by JD MITCHELL
The three of them followed Nash toward the command unit, standing just outside the open frame where the windshield had been.
Nash’s voice echoed through the cavernous vehicle. “It looks brutal out there.”
Twenty Six
Ali followed Leigh as they climbed through the hole. She was careful to avoid the shattered glass on the ground. A few loose wires caused her to stumble, but she made her way near Nash, avoiding the monitors by standing in the area below the control panel. The former ceiling was now a dented side wall. A thick branch penetrated the wall, the intrusion allowing trace amounts of sunlight to enter.
Leigh hunched like an old man as he entered the room. He stood under the side door– which now made up part of the ceiling–and flung it open. Light spilled inside and gave him room to stand.
Nash pointed to the active monitor showing the pixie operated drone. “This is insane.”
On the battlefield, Dain destroyed everything. It looked like a Michael Bay movie on steroids. Explosions every few seconds. Monsters, none of which Ali identified at this distance, clashed with the Fae warriors in open patches of grass. Most of the field was charred or smoking. The remaining dragon spewed fire at anything that moved. If this kept up, flame would consume the battlefield before long. When that happened, the remaining Sons might divert their attentions elsewhere.
“We should leave before Dain comes looking,” Ali said. “At some point he’ll notice Dub is missing.”
“I’m staying,” Nash said as he bent over and flipped on his second monitor.
“Don’t be stupid,” Leigh said crossing his arms. “It took the five of us plus the Alpha team to detain Dub. We’re sitting ducks here.”
Nash shook his head. “I can’t hobble far, and I’m no good in a fight.” He pressed his lips together. “I can fly this drone. Maybe I’ll draw that remaining dragon from the field.”
Ali was dumbfounded. Dain could kill Nash out of retribution if he stayed.
This concept either didn’t faze Nash, or he didn’t care. Nash situated himself over the monitor, lowering himself to sit on what was now the floor. It took maneuvering, but he sat perched like an owl as he brought his second drone to life.
“Nash,” Leigh said. “This isn’t worth the risk.”
“I doubt Dain knows where to find this unit,” Nash said. He pushed his joystick forward, and the drone picked up speed.
From the front of the unit, Red poked his head inside the room. “What are you doing?”
Leigh pointed at Nash. “He’s staying.”
Ali assumed Red would put an end to this nonsense. Instead, Red pulled himself into the back, stepping around the joysticks and cords. He set the radio at Nash’s feet. “Keep the radio. I didn’t reach Aengus, but it’s working again.”
“Huh,” Ali mumbled to herself remembering the other times her cell phone lost signal. Each time she’d been in the woods and assumed it was a dead zone. However, both times creatures showed up shortly after. Was Dub responsible for communication failures? She’d inquire later, with Dub captured it was speculative.
“Red,” Ali said pointing to Nash. “He can’t stay here alone.”
Red ignored her protest. “We have to find Aengus; he needs to know we have Dub.”
Jessica appeared behind Red, slowly dropping from the doorway into the floor. “I can make it. I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not,” Red said.
“What’s wrong with you?” Ali asked. She scrutinized her, noticing Jessica favored her right side.
“Nothing Red didn’t already fix,” Jessica insisted.
Ali squeezed past Leigh. She gripped Jessica’s shoulder, nudging her forward to get a better look. Jessica winced at her touch, but Ali saw the back of Jessica’s blood-soaked shirt.
“What happened?” Ali demanded. She lifted Jessica’s shirt revealing a wide gash which ran the length of her back.
Jessica shook her head. “I cut myself when the unit flipped. Red stopped the bleeding. I’m fine, it’s healing.”
“I slowed the bleeding,” Red corrected.
Jessica’s jaws clenched as she glared at him.
“You’re not lying to your sister,” Red said. “The cut is deep. You stay.”
Ali didn’t like this. The word cut was an understatement, it was a miracle there wasn’t protruding bone. Jessica’s ability to maneuver the woods while supporting Nash’s weight must have been Red’s doing. She didn’t see how Jessica managed any other way.
