Lost Souls (Only the Inevitable Book 3)

by N E Riggs

  “There will be some Sword Priests in both Kumarkan and Jod,” Intu said. “Once we engage the gateway manipulator, we’ll be tracked quickly. We don’t want to be anywhere near the gateway, or we’ll be caught.”

  Musha squinted at him. “If we can’t be close, how will we operate the gateway manipulator?”

  Intu waved a hand. “I can probably build a remote control for it. It may take some time, though.”

  “We have time,” Odi said. “We will get only one chance with this. Let’s not mess it up. Intu and Saikee will find a gateway manipulator and build a remote for it. Volk, compile a list of worlds with powerful, vicious monsters. Musha, Seth, and I will search for a good place to send the attack. Once everything is ready, David will sneak into Shamla and find the records we need. Does everyone understand?” He looked around the table, meeting everyone’s eyes. David scowled when Odi gazed at him. He didn’t want to have to sneak into Shamla a second time. He’d gotten lucky the first time, the second time might not go so well.

  He wasn’t sure how he felt about the plan either. He felt heartened that they would avoid civilians and Sword Priests. As Odi had said, no need to attack the sects other than Law or Lost. He remembered the Lost Priests in Tandi who’d been killed by Malmis, and swallowed hard. Some Lost Priests were scum; Brigid had proved that, and so had many others. But did they deserve to die for keeping gateways a secret? He’d feel much better if the attack occurred in Jod. He recalled Diket, and how cold and harsh the Law Steward had been. He’d even taken Bramira from David. If anyone deserved to die, it was him and other Law Priests.

  Standing, Odi said, “We will meet again in one week to discuss our progress. Until then, take care of yourselves.” He held a cane and shuffled slowly away from the table. Intu and Musha followed him, Intu holding open a back door for him. Seth leaned over to Volk and discussed something with him quietly.

  Since David couldn’t leave without Seth – he didn’t remember how to get back – he turned to Saikee, smiling widely. “So you like to build things?” he asked.

  Saikee smiled, pushing back a strand of dark hair that had escaped her ponytail. “I’m pretty good with my hands,” she said, fluttering her eyelashes.

  David felt his cheeks grow warm – was she flirting with him? Until a few days ago, he’d have never questioned. He leaned back casually in his seat, throwing one arm over the back. “I like a competent woman. What do you normally do?”

  “I’m a secretary at a company in Jigok,” Saikee said. “Were you really a Sword Priest? And did you really fight so well that Pludes Hato swooned?”

  “I don’t know about swooned, but he hired me on the spot even though he wasn’t looking for help.” He paused, tilting his head to the side. “Is it a problem, that I used to be a Sword Priest?”

  Saikee shrugged. “If you still were, maybe. But you’re one of us now, except you’re strong and powerful and skilled.” She stared at him, bold and clearly inviting. It wasn’t David’s imagination. She leaned closer to him suddenly, so David shifted closer too. “Just remember this. You might be a former Sword Priest, but no amount of strength or skill will save you from me if you hurt Seth. Do you understand?” The flirtatious tone had fled her voice, leaving only cold resolve.

  David drew back and held up his hands. “Hey. I like Seth. He helped me when no one else would. Besides, we’re countrymen.”

  “I hope that’s true, for your sake.” She stood. “I live down the hallway from Seth, if you need anything.” Then she turned and left, using the same door as Odi, Intu, and Musha.

  “Saikee can be scary.” David turned to see Seth watching him closely. “And trust me, she means it. So don’t go messing around with her, okay?”

  David held up his hands. “I was just being friendly. I definitely don’t plan to mess with anyone.”

  “Good. Well, let’s head back.” Seth nodded to Volk then led David back out the building. As they walked back, David wondered about Saikee and Seth. They both seemed very protective of the other. They couldn’t be a couple – Saikee was his age, and Seth a teenager. Even on Bantong that couldn’t be okay. They obviously knew each other well. Maybe they were just close friends.

