I wiped my face, then tossed the dirty sweatshirt under a car, promising to replace it. But Brooks had already taken to the sky.
My mind shifted gears. Something was missing from the puzzle—something no one had thought of yet. Why did I have the feeling it had everything to do with that antiques shop and whatever the godborns had stolen?
I looked down at the jaguar tattoo on my hand and willed Fuego to reappear.
Then I headed toward the thieves.
With Fuego’s help, I cut across the lot in three seconds. This new version of my cane made me a speed demon when I needed to be. Okay, bad choice of words. It made me fast. Really fast.
I stood directly beneath the kids, who were halfway up the ten-foot-high fence. Here’s the thing about my approach: It had to be just right. Smooth but not fake. Calm but not tired. Alert but not stalkerish. These two looked like the kind who would appreciate the whole less-is-more thing. So I took a deep breath and started with “Hey.”
They stared down at me as they white-knuckled the chain link. Their hoods kept most of their faces in shadow.
“Get away from us!” the taller one said. His voice was gruff, but it teetered on panic.
“I just want to talk,” I said. I felt like a cop handling a hostage taker and every word had to be perfect or else.
Quinn emerged from the shadows on the other side of the fence. But not as a white cat. Say hello to the massive German shepherd with a growl that shook the warm air. Very subtle. NOT.
The godborns were trapped.
“How about some chill, Quinn?” I said behind clenched teeth. Then I called up to the godborns, “I bet you’re wondering about the whole demon thing. Scary, I know. But I have answers, and I’m a lot nicer than that shepherd is.”
Brooks circled overhead before landing on the top of the fence as a regular-size hawk. Okay, that was better than a ginormous hawk that might have plunged these guys even deeper into a sea of panic. But still, did she really have to do the whole glowy-eye thing?
This was so much easier when I did it alone.
“My name is Zane,” I said to the godborns. “I’m like you.”
All I got were vacant stares.
I kept going. “I remember the first time I saw a demon—it totally freaked me out. He was flying this twin-engine plane all borracho like, and it crashed into the volcano in my backyard and…” More blank expressions. “Look, I’m here to help you. I promise. Just come down so we can talk.”
They peered up at Brooks, then down at Quinn before exchanging a glance. They must have decided I was the safer choice, because they hopped down like ninjas and faced me. I wasn’t sure if I should be offended or happy.
We were only a few feet apart. My eyes cut through the shadows but couldn’t see under their hoods.
The shorter one reached up and pulled theirs back. Dark curly hair with bright red tips spilled out past her shoulders. “We don’t need your help,” she said.
Quinn snarled, baring some seriously long fangs.
My gaze drifted to killer canine and back. “Uh, I kinda think you do.”
The other one shook off their hood. His black hair was cropped close to his head. Like all the other godborns, they looked about my age. The guy was only a couple of inches shorter than me but definitely bulkier. As the pair stood side by side, I saw that they had the same brown eyes with gray flecks, the same dark skin, the same willful chin. They were twins.
Look, I don’t have anything against twins in general. Just Jordan and Bird, the heinous magical mafia pair who want to gut me and hang my organs out to dry. So it’s totally normal that my first thought was PLEASE do not be like those guys.
Lurking in the shadows wasn’t going to earn their trust, so I risked a small step closer to give them a better view of my super-friendly face.
“Stay where you are,” the guy warned. His eyes cut across the lot like he was looking for the best escape route.
I held up one hand in surrender. I couldn’t blame them for being scared. First they encounter a full-on crazed demon, and then some stranger with animal friends shows up and tries to make nice. “Listen…” I said in a calming tone. “I know this is nuts, but I have a lot to tell you and not a lot of time to do it.”
“We know why you’re here,” the girl said. Even though her voice quivered, she looked like the kind of person who would do everything to avoid a fight but anything to win one.
“And you aren’t getting your hands on it.” Her brother’s face hardened in defiance.
It?
Then the boy said, “No matter what,” as he shook his fist at me. Actually shook his fist! And not even in a tough-guy way. More like an I-stayed-up-all-night-watching-YouTube-videos-on-how-to-look-threatening way.
