No Dominion (The Walker Papers: A Garrison Report)

by CE Murphy

  When I got close enough, I shot what would be a kneecap on a human, but the bullet lodged in the stony overhide. Wrong angle, or not enough exposed flesh on the legs. I didn’t have time to try again. The arm shoved me toward one of the gaping mouths. I wished I dared detonate the last frag, but there was no way I could get out of range before it went off. I shot the screaming face instead. Acid muck rained everywhere, scalding my arms. Between boiling lakes, dry pipes and the distance to the nearest hospital, I was going to come out of this one scarred.

  Scarred was fine. Dead wasn’t. I shot another face and came up empty on the second squeeze. The faces screamed again, but this time in triumph, and then the whole demon folded shut again.

  Around me.

  It was not how I’d planned for this mission to go. I didn’t dare breathe. My ribs began to throb, adrenaline or no. I squirmed an arm back, trying not to think about the burns scoring my arms with each move. They’d gone beyond pain already, reaching a dull red state that would later burst into flame. Later was all that mattered.

  I fumbled, tugged, and found it: the switch that activated my space blanket. Solar power radiated out, heating Asag from the inside.

  He’d been defeated by a god of healing and sunlight, back in Sumer. Maybe I was smart after all.

  Five seconds passed. The rotten fish stench changed to cooking rotten fish, permeating my nostrils even when I held my breath. I gagged and bit my tongue to keep from either vomiting or breathing. Ten seconds had gone by. Normally I could make it for three minutes, maybe four, without breathing, but that was with preparation, and without cracked ribs. I figured I was good for thirty seconds, maybe forty-five, and then I was screwed.

  At thirty seconds, a howl vibrated through the demon, and he erupted. I flew into the air like a geyser was propelling me, coming down hard on pointed rocks. Agony ripped through my back muscles, spasms tugging at my ribs and taking away any chance of drawing a comforting breath. I couldn’t even whimper. Teeth ground together, I stared at the sky and thought hoo-ah, hoo-ah, hoo-ah, until a spasm released me and I could suddenly move my toes again. Nothing critical was broken, then. I was going to have a bad night exposed out here on the mountain, but at least I’d survive.

  Stone slipped near my head. I twisted just enough to see what was coming at me.

  The golem. The one I’d blown the leg off but hadn’t killed. Stone was patient, crawling down the mountainside toward me while I fought the father demon. I closed my eyes, thought fuck, then whispered, “Hoo-ah,” and opened my eyes again, because damned if I was going to die with my eyes closed. I had one last frag. At least I could take the bastard with me. Inch by painful inch, not much faster than the golem was moving, I tugged my backpack out from under me and dug down for the frag. When the golem was five feet away, I pulled the pin.

  At the count of five, the golem disintegrated in a shower of blue.

  At the count of eight, the frag did not go off. It should have. I was still staring in bewilderment at where the golem used to be. I hadn’t put the pin back, or even thought to. Stones rattled, sliding and cracking against one another as footsteps pushed them out of the beds they’d settled in. I stayed on my back, clutching a grenade that should’ve gone off. Thin white clouds spun across the sky. If Asag had re-amalgamated and was coming back, I was in trouble. He didn’t seem like the type to creep up cautiously after one defeat, though, and I was sure he hadn’t destroyed his own golem.

  My spine hurt.

  After a minute or so a face intruded into my line of vision. Green eyes, a thin scar on one cheek. Pixie-cut hair scattered with iron grey that stood out sharply against the original black. A few lines around the eyes and mouth, but not that many for a woman pushing fifty.

  When I was a kid, I’d thought she was beautiful. Now, as an adult, I could see she wasn’t. Attractive, yeah, but not beautiful. Her nose was too beaky, her chin too sharp, her height too great and her shoulders too wide for anybody’s idea of conventional beauty. Put it all together, though, and I still thought she was beautiful. Some of that was hero worship. Some was the power that lit her from within. But mostly it was just Joanne Walker, who had taught me there was magic in the world.