  Well, since Saikee lived down the hallway from Seth, he’d have plenty of time to find out. And if he was lucky, maybe he’d have time to flirt with her some more, see if she really was interested in him. It had been far too long since he had sex. Not since Scatha, over six months ago. He had no illusions that a relationship with Saikee would go any better than the one with Scatha, if that could even be called a relationship. He didn’t care. He didn’t need a real relationship – not that anyone would ever want one with him either. If a part of him yearned for someone he could actually love… Well, he could ignore that part of himself. He already knew he wasn’t allowed to love. No need to give up everything.

  *

  “It isn’t easy moving large quantities into Jigok, you know,” said the man sitting on the other side of the desk. He wore sunglasses and a hat and a jacket with a high collar. David couldn’t make out most of the man’s features. Which was probably the point. He hadn’t heard a name either, though Pludes clearly knew the man well. “I don’t like operating so close to Pardis.”

  “Geographically, we might be close, but only geographically.” Pludes took a long sip of wine, watching the man over the rim. “The watch only comes through here when they’re actively hunting someone. You don’t need to fear Sword Priests.”

  “But—” Even with the sunglasses, David could see the man look at David’s agitator. He wore it openly, as Pludes told him to. He leaned against the wall of Pludes’s office, arms crossed over his chest. One of Pludes’s other thugs stood beside the door – David didn’t know the man’s name. He hadn’t been told and hadn’t asked. He didn’t want to get familiar here.

  Pludes stood up and walked around his desk. He placed a hand on the man’s shoulder. “You worry too much,” he said softly. “Priests never come here. I am the only law in Jigok, and I’m on your side. So next week, double the shipment, okay? You know I pay well.”

  “Yeah, I do.” The man finally looked away from David and stood. “I’ll take the shipment to the normal spot?”

  “Excellent.” Pludes slipped something into the man’s front jacket pocket – a wad of bills. “A little something in advance, to sooth your fears. Go on, then.” The man nodded and hurried from the office. As soon as he was gone, Pludes turned to David with a smile. “Ah, David, you’re a treasure. My business is booming thanks to you!”

  He opened his mouth to ask what shipment the man would bring in next week. Then he decided he didn’t want to know. Ignorance was no defense on Bantong, as he’d learned, but he had to sleep at night. Instead he said, “You know, if the Eternists suspect you’re bringing illegal substances into Jigok, they will come looking for you.”

  Pludes snorted and waved a hand. “Are you blind, David? The priests have far more important things to worry about than my little operation. As long as I don’t operate too obviously, they can pretend not to know and concentrate on other things. Which means I can continue to sell to my customers, and everyone is happy!”

  “I hope so. But don’t bet on it.”

  Pludes shook his head and tutted. “For a young man, you worry far too much. I suppose I should be grateful. You might as well leave now. I’ll need you tomorrow at four in the morning, so go get some rest. And remember to bring your agitator.”

  Once again, David almost asked what Pludes could need him for so early in the morning. So far, his duties had been fairly simple. Standing around and looking intimidating and delivering packages. No one had attacked him since that first foray, but eyes followed him whenever he went out. He’d become a known face in Jigok. If anyone ever came after him, they’d be able to find him easily.

  He pushed that thought aside. It had been three days since he broke into Shamla to steal gateway information. No one had arrested him yet. He was almost feeling
optimistic enough to think he’d gotten away with it. Almost. Bantong had robbed him of most of his optimism.

  “Fine.” He pushed off the wall. “See you then.” The other thug – David didn’t like to think of himself as a thug, but he couldn’t think of anything better to call Pludes’s other men – opened the door. Once outside in the hallway, he heard them talking. Pludes might trust him enough to have him stand around during negotiations, but he didn’t discuss anything in detail while David was nearby.

  He didn’t stand near the door to eavesdrop. Three cameras watched the door, so Pludes would know and David would lose his job. Anyway, he didn’t want to know. He walked quickly down the hallway, glad to be away from the dance club. He hurried the few blocks back to his new apartment and let himself in.

