Steve mumbled to his friends. She had to agree with him. Guilt gnawed at her. A year ago, she’d have said the same thing. Now with what was at stake, she couldn’t think about it.
Thankfully not all were put off by her mental ability. Navina had grown lately, her strength challenging Becca, pushing her more than the others. She had even quickly picked up the self-defense moves Becca had taught her. They both sat panting on the mat after their match.
“You’re improving,” Becca told her.
“Not as quick as you,” she replied.
“I have several years to make up for.”
“True.”
“Hey, was that a knock on my age?” At twenty-four, she’d never considered herself old.
Navina started to laugh and then headed off to her next match. “So sensitive.”
Becca talked to Abbey briefly, a fifty-year-old woman who was abused by a coven. Lance said she wasn’t fit to serve as she wasn’t mentally all there. The woman was kind, with a round face and short copper hair. Becca couldn’t help but think it could all be a hoax. Maybe the crazy lady act was a cover.
After talking to her, if it was a hoax, it was a hell of a hoax. She asked Abbey if she could take a look in her mind since she was still learning her control.
Abbey answered, “Stewart always takes the dog out. So go right ahead.”
Becca had never touched a mind like hers. Abbey had power, but it was random, scattered like her mind was. She was open to any suggestion, and that alarmed Becca.
Becca thanked Abbey and headed to the cafeteria for a quick bite to eat. She felt depleted after working with so many different people, and wasn’t sure how she would pull it together to work with Jemi and her sister.
For the first time, she understood the temptation to have a demon. How easy would it be to pull from another source and keep going? She shuddered at the idea.
The sun, high in the sky, finally appeared from behind the clouds. The cold chill from sleeping in the forest finally began to leave as Caleb watched the trader’s warehouse in the distance. He glanced at Nikki, and a wave of uneasiness settled over him. Was he really taking her in there?
“Is there any way I can talk you out of this?” he tried again.
A seething look answered for her. Her bright eyes and smooth, clean hair would stand out in a second. She wasn’t a warrior.
“You need to disguise yourself better. Here, let me help.” He dug into the dirt and approached Nikki.
She laughed nervously and stepped back. “You’re putting dirt on me?”
“We’re supposed to have lived out in the wild alone. You need more dirt under your nails, and in your hair.”
She held up her hands. “I can do it myself.”
“Okay. Try to cover up to. Maybe a scarf or something. Hide...” How could he put it? Try not to look pretty or some thug may try to rape you? Maybe she needed to be scared.
“I get it.” She took off her scarf and unbound her full hair. After grabbing a handful of twigs and leaves, she rubbed it through her hair. “I want you to know how long this will take to get out of my hair. Hours.”
Caleb smiled then turned to his gear. No one in the wild would have a pack as clean as his. He left his bow alone though. No matter how dirty you got, you always took care of your weapons. He rubbed some dirt into his neck and hair, which needed to be cut, then tucked it under his cap. Hopefully his hair and the beard he’d started would help his disguise as well. No one should recognize him. Besides, he’d never even met Ryma. He only went to his estate once, and that was as a servant. Nothing worth noting.
After a few minutes, they both looked in desperate need of a bath.
“Ready?” she asked.
“No. But let’s go. Hopefully it’s not too late.”
As they approached the warehouse, a small group left the building. One of the larger guys watched Nikki with too much interest. Caleb kept a good grip on his bow, and itched to use it. Finally, the group climbed into a beat-up truck and took off.
Caleb let his breath go, thankful that didn’t turn into a confrontation. He didn’t miss this life, the worry and mistrust around every corner. It reaffirmed his purpose though. It was a basic human right to live free.
They pushed through the front door to find it was just as Leon had told him. Random junk, tools, and even some weapons littered large old tables. Large guards with automatic weapons clustered around the exit.
Nikki stayed at his side as they meandered through the aisles. “Not much magic in here,” she muttered quietly.
