The Dark Calling

by Cole, Kresley

  “And I appreciate that,” Jack said sincerely. “God knows I do. But even if you’ve escaped Paul’s control, what if you get reversed again? Evie told me what happened in that castle. How she didn’t lose Tee is a miracle. We’d rather face the dangers out in the Ash without you than risk touching gloves with you.”

  “I will not be taken in by the Hanged Man’s power. It cannot happen.”

  “How can you be so certain?” I asked him. “Your hatred came from our history. Which means there’s no reason he can’t tap into that and turn you against me. It’s like you have a bomb waiting to go off inside you.”

  Jack pointed out, “Kentarch said the sphere is still growing. It could engulf you.”

  “I won’t get close enough to allow that.” Aric’s brows drew together. “Where did Kentarch go? We need to find him as soon as possible. I can’t believe he’s separated from his vehicle.”

  My eyes watered. I hoped Kentarch didn’t teleport himself and Joules back to Jubilee. There’d be nowhere to land.

  Jack scrubbed a hand over his face and explained what had happened.

  As he spoke, the duality of the Chariot’s card struck me anew. Kentarch was so physically strong, yet he’d been damaged down to his soul. He was a warrior vanquished not by violence, but by love.

  Aric’s expression registered his shock. “Issa was dead all along? Then Kentarch is lost.” He cursed in Latvian. “We needed him in the fight against the Emperor.”

  Jack said, “He wasn’t able to help.”

  Aric did a double take. “You faced Richter?”

  I murmured, “And Zara. She cost Kentarch his right hand. The only reason we escaped them is because of Circe. In any case, there’s no fighting the Emperor. Bullets melted. Javelins and rock too. No weapon can reach him.”

  I frowned. Right before I’d killed Lorraine, hadn’t the queen whispered something about Richter? What was it?

  Jack added, “That fils de pute has Evie in his sights now, wants to make her his Empress.”

  Another string of curses from Aric.

  “So what’s your plan, Reaper?” Jack asked. “You always got one.”

  “Since I escaped the sphere, my only plan was to reach my wife and prevent her demise. Now I do not know.” The infallible knight looked more unsure than I’d ever seen him.

  Jack raised his brows. “Never thought those words would come out of your mouth.”

  Aric’s I have power over all I survey vibe was shot. “We’re going to need food and fuel. I can raid the closest settlement and steal both. If they’re disorganized enough, perhaps I can infiltrate and take control, securing a safe shelter.”

  “What settlement?” I asked.

  “The Sick House.”

  I shook my head. “It’s run by the Pentacles. Lorraine—the Queen of Cups—said the Minors were uniting in order to hasten the end of the game and bring back the earth. And that was before I took out an entire suit. Now they’re going to be gunning for me and my kid. No place could be more dangerous.”

  Jack said, “Besides, how do we infiltrate without Finn?”

  We all grew quiet. Outside, rain began to fall, dotting the cracked windshield of Kentarch’s chariot. Like tears.

  I asked Aric, “How is Lark doing?”

  “Not well. She grieves the boy she loved.”

  “Did she attempt to revive him?”

  “Paul persuaded her to cremate the body.”

  Though I’d figured Paul would never risk the Magician’s resurrection, some part of me must not have accepted that Finn was gone.

  Until now.

  I kept replaying his last night when he’d given us that breathtaking illusion of the surf at Malibu. I’d never forget the excitement in his voice and his lively expression. Finn had promised to teach my kid what the sun looked like.

  Rage bubbled up from a bottomless well of it. Paul had robbed the world of my friend.

  Aric said, “That’s an example of the Hanged Man’s total control. He convinced Fauna, a card known for being driven, to blindly follow his dictates. When she gets free . . .”

  I was confused on so many scores—Aric had returned, Jack was alive, and my heart was torn apart again—but I knew one thing for certain: Paul needed to pay. “No one will be free or safe until the Hanged Man is dead. Which is why I’m going to face him.” Now that Death wasn’t defending the castle, I might have a shot against Paul and the others. Or at least, the red witch would. “Aric, we do have the means to kill him.”

