by A and E Kirk
Horus slapped hands to his side. “Just trying to be helpful, like always, but does anyone appreciate it? No, they just shut me down and—” He motioned for the two doctors to follow him. “Come on. We’ll get you in some warm clothes for the trip. See, I’m helpful, but does anyone…” He continued muttering, his voice trailing off as he headed for the back room, the doctors following a good distance behind.
Matthias always worried I’d get the Hex Boys killed. Now I feared he was right. Tears surged anew. My breath raged in my chest. Helsing rubbed against my legs, but remained silent.
“I found them,” Cristiano said. “But we have a problem.”
I barked a humorless laugh. “Of course we do.”
“Renard took the Boys to the Mandatum headquarters in Paris for the ceremony.”
“France, Paris?”
“Yes. The ceremony begins in three hours, but they are several hours ahead with the time difference, putting them out of our reach.”
“No, that’s not possible,” I said, hoping that saying it aloud would make it true.
“It would be a ten or eleven hour flight for us,” Cristiano took my hands in his. “I want your permission to call in the other members of my team to protect them.”
“Yes, do it,” I said. “Whatever it takes.”
“Horus!” Cristiano called.
Horus strolled in from the back. “I heard you, but that ain’t gonna work. The rest of the team is scattered in India, South Africa, or South America. We’re as close as any of them, and we are nowhere near close enough.”
“Can’t you call someone else?” I said. “A friend? Someone you trust?”
“We don’t really make friends, Fiamma,” Horus said.
Buttefield’s voice carried from the back. “You can say that again.”
Horus cast a squinty-eyed glare in her direction.
“My mother is sequestered away,” Cristiano said. “Communication with her is unavailable but—”
“Because of that stupid Gathering thing,” I said, annoyed.
He paused running a hand through his hair and gave me a guarded look “You are very well informed.”
“Sure, so your mom’s out, but there’s her assistant. What’s her name? The Dubois lady!” I nearly shouted. “Tristan said she was a friend. She’s still in Paris, right? It’s perfect. Call her now!”
“Yes, I had planned that as my next course of action. However…” Cristiano shook his head. “For some reason, the Paris headquarters is in an emergency lockdown.”
“Meaning what?”
“All communication is cut off,” Cristiano said. “And no one is allowed in or out.”
I scowled. “That’s convenient.”
“No doubt organized by Renard or someone working for her,” Cristiano said. “My other concern is that if we did manage to contact someone and Renard finds out we are aware of her treachery, she might execute the Hex Boys immediately.”
I didn’t like any of this. “So what are you saying?”
Cristiano took a deep breath. “I am saying that I have not yet come up with a solution.”
“Please, Honcho,” Horus said. “Tell her the truth. What you’re saying is that there is no solution. Sure, we can head to Paris right now, but there’s no way we’re getting there in time to save the Hex Boys unless you know how to stop time.”
My body stilled. My brain stirred, unthawing from the fear that had frozen it over.
Cristiano watched me closely. “What are you thinking? You have some way to stop time?”
“Well,” I said. “I may not be able to stop time, but I think I can slow it down.”
CHAPTER 90
Horus opened the jet door and pulled down his ski mask. Snow blasted in. No telling how high we were flying. Just sheet after white sheet blanketing down.
I flinched, then raised my hands to shield my face from the flakes. “We should just land!”
“This is the fastest way, Fiamma,” Horus said.
“My name’s not—”
“And it’s a hell of a lot more fun!”
“That’s debatable!” I yelled over the wind's howl.
Cristiano pulled the hood of my parka over my head and cinched it tight. “You do not care for heights?”
“Not a big fan!” I shouted again, because wind or no wind, it helped with my pent up adrenaline fear.
Cristiano smiled and zipped up his own parka. “I will keep you safe,” he said, somehow managing to sound sexy even under these conditions.
“Yee-haaaaa!” Horus fell out of the plane with dramatic flair.
“We are next.” Cristiano caught my arm and pulled me toward the door.