“They have big enough bullets to make up for it.” Caleb wasn’t sure what made him more nervous: magicians or trigger-happy thugs.
“I could put up a shield to protect us, but I don’t want to give anything away.” She picked up a can of soup.
They’d discussed on the way in what to pose as, so now they were a couple. She was a weak witch, and he a Mundane who could fight. As a pair, they should work.
“Let’s go buy dinner.” She held up the can proudly.
“I could kill us something better than that.”
“But this holds a chance of botulism.” Her full lips turned up into the perfect smile.
“Don’t smile.” He headed to the checkout. He didn’t mean to snap at her, but worry coiled tight in his stomach.
“Any coin or barter?” the woman at the counter asked. Her life was summed up on her battered face. Trailing down her cheek was a scar she tried to cover with her dark curly hair. A man with a large rifle stood behind her.
“Coin.” Caleb retrieved two silver pieces, and the woman snatched them both before he could argue the price. He started to say something, but out of the corner of his eye, he watched the man’s hands tighten on the barrel of the rifle.
“I’m looking for work.” He spoke to the man. “Anything around here?” Andre assumed if they were preparing a battle, there would be need of soldiers or mercenaries that magicians could use as their front lines or for demon fodder. Either way, they needed information or a way in.
“Information comes at a cost like anything else,” the woman replied.
“Two pieces?” He reached into his pocket.
The woman narrowed her eyes.
“I can give you three, but then I will really need to find work soon.”
She held out her hand, waiting for payment. He noticed for the first time that she was missing a small finger. A cold chill sank deep into him. It was probably a sacrifice, a common thing for magicians and desperate, wannabe magicians.
He dropped the coins in her hand.
“A small army is gathered maybe five miles north of here, by the big lake. They came by recruiting mercs this morning. Be there by nightfall.” She dropped the coins in her drawer and slammed it shut.
That was it. Her lips pursed in a tight line, signaling the end to the transaction.
He nodded, and then headed out with Nikki.
“An army, so close.” Nikki rubbed her arms.
“We should make it, if we hurry. But you need to contact your father, especially while the wind is going strong.” He didn’t understand everything about the stones, but he remembered the message traveled on the wind.
“What?” She straightened, her defenses bristling.
“Didn’t you hear? If we have to be there tonight, then this battle is starting a lot sooner then he thinks.”
The problems Nikki had with her dad didn’t matter now. They had to warn them. Hopefully the city would hold more answers. They couldn’t stop an army, but maybe they could find something to help.
CHAPTER 33
D on’t push. Pull.” Jemi’s annoyance with Becca was evident. “Coax out the information. The more they fight and resist, the harder it is.”
“Liz isn’t fighting,” Becca pointed out.
Her sister’s eyes flashed in recognition of her name.
Becca combed her hair back. “Hey, sis, you still doing okay?”
Elizabeth squeezed
her hand. She had become more and more aware of those around her. She still had terrible nightmares and was confused a lot, but there was progress. That bit of progress gave Becca hope that this may all be worth it.
“I know she isn’t trying to fight, but subconsciously, it’s a different game. Like pushing a flame towards a person, they naturally flinch. We’re the flame, and she’s still blocking you.”
“I don’t want to hurt her.” Becca remembered Jemi’s force when she’d searched Becca’s mind.
“It’s not physical pain, like burning your hand. This type of magic is different than other forms where you push your power towards its destination. It’s like the night that you convinced the man to go to the cafeteria.” Jemi scowled, her blunt reminder of the evening Becca had knocked her out and almost got herself killed.
Guilt pricked Becca’s conscious.
“The guard was probably a little hungry already,” Jemi continued. “So, convincing him of something that part of him wanted anyways wasn’t much of a stretch. Don’t force. Ease yourself into their minds.”
“Maybe I’m better at putting ideas into someone’s mind than taking them out like you.”
“Probably, but you have a connection to your sister. Use it.”
