Rex Aftermath (Elei's Chronicles)

by Thoma, Chrystalla

“And then?” Elei snapped.

  “She has to be near Dakru City where the forces are amassing. Meeting Kalaes is her own private mission. We meet, we capture her and use her vehicle which has all the codes necessary to pass the blockades. We may not be able to get into the city otherwise.”

  Sounded easy. Suspiciously so. “What makes you think she won’t show up with three aircars full of police, their guns trained on us?”

  Iset shrugged. “It’s a risk.”

  “No.” Elei’s heart hammered. “Kalaes can’t see her.” He wasn’t well, and he should relax, not get more stressed, and Maera... “She can’t be trusted.”

  “He does not have to meet her.” Iset raised her hands — to appease them or to deflect their angry gazes, Elei wasn’t sure. “We’ll be ready to immobilize her and tie her up, then take over her aircar.”

  Still, no. “There must be another way,” Elei said, desperate to save Kalaes the heartache.

  “Tell her...” Kalaes waved a hand, the black spiral tattoo marking his pale skin like a scar. “Tell her ‘wicked scum’. She’ll understand.”

  “Kal,” Alendra said, still pressed close to Elei, “you don’t have to.”

  “I want to see her,” Kalaes said, closing his eyes again. “I need to say goodbye.”

  ***

  They were racing toward Dakru City, its spires and skyscrapers rising in the distance like a massive wall. A shiver of apprehension went through Elei’s bones. His memories of the capital weren’t any better than those of Bone Tower. Every scrap of recollection was tinged red, covered in a film of blood.

  Blood, trickling hot down his arm where it was wrapped around Alendra’s shoulders, blood in the ruins of the temple in Bone Tower, spreading like the tentacles of a nightmare, seeking, searching.

  “You stink,” Alendra said, scrunching up her nose, and he snorted, his nasty train of thoughts broken.

  But she didn’t pull away like Elei expected. She snuggled closer, looking perfectly at ease in the crook of his arm. Like a big, golden cat.

  Not for the first time he wondered where Cat was, if he’d ever see the black furball again, but even that regret couldn’t shake off the contentment he felt.

  He dozed on and off, watching the landscape roll by, the blue algae ponds giving way to shrubs and arid stretches, then fungi cultivations, and finally factories. They were entering the outskirts of Dakru City.

  Then the glitcher buzzed to life. Iset listened, pale brows knotted, as a woman’s voice confirmed a meeting with Gwen Kheret outside the southern gates of Dakru City, near the cloth factory.

  Iset put the glitcher down and turned it off. She looked up at them, her blue eyes serious. “We’re set. It’s not far from here, we should be there within the hour.”

  Elei shook his head, still unsure whether this was a good idea or a disaster waiting to happen. With his luck, probably the latter. It wasn’t just himself now. It was Kalaes and Ale and Zoe and the kids. What if it all went wrong?

  “Breathe,” Alendra murmured, placing a hand on his chest, over the blood-stained t-shirt. “Oxygen’s good for you.”

  He huffed and gazed at her upturned face. Her lips looked softer than sleep. “Breathing is overrated,” he said quietly.

  She pulled him down for a kiss — soft and deep, hot and shiny, made of sparks and lightning that sizzled down his body. A gasp escaped him and he cupped the back of her head, pressing their mouths, their bodies together, and it wasn’t enough.

  Whistling and clapping registered through the haze and Alendra drew back, breaking the kiss.

  Elei blinked, disoriented. He’d forgotten they weren’t alone in the aircar. His cheeks warmed and he ducked his head. Alendra buried her nose in his shoulder and giggled. A quick peek showed him Kalaes grinning, so yeah, the heat rising in his neck was worth it.

  And then the aircar slowed and Iset stood, a hand on her longgun. “We’ve arrived.” Her voice was sharp, and everyone fell quiet.

  Success or disaster, take your pick. Elei’s expectations were definitely on the low side right now.

  He drew his longgun and turned toward the door.

  ***

  Time stuttered to a stop. Maera entered the cabin, her caramel curls and slim shoulders backlit by the dawning sky so she seemed to glow. She held a pistol pointing down, and Elei had no doubt it was cocked and ready to fire.

