by Kristin Cast
Thirty-One
A beacon of red lit the sky as James sped away from Veronica’s, rushing to get as far from the stench of regurgitated seafood as possible. The tip of his sock was wet from where he’d rinsed off his shoe, after Veronica thought her heaving was over and came to sit with him on the couch. Chunks had gone flying, a bit of which landed squarely on the toe of his boot. “First blood and now puke. I have to get rid of these shoes.”
James stopped behind the line of cars waiting at the flashing red stoplight. The electricity was out, and even though it was late, which usually meant little traffic, the streets were congested with drivers angry at having to stop at every block to pause at a red light. “Well, shit. At least I made it out of Pierce’s office before the power went out.” In his experience, companies seemed to always have security glitches when things like this happened, and he hated to think of what would have occurred if he’d still been in that lab when his fellow officers arrived. “Bridget and Eva owe me for that one. Hell, humankind owes me.”
He glanced down at his vibrating phone. “Damn.” He’d forgotten to text Bridget the good news. Finally there was something they could relax about. There was no reason to worry about the bodies or any samples getting to the CDC. That problem had taken care of itself. Sure, it was disgusting, but it was also no longer a concern.
He plucked his cell out of the cup holder. Bridget had sent him six texts, called him four times, and left one message. “What the fuck?” He pressed the voicemail icon and Bridget’s frantic sobs blared through his speakers.
“James, you have to come now. She’s dead. Lori’s dead. The Nosoi killed her. It’s bad. It’s so bad. But I’m going to make them pay. They need a vessel, and when their queen comes, I’m going to be that vessel. I’m going to kill them.” The message ended as burgundy lightning crashed overhead.
His tires screeched as he flipped a U-turn, then sped toward Eva’s and the churning scarlet sky.
• • •
A beam of crimson bathed Bridget as she stood frozen in place under the control of an ancient, infectious evil. Alek replayed the events in his mind and searched for anything he’d missed, anything that could change this scene and destroy the Nosoi without the possible loss of the Oracle’s companion. I have done all I can. This is how it must end.
A familiar hum tickled Alek’s ears, and he cast his gaze to the sky. An onslaught of buzzing red specks poured from the low-hanging clouds and merged with the swarm thrumming over Bridget. United, they pulsed with a deafening purr. Eva’s nails dug into the back of his hand, and the drips of scarlet rain streaming down his skin made it impossible to tell whether or not he was bleeding. He studied the Oracle’s profile. Wet hair matted the side of her face, and her lip quivered slightly as she repeated, “It’s going to be okay. It’s going to be okay.”
He opened his mouth to speak, but couldn’t think of any words to soothe her. He squeezed her hand and, powerless, watched the swarm converge on Bridget like a flock of deranged swifts. Anger warmed Alek’s chest as he watched them disappear into her open mouth. He was supposed to be a warrior, aggressive and courageous. Instead he stood by, watching and waiting for someone else to make a move to save them. This was what had to happen. He knew that, but it didn’t stop shame from pooling in his gut.
Thunder roared overhead, and the rose-colored rain ceased as the crimson sky dimmed, replaced by the muted black of night.
Bridget’s arms slapped down at her sides, and her head sagged against her chest, but she remained firmly upright.
“Bridge?” Eva called out timidly.
“Wait here. I’ll see to her.” He reveled in the opportunity to take charge and prove his title of warrior.
The air around Bridget was sweltering. Ripples of heat radiated off of her, drying the beads of red rain streaming down her skin.
“Bridget, do you hear me?” Alek asked. Bridget’s only response was the robotic twitching of her fingers. “Eva, I need—”
Tires squealed against the pavement, interrupting him. Alek glanced up as James sprang from his car and rushed to Bridget’s side. “Whoa, it’s hot over here. What happened? You didn’t let her go through with it, did you?”
“We had no choice,” Alek said flatly, annoyed by the sudden appearance of the detective.
“So it’s done?” James asked. “You let her offer herself up to those things?”
“As I said, we had no choice,” Alek repeated.