That was true. Becca had been able to communicate telepathically with Liz at one point before she was possessed. And even while a demon had resided inside her sister, they’d shared dreams, glimpses, sometimes of the hell Liz was going through. Becca still had the dreams, but she was unable to tell what was a vision or random flashes from her own mind. If only they could re-forge their connection, maybe she could help pull Liz out of this.
One of Leon’s men entered the med unit. “Andre’s called a meeting for all combat forces out at the shore room while tides are low.”
“When?” Jemi asked.
“In ten.”
“Thanks for the advance notice,” she snapped back.
“I’m just the messenger.” He hurried out the door.
Becca stood to leave. “We better head out. Could Caleb have already sent information?”
Jemi raised her hand. “Try one more time.”
“Really?”
Jemi nodded in the direction of Liz.
“Okay.” With a deep breath, Becca sat back down, trying to push Caleb, the meeting, the imminent attack, everything out of her mind.
Placing both of her hands on her sister’s head, she leaned over Liz. “You ready to try again?”
Liz nodded slightly and closed her eyes.
“Try to pull her out with a good memory,” Jemi coached. “Something you both enjoy. Make a connection.”
“Got it. Good memory.” Closing her eyes, Becca thoughts traveled to years ago, before the magic, the demons, her uncle, back with her parents when their homestead was their world, and it was enough.
She focused on her breath and magic, the slight humming sensation located deep within. Instead of projecting her magic, she let it fill her up, encompassing her body. A tingling sensation traveled over her skin, and she focused on one of her favorite memories—swimming. Every summer, the two girls would put on shorts and a tank top and run to the river.
Elizabeth would inch into the water, slowly adjusting to the temperature, while Becca would find her favorite tree trunk to climb up and jump in. Becca remembered one summer, when the sun hadn’t completely erased the chill in the air and Liz struggled to enter the water past her knees. Becca climbed into a tree, and with a huge leap, cannonballed next to Liz.
She’d screamed loud enough for Becca to hear it under the water. She hurried to the surface and swam over to apologize before their mother came and made the girls get out. While Becca stood in front of her apologizing, Liz, who had a wad of mud hiding behind her back, smeared it down Becca’s face.
When the cold sludge had hit, Becca gasped in surprise, barely able to see past the mud dripping down her face. Then both girls erupted in fits of laughter, splashing and playing in the chilly river until their fingers turned blue.
You deserved that. Elizabeth spoke, clear as a bell in Becca’s mind.
Elizabeth! Becca’s thoughts jumbled as she tried asking her sister a million questions all at once, which confused both of them. She concentrated, forcing aside the celebration in her heart until she could slow her pulse.
I’ve missed you, Becca started. Are you okay?
Yes, I think. Things are different. Harder to think. Hard to make sense of everything.
It’s okay. It’ll take time. I’m here for you.
A warm happiness emanated from Elizabeth. It was more of a feeling than a thought, but it fled as soon as it came.
I have bad dreams. A coldness crept into Elizabeth’s voice.
Becca swallowed, wishing she could do more to protect her sister than just talk to her. How could she fight against dreams though? I know. Can you tell me about them?
Liz flinched, fear thick in her mind.
Maybe I can help, if you show me.
They weren’t put into words, but pictures: flashes of snow, waves out of control, and those foreign trees with leaves bigger than her head and vines over ten feet long. Gunfire exploded all around. Men shouted and their screams tore at Becca’s sanity. Two men fought in the distance. Becca recognized several of Leon’s men on the ground as she struggled to take everything in. An unfamiliar man ran off, dodging unseen obstacles, and went straight through a tree. Becca blinked, unsure she’d seen that right, but the man had disappeared.
The vision continued, the sounds of battle creating a cacophony of hell itself. A scream pierced the air, and Becca turned towards the cry only to pull up short when she saw herself. There, in a small clearing, she held Andre’s limp body on her lap.
