I turned away, unable to answer. I felt guilty enough as it was without the threat of that possibility hanging over my head. I had been ordered to shut down the portal on the World Tree. But even though I had managed, too many zombies made it through before I could do so. Now, they were ravaging the town and killing off the citizens. The Devani, by order of the Regent, had closed off the borders. No one was allowed in or out. In other words, I had totally fucked things up because I had been too slow. Or too ineffectual. It all came down to the same end.
Without answering, I stood and headed back to the tent I shared with Tam.
Last word we had on Seattle had been that the Devani were pouring into the streets, searching for the zombies who were working their way through the crowds. The military had locked down the borders. I remembered hearing a hazy report that the Regent was considering leveling the city if they couldn’t put a stop to the walking dead. Tam’s people in UnderBarrow would survive. The Fae had a way of phasing out when they wanted to retire from the world. And the Elder Gods would survive. But everything else…everyone else…
“What’s wrong?” Tam motioned for me to sit down. He had built a secondary fire, smaller than the main one, near our tent, and was roasting some sort of bird over it. The smell of cooking meat made my stomach rumble.
Weary, I lowered myself to the log and crawled beneath the blanket he held out, so that we were both huddling beneath it. I rested my head on his shoulder.
“Just thinking about Seattle. I wonder what’s going on. For all we know, the government has destroyed the city by now.”
He shook his head. “We would know if they had. Trust me, please. I don’t think they’re going to be so quick to level it, Fury. There’s too much for the government to lose. Too much wealth, too many important contacts for the Conglomerate.”
“So, what do we do now?” I was starting to fall asleep in his arms. Between his body heat, the flames of the fire, and the blanket, I was starting to doze. “I have no clue where to turn next.”
“I’m sure we’ll figure it out. Come now, eat something and then we’ll go to bed. Morning will come early. Whether Jason thinks so or not, we’re headed the right direction. Bend is too dangerous right now.” With that, he slid out from beneath the blanket, then handed me a camp plate with a leg and thigh of the bird in it. I ate, then Tam led me to the tent, where we crawled inside. He popped out again, returning with a pan of hot rocks from the fire. He slid them beneath the blankets and the extra warmth was all it took for me to start crashing.
As I snuggled in Tam’s arms, my last waking thought was how grateful I was that I had taken a chance on him.
Halfway through the next day I began to notice something odd about the sky. I squinted up at it, wondering what the difference was. Even the snow seemed odd. But my fear of the forest was slowly diminishing as we traveled. We were silent, our only sounds the crunching of feet through the heavy snow. We were trying not to attract attention to ourselves, and the steady flurries muted my desire to talk.
I had finally slipped on a pair of tights and a pair of blousy pants from Elan’s stash. I couldn’t get to my whip because of the pants, but days slogging through the icy chill had left me desperate. I pulled the cloak Tam had given me close around my shoulders. Below it, I was wearing a jacket, and I had finally belted Xan’s sheath to my waist, holding the cloak snug.
Luckily, the hem only reached my knees, which made wading through the snow a little easier. At least most of us were wading.
Tam, Elan, and Laren were skimming the top of the frozen crust. They barely left footprints, and seemed to blend into the scenery. One moment I’d notice them, and the next, it would be as though they had faded into the landscape around us.
“How do you do that?” I glanced up at Tam, who was traversing the snow beside me.
“Natural ability. We’re born to run swiftly and lightly. We have an easier time crossing water as well, and mud, but we can’t pass through fire unscathed.” He reached down, waggling his fingers at me, and I reached up to touch them, falling silent once more.
We had traveled a good share of the day before Elan paused. She turned, motioning for the rest of us to wait, then after a hurried conversation with Laren, she took off running. He glanced back at us, shaking his head.
“Wait. We’re either in trouble, or we’re about to have a spot of luck.”
“That leaves the field wide open.” Jason brushed off a boulder and sat down. I wasn’t sure if he was exasperated or just tired. Most likely the latter.
