voice once again flat and emotionless. “Now go. Don’t bother to come back unless it is something important.”
“You heartless…“ Elliot hissed “You didn’t even care to check your inbox!” He wanted, really wanted hard to punch some sense into him, but Tegan held his arm.
“Let’s not cause trouble,” she said, shaking her head.
“But—“ Elliot tried, before sagging. The cat opened the door and he followed her, not before throwing a last look to Volant. “You are not alone, idiot.”
When the door closed, Volant said to himself, “That much is true, right Master?”
The immense shade of a blue-feathered gryphon filled the room.
“I perceive your distress, my Paladin,” the supernatural voice said, at the same time delicate as a whisper and powerful to make walls tremble.
“Is there something I can do to relieve you?”
Volant chuckled. “You could share the good news with me, instead of keeping them for your amusement only.”
The creature known as large as ‘Pete’ smiled.
“Piper, Macajuel, and even Elpis…they are part of your past, bonds you’re supposed to be free from. Your first field test was satisfactory, but your role is more important than that.”
Volant nodded. He didn’t mind to be part of Master’s plans –in fact, he was proud. That silly rabbit could be a prophet, but Volant was Master’s strongpaw!
And yet… “Do I have to keep staying here?” Just pronouncing the word made him feel as if he had eaten something gone rotten.
The shade nodded.
“It is the most important part of this plan. Soon, this Game will be over. If I want to win, your position in this shelter is essential.”
Volant grinned, an insolent expression that, he knew, Pete had to tolerate. “Even if it means that many, many mortals will get their happily-ever-after?”
Pete chuckled.
“That comes with my victory. I can accept it.”
“Master?”
“Yes, my Paladin?”
“Can I ask you a favor?”
Pete shook his head, creating a soft breeze in the room.
“Yes, I will help you get in touch with Elpis.”
Tegan would’ve been extremely happy to see the first, genuine warm smile stirring Volan’t mouth.
---
The Ancient Roads Spice Shop, Terrace High
“I don’t care,” said the small Maine Coon, a look of defiance on her face. “I don’t
care,” she repeated with added emphasis, her paws on her hips, “if Mac was in love with me. I don’t care if it’s weird or not! He cared for me and he was a good pet! You should be ashamed of yourself, Kwesi Hassid! Not gloat over his arrest!”
The basenji dog stepped back under the advancing furious female. A small part of Kwesi felt ashamed of that reaction, he who had stood his ground with a lioness when he was a pup… But it was also true that the cat was his girlfriend, and he had learnt from his father that it was better that one’s female should be let free to vent, or the consequences of her wrath would’ve lasted for a long time..!
“Alandra, please,” he tried, in a pitiful attempt to regain some masculine dignity, ending up looking like a begging pup instead. “I wasn’t gloating over his arrest. I was worried that you were giving your affection—“ A sharp claw poked him in the ribcage.
“I will be friend with whoever I
desire, ¿Claro que sì?”
Kwesi gulped. “Crystal, my love. Just don’t start a fight, please. If I break one of these vases, Mr. Sandor will keep me out of this shop forever—ACK!” to his merit, he jumped like a real pro to save a terracotta vase containing a Mediterranean Spice Mix.
“Why?!” he barked/growled to his girlfriend…then his pupils shrunk to dots.
“Please no,” he whimpered at the sight of her ‘innocently’ pushing another vase with a finger.
“I was wondering, what’s more important,
mi amor? Working in this shop or to stay with me? Perhaps I should help you decide.”
Poor Kwesi saw his future as a spice trader relegated into the trash bin, together with the fragments of those vases. “Ali, you know I love you. Please don’t—“
“I can’t believe it!” said an angry voice from the threshold. Neither Alandra nor Kwesi had heard the door chime. “I can’t believe that a female can have such a grip over you! Did I raise a dog or a goat?!”
For a moment, for an interminable moment, Kwesi stood there, mute, immobile, unable to process any thought.
This time, his mind was screaming
IT CAN’T BE! With such intensity that he was getting a headache.