  Politely, even solicitously, she said, “Mind if I take this?” and removed the frag from my death grip on it. Only when she lifted it did I see a glimmer of silvery-blue magic stuffed in the pin hole, keeping it from detonating. She gave it a casual toss that had great upper body strength behind it, and a few seconds later it exploded at a safe distance. Then she looked down at me. “I hope you don’t mind me putting the kibosh on that last thing. I’m sure you could have handled it, but I was in the area. I take it you defeated the bad guy?”

  I nodded.

  She crouched. Her hands dangled in front of her knees, above my sternum. “Got your ass kicked doing it, too, hm?”

  I nodded.

  “Couldn’t wait a couple hours for me to get down here to help, huh?”

  I shook my head. Joanne grinned. “Yeah, I wouldn’t have either when I was your age. I didn’t. All the time, I didn’t. I tell you, Ash, hook up with one of the Holliday kids. Get a little mojo on your side to go with the impressive martial arts skills. Clara’s single.”

  I closed my eyes. Joanne laughed out loud and ruffled my hair. “Good news is you’re only bruised all to hell and back, sweetheart. Hang on a second and let me patch you up. It’ll make getting out of here easier.”

  The drink-of-water-in-a-desert magic rushed me. It pushed away all my aches and pains, until I could tell my spine hurt because a rock was sticking in it. My feet were numb because of the rock’s location, not because I’d shattered anything. I exhaled deeply, more relieved than I wanted to admit.

  Joanne curled her hands around mine and pulled me to my feet. I was four inches shorter, twenty years younger, and with far less magical aptitude than she, but she punched my shoulder like we were equals. “You okay?”

  “I think so.”

  “Good. There’s a diner with the best milkshakes in Washington about twenty or thirty miles back up the road. Let’s go there and you can tell me all the ways you’re more awesome than I am.” She turned and slipped back down the mountainside, sending scree in bouncing waves before her. I followed more slowly, testing muscle and reflex reactions in the wake of the beating I’d taken. Nothing hurt anymore. I felt like I was fresh out of bed, ready to face the day.

  I picked up a tiny stone and winged it at Joanne, catching her on the butt. She yelped, rubbed it, and turned around. “What was that for?”

  “I just wanted to say if I had to slay the demon, you’re buying the milkshakes.”

  Joanne grinned and waited for me to catch up. Then she slung an arm around my shoulders and tipped her head toward the distant diner. “Absolutely, darlin’. It’s a date.”

  We hobbled down the hill together, and went for milkshakes.

  Also by C.E. Murphy

  The Walker Papers

  Urban Shaman

  Winter Moon*

  Thunderbird Falls

  Coyote Dreams

  Walking Dead

  Demon Hunts

  Spirit Dances

  Raven Calls

  Mountain Echoes

  No Dominion**

  Shaman Rises (Dec 2013)

  *contains the novella “Banshee Cries”

  **A Garrison Report

  The Old Races Universe

  Heart of Stone

  House of Cards

  Hands of Flame

  The Old Races: Origins

  The Old Races: Year of Miracles

  The Old Races: Aftermath

  Baba Yaga’s Daughter & Other Tales of the Old Races

  The Worldwalker Duology

  Truthseeker

  Wayfinder

  The Inheritors’ Cycle

  The Queen’s Bastard

  The Pretender’s Crown

  & with Faith Hunter

  Easy Pickings

  A Walker
Papers/Jane Yellowrock rossover novella

  Anthologies

  Don’t Read This Book

  Dragon’s Lure

  The Phantom Queen Awakes

  Running with the Pack

  How to Write Magical Words: A Writer’s Companion

  Acknowledgements

  There are literally hundreds of people to thank for NO DOMINION, but some of you have earned a special and particular shout-out:

  Russ Smith, a long-time friend who was NO DOMINION’s first backer

  Chrysoula Tzavelas, another long-time friend who mananged to sneak in as the last pledge/upgrade

  Bryant Durrell, without whom none of my crowdfunding projects would have ever happened, and who also tipped this crazy ride over the $20K mark

