As Patrice curtseyed again and vanished, I wrapped my hair in a towel, then leaned back in the still-steaming water and closed my eyes. So much had happened in the past nine months. It felt like forever.
MY NAME IS Fury. Actually, it’s Kaeleen Donovan, but there are days I almost forget I ever wore that name. I’m a Theosian—a minor goddess. When Gaia rained down her anger over how her body was being tormented, she stirred up a shit storm of magic, some of which permanently became embedded in areas of land. One of those places is the Sandspit—a two-hundred-acre wasteland in the city of Seattle where rogue magic wanders in the guise of clouds, permanently changing anybody it hits.
When Gaia struck the industrial district, creating the Sandspit, the very first World Tree rose from the ashes, a hundred-foot-tall oak, rising out of a crater almost as deep, and on this oak, doors to different realms and dimensions appeared. Creatures of all sorts came streaming through, including the Abominations who come from the realm of Pandoriam. Hecate trained me to hunt them—it’s one of my natural abilities, and that’s what I did until recently, when—battered and bruised—Seattle fell and we had to flee.
Anyway, one night my mother, Marlene, was taking a shortcut through the Sandspit. She was on her way home from the Metalworks, tired and pregnant with me, when she was hit by a patch of rogue magic. Boom, my DNA was changed and I was born a Theosian. There are a number of us, and we’re all mutants. We aren’t human any longer, but our own separate race, yet all incredibly different. My powers came in flame and fire, and so I was bound to Hecate, the Elder Goddess of the Crossroads. I belong to her, forever, until this life passes.
Long story short, the government fell into a corporatocracy, ruled over by ruthless, greedy men. But a magical society rose, one bent on engendering as much anarchy into the world order as possible. They’re known as the Order of the Black Mist, and they are a worldwide threat, seeking to yank open the portal on the World Tree leading to the Elder Gods of Chaos. If they manage it, life will become problematic, and Gaia will go to war again. I was after Lyon, the leader of the local Order of the Black Mist, but things got out of hand and he helped engineer the fall of Seattle. We haven’t worked out how to stop them yet. But time is ticking, and if they find the portal before we put a stop to them, then all bets are off.
FINALLY WARM, I toweled dry and asked Patrice to braid my hair back. I had recovered fully from all the injuries that I had sustained in our flight from Seattle, but still bore a few of the scars. They paled in the brilliance of the tattoos that marked the milestones in my life with Hecate. Along my left leg, trailing down the outer thigh and calf, was a flaming whip, and when I needed a weapon, all I had to do was slap my hand against the handle and the whip came off my leg, ready to use. A quick slap against my leg and it returned to its inked state on my skin. Hecate had inked it on me herself, the night she branded me with my name.
My neck tattoo—three entwined snakes on my neck—came much earlier, when I reached puberty. It was almost like a baptism, even though I had been bound to her shortly after my birth. And the third, an ornate F in the middle of a heart with flames trailing off each side, rested against my tailbone. Hecate had given it to me six months ago, when I made a choice that seemed more difficult than it was, actually.
I had always been fit—sturdy and muscled. I had to be, given how strenuous hunting down Aboms could be, but after six months of a highly rigorous training schedule I now felt hard and chiseled. I was still solid, but I could move like the wind and I could bring down an opponent three times my size.
I slipped into my clothes—the green plaid skirt was mid-thigh length, leaving my leg free so I could easily get to my whip. The tank top was a V-neck and it was a loose gauzy cotton. I slipped on my shoes as Patrice entered the room again, carrying a tray with my coffee, a couple of rolls, a small round of aged cheddar, and a bowl of mixed berries. Most of our food was simple, but hearty and nutritious.
We had—and by “we” I mean the village—had tilled about five acres of land in a clearing. The herbalists spent a lot of energy infusing the soil with elemental earth energy, charging it so that the crops were growing huge and bountiful.
“Lord Tam is requesting your presence at a meeting in thirty minutes,” Patrice said, dipping into a quick curtsey. We kept clocks from the outer world in UnderBarrow, to keep track of the relative time, since the days moved differently inside a Fae Barrow.