He was hallucinating, that was it, yes! At last his sickness had prevailed over the medicines he was taking and he was getting completely crazy.
Because it couldn’t be the voice of his father. His father was in Africa, probably walking back to his home from Egypt.
He and his mother couldn’t be there, standing in the shop, looking at him.
Right?
---
“Mr. and Ms. Oakfield?” Bill asked, though that was only out of habit. There were only the two humans, in his room
The two youngsters stood up as if he had prodded them with an electric staff. Their heels almost clicked sharply.
Bill motioned them to sit down. “Guys, relax. I’m not here to arrest you. In fact…” he walked to his desk and put a file marked with Stefanie’s name and registration number at the shelter in front of the siblings. He opened the file and produced a three-folded letter with the County Courtroom logo. “Judge York came to a decision: you can take Stefanie back with you. Congratulations…”
Brother and sister hugged each other, emitting a long “Squeeeee!” and jumping on their seats.
“
On the ground,” Bill said, freezing them and causing them to turn pale, “that you keep all the necessary means to take care of her and Gaunt. Consider this your last chance to do the right thing.” Those words were pronounced with the old ‘bad cop’ tone. As a cop, Bill had had his share of mistreatment, and working here had reinforced his idea that there was not enough severity in the world for those who harmed pets.
And yet, after interviewing Stefanie, it was clear that the only fault of these two kids had been not to live off their family money. They weren’t rich (at least for what concerned the big league), but they had decided to go rebel against their old man about ethics matters. And because daddy didn’t want them to have a pet.
“…Err, why are you looking at us as if you wanted to eat us?”
Bill shook his head. “Sorry. My mind was elsewhere.” He handed them the judge’s letter and an LCG- blue and gold envelope. “Now you can go pick up your lady. Any questions, there are the references inside the envelope. A recommendation: since there is a school for pets at the High, I suggest you send Stefanie there, since she already started her class here. In fact, if I remember well what I was told, she has a talent for history and geography.”
Mira’s eyes glistened with tears at the memories. She nodded. “Yes, she always wanted to learn everything about the new places we’d move to. Give her a couple of days and she’d be ready to give tours.”
Bill stood up and offered his hand. “Well, I guess she’ll have a lot to say about the history of Terrace High and Babylon Gardens then. Again, congratulations. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have another appointment.”
Stevie and Mira hurried up to shake hands and left the office almost at a run. A moment later, a woman walked in. Short blond hair, tall, her face chiseled to an almost masculine complexion, her skin showing a tan, her eyes two grey pools. Her grey suit completed the impression of a no-nonsense creature.
Bill knew firsthand that such impression was well-founded. “Gabriella, I am almost surprised to see you here.”
The woman sat down in front of the desk. “Gee, I wonder why, dear cousin.” When Gabriella Lundberg would speak, it was hard to determine if that sarcasm was natural.
Bill sat down. “Perhaps because you never cared to have a pet in your life? I thought that running for the office would eat at that few free time you still have.”
“Won’t you offer a guest a drink?” she said, just as if she had been listening to white noise.
Bill’s jaw trembled. “I would, but I fear you’d set it on fire.”
“How cute. I get a lot of that anyway. Have you heard the one about me and a viper walking into a bar?”
Bill sighed, while leaning forward, his hands joined. “Gabi, I know you have a duty to act and look tough to the benefit of your PR, but here you can relax. So, did you come here to adopt, or is it just a courtesy visit to one of your best supporters?”
“I came to adopt. My image will never pass the test of public examination if my lifestyle screams ‘hypocrite’. Like an Italian Prime Minister babbling about family values, you know?”
Bill had the distinct impression he’d empty the drug cabinet before the end of the day. “Gabi, you
are a solemn hypocrite. The one reason your side of the family ceased all contacts with mine is to avoid a bloodbath. In fact, I wonder what can you hope to accomplish with this absurd animal rights campaign of yours.”
Gabriella looked sincerely offended. “Heaven’s sake, cousin! Do you question my
integrity?”