  Hidden behind a seat, he shaded his eyes, Rex humming along his nerves. He kept the longgun aimed at her head. If she tried anything at all...

  She paused, squinting at the dim interior. Kalaes stood in the center of the cabin, hands in his pockets, peering at her under lowered lashes.

  Elei bit on his lip, clenched his hand around the grip of the gun. Kalaes shouldn’t be up, shouldn’t be going through this messy encounter, not today, not now.

  Pissing hells.

  “Kal.” Maera glanced at the back of the cabin where some of the kids hid behind the seats. The rest had been packed in the storage cabin in the back.

  “Mae.” His voice was rough, with cracks around the edges.

  Her mixed scent, moist earth and sugar, burned Elei’s nostrils.

  She glanced sideways at Iset who stood by the door. “Thank you for notifying me.”

  “Senet.” Iset inclined her head. “We endeavored to extract information relevant to our cause from him but he resisted our efforts. I’m sure you will find success where we have failed.”

  Maera nodded, her gaze straying back to Kalaes. “How have you been?” she asked.

  “I’ve been better.”

  What was taking so long? Bestret was supposed to storm the other aircar with the driver’s help while Iset captured Maera. Dain hid outside, acting as a messenger to let them know if things went according to plan — but what was Iset waiting for?

  “I’ve missed you,” Maera said, taking a step forward. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

  Kalaes shook his head. “It’s okay,” he said, his voice strangled.

  “Do you forgive me?” She took another step. “Did you miss me?”

  Elei’s finger trembled on the trigger. Iset, dammit, get on with it.

  “Forgive what?” Kalaes didn’t move, but a corner of his mouth lifted.

  “So you do,” Maera purred, smiling. “You won’t regret this.”

  Iset whipped out her gun and slunk behind Maera, who froze. Maera’s curls bounced as she raised her gun — but not toward Iset, as Elei expected. She aimed it straight at Kalaes’ head.

  Hells. He’d been afraid this would happen — among other disastrous things. He pushed to his feet, saw Alendra do the same at the periphery of his vision, and had a moment to wonder if he could get a shot in before Maera blew Kalaes’ head off — her love seemed erratic at best—

  Kalaes shifted forward. A gun materialized in his hand as if out of thin air — Maera’s gun, Elei had the time to realize, as Kalaes pressed it to Maera’s forehead.

  “I don’t regret it,” Kalaes told Maera. “Any of it. I only regret putting others in danger because of it. I don’t miss you and I don’t forgive you for hurting them.”

  A breath shuddered out of Elei’s chest. He stepped around the seat and sat on it, his legs shaking but his aim steady.

  “You...” Maera glared at Elei, even with the muzzle of Kalaes’ gun kissing her brow. “You organized all this, didn’t you?”

  Elei shook his head, Rex wavering between pulsing colors and solid surfaces, unsure whether to let its guard down or not. “You wanted to talk to him. You talked.”

  Her eyes flashed, furious, but Kalaes only pressed the gun harder into her skull. “Don’t move.”

  “You won’t hurt me,” Maera whispered. “You wouldn’t.”

  “Maybe he would not, but I will,” Iset said, her voice low and deadly. She pressed her gun to the side of Maera’s neck, under the curls.

  Elei’s hand began to tremble. He lowered his gun just as Dain appeared at the door, grinning widely.

  “
We’re ready to roll,” he said, gaze darting between Iset and Kalaes, who both held guns against Maera. “Shall I tie her up?”

  Kalaes nodded. “Tie her and gag her. I don’t want to hear another word from her mouth.”

  Tremors went through his body, and Elei made as if to stand, alarmed. Too late.

  Kalaes’ gun fell from his hand, and he folded quietly to the ground.

  ***

  The drive into Dakru City was a blur. Zoe was pressing on Kalaes’ chest, thirty compressions, then breathing into his mouth, making sure that his chest rose. She kept it up until Iset pushed her aside and took her place.

  Elei was vaguely aware they passed checkpoints, their two aircars waved through when the codes given to them by Maera’s driver were entered. He was conscious of Iset checking on them from time to time, and of Alendra kneeling by his side.

