The dragon had said it knew of a different target, one to whom she had no emotional ties and, therefore, lessened the chance of assuming control of their shared body. It was a target that would hinder Xander’s resistance, if not destroy it outright.
Sammy cringed at the thought. There was only one target she could imagine that the Fire Elemental was both excited about killing yet nervous and hesitant at the same time. One target that, if destroyed, might stop Xander from saving the world.
The dragon was hunting for the Earth Elemental.
“They’re getting closer,” Sean said, pointing out the loft window. They hadn’t lit any lanterns within the barn, so they were engulfed in the darkness of night. Only the distant fires, which had grown considerably closer since the night before, illuminated the sky.
“Do you think they know?” Jessica asked.
Sean glanced over his shoulder. The icy cocoon was visible from their high perch, unchanged in the past couple of days. “About Xander?”
Jessica dangled her legs over the side of the loft, letting them hang twenty feet above the ground below. “You said it yourself. He’s a lighthouse for any Fire Warriors nearby.” She rubbed her sweaty palms on the legs of her pants and bit her lip in frustration. “I just wish they’d get it over with, you know?”
Sean picked up their shared blanket and draped it over her shoulders to ward off the chill. “I know what you’re saying, even if I don’t agree.”
“You’d rather just sit and wait? The anticipation is killing me.”
Sean shrugged. “I haven’t seen a lot of tombstones that say ‘death by anticipation,’ but I’m willing to bet there are going to be a lot that say ‘death by conflagration.’”
Jessica turned toward Sean, genuinely surprised. “That was a big-word-Wednesday sort of word. I’m impressed.”
“I may have been a huge slacker in school, but I still read a lot. People don’t give fantasy and science fiction the credit they deserve; they use all kinds of big words in those books. When you’re describing the physical composition of a dying star, you kind of need a solid vocabulary.”
“Point well taken,” she said as she scanned the nearby forest for signs of flames.
“Then you’ll read Lord of the Rings when all this is done?” he asked hopefully.
“Still no.”
Sean sighed. “I’ll wear you down. It’s kind of my charm.”
Jessica arched an eyebrow. “Your charm is that you’re annoyingly persistent?”
“We’re dating, aren’t we?” he asked with a knowing smile and a wink.
Jessica laughed and shoved him playfully. “Again, point well taken.”
She looked out over the burning French countryside and sighed wistfully. “I really underestimated you when we lived in White Halls. I kind of wish we could do all of this,” she said, motioning toward the barn, “without all of that.” She gestured toward the distant fires.
“I don’t,” he said, taking her hand. “I never stood a chance with you in college, and rightfully so. I may have had my own redeeming qualities, but they’re not the type that gets a sorority girl as beautiful as you.”
“That’s what I’m talking about. Who knew you were such a romantic at heart?”
“Me, for starters,” he replied.
She started to smile before a snapping branch startled them both. Jessica raised a finger to her lips before pointing toward the woods below. Without the light silhouetting them in the loft’s door, they felt confident no one could see them from below. Even so, they both sank into the shadows on either side of the large opening.
For a long few minutes, they just stared at the woods, hoping to catch sight of whatever made the noise. Yet, after what seemed like an eternity, nothing emerged from the tree line. Sean looked inquisitively toward Jessica, but she merely shrugged.
“Do you think it was an animal?” Sean whispered.
“Maybe,” she said, “but I haven’t exactly seen a whole lot of animals around here, at least not one big enough to break a branch like that.”
“Maybe we’re just jumping at shadows.”
A single light appeared in the grassy field between the forest and the barn’s front doors. The dancing flame hovered inches above a blond man’s hand, illuminating the oiled dark leather of his armor and the stern visage he wore.
“Damn it,” Sean mouthed, no longer trusting even a whisper on the quiet night.
“Maybe there’s only one of them?” Jessica asked hopefully, her soft whisper carrying across the narrow space between them.
“It’s coming from here,” the Fire Warrior said sternly, his voice strong and clear in the night’s air.
