by Jaime Rush
“You should have alerted me when you knew Cyntag and Ruby were outside your house. I could have helped.”
Magda loosened her grip on him and sat up straight on the couch. “I told Darren we should let you know, but he wanted to handle it himself. He always felt inadequate. I probably didn’t help, comparing him to Justin years ago. To you. I think he needed to prove himself. But Darren doesn’t have the magick you do. He did his best, but in the end, it wasn’t enough. My fighting skills are a bit rusty, I’m afraid. I wasn’t enough either.”
“You destroyed the lab.”
“I couldn’t defeat them, nor could I run off and leave them there to take evidence. I felt it was the only solution, and I thought it would kill them.” She let out a ragged sigh. “But they escaped.”
Purcell nodded. “I suppose it was the best decision in the end. But Justin’s early prototype was there.”
She shook her head. “I didn’t see it or I would have grabbed it. I assumed it was here.”
“No, I only have his second, smaller prototype.” The only two things that Justin wasn’t able to get his hands on that fateful night. Early attempts, they didn’t pull in Deus Vis but did hold minute amounts of it. Darren had been using them to re-create Justin’s work. “I’m glad I didn’t give into Darren’s whining about leaving the actual reactor at the lab.”
“He was angry that you wouldn’t let him keep it, seeing it as proof that you didn’t trust him. But you would have been proud of him. He fought well. And he hid your involvement, taking responsibility for everything.”
Purcell rubbed his fingers across his lips as he considered that. “So Ruby and Cyntag might think they’ve thwarted me and destroyed everything.” Maybe his son was smarter than he’d given him credit for.
“Ruby knows that Cyntag killed her parents. I was so hoping to break that news to her, since I couldn’t believe she would work with him if she knew. She’s angry at him over it though. Her eyes flamed when I mentioned it.”
Purcell ran his fingers down his beard. “A wedge between them may give us an opening. If we get rid of her, he may back down.”
She twined her fingers in her hair, her mouth stretching into a frown. “He won’t. I could see his devotion to her. He’ll come after us even harder.” She stared at nothing for a few moments before focusing on him again. “But revenge won’t be his only motivator. Thanks to Brom, they must know the consequences of our success.”
Purcell reached for the cigar that he’d set in the ashtray when Magda had banged on his door. “I have an idea, but it will mean widening the circle of the Chosen.” And inviting another Dragon in, not something he was fond of doing. Purcell figured about fifty people could survive on the Deus Vis the reactor emitted. There were not many vacancies left.
She gathered his free hand in hers. “Am I still one of the Chosen?”
Her fear of being excluded shadowed her eyes. And filled him with a rush of his own power. He got to play god, in a way, choosing other early generation Deuces and esteemed members of the Concilium or Guard, along with their select family members.
He patted her hand and pulled out of her grip. “Of course.” She didn’t know that she was the only Dragon thus far, and only included because of her affiliation with Darren. But Purcell would live up to his word. The Deuces he had chosen were purists like himself. None would be mating with Magda.
She stared past him, wiping away her tears. “The last thing Darren said…”
“Was what?”
Her smile was as vacant as her eyes. “That he was willing to die for me. That’s the kind of man your son was.”
Purcell couldn’t imagine his son being so noble. “You should return to your home. I imagine both the Mundane and Crescent authorities will be investigating. We’ll come up with a story. You were out, your husband was concocting something in his lab and accidentally blew it and himself up. Who knows what kind of crazy thing he was working on? You don’t, certainly. You can play the grieving and shocked woman well enough. After all, you did a good job just now.”
They’d saved thousands of Crescents. Cyn should feel good. Relieved. Well, if he could focus his thoughts on all that and not Ruby. Of course, that would be easier if he wasn’t patrolling the road that the Yard was on.
He picked up his cell phone and fought the urge to call Ruby’s number. Instead, he called Kade. When he didn’t answer, Cyn called another Vega he’d served with.
After Parker answered and Cyn identified himself, he said, “It’s great to hear from you, but I can’t talk right now.”