The shelter’s director really, really, really wanted a couple of handcuffs and a taser right now! “Cousin, you know better than me that even if you won, you couldn’t accomplish more than some symbolic gesture, just a token or two to keep your seat under your butt and the voters content. And while I am used to polisickos playing their parlor tricks with people’s trust, help me, I will *never* help you take advantage of the
real innocents! And this means,
no! I will not let you adopt a poor guy you will likely discard once your campaign is over. And yes, I think you won’t get elected.”
Again she looked at him as he was a malfunctioning TV set showing a buzzing snow-effect. “Are you done?”
Bill looked like a bull ready to charge. A wolf would’ve run away whining like a pup. “That depends on your will to leave in one piece.” How could that Foster guy be so cool when he was angry, it was beyond him.
Gabriella didn’t sound the least offended by those words. In fact, she looked…amused. “Ah, did I miss these bickers of ours, cousin. And also seeing you in the mud. Really, visiting the farm was such fun. But back to business.
“First of all, stop deluding yourself: you know that I will win. I am backed up by so much money and influence that I could run for the Presidency and win before my rivals announce their candidature. But I need to build myself an image, one of a radically different…what was that word, ‘polisicko’? I like it, it has a knack. My Press Agency will love it.
“And you know why even Foster is supporting me, of all people: I am the only one of the bunch who will use the power to do something good and lasting for animal rights. So yes, cousin.” Gabriella Lunderbg’s smile became something the Wicked Witch of the West would’ve envied. “River Ridge will be the start. It’s example will set off other politicians to follow my lead. And while pet rights will be the new trend, I will eventually run for the Senate as the first woman who helped build a better society. I will win easily, and your rich friends will make sure of that, because through me those animal rights will be enforced throughout the State. And when I’ll be President…well, let’s just say that this time there will be a great pet together with a great woman. Everyone happy ever after!” She glossed, like an overgrown cheerleader.
Bill sat back against his chair. Every argument he had thought of had melted like a snowball in the desert. No matter how much he detested his cousin and her family: as long as Gottschalk, Milton and Foster supported her it meant she was honest about her reasons. She craved power –heck, her whole
family was worse than the Ewings when it came to power, but as long as she stood for animal rights, Bill pondered, he better make the best of it.
Not to mention that her supporters made for the best Sword of Damocles. Foster would likely strangle her with his own hands. Gottschalk would bankruptcy her. And the Miltons would feed her to the wolves, literally.
…And Bill had just an idea.
“When you smile like that, cousin, you mean business.”
The man shrugged. “You came just for that, right? I may have just what you need: fierce, loyal, well-trained in the art of fight, would make excellent protection. Not to mention that your reputation will skyrocket with this adoption.”
Gabriella nodded. “Sounds almost too good to be true.”
Bill stood up. “Why don’t you come see them? A live impression is always better than a paper file.”
“’Them’?”
“Two brothers. Former pet fighters. Imagine: Mayor Lundberg cares for the most unfortunates, she believes in redemption! Or something like that.”
The woman stood up as well. She combed her blond lock with her fingers. “And I guess they will make sure I behave as well?”
“You said it, cousin.”
“And I also guess that if I refuse your generous offer now, the media will scorn any other choice, right?”
“Gossip is part of the game.” Bill walked toward the elevator. “Now come, I can’t wait to show them to you. You’re lucky, you know? We had only one brother until this today, when the other came and volunteered to be put in the adoption list as well. And we don’t separate families if we can…which happens to be in your program as well, right?"
Gabriella groaned. “Just my luck.”
---
The same words were crossing the mind of Inspector Li.
Six years of field work. Two tons of paper. Three kilograms of antacids. A carefully crafted operation to dismantle one of the most efficient drug cartels ever.
And the boss of said cartel…had disappeared.
Interpol Inspector Li kept looking at the empty cages that, until one minute ago, had contained a parrot and a python.
Two cages well locked, not a sign they had been tampered with.
He had been sent for because, one minute ago, the camera keeping a tab on those cages had started acting crazy. But when vision was back, the prisoners were gone.
As if by magic.
“I should’ve known better,” the man hissed through clenched teeth.