Jason was a natural-born leader and he liked being in charge. As a hawk-shifter, he preferred to keep an overview of the situation. Me? I was used to following orders—at least from Hecate—and I accepted that I wasn’t capable of guiding anybody through the labyrinth of trees and paths that made up the Wild Wood. So I was content to do as I was told.
While we waited, I kept an eye on the thick undergrowth that spread out on both sides of the trail. The horses were restive, scuffing the ground with their hooves, and the very air seemed charged. I let out a slow breath, closing my eyes.
Queet, are you around? I was hoping against hope that the spirit who was bound to me would be there. To my surprise, he answered.
I’m here, Fury. I bring news from Hecate. I was going to contact you once you took a break.
We appear to be taking a break now. Are you all right? What’s going on?
The Peninsula of the Gods is closed to all entry. The gods are discussing their next move. Hecate bade me find you and let you know that she has been tracking you. Your necklace allows her to follow your journey.
My necklace? I reached up to touch the golden “F” that hung off the chain around my throat. She had given it to me long ago, but I had no idea she could track me through it. Whatever the case, I’m glad she knows how to find me. I’ve been feeling strangely alone and it scares me.
Before Queet could answer, Tam leaped down in the tracks I left behind me and spun me around, pulling me close. He glanced over in the direction where Queet was drifting as a pale whirl of mist. “Hello, Queet. I know you’re there.”
Queet let out a huff, and then, still in whisper-speak, said, And I know you’re there, Lord Tam. I’m still getting used to your title. I’m surprised you never told us before that you are the Prince of UnderBarrow.
Tam let out a soft laugh and joined us in the soft language of spirits and Theosians. Would you have treated me differently had you known?
Probably.
At least you’re honest. So hail, fair spirit, and what is happening back home? I do not fear for UnderBarrow, not yet, but it seems so very far away right now and I confess, I miss it.
Tam let out a slow breath. He had left his people behind because he was afraid the chip that the Devani had implanted in him might bring them into UnderBarrow and that would have been a very bloody situation. Now that the chip was out of his arm, that problem was moot.
There are so many rumors that it’s hard to make sense of them all. I’d rather not tell you in case they’re only that. I’ll ask Hecate what news I can give you. Meanwhile, she asked that I warn you. Aboms are still coming in off the World Tree. Without you there to hunt them down, Fury, they’re vanishing into the city and beyond. She also insisted that you not feel guilty about this. This isn’t a situation that can be avoided right now.
And with that, Queet swirled around me. Do you have anything you want to tell her?
I tried to think. So far, our escape had mostly been one big blur.
Tell her we’re alive and well, so far. I miss having her near. I don’t know what to do after we reach Verdanya. As much as I hate to admit it, I’m frightened.
I know you are. I’ll tell her what you said. But for now, focus on staying out of trouble. And Fury? Be grateful you’re not in the city right now. You’re safer here.
Before I could answer, Queet was gone. That was one of the first times Queet had sounded worried for me. He didn’t like being b
ound as my spirit guide, but like me—he didn’t have much of a choice. We got on together, even though he tended to whine a lot. Lately, he’d been a lot better about keeping his bellyaching to himself. Either that, or he was getting used to the work.
I glanced at Tam, who traced his fingers along my cheek. “I wish we could go home.”
“So do I, love. So do I. But it isn’t safe right now. I’m afraid that Seattle’s troubles are just beginning.” He leaned down to kiss me, and the warmth of his kiss, the faint hints of apple and cinnamon that flowed through his veins, entwined around me, comforting me as his tongue met mine. He ran his hand over my ass. A moment later, we broke apart as Elan returned.
She whispered in Laren’s ear and he nodded. Then, they turned to the rest of us.
“We’re going to stop at a village up ahead,” she said. “There, we can eat and sleep. Tomorrow, they’ll lead us to Eleveanor, a Woodland Fae encampment. From there, we can plan on our journey to Verdanya.”
“What village?” Tam asked. “Who runs it? Humans?”