“Had no choice my ass. Aren’t you supposed to be some big shot hero?”
Alek balled his fists and narrowed his eyes at the detective. “Have you forgotten who stands before you?” he snarled.
“Both of you shut the hell up.” Spittle flew from Eva’s lips as she punched out the words. “Bridget didn’t do this so we could ruin our only chance by fighting each other.”
James cleared his throat. “You’re right, Eva.”
Alek pulled his menacing gaze away from James.
“Alek, finish what you were saying. You need something? What can we do?” Eva asked.
“We must find something to bind her, so she can’t escape when she awakens. Then we must take her to the river and end this evil once and for all.”
James shook his head. “Wait, you’re not submerging Bridget in the river, are you? I knew she had something crazy in mind, but I never thought it’d be this bad.”
“This creature is not Bridget, and if we do not kill it, it will destroy your earth. Either join us or take your leave,” Alek said.
“I’m in. Of course. But let’s not pretend this whole thing doesn’t suck. I have handcuffs in my car.” James’s feet splashed against the shallow puddles dotting the yard as he sprinted to his car.
“Alek, her head is moving. I think she’s waking up,” Eva said.
He readied himself and stepped closer to the blonde. “Bridget?”
Her hand shot out and grabbed him by the throat. “I answer to ‘Queen,’” she seethed, her voice echoed by another.
Pain seared his neck and crept up his face. He grabbed her wrist and squeezed. Her bones were so thin. One strong flick of his hand, and they’d shatter under his grip. But he couldn’t do that. Not to Bridget, and definitely not in front of Eva. Boils bubbled on his skin, and marched up his arm.
“Don’t touch her. The infection will spread to you,” he gurgled as James cautiously rejoined them, gripping silver shackles.
“Mortal.” She pursed her lips and blew a steady stream of her Nosoi followers into James’s face.
Hacking, James tumbled backward.
Bridget’s vibrant blue eyes faded, and scarlet orbs took their place. “How do you end an immortal? Not with plague. I know this all too well. If I crush this pipe you use to breathe, will you emerge healed and renewed?”
Eva stirred in Alek’s periphery vision, and he fought to turn his head to face her.
“Injure me, Oracle, and you injure your mortal ally,” the creature within Bridget warned.
“I think she’ll get over it.” Eva charged the queen with enough force that she lost her grip on Alek. He crumpled to the ground, panting while his immortal gifts took over and cleansed his body.
“I expected more from you, Oracle.” Bridget’s bubbly chirp vanished.
Lifting himself from the ground, Alek shouted, “It’s done. The queen has cemented her place within Bridget. Detective, the shackles.” Alek held out his hand, and James tossed them over. “The Nosoi will lie to you, and fill you with rage. Hold on to what you know is true. We will end this, and you will be well.” Alek didn’t wait for a response before sprinting to Eva’s side.
• • •
Eva had never been in a physical fight before, but it was just as painful as she’d imagined. This fight was even more so, because of the instantaneous sickness delivered with every touch of Bridget’s skin.
“Where is your magic?” the queen taunted.
“My magic? My magic’s right here.” Eva locked eyes with Al
ek, and she didn’t need words to know what to do. She balled her fists and leaped into the air, striking Bridget’s chin on the way down. Bridget’s body locked up and remained rigid as she smacked against the ground. “Hurry and get those cuffs on her,” she instructed, shaking out her aching fist. “Man, Bridget’s going to be mad at me tomorrow.”
Thirty-Two
The rain started up again, and clear droplets beat against the windshield. “What do we do when we get there? Throw her in the water and hope for the best?” James squinted and increased the speed of the windshield wipers.
“No, we’ll be there to make sure she’s okay,” Eva said.
The discomfort clawing at his chest was too much. Spit dotted the steering wheel as he hacked. “To make sure she doesn’t drown, you mean?” Anger nipped at his thoughts, and he spoke from between clenched teeth.
Silence blanketed the car as James turned sharply, and Bridget’s body rolled around in the trunk.
“She’ll be okay,” Eva whispered.
