Hunting The Broken: Age Of Madness - A Kurtherian Gambit Series (The Caitlin Chronicles Book 3)

by Daniel Willcocks

  They sat for a moment in thought. Kain looked around the room, smiling at the memories of the times he had spent there with Cynthia. As one of the oldest Weres, she had been given a lot of privileges others hadn’t. The bigger rooms, for one thing, a wall lined with books, and one of the comfier beds they had dragged down into the sewers.

  Kain’s heart began to thump as he remembered some of the memories he had shared with Cynthia in that bed.

  “So, when are you going to try to leave again?” Cynthia asked.

  Kain looked at the old woman. It was a fair question, but it was filled with sadness. A strange determination began to spread within his gut as he thought about the situation.

  The children were already there. A dozen or so of them, queued up and, unknown to them, awaiting their turn on the chopping block. There were good Weres there, those whom he was sure were not entirely on Geralt’s side. He had a vampire and a human girl with incredible skills hanging about somewhere above ground, hunting for him.

  All factors which he had never had before when he had felt nothing more than alone within the colony all those years ago.

  “You know what?” Kain said. “I don’t think I am.”

  Cynthia’s smile returned.

  “At least, not just yet.”

  “What are you planning?” She smirked. “I’d know that sly face anywhere.”

  “Let’s just say that I’ll need you to give me as much information as possible on everything and everyone around here which has changed. I do believe that Geralt may have overstayed his welcome, and I know a few guys who are incredibly experienced in starting a revolution.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Prison District, Silver Creek, Old Ontario

  This wasn’t good.

  The Mad bumped into each other inside the jail cells—the only place Dylan could think to put them until they could work out what the hell was going on and where they were all coming from.

  Dylan stood with his hands on his hips and watched them. They were all familiar faces, people he had known in Silver Creek since he was a boy, and the last thing he wanted to do now was end their lives without trying any alternatives.

  Not that his reluctance had gone down all that well. Ash and Dylan loudly disagreed on which tactics they should use to deal with the outbreak.

  “Dill, we need to be careful, here,” Ash said, his brow furrowed. “There’s no winner. If we keep these guys alive, all we’re doing is providing an opportunity for them to break out and infect the town. There’s no coming back from the Madness. They’re all gone.”

  “Charming!” a man said, rising from his seat at the back of the cell. He was short and dumpy, with a heavy mustache, hair slicked over to the side, and an arm covered in sores. “Is that any way to talk to your fellow man? I’m not quite gone yet, prick.”

  Despite his presence in the cell, the other Mad paid him no attention as if they had already accepted him as one of their own. Which was fair. He was turning, but Dylan had an ace up his sleeve.

  “He’s right, you know,” a tiny man who looked half-deformed said from where he stood next to Dylan. ‘Stump,’ as the small man was affectionately known, had traveled there from Ashdale Pond several days ago at Dylan’s request.

  Chaperoned by Christy and Jamie, Stump brought the ingredients he had brewed together when he had been instructed to keep the governor’s Madness at bay. While not a cure, his concoction seemed to provide certain proof that it could slow the rate of infection and at least buy the victims some time to say their goodbyes before they lost their minds—or until a suitable alternative was found.

  “Hey, you’re supposed to be on my side,” Dylan protested.

  “I’m on nobody’s side. Just here to do a job,” Stump said as he tossed a flask through the bars—narrowly avoiding the Mad’s reaching arms—so the chap could take a deep draught. “Kill them, that’s what I say. They’re just taking up room.”

  Dylan looked at them both in disbelief. Alice shuffled awkwardly. “I’m with Dylan on this. If there’s a way to slow the infection, there must be a way to stop it. Surely you can come up with something to undo what’s happening, Stump?”

  The dwarf shook his head gently. “I’m not a scientist. I’m not a botanist. I’m not a specialist in Madness removal. I’m the owner of a bar. Don’t look for your hero in me.”

  “Then how did you discover the recipe for this concoction?” Dylan asked. “That can’t have been a lucky guess.”