  His new apartment. David smiled. He shouldn’t be proud of it; it was a small, pitiful studio apartment with a bed that folded up into a couch and an old com pad that had to be poked multiple times before it worked, both of which he’d found at a dirty pawn shop. He’d lived in Boston in some pretty manky places, but this took the prize. But he had a place to live, however small and miserable, and money to pay for it. Life hadn’t gone as he’d dreamed, but he could make do.

  He’d found the apartment the day before, three stories down from Seth’s. Seth had been relieved to see him move out. They got along well enough, David supposed, but Seth was clearly used to having his own space. He was happier on his own too. He’d finished putting all his things away, which hadn’t taken much time. The closet held all his clothes with plenty of space left over.

  Flopping down on his couch-cum-bed, David flipped on the com pad and started flipping through television channels; he wasn’t tired enough to sleep yet. He didn’t pay much attention, busy thinking about Saikee. He’d seen her in the hallway as he moved out of Seth’s place. He hadn’t spoken to her, and he wished now he had. In the three days since he met her, he thought of her almost constantly, and he was tired of having only his right hand for company. He could have seen her anytime, but he hadn’t. In his defense, he’d been busy working for Pludes, finding this apartment, and moving in. He wanted to see her though.

  As he debated, dramatic music from the current channel caught his attention. He turned up the volume to hear a female reporter say, “Early this morning, Law Cardinal Yun Tong was found dead. She passed away in her sleep from a stroke. Cardinal Tong was ninety-three years old and is survived by three children, seven grandchildren, and eighteen great grandchildren.” Beside the reporter, an image appeared of an older woman. She wore a white Law uniform, her white hair pulled into a severe bun.

  The male reporter shook his head sadly and said to his co-presenter, “Cardinal Tong lived an amazing life, didn’t she? She became Cardinal at fifty-three. During her tenure, she re-organized the Law Sect, allowing non-gifted Brothers and Sisters to hear trials for minor crimes. She set new procedures in place, allowing the justice system to work more quickly and more efficiently. She—”

  David switched off the com pad, scowling. “Speed is the last thing the Law Priests need. Good riddance, you fucking witch.” He’d never met Cardinal Tong, had only heard her name a handful of times. That didn’t stop him from hating her. He jumped up from the couch and strode from the apartment. He needed a change of scenery.

  In the small lobby downstairs he saw Saikee and Seth standing together. He ducked back into the stairwell and listened. “—so glad he isn’t living with you anymore,” Saikee was saying.

  “Stop worrying about me, Saikee.” Seth frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. “I can take care of myself. I have been for years. Anyway, you don’t have to worry about David. He’s nice.”

  “Are you sure? All you know is that he’s from the same world as you. Was everyone on your home world nice?” Seth looked away, and Saikee sighed. “He seems nice, I’ll grant you. And as far as Volk can tell, his story checks out. But we need to be careful. If you were taken from us too—” Her voice broke.

  Seth grabbed her and held her tightly. “You miss Met. I know. I miss him too. Just remember: we will never get him back, but we’ll at least avenge him. No matter what it takes.” He pulled away from Saikee and walked to the elevator.

  David waited for him to disappear before he stepped out of the stairwell. When the door closed behind him, Saikee twitched and whirled around. She stared at him for a long moment then asked, “How much of that did you hear?”

  “Most of it.” David shrugged. “Look, I desperately need a drink. You look like you could use one too. How about we go together?”

  “Yeah, okay. There’s a decent bar not too far from here.” She walked outside without waiting to see if David would follow. Neither did she looked back as she led him to the bar. She was the only one who didn’t stare – everyone else gaped at his agitator. David had to force himself not to hunch, not to let his jacket hang over his agitator. Pludes would be happy. He wanted David to be known in Jigok. David was less pleased. People knew who he was, who he worked for. Pludes had enemies. How long before one of them decided to kill David while he was walking around, minding his own business? He’d seen enough gangster movies to imagine assassins lurking in every darkened alleyway.

  He wondered how long he’d survived in Jigok.

