“Why weren’t you able to kill the people on the roof the same way you did those who were on the street?”
“The people in the shadows offered no violence. They deserved peace.”
“The others... they were scared. Things have been like hell on earth since the ravagers came. When things get bad enough, people sacrifice a lot for the promise of security.”
He did not reply nor did his eyes leave her.
“Why is it you can kill humans with the lamp and the ravagers with the lamp, but not those who are possessed?”
“Humans and their questions. Always questions,” he muttered. At first, she didn’t think he was going to answer, but he grudgingly continued. “An innocent human soul untainted by violence and hate can be freed with the lamp, and a being of Aites can be contained by the lamp. Those humans who are twisted with cruelty and violence, those who are bent on harm must be destroyed by other measures. Those wulkwos who possess humans must be broken free from their vessels to be contained.”
She glanced down at her hand, wondering which it would have been for her. She didn’t ask. She was afraid to know. Instead, she asked the other question that had been plaguing her.
“Why is the traveler, uh, this lauchume guy, interested in me?”
“I do not know.”
Meredith sighed. “It must be something pretty bad if everyone is afraid and wants me dead.”
He didn’t answer; he just watched her in that eerie, silent way of his. He was still watching her when she finally lay on her side, tucking her arm beneath her head. She huffed and shifted, trying to get more comfortable.
Shutting her eyes, she mumbled, “Are you planning on watching me sleep?”
He didn’t reply immediately, but when he did it was hesitant.
“I... will watch. You will be safe. Sleep.”
She doubted that anyone could mistake that for comforting, but it brought a strange peace. It was an unspoken promise that he’d allow nothing to harm her while she slept. Still, she wondered, if there was something terrible waiting for her, how much of a kindness that was.
If she were smart, she’d ask him to end it. To give her the same peace that he gave all those people in Ashton. Yet she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She stubbornly clung to life, unwilling to surrender. It seemed like a waste, living through all that she had only to beg for death. She turned away from the fire, allowing it to warm her back, and to give her some relief from Charu’s penetrating gaze.
She lay there, on the verge of sleep when something cool brushed against her. Meredith’s eyes sprung open, staring out in the darkness. The tiny flaming pinprick eyes of a massive serpent stared back at her. It was one of his snakes. Its entire body invisible in the night except for those glowing eyes.
Meredith made a face at it, aware that even in trying to ignore him that she couldn’t escape his scrutiny. Looking into the cold eyes of the serpent was too much like looking into his eyes. Its tongue forked out, scenting the air, and she stared back at it. It slid forward and her breath caught in her throat, her fingers curling around her knife in her pocket, at the sight of its upper body raised as if preparing to strike.
It did not strike. It slid up her arm until the length of its tail fell down the length of her body.
Once perched, it resumed its ready posture as it stared out into the night in the direction she faced. Though she couldn’t see it very clearly, she caught its silhouette in the firelight and felt strangely comforted.
A faint smile curved her lips at the absurdity feeling safer with a supernatural predator perched on her, and she drifted to sleep as the faint rays of predawn light stretched over the horizon.
Chapter 12
They walked for days, stopping only for her to attend to her bodily needs and sleep. She ate as she walked, trailing behind Charu, her feet aching as they seemed to inch forever across the landscape. One day bled into the next as she endured traveling with her silent companion, who seemed intent on ignoring her as much as possible. Lately, he had slowed his tread and had taken to glancing back at her when he thought she wasn’t paying attention.
As they walked, she saw no other signs of human life. That was perhaps a blessing. No ravagers and no humans wanting to kill her for “the greater good,” whatever that was. Yet there was plenty of animal life. It was funny how nature seemed to recover and go on without people. But the vastness without another human in sight was unsettling. It let her know just how far the human population had plummeted. What little was left seemed like a graveyard of skeletal remains of what once was.
She’d watched wide-eyed as they passed one burned-out town after another. Unlike the cities, where fragments of the population had managed to continue, the smaller towns were dead and silent. The smell of rot came off them so strongly that Charu veered away from them. In that time, his lamp didn’t even flicker. Meredith was secretly glad that they didn’t stop to investigate. She didn’t want to see the truth of what had been left behind after the ravagers had glutted themselves and moved on. Empty schoolyards, barren neighborhood streets. She didn’t think she’d be able to handle it.
As they passed yet another tiny town, one that would barely qualify as a blip on a map, Meredith paused as she saw movement that wasn’t quite right. It wasn’t human—that was certain. It moved like a wraith among the charred remains of the buildings that had been set on fire, perhaps as a last-ditch effort to destroy the ravagers. As if that would work.
Charu also drew to a stop up ahead and turned his head to glance at where she was staring. The lamp glowed brighter, snagging her attention, but didn’t pulse with violent color. She snapped her gaze back to his face in time to see his face pinch in an unreadable look.
“What is that?”
“Spirits. They are passing between the veil.”
She shivered as she watched the eerie way the spirits danced in the distance.
“Aren’t you going to... you know... get them?”
He cocked an eyebrow at her, his body turning away to resume course.
“No. The vanth wander in search of the souls of the dead. They do not harm the living. They dwell between worlds.”