In response, another flame ignited as a second Fire Warrior emerged from the forest. The second was joined by a third, fourth, and fifth as a small patrol of Fire Warriors joined the first. They stood in a semicircle around the front of the barn.
“I feel it, too,” a female warrior remarked. “There’s power coming from the barn.”
“Then we burn it to the ground,” a third said. “Burn it all and let everything within be destroyed.”
The patrol’s leader shook his head. “If it’s the one our master seeks, we would be wise to capture him alive. Bring in the Wind Warrior and we will all be lords in the master’s new world.” He motioned toward either side of the barn. “Surround the structure and make sure he doesn’t escape.”
“And if he attacks us?” the female asked.
The leader frowned, but he didn’t turn toward his subordinate. “Then destroy him.”
“Double damn it!” Sean whispered. He gestured toward the barn’s interior, and they both slipped away from the open loft door. Sean stole a glance toward the floor of the barn below, where the frigid ice steamed even in the cool air. His gaze drifted toward the front doors, which were still closed and blocked as well as possible, though he knew it would mean little to five Fire Warriors.
“What are we going to do?” Jessica asked, finally trusting they were far enough away to speak slightly louder.
Sean bit his lip as he glanced toward a pile of loose hay. They had been sharing it as a makeshift bed, but a specific pile of hay concealed another dangerous prize. “I know you don’t trust it, but we need the gun.”
Jessica wanted to argue but knew he was right. One Fire Warrior might have been a different situation, one worth debating the merits of a pistol, but five changed the conversation completely.
“Do you think you can take out five of them without getting yourself killed?”
Sean walked over to the hay and reached beneath an inconspicuous pile. As he pulled back his hand, he held the pistol in his grip. “Nope. I can’t even guarantee I’ll get off my first shot without accidently shooting myself in the process.”
Jessica grabbed his arm as he walked toward the ladder. “You know this is a terrible idea, right?”
“The worst,” he replied before leaning in and kissing her. “And I love you, too.”
“I never said I love you,” she said, shaking her head.
“No, but I kind of figured you did anyway. I’m probably going to be dead in about five minutes, so it’s nice to think you do.”
She grabbed his shirt and pulled him into a passionate kiss. As she pulled away, Sean exhaled slowly.
“I love you, you dork,” she said with a smile.
Sean turned around and started climbing down the ladder. He paused after a few rungs and looked up at the blonde woman. “Keep an eye on Xander for me. I don’t know if he’s going to miraculously wake up and ride in on his white horse to save the day, all Ex Machina style, but I’m kind of hoping he will. Just promise me you’ll point him in my direction if he wakes up, won’t you?”
Her eyes glistened as she nodded before watching him descend the ladder. She quickly searched the loft until she found a broken shovel handle she could use as a weapon. As Sean moved toward the barn’s front door, she climbed down the ladder and rushed to Xander’s side.
There was a back door but it was closed and barred. Thick, wooden planks had been nailed over the opening, sealing the door shut. It was a mixed blessing, Jessica realized. The Fire Warriors couldn’t sneak up behind them and take Xander, but if the front of the barn caught fire, there was nowhere to go.
Sean placed his hand on the front door, ready to push it open, but he paused at the last minute. He glanced over his shoulder and caught Jessica’s eye. Smiling softly, he nodded.
“We know you’re in there, Wind Warrior,” the leader yelled. “Surrender yourself or we’ll burn down the barn around you.”
Sean tensed as he prepared to open the door.
“Sean,” Jessica said, startling him. It didn’t matter if her voice carried, since the Fire Warriors knew they were inside already. He turned back toward her. “Remember how you said before that you were a sidekick, some kid-something to Xander’s something else?”
“Kid Flash to Xander’s Flash,” Sean said. “Or Robin to his Batman, whichever you want.”
She smiled at him. “You’re not a sidekick anymore. Go be a superhero.”
