Outbreak

by Annabel Chase

  Armitage tilted his head back in exasperation. “Absolutely not. That’s even worse. We need to find another avenue of information. If we can find something more concrete, then we can move against them. Right now, we don’t know enough.”

  “What about Gray?” I asked. “He was with me. Would he agree with that?”

  “He does,” Armitage said.

  I fell silent. I knew Gray was every bit as desperate to find Bryn as I was. If he didn’t support going back to the Liberty Project yet, then neither would I.

  “What about an oracle?” I finally asked. “Robin said the local ones are on vacation, but there must be some other divination expert we can try. Peter?” I tried not to sound too hopeful.

  Peter lit up. “Yes, I know someone.”

  Warden Armitage rolled his eyes. “Of course you do, Zilla. You’ve got more contacts than an agent.”

  “That’s what happens when you’re attractive and charming.” Peter winked at the warden. “You should try it sometime.”

  “You think she’s as good as the oracle here?” I asked.

  “Yes, she’s really good,” Peter said. “The only downside is she’s in Terrene.”

  “She’s human?” Armitage asked.

  “No, she’s one of us,” he replied. “But she has a healthy business in the human world.”

  “I take it she has a way of avoiding detection there,” Armitage said.

  “Naturally,” Peter said. “She….”

  Armitage placed his hands over his ears. “Don’t tell me, Zilla. I can’t know these things.”

  Peter grinned. “Sorry.” He turned back to me. “When do you think you’ll feel ready enough to see her?”

  I moved my neck from side to side and hopped off the table. “How about now?”

  Peter’s jaw dropped open. “Now?”

  “You fixed me up nicely,” I said.

  “Dani, you were nearly killed,” Peter objected.

  “And now I’m nearly healed, thanks to two skilled druids.” I leaned forward and kissed him quickly on the lips.

  “I’ll sit this one out,” Armitage said. “If you’re visiting a rule-breaking diviner in Terrene, I can’t know any details.”

  “I’ll let you know what we find out,” I said.

  “I think we should at least get you something to eat and drink first,” Peter said.

  “Do I look like Bryn to you?” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I felt a pang of guilt. Here we were kissing and joking, while the gods knew what awful things were happening to Bryn. Or had already happened. I shuddered.

  “I think you should have a power nap first,” Peter said. “Go back to your room and I’ll meet you there in an hour. It’ll give me time to make the arrangements.”

  I relented. If he needed the time anyway, then I might as well take advantage of the hour. An image of Bryn filled my head and I squeezed my eyes closed, willing her to disappear. I didn’t want to imagine what she was going through. It was too much.

  “Are you sure you’re all right, princess?” Peter asked softly.

  “I will be,” I said. “As soon as we find Bryn.”

  Determination flashed in Peter’s eyes. “Yeah.”

  I managed to sleep for almost an hour before Clementine poked me awake with her paw. I rolled toward her and was jolted into full consciousness thanks to her potent tuna breath.

  “Seriously, Clementine,” I said. “Can’t you designate rose petals and honeysuckle as your breakfast of choice?”

  My familiar purred, clearly satiated by her morning meal. You need to see Peter’s oracle, she said. Your dreams were full of fear.

  Although I didn’t remember any of them, I had no doubt Clementine was telling the truth. I dropped down from the bed and padded over to the closet to get ready.

  Mia glanced at me from her desk. “You did not sleep soundly, let me just put that out there, but I’m glad you’re okay.”

  “I heard Gray carried you to Alana’s,” Cerys said. “You must’ve been really hurt.”

  “I’m fine,” I said. “I’m going to see an oracle in Terrene now, so hopefully we’ll have a fresh lead.”

  “You shouldn’t go alone,” Mia said. “Cerys and I will go, too.”

  A quiet knock on the window alerted me to his arrival. “Thanks, but I’m not going alone,” I said.

  The window slid up and Peter appeared. “You ready, princess?”

  “I’ll meet you at the gateway,” I said. “I’m not climbing out the window.”

  Peter grinned at Mia and Cerys. “See? She’s pure princess.”

