Chapter 12
“Abom incoming. Get behind me.” I motioned for Jason to move as I brought up my Trace screen. I tried to gain my bearings. We were partway through the Trips, on foot because Hecate had warned me that most of the roads were still blocked by abandoned cars and bodies from the zombie fallout. I had no desire to get stuck where a bunch of the walking dead might be hunting.
As the others shifted position, I scanned for the Abom. There, on my screen, was the familiar blip. This one was near. Without me around to stop them, the Aboms had moved into the city proper. I glanced for a side street—half a block ahead. The Abom was just around the corner.
Queet, how big?
Big enough. He’s going to be an ugly brute, because he put on a human vehicle that was already dead. A zombie.
Wonderful. This was the first time I would have to go against the combination. Queet, do you know who’s driving the vehicle? The Abom or the zombie?
I think the Abom, which means their control is greater than that of the desire for food. But Fury, the body will be harder to kill. You’re going to have to go over to the Crossroads for this one.
That means I need to lure him into the intersection ahead. Can you—
Go bait him? Queet’s words tickled my ears with a hint of a laugh.
Yes, if you want to put it like that. Queet and I had often worked together like this.
On my way. Are you ready?
Just about. Okay, let’s get this show on the road.
I glanced over my shoulder. “Stand back. The Abom’s vehicle is a zombie. This is going to be extra difficult and I’m going to have to take him over to the Crossroads. Which means, stand back and don’t get in the way. You have no way of killing him, though I doubt he’d jump vehicles, since this one is so useful.”
The others stood back, looking helpless. Tam blew me a kiss.
“For luck, love.”
“Thanks. I’m going to need it.”
I slapped my thigh, grasping hold of the whip as it sprang to life in my hands. The thong shimmered with a nimbus in all shades of reds and yellows, the fiery charge building. The more I used the whip, the stronger it seemed. With my other hand, I drew my dagger.
The snow was thick on the ground—it hadn’t been plowed in days and there weren’t many tracks around so it wasn’t compacted. Apparently the neighborhood had been hit hard when the zombies came through. Or maybe people had just run away before they could be caught, but whatever the case, there didn’t seem to be anybody living here at this point. If they were, they were skulking in their houses, hiding behind locked doors and heavy drapes.
Queet had turned the corner and I heard a low grunt that echoed through the empty streets. The snow on the ground muffled the sound.
He’s on the way. Queet was by my side again. I got him on the run and he should turn the corner just about—
Now.
The Abom skidded around the corner, his head darting this way and that as he searched for Queet. Queet was like candy for most Aboms—an energy juice bar. But luckily for him, he was also faster than most of them.
I stepped into the center of the street, whip and dagger ready. “Yo, big, bad, and ugly. Why don’t you come tangle with me?”
The Abom turned my way, the eyes of his host gleaming with an unnatural light. Whether it was merely the Abom’s light or the zombie-aspect had anything to do with it, I wasn’t sure, but another moment and he came on the run at me.
I tensed. Where’s his soul-hole? Can you see it?
It’s harder to find because this creature wasn’t actually alive when the Abom got hold of him. I’m looking.
I had to know where the soul-hole was, in order to attack. Well, technically I didn’t, but if I wanted to actually destroy the creature and send him back to Pandoriam, I needed to know where it was. I scanned him, looking for any residue energy that would show me what I was looking for. Then, Queet and I saw it at the same time.
Fury—it’s—
In his forehead, I see it. That’s really odd. The soul-hole is almost never anywhere but on the back of their necks. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this before. I took up my battle stance. I didn’t dare let him think that I’d be ferrying him over to the Crossroads. Aboms knew they were in more danger over there. I had to make the crossing, because over here, I didn’t stand a chance in hell of taking him down.
The Abom scuttled toward me, eyes gleaming with hunger. His vehicle had been of moderate height, but he had been a burly, muscled man, with dark skin and a buzz cut. Now, of course, he had that sickly bloated look that came with the whole zombification gig, and he was dropping skin everywhere he went. Zombies never exactly turned into walking skeletons, but the virus infecting them kept only remnants of flesh on their bodies, including their stomachs. The perpetual hunger for flesh gnawed at them, keeping them on the search for new victims.
