Taziel hmmed, a screen floating in the bed above me, my arms behind my head as I looked up at it. Taziel was laying next to me, head against my shoulder with a set of wings across my chest, "We need guns. Lots of guns."
"Grenades," I agreed with a frown as 'lots of guns' appeared on the list, "But even higher up is body armor. Can't heal me quickly in a magic starved environment."
Taziel nodded, "True. Guns, grenades, bodyarmor. Not an easy list to fill."
"Not in a day or two with no contacts, " I sighed, "If we were back home, I bet Wolfram and Hart could whistle some up. Maybe some mercs too just to be safe. But we don't have the resources here. We have a gun with eleven rounds, a +3 vorpal sword and surprise. Not enough for me to want to go after half a dozen shapeshifting maniacs as I am."
Taziel nodded with a small frown, "We won't be alone though. Kincaid and Dresden are unlikely to attack us if they realize we are not there for them."
"Only if we keep the wings folded away," I reminded her, "And we are likely to need them."
"…True."
While in Hell, we tested some shapeshifting stuff, but we ended up with going back to the wings. As I turn out, with some enhancement the human form is actually rather practical, especially if you had some kind of weapon at hand. Humans are tool users after all and even adding claws tended to get in the way in my experience.
Wings on the other hand were practical, especially if they worked as movable shields, able to block blades, arrows and even spells or bullets… and when the feathers went razor sharp at will, things got even better.
"So," I asked and glanced down at her, "Any ideas? You are the brains of the outfit."
Taziel stuck her tongue out, "In raw brainpower maybe. Humans are the creative ones, I can just use my massive experience. We need an ally. Maybe one of the Fairies would be willing for a bargain?"
"Not sure we have something they want and I don't really want to end up in their debt," I said with a frown, looking back up at the screen, "Well, I just had a bad idea."
"…not that bad. It could work," Taziel said and scooted up to kneel, looking down at me as she stretched her wings, "Bit risky, but it could get us most of what we need."
I nodded, "Yeah, but infiltrating a police station and stealing their shit is not exactly safe. It could very easily go wrong."
Taziel nodded, biting her lower lip in though, "I think we could do it. Especially during the night shift, we would just need a couple of minutes in the armoury. As long as we don't draw attention from the entire station we should be able to get away quietly… or quietly enough anyway not to need to kill any humans."
"Well, if it's that or making a deal with a fairy, I sure know which one I think feels safer," I told her and waved my hand, causing the screen to fade into mist, "You know what I miss?"
"Hmm?"
"Vampires. Just… vampires. Things were so much simpler."
She smiled at me, "Only by comparison, My Host," and faded away as there was a knock on the door.
Hmh.
Well, she was likely right about that one. Still, just going out looking for something to stake sounded rather nice and relaxing right now. Less risky and complicated in any case.
There was a knock on the door and I lifted my head to look towards it.
Not bothering to put my shirt on, I got off the bed and headed over to open the door, "Yes?"
Oh wow.
Redhead, short red dress. Bright blue eyes.
"Hey there," she said with an embarrassed smile, "uhm… my car broke down and my cell died. Mind if I come in and borrow yours? It's freezing!"
Yeah, there is no way this is a coincidence. Hooker looking for a customer I'd buy. A woman looking like her ending up pulling a damsel in distress just outside my motel room?
"Sure, come on in!" I told her with a smile, stepping back to allow her inside, "It's over by the bed. Bad luck about the breakdown, but lucky I was awake, I was about to go to bed."
"Thank you!" she said and walked inside on those high heels.
Mhmm.
Turning my back to her, I closed the door and then turned back towards her. She was a black skinned, twisted bat-like creature, thin skin clinging to her bones, her stomach flabby, her hands hanging down by her knees and ending in hook-like claws at the ends of her fingers.
Her tongue slobbered out and she pounced as soon as I turned fully.
The look on her twisted batlike face was rather amusing as her pounce met my fist and her teeth went flying. Falling to the floor with a pained shriek she scrambled back onto her feet. I didn't let her get away.
Stepping forward, I grabbed her by the neck and threw her against the wall hard enough to crack it.
The Vampire fell as I grabbed the sword, pulling it from the sheath before turning back with a strong cut towards the charging monster.
She fell in two pieces onto the floor with a last gurgle of pain.
Vampire.
Such a strange coincidence.
"Speak of the devil," I said with a frown down at her, "Coincidence?"
Taziel appeared and shrugged, "Well, motels like this would be prime hunting grounds for her kind. Was in the other world, and should be here as well. Easy to find prey, easier to disappear them. A bit of a stretch but I have run into stranger coincidences in my time."
"Okay, that's it," I said and moved to put my shirt on, "We need to find a better place to stay before anything else."
"Not so fast, My Host. You should collect her saliva. It could be rather useful."
I glanced down at the vampire and then shook my head, pulling my shirt on, "Nope, fuck that."