  Erica Olson, who told me to squee more

  Fred Hicks/Evil Hat Publishing, for the InDesign tutorials that helped put this book in your hands

  Mary-Theresa Hussey, my Walker Papers editor, who not only edited NO DOMINION as well, but whose faith and interest in the project was such that she bought in—even after I told her I’d send her a copy of it anyway

  Kyle Cassidy & Charles Summerfield, for bringing Gary to life in the cover art

  Patrick S. Dixon, Angie Middleton & Paul-Gabriel Wiener, for lending me photography for the calendar

  Jim Hameister, for going above and beyond the call of duty

  Tom & Rosie Murphy, my parents, who not only did beta-reading & editorial commentary on NO DOMINION, but babysat as well, which became critical as the story ballooned from a 30K novella to a 60K book

  and

  Ted Lee, my husband, who was serenely confident that in fact everyone would like to read Gary’s story, and who was, as usual, right.

  Patron Acknowledgements

  Angela N. Hunt,Adrianne Middleton,agrimony,Aidan Barron,Ailsa,ajah

  Alana Leahy,Alecia Ramsay,Aleis Maxim,Alice Ma,Alicia Bennett

  Alis Rasmussen,Alison Marlowe,Allison Davis,Althea Clark,Amanda

  Amanda Claxton,amanda Lane,Amanda Priole,Amanda Weinstein

  Amber Salem,Amelinda Webb,Amy Blume,Amy King,Amy Nesbitt

  Ana Ramsey,Andrea Blythe,Andy Wilson,Angela Bills,Angela Korra’ti

  Angie,Anne Walker,Anne Pascale Quinty,April Koenig,arfunk

  Ariane Tobin,Ariannah Wetherbee,Ashlee Thow,ashley crump,audrey salick

  Axisor,Barbara Erwin,Barbara Hasebe,Becka Green Reed,Benoit Jauvin-Girard

  Bernadette Constant,Beth Cato,Beth Leitman,Beverly Scrivner,Blair

  Blake Gilbert,Bradetta,Brandy Terry,Breanne,Brenda Jernigan

  Bretaigne Jones,Brian Nisbet,Brianna Agnew,Bryant Durrell

  Buddah,CA Brandstatter,cailleuch,Cari McAskill,Carin Robertson

  Carl Rigney,Carmon Williams,Carol Gabel,Carol Gagneaux,Carol Guess

  Carolina Pardo,Caroline Elliott,Casey Goodwin,Casse,Cat,Cat Wilson

  Catherine Fiorello,Catherine Kruta,Catherine Sharp,Catherine Stevenson

  Caytlin Vilbrandt,Char Bernardin,Charlotte Calvert,Cheri Seymour,Chiray

  Chris Huning,Chris Meravi,Christal Serrato,Christer Boräng,christina hightower

  Christine Chen,Christine H. Lee,Christine McCann,Christine Swendseid

  Chrysoula Tzavelas,Chrystin McLelland,Cindy Crawford,Claire,Coby Haas

  Colette Reap,Cori Weisfeldt,Cylia Amendolara,Cyndi,Cynnara Tregarth

  Cynthia Teare,Cyrano Jones,D Walther,Daisy Brown,Dan Zlotnikov

  Daniel Arbuckle,Daniel Martin,Danielle Ingber,Dave Entermille,Deanna Zinn

  Debbie Matsuura,Deborah Alverson,Deborah Blake

  Debra Meyerson,defektesmosaik,Deirdre,Denee Zah, Denise,Denise Matthews

  Denise Sanchez,Diana,Diana Morgan,Diana Rae McKinney,Diane Dupey

  Diane G. Phillips,Diane Schultz,Dianne Williams,Dina Willner

  Donal Cunningham,Donald McAtee,donna antonio,Donna K White,Edward Ellis

  el edwards,Elektra Hammond,Elena Eddings,Eleri Hamilton

  Eliel Mamousette,Elizabeth,Elizabeth B Handler,Elizabeth Cadorette

  Elizabeth Spillman and Kyle Engan,Elizabeth Turner,Ella Peabody,Elli Ferguson

  Emily Ervin,Emily Poole,Emily Sandoval,Emma,Emma Bartholomew

  Erica L. Rodriguez,Erin,Erin Moore,Esperanza Jimenez,Evenstar Deane

  FaolchuDonn,Farrell Maginnis,Flynn,Fred Hicks/Evil Hat Publishing,Freya

  Gabe Krabbe,Gareth,Garrett Jones,Gemma Tapscott,Genista

  Georgina Scott,Gerri Lynn,Glenn Case,Glenna Gregg,Gretchen S.