I slapped my whip back on my leg and slid my dagger back into its sheath. I’d need both hands to take him over. Queet, will you go with me?
Of course. I’ll be there, Fury. No worries on that.
The Abom crept closer, then he charged into the intersection—charge being a strong word. When he had chosen a zombie for a vehicle, he hadn’t counted on the slower movement. I was poised, waiting until he was near enough. Then I swept my hands over my head, clasping them, and shifted both of us over to the Crossroads.
Mist roiled around my ankles as I landed at the juncture near the cauldron. I felt my power strengthen as I drew energy from the realm and drew my sword, waiting as the Abom took form.
Queet shifted around me. Fury, his soul-hole is shrinking. I noticed that as we shifted over to the Crossroads.
What? How can that be? Soul-holes don’t shrink.
I know, but his is, so you need to work fast. I’ll try to find out whether it’s forming elsewhere on his body. If it vanishes…
There’s no way I can send him back to Pandoriam.
Exactly. You can destroy the vehicles they’re in, but you won’t be able to destroy the Abom if they lose their soul-hole.
This was something new and dangerous, but I didn’t have time to figure out why it was happening. The Abom had fully taken form and was headed directly toward me. I could see what Queet was talking about. Here on the Crossroads, I could see his soul-hole clearly. It was a glowing slit where the Abom had entered the zombie’s body. Maybe that was why the soul-hole wasn’t in the usual place—the vehicle had already been dead when the Abom took control over it.
I focused as the creature lunged for me. Dodging to the side, I gauged how close I’d have to be before making my attack. I needed to make it a good one, because not only was I stronger out here, but the Abom would be too. I reached up with my left hand to grasp my necklace. The golden “F” that Hecate had given me was dappled with rubies, and it bound us together. I could draw on her when I needed.
I took a deep breath as the energy flickered to life, the necklace tingling in my hand as Hecate’s power began to blend with my own. I channeled the current through my body, down my right arm into Xan. The flames surrounded the blade like a ghostly light.
The Abom lunged for me and I brought Xan up, aiming for his soul-hole as I danced forward, light on my feet. Here on the Crossroads, my body didn’t weigh me down and my aim held true. He tried to stop but I pressed forward, aiming for my target.
The Abom tried to sidestep me, but I managed on the first thrust to slide the tip neatly into the center of his forehead, hitting the soul-hole, piercing his skull to sever the connection.
The Abom screamed, lashing out as I fell forward, thrusting Xan deeper.
He managed to swipe my arm a good one before the soul-hole flared. The pain lanced through me, but I held my blade true, ignoring the wounds, ignoring that he was close enough to lean in and gnash me with the zombie’s teeth.
The web of magic from my attack bound itself around him, a net of glowing lines with deep, indigo sparks. He was caught within the sparkling grid, unable to move.
Hecate appeared behind me. I could feel her there—though it was a mere fraction of her spirit—and she fed me more power, forcing the net to tighten around the Abom.
A brilliant flash blinded me as the creature screamed. Then, cracking like shattered glass, the once-human vehicle shattered as the Abom slammed back on his way to Pandoriam. A flutter of ash was all that was left to rain down on me as the spell vanished, leaving me a dry husk.
I fell to my knees, dropping Xan on the ground beside me, and bent over to rest my head on the ground. My hands were blistered from Hecate’s fire and I was barely able to see. How many times had I played out this scene? How many nights had I dragged myself home to my apartment after corralling an Abom?
Fury? Fury? Queet spoke from far in the distance.
I can hear you. I just can’t get up. And it was true. I felt down for the count, unable to move or to even think about moving.
You need to get off the Crossroads, now. Come on, stand up. I know where the exit is.
As much as I tried to ignore him, Queet pestered me till I managed to raise my throbbing head. I felt like I had been run over with a truck. I squinted, trying to open my eyes. I was still there in the middle of the road. Xan was lying beside me.
Now what?
Take hold of Xan. Use her to help you stand up.
