by David Estes
The man doesn’t nod, but she can see he understands. She reaches into his mind, letting her consciousness flow alongside his, a single stream of light. A lion and a Mother.
You have changed, he says.
I was always the same, she says. I just didn’t know it.
His mental nod is easily discernable. I know why you camp here, he says.
“Here” is less than two miles from New Washington. Her children have hidden them from the witch hunters, who pass through occasionally, patrolling their borders.
And you think we are making a mistake, she says, understanding.
I don’t know, he says. I cannot see beyond what my eyes reveal. But my son is there. In New Washington.
The words hit her sharply, burrowing to the core of her being like worms. Rhett Carter is in New Washington. She remembers the beams of light returning to her, whispering to her that they had succeeded in their mission. Laney and Rhett had been brought back together. Which means that…
My sister is in New Washington, she says.
The beggar doesn’t need to confirm. Does this change anything for you? he asks.
She hides her mind from him. Ponders the question. If she lets her sister-from-this-life dictate her actions, she could doom all of humanity. That goes against everything she believes in. But she does love her. Their years together cannot be cast aside as easily as a rock from a shoe. And yet…
The president must die, she says. It’s what her Children have been telling her. But why? She has to trust them until her own knowledge is complete. Although her powers far exceed those of her Children, she is not invincible. Consistent with all Claires, she can control elements of nature and commune with the earth. She can invade thoughts, control dreams, and coax glimpses of the future from the very fabric of time. Protection spells are possible, although they take a lot out of her. Her blood carries many secrets. And her true voice has the power to destroy.
However, like all magic-born, overuse of magic will drain her energy, leaving her in need of rest and recovery. Killing the president might mean she can’t save her sister, or vice versa. She can almost feel the choice looming over her like a dark shadow.
I don’t disagree, Martin says. She knows he speaks the truth. He wants the president dead, too. She knows she should understand why this woman is such a threat, but something from the past remains hidden to her. She considers asking this man, but no one can know her weakness. She stays silent.
I’m not telling you to stop, he says. I’m making you aware.
The Changeling doesn’t want the Claires inside New Washington. Only to help her get inside.
But that’s not what you want? Martin asks. Despite the wall she’s thrown up, she realizes this man has sensed her true mind.
No, she admits. I want to be there for it all.
Good, Martin says. I don’t fully trust the red witch’s motives.
She will spare no one who stands in her way, even the innocent, Trish says.
Then we will watch over them, Martin says. We will protect those who deserve it.
Thank you, she says. Go in peace.
He turns and walks away, his footfalls as loud as cannon blasts next to the silent glide of the Changelings and Claires.
The Changeling leader watches her, but doesn’t approach. Though she tries to hide her mind from Trish, Trish can read the witch’s thoughts as easily as a child’s, her powers strengthening with each passing day. The woman’s thoughts only speak one thing:
Violence.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Rhett
One of Grogg’s legs drags behind him, as if pulling a ball and chain. The creature leaves a muddy trail for me to follow, almost like a slug smearing sticky mucus. Hex, nose to the floor, sniffs at the filth.
At this pace, it will be three days later before we get to our destination.
When we reach the stairs, Hex goes slightly mad (as he does) and sneaks up behind Grogg, unleashing a deep-throated WOOF! into the creature’s ear. The mud-thing takes off, tripping on the second step and rolling the rest of the way to the bottom, where it promptly clambers to its feet and bolts out of the White House entrance.
We give chase, Hex barking at Grogg and me shouting commands to a dog that listens to no one. As before, the mud-creature moves far quicker than one would expect, particularly considering the leg-dragging thing it was doing earlier. I’m beginning to suspect that was all an act, or perhaps a loss in concentration.
Luckily, though, despite the fact that Grogg weaves in and out of the various debris littering New Washington, he leaves a fairly obvious trail for us to follow. We’re moving through the buildings, searching for our guide, when Hex stops abruptly, his nose twitching.