“Oh?” I hadn’t seen him since breakfast. As Lord of UnderBarrow, he had a great many responsibilities, especially with the establishment of the village. We spent most nights together, and we tried to eat dinner and breakfast together, and we claimed half a day once a week, but some days were more problematic than others.
“Apparently, the runners brought news and he’s called a meeting of the Sea-Council.” Patrice kept her ear to the ground a lot. She was an excellent maid-slash-spy.
“Really?” I nibbled on one of the rolls, slicing a piece of cheese to go with it. We had formed the Sea-Council after settling Willow Wood. Most of us had been forced out of Seattle during the zombie invasion, though we had added a few members since then. Tam, me, Jason, Elan, Laren, Hans, Greta, Kendall, and Tyrell were all members, as well as Sarinka—a healer from Seattle who had joined us. We also invited Damh Varias to join. He was Tam’s main advisor. We hadn’t met for about a month, so if runners had brought news, Lyon was probably on the move again and we needed to find out why.
“I assume that Hecate, Thor, and Freya have been notified?” The Elder Gods didn’t always sit in on our meetings, but we made sure they were always informed about whatever we learned.
“Yes, milady, I believe so.” Patrice finished tidying up after my bath. “Is there anything else you require?”
“Have you seen my notebook?” During the past six months, we had had to learn to do without technology. The cell towers were faulty and few and far between, and all our lovely gadgets were so much flotsam and jetsam. But we had concentrated a few raids specifically on things like paper products of all sorts, and anything that didn’t require electricity to work. We were set for a number of years and by the time we ran out of scavenged goods, we’d be firmly set up to carry on. At least, we hoped we would.
“Here it is, along with your pencils.” She handed them to me.
I slipped them into my tote bag and slung it over my shoulder. Purses were useless out here, but a good leather tote was a goddess-send. “All right, I guess I’m ready. I’ll be back later—I don’t know if we’ll go straight in to dinner afterward. It depends on how long our meeting runs.” And with that, I headed out.
AS I ENTERED the council chamber, I saw that Jason had arrived early, along with Elan. They were finding their way as a couple, and they seemed to be doing well. Jason and I had a rough spot that lasted a couple months when I discovered that he had had an affair with my mother before I was born, but we had gotten past it. Although things were different, we were back on steady ground as friends.
Tam rose, holding out his arms. The Prince of UnderBarrow looked more in his element than ever. The Wild Wood agreed with him, even though he missed his beloved computers and gadgets. Tall and lanky, he was sinuous, and the Bonny Fae charm oozed out of him. His hair was a mass of raven curls that tumbled down his back, and his eyes were silver, ringed with black. He had an exotic look, almost alien, but it only heightened his sex appeal.
I took his hands and he planted a firm but decorous kiss on my lips. We were cautious about our public displays of affection, taking care never to overstep the boundaries of what was acceptable among the Bonny Fae. Tam’s people were very sexual, but never sloppy.
“Love, how was your day?” He led me to the chair next to his and held it for me.
“Hard. Hecate is really pushing me, but I’m making progress. It’s amazing what I can do now with the fire. Tomorrow morning, she says she’s got a special surprise for me. I’m not sure whether to be excited or scared.” I laughe
d, then took my seat.
Jason and Elan were listening, and Jason winked. He had taken care of me as I grew up, after I landed on his doorstep when a serial killer murdered my mother. A hawk-shifter, he had owned a magic shop back in Seattle. We had plundered everything we could from it when we left and he had set up an apothecary shop in the village. Dream Wardens might not be the same size or scope as before, but it lived on.
“I’d be scared,” he said. “When the gods talk about a surprise, I’m pretty sure they aren’t talking birthday party.”
“I’m afraid you’re right. So, how are things at the shop?” Until we fled the city, I had a secondary business—a psychic cleaning company—that I ran out of Dream Wardens. I missed it, but right now my training was so intense that I didn’t have any time to spare.