She could still smell the char of the wood on the breeze. Clearly whatever had swept through there had done so recently. She wondered if perhaps the elder Kessler and his remaining possessed sons had come this way with the other ravagers who escaped Ashton.
“Wait, if this is normal, why am I seeing them? I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
He gave her a meaningful look.
“You are aligning to your new fate.”
He didn’t offer further explanation, which really didn’t tell her anything more than his few cryptic words had days earlier alluding to something terrible that would befall her. A tingle of dread ran up her spine and she hurried after him. She purposely kept her eyes turned away from the spirits he called the vanth.
After seeing the wulkwos, she didn’t know why she should be so disturbed to see the vanth in their normal activity of retrieving souls of the dead. Perhaps because unlike the monstrous wulkwos, they were haunting. She imagined that up close that they were beautiful, and somehow that scared her more. In nature, often the most beautiful things were the most horrible.
She scrambled to Charu’s side and ducked her head down to make herself feel invisible with his large frame between her and them. A low, raspy, rumbling sound of amusement rolled out from his chest. The rough laugh sounded like it had been some time since he had done it. It startled her and yet made a warm ember spring to life in her chest. She smiled when he did not grumble or move away as they continued down the long stretch of road.
Eventually the trees thickened, and the road disappeared into a shadowy forest. The trees creaked and groaned with the wind, rattling as a small animal ran along their limbs, or a flock of birds abandoned their roost.
Meredith once would have bragged that it took a lot to scare her, but the forest was making a fast liar out
of her. Everything seemed darker and more menacing in the woods. There were too many shadows in which creatures could hide. She found her eyes constantly riveted to the glow of the lantern. It was a comforting presence. She wished she could pluck it up and curl herself around it like the little match girl and her fascination with the warmth of the flame.
Meredith shook herself sharply and forced her eyes away from the lamp. The little match girl didn’t enjoy a happy fate. The similarity was a bit closer to her than she was comfortable with. She trained her eyes on the barren, twisted tree limbs.
Charu stopped by a fallen log and set the lamp on the ground. She nearly stumbled, unprepared for the sudden change. Her mouth fell open as he dropped to the ground and leaned his back against the log. Once he was settled, he looked at her expectantly.
“Seriously? You want to make camp in the creepy ass woods?”
“Do you not require rest?”
“Well, sure,” she hedged, glancing around nervously. “But this place isn’t exactly giving me a great sleep vibe. Maybe we can just keep going and I’ll catch some rest after we arrive on the other side.”
“Two days.”
“Hmm, what’s that?” she replied as a nearby bush rustled with movement. She nearly jumped out of her skin when a small red fox ran out from beneath the branches and darted away. Her hand clenched over her heart and she willed the rapidly beating organ to slow to a healthy rate. She would die of fright long before she saw another ravager.
Charu snorted.
“Two days, human, before we leave these woods.”
She stared at him, uncertain whether or not he was being serious. She’d never heard the gatekeeper crack a joke yet, but then again, she’d hadn’t heard him laugh before that day either. He looked at her with a blank expression. She edged to the log next to him before dropping to the ground. Meredith knew she should make a fire, but her body felt weighed down by the anxiety running through her veins.
“Why do you insist on calling me ‘human?’”
“It is what you are.”
“Yes, but it’s not all that I am. I’m Meredith.”
Charu’s heavy-lidded gaze watched her for several moments, his eyes assessing. To her surprise he made a noise of assent and lifted his lamp. Whispering something indistinct in another language, he set it in front of them, far enough that she couldn’t get ahold of it but close enough that she could feel its warmth.
Meredith slid her backpack off and dug out some of her dried provisions. She ate silently as she slowly relaxed in the glow of the lamp.
“I don’t understand. I know you have these awesome wings hidden away. Why not just fly us over the forest?”
“Everything has a cost. Manifesting my wings and flying distances takes a great amount of resources. Flying over a forest of this size would necessitate at minimum a full day of recovery in a healing sleep. It would leave you vulnerable.”
She peered at him in surprise.
“Even though it would be faster for you, you’re prolonging your search and doing this for my benefit?”
He did not answer. His eyes slid away with a single spoken command for her to sleep. Her lips twitched despite herself. He was sacrificing for her wellbeing. It was rather endearing, despite his harsh attitude. It hinted at something within him that contradicted his unforgiving face he showed the world. She watched her brooding companion stare into the light of the lantern. He’d said it was sentient. She wondered if he was talking to it now.
Meredith yawned as she stared into the peaceful glow of the lamp, her muscles slowly relaxing. She blinked against the pull of slumber as it invaded her body, but finally, her eyes closed and she surrendered to sleep.
Charu hadn’t exaggerated; two days later, the dense woods finally faded, yielding to rolling acres of grazing pastures and farmland. Not once had he hesitated in his path, his eyes trained on the horizon lit by the glow of his lamp. As the days passed, she was certain that a trail of light was becoming more distinct. What was it in that light that marked the way?
A small gasp escaped her as she saw a field come into view. A farm, with people standing out in it hard at work. Living, healthy human beings! They were bent studious in their task of harvesting the crops. The smell of turned soil, the musk of sun-ripened grain, damp and sun-warmed earth drifted to her. She drank in the scent.