He looks left. He looks right.
There’s a cry from above—a strange, whispery Ehhhhh!—and Grogg flies from a second story windowsill, landing directly on Hex’s back. Hex freaks, running and leaping and bucking like a rodeo bull, trying to dislodge the unwanted rider. He could probably use any one of a number of magical powers to get rid of the mud-creature, but it’s as if he’s forgotten what he is—that he’s more than a normal dog. And the whole time, Grogg is making a noise that sounds—remarkably—like laughter.
The laughter is half-baby, half-crazy-old-man, and one hundred percent contagious. I find myself cracking up watching the spectacle, seeing someone outwit the unoutwittable.
Eventually, however, Hex realizes the situation and stops, breathing heavily. And then he vanishes, leaving Grogg to fall the foot and a half to the ground with a splat. Hex appears a moment later, grinning, and licks Grogg’s face, something he’s done to me many times. A declaration of victory. This time, instead of running away, the mud-creature opens its mouth and extends a long, brown tongue and licks him back.
Blech.
But Hex doesn’t seem to mind, his tail wagging ferociously. Is this the start of an unexpected (and somewhat freakish) friendship? Only time will tell.
Grogg pulls himself back to his feet, waves a hand as if to say “Follow me,” and then ducks into an alley. As Hex walks directly over the muddy footprints, I consider the possibility that Grogg may have a future as a trainer at Doggy Obedience School. I follow close behind.
The alley is much darker, the scant light from the moon and stars eclipsed by the high buildings. One with the shadows, Grogg’s huge white eyes blink at us. A flash of brown beckons us closer. Hex curls up next to the mud-creature while I tentatively step forward.
Grogg speaks, again in that whispery, gurgling voice. “Closer,” he says.
I take another step, so close now that I’m in danger of brushing against his muddy body. And yet…
“Closer,” he murmurs.
“Uh,” I say.
Hex circles behind me and shoves against my legs, clearly taking Grogg’s side.
I inch forward, slightly disgusted by the smell of wet mud, until the eyes are like giant saucers in the dark. Seemingly satisfied by my nearness, Grogg says, “Secrets and lies and dangers. Many dangers. Beware. Take heed. Remember. Distance yourself. Avoid. Feel nothing.”
His words, both the way he says them and their substance, send shivers down my spine. Feel nothing? What does that even mean? No one can feel nothing. “Beware of what?” I ask.
“Her,” he says. “The president.”
Wait a minute, I think, remembering what the president told me about Grogg’s creation. Crafted from mud by a witch, who controls his movements, who is controlling him even now, who is making him say these things. Has the president let the wrong witch into her fold? Someone secretly working against her?
“Take us to the witch hunters,” I say.
“Mistake,” Grogg says. “Trusting. Big mistake.”
“It’s my mistake to make,” I say, pulling away and slipping out of the alley. I’m half-surprised when Grogg follows me, silently leading us on down the street.
~~~
Honest Abe is missing his head. Apparen
tly no one has bothered to even attempt to replace it atop his neck, as it rests cheek first on the ground next to his statue.
According to Grogg’s whisperings, the Lincoln Memorial has become home base for the various witch hunters hired by New America. When I look back outside, Grogg is gone.
Ignoring Abe’s head, which seems to stare at me, I peer at the sleeping forms around me, illuminated by dim lights along the edges of the floor. Their soft exhalations create a symphony of sleep.
“Ahem,” I cough, clearing my throat.
There’s a mad scramble and the clank of metal and the click of safeties being switched off, and then we’re surrounded by witch hunters, knives and swords and guns pointed at us. Awesome.
“Hi,” I say, wishing I had my sword.
“Who the hell are you?” a woman asks, two pistols aimed my way.
“The new guy,” I say. “Rhett Carter. Hunter of witches. Defender of humanity. I come in peace.” I scan the faces around me, none of which look too friendly. Young, old, black, white, male, female—they’re all frowning.