  “I don’t know,” Mia said, flipping back the covers. “You haven’t seen her in lessons. Nothing about her magic says princess to me. More like badass empress. I think the Board of Regents is ready to put her in a time-out.”

  “It’s not a time-out,” I said. “They only want me to have a few counseling sessions.” I still thought the whole thing was unnecessary. My professors just weren’t used to me flexing my magical muscles.

  “You’ll be glad that you did,” Cerys said. “Alana is the best.”

  “I can’t worry about myself right now,” I said. “Not when Bryn’s life is on the line.”

  No one argued with that.

  “Cerys and I are going to see if we can find other information about the three Samodivas,” Mia said. “There has to be more out there than their representation by the Liberty Project. They weren’t born yesterday.”

  “Good idea,” I said. “Peter, I’ll meet you at the gateway in five minutes. I need to use the bathroom first.”

  Peter’s brow lifted. “You haven’t showered? Because I can help you with that. I’m very thorough. All the ladies say so.”

  I chucked one of Clementine’s toys at his head and it bounced off his forehead. “Wait for me at the gateway.”

  Ten minutes later, I hurried out of the building. Peter hovered in front of the gateway, his hands thrust into his pockets. There was a brief moment before he noticed me that I was able to observe him unawares. Despite his Death Bringer side, the druid had a sweetness about him that seemed at odds with his swaggering, aggrandizing self. And seeing him at his mother’s house had ignited feelings in me I didn’t even know I was capable of. For the first time in my life, I glimpsed a life that was more than awards and accolades—one that involved someone aside from me. It was both unsettling and thrilling.

  “Do we need to go for supplies first?” I asked. For the local oracle, we needed to load up on supplies from a Terrene liquor store.

  Peter smirked. “Have you forgotten who you’re talking to? I know how to prep for an oracle visit.” He shook his head. “And you think I’m good for nothing.”

  My expression softened. “Peter, I would never think that about you.”

  “My mom really liked you, by the way,” he said. “No surprise there.”

  “She’s lovely,” I said. “I can see where you get your charm.”

  He raised a finger. “A-ha! You admit that I’m charming.”

  I grabbed his finger and kissed the tip of it. “I’ve always been willing to admit that much.”

  “Kind of hard to argue with, really,” he said. “It’s a shame the local oracle is unavailable. I was looking forward to using my masculine wiles on them.”

  “You wouldn’t have to charm them,” I said. “They’re pretty astute with or without attempts to win them over.”

  He pretended to wipe his brow. “Phew. Frankly, I could use the break. My charm offensive can take its toll.”

  “Did you bring your car?” I asked. I assumed we’d drive across the border into Terrene.

  “No, we’re not dealing with the Order of the Edge today.”

  “Why not?” I asked.

  “Because we just spent time in Terrene recently when we went to Vegas and we don’t know how many more times we’ll need to visit to help Bryn.”

  I understood. We needed to preserve our number or we risked ending up on probatio
n like the Samodivas. I wasn’t even a Sentry of the South yet. I had to imagine a violation like that would be a black mark against me. The best didn’t have black marks of any kind and I wanted to be the best. No, not wanted. I had to be.

  “So, you’ve planned a back door entrance?” I asked. Thanks to his career as a smuggler, Peter had all sorts of secret entrances into Terrene and other realms.

  “As a matter of fact, I have,” he said. He crooked a finger and beckoned me forward. “I don’t have my car, but I do have a mode of transport for us.”

  “But we’re not driving it to Terrene?”

  “Nope.”

  I walked alongside him and we passed Mercer Lake on our right. In front of a towering oak tree up ahead, I spotted a pink scooter with matching helmets. My lips melted into a smile.

  “Your chariot awaits,” Peter said, gesturing to the scooter.

  “You bought this?” I asked.

  “I bartered for it,” he said. “You’d be amazed what a bottle of Terrene grapefruit vodka can get you here.”

  After we’d departed Las Vegas, Peter and I had returned to our world and rented a pink scooter in order to drop in on a satyr in a sleepy town on the west coast. He clearly harbored a lingering affection for it.