Sean returned her smile and pushed the door open with one hand while raising the pistol with the other. The Fire Warrior on the far side seemed coolly confident as Sean emerged, despite having a firearm pointed directly at him.
“You’re not the one we seek,” the warrior remarked.
“No, but I’m the badass you’ve found,” Sean replied, pulling back the hammer on the pistol. He really hoped the safety was off, since he wasn’t sure how to turn it off if it wasn’t.
The fire in the warrior’s hand grew more intense as it enlarged. He smiled wickedly as he pulled back his arm and prepared to throw the fireball.
Sean closed his eyes and squeezed the trigger. The gunshot sounded like a cannon in his ears and the front of the pistol jumped in his hand, nearly flying back far enough to strike him in the forehead. Startled, he took a rough step backward and opened his eyes once more.
The Fire Warrior stood before him, the fire still blazing in his hand but his brow furrowed in pain and confusion. The blond man glanced down slowly at the larger exit wound in his chest, from which blood poured. His oiled leather armor grew slick and red. He coughed once, a splatter of blood seeping from his lips.
“Oh my God, I actually shot someone,” Sean muttered.
A second gunshot sounded, followed quickly by a third. The Fire Warrior jerked twice more before he fell face-first into the grass. The ball of flames in his hand dissipated as he collapsed, dissolving into smoke. Sean stood perplexed, knowing he hadn’t fired either of the last two shots and suddenly doubting his first shot had even hit its target.
From out of the trees behind the Fire Warrior, one of the Frenchmen emerged. A rifle was cradled in his arms, its barrel still smoking from its use. Despite the darkness, Sean recognized the man. His clothing was unchanged since he was part of the angry mob that had attacked Jessica.
He raised his pistol, pointing it at the Frenchman. “Stay back. You know what I did to your last buddy; don’t think I won’t shoot you.”
The Frenchman remained unmoved, neither raising his rifle in defense or responding to Sean’s threats.
Sean shook his head. “You don’t even understand me, do you?”
“No,” came a familiar voice from around the side of the barn, “but I do, you bloody Yank.”
Sean turned slowly as Leftenant Wilkes emerged from around the building.
Wilkes said something in French before raising his thumb and drawing it across his throat. Despite not speaking the language, Sean knew well enough what it meant.
“Combien?” the Frenchman asked.
Wilkes held up four fingers, and the Frenchman nodded approvingly. Sean had pretty well forgotten about the Frenchman and the threat he posed.
“Wilkes?” Sean asked. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Saving your arse, from the looks of it.”
From behind Wilkes, more Frenchmen emerged, all armed with rifles and pistols. Sean seemed dumbfounded as he looked back and forth between the two groups of Europeans.
Wilkes noted his confusion and walked over before placing a hand on Sean’s arm, lowering the pistol so it was no longer pointed at the French soldier. When the pistol was safely down, Wilkes pulled it out of Sean’s hand.
“Do you even know how to use this thing?” Wilkes asked nonchalantly, as though they hadn’t left each other’s company or been through such a trying ordeal in London together.
“I…”
Wilkes arched an eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure you could shoot that thing up in the air and still miss the sky. I’m not convinced you could use this thing effectively if your life depended on it, which it does, I might add.”
“What are you…?” Sean struggled to find the right words to convey his level of confusion.
Wilkes glanced over his shoulder toward the Frenchmen. “I know what you’re thinking, mate. What’s a bloke like me doing hanging out with a bunch of bloody Frogs? It really must be the apocalypse, right?”
Sean furrowed his brow as he slowly shook his head. “That is literally not even close to what I was thinking. How did you find us?”
“It wasn’t exactly all that hard,” Wilkes said as he motioned toward the Frenchmen. Some started walking toward the open door to the barn while others took defensive positions around the perimeter. “Apparently, there was a rather large battle involving a dragon. Something told me you Yanks were somehow involved in that. After that, it was just a matter of figuring out where you wound up afterward. These dead blokes led us straight to you.”
Sean’s eyes grew wide. “There were more blokes! Damn it, I mean there were more Fire Warriors.”