  As Stump opened his mouth to answer, Sully arrived. He looked breathless and pale, as though he’d had trouble sleeping. Dylan wasn’t surprised. As much as he had tried to reassure Sully that there was little he could have done to prevent this, he wouldn’t listen. He had spent the best part of the last few days running around and doing everything within his power to stop the spread.

  “What news?” Dylan asked.

  All the guard had to do was look at Dylan for him to know what he wanted to say.

  “Another one?” Dylan sighed. He rubbed his eyes and asked, “Who? East quarter again?”

  Sully shook his head. “Sally Brennigan. South quarter. Bitten by this one before we could catch him.”

  The short, mustached man sat up straight. “I never!”

  “That’s what she told me.”

  “She’s a liar. I’d never bite anyone. Not least Mrs. Brennig—” He stopped as his jaw suddenly opened and shut against his will. A small pattern of bites made him look like a dog trying to catch a butterfly. His eyes widened in alarm.

  When his mouth settled, he added. “I didn’t know. I’m so sorry. It’s this…this…” He dropped his head into his hands and fell silent.

  Stump took a deep breath and, for the first time since Dylan had met him, he saw an ounce of empathy on the small man’s face. He walked towards the doorway, glanced back over his shoulder, and said, “Come. I will show you what I know.”

  The Broken City, Old Ontario

  Caitlin looked across the mass of water that bordered the northern side of the Broken City. She had never seen anything like it before, had never imagined an area where so much water could reside in one place.

  “This is unbelievable.” She drew an awed breath, gasping slightly as the air cut across the lake and stole her words. Birds soared across the water, diving and returning to the air with fish in beaks. Jaxon splashed around in the shallows, barking and going mad as he chased birds into the air and fish back to the depths.

  Izzy approached at a half-jog. They had been deep into their search for the hidden entrances when Caitlin had spotted the water and run ahead.

  “You best tell Jaxon to be careful.” Izzy chuckled. “You don’t want him to be dragged into the lake by the Soakers, do you?”

  Caitlin turned suddenly. “Soakers? What are Soakers? Jaxon—”

  “I’m kidding!” Izzy said quickly enough that Caitlin could send Jaxon back out into the water to play. “It’s just a folk story we tell the kids to keep them from wandering too close to the water. Soakers are supposed to be an aquatic strain of Mad who drag lost children down into the waters and drown them for their tea. Dark, slimy things with gills and claws.”

  “That’s what you tell your children?” Tom asked in shock. “I’d hate to hear your version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. What happens in that? Do the bears sprout wings, suckle blood from Goldilocks’ heart, and use her head as a bowling ball?”

  Izzy wandered closer to the water and looked out over into the horizon. “Look, we do what we need to do to keep people safe. This border is the only side of the city not protected by a fence. We don’t know what could come across the water.”

  “Then why don’t you fence off the shore here, too?” Laurie asked, shaking her hair behind her shoulders and kicking off her shoes. The sand felt soft beneath her toes.

  “We don’t want to block ourselves off to everybody,” Izzy said. “Years ago, many of our current residents actually arrived from across the Black Lake. They c
ame on small boats, refugees from the cities beyond. Old Toronto. The dried-up falls of Niagara. Prince Edward Island. All escapees looking for a new life after the Madness spread.” She bowed her head sadly. “The last thing we want is to prevent others who are looking for a safe new life from arriving and joining us. The future is in community and union, not in fences and separation. One day, I hope to see a fleet of ships traveling across that lake.”

  “Why not lead a fleet of ships?” Caitlin asked, already imagining herself sailing across the waters to unknown lands. The idea of other cities excited her, even if there was no certainty that any would be more recovered, populated and built up than this one.

  They continued their search much as they had on the previous days. By now, Caitlin was becoming familiar with the city, though her patience started to wear thin. She had seen no sign of Kain or Mary-Anne for so long now that she was beginning to get withdrawals.