  The Tipsy Top stood on a corner four blocks from their apartment building. Saikee took a stool at the bar and ordered a beer. David sat beside her and wondered what he should say. She saved him by starting the conversation. “I don’t know why Seth likes you so much.”

  David took a sip of his beer and glanced briefly at the television, which was showing a cricket game. “Are you from the same world as some of the others?” He didn’t say Core, not here in public.

  “We’re all from world 12457.”

  “Then you wouldn’t really know what it’s like to be all alone. I do, and so does Seth. It doesn’t matter that we barely know each other or that we don’t have anything else in common. We have Earth, we have America. That’s more than we had a few days ago.”

  Saikee stared down into her drink. “I guess. I can’t blame him. Met and I, we tried to be family to Seth. We loved him, and he loved us. We chose to become a family. And then we were pulled apart when Met got banished.” The way she said Met and the things she said made David think she’d been more than just friends with Met.

  “I could be family to Seth.” He said it without thinking.

  “Oh, could you?” Saikee raised an eyebrow. “You barely know him.”

  “How well did Met know him, before he took him in?”

  Saikee leaned closer. “How much do you really care about Seth? And how much are you just trying to get on my good side?”

  David twitched. “You flirted with me first.”

  “I guess I did. I miss Met.” Saikee finished her beer in three long gulps. The television behind the bar switched from the cricket to preparation for the funeral. Scowling, Saikee said softly, “We’re going to have to slow things down, now that Cardinal Tong is dead.”

  David frowned but also pitched his voice low. No one sat near them, but best not to take chances. “How come? Won’t this be the best time to attack? Or have they already named a new Law Cardinal?” He hadn’t heard anything like that, but he hadn’t paid much attention to the news. David wondered how a new Cardinal was picked anyway.

  Saikee shook her head. “Jod is coated in priests of every sect. They’re there to gossip, and for the funeral in three days. It means we can’t look around as easily.” She stared down into her empty glass, face twisted. “I wish she was still alive so we could kill her for what she did to Met.”

  “Was she the one to sentence him?” David asked.

  “No. But she was still at fault. Maybe if we’re lucky, the new Law Cardinal will be more merciful.” She pushed her glass away. “Fat chance of that though. May the Nephilim have your soul for eternity,” she said, glaring at a television.

  She hates them at least as much as I do. He hadn’t
thought that possible. He’d left his room so he’d have something else to think about. He hated Law Priests and everything they stood for. He would soon have his revenge against them. And he’d soon probably be dead. Even if vengeance was the only thing he had left to live for, he could still have some pleasure too. He finished his beer. “I don’t want to be here right now. I don’t want to think about our plans, or the Law Priests, or even Seth. I like you. Can I take you out somewhere?”

  Saikee closed her eyes, breathing slowly and deeply. “Let’s go back to your place.”

  “What?” David exclaimed, not sure he’d heard right.

  “You’re all moved into your new apartment, right?” Saikee asked, barely blinking.

  “More or less.”

  “Then let’s go there.” Saikee dropped enough money to cover her drink. David fumbled with his cash for a moment, probably leaving too much, and followed her out of the Tipsy Top. He walked silently down the street, his mind a whirl. He’d always had luck with women, but this was going way too fast. He should just enjoy it, but he couldn’t help but worry over the scowl on Saikee’s face.

  He got lost looking for the apartment building, and Saikee had to led the rest of the way. When they stepped inside his apartment, she looked around, a faint smirk on her lips. “Very minimalist.”

  “I just moved yesterday, and I haven’t got much stuff,” David said. “Can I get you anything to eat or drink?” The apartment had come with a cooker.

  “No need,” Saikee said and started to unbutton her shirt. She cocked an eyebrow. “Well? Are you just going to stare, or are you going to do something?”

  David decided that whatever issues she was having could wait. By the time they were naked together on his bed, her scowl had faded away in pleased gasps. David luxuriated in the feel on her soft, smooth skin against his own. It had been far too long. He was so happy he didn’t even say anything when, at her orgasm, Saikee cried out for Met.