by Jaymin Eve
They came at us as a single unit, their only hope that they outnumbered us. Brace and Colton shifted their stance, just minutely, but enough so that they were mostly blocking me and Lucy. The pixie pouted – we were totally not going to get any action here today.
Like the flick of a switch, our boys suddenly went from relaxed, casual Walkers into scary-ass warriors. They held no weapons, used no Walker powers – even though they could still access some of their energy on Earth – and still managed to beat the living crap out of six hardened gangers. All of whom had some type of blade or mallet. I knew Colton was as highly trained as Brace, and more than held his own during the fight, but I barely noticed him. My eyes were zeroed in on my mate.
Brace fought like a ninja, always had. For such a huge dude he was hella controlled. His movements were fluid, one blending into the next. I’d trained with him enough times to know that you barely even saw him coming and then bam, you were down. Earthlings were weaker than Walkers. It really wasn’t a fair fight, but still it was kind of nice to see that those who had struck such fear into us our entire lives were now the victims.
One of the males who’d been knocked down earlier by Brace’s elbow managed to lift his head. He was crawling along the ground, knife in hand, apparently trying to reach Lucy and me.
“Can I have him, Abbs?” My pixie friend turned, her blue-and-yellow eyes begging me.
I tried not to laugh. The situation wasn’t really funny, but she was so amped up.
I gave her a nod. “Go for it, girl, you got this.”
The ganger was on his feet now, taking advantage of the fact that Brace and Colton were busy gathering up the other five to dump them in a nearby alley. No doubt they’d already realized there was one male left behind, but they knew we had skills. Not warrior-Walker skills, but enough to take out limpy here.
“You bitches are going to love the feel of my blade.” Limpy was apparently also a poet. His words were just beautiful. Like Shakespeare.
Lucy didn’t make a noise, her expression settling into hard lines. For the first time in her life she finally looked the part of the ninja she’d always wanted to be. Coming into her pixie powers had really heightened her senses and reflexes. One could only imagine how amazing she’d be if the faerie side of her was unlocked also.
Limpy sliced out with a small, paring-style knife. Lucy side-stepped his blade and, coming in on his left, clipped him on the chin. His head snapped back. Shaking it off, he rubbed at his jaw and trained beetle-eyes on Lucy.
Before he could do anything, though, she hit him again. From the other side this time. Then she stepped one of her tiny legs between his and tripped him over. A judo-style flip had his head slamming into the pavement. The crack was loud, echoing off the cement world around us. Just like that, Limpy was out cold. Or dead. Either way, he was no bother to us any longer.
Whoa! That was harsh. I was starting to turn into a Walker, and I wasn’t sure if I was okay with that or not. I loved my people, but there was an arrogance – a coldness that overtook them at times. I strode over and knelt down to feel for a pulse. I don’t know why; there was nothing I could do if he was dead. But still I had to try to care that a life might be lost. Thankfully, a rapid hum strummed under my fingers.
“Still alive,” I said.
Lucy looked relieved. Always good to know you weren’t a killer. Today, anyway. Truth was: I would destroy anyone who threatened my friends or family. And laugh as I stomped all over their grave. I’d also kill to save my own life. But just because I accepted that there might be situations where people died, I hoped I’d never just be okay with it. Death – the taking of a life – it should always mean something. Always.
“Let’s move,” Colton said, his nose elevating as he scanned the surroundings. “Area is clear right now. We’ve wasted enough time.”
Lucy glided gracefully to his side. It was odd to not see her flying now.
“Great job, pretty girl,” I heard Colton murmur as he gathered her closer to him. “You got mad skills, baby.”
Lucy snorted. But I could tell she was pleased.
I still held the cord in my mind and, knowing that it would be nearing dark soon, I hurried to pick up the pace again. Brace slipped his hand into mine, and I fought the urge to sneak him away into a dark alley.
You’re really hot when you fight. I was teasing him, but it was also truer than any statement I’d uttered that day.