Becca dropped her hands, and her eyes flashed open to the med unit. She knocked the chair over and scooted back to the wall. That couldn’t be real.
It’s what I see. Elizabeth’s voice rang in Becca’s mind, mixed with sadness and confusion.
Becca placed a hand on her temple, realizing somehow they were still connected without touching. “No,” she whispered.
If Andre fell, then they were all doomed. No one stood a chance of escape without him.
Jemi kneeled down next to her. “What is it?” She reached out to Becca.
Becca pushed her hand away. “Give me a minute.”
The horrors remained etched in her mind. Was this real? Could this be a nightmare? Not with the ocean. Granted, Elizabeth had lived next to the ocean for over a month, but she’d never seen it with her own eyes. Becca couldn’t believe Liz could create that detail of pain and destruction on her own.
“We have a meeting to go to.” Jemi stood up, the scowl that constantly painted her face back in place.
Becca nodded and stood up to return to Elizabeth, whose eyes were still closed. Her face was peaceful.
Becca hated to leave her sister’s side, especially after what she’d seen. “Are you going to be okay here alone?” She brushed back a piece of her sister’s hair.
“Doc’s in the other room. He’ll help her if she needs anything.” Jemi shrugged on a jacket.
Elizabeth barely opened her eyes then closed them. I’m tired.
Sleep, then. I love you, sis. Becca leaned down and kissed her forehead.
Jemi pushed out the door, not waiting for Becca, which was for the best. Becca wasn’t ready to talk to her about what she’d seen. She needed to figure out a way to stop this fight they couldn’t win.
The sun had begun its steady decline behind the trees when Caleb first heard the small army. The smell of bodies and campfire reached them, warning them of what was to come.
“It’s almost funny that you complain more about the smell than the fact we may not survive the next twenty-four hours.” Caleb watched Nikki pull up her scarf to cover her mouth and nose.
She shot him a disgusted look. “Why almost funny?”
“We’re both walking into that.” He focused on the path, watching o
ut for guards.
“I wish we were heading to the city instead.”
“It smells bad in the city.”
Nikki huddled into her jacket as the wind picked up. “I know, but I’ve never been to the city. Just read old tales about running water, toilets, and movies.”
“I’ve seen a movie once, when I was little. Exciting for a kid, but depressing now.”
“How so?”
“It’s a reminder of the world that once was, what could have been with magic, not the hell that was created.”
Caleb noticed a man ahead smoking a cigarette and then turned to Nikki. He leaned in close, enjoying the combination of saltwater and pine clinging to her skin. “Is there any way I can still talk you out of this?”
She shot him an angry look. “You’ve lived with us for a couple weeks. This is my whole world at stake.”
“Okay.” He strengthened his resolve, and they continued forward. “Hello,” he called out to the guard.
Startled, the man dropped his cigarette and leveled the gun at Caleb’s chest. “Who goes there?”
Caleb lifted his hands to show they were empty. “Just looking for work. Heard you’re hiring soldiers.”
The man studied them as they approached. Then, with a sigh, he lowered the gun and picked up his smoke. “They close the books at dark. You better hurry up.” He motioned to a dirt path, his gaze on Nikki.
Caleb’s gaze flicked to her, but she ignored the man and continued forward, walking into hell without a backward glance. He admired her courage as he stayed by her side and scanned the campsite. Dark-colored tents hid among the trees, and raucous noise carried through the forest. They must’ve been drinking themselves into oblivion, not that Caleb could blame them.
The trail opened up to a clearing where an older man sat behind a desk. A small lantern perched next to him, glowing with witch light. “Hurry up,” his deep voiced boomed. “I’m starving and likely to eat the next person who pisses me off.”
The man’s dark eyes barely showed any light. For a moment Caleb thought him a Soultorn and worried the man’s threat was real. But as they moved closer, the man’s old eyes glinted white, just enough to be human. Not that it made him any less dangerous.
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