“Good. Laren is actually helping me in between boat runs. He’s handy and the clients like him.” Jason gave me a long look, almost smug, as though he were hiding a secret.
“What are you up to?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. “I can read your face, you know.”
“Oh, nothing.”
Elan elbowed him and he shut up as the others trickled in. When we were all assembled, Tam cleared his throat.
“Hello, and thank you all for attending on such short notice. I have news from Seattle and the surrounding areas. Runners came in this morning, and Damh Varias and I have been in conference with them most of the afternoon.” He paused.
I didn’t waste any time. “Do you have news about Lyon?”
He nodded. “Of a sort. The Devani now seem to be working with the Order of the Black Mist—an odd pairing given how ordered the former are, and how chaotic the latter is. But whatever the case, from what our intelligence can gather, Lyon’s searching for the portal on the World Tree that will lead to the realm of Chaos. The Abominations are running unchecked through the remains of the city, if you can call what’s left a city. Seattle’s pretty much gone. All the Order of the Black Mist is ruling over is a ghost town.”
The last was hard to hear, though not unexpected. “Do we know how many people are still living there?” It was hard to think about the number of dead. At least one hundred thousand had perished during the zombie attack. And then, an unknown toll from the tsunami. While a number of the survivors had fled the city before the waves hit, there must have been tens of thousands who had been still trapped when the waters came rushing through.
“I don’t know, but reports are that the Junk Yard was swept away. The survivors have created a small compound they’re calling Shanty Town. The Sandspit seems to be a playground for Abominations, but the creatures are moving out into the wilds. They’re traveling out of the city for some reason—probably because of the lack of ready victims.”
The whip on my leg itched as the urge to go play hunt-and-seek hit me. But I kept quiet.
Tam tossed the papers he was holding on the table. “But we have even more disturbing news. We’ve managed to gather a few reports from the rest of the country. The Conglomerate is gone. The country has fallen into chaos—there is no more Americex Corporatocracy. The Order of the Black Mist may have taken Atlantea, but there’s been nothing but radio silence from there. We have no idea of whether they’re managing or not.”
“What about the rest of the world?” Greta was furiously taking notes.
Tam shuffled through his papers till he found the one he was looking for. “The Canadian Empire is standing, but it’s closed its borders. The same with Bifrost and a few of the other countries overseas. Other than that, we don’t know. We do know that the Asiatic Empire, New London, and Paris are all gone. Even the Kiwi Nation is lost. Most of this is due directly to the Order of the Black Mist.”
“And Lyon is still trying to rip open the portals. I wonder if they’re attempting the same thing on the World Trees around the world. It would make sense. And if that’s the case, then stopping Lyon isn’t going to stop them from achieving their goal.” I was beginning to wonder if we should just cut our losses and enjoy what time we had left until they managed to bring back the Elder Gods of Chaos.
“That, I can’t tell you. It would make sense. But if it’s true, they haven’t had any better luck than Lyon has.” Tam leaned his elbows on the table. “As things go, there’s not much we can do right now. With the Devani supporting Lyon, we don’t have the force necessary to go up against him unless the Elder Gods step in, and so far, they’ve given us no sign they’re going to do so.”
A knock on the door stopped the conversation. As one of the guards peeked inside, Tam motioned for him to enter. “What is it?”
“Lord Tam, we have reports from the south side of the village. An Abomination has been spotted near the town. The guards wondered if you would help.” He paused, looking directly at me.
I jumped up. “I’m on my way. Let me go change.”
That ended the meeting. As I raced back to my room, I called for Queet, the spirit guide to whom I was bound. He appeared in a whirl of mist.
“Come on, Queet. We have a job.” And as much as I hated to admit it, I was glad for the diversion. It made life feel somewhat normal again.
Chapter 2
PATRICE CAME RUNNING when I pulled the bell three times, which meant “I need you now!” I was already shrugging out of my clothes when she burst through the door.