I reached for my sword, every fiber of my body aching. The amount of magic it took to destroy the Abom had wracked through my system like a power surge. All systems were on safe mode and I could barely function. Straining to wrap my fingers around the hilt, I managed to take hold of Xan and, tip to the ground, struggled to my feet, staggering as I attempted to straighten up.
Queet, this isn’t the worst I’ve been, but it’s not good. I don’t dare go back into the snow and cold. My body would seize up. I need to rest. Can you get a token from Hecate so I can make the jump back to UnderBarrow?
I’ll ask her. He vanished again and I managed to stagger over to the nearest bench.
Sitting up took far too much effort, so while I was waiting for Queet to return, I decided to lie down. I stretched out, covering my eyes. I was desperate for darkness, for silence.
The silent part I had—the Crossroads was usually fairly quiet unless somebody happened to come by—but it was too bright, even with the gloom and the mist. I closed my eyes as I searched for some respite from the light.
It was dangerous to stay out on the Crossroads too long. The place was like a juice bar. Plugging into it for more than a brief time was hard on the body. I wasn’t sure exactly what would happen if I stayed out too long, but it wasn’t good, that much I knew. As I felt myself drifting off to sleep, it occurred to me that I shouldn’t do that out here, but then the pull of slumber was too deep, and my aches were too strong, and I gave in and closed my eyes.
“Fury? Fury? Wake up, Fury.”
My head thundered as I slowly rose to consciousness. The fact that somebody was physically shaking me awake told me it wasn’t Queet. Then I recognized the voice. It was Tam. He was patting my cheeks and talking far too loudly in my ear.
“Go ’way.”
“Fury, you need to wake up. We need to make certain you’re all right.” Tam braced me by the shoulders and gave me a sharp shake.
I moaned as every fiber of my body protested. Peeling open one eye, I stared into Tam’s face. The next thing I noticed was that I was inside, in my bed, in my room at UnderBarrow. Jason was standing beside Tam, a concerned look on his face.
“How…”
“How did you get here? Queet was responsible for that. When he found you unconscious, he summoned Hecate to help. She brought you here and then sent Queet to tell us. The healers looked after you until we arrived.” Tam stroked my forehead. “We were worried about you.”
I just wanted to sleep. The blistering headache had lessened, but my entire body felt bruised. “Sleep. I need sleep.”
“Of course you do. Rest now and we’ll talk when you’re awake.”
And with that, they drew the covers over me and someone blew out the lantern and I was alone in the dark again. Another moment and I had drifted back to sleep.
My stomach woke me the next time. It rumbled, loud, clearly protesting the lack of food. As I struggled to sit up, I realized my headache was gone and I could open my eyes to the lantern light again without wanting to scream.
I pushed myself back against the headboard, tucking the covers up under my chin. Even through the magical layers that separated the worlds, in UnderBarrow winter touched with a chill. I took a deep breath, holding it and then letting it trickle out slowly. My body still ached from the energy that Hecate had fed through me. I wondered if I’d ever get used to it. You’d think after years of destroying Aboms, I’d have managed to gain control over how I reacted. But although I was a minor goddess, the powers of the Elder Gods still overwhelmed me.
A faint tap at the door alerted me.
“Come in.”
The door opened and a lovely young woman slipped in. She wasn’t dressed like one of the Court ladies, but instead, somewhat better than the serving girls. She was wearing a pale blue shift, long sleeved with a modest bust line. The dress dropped to mid-calf, and was belted with a leather belt and silver buckle. I recognized the design on the buckle as representing the Court of UnderBarrow.
“Yes?”
“I’m Patrice, milady. Lord Tam sent me. He says I’m to be your personal lady’s maid.”
I grinned. Tam had already made sure that everybody knew I was his girlfriend, but now he seemed to be taking it up a notch. I decided that, as odd as it might feel, I wasn’t going to protest.
“Hello, Patrice. What time is it? How long was I asleep?”
“It’s early morning, milady. Dawn broke about two hours ago, outer time.”
Time ran differently in UnderBarrow, just another reminder that there was no one central “realm.”
“His Lordship thought you might like a bath and breakfast.”