The godborns exchanged a glance, and if I didn’t know better, I would have thought they were talking telepathically—a gift all godborns have, but only if there’s physical contact. But the twins were standing at least three feet apart.
A sudden rush of wings and shimmering air turned the situation (which I had under total control, by the way) into a “Wow” (from the girl) and under-the-breath curses (that was the guy).
Brooks landed next to me in human form, wiped her hands, and flashed a painted-on smile. “I’m Brooks, your neighborhood nawal, also known as a shape-shifter. That dog on the other side of the fence is my sister, Quinn. This is Zane, son of Hurakan, Maya god of storms, wind, and fire. That nasty demon from earlier? She wants something you have—most likely your hearts. We’re here to save you.” She took a breath, smiled again. “Oh, and we’re wasting time and risking everything by standing here talking about it. Can we go now?”
The twins’ shocked gazes shifted from me to Brooks, then back to me like they were trying to decide who was in charge, or maybe who would be slower when they decided to bolt.
“Nawal,” the girl muttered. “God. Demon.” She ticked off each word with her fingers, side-glancing at her brother.
After a few seconds (or maybe telepathic words), he exhaled in relief. “It’s not them, Alana.”
Them? Were they expecting someone else? And did their eyes just flash blue? By the time I took a second look, their ojos were brown again.
Quinn shifted back to her human form and leaned against the fence. “Can you guys speed this up a little? By my calculations, we’ve got about twenty-two minutes before our gateway closes. And even less than that before Ik shows up to claim her prize.”
The guy tugged his sister behind him, creating more distance between us before he said, “You think we’re stupid?”
Was that a trick question? “How should I know? I just met you.” And you did just break into an antiques shop and trip the alarm…. But that could have just been sloppy thieving. “We really do have to get going.”
“Yeah, well, we’re not dumb.” The girl lifted her chin toward Brooks, but it felt forced, like she was trying to look unafraid. “Everyone knows demons like blood and bones the best,” she said. “Hearts are tough and chewy. Not their favorite.”
Whoa! “Who told you that?” I asked. How could they possibly know about demon eating habits? Even I didn’t even know much about their preferences, aside from the fact that they liked to hunt down anything on two or four legs.
“How do we know you’re not a demon?” the guy said as he inched back. He started to raise his fist again, but his sister shot him a look that said You already pulled that card.
“That’s fair,” Brooks muttered.
I tightened my grip on Fuego’s dragon-head handle as I tried to remain patient. “I’m not a demon. I’m a godborn, and so are you. Haven’t you ever noticed you’re different?”
Before they could respond, Quinn became an eagle and flew over the fence. She landed near Brooks, shifting into her human self the second her claws hit the ground. Totally impressive.
“Look, kids,” she said in a strained voice that was bordering on full-throttle annoyance. “Here’s the bottom line: your re
al mommy or daddy is a Maya god. That means you’ve got powers. There are others like you—like Zane. I know, not what you expected, but life’s rough and unfair and oh well. You can’t go back home. Not now, anyway. It’s not safe. And our ticket out of here is going to be gone soon and I’d rather not be here when the demon comes back with her posse. So, you can come willingly, or I can drag you kicking and screaming. Either way, you’re coming with us.”
“I told you,” the guy muttered to his sister.
“Told her what?” Which part? The Maya god stuff? Powers? Life is unfair?
Brooks made a face of disgust. “And how about a thank-you for saving your butts back at the antiques shop?”
“We didn’t ask you to save us,” the girl said just as her brother craned his neck with bugged-out eyes.
“Look!” He pointed to the sky.
The second we snapped our gazes upward, the twins bolted past me. Ugh! Runners are the worst.
“Hey!” I started after them, but Quinn held me back. “We’ll grab them. Wait here.”
She and Brooks shifted into their giant bird selves. The twins didn’t get very far before Quinn swept up the girl by her shoulders.
“Adrik!” the godborn hollered, flailing her legs.
