Scarlet Rain (The Escaped #2)

by Kristin Cast

  Eva dropped Bridget’s hand and dug in her pocket for the car keys. “Well, I tried.”

  “Guess you can only heal yourself. Gah, you’re so selfish.” Bridget smiled. “But I do hope you figure it out before something really bad happens. Not that many things are worse than completely fucking up a totally good manicure.” She started the car and maneuvered out of the tight parking space. “So, what did you find?”

  The metallic image sparkled under the amber glow of the streetlights. “I don’t know yet. I haven’t had a chance to look through it, but from what I remember, it should tell us what we’re dealing with.”

  “I get that you’re going to use it to find out what kind of monster thing is popping out of people’s faces. What I don’t get is what the book actually is. If I went into a store, where would I find that? I’m guessing on the big-ol’-boring-book clearance rack.”

  “It’s not boring. At least, it wasn’t when I looked at it years ago.” She opened the book and thumbed through the first few pages. “It’s like an encyclopedia.”

  “Oh, gag. I thought you said it wasn’t boring, and that’s the first word I think of when I hear encyclopedia.”

  “This isn’t the Britannica kind of encyclopedia. This one is full of Greek legends and monsters.”

  “So you’re in there then?”

  “Very funny. I’m not a monster.”

  “That’s not what I meant. Being an Oracle, that’s totally part of the whole Greek legend thing. So shouldn’t there be stuff in there about how you are what you are?”

  “I don’t know. I hadn’t even thought about it.”

  “And people say I’m not smart.” Bridget stomped on the gas and bolted into traffic. “Can you imagine how much easier all of this would’ve been if they’d just had the Internet back then? I’m sure all those stinky encyclopedias would be neatly categorized and available on some super-secret, Oracle-only website. One simple search, and we would’ve been done. But then again, I guess I wouldn’t have gotten to improve my acting skills.”

  Eva switched on the overhead light and let Bridget’s rambling dissolve into the background while she flipped through the book. Faded images of bloody scenes and frightening creatures covered the worn pages. “Oh my God. I found it. I found the picture.”

  Blue and red flashing lights coated the inside of the car, and Eva’s heart beat wildly within her chest.

  “There must be some crazy shit going down at the hospital. I’ve never seen this many cops out at once.” Bridget pulled over and waited for them to pass. “Now, what were you saying? You found the picture of the stuff that flew out of that dead guy’s mouth in the video?”

  Fear trapped the words in her throat, and she could only nod.

  The police cruisers passed, and Bridget accelerated into traffic. “Well don’t just sit there. Tell me what it says.”

  Eva silently read the short sentences accompanying the image. “If what this says is true, we’re in a lot of trouble.”

  Nineteen

  James had to call Bridget. She needed all of the facts for when Eva returned, and, since Alek was back, he assumed the Oracle wouldn’t be far behind. He patted the pockets of his khakis in search of his cell. “Shit. My phone is in my car.”

  “I have mine,” PJ said, offering it to James.

  “No, I don’t know her number. It’s in my phone.”

  “Need to call your girlfriend to make sure she’s hasn’t been attacked by the non-zombies?” PJ asked.

  “She’s not my girlfriend, and we don’t know if that stuff has even gotten out of the hospital. I’m sure it’s being contained.”

  “Viruses, parasites, bacteria—none of them are ever truly contained or eliminated. That’s just something the powers that be tell the general public to make them feel better.”

  “And for good reason. We don’t want people freaking out over nothing,” James murmured.

  “Hey! You two can’t be back here.” A uniformed officer shone his flashlight at them, momentarily blinding James.

  “It’s okay.” James shielded his eyes and pulled out his badge for the officer. “Doing a quick perimeter sweep, and I found this guy wandering around out here.”

  The officer studied the badge before handing it back. “If it makes it easier, I can get him out of your hair for you.”

  James paused and contemplated pawning PJ off on the officer. “I got it. I was finishing up anyway. Any word on what’s going on in there?”