She shook her head. “No, this is why I went ahead to talk to them first. We’re headed to Wyfair, a village of Frostlings.”
A hush settled over our group. I glanced at Tam. His smile had vanished, replaced by a cautious look.
“The Frostlings? We are near one of their villages?” He crossed his arms. “They can be dangerous, you know.”
“I know,” Elan said. “But I talked to their Guardian and I sense no deception. He said he’ll recommend to their Alezakai—that’s their name for the village leader—that she allow us safe passage. Since the Guardian’s decisions usually heavily influence the Alezakai, I think they’ll let us in. But mind you, be cautious. Don’t do anything stupid. Don’t touch anything, speak to anyone, or do anything that could remotely be considered an act of aggression. And no fires. Fury, make sure your whip is covered and watch your sword.”
I nodded. To be safe, I’d make certain to draw neither my sword nor its matching dagger.
“I’ll keep my fire under wraps.” I could understand how threatening it would seem to a group of Frostlings, even though they were powerful enough to freeze me into a Popsicle.
Frostlings were ice spirits. A cross between ancient Fae spirits—Woodland Fae, most likely—and ice elementals, they somehow managed to transcend both worlds and form a new being that was both corporeal and yet caught within that mystical frozen framework of natural energy that magicians and witches worked with. There were rumors that Gaia had birthed them during the Weather Wars. Legend had it that she had taken some of her favorite Faefolk and transformed them to survive the ravages she put the planet through during the initial years of the World Shift.
Once, the world had been in a global warming pattern, headed toward a disastrous end. But when Gaia woke up, all that ended in one massive storm that she unleashed across the planet. For decades, the world had weathered through her anger, and then slowly, out of the destruction and chaos, it had emerged, stronger than before, and very much changed.
I had never seen a Frostling before. They didn’t come into the cities. But I had heard of them. They were supposedly connected to the Greenlings—Gaia’s henchmen in tree form—but I wasn’t sure how accurate that was.
“If they have offered to give us a chance to rest, we will graciously accept.” Tam frowned. “But stay alert, and as Elan said, mind your manners. We would not win a fight with them, regardless of how much magic we have or how many weapons we carry.”
As we set off following Elan, off trail into the deeper snow, I hoped we wouldn’t have to find out who was the stronger.
Half an hour later, we had come out of thick forest, and were standing at the edge of Wyfair. As I stared into the clearing, I wondered how long this village had been here. Did it exist in the summer? That seemed unlikely, but how could it have been built so fast if it were new? And where did the Frostlings go when the warm weather came?
The houses looked to be sculpted out of crystal. Their walls were smooth and gleaming, and I thought they were transparent. But as we approached, I realized that the shimmering reflections weren’t see-through, but more like a mirrored surface. Whether they were glass or not, I couldn’t tell, and I didn’t want to start touching things without permission.
The houses wound around and through the clearing. It was difficult to tell what was a shop and what was a house, for they all looked the same except for one structure, which was built out of hewn logs. A cabin, albeit a large one. No chimney rose from the roof, and the path up to the door was iced over. Elan motioned for us to follow as she headed toward it.
Everywhere, the trees glistened with snow, and icicles hung off of every eave of every house. I glanced down at my feet and thought I saw something darting around my boots, but when I looked again, there was nothing there.
Not trusting my senses, I knelt to examine the crusted frost, and when I did, I could see tiny creatures that looked like forest animals, the size of small birds, darting across the expanse. They were hard to catch a glimpse of, but when I squinted, I could just see them. They were made out of the snow and ice, and yet they were running and playing.
Catching my breath, I stood up cautiously and turned—again, very carefully—to Elan. “There are tiny creatures in the snow. Will we hurt them if we walk across it?”
“No, they’ll reform if you accidentally step on them. They don’t feel pain. They’re spirits and they gather the snow for their bodies. When they’re crushed or hurt, they simply shed the construct and create a new one. They’re called glacians.” Elan smiled at me. “Don’t worry, Fury. You won’t harm anything by walking to the cabin.”