“You need to heal,” Red said. His tone final. “If you come with us, you’ll rip it open.”
While Ali preferred to stay with Jessica, she understood her value as a descendant.
She examined the damaged unit. Except for the branch that tore into the roof, the unit still provided a reasonable cover.
“Stay with Nash,” Ali said.
Jessica’s face contorted into frustration. “I can’t let you go alone.”
“Yes, you can. I’ll be with Red,” Ali said. “It’ll be safer here.”
“Then you stay too,” Jessica countered.
Ali was tempted, but others were giving their lives right now so that the descendants might defeat the Sons. Ali wouldn’t turn her back on them, she’d never forgive herself.
“I have to help,” Ali whispered.
“But-” Jessica protested.
Ali cut her off. “You and Nash have to stay.”
Jessica looked helplessly between Ali and Red. She shifted her weight to her left side, then gasped. Her face constricted, and she squeezed her eyes shit. Red immediately moved behind Jessica and lifted her shirt. He placed his hand against Jessica’s skin, mumbled a few words, and her pained expression relaxed.
Ali crossed her arms. “Please listen.”
Jessica’s eyes watered and she embraced Ali. When they parted, Jessica stared at Red with puffy eyes.
“Swear you’ll stay with her.”
“I will,” Red promised.
Turning to leave, Ali was stopped by Leigh who gripped her arm. She looked up at his wide eyes and pale face. He pointed toward the screen.
“Is that Dother?”
Ali spun to look.
A silhouette entered the conflict and stood on the castle wall. He wore gray dress pants and a white shirt, and his gray hair was tied into a short ponytail. He appeared calm, standing with his hands in his pockets as he surveyed the field.
Evil is not dead.
“Dother is alive,” Ali breathed, her skin tingling at the sight of him.
Red stared at the monitor. “He must have left the tunnel before it exploded.”
Ali remembered Nika’s words of warning. “The scions of Cridhinbheal, Ollamain, Bé Chuille, and Laebach must send the Sons back or kill them.”
“Or a bomb can’t kill him,” Ali murmured.
How were they going to do what a bomb couldn’t?
Jessica exhaled. “If you’re leaving, you need to go now.”
She was right. Time wasn’t on their side and they had an extra problem in the form of a Son.
Leigh was the first to exit. He hauled himself over the lip of the wall into the short doorway. It reminded Ali of an adult scrambling through tubes on a child’s swing set.
Ali gave Jessica a final glance, then took Leigh’s hand as he helped her outside. Red appeared a moment later.
Once outside, a Fae volunteered to remain behind and climbed into the unit to guard Nash and Jessica. Ali then watched as Red and Leigh conjured a thicket reminiscent of sleeping beauty. It grew from the forest floor and wrapped around the unit until the metal was no longer visible. She turned her back to the overgrown bush, praying it was enough to keep Jessica safe.
Twenty feet away, the Alpha team loitered in a circle.
“What are they doing with Dub?” Ali asked. With Dother alive it was imperative they hide Dub immediately.
Red glanced their direction. “They’ll stay with Dub until he is secure in a detention facility. A v
ehicle is in route to transport him.”
“What happens if he wakes?” Ali asked.
“Sofia is keeping him unconscious,” Red said.
She exhaled. Dub couldn’t harm Ali anymore, but violence and evil lurked.
On a whim, Ali stalked towards the Alpha team. She needed to see Dub.
“What are you doing?” Leigh asked.
Ignoring him, she walked until she was a few feet from Dub.
“No closer,” Sofia warned.
Ali stopped. She’d never been this close to Dub, even when he visited her dreams. Crouching, she peered at him. Dub was on his side, bound and unconscious. His dark hair curled at the ends, and patches of stubble formed on his chin. They could be classmates.
“Ali?” Leigh asked.
She stood. “I wanted to see his face.”
The effect of seeing him in person put the situation into a different light. It was like unveiling of a monster in a movie. The villain was scarier before the reveal.
“Let’s go,” Red said. “Aengus should still be at point Alpha and he needs to know about Dother.”
