Bronze Gods by A. A. Aguirre

Author:A. A. Aguirre
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780425258194
Publisher: Ace
Published: 2013-04-28T22:00:00+00:00

• • •

MIKANI JOLTED AWAKE, the midmorning light falling into his eyes like shards of ice. For a moment, he couldn’t hear for his own heartbeat, couldn’t remember what day it was or what was real. These visions came at irregular, inconvenient times; he had no idea what they meant. At some point, perhaps when he wasn’t so sore, he’d investigate.

He ground the palms of his hands against burning eyes and rolled out of bed with a groan. His ribs ached, the multitude of cuts burned, even with the dressings and salves Ritsuko had applied the night before. He braced his side, feeling out the edges of the bandages, and smiled faintly. Gods and spirits, what’s wrong with me? He never allowed anyone to tend to him. Even after he was stabbed by some mercenaries over a card game, he’d holed up on his own until he could walk again. No doctor. He’d stitched the wound himself, bore the scar to this day.

I trust her. Like no one before.

He shook his head and rose, swaying slightly. Ritsuko had gone home last night, shortly after midnight, despite his protests that she was welcome to his sofa. The mystery of how his partner had wriggled so far under his skin had to wait, as hell would freeze before he let a mere suspension keep him from investigating two murders, currently left to Shelton and Cutler.

If that pair could solve the case of the missing pastry, I’d be entirely astonished.

Long practice let him shower and dress quickly, so, walking stick in hand, he headed toward Electra’s midtown address within half an hour. Each step hurt. He considered stopping to purchase some Dreamers, but after a moment’s consideration, he chose the pain. Guilt kept him clean and sober, out of respect for her memory. Elsewhere, the Summer Clan would be mourning with strong drink, dancing, and endless stories. In that vein, Mikani could only remember her; the last time he’d been to Electra’s flat, it was a warm night, no clouds.

“You don’t have to see me home,” Electra had said. “I take the underground at this hour all the time.”

“It’s my fault it took you so long to close up. I’ll be a gentleman for once.”

She’d flashed him a mischievous look. “No nonsense. My uncle would kill you.”

Mikani had laughed. But as promised, he’d taken her home and left her politely at the front door. He had genuinely liked Electra. Possibly Bihár had sensed as much when he accepted the blood vow. He was so lost in the memory that he didn’t realize his feet had carried him to the café until he was standing under the bright awning. He swore under his breath and nearly turned away. Since he passed it every day on the way to headquarters, he had to deal with the new reality sooner or later.

Inside, a new girl was tending shop, very young, in tight braids and with a woolen shawl wrapped around her shoulders.

“Good morning, sir. What will you have? We have biscuits, fresh made.

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