Cyn could hear noise in the background. “You wouldn’t happen to be investigating an explosion, would you?”
“Yeah, I sure am. An outbuilding, blown to bits. You know something about it?”
“All I can say is look closely at the woman who lives there.”
“She just returned from an errand and found this. She’s all broken up but she’s cooperating. We’re questioning her now, but she claims to have no idea what her husband was doing when he blew himself up.”
“I’d detain her for as long as you can. Check out her story.”
Cyn signed off. Ruby should be safe for a little while at least. As exhausted as he was, an uneasiness twisted his stomach. Once Magda was taken care of, he would have no reason to contact Ruby again. The thought burrowed into his chest.
He called Glesenda. “Hey. Everything normal?”
“We don’t have any uninvited guests hanging around, if that’s what you mean.”
“I’m not coming in today. See if Dave can teach my cane class this afternoon.”
“Is it because of that chick? And the demons?”
“No, that’s over. We took care of the guy behind the demons, and the chick is not in my life anymore.” He felt a stabbing pain at those words.
“Too bad about the chick. She fired you up. It was good to see you like that.”
He grunted in response.
“But,” she continued, “there’s no need for a substitute teacher. Six of the students have canceled, along with a bunch for the other classes. There’s some bug going around. I even feel run-down, and I never get sick.”
“Have any Mundanes called in to cancel?”
“Hmm. Now that you ask, no, only Crescents. Pretty strange, don’t you think?”
He couldn’t tell her that everyone would be feeling better soon without explaining, so he said, “Go ahead and close early, get some rest.”
Which is what he should do. The uneasiness was getting stronger, though, and his Dragon was downright agitated. Something didn’t feel right.
In Brom’s prophecy, and thus Moncrief’s stories, Garnet and the Dragon Prince defeated a huge monster. And he and Ruby had—the tulpa. In Moncrief’s version, the Dragon Prince died, but that was obviously his spiteful addition. Garnet had returned to her kingdom to find it still under siege by the Shadows. From Ruby’s description, they sounded like demons. Garnet and her army went on to defeat them and all was well.
All did not feel well here. If something was truly wrong, Brom should be sensing it. Demons were supposed to return to the Dark Side if their summoner died. Any demons here to do Darren’s bidding should be gone. Including the parasitic demon. Cyn headed to Brom’s and took the back way in again, getting no answer when he called Brom’s name. As he entered the house, he saw no sign that the man had been back. But he did see that the ribbons were still fracturing.
A beep caught his attention, and he followed it to an answering machine. The loud deep voice sounded familiar. “Hey, Brom, it’s Jay. I’ve got some elements to try based on the new information you gave me. I’m going out to the edge of the Sanctum’s Field where the Deus Vis is similar to Miami’s to run some experiments. Since that’s in the wilderness, I’ll be out of pocket until tomorrow tonight. Hopefully I’ll have an answer, because if you’re right, we’ve only got until sometime tomorrow to figure this out.”
Jay. Sanctum. Cyn knew exactly who he was,
and it made sense that Brom had consulted him again. According to the date and time on the phone, Jay had called this morning. Cyn programmed the number into his phone and headed back to his car, his mind spinning. He needed to find out what Brom had told Jay. And he needed to find Magda and get his hands on whatever was fracturing the Deus Vis. It obviously wasn’t destroyed.
No demons.
Those words flashed in his mind as his feet sank into the sand on the way back to the car. He tried to figure out why it bothered him. No demons should be a good thing. In fact, it had been great that Darren hadn’t summoned any to help during their final altercation. And that’s what bothered Cyn. Someone who could summon demons possessed stronger magick than bubble orbs.
Had they killed Mr. Smith? Cyn needed to find out for sure. His former boss and mentor would be heading to work about now. Maybe Cyn could catch him.
Fernandez was, indeed, walking to his car, wearing his dark blue suit, a travel mug in hand. He was already watching as Cyn’s car pulled down the long drive. No doubt he recognized the car.