“Let her go!” Adrik screamed, chasing the eagle with his arms outstretched as if he could somehow reach her.
Quinn rose higher and higher. It didn’t stop Adrik from racing through the rows of cars, successfully evading Brooks’s talons. “Alana!” he shouted.
Okay, I know Quinn asked me to stay put, but I was so not going to stand around when this was my job. I went after Adrik.
Quinn screeched a warning, but I was already closing in, thanks to Fuego. Brooks was right above Adrik when he quickly dropped out of sight. Had he rolled under a car? Okay, the guy really was a ninja. I felt bad for him for all of three seconds. Then the fourth second ticked by, bringing with it a familiar smell: Iktan’s signature scent of death.
She was here.
But where was the double-crossing demon?
I spun in circles, scanning every inch of the parking lot, every car hood and roof. Instantly, the security lights in the corners shattered, plunging us all into blackness.
Ik must not have remembered that I have perfect night vision and didn’t need any light to battle her. I hurried over to the sedan where I’d last seen the boy twin.
“Adrik!” I whisper-shouted. “Where are you?”
Quinn, still clutching the girl, circled above in silence. Brooks hovered nearby. They sensed Ik, too. I was glad that Alana had wised up and was staying quiet now.
My eyes cut through the dark.
There.
A mere twenty feet away, five demons were perched on top of the chain-link fence, their yellow eyes glowing. Ik stood in the center, her silver braid whipping behind her like a scorpion tail. I quickly crouched between two cars, hoping they hadn’t seen me.
Phipp. Phipp. Phipp.
I peeked over the car hood. Each of the demons had a long narrow tube pressed to their lips, aimed at the sky.
Crap!
Darts whizzed like white bullets toward Brooks. She zigzagged to avoid them.
I launched Fuego at the demons, but my spear could only hit one at a time. It went right through the gut of the biggest beast, who vanished in a thin trail of black smoke.
Every demon eye shifted.
That’s right. Keep your focus on me.
“I’m the one you want!” I shouted as I threw out my hands and blasted torrents of blue fire. The remaining four beasts leaped down, fangs bared. Fuego circled back to me as fireballs shot from my eyes, tagging two of the demons in their shoulders, arms, and legs. They howled, oozing sizzling yellow goop/blood onto the asphalt. Ik ignored the two demons writhing on the ground and stepped toward me, smiling evilly.
Brooks swept in like a rocket, talons extended. Her screech echoed across the lot. Keeaar!
“Brooks!” I shouted. “No!”
I watched in absolute horror as the other uninjured demon aimed its blowgun at her. As the hawk continued to dive, I flung Fuego at the demon, piercing its chest. It disintegrated with an agonizing shriek, and Brooks pulled up.
Iktan was nowhere to be seen.
I stood in the center of a wide lane, catching my breath, scanning the dark. Where had Ik gone? Where was Adrik?
“I know the godborn’s here,” Ik said. Her disembodied voice seemed to come at me from all directions. “Give the godborn to me if you want to live.”
“Not happening,” I said. At least she thought there was only one. Pish. And she claimed demons were superior!
“You can’t beat me,” Ik said. Then, in a huskier voice, she added, “How many will have to die tonight, Fire Boy?”
I clutched Fuego, ready to fight. “I’m thinking one more demon.”
“Don’t you mean four?” Ik and two more demons materialized fifteen feet in front of me. Their silver braids hung to their ankles and were pulled so tight, I thought their faces might crack open if they flared a single nostril.
I hurled Fuego, but my spear met only black mist. The demons were an illusion.
An identical trio appeared on the roof of a car. Then another on the fence. They were replicating themselves over and over, and I had no idea which ones were real.
I felt the rush of Brooks’s wings nearby, but even with my night vision, I couldn’t see her. At the same moment, an engine turned over. Tires peeled out with a hair-raising squeal as a red sports car barreled toward the demons standing in front of me.
The car smashed into the beasts—or I should say through them, since they evaporated into thin air. The vehicle screeched to a halt a few feet from me.