I balked. “Where’s the parachute?!”
He yanked me close and wrapped his powerful arms around my waist, our bodies pressed firmly together. “Do not let go of me.”
“Oh.” I hesitantly wrapped my arms around him. “You have wind powers too?”
He laughed. “No!” Then he threw us both out of plane.
We dropped head first. My heart stopped, like I’d been struck with an electric jolt. Over Cristiano’s shoulder I could see the plane flying away. Getting smaller by the second. Little red blinking lights on the wings fading in the dark. Leaving me behind.
Wind howled around me, tore through my clothes. So cold. Like a thousand needles jabbed my skin. My eyes dried, and started to sting. I closed them as we tumbled into a spin. Lazy, slow. Then fast, like a drill at top speed.
After all of the falls I’ve taken, you’d think my stomach wouldn’t flip-flop so much. Cristiano’s arms tightened around me. I buried my face in his chest, my muscles burning as I clung to him. It was weird. Falling with someone. Somehow better than being alone. Not that I wanted to ever recreate the experience.
The fall suddenly felt less like a fall. More like floating. Sure, there was still wind rushing around us, but now it was like we were in a descending elevator. Not entirely unpleasant. Had I ever fallen this long?
Cristiano leaned back. We somersaulted twice before continuing to drop feet first. In one swift move, Cristiano released one arm around me and swept up my legs to cradle me against him. I instinctively threw my arms around his neck. The dark silhouette of trees blurred by on either side.
We were so crashing and burning.
I jolted down then up before settling in Cristiano’s arms. I lifted my head. No crash or burn. We’d landed safely. Hallelujah.
Breath fogged from my lips as my head swiveled, taking in what I recognized as the landscape of Gossamer Falls. It looked like it was inside a freshly shaken snow globe. Flurries danced indecisively this way and that. The tall forest trees creaked and groaned as they swayed under the relentless howling wind.
“You didn’t scream,” Cristiano said.
“Guess I got that out of my system the last time.” I wiggled until he set me down.
My knees gave out.
Cristiano caught me, his able hands gripping my waist. “Last time?”
“Uh-huh, uh-huh.” I took deep breaths and got control of my trembling which had nothing to do with the cold.
We stood at the top of Gossamer Falls’ impressive waterfall, now a gorgeous white sculpture of frozen rolling waves and icicle spears. Spread out below, the pool and normally rushing stream sported patches of ice on the slowly moving surface. A sharp whistle cut from below. Cristiano swept me into his arms again and walked to the edge of the cliff.
“This one will be shorter.” He jumped off. I held him tight. We landed the million-story drop much more lightly than seemed possible. Not that I minded.
“Warning!” I swatted his chest. “I need a warning before you do something like that!”
Cristiano smirked as he carried me into the cove behind the frozen falls. “My apologies.”
“Portal’s locked up tight.” Horus said, using his flashlight to show off the dead end. “Any ideas?”
“Put me down,” I said.
Cristiano obli
ged.
Without the roar of the tumbling waterfall, the cave remained eerily quiet. The walls grey rock glistened with frost. I had to knock off a few icicles to get to the hidden nook in the stone, then I placed my hand inside, pressing it a certain way until I felt a needle prick on my finger. Not a surprise, but I jumped back anyway, and put my finger to my mouth. The taste of blood cut bitter and metallic on my tongue.
“What are you doing?” Cristiano had a touch of panic in his voice.
The rock in front of me split to expose a keypad. “Getting us in.”
“They gave you access?” Cristiano said.
“Are the Hex Boys going to get in trouble if they did?”
“Lots,” Horus said. “And so are we.”
“Then no they did not.” I punched in the code and stepped back as the ground trembled.
Ice shattered and rained like glass as the rock wall rumbled apart, and we stepped through. Horus turned off the flashlight in favor of the greenish-blue glow of the iridescent algae growing on the ceiling and walls.
“Wait,” I said. “What do you mean we’re in trouble?”