A hot bath sounded wonderful. Though we had taken time to clean up the night before and we had bathed in both Eleveanor and at the Arbortariam, I still felt caked with dirt from our days on the road.
“His Lordship thought correctly. I’d love a hot bath and I’m famished. Thank you, Patrice.”
She smiled, dipping into a quick curtsey. “Why don’t I bring your breakfast and you can eat while I arrange your bath?”
“Thank you. I’m really hungry, so please, make sure there’s plenty of food on the plate.”
As she left, I slid out from beneath the covers and walked around the hand-carved screen near one wall. A bathroom—tub, toilet, and sink—was tucked behind the screen. Although UnderBarrow wasn’t hooked up to any sewer system that I knew of, there was still running water. I gratefully relieved myself, then washed my hands and face. I wasn’t sure, even yet, how the controls on the tub worked, so I left that for Patrice. She returned shortly after I had taken my place at the cafe-sized table in the other corner of the room.
“Your breakfast, milady.” She slid the tray in front of me. The plate was piled high with eggs, sausage, biscuits, and honey. A cup of piping-hot coffee with cream and sugar was also waiting for me.
I dug in, licking my fingers. The food in UnderBarrow was among the best I had tasted anywhere. I wasn’t sure what they did to it, but whatever it was, I could happily eat here for the rest of my life. Before I had hooked up with Tam, the cupboard had been pretty sparse at times.
Speaking of cupboards, I thought, I need to go over to my apartment and gather everything I can. I’ll have to break in if the power’s out, but I need my clothes and supplies.
And that thought brought everything crashing down. There would be no more routine days. There would be no more apartment and walking by the inlet, throwing stones in the water. No more Dream Wardens, and gearing up for Bonny Fae week. The city was in a shambles, the Regent had been killed, and the Conglomerate was falling to the Order of the Black Mist. I let out a groan, rubbing my forehead.
“Are you all right, milady?” Patrice was at my side in a flash, a concerned look on her face.
“Yeah.” I leaned my elbows on the table, burying my face in my hands. “I’m just feeling a little overwhelmed.”
“Would you like me to fetch a healer?”
I shook my head. “No. I’m not ill. Just a little heartsick.” I took several deep breaths, letting them out slowly. Finally, I finished my coffee. “I’d like that bath now.”
I felt an urgency to do something—to get out there and make a difference. Maybe convene a meeting, but there was nothing to meet about. There was nothing in the world I could do to stop the world from toppling.
After I took my bath and dressed, I thanked Patrice and asked her to guide me to Tam.
She led me to a private chamber. It looked like a meeting room, and Tam was there, along with the others. Jason glanced at me and I flashed him a weary smile. I still wasn’t comfortable, but I was glad we had talked.
“What’s going on?”
Jason waggled his fingers at me. “You’ve been out of it. You slept all afternoon and night.”
Hans, who was sitting next to Tam, offered me his chair. I gave Tam a quick, respectful kiss, then sat down. Hans moved over to the other side of the table to sit beside Greta.
“The Crossroads does that to me. By the way, something I discovered that may play into effect in the future. The soul-hole on the Abom was rapidly shrinking. Which means that something about being in a zombie vehicle allowed him to dispense with his main vulnerability. I have to be able to attack the soul-hole in order to send the Aboms back to Pandoriam. If it vanished, I could have killed the vehicle he was in, but not banished the Abom. He would have just escaped and managed to jump somebody else.”
“Why do you think that happened?” Tam asked.
“I don’t know, but I need to ask Hecate. I’m hoping that the cell reception will last for a while. Anybody know what’s going on out in the city right now?”
Tam motioned to Damh Varias. The advisor was older than Tam—very old, because the Fae didn’t show gray in their hair till they had seen many millennia. Damh Varias was a tall, slight man, with long dark hair that shone silver at the temples. He wasn’t a warrior by any sense, but he was a very powerful man and Tam trusted him implicitly. As did I.
“Damh can fill us in. He’s had spies out reconnoitering the area since last night.”