  “How?”

  “Lorraine told us that the only weapon capable of ending him was a noose that had executed twelve murderous souls. Unfortunately, it’d been destroyed. Then I realized I could make another noose, and I happened to have an entire suit of serial killers within reach.”

  Jack reached beneath his coat and untied the length of rope from his waist, tossing it on the dash. “No way, Evie. We doan know if this thing will work.”

  I needed revenge against Paul. I needed to save my friends. I needed a place to give birth. “I’m facing him. And there’s no question mark at the end of that sentence.”

  “Look, we doan have to decide anything right away.” Jack took my hand. “You just hold on. I got food and fuel, me. We can think things through for a spell.”

  Aric said, “What food and fuel?”

  “We worked salvage in Jubilee, looting wrecks. With the help of Kentarch and Joules, I set up a bug-out location, filled it up nice and good.” Narrowing his gaze, he said, “You bragged about that castle enough, but I bet you’re wishing you had a bolt hole right about now.”

  Instead of arguing, Aric asked, “Can we reach this place with the fuel we have?”

  “Ouais.” Seeming to make a decision, Jack said, “Head north on this road.”

  Aric quickly started driving. He hid it well, but I sensed his relief.

  “And then what happens when we run through those supplies?” I asked. “We’re just delaying the inevitable: my battle against Paul.”

  “He is protected by Fauna, the Archangel, and his own sphere,” Aric said. “Sievā, think of the baby.”

  Sick of hearing that! I whipped my head around so fast, my damp hair slapped my bruised face. “Like you thought of the baby when you threw your swords at me? You don’t get to say that to me! You don’t get a say in my existence.”

  The pain in his expression . . .

  “Do I?” Jack squeezed my hand. “Tee comes first, Evie. You know this. I’m all for duking it out when there’s no choice”—he cast me a significant look—“but let’s not pick a fight either.”

  “Lark would rescue me if our situations were reversed. And Gabriel got trapped in the sphere because he saved my life. I won’t repay him by doing nothing. At least Aric’s not there anymore. I can handle three of them.”

  “Can you not wait?” Aric asked. “What is the rush?”

  “Circe believes this kid is my shield against Paul’s powers. Once I give birth, I could fall under his control.”

  “And will our child be a shield against other Arcana? Gabriel is stronger than ever before. Though Fauna is suffering, her predators would still be deadly.”

  “Why wouldn’t Paul want me alive? Since he lost you, another Arcana would grow his sphere, right? And he has the cilice.”

  Aric admitted, “The Hanged Man did suggest we use it.”

  When I shuddered, Jack asked Aric, “That came from your armor, right? Neutralized her powers?”

  “Yes. I forced her to wear it.” A shadow crossed his expression. “Even if Paul wants you alive, Fauna might reach you before you ever get a chance to face him. Her hatred for you is nigh uncontrollable. If the Hanged Man’s control slipped, your body would be eviscerated.”

  Jack said, “Which is why I will go in with the noose.”

  I glared at him. “Not happening. I’m not losing you again.”

  “Lots of confidence you got in me. I’m a good shot.”

  “I don’t want La
rk or Gabriel killed either. If I can manage spores, I can put them to sleep. The creatures too.” Big if, Eves.

  Aric pointed out, “You didn’t manage spores when you were escaping the castle.”

  “I was taken off guard then. You’re really going to remind me of that night?”

  “If I must.”

  Jack asked me, “You expect me to sit with the Reaper while you go take care of business?”

  “I expect you to keep him away from the sphere. To remind him what’s at stake.” My head was beginning to ache, fatigue taking its toll. “And I expect Aric to watch your back while I’m gone.”

  Jack folded his arms over his chest. “This solo plan ain’t cutting it. What about Circe?”

  Aric said, “The Priestess will be depleted from that show of power, whether she controlled it or not.”