  “If we’re trying to lay low,” I began, “this may not be our best bet.”

  “We’re only taking it to the secret entrance to Terrene,” he said. “Then we’re on foot.”

  “Got it.” I hopped on and strapped on the helmet.

  Peter motioned me back. “I’m driving this time, princess. I’ve been practicing.”

  I laughed. “Practicing?”

  He slid onto the seat. “I don’t want to give you any reason to doubt my ability to take care of you.”

  I sighed. “I don’t need you to take care of me, Peter. I can take care of myself.”

  “I know,” he said, putting on his helmet. “I just want to show you that I’m you’re equal and I’m worthy of you. You’d never settle for someone who wasn’t able to be a partner in life, would you?”

  No, he was right. I wouldn’t. “You know me better than I know myself.” I wrapped my arms around his torso and settled against his back. The gesture felt more comforting than I expected. “Now, let’s go eat some casserole, or whatever happens at your oracle’s house.”

  Peter’s diviner lived in a neighborhood that seemed to be outlined by one long, white picket fence. Every lawn was neatly trimmed and the cars in the driveways looked freshly washed. As we walked down the sidewalk, we passed kids playing basketball in one of the driveways and another group running through a sprinkler on a front lawn.

  “Are you sure there won’t be casserole?” I asked. “Because this reminds me of the oracle’s cul-de-sac.

  “No casserole. Spiderwoman isn’t a casserole kind of chick,” Peter said.

  “Her name is Spiderwoman?” I asked. “Is she a spider shifter?”

  “No, it’s not because of what she is,” Peter replied. “It’s because of what she does.”

  “And what is that?”

  “She’s a web spinner,” he replied.

  I’d heard of web spinners, but only as part of childhood tales. “How did you find her?”

  He cracked a grin. “I may have met her during a job.”

  “She hired you?”

  “Not exactly.” His answer was vague enough that I decided I probably didn’t want to know any more details.

  “Do I call her Spiderwoman or does she have an actual name?”

  Peter laughed. “Ariadne, if you can believe it.” He stopped in front of number twenty-two. “Here we are.”

  The wraparound porch was idyllic. A swing beckoned from the left corner and two cheerful yellow planters flanked the wooden door. The doormat read—Welcome. Beware of wife. Husband is also shady. Dogs are cool. I shot a quizzical look at Peter.

  “She’s married?”

  He squinted. “Why wouldn’t she be?”

  “I don’t know.” Maybe because I’d originally pictured an old crone with a walking stick and a scary haunted house full of cobwebs.

  He pressed the doorbell and the sound of barking dogs filled the air. The front door flew open, and a man ushered us inside.

  “Come in before they bolt,” he said, quickly shutting the door behind us.

  The two dogs were small and white. They immediately began sniffing our feet and giving us curious looks. It was only when I glanced up that I realized the man had a baby strapped to his chest.

  “Hey, Peter. Good to see you again,” the man said. “You must be Dani. I’m Mike Lahaska and this is our son, Liam.”

  “Nice to meet you,” I said. “Thanks for your help on such short notice.”

  “I’m not the helper,” he said. “That’s my wife.” A little girl in a purple tutu appeared on the staircase behind him.

  “Company?” she asked. Her eyes grew round at the sight of Peter. “The funny man is here.” She raced down the steps and tackled his legs.

  “Hey, Kiki,” Peter said. He ruffled her light brown hair. “How are the dance moves coming along?”

  “Great!” Kiki jumped over a few feet and began to demonstrate.

  Peter gave me a knowing look. “That’s called flossing.”

  “My recital is this weekend,” Kiki said.

  “There’s no flossing in the recital,” her father added. “It’s ballet.”

  Kiki pulled a face. “Ballet is boring.”

  “Only if you make it boring,” Peter said.

  “Kiki, can you take our guests to see Mommy?” Mike asked. “I need to put Liam down for his nap.”

  Kiki grabbed Peter by the hand and tugged him forward. “She’s downstairs. I’m not allowed to disturb her when she’s down there.” She led us to a door painted cobalt blue. A hand-printed sign read—Mom Cave. Enter at own risk.