“Your Majesty, ever since the execution of the Regent, there’s been a mass evacuation of the city. Busses have been leaving one after another, along with those who have cars. However, we’ve gotten some news from the borders of Cascadia. Apparently, the Conglomerate is afraid there may be zombies hiding in the vehicles, so anyone attempting to leave the region is being turned back. The populace of Spokane has doubled. Bend has swollen beyond its capacity and the same goes for other small towns.”
“What about Atlantea? Do we know what’s going on in the nation’s capital?”
Damh Varias held up a paper, reading from it. “We have some idea. Reports have been sketchy, but it doesn’t sound good. In world news, Bifrost has closed its borders. They managed to ward off the Order of the Black Mist and they’ve erected guards around their nation. The nation of Elder Moon, as well. Black Forest is fighting a hard battle right now, as is the Asiatic Empire. New London is gone, Paris is down, and even far to the south of the world, Kiwi Nation has been taken.”
The advisor looked grim. “Another issue has been brought to my attention. News is very scattered on this, and I can’t verify it yet, but there are reports of a major tsunami sweeping toward the shores of the Asiatic Empire. A major quake set it off, but we think that it may be the work of weather magic.”
I sighed. “Really? Hecate said they may have found another weather artifact.”
“I think that must be true. I’m expecting more updates within an hour.” Damh Varias let out an exasperated grunt. “We are facing a worldwide emergency. If the tsunami is a product of weather magic, then Gaia will surely strike again. In what manner, we cannot know. Not since the Weather Wars have we been in this much danger.”
“The problem is,” Jason said, “we can’t even touch Lyon and the Order of the Black Mist here. How can we possibly go after them in other countries?”
“We can’t.” I motioned to the serving girl for coffee and she brought me a cup, along with cream and sugar. I needed as much caffeine as I could get today.
“Then, what?”
“We can only do our best. If this does become a worldwide catastrophe, then we must hope that others are also working to counter the Order. Our main goal must be to stop Lyon and his ilk from opening the doors to the realm of Chaos. I think that has to be our central focus.”
“Easier said than done. And just how are we supposed to find out if there are other groups banding together against them?” Hans asked.
“We have to ask the Elder Gods for help.”
Jason held up his hand. “Here’s the rub. Divide and conquer is an old strategy. It’s used because it works. When you throw enough chaos into the mix, everybody’s scrambling, trying to protect themselves. Nobody has the time to think about the greater picture.”
“Too true.” I glanced over at him. “Speaking of protecting your own people, have you been in contact with your parents? With the Cast?”
Jason leaned back in his chair, sweeping his hair back into a ponytail. “Well, I was able to talk to Shevron last night. She managed to find a patch with cell reception, so some of the towers are still standing. Shevron and Len are all right. A number of the Cast actually made their way out to Verdanya when Seattle fell to the zombies. They’re safe for now, but they can’t stay there indefinitely. They told me that a handful, at least, fell to the zombies, but most of my people managed to get out of the city.”
“There’s yet another problem that no one has mentioned,” Greta said. “Dithfevia and bogwort plague are sweeping through the city. Think about it. One hundred thousand dead. Thanks to the weather, the bodies are decaying slower than usual, but they’re still decaying. This city is going to become a mass graveyard. There’s nobody left to bury the dead. And even if there was, where the hell do you bury one hundred thousand bodies all at once? Before long, the entire area will be a rotting tomb, riddled with disease. The water supply will be polluted if it isn’t already. The power outages have started and the electricity will be gone before long. We’re safe enough in UnderBarrow, but how long before Seattle becomes uninhabitable?”
“You think it will be dangerous to travel over to the Peninsula of the Gods?” Jason asked.
“It will be dangerous to travel anywhere,” Damh Varias said. “Greta is correct. The looting has been going on for days. The Devani are holed up in Uptown and North Shore. We have no clue what they’re doing and I’m not sure we want to find out.”
“Then, what are we going to do?” Everything seemed bleak and overwhelming.
“I think we should gather our things and be ready to bug out, if need be.” Jason turned to me. “We’ll get your possessions from your apartment. I’ll raid Dream Wardens, if it’s not already looted, and gather everything we might be able to use. I’ll also get my clothes from my apartment. I’ll drop in at Shevron’s and pack up clothes and some things for her and Len. I wonder if money is going to matter anymore? I suppose in other cities it might still be useful, so whatever cash you have, fill your cards and take them with you.”