A shout went up. A lone figure nearest to them waved his hands frantically to his companions. People began to look up and froze in their task. Meredith raised a hesitant hand in greeting. Not one person returned the gesture. Every set of eyes seemed to watch them with suspicion.
Charu didn’t stop. He didn’t even pause to run his eyes over the cluster of buildings that began to dot the landscape, his eyes intent on the beacon that only he seemed to be able to see. Meredith watched curiously as they came nearer, and she was able to make out the forms of children playing in a small nearby pasture. A man ran out of a house and called out to the children. They immediately abandoned their play to run to his side. The family watched her and Charu with wide, nervous eyes.
They passed the farm and continued on into the town, following the highway that became the main road passing through the cluster of buildings that made up their downtown. More people began to come out as they passed house after house. Eyes watched them from windows, or from their porches, a flush of health on their cheeks and warm clothes bundling their frames.
Though it was obvious there was no power in the city, the conditions were so different from Ashton that it was eye-opening. The air smelled cleaner and was less oppressive. It was as if the ravagers had never touched them. They were afraid, but unharmed by the blight. Every person she glanced at scurried back as if she were poised to attack them at any minute.
The only thing she wanted to attack was a pot roast. The unmistakable smell of cooking meat, something she hadn’t tasted in weeks, drifted on the air. Her stomach growled angrily. The sound attracted Charu’s attention.
“You hunger.”
The statement hung between them. She didn’t reply. It hadn’t been a question, and she couldn’t refute the obvious, so she merely met his eyes and shrugged. Sure, she was hungry, but she still had plenty of jerky and dried food. She was about to suggest that they stop for a minute so she could rifle through her bag when he grunted and swung sharply to a yellow house. It must have been cheerful at one time. It still had an element of warmth to it, despite the peeling paint. Wonderful smells wafted from an open kitchen window, making her stomach complain again.
She glanced at her traveling companion only to catch sight of Charu as he strode up the steps of the front porch, the wooden steps groaning under his weight.
“Wait, what are you doing?” she hissed, running up behind him.
He paused on the steps and looked down at her, his brow furrowing.
“You require sustenance.”
“I have food in my bag.”
His lips peeled back in disgust.
“It is inadequate.”
“You can’t just demand people feed me! Besides, it could be like it was in Ashton. They may all try to kill me. I mean, I have my trusty deer gutter,” she patted her pocket for emphasis, “but that wouldn’t do much if I am outnumbered.”
Her words went completely unheeded as he stepped up to the door. He reached his hand out as if to burst in, when the door opened. He paused and looked down. Meredith edged around him to see what had captured his attention. A woman with a toddler on her hip gaped up at him. Meredith understood. Facing Charu head-on was enough to make anyone stand like a deer caught in headlights. Meredith watched Charu’s eyes slide over to the wide-eyed baby before returning to the woman who seemed to be studying them in turn.
Stepping back, Charu nudged Meredith in front of him.
“She hungers. Provide her with food.”
The woman balked, her complexion paling to the point that, paired with her ash-blond hair, she nearly looked ghostly. Meredith growled under her breath at th
e obstinate male lurking behind her.
“Charu.”
He growled back, his snakes vibrating with ire.
“No, no, it’s okay,” the mother rushed to assure them, a weak smile pasted on her face. “I’m just not used to seeing anything quite like... uh... him.” She gestured at Charu. “Really, I have plenty of hot food. Our community butchered a cow today, so this meat is quite the blessing. We’d be happy to share.”
“If you’re sure,” Meredith hedged, ignoring the impatient huff behind her. “You aren’t just trying to off me or something, are you?”
The woman stared, flummoxed at her question. “Why would I want to do that? Please come inside, and do call me Iris.” A more genuine smile stretched over her lips, but Meredith didn’t miss the way she darted a glance down the street when she thought she was unobserved.
Meredith stepped inside the little house, unease and gratitude warring within her. Perhaps word hadn’t spread out here. The town was quite different than anything she’d seen yet. It was thriving rather than dying, which was a marvel to see.
The house itself was quaint and put together with good taste. A small table in the living room had a teapot and a paired of used cups lingering across from a cozy fire. The couch was clean and draped with soft throw blankets, and every inch of wood in the house was polished, several surfaces covered with delicate lace. The warm smell of apples and cinnamon mixed with the heady aroma of cooking meat.
She glanced back at Charu. He was stepping into the house gingerly, the proverbial bull in the china shop. His large frame slid around the furnishings without issue, but his horns came close to gouging the ceiling. Looking past him, Meredith focused on their hostess and smiled at her.
“You have a lovely home.”
She watched as Iris glanced at the street again before shutting the door behind her. She returned Meredith’s smile.
“Thank you. It was my momma’s place before she passed on. Much of the lace was made by my great-grandmother.”
“It is beautiful,” Meredith admitted as she glanced again at the lace with admiration. Her gaze locked on Iris as she stepped around Charu into the entryway. “Is something wrong? I can’t help but notice that you keep looking out the door.”
Havoc of Souls Page 9