  I felt a presence at my feet and realized the dogs were following us.

  “Are they allowed downstairs?” I asked.

  “No,” Kiki said. She crouched down and wagged a finger at the dogs. “Stay back.” She stood and turned to open the door. “This is as far as I can go. Open the yellow door.”

  “You’re a wonderful escort, Kiki,” Peter said. “Keep up the good work.”

  She beamed and stepped aside to herd the dogs. Peter and I descended the staircase and I heard the soft click of the door behind us. At the bottom of the stairs, there was a landing with two doors—one yellow and one black. Peter didn’t knock. He simply turned the knob on the yellow door and pushed it open. Loud music pulsed and I fought the instinct to cover my ears.

  Peter cast a sidelong glance at me. “Did I mention she has excellent taste in music?”

  Ariadne was upside down on a cushioned mat, supporting herself with only her hands. Her legs were folded inward and her eyes were closed. “Let the song finish,” she said, without opening her eyes.

  Peter bobbed his head up and down to the music while we waited. “You don’t like Led Zeppelin?” He pretended to play a guitar. “Immigrant Song is legendary.”

  “Never heard of it,” I said.

  When the song ended, Ariadne flipped onto her feet and straight into a standing position. Tight brown curls covered her head and she wore black sweatpants with a pink T-shirt that stated—bitches get shit done. The Lahaska family seemed to be big fans of phrases. I’d bet even their pillows had expressions stitched onto the fabric.

  “Peter Zilla, you monster,” Ariadne said, smiling broadly. “This must be your precious princess.” She looked me up and down. “Has anyone told you she’s above your pay grade?”

  “I tell myself that every day,” Peter replied.

  “I’m Dani,” I said. “Thank you for agreeing to see us.”

  “I’d never deprive Kiki of an opportunity to see Peter,” Ariadne said. “That’s a code red crush situation.”

  Peter offered the smuggest shrug in the history of shrugs. “The girl has a bright future. She’s alread
y shown she has impeccable taste.”

  “Why don’t we step into my office?” Ariadne suggested. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to help you, but, as Peter knows, I make no promises.”

  “This isn’t your office?” I asked.

  She jerked her thumb. “Black door.” She grabbed a bottle of water from a nearby table and marched out of the room. “We need to hustle. Kiki has ballet practice in less than an hour and it’s my turn to take her.”

  We crossed the landing and Ariadne popped open the black door. The room was steeped in darkness and I took a hesitant step forward. A light finally came on, illuminating the room. At first glance, it looked like another exercise room with a stationery bicycle in the corner of the room. The ceiling was surprisingly high for the lower level of a house, much higher than the room with the yellow door.

  Ariadne climbed onto the bike. “You know the drill, Peter.”

  Peter closed the door.

  “You’re going to ride a bike?” I asked.

  “You’ve never been to spin class?” Ariadne asked. She rolled her eyes. “What am I asking? Look at you. Of course you haven’t. Maybe after a couple of kids, you’ll give it a try, but you probably have good genes.” She groaned. “The universe can be so unfair.”

  I bit my tongue. I wasn’t often accused of having good genes.

  “Don’t be hard on yourself, Ariadne,” Peter said. “You look awesome.”

  “And you’re a doll,” Ariadne replied. “And a liar, too, but I’ll take it.” She leaned forward and began to pedal slowly. “So, what’s the burning question?”

  Peter gestured to me. “Dani is trying to find a missing friend.”

  “Okay, cool,” Ariadne said. “Make sure your question is as specific as possible and stick to a single one. If it’s a multi-part question, that usually clouds the answer.”

  I took a moment to collect my thoughts. I was tempted to ask for the responsible party, but ultimately decided it was more important to pinpoint her location. “Where can I find Bryn Morrow right now?”

  Ariadne’s gaze was intense. “That’s your question? You’re certain?”

  I shot a quick glance at Peter and he nodded. “Yes,” I said.

  “Got it,” she said. “Don’t be alarmed. It’s about to get loud and dark.”