by D P Rowell
“Look, we’re not helping matters by huddling up like this and bringing all this attention to ourselves,” Ace said.
“It’s too late, Ace,” Father said, “they know we’re here, and we have to do something about it.”
“How do you know that?” Ace said.
“Because,” Father said, his eyes hung low, “they took Juneg.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
War Zone
Ace lifted his head and looked around the train car. Only a few passengers sat staggered in the seats, looking at the window or down at their phones. The train hovered smoothly across the Neutral landscape and all seemed tranquil. How could they have gotten away with stealing a little jag girl? And where did they take her to?
Ace sat back down and looked to Father. “You saw them take her?”
Father shook his head. “No, she’s just missing.”
“Why were you looking for her?” Sebastian said.
Father shrugged. “I’ve felt weird about this entire trip. I just wanted to do a walk through of the cars and get a headcount to make sure we were all safe. Juneg is missing.”
“That’s not good,” Sebastian said.
“What do we do?” Father said.
“I’ll phone Cameron through his earpiece,” Sebastian said.
“No,” Ace said. “We don’t want everyone panicking and snooping ar-
ound. No offense, Dad, but you doing that might've been what made the witches attack.”
“But we have to find her,” Sebastian persisted.
“I know, I know. I’m thinking,” Ace said.
Ace rubbed his fingers through his hair, pondering to no avail. ‘Till a cold whisper shot through his right ear.
Acceee. Ace shot up and looked around the car once again.
“What is it, Ace?” Father asked.
Accee.
Ace’s rage took over. Who could be whispering to him among the passengers? Then, several voices whispered in his ear.
Accee. Accee. Accee. Accee. Acce.
The boy looked all about the room as a frightening truth came to him. How did he not recognize this before? Slowly, each of the passengers, all female, some drakes, some jags, and a few humans, turned their heads to face him. All their eyes piercing and dark.
“Dad . . . Sebastian,” Ace said aloud.
They looked at him.
“You have your AMHBs, right?” Ace said.
Both of them stood and looked around the car. Ace pulled an AMHB wedged between his pants and his shirt.
“You’re gonna need ‘em,” Ace said.
Father and Sebastian stood in the aisle. Their long faces revealed the truth dawning on them. They reached for their weapons as the other passengers stood from their seats and slowly walked toward them in the aisle.
“All of them are witches?” Father said aloud.
“We’ve been set up,” Sebastian said.
All the witches laughed piercingly. Their shrill voices echoed through the metal can of the train car and banged against their heads. Each of them fought not to release their weapons and hold their ears shut. But they stood their ground. Sebastian had a chrome AMR strapped on his back, hiding under his leather jacket. Ace had not but his AMHB in his right hand, ready to accept their defeat.
All the passengers went dark as black smoke rose from their skin. They spoke in unison in such a way it caused them to drop their guard.
“To defy the council is to bring death and destruction. Their will be done.”
“Ace,” Sebastian said. Ace looked at the elite, whose eyes showed a fear Ace hadn’t seen before, “now would be a really great time for your elyr to kick in.”
Ace shrugged at Sebastian. Sebastian touched his earpiece, signaling the others.
“We’re trapped! Every passenger is a suspect! Evacuate now!”
At this, a drake witch closest to them lunged at Sebastian, using magic’s force to propel her forward. Just before she arrived he shot her in the chest. Direct hit. The witch cried and convulsed on the floor but not before the other witches had begun their attack. The train went to chaos. Ace found himself thrown about by competing forces of magic, only able to get a few shots off. The room went blurry with anti-magic bullets and black smoke as the battle ensued. His brain rattled with the cries of the witches and the screams of Father and Sebastian. After he had been thrown against one side of the car, he helped himself up and fired at will. One. Two. Three. Four. Hitting each target as he desired. One witch blindsided him and hit him with a black wad of magic smoke. It thrust him to the other side of the car and he stood choking on it. It burned his eyes and gripped his lungs. He waved away the black dust from in front of him and fired two more shots. They hit her just in time. He spent the next minute coughing up the black smoke; the worst minute of his life. Soon, the chaos cleared, and Ace’s senses returned. The three hunters stood in victory over the several fallen witches before them. Pride surged through his heart. He, his father, and Sebastian had just proved their professional ability to hunt. Not even an army of witches could take them on. Perhaps hope could persist.