A lopsided grin slid across that handsome face, and I got all tingly inside. Brace’s smile was like standing in the first rays of a sunrise – as cliché as that might seem – to me it represented everything good in the world. I would do anything to see his smile.
I love you, Red. Have I told you that today?
I chuckled. Yes, actually, you’ve told me that. But, more importantly, you’ve shown me that today and every single day since you came into my life.
His smile wavered. Maybe not every day. There was that little disappearing act I did when we first met, and the time I was possessed by the Seventine –
I interrupted him. Okay, every day since you pulled your head out of your ass you have shown your love and faith in me. Even after I broke the melding bond. I will never doubt your love for me.
Brace chuckled, before suddenly getting serious again. I would kill or die for you, Abigail. Without a second thought. There’s nothing I value above you and, should anything happen to you, my wrath would be the stuff of legend. They’ll speak not of the Seventine destroying the worlds, but of me … of my rage.
There was so much brutal honesty in his words that it brought a flooding swell of emotions through my body. The tears followed closely, but I managed to hold them at bay. Now wasn’t the time.
I reached out and threaded my fingers through his. I needed to be close to him. I couldn’t think about the possibility that these might be our last few days together. Our last moments of happiness.
The darkest moment is always right before the dawn. Brace felt my fear and sorrow. We’ll see the sun rise. Have faith.
So strange that he picked that particular analogy when I had just compared Brace to my own personal sunrise. And I knew he hadn’t heard that thought. I’d kept it locked away, knowing it was pretty mushy.
Are you ever worried or scared? I was sort of half teasing him, but I really did find it slightly intimidating how well he kept it together. Most days I was just a hot mess.
He didn’t speak straight away, and I could tell he was mulling it all over. I’m scared all the time, Red, he finally replied, and the brutal honesty almost sucked all the air from my lungs. Not so much for myself, but for you. I don’t want you to do this; I don’t want you to fight the Seventine and try to imprison those bastards again. I worry what will happen – what you might have to sacrifice. I can’t accept any result other than you surviving this, but I still worry what toll it will take on you. What you might lose or suffer. His grip tightened. I would do anything to take this burden from you.
His fear was potent. Beneath the calm leader was just a male scared for his mate. Brace wasn’t used to feeling helpless, and in this situation there was nothing he could do to take the fate from me.
“Is the cord getting any darker, Abbs?” Lucy interrupted our inner conversation.
The four of us had been walking for some time in silence. Most probably, she and Colton had also been using their mate bond as a convenient manner of discussion.
I focused on the tether, examining it for a few extra moments. The trickles of unease still filtered along the shimmering lengths, and – there did seem to be more substance to it now. We were heading in the right direction.
“Yes,” I said, “it’s starting to darken.”
Brace and Colton halted again and, before I could ask what was up, my feet were off the ground and I was hoisted over a shoulder. Within about six seconds Brace had me off the main path and secured behind the shell of an old shop, one wearing faded stickers of combs and scissors. An old hairdress
ers. Colton had also yanked Lucy off the main path. All four of us huddled in closer. My attention was firmly on our surroundings as I tried to figure out why the boys had gone all snatch-and-hide.
What is it? I asked Brace.
Vehicle.
I craned my neck to see what was coming. Maybe we can catch a ride. Might make the journey a little faster.
He nodded, and we leaned out from our spot and started to drift closer to where the car would pass. Colton and Lucy were right behind us; Brace would have told them the plan. I could hear the roar of an engine now. It was still a distance away, but that rumbly splutter was distinct. Not to mention the random crashes and bangs as it plowed through the items in its path. There weren’t many working vehicles left in the city, but the ones which remained were usually hardcore, army-spec style. Those were about the only ones which could navigate these treacherous roads.