Spears of lightning dissected the black, starless sky as James pulled his car into an empty parking lot lining the Arkansas River.
“Get out. This is as close as we get.” He leaned out of the open driver’s side door and let the coughs overtake him. Blood dripped from his lips and splattered against the pavement.
He met the three of them in the thick, white beams shooting out from the headlights. Rain pelted his skin, and he squinted against the droplets falling from his brow. Confusion and fury spun within him, but he calmed as he examined Bridget’s profile. Flashes of light illuminated her delicate features, and the heat pulsing off of her felt like home.
“I see you.” She hadn’t spoken, but her low purr coursed through him, vibrating his lungs and forcing him to cough into his wet sleeve.
“James! James, are you okay?” Eva shouted through the thunder.
He regained control of his thoughts and nodded apologetically at Eva. They followed the headlight’s beams to the steep riverbank. The wide, flat asphalt of the bike path was well cared for, but two yards off of it the underbrush was thick and the footing treacherous. Alek and Eva both clung to Bridget’s sagging body. Their hands and arms were swollen and chapped. Thunder roared overhead as James tripped after them down the rocky embankment.
Spider webs of lightning cracked through the clouds and illuminated the sandy river’s edge. “Look!” Eva shouted, pointing upriver.
A small wooden canoe bounced atop the surface of the tumultuous water. James barreled the rest of the way down the steep path and ran to the boat. A thin rope tied around a large branch of driftwood held it in place, and he blindly untied the loose knot. He grabbed the boat and guided it down the river.
“Get in!” he yelled, taking out the oars and handing one to Eva.
“You got her?” she asked Alek, before gripping James’s shoulder to steady herself as she climbed into the boat.
Alek lowered Bridget’s body into the canoe and turned his attention to James.
“You don’t have to say it,” James said. “I’m staying here. This is too important, and right now I’m too much of a liability.”
Alek nodded in agreement, and waded out into knee-high water before hopping in the boat.
“We need to find the deepest point,” Alek said, the muscles in his arms contracting as he pulled the oars through the churning waves. Thunder rumbled overhead, and he let it dissipate before continuing. “There has been a lot of rain, so it should be deep enough out in the middle.” The downpour beat against the inside of the boat, creating a puddle around Bridget’s body. Tension knotted Alek’s shoulders as the boat surged closer to the river’s middle. “This place is good enough,” Alek boomed over the storm.
Eva released the oar from her shaking grasp and let it slap against the bottom of the boat. “I’m scared.”
“This is how it must be. There is nothing to fear.” Alek grabbed the rope, and looped it around Bridget’s ankle before securing the knot.
“We could kill her.” Eva’s eyes were wide with equal parts fear and determination.
Water streamed down her face as Alek cupped her soft cheeks in his palms. “I cannot assure you Bridget will survive, but I know that you are strong enough to.”
Bridget stirred in the bottom of the boat, tipping it from side to side. “I will take this mortal with me. End me, return me to Tartarus, and her soul will be lost forever.”
Eva eyes brimmed with tears. “Do it, Alek.”
In a final attempt to remain in the Mortal Realm, the queen narrowed her scarlet gaze and released a breath of crimson specks into Alek’s face. Keeping his grip on her shirt, he let the small cloud of Nosoi invade his lungs. They made a hasty retreat, and Alek’s chest burned as he coughed. Wiping the spit from his lips, he focused his attention on the queen.
“You have no power over us.” Alek balanced himself and lifted her into the air. Her feet kicked wildly, and she snarled and gnashed her teeth. “Turn away, Eva.” As Eva turned to face the shore, Alek slammed the queen into the water. Bubbles burbled from her open mouth as her face disappeared under the murky waves. Her shackled hands thrashed about above the surface, clawing at the air. The boat jolted as her legs drifted under the hull and she kicked at it violently.
The pride and accomplishment he usually felt when defeating a foe were not present in this victory. Guilt and sorrow seeped into him as he held the woman’s fighting body under the water.