  He had no idea what to do. He felt frozen. He’d already thanked the gods for saving everyone. Had that angered them? Had his words reminded them he’d abandoned them long ago?

  Or had he simply dropped his guard too soon? He should’ve known it wouldn’t be over.

  Alendra shook him and he felt coolness on his cheeks. “Bestret sent a transmission giving some details and asking for the nearest hospital. Maera’s driver is showing her the way.”

  Elei shook his head, not knowing how to push out the words lodged in his throat. Not sure they’d make sense.

  He feared... He dreaded. The images of the nightmare were returning to haunt him. Maybe that dream would come true after all.

  He reached down, clasped Kalaes’ wrist, bowed his head. Peppery smell, mixed with sweat and the copper of blood.

  One of our own, Rex whispered.

  Yeah.

  His heart started to thump faster. With a gasp, he hunched over, lifting a hand to his chest. Faintly he heard Alendra asking him something, Dain’s voice rising.

  Was he having a heart attack, too? Would he die together with Kalaes?

  Fitting. It was fitting.

  But there was no pain. His breath came short, faster and faster, and the muscles in his arms contracted. His hands curled into fists.

  Rex would fix his own.

  “Back,” he heard himself say, then louder, “get back!”

  “Elei,” Alendra said, her voice high with panic, “what are you doing?”

  He shot to his feet, circled Kalaes’ body and shoved Iset away. She protested, he could hear her indignant shouts, background noise. He knelt by Kalaes, raised his fist and brought it down on Kalaes’ chest.

  He felt the rib snap. He froze, his fist raised, watching Kalaes’ face. Sweat dripped down his face. Still he waited.

  Kalaes’ eyes opened and he arched off the floor with a gasp. His hands clawed at nothing, his gaze unfocused and wild.

  Elei lowered his fist, although he couldn’t unclench his fingers. He couldn’t catch his breath and his sides hurt as if he’d been running for hours. Rex still pulsed inside his head, the colors blinding in their intensity.

  Alendra knelt by his side and wrapped an arm around his back, then leaned over Kalaes. “Hospital’s less than five minutes away,” she said. “Hang on.”

  Kalaes said nothing, and Elei forced own his hand to unfold so he could place it on Kalaes’ chest, to feel it fall and rise. The colors were beginning to fade, but his vision wasn’t clearing. The outlines remained blurry, the world undefined.

  “Elei,” Alendra whispered and he blinked, trying in vain to clear his eyes. “Hang on. We’re almost there.”

  Hang on? He was okay. Kalaes was the one who needed attention. Shapes shifted and danced around him, turning his stomach. The world was out of focus.

  “Elei, talk to me. Can you see me?” Alendra tugged on him and his body was heavy, as in a dream, not responding. He wanted to answer, but couldn’t remember the question.

  “I told you it was a concussion,” Iset said from somewhere near but he couldn’t tell where. “Keep talking to him.”

  “Prepare to move out,” another voice said. “Hospital in view.”

  When had they gotten there? Time stretched, then seemed to jump. He was missing time. Why was he missing time?

  Cold air hit his face. The aircar door was opening.

  “Hold on to me,” Alendra said, and another arm came around his back from the other side and he was lifted to his feet.

  Crap, why couldn’t he focus on anything?

  “Kal,” he slurred, the floor of the aircar rocking like the deck of a ship at sea.

  He should be scared, shouldn’t he? He should be doing something, like checking Kalaes was still breathing. Why wasn’t Rex reacting? Had it given up on him?

  “Hey.” Alendra was pressed against him, her arm tight around his waist. “We’re almost there. Are you ready?”

  When you are, he wanted to say but that would be too much like Poena’s words, too much like death, so he didn’t.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “She’s found him,” Mantis said with no preamble, entering the room where Hera and Sacmis were fiddling with the communicator.

  Hera sat back, her heart in her throat. “Maera found Kalaes?”

  “Apparently she had patrols looking for him. She got a message less than an hour ago telling her he’d been found alive.”

  Hera shot to her feet, her mouth opening and closing. She had no idea what to say.

  “Excellent,” Sacmis said and rising caught her arm. “Do you have coordinates?”