The four of them–Ali, Leigh, Red, and Sawyer–jogged the battle’s direction, flanked by a dozen Fae soldiers.
Sawyer was the only one who didn’t struggle. Ali wasn’t a runner, her lungs burned, and her mouth was metallic. Red appeared to push through pain. His expression a permanent grimace. Leigh, who ran three to five miles a day, dragged his feet. The beating they received took its toll.
Ignoring the fire which burned in her lungs, Ali mentally recited the banishing spell again. It was the distraction she needed to keep her mind from the realization she was running toward a bloody fight.
She was breathless several minutes later when Red slowed to a stop. Her vision swam with black dots and she gripped a tree for support while taking large gulps of air. Each breath of cool damp air hurt. The training had made her stronger, but her stamina was shit.
“There,” Red pointed to a cluster of ivy-covered trees.
Just beyond the trees Aengus stood in a clearing surrounded by Fae soldiers. They hovered over a topographical map which glowed blue. Aengus pointed off in the distance and a Fae soldier dashed that direction. Ali guessed the fighting was the route the soldier took. A loud explosion confirmed her suspicions.
Noticing their approach, Aengus seemed confused before his expression melted into relief. “I thought we lost you.”
“Us too,” Red said catching his breath.
Aengus glanced behind them and frowned, “Where’s the Alpha team?”
Red grinned. “With Dub.”
“You captured him?” Aengus asked wide-eyed.
“Yes.”
Aengus laughed as his face lit up. “Son of a bitch, I can’t believe it worked! Red, you are a damned genius.” Aengus slapped him on the back.
Ali wasn’t aware that decision was Red’s doing, she believed the blame lay with Aengus. Her irritation returned, but she reminded herself the trick was successful.
“Where are Jessica and Nash?” Aengus asked, his smile faltering.
“Piloting the remaining drone. I left a radio,” Red said. He fixed his gaze on the Fae who ran toward the battlefield. “Are communications working again?”
“Yes. Honestly, I’m not sure how the Sons took them down,” Aengus said.
Ali coughed, holding up her hand. Aengus’s brow arched as he stared at her.
“I think it was Dub,” she wheezed. “Communications go on the fritz whenever he’s around.”
“Interesting,” Aengus mused. He looked as though he was on the verge of a question but Red interrupted him.
“Dother is alive.”
“What?” Aengus asked, his eyes narrowing. “Impossible.”
Red shook his head. “I wish I was lying.”
Aengus appeared deep in thought, then gestured to the moving dots on the map. Ali realized this map was a real-time visual of the battlefield. A colorful wave of dots entered one part of the field. Black dots collided with them. She concluded those must be the creatures. Every thirty seconds or so a dot disappeared. At first, she assumed it was a glitch. With a shiver, realized the disappearances meant death.
“Then he must be here,” Aengus said pointing to a section of the screen which looked like the castle. “I’ve seen concentrated movements of creatures around this area which I couldn’t explain.” He moved to another section of the map. “Dain is here.”
“How do you know?” Ali asked.
“I’m pulling data from one of the drones,” Aengus said without looking at her.
Ali now understood why that Pixie stole her craft.
Red exhaled. “What’s our plan?”
“We need to corner one of them.” Aengus scratched his neck. “We haven’t been able to get close enough to try the banishment.”
Red frowned. “We’ll have to lure them like we did with Dub.”
Aengus’s eyes wandered the direction of the fight. “I sent Grace to find the beta team. We should follow.”
“Agreed,” Red nodded. “We’ll formulate a plan once we find them.”
Ali’s blood froze. They were already going toward the front line. She felt dizzy. The Alpha team should have come. Faced with reality, her legs where rubber.
“Ready?” Red asked looking expectant at them.
“Not so fast.” Aengus gestured toward the trees, his brow knitting.
Ali glanced around, noticing the soldiers who lay nearby on the ground. Their combat boots stuck out from behind a tree. She couldn’t tell if the injured were Tuatha de Danann or Fae.
