“Attention shoppers! Special sale in the bakery department. One dozen to-die-for doughnuts with cream fillings left and they’re going fast. Come and get ‘em.
“Storm and Fennimore, dos E.T’s coming your way from the throne room.”
Elora deduced that “throne room” could either mean the toilet or The Chamber. If it was The Chamber, then Fenn and Angel were on the same level she was. If it was the john, it could be anywhere.
Three seconds later, Elora and the two boys heard the sound of gunfire coming from the level below.
“Cat Man and Borzy, hold tight, keep low, ducks in a barrel when I say go.”
Elora was writing out a sign to hold up to the camera, when Spaz said, “GO!”
She stopped dead still when she again heard weapons firing toward the west part of the building. She looked up at the camera anxiously for word. That trainee was her only link to news. When all was quiet, Spaz came back on the intercom.
“All quiet on the Western end, nine, ten, a big fat hen. Repeat, nine, ten, big fat hen, and all is well in the west thanks to our sponsor, Helmets by Mom. Now this for your listening pleasure from the Spazmodoc…”
Elora’s eyes got wide when the intercom started blasting Wang Chung “Dance Hall Days”. She turned to Kris and Wakey showing clenched teeth, which hurt with a broken cheek bone, but she couldn’t help herself. Elora’s Medusa face was frightening and she looked like she was ready to kill somebody, other than Ralengclan that is. She couldn’t get her jaw to relax to ask a question.
“What. Is. That?”
Kris took a reflexive step back, but spoke up. “Ah, Sir Caelian, ma’am. He didn’t like the music we were playing in our rec room. So he gave us a mandatory attendance lecture on disco every night when he was here.”
“Unbelievable!” Elora closed her eyes for a second
“A lot of the younger kids think it’s cool. I think it’s stupid,” added Wakey.
She smirked. “You tell Kay that?”
Wakey ducked his head and smiled boyishly. “No ma’am.”
There was an interruption in the music long enough for Spaz to say, “Link and Shay, patsies on the way. Analog four and find two more.”
The song started again with, Take your baby by the ears…
Elora glared up at the camera before she went back to her sign, muttering, “After I give him a medal, I’m going to beat him to death with it.” As an afterthought, she added, “Then I’m gonna chain Kay to a chair and psyops him with Screamo until tears run down his face.” Much as she loved Kay, at that moment, the image of him crying and begging for mercy made her smile, even though it hurt her face to do it.
Link and Shay were in the kitchen. They’d seen aliens in the hall outside the Mess, but more importantly, the aliens saw them. The two boys ran through the Mess and into the kitchen which was formed by a chain of food preparation rooms.
The boys heard a few pings as they ran, bullets making contact with the stainless steel environment. Looking around, trying to decide whether to hide in cabinets or shoot it out, Link spied the freezer and had an idea.
He left Shay wondering what he was doing while he set his intelliphone on a back shelf and left it playing a wetube panel discussion on gaming. Communication was jammed, but that was a recording so its operation didn’t depend on anything external. Since Spaz was playing intercom music to die by, Link had to turn the volume up to max so that it could be heard. That turned out to be beneficial. Without the music, the recording would have been recognized as exactly that, but mixed with the intercom feed, there was some doubt as to whether the voices on the recording were, well, recorded or live.
Link motioned to Shay to leave the door standing open and hide underneath one of the long cooking tables where they could see the freezer. The bottom shelf on the cooking tables was so close to the ground that only a skinny kid could get under. It was such a tight fit they had to squeeze in and lay flat on their backs, but no one was likely to suspect it as a hiding place.
Just seconds after they were in place, the aliens came through the swing door, which was kind of funny, but since Spaz was the only one to see it, he was the only one to get a laugh out of it. The first guy pushed through, but then couldn’t decide whether to let the door swing back and hit the next guy or shift his heavy assault shooter to one hand so he could hold the door.
When both Ralengclan were through the door, the first guy held up his hand and cocked his head like he was listening. He motioned toward the freezer. They both looked around and advanced on the freezer with stealth. From their vantage point, the kids could see boots and that was about it, but they could see where the boots were going. Shay looked at Link and smiled. Link looked like a cat with feathers on his chin.
It would be impossible to say if the boys moved soundlessly, but with Spaz playing Disco Deejay, the aliens never heard them before the freezer door closed and sealed them in.
There was another interruption in the music as Spaz whooped. “Link and Shay save the day. Two on ice! Sticks are nice! Calling Mother, lay them straight. That’s right. Seven. Eight.”
The song picked up with, And take your baby by the hair…
Elora showed teeth to the camera and held up her sign. “Say I’m outside. In forest.”
The intercom answered immediately. “No go, Mother. NO GO! Hazard route. Chill in place. Calling Sirs Storm and Fenniplus, Mother is pinned at dragon’s lair.”
Angel looked at Fennimore. “Dragon’s lair?”
“I think that’s what the kids call the Operations Office. Farnsworth can be fearsome.”
Angel nodded like he knew who Farnsworth was. And like he knew where the Operations Office was. “And Mother?”
