by Eric Asher
“You need another shower.”
I took a towel from her when she handed me one from the shelf and I wiped my face off. “You’re telling me.”
“What are you doing here?” I asked. “I thought you’d be with the coven, hunkered down with that monster.”
“It’s Beth,” Ashley said with a sad smile.
“Did something happen?” I asked, my heart pounding in my chest.
Ashley took a deep breath, her shoulder-length red hair rising and falling. “No, she’s fine. She left for Rivercene with Cornelius this morning.”
I raised my eyebrows, unable to keep the surprise from my face. “I was under the impression the innkeeper wasn’t a huge fan of blood mages.”
“I know, but Rivercene is a stronghold on a nexus.” Ashley’s voice took on the cadence of someone carefully reciting words that she only recently had to memorize. “Cornelius says that Rivercene is not only a gateway through Gaia, but there’s an intersection with the shadow realm there too.”
I cursed. “The shadow realm? As in where he and Beth summoned those giant freaky beasts?”
Ashley nodded. “It’s why they want to help defend it.”
“Well, shit.”
“Master Sergeant Park is in the front,” Ashley said. “He asked if the coven needed help. I thought that was very nice of him. He didn’t have to ask.”
I gave Ashley a small smile. “Park is good people.”
“The shadow realm?” Nixie muttered under her breath. She was surprised, too. I didn’t know if that made me feel better, or a hell of a lot worse.
“Let’s go see Park,” I said, making for the saloon-style doors.
* * *
We walked into the middle of an arm-waving, foot-stomping discussion between Frank, Sam, and Park.
“That’s fantastic,” Frank said. “I’m telling you, it’s a tactical advantage to place some of the troops along Main Street.”
“Command is considering,” Park said.
“Did they say anything about the giant skeletal warship on the river?” I asked.
Park shot me a smile. “I may have left a few of the details out. We’re grateful to you and your friends. I only wish all of my soldiers were.”
“Soldiers follow orders,” Nixie said, the stone in her voice surprising me. “It’s those in command who forge alliances.”
As much as Nixie’s words bothered me, Park didn’t seem upset by them at all. He nodded, agreeing with her to a degree. “And that’s part of the problem. Some of command thinks your assistance is a ploy to get inside our own defenses. Others want you on the front lines so you and the other supernaturals can take each other out with minimal casualties on our side.”
“We were just talking about how I need a new apartment. Seems relocating would be a bit more humane than murdering everyone.”
Park shook his head. “I don’t think you’re in immediate danger, but some of my superiors suspect you’re in league with Nudd.”
“Do you know how many times that guy has tried to kill me?” I asked jetting my finger at Park before realizing it was a rather rude gesture.
“A lot,” Sam said. “Like, a whole lot. Why aren’t you dead?”
“Thanks, sis.”
“You have to understand,” Park said, “millions were lost in the Gettysburg tragedy. Falias’ arrival signaled the single greatest loss of human life in a single day, in all of history. People are scared.”
“They should be scared,” Frank said. “But they should remember who is responsible, and they should remember who opposed them.”
“I know Frank,” Park said. “I know.”
“How many men did you lose?” Ashley asked.
“Fourteen. The squad stationed closest to the highway was dead before we knew we were under attack. We’d have more dead it wasn’t for Foster and Aideen, and Nixie.”
“Where the hell is Foster?” I asked.
“He’s with Casper and her squad at the hospital,” Park said. “I don’t know who’s more exhausted, him, Aideen, or the troops. But most of them are already sharing war stories.”
“Oh, Lord,” I said. “Foster has a great deal of those to share.”
“I have to get back to command,” Park said.
“You’re welcome to join us,” I said. “Whatever happens next is likely to affect you as much as it does us.”
“I appreciate that, Damian. Please understand, our orders are to protect humans, and our ranks are flooded with recruits who have a vendetta. Be careful. What happened in front of the shop earlier with Private Stacy could’ve been a great deal worse.”
We said our goodbyes and watched Park vanish down the street outside Death’s Door.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
A short time later, we found ourselves on the second floor of the store, huddled in the oversized stuffed leather chairs. Frank and Sam squeezed onto one chair together, while Nixie, still in her armor, sat on the chair closest to me. Ashley pulled out a sleeve of Oreos, and the cu siths watched with forlorn looks on their faces.
“Where’s Zola?” Ashley asked, popping a cookie into her mouth.
“She still at the Pit with Vik,” Sam said, “at least the last I heard.”
“The vampires won’t be able to sit this one out,” Frank said.
“You don’t think so?” Ashley asked.
Frank shook his head. “No way. Vik needs to save face after he only sent a couple enforcers to Greenville. Now the dark-touched are in his own town? Every Pit from the Gulf to Chicago is going to be watching them for weakness.”
“No one came to attack it after Vassili was revealed,” Sam said. “I think you’re being paranoid, Frank.”
“Sometimes being paranoid keeps you alive,” Ashley said. “Sometimes not being paranoid enough gets you killed.”
“I know what you’re saying about the vampires,” I said. “Maybe Vik will join us in force, and maybe he won’t. We need to plan like he won’t.”