  She missed their playful, cocky speech and missed having the company of Unknowns around her. They were people who were good to have on her side. Sure, Laurie, Tom, and Joe were good company, but that didn’t stop her from wishing the Were and the vamp were nearby. Though she had grown confident in her own blade skills, there was something reassuring about knowing you had backup from those with powers.

  Even if one of them could only use them sparingly.

  That evening at dinner, Caitlin watched as the food and drinks were served. Once again, Felicia stood and gave her speech about the idea of community. Yet again, Ruby interrupted, her face filled with tears as she asked after her sister.

  Caitlin studied Felicia during this encounter, watching as carefully as she could manage from afar.

  “She doesn’t even flinch. She doesn’t show emotion. She doesn’t give a shit.” Caitlin’s indignation emerged almost as a growl.

  Izzy checked that no one was listening. “Shhh, keep your voice down.”

  “Why? It’s not like she’s going to do anything about it, is she? From all I can tell, she loves the power. She loves sitting on her ass while her people do the same things day in, day out. We’re no closer to finding anything than we were when we arrived.” Caitlin paused and sorted through her thoughts. “How long have you been searching for the Weres for?”

  Izzy looked at Oscar in exasperation.

  “Too long,” he said.

  “Then why don’t we stop looking for them?” Caitlin said. “Clearly, it’s not working. You need something else, a different way to find them. Draw them out. Lure them. Do something.”

  “What do you have in mind?” Izzy asked.

  Caitlin screwed her eyes and thought. “Traps? Lures? Anything at all. It almost seems like you don’t want to find the Weres. Like this is some nice little back and forward impasse where you settle comfortably in the middle.” Caitlin’s voice grew louder. “Don’t you get it? They’re taking your people.”

  A few heads turned to her with interest.

  Izzy suddenly looked afraid. She stood, grabbed her by the wrist, and said, “Come with me. I need a word.”

  Caitlin shook her wrist free, excused herself from the others, and followed.

  They hurried out the main hub of the library and up the stairs. Izzy didn’t look back as she made her way to a room at the far side of the building. She placed a key in the lock, opened the door, stepped inside, and waited for Caitlin to enter.

  When she complied, Izzy checked that the coast was clear, locked the door from the inside, and turned.

  “Hey, what the hell?” Caitlin said. “If you wanted to get me alone, just ask, baby.”

  She laughed, then stopped when Izzy glared at her.

  “I hope to God that you weren’t thinking what I think you were thinking back there.”

  Caitlin raised an eyebrow. “That I wanted to be locked in a cupboard with you for the next few hours? Sure. That dream just came true.”

  “You don’t get it. You don’t get it at all,” Izzy said, an urgency in her voice which caught Caitlin off-guard. “You have to be careful what you’re doing here. There’s a system. There’s a way to do things. We’re doing what we’re told to do to try and find the missing ones. Leave it at that and help us or get the fuck out of the city.”

  “What are you…” Caitlin started, then it dawned on her. Izzy was an order-follower. A sheep. Someone who did as they were told and stuck to the easier way of life. The orders filtered down from the top, and they were followed to the letter. No room for wandering. Stay on track and obey.

  Caitlin’s anger erupted. “You’ve been wasting my time since we’ve arrived, haven’t you? You knew that you would never find the Weres. How long has it really been? A month? A year? A decade?”

  Izzy shoved her. She couldn’t help but notice that even when she was angry, there was something appealing in her features. “It’s none of your business.”

  She shoved back. “It’s every bit my business. I need to find my friend, and that’s never going to happen unless we draw outside the lines and think of a new plan. What use is it patrolling each day at the same times in the hope that something crops up? As much as the beds are comfy and the food is bountiful, I’m on a tight timescale here to find my friend and get him the fuck out of Dodge. So, I say again. Set traps. Use bait. Something. Anything. Draw the fuckers out. Stop hiding, get your shit together, and let’s make some progress.”

  Izzy’s nostrils flared as fear rose in her eyes. “No. We can’t. I mean…I won’t. Alicia…Felicia will…”

  “Will what?”