A little frown formed in the center of Fennimore’s brow as he shrugged. “Could be code for Elora? Maybe? She teaches the kids. Might be an inside joke.”
The sounds of “Dance Hall Days” ended. Angel blew out a relieved breath and said, “Thank all the gods and their offspring.”
Spaz’s cheerful voice came over the intercom. “It’s the Spazmodoc, The Voice of the Fray, bringing you news of the shit storm from the bowels of J.U. Doing eighties on eight at eight minutes after the hour. Stay tuned right here to channel eight.”
That announcement was immediately followed by the BeeGees “Stayin’ Alive.”
Angel turned to Fennimore. “Am I the only one who wants to murder that kid?”
“No, brother. I’m guessing by now you’re at the end of a long line. Us and them.”
Angel nodded. “So let’s go get Mother.”
Fennimore snickered. “Call her that to her face and see what happens. I dare you.”
Angel grinned then started toward the library door. He reached for the handle to open it then stopped. His eyes scanned the corners till he found a camera. On the off chance that idiot kid could see them, he got in front of the camera and made motions toward the door.
Within a second, the music stopped. “Temporary clearing outside Squintsville. Partly cloudy in other parts of the state. Clouds returning, moving slowly, south to north. Heavy rain close to Mother.”
Angel nodded at the camera and the music started again.
Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother, you're stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive.
The knights opened the library door and stepped out into the west wing hall, Level 1. The way was open until they reached the bend where they drew fire from aliens under cover somewhere on the other side of the Hub.
The music stopped. “If you’re looking for Elora Laiken she’s headed to the great out of doors. She was last seen entering the central court forest through the south exit. Dudes in black who are not supposed to be here. Again, this message is for dudes in black who are not supposed to be here. Elora has left the building. I say Elora has left the building. Annnnnnnd…”
It's all right. It’s ok. I'll live to see another day.
The gunshots ceased while Ralengclan looked at each
other trying to decide what to do. The commander hadn’t been seen for nearly two hours. Neither had anyone spotted the second in command. Without someone in authority to take responsibility, there was confusion about how to proceed. As is usually the case when people can’t decide what to do, the Ralengclan did nothing, which meant that a brief period of silence ensued.
Elora looked at her bodyguards. “They’re trying to sort out the best course of action, but they’ll feel compelled to check it out. They have to. I’m betting at least two of them are going to head for the Hub exit to the Courtpark next to the Solarium. If I can get to the lounge first, I’ll have cover and a view to that exit. I can pick them off from there.” She started to rise from a squat, but she was lightheaded from blood loss. She swayed and had to grab onto a countertop to stay upright.
“You stay. We’ll go.” Kris was giving Elora a look that was so intense it almost reminded her of Storm.
“No. I’m good.”
Kris lifted both eyebrows. “You’re good? You know that arm that you need to hold your Cuefire up with? It’s streaming blood everywhere. You don’t have full use of that arm, you’re getting weak, and you can only see out of one eye. You’re not good. You’re a mess.”
He didn’t know the half of it. All that, combined with the fact that the Equalizer gas made her feel like every step was a drag through water, meant she was both hurt and exhausted.
“Maybe, but I’m still your commanding officer, Falcon. I go. You stay.”
He crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Wakey. Sit on her.”
“No need,” Wakey said. “She’s too weak to stop us. And we both need to go.” He turned to Elora. “No disrespect, ma’am, but he’s right. You need to stay put.”
The Hub erupted in rapid round gunfire. Elora guessed somebody was laying down cover for a couple of Ralengclan to get to the Solarium exit.
“Wakey. Don’t go out there. It’s too late. We already missed the chance.”
He smiled. “Don’t worry so much.”
When the BeeGees stopped, Spaz’s voice came right on. “Welcome back to the sounds of invasion with The Voice of the Fray coming at you with New Kids on the Block and “Hangin’ Tough.”
Elora was braced with her weight on bent knees and her back against Farnsworth’s supply cabinets. As the boys ducked out, she slowly slid down to the floor, unable to do much else, and Monq’s words came back to her. “You wouldn’t retain superior strength and speed, but others from your home world wouldn’t have any advantage over those who come to your aid. There will always be people here to guard you. Capable people.”
Elora wasn’t very good at holding back tears when she experienced high emotion, which was often, and she usually didn’t try. When the first drop started down her cheek, she swiped at it in disgust then winced because of the touch to her swollen face. Her cheek was sticking out further than it was supposed to be.
She was scared for those kids who had so much blinding bright potential. They might have been ‘capable’, but they shouldn’t be forced to prove it at their age. She couldn’t even face the possibility that they might die before they had a chance to live. Especially not for her.
Don't worry 'bout nothing, 'cause it won't take long… put you in a trance with a funky song.
She let her head fall back and hit the cabinet she was leaning against, which resulted in another jolt and another wince. “Fuck me.” There was nothing in the universe worse than feeling helpless. She sat for a moment pondering that and then amended. There’s nothing in the universe worse than feeling helpless unless it’s being forced to listen to this song.
The President cleared the Oval Office before he picked up the phone when he heard who was calling.
“This is the President.”
