"That looks unsanitary," Jayson muttered as we walked up to the abandoned motel. It looked as if it had melted and rusted shortly after it was built in the 1960s. The sign bore an arrow beneath the word "Motel," which pointed toward the building. All the bulbs were broken or missing in the arrow's lights, and parts of it had rusted away.
The office was tiny; the glass walls making up a corner of it were so scratched and filthy you could barely see through them. The inside was impossibly worse. I couldn't imagine anyone hiding inside—except perhaps rodents, cockroaches and crickets.
Nevertheless, we went through each of the sixteen rooms attached, plus the pool area. "They can't possibly hope to renovate this; their only hope is to bulldoze it," Opal grumbled as we stared at the bottom of the pool, where weeds struggled to survive between narrow cracks and only a hint of peeling blue paint remained.
"It's been on the market for four years," Bill said, consulting the notes on his cellphone. "No offers."
"I can see why," Jayson said. He wore expensive sunglasses to protect his eyes, but the shake of his head reflected my feelings about this one—it was an eyesore and needed to be destroyed immediately.
"Do you think it'll petrify if they leave it?" Bill joked.
"It's there already," Opal said.
* * *
"I will go to the school and wait in disguise," Ferrigar informed Connegar. "If you will monitor the microscopic cameras in the vehicle from here, I will protect the child while you watch Kiarra."
"Of course," Connegar inclined his head. The other two Larentii had left to feed so they could take the evening shift. So far, the work had been uneventful. Ferrigar folded away.
* * *
Ashe's Journal
Up to now, we'd found nothing. There was no word from the werewolves searching the area lakes and Dan Kelsey's people were on their way to test for water salinity. Everything was taking time, and I felt in my heart that time had somehow slipped away from us. A heavy weight settled on my mind and I couldn't shake the feeling that something could go horribly wrong at any moment.
"I'm getting a bad feeling all of a sudden," Sali walked up beside me and spoke softly.
"Me, too, Sal," I nodded. "I just don't know what it might mean. Too much is shielded or hidden by that weird talent the Sirenali have, and that worries me. It tells me they're here, and I'm afraid our time may be running out to find them."
"Have we heard anything from the Larentii? They're still guarding Kiarra, aren't they?"
"Yeah. No word yet, so I'll assume that means nothing is happening on that front. Who knows what may happen? It could all be a trap, and we just haven't realized it, yet."
* * *
Hank's Journal
Something sounded an internal alarm in my mind, and I couldn't determine what it might be. I sent mindspeech to Ashe, who replied immediately.
Something's wrong, he agreed. I just can't get to the root of it.
Sirenali and rogue gods, I returned. My mental voice sounded as angry as I felt. The feeling became stronger that we were all in danger and I didn't like it. I had the urge to find Breanne and carry her away to the farthest habitable reaches of the universes.
We can't back down, now, Ashe cautioned. Somehow, he'd known how I might react to extreme danger—especially if Breanne were involved. I never wanted to feel her broken, unresponsive body beneath my hand again.
I won't back down, I said. Smoke curled away from my nostrils at the sending. I only worry for Breanne.
I worry for her, too—and all the others. What can we do? We can't run every time things get dangerous.
Breanne didn't run last time. You know how that ended.
I know. We weren't with her—remember that.
I remember that all too well, I snarled mentally while more smoke floated away.
* * *
Father, where are you? Kalenegar sent mindspeech to Ferrigar.
I am at the child's school in disguise, waiting for Kiarra to arrive, Ferrigar replied.
How are you disguised, father?
As a child. It seems appropriate, as this is a school for young humans. Why do you ask?
The Mighty Hand grows agitated. That cannot be a good sign, Kalenegar replied.
Can you determine a reason? All seems calm here at the moment.
Father, we cannot read the Mighty. Unless I ask, there is no way to determine a cause.
Then keep watching for further signs and keep me informed, unless you wish to ask questions.
Father, I care for you. You make that extremely difficult at times.
No more than you have made it for me in the past, Ferrigar replied. Perhaps we should discuss this at a later time. Connegar informs me that Kiarra's vehicle approaches.
As you wish it, Father.
* * *
Wisdom's Journal
Without his knowledge, I was connected to Ferrigar and saw what he did. Kiarra's vehicle pulled into the long, U-shaped driveway leading up to the school. Nothing seemed amiss, although my senses screamed otherwise. Breanne had better prescience, but we all had it in some measure. Mine had increased since I'd bitten her, but hers was still sharper.
Kiarra's vehicle parked halfway down the U, as she waited for Justin and the werewolf child, Martin Walters Jr., to walk out of the school. It was nearly three o'clock in the afternoon and the school bell would ring in seconds.
Ferrigar stood at the top of the U, disguised as a child waiting for someone to pick him up. He and I both noticed the car driving the wrong way up the U and picking up speed.
* * *
Calhoun didn't like that they'd allowed Janine to drive instead of one of the five other humans V'ili brought with him. A second human sheep—a middle-aged male, sat in the passenger seat while Calhoun and Acrimus were seated in the back. Acrimus, at the last moment, had decided to accompany Calhoun and the humans, just as a precaution. Neither had dealt with the Saa Thalarr before, and Kiarra was designated as First among them.
V'ili's argument—that a female and a male could better represent a child's parents when driving toward the school made sense—after a bit of consideration. Neither Calhoun nor Acrimus had ever dealt with or given thought to human education before.
"Saa Thalarr reflexes are just as quick as a vampire's. Drive faster," Acrimus snapped at Janine. Janine complied by pushing the accelerator to the floor.