Sure enough, as the cloud of dust finally came into view, the car within was a heavy-duty troop carrier with a large bulbous hood and thick steel bars crisscrossing in a manner that would deter anything in its path. There appeared to be two occupants in the front, but I’d bet my last dollar that there were plenty more humans in the canvas-covered rear. This covering was faded green and brown camo-colored, with about a hundred years of grime and dirt.
“These jeeps usually have handles and a step on the back. As long as the canvas isn’t rolled up, no one will notice if we catch a ride,” I whispered.
This wouldn’t be the first time I’d jumped on the back of a convoy car. It used to make me sick to my stomach to sit there and know that inside were either gangers, or victims of the smuggling rings. But, back then, I’d had no power to help. So I’d just sat there and cried. Saving my own life, but unable to save any others.
The loud vehicle passed us by in a cloud of concrete dust and rubble. Bits and pieces of crap flew around us. A few hit me in the legs, but my healing would fix those bruises and scrapes right up. The jeep’s speed was probably around thirty miles an hour and we waited for it to fully pass us before following after. Colton lifted Lucy, which was the only way she could keep up. Her legs were half the length of mine. I still had my runner’s muscles, so I enjoyed the stretch and burn as I pushed my body to keep pace with Brace.
We caught the vehicle in moments and two at a time vaulted onto the large step at the back. Colton and Lucy went first, then Brace and me. As I shifted around to find a comfortable position, I held on tightly to the golden tether. The rest of my attention remained on trying to ferret out who was inside the canvas drapes. First time ever, I could have actually helped if there were victims inside.
After a few moments of intense concentration I was reasonably confident that there was no one inside. I detected no breathing or heartbeats. Just silence. Maybe the humans in the cab were on their way to gather a shipment, or had just dropped one off. Either way, we’d find out soon enough. Right now the car was following the exact path of my half-Walker girl. So I might actually be on here long enough to see where the gangers were going, and when we got there I was going to take great pleasure in putting my foot in their asses.
Chapter 6
The gangers are still following the cord. We had been on the back of the vehicle for a few hours. It had not stopped or slowed, and we continued to follow the path of the golden cord. Which was still darkening, but not a lot. The distance was closing in but not fast enough. Does this seem like a really big coincidence, or is my tethering ability somehow defective on Earth?
I was worried. We had no time to waste on fruitless endeavors. If the tethering wasn’t working I had to bring the half-Walker females here, and hope that with all of our energy together I’d have a stronger tie to the last female.
There’s no reason for the ability to be defective. Weaker, yes, but we must be on the right path. Brace’s words were a small comfort, but still I worried.
Lucy appeared to be asleep, her mate keeping her upright by wrapping her tightly in his arms.
Brace noticed where my attention was. You can sleep, Red. I’ll keep you safe.
He had said those words to me so many times, and they were always true. I knew I could rely on him to protect me, in all situations – except the final ritual. There were some things which were outside even Brace’s control. The Seventine were one of those things. When it came to those creeps, it was up to me to do the protecting, and I would not let him down.
I don’t need to sleep. I’d rather just sit here with you and watch this spectacular scenery.
His amusement flittered through my mind. We had left the city, and these outer lying country areas were sparser but no more attractive, littered with trash, rubble, car shells, and the evidence of humans living on the streets. Just like downtown. Was there nowhere in this entire state that had escaped the destruction of the gangers?
I was totally sick of waiting and holding on to the damn tether. Patience had never been my strongest attribute, and right then, with all of the pressure on me, I was even more antsy than usual. I reached for the cord again. Trying to trace toward it. I felt the familiar jerking pull, like my ability was attempting to kick in, but there just wasn’t enough energy available. The backlash was minimal this time at least. But still, if I couldn’t trace myself, I would never have enough power to bring the other three across.
I dug deeper into my energy well, searching for something in that dark depth. A swirl of the ancient, alien-like power wrapped around me. I was instantly reminded of the days I’d been scared to death of what lay in this well. I had feared that which I did not recognize or understand.