“Sir?” asked the man in the black suit behind him.
“Looks like I underestimated the resources at disposal of General Elegante,” Li said. “But as long as we have the files, he’s just like a declawed cat. Not to mention that the System can’t prosecute an animal on the grounds of leading a criminal cartel.”
“And what about his accomplice, the ‘Puppet’?”
Li nodded, his eyes glued to the empty cages. “One thing at a time. We’ll get them all, wherever they’re hiding…”
---
Mexico
“Heaven is a desert on Earth, hmmMM!” Macajuel did his best to roll in the hot dust. “Admittedly, a jungle would be better, but at last I get some
real warm climate, not that toxic conditioning.”
“For once, I am tempted to give you credit on this,” Piper said, goofballing himself up, to eliminate some dust from his feathers.
“But just the fact that I’m free again won’t prevent me from making you pay for hiding the fact that you were the real General, and that you kept me in the dark about your real plans.”
Piper wasn’t impressed. “As you may have noticed, it worked, you overconfident walking stomach: those stupid humans and the traitor thought they had defeated me, didn’t even suspect that I would have my little special help from my friends.” He turned. “My dear,” he said, “I hope that you arranged a pool for us.”
The woman he had talked to bowed with sincere respect. “Yes, General. Your rooms are ready, despite the…short notice.”
Piper scowled at her. “Just a minor complication, my dear. What happened today, well, accelerated my plans. I understand that our lawyers did what I asked?”
The woman smiled. “Yes, General. The money went to an offshore account and from there to a series of dummy corporations which bought the place. Soon, I will have the workforce and the tools for the maintenance.”
The macaw nodded. “Perfect. What will the authorities say?”
Estrella Delasangre shook her head. “Nothing, Sir. They were simply too happy to get rid of this property. In fact, they almost gave it away for free. As long as inspections are allowed to make sure nothing…shady is going on, we won’t get disturbed. A bribe will keep closer inspections at bay.”
Piper flew from the ground and up onto her shoulder. “My dear, I knew I could trust you. Our common friends showed better taste than I imagined, myself.” This time, his gaze went to the rusty-colored New Guinea Dingo and the pitch-black female Savannah Cat.
“How long, before
Oasia comes to a completion?” asked the dingo. A deep scar ran across his muzzle, while his chest sported a cross-shaped scar. The ‘medals’ of a pet fighter.
Piper looked past the canine, past the other six animals waiting in a disciplined line – a male German Shepherd and his mixed breed feline companion, a male Doberman and a blue cat with a fox-like tail, a male corgy/husky mix and his blue-furred Bengal cat companion. A line of the last fighters, the Kings of Champions who survived the ordeals of their old lives.
Piper’s gaze went to the ghost town that once had teemed with the life of the perverts and the sufferance of countless innocents.
No.
Not a ghost town.
A town of ghosts. From her position, inside Piper’s body, Bora could see them clearly: thousands and thousands of them, fighters and victims for the dark pleasures of the human inhabitants.
The ghost hawk’s soul soared at that sight! Countless presences shining with an angry emerald light, waiting to see justice done once and for all.
A feeling which Estrella Delasangre shared with all her heart and soul. Her own family had built that city using bloody money, gave it a prosperity that only the most twisted minds could appreciate. Once, those minds had been exposed to the horror they had created or contributed to create, and since then
Isla de la Paz had been abandoned. The Government didn’t dare to claim it, it was a stain too horrid to be even remembered, just as, in Babylon Gardens, House Whiteman had been buried from the community’s memories.
She had joined Piper’s cause not only to amend to her family’s faults, but also because what they had done had destroyed any faith she could have in humankind. She would help the cause, whatever the costs! Being Piper’s second in command, in this regard, was the highest honor she could aspire to!
Piper smiled. “Soon, my dear
Asesino. Soon, Isla de la Paz will become the ultimate sanctuary, the kingdom where we will rule, where humans will have no place.”
“The first of many.”
Piper’s laugh echoed strong in the desert air.
HOUSEPETS! THE SERIES
Episode 20
FIN
SEASON III - FIN