* * *
Breanne's Journal
I wanted to scream as prescience kicked in, but my mouth could only gape at the horror that enveloped me. Everything fractured around me and I saw stars falling. I wasn't even aware when I was pulled to the scene, and had no idea whether it happened in and of itself or whether I was transported by another.
* * *
Hank's Journal
We were pulled as if by a very strong magnet. There wasn't anything we could do to prevent it or escape. Inevitability had come and there was no denying it this time.
We arrived just in time to see that the other two teams had been tossed toward the scene as well, dumping us on the grassy yard surrounding a grade school in Fresno. The speeding car—the pale-haired woman running—the tremendous push by a Larentii in disguise; all of it seemingly happened at once.
The car crumpled as if it had hit a rock wall before it reached the disguised Larentii, and both humans inside died quickly. Had any of us counted on the fury—or the willfulness—of an angry, rogue god?
Acrimus and an underling appeared outside the vehicle, unharmed, while the humans inside it bled and died.
Without thinking or investigating, Acrimus raised a hand and leveled a blast at the disguised Larentii. That's when space and time fractured—and hope died.
Chapter 18
Breanne's Journal
All of us watched, helpless to prevent it. I saw Ashe across the U-shaped street—he stood between Sali and Charles. My body was gripped, as if in a tight fist, and drawn forward. Ashe was pulled toward me, just as I was pulled toward him
. I blinked when I saw Charles; his face changed, followed by his body. He became taller. Darker-haired. Gray-eyed. If I could have gasped, I would have.
Wisdom was drawn toward me—and toward Ashe. Somewhere, deep inside me, I knew it was because a Larentii died. That Acrimus, evil fool that he was, had done this with the power he possessed.
The Larentii are my children, filtered into my mind. It is forbidden to kill them. It will bring the wrath of the One.
Our bodies were no longer our own as light and stars fell about us, and we rushed toward one another with no power to stop the momentum.
* * *
Report for the Archives
Submitted by Kalenegar of the Larentii, now duly elected Head of the Larentii Council and Vhirilaszh of the People.
Prophecies are strange and malleable entities, and often grow or twist out of shape in their telling and retelling. The Prophecy concerning the Three in the Larentii Archives all say the One created the Three. It never said anywhere that the One created the Three by splitting itself.
I can only report on what I witnessed that day, and give an accounting from my perspective. I saw the Three; Wisdom revealed himself at last as Charles of the vampires, as they were pulled together and fused into something so bright none could look upon it.
Acrimus, come, a voice boomed in a language none had heard before. I watched as the rogue god Acrimus dropped before the newly reformed One. Ferrigar, Head of the Larentii Council, as well as my father, had died at Acrimus' hand.
It is only known to the Larentii—and the gods—that it is forbidden for any god to take a Larentii life. The One had created the race, through the Three. Many cares were placed in Larentii hands, and only the One and the Larentii know these things.
I watched my father die on a hot day in the city of Fresno, California, on old Earth as many refer to it now. I watched the One reborn, who took my heart—and my love—with it. Acrimus was destroyed by a flick of the One's mind. The other rogue god escaped—he had not participated in my father's death.
This was not how it should have ended. There are still rogue gods creating havoc under the General's command, and we no longer have Strength, Wisdom or Love to combat them.
The Larentii race will survive. I feel none will tempt fate a second time by killing another of my race. I fear all others will die, however, and there is little any of us might do to prevent it. The God Wars have been waged—and lost.
* * *
Le-Ath Veronis—present
Lissa's Journal
"There are still rogue gods, and we might be able to capture and contain them, but the General remains and he may protect them," Belen sighed as he sat in one of my guest chairs.
"That doesn't include the Sirenali and anyone they might obsess," I pointed out as I watched Belen carefully. I'd never seen his radiance so subdued or his manner so defeated. Inside, I wept. Yes, my sister might still live, but never again as my sister. She was the Heart of the One, now, and I could do nothing about it.
"Will we watch everything die?" I brushed a tear away.
"I fear that may be," Belen shook his head. "The shield still stands around the gishi groves on Avendor and we are welcome there—I received mindspeech from Trajan, telling me to consider it a haven if it is needed. It will only sustain and protect a few, however."
"Yeah. Belen, I'm going hunting," I stood and pulled in a deep breath. "I may not be able to destroy rogue gods, but I can destroy Sirenali and their minions. They have no hold on me."
"Then perhaps all of us still adhering to the Light should do the same. Call if you need assistance. I need time and space to think." Belen disappeared.
* * *
Avendor—present
Hank's Journal
Of the two highest-ranking Koh'Ahmari, I am the one remaining. When I was handed the assignment—and the rule of the Dark Realm from the Ear—I was given permission to do what was necessary to bring it in line. I was about to test that permission to the limit.
King Jayd was about to receive a visit from the new Lord of the Dark Realm and his servant, Kifirin. No High Demon would refuse the service I would now demand of him or her. I had rogues to hunt—Sirenali, vampires, shapeshifters and gods alike. The General, however, had never been made by the One, the Three or any god. He remained a problem.
"I will hunt him anyway, avilepha," I promised. Breanne wouldn't return to me, but I held her memory in my heart so it would never fade.
The End
The God Wars will continue in Blood Finale, scheduled to appear in December, 2013
* * * * *
About the Author:
Connie Suttle lives in Oklahoma with her patient, long-suffering husband and three cats. For information on forthcoming titles, please visit Connie's website at www.subtledemon.com, her blog at subtledemon.blogspot.com or find her on Facebook—Connie Suttle Author. She is also on twitter: @subtledemon.
Blood Love (God Wars Book 4) Page 26