  H. L. Henrikson,Harold Zable,Heather Devine,Heather Fagan,Heather Joubert

  Heather Knutsen,heather longino,Heidi Berthiaume,Helen Katsinis,Holly Tidd

  Ian Struckhoff,IndianaJ,Inkjade,Irish,Jacki,Jackie Powers,Jaime Deming,James Scott

  Jami Nord,Jamie Bentley,Janell,Janelle Hansen,Janne Torklep,Jean Eelma

  Jean Marie Diaz,Jean Tatro,Jeanie Fortman,Jeanine Rachau,Jeannette Hoffman

  Jeff Linder,Jeliza Patterson,Jeni Young,jenica rogers,Jenn,Jennifer,Jennifer,jennifer adams

  Jennifer Canova,Jennifer Chun,Jennifer R.,Jennifer Vail,Jennifer Wiewel Westberg

  Jess Hartley,Jess Westphal,Jesse Cunningham,Jessica,Jessica Lynn Qualls

  Jill Valuet,Joann,JoAnne G.,Joe Tortuga,Joerg Ritter,John,John Corrigan

  John Johnson,Joshua,Joy Whitfield,Joyce Haslam,jppoet,Judith Cauthan

  Julene Warwick,Julia Figueroa,Julian West,Julie Kuhn

  Justine Birmingham,K’Lynn,kamalloy,Karen Krettler,Karolina Chmiel,Kat Bonson

  Kate Jackson,Kate Kirby,Kate Larking,Kate Martin,Kate Quinn,Kate Sheehy

  Kathleen,Kathleen Hanrahan,Kathleen Hopper,Kathleen Tipton,Kathryn Duffy

  Kathy,Kathy Schroeder,Katie Clapsadl,katintheboots,Katrina Lehto,Kayla Lowes

  Kaz D’Spana,Kell,Kelley,Kelly,Keri Hayes,Kerry,Kerry Kuhn,Kes Yocum,Kiely

  Kiera Knapp,Kim,Kim Miller,Kim Wells,Kimberly Reis,Kira Noseworthy

  Kori Klinzing,Kris Panchyk,Kristian Holvoet,Kristine Kearney,Kristy Moen

  Kristyn Willson,Krumpff,Kyna Foster,L Welch,Lacey Ruby

  Lara Amber Zia,Larisa LaBrant,Laura,Laura Anne Gilman,Laura Carscaddon

  Laura Pearson,Laura Wallace,Lauren Bassett,Lauri Weaver,Laurie Gaughan

  LD Steele,Leading Edge,Leah Moore,Leigh Ann Melloy,Lessa McDonald

  Lexi Taylor,Lia Hunter,Lianne,linda,Linda Cox,Linda George,Linda Pierce

  Lindsay Stalcup,Lindsey Snelling,Liralen,Lisa,Lisa Cali,Lisa Carlton Guertin

  Lisa Cohen,Lisa Moore,Lisa Pegg,Lisa Soto,Lisa Stewart,Liz,Liza

  Liza Hernandez,llwheeler,Lola McCrary,Lori Allen,Lori Long,Lori Lum

  Lorri-Lynne Brown,Louise Southwick,Lydia Leong,Lyn Mercer,Lynette Miles

  Lynn Mershon Calvin,Maggie Gillet,Maggie Rocheleau,Mandy Gregory Doherty

  Marcia Carney,Marcia Dougherty,Maresa Welke,Margaret A. Menzies

  Margaret Anderson,Margaret McGaffey Fisk,Maria,Maria Lima,Marilyn Fisher

  Marjorie,Marjorie Liu,Mark Mathison,Mark O’English,Mark Sutter

  Marsha Simmons,Martin Curley,Mary Agner,mary anne walker,Mary Hargrove

  Mary Keefe,mary scioscia,Mary Spila,Marytheresa Hussey,Matt Forbeck

  Matthew Hunter,Maura van der Linden,Max Kaehn,melissa

  Melissa Poole,Melissa Tabon,Meredeth Brewer,MeriLyn Oblad,Michael Bernardi