“Mr. President. It’s about Jefferson Unit. I know there’s a standing order of autonomy where that building is concerned, but it sounds like there’s a battle taking place in there. Reports of explosions and live fire, ongoing for over two hours. What should we do?”
“Colonel. Under no circumstances will you allow the perimeter of that building to be contaminated. If something must be said to assuage the curiosity of your staff, tell them that Jefferson is conducting secret research tests with live arms and that no one is to interfere in any way. Are we clear?”
“We are, sir. Sorry to bother you needlessly.”
CHAPTER 23
When Storm came to rest in his own kitchen, he looked around and his breath hitched. His throat swelled with so much emotion that speech was impossible. He didn’t try to talk, just went to work concentrating on separating himself and Rosie from the duct tape. By the time that job was finished he was breathing normally and had command of his voice.
He reached up and ran a hand over his daughter’s head. “Rosie, I want us both to take some time so I can get to know you.”
“And teach me how to ride a bike.”
“What?”
“I don’t know how to ride a bike. I’ve been waiting for you to come home.”
He stared for a minute then had to look down and blink a few times to process that. “I’d like that a lot. Whenever you say. I’m buying you the best cruiser we can find. But right now, I wonder if you could give me a little time alone with your mom?”
She grinned and he thought joy was a very good look for her, but it rapidly dissolved to a look that was much more serious. “It’s so good to have you here. I can’t wait to see mom smile again. She’s sleeping. She was up all night looking for you. Again.
“I’ll be back tomorrow.” And she vanished.
Rosie was smiling as she grabbed a pass to her first errand stop. Her mind was full of the happy ending she’d been afraid her parents were never going to get. She thought that, if ever there was cause for celebration, this would be the time. And, in her euphoria, she forgot to mention her dad’s doppelganger, who’d been living at the vineyard for weeks.
After he was left alone in the house, Storm turned down the hallway toward the master bedroom. The shutters were closed, but he could see the shape of Litha’s form under the covers, sleeping on her side of the bed which meant his side was vacant and waiting for him like the most delicious invitation.
Quietly, he slipped out of all his clothes and let them drop on the floor in a pile. The anticipation of pulling her warm, soft body into him and feeling her go pliant against him was almost more than he could stand. He pulled the covers back and crawled under. It smelled like her, rainstorms and magick. In other words, it was heavenly.
He snuggled against her back and whispered into her hair right next to her ear. “Litha. Baby.”
Litha woke slowly, aware that something was off. She must have been dreaming about Storm because she almost thought she heard his voice and could smell his musk, not to mention feeling the beautiful hardness of his body pressed close to hers. When Storm’s hand trailed down her side, her lungs involuntarily gasped in a deep breath. She came instantly and fully awake, whether she wanted to be or not.
That’s when she realized that the warm body in bed with her was not a figment of her imagination or a subconscious recreation. She rolled toward the unwanted visitor with a growl and left a full handprint burn on his chest before she jerked away and scrambled out of bed.
Storm yelled. “Ow. Litha, what the…? Ow. You burned me!”
Storm jumped out of bed, gaping at his wife who stood on her side with her arms wrapped around her, seething and looking at him like she was thinking about turning him into a column of smoke.
“What did you expect? Get the hell out of my room. Put some frigging clothes on and get out of my room. How dare you touch me!”
“Some homecoming.” He looked bewildered. “I need ice.”
As he started for the kitchen, Litha’s eyes wandered over his body and, even in the dimmed light, she could see there was nothing but smooth skin. No ink. The only mark on his flawless hide was the handprint she’d just left there like a red brand of fury
.
“Storm?”
She seemed to be asking the question like she wasn’t sure, which was beyond strange.
“Waking Woden, Litha. Who else?”
He wondered why Rosie hadn’t warned him that Litha had jumped the track while he was gone. Her face looked as shocked as if he was a ghost. Then, when she ran at him, he stepped out of the way, not wanting to be burned again.
“Oh, no you don’t. Once was enough.” He caught her, turned her around with her back to him and captured both wrists in front of her. “You want to tell me what’s going on?”
She was sobbing and squirming, trying to break free. “Let me go. I need to hold you.”
“Now you want to hold me?”
“Please. I didn’t know it was you.”
“You didn’t know it was me,” he repeated dryly.
“Let me go so I can do something about the burn.”
“If I let you go, are you going to set me on fire?”
“I’m not going to set you on fire. I am going to make you so glad you’re home.”
The second he loosened his hold, she turned in his arms and gave him a kiss so sweet and slow and deep that it exceeded what he’d been dreaming about. It almost made him forget about the pain of the scorching she gave him.
“That’s more like it,” he breathed.
She put enough room in between them so that she could press her hand over the imprint her burn had left. Then she simply wished it away. When she lifted her hand, it was gone. He had to look twice and rub his hand over where it had been before he could fully accept what he’d seen.
“You can heal?”
“No. Well, not generically. It’s because I burned you. I can sort of take it back.”
“Oh.” He passed his hand over the healed skin again. “Thank you.”
“Welcome home,” she said softly with both love and warmth in her eyes.
“I’m lost, Litha. What just happened?”
“How did you get here?”
Gathering Storm Page 22