Ace sighed with relief too soon. For just as he went to step toward Sebastian and Father, he turned down the aisle and noticed a slew of witches running their way from the other cars. The whole train was a war zone.
“We need to find the others and get off this train now!” Ace said. Sebastian and Father nodded, then held their weapons before them.
They stood back to back, weapons forward as the witches lunged from car to car. But through the chaos about the other cars he caught a glimpse of Cameron shooting down the witches.
“Cameron!” Ace said. Without hesitation, he sprinted to the other car. The pounding footsteps behind him told of Father tagging along. Ace burst through the other car followed by Colton. With Cameron’s help, they shot down the witches one by one. A few of them had tackled Father a moment and Ace’s heart sank with fear. Only a moment later, Father had them flying off him, wrapped in cocoons of anti-magic.
“Ace,” Cameron said. He turned to his brother. “Trilo’s got Easley and they left the train. We have to get off soon before they’re too far away from us!”
“What about Juneg?” Ace said.
“A pirate found her a few cars down, they’re meeting us outside,” Cameron said. “We need to leave right now!”
Ace nodded. The Halders ran to the other car to find Sebastian talking with a couple pirates. One pirate was a large dark man with dreadlocks pulled half up, half down, a large, bushy beard, and eyes of an eerie light brown. They told Sebastian and the pirates of the plan to hop off the moving train before they were too far from Trilo and Easley. All of them rushed to the next emergency exit, and Sebastian kicked down the door. It opened to a now fully wooded area of trees with dark red bark. They had reached the Northwoods in the rolling hills, just on the outskirts of Dorneg. They stood before the emergency exit as they zoomed passed the trees. Jumping had seemed like the best possible option until they stood there. The train’s speed and the towering trees shook Ace with fear. Something crossed Ace’s mind. He furrowed his brow and tilted his head. Something bugged him he couldn’t put a finger on. Had they forgotten something? Someone? Cameron told him Juneg was safe in the pirates’ company. Trilo and Easley had made their way safely. What was it? More shrill cries shook the metal cage hovering over the tracks. They looked around. The witches still on board were after them.
“We have to jump,” Sebastian said, “We have no choice.”
Ace nodded. “You first.”
Sebastian smacked his teeth at Ace, then rushed off the train, immediately zipping past their sight. Next went the pirates. Then, Father nodded at them, said, “Be safe, kids,” and jumped.
Cameron looked at Ace with worried eyes and shrugged. “Here goes nothin’.”
Ace half smiled, and his brother leapt from the train. He leaned over the edge of the train’s exit, observing the towering trees zoom by. He swallowed a lump in his th
roat, bent his knees, and thrust himself forward before he could talk himself out of it. The train tracks had been constructed on a small hill where the forest split. Ace’s knees buckled as he landed on the hill. He fell forward and flipped over multiple times, rolling across the pine cones and straw. He relaxed his body to lessen the impact every time he hit the ground. Everything around him went blurry until he lost all sense of direction as to which way he tumbled. Everything came to a painful halt when his back smacked against one of the massive redwoods. His head jerked back, and something popped in his spine. He moaned as he rolled over on his hands and knees. His head pounded as if his brain were trying to burst through his skull. His back went sore and tender. He reached behind and placed a hand where his back had contact with the tree. He screamed in agony and rolled over on his back. He lay there a moment trying to catch his breath. Everything ached. His body stung from where pine cones and straw had pierced his skin. The cold air bit his nose and ears. However, amid t he icy air and aches in his body, everything surrounding him went still and tranquil as the train hovered away to Dorneg. Lying on his back, he looked at the towering trees, their yellow and orange autumn leaves covering the sky. Only a few tiny spaces between the leaves allowed for a glimpse of the gray, overcast day.
