Poison Agendas by Stephen Kenson

Author:Stephen Kenson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science Fiction, General, Fiction
ISBN: 9780451460639
Publisher: RoC
Published: 2006-01-03T07:00:00+00:00

12

Tukwila was in the southern downtown area, not far from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, so it didn't take them long to travel there. Lone Star did a good job of patrolling I-5 during the daylight hours, especially close to downtown and the airport, so they managed to avoid any trouble with go-gangs. Tukwila, on the other hand, was considered the roughest neighborhood in the area. It made Columbia look upscale, though it was a far cry from the lawlessness of the Redmond or Puyallup Barrens. Needless to say, Lone Star didn't put much effort into keeping Tukwila safe for the SINners.

The address Kellan had been given was a bar that was just as run-down as the rest of the neighborhood. It was a one-story building with peeling white paint, and heavy steel mesh protecting the windows. Weeds sprouted up from cracks in the pavement, choking parts of the parking lot. The lot was empty. In fact, according to the faded sign on the door, the place wasn't even open for another hour.

Kellan tried the door and found it unlocked, so she pushed it open and stepped inside, followed closely by Orion.

"We're not open yet!" called a voice from the other side of the room. Kellan could see a swarthy man wearing a stained apron, with his shirtsleeves rolled up. He set a cardboard box on the top of the bar, glaring in their direction from under heavy black brows.

"It's okay, Lou." another voice said. "They're here to see me."

This voice came from the back corner of the bar, and the speaker stood as he spoke, setting a half-empty glass of beer on the table. He was tall for a human, and his rough-hewn features and erect posture gave him a strong presence. He had a prominent nose, sharp cheekbones and a coppery complexion that contrasted with raven dark hair, worn long in a single braid down his back. He was dressed in a flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up, unbuttoned at the collar. He wore a white thermal shirt underneath, and a necklace of carved bone. Both shirts were tucked into a pair of faded jeans, in turn tucked into laced-up moccasin boots.

As Kellan appraised him, his dark eyes regarded her. Whatever his opinion, his face remained as impassive as stone.

"Natokah." he said by way of introduction, confirming he was the man they had come to meet.

"I'm Kellan." she said. "We talked. This is Orion."

Natokah nodded acknowledgement and gestured for them to sit. Once they were all seated he said matter-of-factly. "You are planning a foray into Native territory. You will need a guide, and an intermediary to speak with the spirits of the land—though I see both of you have your own capabilities."

Interesting. Kellan knew Natokah was a shaman. She'd hoped to have access to his expertise when she contacted him off G-Dogg's list. Obviously, he'd noticed her and Orion's magical talents.

"We can handle ourselves," Kellan said modestly, "but we're not experienced in dealing with spirits from the native lands.

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