  Michael Feldhusen,Michael Metzger,Michael Nickerson,Michael Perkins,MichaelMJones

  Michelle Bennett,Michelle Carlson,Michelle Curtis,Michelle Edwards,Michelle Ossiander

  Michelle Williams,Mikaela,Mike Osterman,Mindy Albright,Minerva

  Moira,Morag Watson,mvshoobridge,Nancy Weston,Nanette Furman,Niall Murphy

  niamhob,Nick Austin,Nicole,Noriko Shoji,Octopus Gallery,Pam Blome

  Pam East,Pam Hatler,Pamela Shaw,Pat Knuth,Patricia Lockard

  Patsy Tisdale,Paul Bulmer,Paul-Gabriel Wiener,Paula Stambaugh,Penni Askew

  Phiala,Philip Obermarck,Piper Rainey,Poppy Arakelian,Priscilla Spencer

  R Caldwell,R. Francis Smith,Rachel,Rachel Chiappa
rine,Rachel Coleman Finch

  Rachel Gollub,Rachel Gordon,Rachel Narow,Rachel Vance,Rebecca Frey

  Rebecca Studley,regis,RevBob,Robert Fisher,Robert Lynch,Robert Smith

  Robin Owens,Robyn Huffman,Rolanni,Ron Chance,Rosanne Girton,Ruth,Ruth Parrott

  S Hackemann,Sabine Wiem,Sam Dailey,Sam Marks,Sam Martin,Samanda Jeude

  Sandra Mraz,Sandy Davis,Sandy Giden,Sara Blackmore,Sara Harville,Sarah Brooks

  Sarah Lam,Scot McIntosh,Scott Drummond,Scott Shanks,Scott Tengelin

  Sean Collins,Sebastien How,Shannon Scollard,Shanon Hite,Sharis Ingram

  Sharon Broggi,Shawn Tumey,Sheila Lester,Shel Kennon,Shelley Shearer

  Silkie & Image & the Weasels,Sherri Marx,shylydrya,Siobhain McShane-Loy,sjmathis

  soapturtle,Somm,spacedlaw,Steelneko,Stephana Bekebrede

  Stephanie,Stephanie,StevenM,SueAnne Merrill,Sumi Funayama

  Summer Allen,Susan Baur,Susan Petroulas (Suelder),Suzanne Blasi

  Suzanne McLeod,Taiyo,Tammy Graves,Tania Clucas,Tantris Hernandez

  Tanya Koenig,Tara F.,Tara Smith,Tara Teich,Tarja Rainio

  Tennille,Teresa Lessard,terrio,Therese Bui,Tiffiny Quinn

  Tim Bowie,Tina Kulesa,Traci Horton,Tracie Bogart,Trudy Dowling

  Valentine Lewis,ValkyrieAK,Van der Jonckheyd,Vickie Chan,Victoria Hench

  virginia morris,Weirdonian,Wendy,Wolf,Yukon Beulah,Zephfire,Þorbjörg Bergmann

  About the Author

  C.E. Murphy began writing around age six, when she submitted three poems to a school publication. The teacher producing the magazine inevitably selected the one she thought was by far the worst, but also told her to keep writing, which she has. She has held the usual grab-bag of jobs usually seen in an authorial biography, including public library volunteer, archival assistant, cannery worker, and web designer. Writing books is better.

  She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland, which is a magical land where it rains a lot but winter rarely actually arrives.