As we stepped into the clearing and headed toward the cabin, the Frostlings began to appear. They swept silently past, stately forms frozen in ice, their features chiseled and angular, their skin smooth like glass. Bipedal, they wore no fabric clothing and yet, it looked as though they were wearing long dresses and old-fashioned trousers and tunics. They moved fluidly, as though they were skin and bone like the rest of us.
Montran and Tymbur looked uncomfortable. Jason was focused on everything, his gaze darting in all directions as we crossed the clearing, which was apparently the town square. However, Greta and Hans seemed right at home.
Greta let out a soft peal of laughter. “This is how I envision life being like in Bifrost. One day, I would like to visit my ancestor’s homeland.”
Hans nodded. “We’ll go. We should make the pilgrimage anyway. I’m hoping that Thor will have a reason to send me at some point.” He stretched, his burly form looking vastly out of place in the delicate fragility of this world.
We navigated across the slippery surface to the log cabin and Elan led us in. As she shut the door behind us, I became aware that it was warm, even though there was no hearth, no fire, and no visible means of heat. I doubted that they had electricity out here in the Wild Wood. The cabin was one large room, with two doors leading off the back. I peeked to see where they led. One exited to the outside, the other to a small, functioning bathroom. The water coming out of the tap was heated as well. Before anybody could shoo me out, I used the facilities, then stood washing my hands under the steaming water to warm myself up.
“You get lost in there? I need to take a piss,” Hans said, knocking on the door.
I washed my face one more time, then slipped out and left it to the others. Shedding my cloak and jacket, I stretched out in one of the chairs. It was surprisingly soft, and my eyes began to close. Constant movement through the cold forest had left me sore, and tired, and ready for a nap. But Elan tapped me on the shoulder.
“Come help me lay out supper.”
With a sigh, I hoisted my ass out of the chair and followed her over to the table. A large box on a nearby chair was filled with bread and cheese, cold-weather fruits and honey. A pitcher on a nearby sideboard contained sparkling wine. The fragrance of winter mint and honey wafted up from the pale amber liquid. I sliced the bread while
Elan spread cheese on it. Laren was setting out the plates—wide planks of wood with a concave center resembling shallow bowls.
“Do we get to meet them? The Frostlings?” It seemed rude to take advantage of their hospitality without thanking them. Besides, I wanted to ask if they knew anything about Seattle.
“The Guardian will visit us after we’ve had a chance to eat. Among Fae, and I include the Frostlings in this, it’s considered rude to bother your guests with small talk or questions until they’ve had a chance to clean up and break their fast.” She handed me a platter of the bread and cheese. “Can you set this on the other end of the table?”
As I carried the food to the opposite end, my head went fuzzy and I felt like I was going to pass out, but it vanished the next moment. Too much stress, too little sleep, and too much change in so little of a time. I paused for a moment, then went back to helping set out food. By the time we finished, everybody had cleaned up and gathered around the table.
I felt as though we were being watched. I noticed nobody had much to say and wondered if they were also feeling the same thing.
“Do you feel like we’re being…” I paused, not sure if it was wise to say what I was wondering aloud.
Tam picked up on what I was thinking. “We are. So eat, drink your wine but not too much of it, and speak of nothing important.”
I gave him a quick look and went back to my cheese and bread.
Across the table from me, Jason had managed to finagle a seat next to Elan. He was sweet on her, that much I knew, and she seemed to like him but I wasn’t sure just how much she reciprocated his feelings. Jason’s fiancée, Eileen, had been murdered not quite two months before, but he seemed to be settling into life without her.
I had always envied Eileen. Until recently, I had been nursing a case of unrequited love but Jason hadn’t shown any signs of returning the feeling. When Eileen died, my crush on him had come to a screeching halt. It became crystal clear that whether or not she was in the picture, he only saw me as a friend. It was only then that Tam had made his move and swept me off my feet, and I realized that my crush on Jason had only been infatuation.
Fury Awakened (Fury Unbound Book 3) Page 3