“I’ve heard of you,” the woman says. She’s got spikey hair with a white skunk-like stripe down the center, and her ears are full of at least a dozen piercings. Wearing only a tank top and ripped jeans, almost every inch of bare skin is covered with colorful tats. “There was supposed to be a bounty on your head. Only a half-hour ago we were told it had been released.”
I look at the weapons all around me. “I guess you weren’t told to expect me?”
“Naw,” she says, a tongue ring flashing between her teeth. “We thought it probably meant you were dead.”
“Nearly dead on many occasions, but not just yet,” I say.
“So you’ve come over from the dark side,” she says.
“I was never on the dark side,” I say.
“Yeah. Neither was I,” she says, sarcasm heavy in her voice. “Look, no one’s here to make friends, so don’t expect any. We eat together, sleep together”—I consider making a joke Laney would appreciate, but manage to hold my tongue—“fight together, and die together…but that doesn’t make us friends. Got it?”
Welcome to the team, I think. “Got it,” I say.
“Everyone calls me Floss,” she says.
Umm, interesting name. “Okay,” I say.
“Now I think there have been enough interruptions for one night. We have witches to kill tomorrow. Grab a bedroll and shut the hell up.” It’s funny that she’d say that when she’s been doing most of the talking.
But that’s what I do. I try to ignore the witch hunters around me, who lower their weapons far too slowly for my liking, and snag an unclaimed bedroll, hoping the last person who used it took a bath every once in a while. With Hex tucked tightly against my side, I try to sleep next to Lincoln’s headless statue, wishing Laney was with me.
~~~
“Tomorrow” comes at sunrise. I awake before most, but not all. Some of the witch hunters are already eating, speaking in hushed tones, sharpening or cleaning their weapons.
And Hex is missing.
“Anyone seen my dog?” I say to no one in particular.
One guy, who looks as old and gnarled as a tree branch, points outside. Thanks for that. I could’ve guessed if he wasn’t inside he’d have gone outside. But, not wanting to make any enemies on my first day, I mutter, “Thanks,” grab my pack, and head outside.
The day is cast in the red glow of the rising sun. There’s a neon green puddle in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Hex has been here, using one of America’s most revered tourist attractions as his personal toilet.
I look around, but he’s nowhere to be found. Instead I find the skunk-haired woman, Floss, from last night approaching from the direction of the Potomac River. Her hair, still spiked, looks wet.
“Hey,” I say.
“I’m not your fri—”
“I get it,” I say. “I’m not trying to be your friend. I’m just looking for my dog.”
She raises an eyebrow. “I saw him heading for Huckle’s shop.”
Both my eyebrows go up, a bubble of excitement forming in the pit of my stomach. “Tillman Huckle is here?”
“You didn’t know? Yeah, he arrived a week ago and set up shop over by the Washington Monument.”
“Great, thanks,” I say, rushing away.
“Wrong way,” she says, pointing me in the other direction.
I pivot and turn the other way, sprinting, but she takes a step and blocks me. “Hold on a sec,” she says.
I stop, fighting the urge to lower my shoulder and bash right through her. I feel light on my feet because Tillman Huckle is here! Last I spoke to the magical weapons dealer, he’d been heading south with a van full of magical weapons and video games. Makes sense he would end up here, considering the growing population of witch hunters residing inside the fence.
“What?” I say, not too nicely.
“Get back here soon,” she says. “You’ve been chosen for today’s mission.”
“Chosen by whom?” I ask.
“That’s none of your concern.”
“What’s the mission?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
Clearly she’s not going to tell me anything more, and it’s so not worth the effort trying to find out. So instead I say, “When I find Hex, I’ll let him know.”
“No pets,” she says, crossing her arms across her chest as if daring me to contradict her.