Once he found his breath again, the throbbing grew milder, so he rolled over and helped himself to his feet, using the trunk of the tree next to him to bear his weight. After he stood, the blood rushed from his head and the forest spun around him. He leaned against the tree and swallowed a few times until his vision cleared. A few yards ahead he saw a speck of someone stumbling through the forest, walking his way.
“Cameron,” Ace said, “you okay?”
His brother yelled back, but his words were barely audible. Ace stumbled off the tree and began walking to meet his brother halfway. Moments later they stood face to face, searching for the others. How far away were Trilo and Easley? What about the pirates and Juneg? Not to mention, they couldn't see Sebastian or Father yet either.
Ace touched his earpiece. “Sebastian. Trilo. Anyone out there?”
Ace waited a moment but heard no response. He and Cameron looked at each other, shrugged, and kept going.
“How long ago did Trilo and Easley jump off?” Ace asked.
“I’m guessing somewhere around ten minutes before we did,” Cameron said.
Ace sighed. “They're probably miles away from us.”
Cameron glanced at Ace with a long face.
Ace touched his earpiece again. “Trilo! Sebastian! Hello?”
Nothing.
They soldiered on through the woods a few minutes, still unable to find Father and Sebastian.
“They only jumped just before us,” Cameron said. “Where could they have gone?”
“Hello?” A voice yelled from behind. Ace and Cameron turned abruptly. To their surprise a tall, male jag pirate accompanied Juneg from yards away.
“Juneg!” Ace yelled. Relief washed over him. Something about the uncertainty of the jag girl’s fate had left him uneasy. He hadn’t expected to feel so joyful when he saw her once again. He and his brother scurried to meet them. The male jag had no hair. His antlers were thick and grew upwards, curling at their tips. His wide jaw complimented his bulging muscles, as well as his high cheekbones, which popped through his skin under his mustard yellow eyes.
Ace placed a hand on Juneg’s shoulder. “Are you okay?”
Juneg nodded. “I fine. I was first to notice witches. They caught me and cast spell. I was invisible to everyone for little bit except witches and they tried to trick me to following them off train. I got lucky when your dad noticed I was missing. Witches got scared because your dad was onto them and that when they attacked.”
Ace half smiled.
“Pretty good discernment,” Cameron said.
“Yes,” Ace agreed, “But now you must’ve learned not to make it so obvious when you’re aware of witches nearby.”
“She no hunter yet,” the male jag said, “but she on her way.”
Ace glanced at him. “What's your name?”
“Borundi,” The jag said.
Ace nodded.
“Where Easley?” Juneg said.
Ace and Cameron looked at each other and backed to Juneg and Borundi. “Don’t know,” Cameron said.
“They left the train a while ago. They could be miles from us by now,” Ace said.
Juneg’s eyes moistened, though her face remained still.
“I think this was part of witches’ plan,” Juneg said. “Get us all separated and derail us from our goal.”
“Heh,” Borundi chuckled, “derail. I see what you did there. Because on train.” Everyone gave the jag a blank stare. Borundi offered a look of innocence. “What? Humor keeps people alive, alright?”
“Well,” Juneg spoke again, “We need figure out what we going to do.”
Ace looked around the woods, still no sign of Father or Sebastian. He pondered over what to do next and considered Juneg's remark. It did seem to make sense. Disband the group so they would waste time looking for each other instead of heading to Dorneg. Where they could peacefully plan their next move and figure out how to get his elyr back. His elyr was the only way he could get—
Ace’s heart tanked to his stomach. He frantically looked all about the woods. Suddenly, his head flooded with the memory of his unsettling feelings before he fled the train. They had forgotten something. Their only way at getting Julie and Tamara back! Their only chance at getting ahead of the enemy! His body shook with fury.
“Ace?” Cameron said, “You okay?”