  To Caitlin’s surprise, Izzy started crying.

  “What? What is it?” she asked. “You’re going to tell me that Felicia won’t allow it? That Tristan will bring the hammer down and ruin it all? No wonder you haven’t made any progress. You guys are so used to living with the Weres, you don’t want anything to change. You all hide in your library and make a splash about how you’re doing something to change the world, when really, you’re all simply cowards, waiting for the world to come to you. You’re terrified that you might win. Or, even worse, that you might lose. Well, something needs to change, Izzy.”

  Caitlin barged past her, and the motion shoved her into a shelf. Items and jars fell to the floor and clattered. She tried the door, but it wouldn’t open. “Bitch, let me out before I get really angry.”

  Izzy stood straight, her head high. Tears dribbled down her cheek. “You’re only part right, Kitty-Cat,” she said. “Sure, we stick to the simple tactics because that’s what we’re told to do, but the last time we strayed…the last time we tried to bring the fight to them…”

  “What? Spit it out,” Caitlin said.

  “They took my son,” she said simply.

  Caitlin couldn’t explain it, but at that moment, all her defenses fell. She looked at Izzy and, instead of the bold, strong warrior of the Vanguard who patrolled the fences and led her team, she saw nothing more than a woman—a vessel of feelings, emotions, and love.

  Spurred by an urge she couldn’t quite comprehend, Caitlin strode up to Izzy, held her face with both hands, and kissed her lips.

  At first, Izzy’s body froze, but soon, she felt her respond. They threaded their fingers through each other’s hair, pulled one another closer, and barely came up for air as the moment took them. Caitlin had never felt anything like it. Growing up, she’d had men interested in her, but she had never truly experienced what she felt now. A rush of passion and emotions welled up and submerged her anger.

  After what felt like forever, they pulled apart. A moment of embarrassment lingered in the air as they looked coyly at each other.

  “That wasn’t the reaction I was expecting,” Izzy said, stumbling slightly over her words.

  “You should see what happens if you say someone stole your husband.” Caitlin smirked. “Seriously, I’m sorry. But if they took him, shouldn’t you be even more ready to go claim him back?”

  “It was some time ago,” Izzy said. “I don’t hold out much hope.”

  “W
ell, I can hold out hope for us both.” She took her companion’s face in her hands and their lips met again. “Look, tonight, I’m going hunting, and I won’t stop until I find something. I’m taking Jaxon and my guys, and the next time you see us, we’ll have news. A sign. An entrance. Something. Now that I know they’ve not only taken something of mine but something of the city’s and something of yours, I’m even more determined than before. Trust me. I can do this.”

  Izzy’s eyes welled with tears again. Before she could speak, Caitlin leaned in and placed another kiss on her lips.

  “Be careful out there.”

  “I will,” she replied as Izzy went to unlock the door. “Oh, and one more thing. Let’s not tell anyone what happened in here. Any part.”

  Izzy grinned and winked as they headed back into the hub.

  Chapter Twenty

  The Broken City, Old Ontario

  The world was quiet when Caitlin rose from her bed. It took a little longer than usual to shake off the fog of sleep—likely the wine, she reasoned, though it hadn’t impaired her instincts, thank goodness.

  She sat up slowly, careful to be as silent as possible. She crawled across the blankets, ready to shake the others awake, but they were already waiting for her.

  “We wondered when you’d join us.” Tom’s voice sounded amused, even in the dark.

  Caitlin giggled, then placed a finger over her lips.

  They gathered together, secured their weapons, and tiptoed across the hallway. It was difficult to see, which meant they had to take extra care to avoid obstacles. Despite having been at the library for several days now, they hadn’t spent long enough to be able to navigate their way confidently in the dark.

  Silently, the moved out into the hallway with doors on either side. Every step was measured and careful, though the wooden floors still creaked and threatened to give them away. On some level, she wondered what the worst that could happen would be if they were discovered, but on the other hand, she didn’t want to know.