  I added, “How would we contact her anyway? It took me weeks before she answered at the lake, and we can’t return there or risk another face-off against Richter.” I worried about Circe’s well-being, but I also didn’t see how I could help her. “Keep in mind that I only have so long before I . . . give birth.” First time I’d ever said those words.

  In all the excitement, I hadn’t felt Tee flutter once. Had my run-in with the Cups been the final straw for this pregnancy?

  No, I refused to believe that. “Look, I’m tired of debating something that’s as good as done.” The truck’s heater blew a constant warm blast over me. Sleep called.

  “Maybe the Reaper and I doan take you to the castle.”

  My glyphs began to glow. “Either help me—or get out of my way. I’ll find it myself, if I have to. Somehow.” To my utter irritation, Jack and Aric shared a look. Yes, I was directionally challenged, but screw them! “Wow. Haven’t you two learned by now never to underestimate me? Why don’t you ask the Hermit and the Hierophant and the Cups how that worked out for them? Oh—you can’t.” I stared straight ahead. “Because they’re all dead.”

  43

  The Hunter

  Evie slept with her head against my chest, my arm around her.

  As Domīnija drove us in the direction of the cave, he glanced over yet again with that anguished look on his face. The guilt was killing the Grim Reaper.

  “She needs more sleep these days,” I said, as much to reassure myself as him. “’Specially after what happened to her today.” Those assholes had bashed her head in and bled her. Her left eye was still black from the impact, nearly swollen shut.

  I’d never forget the sight of her blood pouring, knowing the cost of every drop.

  “I can imagine this pregnancy has been very . . . difficult for her.” Domīnija kept making these stoic understatements, like he didn’t trust himself to say anything with emotion.

  “Yeah, what with the starvation and danger and all. But things got better when I arrived.” I couldn’t help but add, “In Jubilee, she looked at me like I hung the moon when I found pickles for her.” Pickle craving: not a myth.

  I’d known our time there couldn’t last forever—she’d been cooped up and I’d had dozens of close calls that she would never hear about—but we’d been out of options. Now she thought she was going to take on the world. Alone.

  No chance I’d let that happen. Evie was ma fille, my future, my home.

  And she felt the same way about me.

  Memories from last night stole into my mind, until even I felt like blushing. Her cries, the way her hair had haloed around her head as I’d ridden between her thighs. The heat of her soft flesh. The trust in those blue eyes as she’d peered up at me, her sweet lips parted.

  We’d had each other four times, and all she’d done was whet my appetite for more. Not surprising. When I’d been inside her, that same feeling had come over me: where I’m supposed to be. I pulled her even closer.

  Under his breath, Domīnija snapped, “Try to control your heart rate, mortal; that’s my wife you’re holding.”

  I shot him a killing look. The first time I’d been with Evie, the Reaper had stolen her from me. Now he was back in her life once more. How in the hell could I be expected to give her up again? Much less Tee? Kentarch had been right; I’d started thinking of that kid as mine. “I doan see a ring on her finger, Reap.” Had she left it in the confusion this morning?

  Shuttering his expression, he said, “Was it lost?”

  “Are you hoping it slid off her finger when she was caught in an avalanche? Maybe that she had to barter it for food in Jubilee?” Frustration boiled over. “Non, I took it off her finger right before I slept with her the first time.” Not a lie, though I’d made it sound like we’d been together for a lot longer than we actually were.

  Evie stirred but didn’t wake.

  I expected words of anger from the Reaper, lashing out. I craved a dust-up. But he said nothing, just seemed to be grinding his molars.

  After several miles of silence, he asked, “How far is this cave?”

  “Took us days to get from there to the coast, but we had to wait for Kentarch to recharge his teleportation power. Vehicles block the way. Doan know how we’re goan to get around them now.”

  No way Evie could go on foot. She didn’t have gloves or a thick enough coat. I’d stored bug-out bags for her, me, and even Tee in the cave. But how to reach our gear?

  “Leave the obstacles to me. We will drive directly to our destination.”

  Sure thing, Reaper. “You look whipped.” Something told me he’d run farther than humanly possible. “I can take a stint at the wheel.”