“What makes you say that?” Sam asked.
I grimaced and held up my phone. “A text from Zola. She must’ve sent it while my phone was silenced.”
“What does it say?” Frank asked.
“Well, in so many words, it says Vik is undecided.”
“Undecided about what?” Sam asked. “Even if he doesn’t want to help the military, these bastards are in our home. They’re attacking our people.”
“Camazotz is still engaged,” Ashley said. “If Vik won’t help, or can’t help, maybe the others can.”
I took a deep breath. “Fine. We’ll see if Zola, or maybe even Sam, can persuade Vik. But for now, let’s focus on Saint Charles. I’m guessing the deployment here is about to get a lot bigger.”
“You’ll be lucky if they don’t send drones in,” Frank said. “Those things are a lot more terrifying when they aren’t on television.”
I shivered at the thought of deadly force being executed in a populated area with so many commoners. Then again, it wasn’t so different than what I had done.
“You’re not alone in this,” Nixie said, resting her hand on my knee.
I flashed her a small smile. “I know. I’m just worried.”
“You’d be a fool if you weren’t.”
I nodded.
“Ashley,” Nixie said, “is the coven safe? Are they still here in town?”
Ashley crossed her arms.
“It’s why I was bringing Peanut back. They’re off in the woods. I don’t see how anyone could find them without directions.”
Nixie frowned slightly. “They may be safer than they are here, but the Fae do have their ways.”
Not the most reassuring pep talk I’d ever heard, but I wasn’t sure what else she could’ve said. Offered tactical advice on the deep woods of Missouri? Probably not her area of expertise.
“I’ll tell you what I told Park,” Frank said. “I don’t think you should set up another tent city. Sure, there’s a lot of space by that gallery, but think of
the common ground by the rotunda. They have a clear view of the river, they’re uphill, and it gives them the advantage of visibility.”
“It puts them too close to the river,” Nixie said. “Water witches can be stealthier than you know.”
“I understand,” Frank said. “We saw some of that this evening. They can place scouts on the roofs, and the second story of several of the buildings have apartments they can commandeer. Most of the commoners who live close to the river have evacuated.”
“Not to mention the fall off in tourists,” I said. “If you weren’t selling so much online for us, it’d be just like the good old days. No money, and ramen noodles.”
“You’re forgetting something,” Ashley said. “Graybeard is going to dock by the old barge. The Bone Sails will be your early warning system.”
“Who has the weapons?” Nixie asked. “The weapons that Mike forged?”
“Park and Casper,” Frank said.
“I still have a few of the rounds,” Sam said, fishing around in her pocket and presenting a handful of the stone-dagger-coated bullets.
“You should hold on to a couple. And I do hope Foster retained at least one of the swords. If this place is overrun with water witches, I don’t want you to be defenseless.”
“I think we have enough shields to take care of the shop,” I said. “Hell, we even have a blood shield. What I’m more worried about is what happens to everyone around us. I don’t know that one sword will make that much of a difference.”
“We should talk to the soldiers,” Nixie said.
“You want to talk to Casper?” Frank asked.
“Yes,” Nixie said. “I assume she’s the leader of those soldiers.”
“Technically, that’s Park,” Frank said.
“So odd,” Nixie said. “Why would any species allow their men to lead their military? So many egos, and unnecessary wars.”
Ashley clapped her hands together. “I knew I liked her.”
I flashed the priestess a grin and turned my attention back to Frank and Nixie’s conversation.
“But what about the coven?” Nixie said, turning her focus to Ashley.
“What do you mean?” Ashley asked.
“Your witches have power,” Nixie said. “It may not be as blatant, or flagrant, as mine or Damian’s. But they have a great deal of power.”
“They’re green witches,” Ashley said, a tiny narrowing of her eyes changing her expression into a scowl. “I will not ask them to fight.”
“I hope that’s a choice they can survive,” Nixie said.
“I’ve made sacrifices so they don’t have to,” Ashley said. “They’ll never need to break their vows. Not for me, not for you, not for anyone.”
Nixie nodded and let the conversation drop. I was happy she did. The coven had been attacked before. We all knew that. Ashley had almost been killed, and when she took up arms and learned the long-forgotten arts, she’d lost something, some small part of herself. But she’d lost part of her coven, too—those who could no longer abide a priestess who would dabble in the dark arts.
“Some truths are best left unspoken,” I said, giving Nixie’s hand a brief squeeze where it rested on the arm chair.
She eyed me for a moment, and then relaxed into her seat. I must admit, I was pretty proud of her terrible posture. It made her look a lot more natural around the mortals.
“I thought about following Beth,” Ashley said. “But I can’t help her and Cornelius. The things they can do, the horrors they can summon.” She closed her eyes for a moment. “I know some of the coven don’t like having her around. But I love her.”
Nixie raised an eyebrow and glanced at me.
“Hey,” I said.
“Oh,” Nixie said, “I can relate.”
“Hey, now,” I said.
“Oh, I think we all can,” Sam said. “I was stuck with him as a brother.”
“That … is horrible,” Ashley said.
I let out an exasperated sigh and sank into my seat.
“He’s not that bad,” Frank said. “Most days, anyway. Then there are those other days.”