“I need leather shorts and bustier, my leather jacket, my Briggs boots, and my sword and dagger. Abom coming toward the village.” My hair was already braided back and I quickly pulled it into a chignon and used a barrette to firmly clip it in place. She handed me my clothes and I shoved my feet through the legs of the shorts, easing them up and zipping them. As I put on the bustier, she helped me adjust it and I zipped it up the front.
I sat on the bed to slide on my boots—they were calf high with sturdy block heels, and they laced up. She began lacing one while I laced the other. As soon as my bootlaces were tied, I fastened my belt and slid my dagger neatly into the sheath. Then I draped Xan—my sword—over my head to rest against my back for easy access. I could reach over my shoulder and smoothly draw her within seconds. All in all, it took me less than ten minutes and I was ready to rumble. Patrice handed me a pair of leather, fingerless gloves and I slid my hands into them as she strapped the wristbands, making sure it was firm and snug.
“I’m out.” I waved at her and dashed to the door, where I found Tam and Jason waiting for me. Jason was dressed to go with me. Tam couldn’t, being Lord of UnderBarrow—not unless it was an active military decision.
“Come on, dude. Let’s rumble.” I planted a quick kiss on Tam’s lips. “Don’t worry, we’ll get him.”
“I will always worry about you,” he said softly as Jason and I took off.
The guards cleared the way as we headed toward the entrance of UnderBarrow, darting through the crowds. They parted to the sides like unfolding wings. Everybody knew who I was, and seeing me racing for the door with my sword, dressed for action, was clue enough to get out of the way.
Jason and I met the guard who had seen the Abomination. He was already seated on his horse, waiting with two more in tow. They were ready to ride, with weapons and small shovels and hoes strapped to their sides. There was good reason for the gardening tools. If I needed to use fire, they would have to make certain it didn’t catch a spark in any dry vegetation.
We mounted the steeds as the horses whinnied, excited for the chase.
My horse was special. He was another Theosian. Captain Varga was bound to Poseidon. When he was on land, he immediately transformed into one of Poseidon’s white stallions. After the fall of Seattle, he had chosen to remain in horse form, and we had bonded with a loyal and unfailing attachment.
“Come on, Varga, let’s go. Abomination to the south,” I whispered to him.
He shook his head, his glorious mane shimmering under the late afternoon sun, and proudly swung around to follow the guard. I patted him on the side of the neck and we took off, lop
ing through the trees on the narrow footpath that a number of villagers had spent several weeks clearing.
Jason rode behind me, ready to offer whatever backup I needed.
And Queet—Queet was a swirl of mist in an already misty forest. The spirit was my partner in chasing Aboms, bound to me by Hecate. He and I had had some rocky times, but we had come to appreciate one another.
Sunset wasn’t far away and the air had cooled dramatically. It was about sixty degrees now, and thin tendrils of fog began to roll along the forest floor. Varga wove in and out of the trees, following the lead of the guard. It helped that Varga was a fully sentient Theosian—I could talk to him and he would understand. I just wished that he could talk back. I wanted to ask him why he chose to stay in his stallion form, rather than go back to the sea where he could become human again. I wanted to know what had happened to his boat. But he couldn’t tell me, and if anybody else knew, it remained a secret.
We rode in silence, weaving through the fir and cedar. The forest was interspersed with oak and maple, but the trees were mostly coniferous. Tall, straight, birch trees shone with their white trunks at various points throughout the forest, and ferns—waist high—covered the ground along with huckleberries, and Wandering Ivy, and Honey Sickle. The latter was a derivation of honeysuckle—beautiful flowers with sweet nectar, long trailing vines, and sharp thorns that were mildly poisonous. They wouldn’t kill you, unless you got trapped in a patch. Then they would pierce their victim with hundreds of thorns and slowly kill them for the nutrients the body provided the soil.
As we approached the southern side of the borders of Willow Wood, I brought up my Trace screen. I could spot Aboms with it and pinpoint their whereabouts if they were within a certain range. It was like having an internal GPS focused on one enemy only.
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