  The officer switched off his flashlight and shook his head. “Haven’t heard anything, but they do just have me walking in the same square around the building. Ask one of the guys outside the ER. They’ll probably be able to tell you a lot more than me.”

  “That works. My car is parked there, so I’m headed that way now. We’ll load up then drive to the station.”

  “I don’t think that’s going to work out for you. They might share some info, but they’re not going to let you take your car. They’ve got the scene buttoned up pretty tight. You’re going to have to hitch a ride with one of the cruisers that’s been cleared for reentry.”

  “I’ll do that. Thanks for your help. Stay safe tonight.” James shook the officer’s hand. “Shit!” he grumbled when they were far enough away.

  “What is it?” PJ jogged to keep up with James’s brisk stride.

  “I need my car.”

  “Not really. He said we can get a ride back with one of the other cops.” PJ reminded him.

  “I don’t want a ride back to the station, at least not yet. There’s somewhere I need to go first.”

  PJ beamed. “Then it’s a good thing you’re with me. I happen to have a vehicle not far from here. Bet that makes you feel bad for thinking about giving me away to that other cop.”

  “It doesn’t, but you’ll let me use your car, no questions asked?”

  “I’ll let you use my vehicle question-free, but only if you take me with you. And you should feel bad, even if it’s just a little bit.”

  “I don’t. Now, take me to your car. We need to get there quick,” James instructed.

  They reached the end of the alley, and PJ took the first left, leading James away from the hospital. “There is one little thing I should probably tell you about my vehicle.” He slowed to a stop in the driveway of a charming brick bungalow. He punched in a code on the garage keypad, and the door rose creakily.

  “That’s your car?” James pointed to the slick Lexus coupe resting in the uncluttered space.

  “No, that’s my boyfriend’s. Mine is that one. The more eco-friendly vehicle.” PJ smiled.

  “PJ, that’s not even a car.”

  “To be fair, I never said it was. I said it’s a vehicle, which isn’t a lie.”

  “Just give me the keys and get on.”

  James rounded the dingy, paint-chipped moped and sat on the cracked leather seat.

  “There’s an extra helmet in the compartment on the back.” PJ snapped his own helmet in place and wrapped his arms around James’s middle.

  James shook his head and keyed the buzzing engine. “I should have stayed in Texas.”

  • • •

  Alek’s eyelids squeezed shut when the swarm rushed toward him, filling his mouth and burning his chest as they bore into his lungs. It felt like the air had been sucked out of the room, and he dizzily groped for something to steady his shaking body. The buzzing in his ears intensified, throwing him even more off balance. The room seemed to spin, and Alek flapped his arms to keep from falling. Glass shattered around him, and empty air met his back. His hands grazed fabric, and he gripped it for stability, but it only followed him out the window.

  The fall took only seconds, but felt like an eternity as he flailed in the air, trying to force his feet under him. His body wouldn’t listen to the commands his blurred thoughts struggled to convey, and he crashed into the pavement. The concrete fractured beneath him, and pain spider webbed through his torso, making every breath excruciating. The pain was
made worse by the body wriggling on top of him. The buzz faded to a low hum, allowing Alek to gain control of his movements. He unclenched his hands from the doctor’s coat and pushed the twitching man to the side. He rubbed his palm across his chest and coughed to ease the tingling building in the back of his throat. With each forceful hack, red specks flew from his mouth and dotted the pavement.

  You are strong. We need more like you—powerful. The disembodied voice whirred between his ears. A carrier able to withstand infection.

  “Infection?” His throat ached.

  A cleanse. Wiping each corrupt realm so it may start anew under Her control. They rooted around in his thoughts, forcing memories forward and creating a dull ache in his head. So much potential within you. For great things. Dark things.

  “Call me H. So, do we have a deal?” The memory was distant and cold, vanishing before he could probe it further.

  What class of human are you?

  Alek gathered his bearings and pushed himself off the ground. “I am no mortal.”

  Pieces of the Underworld flow within your veins, but the gods have long been absent from this realm.