Now, though, we were as one, and I understood exactly what my center held: a chamber that could cycle through masses of power. Others’ power and my own. It was depthless because I had immeasurable capabilities to absorb and transfer energy. Of course, I wasn’t a god; I did have my limits. Like with the cage in Que’s glass mansion, and the one on Nephilius. I often reached a point where the energy had to go somewhere –
Wait. My filing cabinet.
I had sucked down a crap-ton of energy on Abernath and the drawer was full. I’d forgotten about it, because the moment I slid the metaphorical drawer closed, all of the pressure and energy feeling just disappeared. That compartment was all kinds of wicked.
Tell Colton to hold on to Luce. I let go of my handhold, excitement rocketing through me.
Of course, right then I was jolted when we hit a bump, and almost fell off the back of the car. Brace caught me in time. Focusing again, hoping like heck that when I opened that drawer I’d have access to all the power. Only one way to find out if Earth rendered that compartment useless.
I gave a sharp tug on the mental lock on the cabinet, and it slid back with ease. Power burst through me, and for the first time since arriving on Earth the cloying pressure on my Walker energy faded away. I sat straighter, rejuvenated again. It was all there, glorious and shimmering. Filed away into its spaces and waiting for me to utilize. I reached for the golden cord again, and this time as I went to trace I siphoned off some of the glorious goodness in the filing cabinet.
The jerking sensation was as strong as it had ever been, and since all four of us were touching, everyone traced across with me.
It worked! I managed to shriek through our bond. We wasted so much damn time.
Brace didn’t answer; he was taking a second to orient himself. Since tracing was almost instantaneous, we were already at our destination. I did the same.
The first thing I registered was the smell. It was bad. Like really, freaking bad. I coughed a few times, before lifting my arm and pressing my sleeve against my mouth. I slowed my breathing, taking in the shallowest breaths I could manage.
After a few moments I got the smell thing under control, and managed not to barf on myself or anyone else. My eyes finally stopped watering, so I was able to look around the very dimly lit space. The moment everything became clear, I almost lost the contents of my stomach again.
Oh, holy crap o
n cracker toast. My eyes darted as I tried to process the multitude of images assaulting my senses. It was like my eyes and mind understood the scene we were currently standing in, but the horror was so consuming that a part of me refused to believe it. This was a slaughter house. A human female slaughterhouse.
I lurched to the side then and threw up. I didn’t have much in my stomach now, but it took a while for the heaves to slow. I could feel Brace at my side. He held my hair away and rubbed a hand over my back. This was becoming a common occurrence on Earth.
I sobbed as I vomited again. The odor. The blood. The empty eyes. It was haunting. Even when I closed my own eyes I could still see every single victim.
“It’s okay, baby, just breathe. Just breathe, Red.”
The soothing tone of his accent gave me moments of reprieve from the vileness of this room. Finally, stomach and throat aching, I stood up and buried my face into Brace’s chest. A few more shuddering sobs shook me, but I knew I had to pull myself together. I had to find the half-Walker female. She wasn’t in this room, but the tether was much stronger now. We must have just missed her.
“Abby!” Lucy’s horror-filled voice had my head jerking up from where it was cradled. “Where the hell have you traced us? Is she here somewhere?”
“No, I think we just missed her. She’s been moved from this room.” My words shook.
I reached up and wiped at my mouth a few times. I could still taste the sickness there.
Brace handed me a canvas-type bottle of water. He had a few of these skins stashed in his army pants. I quickly rinsed my mouth and spat. I sucked in a ragged breath, but I seemed to already be dealing better now. Compartmentalizing my emotions and trying to focus on our task.
My eyes scanned the space again, skipping over the multitude of mutilated bodies. I was pretending they were not there. We were in some sort of building. Not particularly large, but there were reflective surfaces surrounding us on all sides. Like mirrors, only a little different. The setup was odd. It reminded me of the interrogation rooms that used to be in those old cop shows we’d watched before television bit the dust. But this room was on a much larger scale. Could it be an interrogation warehouse?