Bubbles chuffed from her resting spot beside Ashley.
I scowled at the cu sith. “Don’t you start, too.”
“Are you staying here?” Ashley asked, focusing on Nixie.
Nixie shook her head.
“What?” I said. “I thought you were coming to save all of us foolish mortals from our terrible fate?”
“That magic is beyond me,” Nixie said with a small smile. “Alexandra’s coming. I’ll wait for the queen’s arrival in Falias. If she doesn’t attack us there, it’s likely she’ll come here.”
“So, basically, you’ll come back if we’re all dead?” I asked. “I’d kind of like to see you again before then.”
“And what is death to a necromancer?” Nixie asked. “It’s only the beginning of your path.”
“Yeah, no one actually knows that. I know, I know, we read about immortals in the Book that Bleeds, and dying sends them off to some other realm or some such shit. But have you ever heard from them? No. I didn’t think so. Dead is dead is dead. I don’t want to be dead.”
Nixie flashed me a grin. “It’s certainly more fun to be alive. Stay here.” She raised her eyes to Ashley. “Nudd and the queen have both shown their interest in the city. What I suspect is that it’s to make a statement. If they can take the stronghold of their enemies—the very home of their enemies—it will prove their strength and steal back some of those who joined the rebellion.”
“I’m close to the coven here,” Ashley said. “Close enough.” She rubbed her forehead. “And it’s not so far from Rivercene that I can’t reach them if they need me. That I can’t reach Beth. I have to return to the coven for a time, to ensure they’re prepared for the worst. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
Frank glanced down at his watch. “It’s getting late. We should probably go see Casper and her crew now, if we want to catch them while they’re still awake.”
I nodded.
Nixie turned to me. “Come down to Graybeard’s ship after you’ve visited the soldiers. I would like to say goodbye before we part ways.”
“I will,” I said.
Sam made a retching noise, drawing my attention. As soon as my gaze settled on her, she took one broad lick of Frank’s cheek.
“Eww.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
We decided to take Sam’s SUV to the hospital—it was a hell of a lot more comfortable if you were trying to shoehorn three people into it. Not to mention the cobblestones were a lot friendlier to the suspension of a modern SUV.
“I wish Ashley would come,” Sam said.
“Me too,” Frank said, “but I think it’s good for her to put things in order with the coven. She’s lost people before. And it’s probably better than spending time with Graybeard.”
Sam made a disgusted sound. “No one needs to spend more time with that old pervert.”
I frowned, trying to remember if Sam was referencing something particular. “Graybeard say something to you?” I asked. “I don’t remember him saying anything to you.”
“You don’t remember?” Sam asked. “Damian, he used to sit on my windowsill and spy on Miss Bromfield when she’d be changing in the morning. And I had to listen to him spewing lascivious crap for half the damn day.”
“I seriously doubt someone was changing their clothes for half the day,” Frank said.
Sam shot him a glare that could’ve skewered him in place as we pulled into a parking spot. “You’d be surprised.”
I chuckled. “I’d forgotten about her. You could say she was a bit of an exhibitionist, Frank.”
“Yeah, you could say that,” Sam muttered.
“She put up one of those privacy fences,” I said. “One of those fences that wasn’t really private. You know the type?”
“Yeah, I know the type,” Frank said. “I staked out more than one place over the years behind high-security fencing.” He
made air quotes around “high-security.”
“Miss Bromfield,” I said with a laugh. “We knew some strange people, Sam.”
“I think we still do.”
We made our way through the main entrance, and I paused by the hallway that led to the ICU. Construction workers were already there, cleaning things up and likely getting ready to rebuild. It was a ghastly sight. They hadn’t gotten all the blood off the walls yet, and there was still a metric ton of ash and debris.
“Come on,” Frank said. “The receptionist says they’re in the next wing now.”
We let Frank lead the way, passing rooms where terrible coughs echoed through the hallways accompanied by the rhythmic beat of EKGs. We passed out of the wing, and found two MPs at the front of the next hallway.
“We’re here to see Lincoln,” Frank said as we approached the first man. “Park said it was okay to come in.”
The soldier nodded, and we passed by without incident. Frank was muttering the room number under his breath, but I peeked into the rooms along the hall. Some of them were clearly soldiers, their fatigues either neatly folded beside their beds, or sealed in plastic bags on the floor.
A few of the occupants were wrapped in gauze and whimpering from the pain of burns and heavily damaged limbs. The last, before Casper’s room, was being covered by a sheet. I tried not to look. I didn’t want to know, but it was hard to ignore a new ghost, especially one who didn’t understand what happened, and was now looking down at the body he’d known his entire life.
I fought down a pang of sorrow when the ghost tried to grab the shoulders of the doctor, to speak to her, when he no longer had the ability to speak. As a spirit, he was mute, which gave me some small relief that he would pass on quickly. And not be trapped on the battlefield as some ancient memorial for all time.
“Casper,” Frank said. We entered the room, which pulled me out of the haze of seeing the newly formed ghost.
“Frank,” Casper said, patting the edge of the bed. “Come in, come in. You guys really saved our asses out there.”