Adrik was in the driver’s seat.
He jumped out of the car, wild-eyed and panting. “Where’d they go?”
A deadly growl emerged from the dark. Seconds ticked by.
One. Two. Three.
I death-gripped Fuego.
Out of nowhere, a demon flew at me, tackling me to the ground. It buried its teeth in my neck, sending venom into my blood. But this time I was ready. Fire charged through me. I became a lethal inferno that had the demon screaming in agony as it vanished.
I whirled toward Adrik. He was wrapped in a demon’s arms, thrashing and grunting uselessly.
“One move and I slash his neck,” the monster croaked.
“Your smell could kill me!” Adrik shouted.
I froze just as Brooks appeared behind the demon. I blinked. She was still a hawk, but instead of brown and white, she was entirely black, blending into the inky night.
While I was distracted, Ik emerged from behind a car and leaped toward Adrik. But Brooks was faster. She slashed Adrik’s captor across its spine with her talons, bringing the demon to its knees before Brooks hauled Adrik up and out of reach.
Ik raised her blowgun toward the hawk. I released a single stream of fire toward her, and the weapon burst into flame. Meanwhile, another demon flew at me. I quickly ducked out of claws’ reach and scrambled onto the roof of a sedan. Two more demons rushed me, launching themselves onto the car. I fled, carefully jumping from roof to roof with Fuego’s help. But the predators were agile and gaining.
Brooks circled back, invisible against the black sky except for Adrik dangling from one of her claws. “Grab the other leg!” he shouted.
Brooks hovered only a few feet ahead.
One more jump.
Using the last car roof as a launching pad, I leaped through the air, instantly vanishing Fuego to free my hands as I gripped Brooks’s available claw.
Darts whizzed by, missing us by inches.
Crap! I threw up a wall of thick smoke to camouflage us.
The darts kept coming. Adrik looked at me wide-eyed. “Blast the filthy b—” I heard him shout before I released a stream of raging fire.
Brooks let out an earsplitting cry. I didn’t need to look to know she had been hit. Her entire body tensed.
The ground rushed toward us at surprising speed.
“Brooks!” I yelled.
Her desperate voice reached me telepathically. Zane, my wing!
My heart punched my ribs with such ferocity I couldn’t breathe.
She struggled, extending her one good wing, arching her back, and tensing her muscles as she tried to glide us to safety.
Adrik’s expression was a contorted look of horror. “We’re going to crash!”
We won’t crash. We won’t crash, Brooks chanted. I can do this. But there was no doubt she was losing the battle with gravity. And then all the fight left her. Her body went slack.
We tumbled through the air. In ten seconds, our heads were going to bust open like melons.
Down.
Down.
Down.
I felt a sudden jolt. My hands slipped a few inches. My stomach dropped. I looked up to see that Quinn had Brooks by the back of her neck.
“Adrik!” Alana shouted as she clung to the eagle’s back.
“Quinn!” I hollered. “We have to get to the gateway!”
She struggled with the weight of the entire crew, her wings beating the air with tormenting slowness. Buildings passed beneath us at tortoise speed.
No way could we lose our window of opportunity. I had no idea how serious Brooks’s injury was, but a demon dart had to be bad. I had to get her home quickly—Rosie’s magic saliva could heal her.
Adrik readjusted his hold on Brooks’s talons. “Can’t the eagle change into a dragon or some other massively powerful creature?”
No, I thought. Hurakan had once told me that only Itzamna had the power to turn into a dragon. “We’ll get there, okay?”
Quinn shrieked. She redoubled her efforts and flew across the night like everything depended on it. The second I looked down, my stomach clenched. Ik and another demon were racing on foot below us, keeping pace. Their necks lengthened and bent unnaturally so their beady eyes could watch our every move. A few cars cruised the street, but thankfully there were no pedestrians to get mowed down by the monsters.
“We’ve got company!” I shouted to Quinn.
“Are you joking me?” Adrik cried. “They’re unkillable—like cockroaches.”
The Shadow Crosser Page 3