Cristiano nudged me forward. “The team stationed here will get an alert that someone accessed the portal.”
“The Hex Boys aren’t here to get the alert,” I said. “Kinda the whole problem.”
“The Mandatum sent in replacements after the Hex Boys were detained at Novo.” Cristiano urged me faster. “Remember the government officials checking on the toxic fumes?”
Horus said, “If you two are still set on me not killing anyone there better be less chit-chat and more running.”
I ran, leading the way down the earthy path that turned into the metal catwalk. The rails iced frigid with drops of frozen dew, the stream beneath the grated catwalk flowing at a slushy half speed. The ramp ended at a glossy door that opened to the cavernous space containing the portal. It whooshed apart, and I raced through.
The cavern, big as a basketball stadium, was comfortably warm, courtesy of the small bubbling pool. Steam rose and curled through the space. Above the water, stalactites spiked from the ceiling and dripped a steady rhythm.
“We’ve got ten, maybe thirteen minutes before the Mandatum shows up here,” Horus warned.
Cristiano checked his watch. “We have less than two hours before the ceremony for the Hex Boys begins.”
“Time moves differently in the Waiting World.” I flung off my winter gloves.
Horus said, “But you said slower and faster.”
“It’s been slower the last few times.” I flapped awkwardly out of my parka, letting it crumple to the floor. “I spent forever in there before I popped out in France maybe twenty minutes after I walked into the Waiting World. Jayden’s got a log chart thing.”
Horus put a hand on Cristiano’s shoulder. “I’m afraid—”
“You are afraid?” Cristiano smiled and gave him a good natured shove.
Horus remained grim. “Not necessarily a figure of speech this time. I am afraid that this dog won’t hunt. All she’ll tell us is that one time she got through the Paris portal and into the headquarters, and she thinks she can do it again. We don’t know any details, or what could go wrong. No offense Fiamma, but we need a better plan.”
Honestly, I couldn’t argue, but there was no better plan. At least not one that gave us any chance at getting to the Hex Boys in time.
Cristiano slipped smoothly out of his coat. “I have one.”
“Really?” Horus and I said.
“Yes.” Cristiano gripped his friend’s shoulders. “You must stay here.”
“No.” Horus shook his head vigorously. “Ain’t happening. You know I’ll follow you into Hell.” He glanced at the portal. “This time literally if need be. I’m just saying we need to think this through.”
“I already have,” Cristiano said. “We are in need of someone here who is aware of the situation. Someone who can take care of things if we do not make it out.”
“Please,” I said, offended. “I’ve been in and out four times. Trust me. We’ll make it out.”
“Four?!” Cristiano said.
“Oh.” Horus relaxed. “If she can do it, you’ll be fine.”
I squinted glare in his direction and tightened my ponytail. “I’m gonna ignore that.”
“Well, darlin’,” Horus drawled. “You can’t ignore the fact that the portal is closed.”
I smiled sweet as honey. “Not for long, darlin’. ”
Sure, I sounded confident, but my nerves rattled like chains. If this didn’t work… Teeth gritted, I swallowed hard. Well, it just had to.
I wrestled down tears and doubt and approached the portal, willing that with each tentative step closer, the wall would snap open like an elevator. Then, once inside, I’d push the button marked “Paris,” and voila, all would be right with the world. Which is just what happened.
In my dreams.
Yeah, the stone wall didn’t change one iota. I stood so close that if I sneezed, I’d break my nose on the rock. Solid, unyielding rock.
“Honcho?” Horus said. “If something is supposed to happen, it better be soon.”
“Aurora?” Cristiano said from just over my shoulder.
I licked my lips. “Just give me a minute.
Shouts echoed outside the room. The Mandatum team wasn’t here yet but…
“We don’t have a minute,” Horus mentioned with unhelpful urgency.
“How do you usually open it?” Cristiano said, his voice utterly calm.
“The last time, just as soon as I moved closer, it started to open, so I don’t know why—”
“Started to open?” Cristiano interrupted. “How did it actually open?”