  “Well... That’s the catch,” Mantis said, and it was only then Hera noticed he was not smiling.

  “What? What’s wrong?”

  “The same source that sent the message to Maera just sent another transmission asking for the nearest hospital.”

  “But that does not mean...” Hera took a step toward him, yanking her arm free of Sacmis’ hold. “The transmission came from a Gultur aircar, is that not so? Why do you think it’s Kalaes?”

  “Young male, heart attack. Infected with the Rex parasite.” Mantis’ mouth turned down at the corners. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

  Each breath rattled in Hera’s chest. “Hells,” she whispered, her mind fogged over like glass. “Will he be admitted? What if they cannot…?” She turned on her heel and headed to the door. “I’m going there.”

  “I’m coming with you.” Sacmis hurried after her.

  “Be careful,” Mantis said quietly. “I’ll keep your city until you return.”

  Hera was sure he would; never had a doubt. “I fought to fix this world,” she said as she strode out. “But only you can make it work. This is your city now.” And she left without waiting to hear his answer.

  The hospital was right outside the center of Dakru City. The street kids manning the gates of the first wall let them through, and Hera drove out between thinning houses and then into an industrial park with factories and clinics.

  “Turn left here.” Sacmis checked her longgun, getting ready to clear a path to Kalaes.

  Good.

  The hospital was a typically square, tall building though this one was meant for Gultur and was therefore freshly painted and covered in glass and shiny metal. She wondered if she’d have to shoot everyone in sight to find Kalaes. Who knew how the Gultur manning the hospital had reacted to the news of the capitulation?

  Hera had rather hoped the killing was over.

  They rounded the hospital fence to the heavy iron gates as Sacmis lowered her window and took aim.

  An aircar was parked in front of the watchtower and an armed Gultur guard stood below its open door, longgun pointed.

  The odd thing was, it was pointed at another Gultur, identical in her gray uniform but for her gleaming visor.

  “What’s going on?” Sacmis breathed.

  “Whoever is against the guards is on our side,” Hera said firmly as she drove closer. “Can you disable her?”

  “I assume that’s a rhetorical question,” Sacmis muttered and pressed the trigger. The guard
jerked before the deafening crack of the gunshot had reached Hera’s ears.

  A slender figure appeared on the deck of the parked aircar. Another Gultur?

  Hera narrowed her eyes as she maneuvered the vehicle closer. No, not a Gultur. Golden hair fluttered like a glowing mist in the headlights of the watchtower. “Ale,” she whispered, a lump forming in her throat.

  Alendra raised her gun but did not fire. She seemed to be waiting as Hera parked and hurried out of the vehicle with Sacmis.

  “Ale.” She waved and Alendra lowered her gun.

  “Hera?”

  Hera clambered up the ladder, Sacmis on her heels. Alendra gave her a hand up and Hera squeezed it as she reached the deck, proof her friend was alive. “It’s so good to see you. Is Kalaes with you?” Hope made breathing difficult.

  “Kalaes and Elei,” Alendra said, and Hera suddenly saw how red-rimmed and wet her eyes were. “Come on. We need your help.”

  ***

  “Elei?” whispered a woman’s voice. A hand caught his face and he hissed as fire spread along his jaw. He tried to make out the hazy face leaning over him, tried to place the soft voice.

  “Hera?” Oh gods, more hallucinations? Panic gripped him and he started to shake.

  Slender arms came around him and warmth enveloped him. Silky hair tickled his neck and all he could smell was sugar — Gultur, Echo — and Rex jolted inside him, so he shook harder.

  “He has a pretty bad concussion,” Alendra’s voice said, her voice gritty.

  Oh yeah, he did. Had surely cracked his skull open, left his sanity leaking on the floor. How could Hera be there?

  “We took Dakru City, Elei,” Hera said and made a sound half-way between laughter and a sob. “It’s done.”

  “Kal...” he rasped, trying to break free, scared when he couldn’t, when tears rose to his eyes. When had he completely lost control over his body’s reactions?

  Hera pulled back and he reeled where he knelt. She grabbed his shoulders, stopping him from toppling over. “Where’s Kalaes?”

  “Here,” Alendra said.