  “I am no god.” Alek wiped at the dried blood covering his healed knuckles as he shuffled to finish off the doctor, who was clawing at the pavement, determined to reach him.

  You are one of the immortals! They shrieked the words with such force that Alek dropped to his knees. Your kind deceived us before. Pressure mounted in his lungs, and the deafening buzz returned. Never again, they screeched, and tore out of his mouth. The muscles in Alek’s jaw stretched to capacity and fought against the swarm’s need to make more room. Heat rippled through his chest and poured into his mouth as the last of the flecks joined the palpitating cloud hovering over the slithering doctor. Never again, they repeated, before diving past the man’s lips.

  Unable to stand, Alek took shallow breaths through the pain while the man in the soiled coat rose to his feet. Flaps of flesh fell from his face and splatted against the road as he stood. It will do no good to remain here, immortal. The voice of the creature inside the doctor merged with his, forming one echoing baritone. Return to the Underworld. This realm is ours.

  Through his blurred vision, Alek watched the creature in the broken body sprint out of the alleyway. Alek reached for his talisman and clenched it between his fingers. “The Oracle. Take me to the Oracle.”

  Twenty

  “What do you mean, Eva? In a lot of trouble how?” The car swerved as Bridget craned her neck to see what was on the page.

  “Bridge, concentrate on driving. None of this matters if they’re scraping us off the side of the road.” The book bounced in Eva’s lap as Bridget maneuvered the car along the uneven street.

  “You can’t just tell me we’re in a lot of trouble and then not explain why. Tell me.”

  “First we need to get back to your place, so I can get in contact with Tartarus. This book has some info in it, some scary info, but not enough. And if even this little bit is true, we’ll for sure need help.” Eva studied the frightening drawing. The colors were faded, and age had worn the image, but it was exactly as Eva remembered. A man on his back, his face mangled and distorted, a cloud of scarlet specks hovering above him.

  “So, we need Alek’s moms to help us?” Bridget asked.

  “Yes, but more importantly, we need Alek.”

  “Amen, sister. I’ve been wondering when that sweet hunk of eye candy was going to appear back in this, what are they calling it? Universe? Timeline?”

  “Realm,” Eva said.

  “Yeah, this realm could definitely use a little bit more Alek. You excited to have him back?” Bridget asked.

  Eva’s cheeks warmed. “I am, actually. He saved my life.”

  “Again? Gah, this guy is totally on a mission. And you didn’t even tell me about it. You said that his mom pulled you out of this realm and into Tartarus. How long were you going to hold out on me? Spill. I want all the details.”

  “I mean, I guess he didn’t really save my life.” Eva’s chest tingled as she told the story. “I wasn’t actually going to die, but he was. He would have died for me. Just to make sure I was safe.”

  “Oh, swoon. If that doesn’t deserve a visit from Miss Kitty, I don’t know what does.” Bridget pulled up to the parking garage and waved her keycard in front of the detector.

  “I barely know him. I don’t even know what his last name is, or if he has one. But I wouldn’t have sex with him even if he’d been around for months and months, and I knew everything about him. We work together, and it would make things weird.”

  “Having not ever been a part of an office romance, I would have no idea, but I feel like hooking up with a coworker would be exciting. The whole forbidden-fruit aspect really gets me. I wonder if the store will be hiring any guys soon. I should write that down and put it in our comments box.” Bridget swung the car into her parking space and turned off the ignition. “Anyway, you should never say never.”

  “I didn’t say never.”

  “No, but you implied it, and that’s what matters. Well, that and finding out what kind of heat your warrior boy is packing.” She winked and hopped out of the car. “Just surrender to the insta-love, Eva. You’re in it already, even if you don’t realize it.”

  Eva hunched her shoulders, pulled the cap down over her eyebrows, and zipped the book up in her jacket. “Insta-love?” she grunted, as she struggled to keep the weighty hardback clutched against her stomach.