“Alek, look.” He turned to Eva and looked in the direction she was pointing. A figure cut through the water, heading straight toward them.
“Detective?”
• • •
Confusion swept over James as the Nosoi infiltrated his thoughts, picking them apart and replacing them with their own. Lightning lit the sky, and anger bubbled within his aching chest as he watched Alek submerge Bridget in the river. He tried not to imagine how terrified she must be, how filled with pain and despair. Bridget must be the bravest person he’d ever known, letting that creature inside of her just so the warrior and his Oracle could kill it.
“Don’t get angry. You’re not thinking clearly. This is okay. They’re doing something good.” He closed his eyes, no longer willing to watch the snippets of events the lightning afforded him. “A few minutes. That’s all it takes. Drowning is fast. You remember. Only a few minutes.”
Rain no longer cooled his skin, and the growls of thunder faded as a long-suffocated memory came alive, engulfing him, dragging him into the past. He opened his eyes. Blue Pacific waters and a peaceful Hawaiian sky replaced Tulsa and the muddy Arkansas River.
“Melanie! Somebody help me! Melanie!” He charged into the raging waters and let his body take over. He sliced through the waves, heading toward where he’d last seen her.
By the time he reached her, his arms were on fire, and his chest burned with crippling ferocity. His exhausted legs fought to keep him afloat as he put his arm around her torso.
“Oh, God no. Please no, no, no.” His hands trembled wildly as he brushed the wet clumps of hair from her face and parted her pale, blue-tinged lips. He covered her lips with his. Their coolness sent waves of panic down his spine, and he forced air into her lungs. His head slipped under the water, and he struggled to keep above the churning waves. “Someone, help!” he yelled as he emerged. His legs would no longer kick, and he again slipped under the surface. Her mass of tangled hair swept through his fingers as he released his grip on the woman he was willing to trade his life for.
Jay, Mel’s whisper slid through the darkness engulfing him. I’ll find you again. Wait for me.
“No!” Water filled his mouth as he shouted. “We’ve already found each other. Don’t go!”
“James!” Cold wind blew on his back as he was pulled from the water and dropped onto something hard.
“Mel?” he croaked.
The bright, cheery Hawaiian sky shattered as lightning splintered overhead and thunder pummeled his ears. Rain pelted his face, and he
recoiled. “Melanie?” He reached over the side and feverishly clawed at the dark water.
“James!”
He turned toward the voice, trying to focus on the person it belonged to.
“Get your shit together.” Confusion wrinkled Eva’s brow. “I don’t know what the hell is going on with you, but we have to save Bridget. Get us back to shore.”
“The Nosoi. They—they messed with my head, made me see things.” He tried to explain, but Eva was already busy helping Bridget. James grabbed an oar and sliced it through the water. His thoughts spun as he realigned himself with reality. “Mel’s gone. She’s really gone.” He battled the current of the rising Arkansas River. He hadn’t been able to save his fiancée, but he couldn’t let Bridget down. He wouldn’t let Bridget down.
Thirty-Three
Bridget had never been so still. Color had drained from her face, except her lips, which were the hue of fresh blueberries. Eva tipped Bridget’s chin up and started CPR. “C’mon Bridget,” she begged, and pushed against her chest with the heels of her hands. Again, she covered Bridget’s cold mouth with hers in a desperate attempt to revive her. “Nothing’s happening.” She turned to Alek, tears warming her cheeks.
He opened his mouth to say something, but only shook his head, hopelessness dulling his eyes.
Her arms burned as she pounded against Bridget’s sternum.
The boat stopped suddenly when they reached the shore, knocking Eva off-balance. She stared down at Bridget, who was still unmoving and pale. Sorrow sucked the air from her chest, and her sobs came out in silent gasps. “Please don’t leave me too.” She rested her lips against Bridget’s cold, wet forehead.
“I wish I could have healed you.” While she spoke, amber smoke poured from her mouth, tickling her tongue as it floated from her to her friend. It caressed Bridget’s cheeks before slipping between her parted lips. Eva said a silent prayer to the ancient Oracle she knew was watching.