Ace turned to his brother with fire in his eyes. He shook his head as he gritted his teeth. “They weren’t trying to disband us,” Ace said. “Juneg. The attack. All of it was a distraction. They wanted Uncle Marcus back.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Death Beasts
Why would they do all that to get your Uncle Back?” Borundi said, his eyes moving in search of his thoughts.
“Because I was right . . .” Ace said. “Uncle Marcus isn’t a parcel. He’s being controlled by a witch’s spell, and if I were to get my elyr back and break it, he could give up valuable information. The council needed to get him back before we got him to talk.”
Cameron threw his rifle down to the ground and roared in fury. “He was our only lead in finding the Peppercorns, Ace! How could you have forgotten him?”
“Me?” Ace asked. He gestured towards Borundi. “The pirates were assigned to watch him. It wasn’t my fault!”
Borundi shifted his gaze at Ace, looking with intent, but revealing no offense to his words.
Cameron marched after Ace. “But you’re leading the Israh!” He looked like a balloon being filled with too much air. “You’re supposed to
keep track of everyone!”
Ace stepped up to his older brother. “I didn’t see you looking for him either, alright?”
“Everyone,” Borundi said, lowering his hands in a slow motion, “Close your gorges, okay? It’s obvious witches had us beat this time. We were under their influence, we didn’t think about Uncle Marcus. No one fault.”
“Yeah,” Cameron said, “Except Ace would’ve been immune from their influence had he actually taken responsibility and kept himself under control. It’s because he doesn’t have the elyr that we’re stuck in this mess right now.”
Ace thought his heart might break his ribs and burst from his chest. The cold air was no match for the waves of anger pulsing in his veins. He roared and leaped after Cameron, throwing a right fist into his jaw. Cameron, caught off guard, stumbled backwards until he tripped over a root, then fell to his back. Ace went to jump on him, but the massive jag took hold of him. The boy had the sense not to fight the jag’s strength, but still had some choice words for his brother as he stumbled to his feet.
“Quit pretending like you’re the only one who cares about Julie and Tamara! Like you have all the answers! Like you could do a better job if yo
u were in my shoes!” The biting cold returned to Ace’s cheeks as a timid teardrop rolled down his cheek. “I know it’s all my fault, Cameron! Don’t you think I wish someone else would’ve been chosen for this other than me?”
Borundi patted Ace’s shoulders as he held the boy from jumping on his brother. “Settle down, ug. Everyone’s on edge right now, alright?”
Ace and Cameron stared blankly at one another. Before Ace had the chance to speak, Juneg stepped forward.
“We need head to Dorneg,” she said.
Cameron rubbed his jaw where Ace hand landed his fist. “What about the others?”
“Well,” Juneg said, “I know Easley will head for Dorneg. Any time we came out here together, we meet in city when were separated for any time.”
“What about my dad? And Sebastian?” Ace said. His voice trembling. “They don’t know what we’re doing. We can’t leave without them.”
Juneg scratched her dark hair, which had been sprawled across her shoulders like a mop and gave home to some autumn leaves. “All they have do is follow tracks,” she said. “They’re bound be heading this way anyway, searching for you as you searching for them. As of right now, we just on edge of Northwoods. Only few hour walk away from Dorneg. We won’t have much daylight to look for them, and if we spend time digging ourselves deeper into the forest, we make it more difficult get back. The beasts lurking in woods at night are not beasts you wish meet, and they only get bigger and more frightening further we travel.”
“All the more reason to look for them now,” Ace said.
Juneg shook her head. “We only put ourselves at risk and do very little for your friends. Wherever they are, Easley can guide Trilo back Dorneg, this I am sure. If we lucky, they will pick up your father and Sebastian along the way. If we arrive in city and are not met by Easley, Trilo, and others, we can send for help. Dorneg is home to many chasers.”
“Chasers?” Borundi asked.
Juneg nodded at the large jag. “Chasers hunt beasts of Northwoods for sport. They know what they doing and can offer a helping hand to us to find our friends.”