“The woods are packed with creatures. We’ve spent a considerable amount of time battling red caps, questing beasts, sluagh, and several other violent spirits.” Aengus’s eyes darkened. “I’m not sure what’s out there.”
Her eyes snapped back to the boots. Not a single shoe moved, and no one tended to them. They weren’t wounded, they were dead. Unable to stomach the thought, she averted her eyes.
Aengus’s voice dampened. “The Sons summoned a Dullahan. I’ve never even seen one before today. Now that monstrosity is lurking in the shadows slaughtering my warriors.”
Ali gripped Leigh’s arm at the prospect of a monster which Aengus feared.
Leigh averted his gaze from Aengus, glancing at her fingers.
“Sorry.” She quickly released her grip and collected her senses. “What’s a Dull-la-han?”
His eyes softened, but his voice was firm. “A headless horseman with a human spine for a whip.”
“As in Ichabod Crain and the headless horseman from Halloween stories?” Ali asked horrified. Part of her thought they were done with new creatures. She’d seen her fair share of dragons and soul sucking zombies.
“Yes, as in the Sleepy Hollow stories,” Leigh said. He studied the trees as if one might be nearby. “No pumpkin head though.”
She wasn’t keen on being chased by a headless man. On that note, how did it see to attack anything? She doubted this monster was stumbling through the woods with a cane.
“Shit,” Red said. “How do you recommend we navigate the woods?”
“We’ve had the most success using a roman turtle formation,” Aengus said.
Ali didn’t understand but didn’t ask Leigh either. He seemed engrossed in the conversation.
“You’re joking.” Red glanced around. “What are you using for shields?”
Aengus raised an eyebrow. In demonstration, he thrust his forearm forward and locked his arm in the shape of an ‘L’. A shimmering green disc appeared, originating from a sliver band on Aengus’s forearm. The disc was translucent and looked lightweight, stretching from his ankles to an inch above his head.
“What is it?” Red asked circling the shield like a curious child.
Swelling with pride, Aengus grinned. “In the old days, they called this a sciath. However, through technological advancements, combined with spell casting, we created LIME. Light inclusion magnetic energy.”
/>
Aengus shifted his arm, and the shield faded into a mist.
Red touched the band on Aengus’s arm. “Any weaknesses?”
Aengus shrugged. “Initial testing showed a certain vulnerability to intense voltage issues. To put it bluntly, it’ll short circuit. In an extreme circumstance, electrocution. But we’re certain that issue has been eliminated.”
Ali felt her jaw drop; she quickly closed her mouth. Hell of a time to field test a new toy. What happens if that thing malfunctions? Electrocute the wearer to a pile of ashes?
Red seemed unfazed. “You have extras around here?”
“Do you have a color preference?” Aengus asked.
“Does it come in Red?”
Twenty Seven
Resigned to follow the others, Ali selected a blue shield. The gold cuff was the width of her hand. It clasped around her forearm looking like something Wonder Woman might wear. The cold metal was a shock to her skin, however, it quickly warmed and tightened to the correct size. Uncertain of how to operate it, she shook her arm a few times like a flailing bird.
Leigh laughed. “Like this.”
He thrust his elbow forward, followed by his fist; locking his forearm so it was an ‘L’ shape. A shimmering blue disc appeared before him, its length reaching the top of his head down to his ankles.
“Flex your forearm as you thrust forward, it’ll activate the shield.”
She tried again, throwing her elbow outward and almost assaulting a nearby Fae. On her third try the blue shimmer snapped into place.
Ali held her hand at an awkward angle, hesitant to touch the shield. “What happens if I poke the surface?”
Leigh shrugged. “Nothing.”
Exhaling, she traced the inside of the shield with her finger. It was cool and fluid, like a still pond on a hot day. Tension left her shoulders as she prodded the surface in various places, sending ripples flickering toward each other. She shoved the dark thoughts of death by electrocution into a deep cavern of her mind.
She flung her arm around again. How did she shut it off? The shield might be light but holding her arm out would get tiring.
“Leigh?” She asked, waving the shield at him. “How do I deactivate it?”