  Bridget paused to admire her manicure before punching the elevator button. “You know, girl meets boy and there are sparks right from the get-go. Think Romeo and Juliet.”

  Relief washed over Eva when the doors opened, revealing an empty metal box. “But Romeo and Juliet were practically children.”

  “You’re never too young or too old for the magical powers of insta-love. Plus, it’s almost like you have a kid together. Like this realm is your baby, and you’re attached until it grows up and isn’t evil anymore.” Bridget grinned and tapped the button for her floor. “Eva, relax a smidge. No one knows you’re here, and I’m pretty sure that, even if they did, they wouldn’t want that old book.”

  The elevator doors opened, and Bridget stepped out into the hallway. “All clear,” she said, motioning for Eva to follow. They hurried to Bridget’s front door, where she stopped to type in her lock code. “It feels kind of like we’re spies or something, doesn’t it?” She giggled and pushed open the door.

  “I don’t know. I guess so.”

  “Come on, Eva. Have a little bit of fun with this. You’re literally the only person on the planet who’s experiencing all this right now. Just take a frickin’ second to enjoy the greatness that is you and your Oraclehood. It’s pretty badass if you think about it.”

  “You know what? You’re right.” Eva leaned her hips against the dining room table and slowly unzipped her jacket. The heavy hardback hit the wood with a slap.

  “Well, of course I am.”

  “There’s no point in being so stressed about something I can’t change.”

  “Why would you want to change it? I know it’s brought you a lot of shit, but you have something some people would kill to have. You’re a completely unique individual in a culture that wants nothing more than to smash us into clichéd little groups.”

  “Wow, Bridge, that’s actually really insightful.”

  “Just because society has put me in the dumb, slutty blonde category doesn’t mean I’m not really a smart, slutty blonde.”

  Eva flipped the book open to the page she’d earmarked.

  “That has to be the same stuff, right?” Bridget peered over Eva’s shoulder.

  “I’m pretty sure. I mean, it looks the same, but that’s why we’re calling Tartarus.”

  “You said that this book said we’re in trouble. The picture is creepy, and I definitely get that it looks the same as what we saw in the video, but I don’t see anything that says we need to freak out and run for the hills.�
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  “You can’t just look at the picture. You have to read what they wrote about it.”

  “I would, but there aren’t any words on the page.”

  Eva glanced down at the paper, then back up at Bridget. “They’re right there.” She pointed to the few sentences she’d read and reread in the car. “It says, ‘Breathe in this creature, and perish. Bearer of disease and plague. No mortal will survive the Nosoi.’ I’m probably not pronouncing it correctly.”

  “You’re just messing with me, right? I don’t see any words on the page. Only this mildly disgusting picture and those weird design things up in the corner.” Bridget nodded toward the sentences Eva had just read aloud.

  “Those weird design things are what some of us call letters. I know you’re not a big reader, but you sure as hell know what words look like.”

  “Those aren’t any letters I’ve seen before. Let’s just call Tartarus. Maybe someone there will be able to explain why you’ve suddenly gone crazier than usual.”

  Eva rolled her eyes and pulled the gold chain out from under her shirt. She unclasped it and let the vial of water slide into her hand.

  “Need a bowl or something?” Bridget asked.

  Eva shrugged. “I guess so. In Tartarus this water is kept in a big, pretty birdbath-looking thing, but they do have way more of it.”

  “Well, this should work. It is water anyway, and water is water is water.” Bridget set down a small bowl.

  The tiny bottle cooled Eva’s palm as she wrapped her fingers around it and removed the cork. “Well, here we go.” She poured out the beryl blue water, and stared into the bowl.

  “Now what? Is a keypad going to pop up so you can dial?” Bridget asked.

  “Maiden said all I have to do is put my fingers in the water and think of Tartarus.”

  “So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get this show on the road,” Bridget cheered.

  “I don’t know. I’m nervous all of a sudden.”

  “Oh please, the man pretty much died trying to protect you. I’m sure he won’t care that you have horribly flat hat hair.”