“It was all kind of nuts in here. My powers were zapping around and hit the portal and…” I made an exploding motion with my hands. “Abracadabra. It opened.”
I felt Cristiano’s hand on my shoulder and his deep voice rumbled in my ear. “You can do this. Call up your power.”
He made it sound so easy. He had no idea. I cut off a bitter sob. “But what if—”
“You can.” Cristiano stepped up behind me, his chest touching my shoulders. He wrapped his fingers around my wrists then lifted my arms and pressed my open palms against the cold stone. “And now you will.”
He seemed so certain.
I closed my eyes, pulled in a deep breath, and concentrated. I called up my power. I let the doubts dissolve, but tapped into my fear.
Matthias had once thrown me off a cliff to jumpstart my powers. Jerk. But it had worked, using my fear of dying. But Jenny had told me fear for others, especially the Hex Boys, did it too. Well, the Boys’ lives were on the line. Could I get any more frightened? Nope.
So instead of ignoring my fear, I welcomed it. I used it as a catalyst to bring forth the power that could save them. Anger helped too, so I tapped into that as well. It was all hands—or emotions—on deck.
The power came in a slow wave of a quivering energy, building until it lit with a sudden spark in my chest. The spark burst and set off flames, firing up my power. Pressure and heat rose from the inside out. My skin began to glow. Then, so did the rock as it heated beneath my touch.
I smiled with satisfaction and shrugged off Cristiano. He stepped away. I opened my eyes and watched the solid stone of the portal begin to turn hazy. It shimmered and made snapping noises and started to crack like thin ice on a frozen lake giving out under too much weight.
That was more like it.
Reversing several steps, I concentrated the rising power. Hot tingles shot down my arms and fed out as jagged bolts of electricity. The ends split apart, flashing and sparking with blue-white light and looking like the claws of a predator eagerly tracking its prey. When they neared the portal, they paused, as if catching a scent, then flew up and slammed a direct hit into the wall.
The ferocious impact jolted my body hard. Stinging prickles flashed into my fingers, up my arms, and across my chest, making me gasp
, but I locked my elbows and held my stance.
The bolts scorched the stone with a crackling hiss. I smelled smoke. The fissures in the portal widened. Sharp beams of dull red light spiked through, bringing a howling wind that whooshed my hair forward, a fierce, unruly tempest trying to suck me through the void.
Bad idea, because at this point, if it hurtled me forward, I’d just slam face-first into stone and knock myself unconscious. Or have my body ripped apart as it was forced through the cracks in a wet, pulpy mess.
Preferring to keep vital organs intact, I staggered back, fighting to maintain my footing. Cristiano slipped an arm around my waist and pulled me further in reverse. I felt his heart pounding against my back. I steadied, grounded by his presence and his strength while the sizzling lines of my power extended to keep contact with the portal.
I couldn’t lose it. We were running out of time. I needed to get this done. I needed to get to the Hex Boys in time and a mere stone wall wasn’t going to stop me. So I needed to get my freak on.
The energy vibrated stronger, sending my entire body into pins and needles. It was getting harder to breath, but I’d collapse before I’d give up. The bolts flying from my fingertips flared brighter, spitting blue and white sparks. Waves of heat flowed from the widening fractures in the portal. But they weren’t big enough.
This thing had to open. Now!
The electricity from my hands spidered out to completely cover the portal with a blistering snap, crackle, and pop! The ground quaked beneath my feet so violently I fell against Cristiano. His grip tightened enough to lift me off my feet as a deep rumble rolled through the cave, rising in crescendo until…
The rock exploded with a mighty roar. Chunks large as boulders to bits small as gravel all broke away, crumbling as they disappeared into the massive, sucking void of the opening. A thundering boom rocked through the cavern. I turned my face from the strong fury of rushing hot wind that breathed across the space like a dead man startling violently back to life. My lungs shut down as oxygen exited stage right. Or in this case, stage portal.
I gasped once, twice, getting nothing.