Fernandez set his mug on the roof and waited for Cyn to get out and walk over. “Everything all right? No, I’m assuming not, since you’re here. Not to mention that you look like hell.”
They shook hands, and Cyn smiled. “I earned it. I have a question, off the record. What did Mr. Smith look like? A general description will suffice.”
Before Fernandez could say anything, the front door opened, and Celia stepped out. “Cyn! I thought that was your car.” She was still wearing a robe, her complexion pale. “It’s been so long.”
“I’m sorry about that. I wish I had time to visit.”
Her wistful expression tightened his chest. Ward orphans, back before they created institutions for them, were taken in by a Guard officer and his family. Similar to foster care, only there was a solid commitment to raise the child, train him in the Crescent ways, and then push him to join the Guard. When Cyn had quit, he’d had to quit them, too. He couldn’t take the chance of inadvertently revealing the truth about why he left. But he did stop by from time to time and always sent cards and gifts.
She waved away his words. “I can’t anyway. I’ve got the flu.”
The flu. Like all those other Crescents. “Good to see you, Celia. I hope you feel better.”
When Celia closed the door, Fernandez turned his troubled expression back to Cyn. “Smith. He looked older, which means he’s old. Early generation Crescent, I’d guess. White hair and neatly trimmed beard. Distinguished, typical Deuce coolness. Arrogant. You want to tell me what’s going on? Maybe I can help.”
Darren wasn’t Mr. Smith. Which meant Mr. Smith was still alive. Still out there hunting Ruby. Cyn called out, “I have to go,” as he ran to his car. He tried Ruby’s number, but he didn’t expect her to answer if she knew it was him.
He jumped in his car and tore away to the Yard.
Something was forming on the page of the open book in the female Crescent’s living room. The demon watched for a moment, feeling the magick in the book prickle across its skin. A three-headed monster appeared line by line. Very small stick figures were next, standing in front of the looming monster.
Selwig closed the book and searched the living space. It liked going through her things. What joy, tormenting Crescents by moving their things around, punching them in their sleep and creating mystery bruises. But it was not here to have innocent fun; its mission was even more exciting. The demon didn’t like Dragons, having seen his comrades slaughtered by them over the years. Now, fittingly, this demon had been freed from prison to kill one.
A song began to play. Selwig followed the sound to a flat square sitting on the table. The screen read CYN. The song ended. It followed the scent of the woman to the open doorway. She lay sprawled on the bed, naked.
A demon of sin would do other things to her. Being a harbinger was much better, with the ability to take any kind of physical form.
A fire Elemental tried to dart past, but Selwig stomped its foot and stopped the pesky creature. Its gaze flitted to the woman’s sleeping form. Ah, so it meant to warn her. The demon bared its fangs. The Elemental did, too, but it recognized it was way outpowered and backed away.
The woman stirred and rolled to her side. A second later, her eyelashes fluttered open. Selwig took form and approached her.
Chapter 19
Purcell walked into Captain Fernandez’s office, once again without knocking. He pasted on a pleasant expression, even though the dark-haired man scowled at the sight of him.
“Captain,” Purcell said in greeting, closing the door behind him and strolling behind his desk to look out the window.
Fernandez bristled at the invasion of his territory. “What do you want now?”
“Have you noticed that a lot of Crescents are feeling under the weather? You’ve no doubt seen that several of the secretaries’ desks are vacant this morning. Due to the same bug that your wife no doubt has.”
The captain’s desperation and fear was clear. “How did you—”
“Only it’s not a bug. It’s a disruption of the Deus Vis.” Purcell turned, seeing that the man’s hostility was replaced by interest. And fear.
“Already? But we’re just seeing the effects of the smaller flares. We aren’t supposed to feel the big storm they’ve been hyping up on the news for another day or so. The Concilium advised the Guard and our medical staff that Crescents might feel more than the usual ruffle of the Deus Vis, but nothing severe.”
“That’s what they’re telling you. I am willing to share the truth under the confidentiality of the Guard’s Silence Credo.”