Fat chance, I think. “He’s not a pet,” I say. “Trust me, I don’t own him and he doesn’t obey me. He can take care of himself.”
“No,” she says.
It’s not worth arguing about. Hex will do what he wants when the time comes. “Whatever,” I say. “Is that it?”
She nods and I barrel past her, in search of my old friend.
The spire of the Washington Monument rises high into the orange sky. Sure enough, as I approach the historical site, I can make out a white van parked at the base of the obelisk. A sheet of dark purple solar panels is fixed to the roof of the vehicle, Huckle’s source of power.
My heart leaps when I hear Hex’s muffled barks. “Tillman!” I shout, jogging up.
The rear doors part in the middle and open, and Hex bounds out, followed closely behind by the tall, gangly form of my friend, Tillman Huckle. “Password?” he says.
“No,” I say. “No password.”
He smiles broadly and we embrace, patting each other’s backs. Pulling away, he runs a hand through his hair, which only serves to twist it into a hive of tangles. His glasses are surprisingly undamaged—almost new looking—without even a single piece of duct tape holding them together. Using his other hand, he adjusts them higher up on his nose.
“New glasses?” I ask.
“Nope. One of the witches fixed my old ones.” I frown. Since when has Tillman hung out with witches? The answer is easy: Since President Washington became allies with them. Before I can announce my unease with Tillman accepting favors from the magic-born, he says, “The password has changed anyway. So you would’ve just gotten it wrong.”
“To what?” I say.
“Can’t tell you until you learn the secret handshake,” he says.
“So teach me,” I say, playing along.
“Not until you choose a four-digit PIN number.”
“Just chose it,” I say.
“What is it?”
“Can’t tell you. Don’t want my identity getting stolen.”
“Touche`,” he says, laughing.
And then he walks away as if I’m not even there, his long, loping strides carrying him back to the van, where he climbs inside. Knowing I’ll be waiting all day if I want an invitation, I follow him, entering the van just behind Hex.
No. Way.
The van is huge inside. Not like, “Wow, this is way bigger than I expected”—more like “Did I just accidentally walk into a Costco?” The warehouse is lined with never ending shelves full of weapons, from strange-looking guns
to long scythe-like blades to small baubles that I suspect explode in some gruesome but awe-inspiring fashion.
There is some serious magic at work here.
Huckle settles into a large, plush sofa that, like everything else in here, shouldn’t be able to fit in the back of his van. An enormous flat screen TV is hovering in the air, some kind of game paused. Hex resumes his barking as Huckle unpauses it; his character—a plump mouse—runs erratically away from several excited-looking cats. The mouse barely slips into a tiny hole in the wall before the cats’ paws close on its head.
Hence Hex’s barking. Ever since we met the shapeshifting witch-cat, Flora, he’s hated cats.
“Don’t worry, boy,” Tillman says, playing his game with one hand while stroking my dog with the other. “We’ll beat those nasty cats in the end.”
“Sooo,” I say, knowing it’s futile to try to have a normal conversation with Tillman while he’s playing a video game—which is pretty much all the time—but unable to hold back my curiosity any longer. “Who tricked out your van for you?”
“A witch,” he says, finessing the buttons on his controller to make the mouse slide a mousetrap toward the cats’ groping paws. One of them grabs it and yowls when the metal trap clamps down on its paw. Huckle and Hex both laugh wildly.
“I guessed that much. Which witch?” I ask.
“It was a group effort. They’re really nice. Well, some of them are. Samsa’s a bit intimidating and the Pyros just stare at me when they pass by, as if they’d like nothing more than to torch my van. But the rest of them seem okay enough.”
The world surely must be rotating in the opposite direction. Tillman Huckle, who sells weapons to people like me who hunt witches, is friends with witches? Insane.
“I didn’t even realize any of them had this kind of power,” I say.
Huckle shrugs. “They seemed tired after it, said they needed to rest. They also said they wouldn’t have done it without orders from the president.”