Hans motioned to Greta. “We should do the same. We should take the road. I’ve got a van, and you’ve got your car, Jason.”
“All right, but first, I have to attend my flying-up ceremony,” Greta said. “I think the most expedient thing to do is for me to go alone while you’re on your salvaging mission.”
“Are you sure you’ll be safe?” Hans asked. “I want to be there.”
“It’s more important that we gather everything we need. I’m sure some of the guards here will accompany me.” Greta looked over at Tam, who inclined his head.
A thought occurred to me. “I need to make a phone call.”
“To Hecate?” Jason asked.
I shook my head. “No. There’s somebody we might be able to get some advice from. Tigra, from Lightning Strikes. They’re above the government, in a way. She just might know about the international situation.”
We had met Tigra when we were after the Thunderstrike—an artifact from the Weather Wars. Lightning Strikes was an international organization dedicated to taking steps to appease Gaia so she wouldn’t go on a rampage again. They oversaw magical guilds and cracked down on the use of anything too akin to weather magic. Supported by governments on a worldwide basis, the organization was partial to no one nation.
“That’s a good idea.” Jason looked hopeful for the first time in a while. “Why don’t we head out of the Sandspit? I’ll get my car and you can call Tigra, and we’ll raid our apartments while we’re at it.”
Tam stood. “I think that’s a good plan. But I’m not able to go with you. I have UnderBarrow business I must attend to. Please, don’t go alone. And make certain you keep alert.” He motioned to me. “See me before you go?”
“I’ll stay for a moment.” I turned to Jason. “Who’s going with us?”
“Why don’t we all go?” Elan said. “There’s safety in numbers. Greta, you’re busy, obviously—and congratulations in advance. But Tyrell, Laren, Hans, Jason, Fury, and I can all go and take less time than if we went alone. Kendall, what about you?”
Kendall inclined her head. “I’m in.”
“Bring whatever you like here. If you can get it down the stairwell, we’ll store it for you,” Tam said. “Don’t leave anything behind you’ll regret. Well, you probably won’t want to bring your furniture, unless it’s of sentimental value. But we’ll keep your possessions here in UnderBarrow. We have plenty of room for everyone.”
“Then it’s set.” Jason led them out of the room. Damh Varias followed, after telling Tam that he’d meet him in the throne room.
I closed the door behind him and turned to Tam. He held out his arms and I raced into them, burying my head on his shoulder. I couldn’t cry. I was too numb to cry. But it felt like my life was breaking apart, piece by piece, and every anchor that had grounded me was tearing away.
“What are we going to do?” I said, my words muffled as I spoke into his shirt.
“We’re going to go through this day by day, love. You know how long I’ve lived? How many times do you think I’ve seen society fall apart? How many times I have watched the world crash around me? And yet, we go on. And we work through it. You’re a Theosian, my love. You’re set to live quite a long time. Maybe not as long as my people, but you will see shifts in the world that you haven’t ever dreamed of. Best to get used to it now.”
I heaved out a sigh and stood back, wiping my eyes. “I suppose I sound like a child. Just…I’m thirty years old and suddenly, everything I knew is coming apart at the seams.”
“You’ve been through this before when your mother died. Your world shifted then, too.”
“Yes, but not everything. By the way, Jason and I are friends again.”
“I’m glad. I would never want you to feel divorced from him. He’s one of your best friends and he saved your life. And you…you offer him more support than he realizes.” Tam kissed me, his lips soft against mine, insistent and yet, yielding.
I wrapped my arms around him, reveling in the feel of his body against mine. At moments like this, I felt that everything might really be okay. That we might weather through the storm.
“I suppose I’d better get out there and on the road. We’ve got apartments to plunder and while we’re at it, we’d better take a good look around at the city and see what’s going on.”
“You do that, love. And then you come home to me.” He paused, then wiped the tears from my cheeks with his fingers. “UnderBarrow is your home now. And UnderBarrow has weathered a thousand years and five thousand more. So never fear, there’s always a safe haven here.”
And with that, we got started on the day.