“You’re not Guard.”
“Details.” Purcell smiled. “Call in your secretary. I overheard her telling one of the other ladies that she was going home after lunch.”
While he did, Purcell pulled out a cloth from his pocket that held the small prototype.
Marie came in, her complexion pale, eyes dull. Hardly a flame flickered in her eyes. “Yes, sir,” she said, her voice lackluster, too.
Purcell flicked on the reactor and took her hand in his. “Dear, you look positively ill.”
“Oh, you shouldn’t touch me. I’m…” She blinked. “Sick. Or was sick. That’s weird. I feel better.” The color was returning to her face. “You’re a healer?”
“In a manner of speaking,” Purcell said.
She squeezed his hand. “Thank you. Thank you so much.” She turned to Fernandez. “The open cases summary is almost done. I’ll start working on the expense reports.” She spun and left, closing the door behind her.
“Your wife could feel better, too, just that fast,” Purcell said, reaching into Fernandez’s mind and feeling his profound relief at that thought.
“What do I need to do?”
A sound. Her phone ringing. Ruby rose slowly to consciousness. Who would be calling? The clock indicated she’d only been asleep for a short time. Not long enough. The ringing stopped. She closed her eyes again. Whoever had called could wait. Probably Nevin, who was no doubt dying of curiosity.
Her Dragon clawed at her, like an insistent dog needing to go out. She groaned, rubbing her tattoo. “Don’t tell me I have to let you out to pee.”
It nudged her. “Later,” she said, then grimaced at the word. Something small landed on the bed, like a drop of rain. Then another. She opened her eyes when one landed an inch from her nose. A red M&M.
She jerked to a sitting position and searched her room. The Elemental stood in the doorway holding a bag of M&M’s. “Fergus, what are you doing?”
A cat jumped on the bed.
She sighed out loud. “Oh, just one of the kitties.”
Except the kitties were freaked out by her now. And the reason they were freaked out pushed hard against her, urging her to Catalyze.
So she did.
And the kitty turned into a demon.
“Holy hell.”
She was pretty sure it was a demon, though it looked like a man.
Sort of. Its skin stretched unnaturally across its cheeks, and its eyes were solid black with a white retina. That he wore clothing, baggy jeans and a white T-shirt made it seem more surreal. And oddly, even creepier than the subhuman demons. Now she saw the shadow Cyn had mentioned. A harbinger then.
“No. This is supposed to be over,” she said.
It giggled. “Nope, not over, dearie. Play with me. My name is Selwig.”
Was Magda behind this? But Dragons couldn’t summon demons.
Selwig reached toward her in some kind of weird gallant gesture, and she bit its hand. It hissed at her, or maybe it smiled and air leaked out between its rubbery lips. Either way it sent chills scurrying across her scales.
“Ooh, playing hard to get, are you?” it said, now definitely smiling.
“Very hard to get.” She shot out a stream of fire spikes.
It ducked out of the way, but the skin on its arm bubbled in the heat. “Thanks, dearie. I needed a tan.”
“Then allow me to oblige.” She Breathed out again, obliterating the demon in a fireburst. When the flames cleared, its entire body was charcoal.
Selwig surveyed itself. “I bet you’re a terrible cook.” It disintegrated into a pile of ash that re-formed into a creature that just plain looked demonic. “Maybe you’ll like me better this way.”
“Dark green skin, bald head, and those mesmerizing eyes. How can I resist?” She Breathed flames again, but he danced out of the stream.
“Think I’ll go rare this time.” God, it was having fun, giggling, moving its hips back and forth as it taunted her. A moving target.
She narrowed her eyes and sent another blast, singeing its arm. It blew on the smoking skin in quick bursts. Before she could nail it again, Fergus jumped on its back. “No!” she shouted, as its small but razor-sharp talons sank into the demon’s shoulder. Selwig reached back with a growl, but Fergus jumped off in the nick of time. Before she could send another Breath, the demon flew at her, clamping onto her neck and sinking its teeth into her.