Wilkes shook his head. “Not any more, there aren’t. My men took care of them.”
Sean looked toward the Frenchmen. “Who are all these guys?”
“We’re the resistance.”
“Sean?” Jessica asked as she stepped into the barn’s doorway. “What’s going on? I heard gunfire.”
“Hello, love!” Wilkes said as he stepped away from Sean.
“Wilkes? What the hell are you doing here?”
“That’s what I asked,” Sean replied as he hurried to follow the Brit.
“We’re here to help. We’ve been fighting these Fire Warriors throughout France; been doing some right and proper damage to them, too. After we saw the dragon, we figured Xander could use our help.” Wilkes glanced around. “Where is our mysterious Wind Warrior, anyway?”
Sean and Jessica exchanged nervous glances. “Perhaps you should come with us.”
Wilkes stroked his chin. “So you’re saying he’s in there?”
“Recovering,” Sean said. “He popped up the cocoon after we got him back to the barn.”
The Brit knelt beside the icy sarcophagus and ran his hand over the surface. “And you say it’s a beacon to the Fire Warriors?”
“I actually called it a lighthouse, but close enough.”
“Then we’ll make sure he stays alive long enough to come back out of this cocoon,” Wilkes said as he stood again. “Me and my mates will keep those Fire Warriors off you until we can figure out how to wake up Xander once again.”
“Thank you, Wilkes,” Jessica said. She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. “I don’t know what we would have done if you hadn’t shown up.”
“Well, love, I assume you would have hoped for Fire Warriors with heart conditions so that Sean’s rubbish shooting actually scared them to death.”
Jessica and Wilkes laughed, though Sean didn’t join in. She walked over to Sean’s side and placed her arms around his neck. “Don’t give him a hard time. He’s my hero.”
She kissed him firmly on the lips. He slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her in close, not caring about any awkwardness with the Brit watching them. After a passionate moment, they pulled away from one another. Jessica smiled broadly and ran her hand affectionately down Sean’
s arm.
“If your men need anything, let me know,” she said. “Not that we have anything to offer other than this crappy barn, but we’ll do what we can.”
“We appreciate it. We actually have some food to share with the two of you.”
Sean perked up at the mention of food. “And just like that, we’re best friends again.”
Jessica stepped away from the two men. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m exhausted. I’m going to turn in for the night, since I think I can sleep soundly without having dreams of Fire Warriors sneaking up on me in the dead of night. Goodnight, you two.”
“Goodnight, baby,” Sean said.
“Night,” Wilkes said.
She turned and climbed the ladder, disappearing into the hay bed on the loft above. They watched her depart in silence, waiting until they were alone before turning back toward Xander’s cocoon. Sean stared at his friend, trapped within a prison of his own making. Wilkes, however, kept staring at the American. For a long moment, Sean was oblivious to the staring. As he realized the Brit was watching him, Sean looked over.
“What?”
“I saw you snogging that pretty bird,” Wilkes said. “You shagged her too, didn’t you?”
Sean furrowed his brow and slowly shook his head. “I literally have no idea what you just said. Everything you say just sounds like gobbledygook.”
“You’re a tosser.” Wilkes laughed.
“Gobbledygook, every bit of it.”
The two men found seats on the hay. Wilkes pulled a canteen from his belt and offered it to Sean. Having only been able to enjoy pieces of the frozen well to drink for the past few days, Sean greedily took the canteen and drank deeply. The cool water rolled down his parched throat and settled into his empty belly. His stomach rumbled immediately, and Sean looked sheepishly toward Wilkes.
“You wouldn’t happen to have—?”
Wilkes opened a pouch on his belt and pulled out a protein bar. He tossed it to Sean, who caught it handily. The American tore open the plastic and took a bite of the bar, ignoring the fact that it was gummy and hard to chew. He had to wash down every bite with another swig of water but he didn’t mind, nor did his belly. Having food in his stomach made the world seem a little more bearable.
Earth God Page 12
