The heavy boxes moved down the row of anxious employees who were dutifully taking each one and handing it to the next man, all the while asking how many more there could possibly be. The merchandise began its transit in a storeroom in the back of the building and had to travel down a long, narrow hallway before landing in a truck parked next to the entrance.

  The weary employees were astounded by the disastrous appearance of their boss when he’d shown up there unannounced. It was as difficult a sight to accept as that of the five flying buildings still hanging above London.

  His jacket was ripped all the way open down the side seam. His shirt, adorned with a massive stain, was visible through the frayed tear, and was only half tucked into his pants, with part of it hanging out the back. His belt was undone, and one end of it was swinging from side to side in time with its owner’s angry steps. Many of the employees realized they’d never seen him so unkempt. His dirty, stringy black hair hung in clumps on his forehead—a considerable contrast with his usual perfectly coiffed, slicked-back hair.

  “You! Come here!” bellowed Jack Kolby, pointing at one of the employees. The man passed the box he was holding to the employee next to him and left the line to go over to the boss. “Do you have a light?”

  “I . . . uh, I don’t smoke,” he nervously apologized. Jack was so agitated he nearly bit the cigar that was hanging out of his mouth in two. It wouldn’t take much for it to snap off and fall to the floor. “I’m sorry,” the flustered employee quickly added.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Jack reassured him. “I have an important mission for you. I need you to focus on what I’m about to entrust you with, understand?”

  “I-I’ll do my best,” stammered the surprised employee.

  “Excellent,” said Jack, satisfied. “You’re going to get a couple of boxes, maybe more. Then you’re going to go up to my penthouse and put all my suits in them. Of course, first you’ll put them in plastic bags so they don’t get dirty. You also need to get the three boxes of cigars I have up there. You’re in charge of making sure my belongings arrive intact. Any problem with that?”

  “None, sir,” he assured him. “You can count on me.”

  Jack shook the employees hand and watched as he rushed off.

  “The rest of you, move it!” he ordered. “We have to get out of here. I want all the telio loaded on the trucks in no more than two hours.”

  On the way back to the penthouse, Jack nearly choked a couple of times—once when a piece of his cigar slid down his throat, and the other from his own sour mood. This had not been a good day. The Fog conjured up by the gigantic portal created by the five buildings had swallowed up a significant part of the city, and a central part, at that. The moment he saw it and could tell how big it was he’d almost had a heart attack thinking about the losses he would suffer. He had a considerable number of properties and locales of all kinds in the area now occupied by the Fog. This was a serious setback for him. He knew how the portal worked and, if he wasn’t mistaken, the Fog would retreat at any moment. But he wasn’t sure if everything would still be there as if nothing had happened. He’d have to worry about that later.

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  As soon as he went into his ostentatious penthouse he immediately regretted having to leave it behind. He grabbed a bottle and a glass, and went out to the terrace one last time. He leaned on the railing, his back to the street, and gazed nostalgically into his beloved home as he savored the magnificent liquor he would soon have to do without—if his predictions were correct.

  Two swallows later, Pit finally arrived. His tall, slightly stooped silhouette hurried straight out to the terrace.

  “I got here as fast as I could” he said apologetically. “I am at your service. I will take care of your safety.”

  “I know how to take care of myself!” protested Jack. “I demand an explanation. You failed to warn me about a portal in the middle of my city, damn it. Why?”

  “I understand your concern,” said Pit calmly. “You must know I wasn’t aware of it, either. My boss told me about it a few hours ago. I understand the deaths of so many people has—”

  “To hell with the deaths!” roared Jack, losing control. “Do you have any idea how many businesses I run in that area? My losses are incalculable. We had an agreement, you traitor.”

  “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you had a hidden agenda,” reflected Pit, his tone turning more serious. “I don’t get the impression you’re too foolish to see the advantages of our agreement. And you know I’m keeping up my end of the deal. So, tell me—you’re claiming things are worse than they are. Why? What do you hope to gain by that?”

  “Telio,” answered Jack, giving up on his exaggerated anger. Pit had easily seen through it so he saw no reason to carry on with it. “My losses will be more than compensated if you tell me right now how to use it.”

  “You never cease to surprise me, Jack. I must admit you’ve got guts, keeping up that impudent attitude of yours, knowing what you know. I’m impressed your mind keeps plotting, but it’s time you realize not everything can be exactly as you want it to be. It’s a bit too soon for that. Things unfold in their own time, just as they should. The time will come; I’ve told you that before.”

  “At least tell me what the fuck this telio is,” he insisted, his expression revealing he did not expect Pit to pay any attention to the demand.

  “I can’t. The situation—for every last one of us—is more precarious than you can possibly comprehend,” explained Pit. “One small error and everything will be lost. Until they authorize it, I can’t tell you anything about telio.”

  “So, once again it’s that boss of yours—the one you always hide behind—who’s keeping you from answering my question. I have to wonder if he really exists or if it’s just some lame excuse you’ve made up.”

  “Don’t try to play me, Jack,” Pit warned with a smile. “You know perfectly well he’s real. And don’t worry; he’s dying to meet you.”

  “Why don’t you tell him to come here right now?” he suggested. “I’d gladly share a drink with him.”

  “He’ll come when he can,” Pit promised, “but it won’t be soon. He’s embarking on the most dangerous mission imaginable. Indirectly, we are all depending on him to succeed. You’ll understand when you meet him.”

  “Great,” sighed Jack, resigned. It was clear he wasn’t going to get anything more out of him right now. “You mind helping with the truck down there? There’s some debris blocking the exit.”

  “Certainly,” Pit politely obliged. “I’ll take care of it right now.”

  He took one step forward, then vaulted over the railing. Jack watched as Pit spread his wings and glided gently down toward the alley.

  “I hate when he does that,” mumbled Jack, raising the bottle to his lips.

  Author's Note:

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  Volume 2 starts tomorrow. The pieces are set, and the war is about to begin. See you in the next chapter!