  He gave a humorless laugh. “Concerned for me, mortal?”

  “Last thing we need is a wreck.” The further inland we drove, the more snow blanketed the ground.

  “Despite my exhaustion, my reflexes are infinitely faster than yours. I will remain where I am, thank you.”

  I rolled my eyes, ’cause he had a point. He’d deflected a bullet with the tip of his sword. A bullet meant for the back of my skull.

  After another few miles, he said, “How did you survive Richter’s massacre?”

  I smirked at him. “I told you, I cheat Death.”

  He didn’t respond to that, and goading him was no fun if he refused to go toe-to-toe. “Selena shoved me into a mine. I survived the lava and the flood, but then slavers nabbed me. Coo-yôn rescued me from their salt mine right before they butchered me for food.”

  Domīnija seemed to be assessing me. “The Fool has never showed such interest in a mortal before.”

  “What can I say? I’m special in every way.”

  “Didn’t he tell you that you should go down to Louisiana?” Domīnija and I had talked about that the last time we’d drunk together back in Fort Arcana. “Have you given up your dream of rebuilding Haven?”

  No, but . . . “Kinda hard to think about that since Richter took out my army. Besides, you’re not getting rid of me. If you think I’m bowing out again—”

  “Again? Are you talking about when you left the fort?”

  I’d marched out my troops while Evie slept to make it easier for her to go with Domīnija, all the while praying she would read the letter I’d left her and come running. She had—and almost died in Richter’s fire.

  “After coo-yôn saved me, we were on our way to your castle. He took me to the memorial Evie made for Selena and me. Through a vision, he showed me her grief. When I thought about all the things you could offer her, I told him to let Evie believe I died in those flames. Next thing I know, she’s out in the Ash, starving, with little power and a kid on the way. Seems to me that you forfeited any right to her.”

  He swiped his hand over his face, that spiked gauntlet catching my eye. Not nearly as dangerous as the skin it covers. “I know that. I’m not asking you to bow out. All I expect is for you to work with me to make her safe. Then we will figure out the future.”

  Future? My gaze was drawn to Evie’s pale face in the glow of the truck’s electronics. She is my future.

  I glanced over at the Reaper. Both of us had jus
t been staring at her. Saps, one as bad as the other.

  Clearing my throat, I said, “What happened when you shed Paul’s control?”

  “I believe I was very close to losing my mind. All at once, I went from zero doubt and confusion to more panic than I’d felt in two millennia—combined. I couldn’t think. Couldn’t reason.” In a lower voice, he admitted, “I rode my warhorse into the ground.”

  While under the power of another Arcana, he’d had no control over himself. Could I continue to blame him? Could Evie?

  He said, “If I’d gotten there sooner, I could have spared her that battle with the Cups.”

  “She did all right by herself.”

  “I saw the aftermath. I’ll bet she was glorious in her wrath.”

  “Glorious? That’s one way of looking at it.” Though I’d been the one to egg her on, I’d still been shocked. I’d never seen her so creepy. “They drew first blood, but something tells me that woan matter in the long run.”

  “The Empress has destroyed an entire suit; there will be consequences. If the other suits unite, danger for her will multiply. And she already had a target on her back.” His expression hardened, as if he imagined eliminating all those threats to her. “How much power was the Empress able to expend against the Cups?”

  “A fair bit, but she burned out fast. She was . . .”

  “What?”

  Different, I thought. Like she’d enjoyed the violence. When she’d unleashed the witch down in the Lovers’ shrine, she’d taken care of business. This time, she’d played with her enemies. No wonder she was worried about heading to the dark side. And I primed that pump. “Nothing,” I finally said.

  He let it slide. “Based on what you saw, do you believe she can defeat Fauna and the Archangel?”

  “She was powerful, but so are they.” I replayed Gabriel’s wing slicing out at me and said, “She can’t go up against them. You and I will have to talk her out of that plan. Before we near the castle, we’ve got to convince her against it.”

  “I hold zero sway over her. But I will try.”