It would be okay. They’d organize the attack and they’d get more medicine.
Or they’d be dead, so who cared?
“They don’t know you’re infected, too, do they? The Gultur.” Zoe glanced at Kalaes over her shoulder, brows knitting. “They want Elei, you know.”
Elei missed a step, recovering before he dumped Kalaes and Alendra to the ground. “Our faces are plastered all over. Of course they want us.”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying.” She led them into an alley and then into another narrow street, Dain by her side. “Rumors say they want you to get the original strain of Rex, find a way to kill it. You should be careful.”
Careful. Elei snorted.
Then a whistle sounded, sending his heart thumping harder, but nobody appeared to intercept them and they hurried on. The sea had to be right around the corner, the air humid and seagulls squawking from their perches on rooftops and fences. Squat storehouses cut dark shapes against the overcast sky.
Zoe raised a hand and they slowed. A whistle sounded right behind them, and Kalaes tugged his arm free, whirling, drawing his gun from its back holster.
Elei’s pulse ricocheted inside his skull. Zoe was shouting. The way she was waving her hands probably meant they shouldn’t shoot anyone, so he laid a hand on Kalaes’ shoulder — and was promptly shoved so hard he lost his footing and fell on his back.
Dammit.
“Don’t shoot!” Zoe was yelling, and suddenly they were surrounded by armed kids and Elei found a machine gun muzzle in his face. Rex snarled inside his head, jerking his body, and his hand curled around the grip of his Rasmus.
“Elei, don’t!” Alendra shouted. He recognized her scent, her small hand on his shoulder shaking him. “Snap out of it. We’re safe, it’s okay.”
He drew a shaky breath, told Rex to piss off, and forced his fingers to unclench, releasing the gun. As the colors dimmed and the skin of things emerged once more, he found out things weren’t looking so good.
The gang had their guns pointed at them — Zoe who held her empty hands up, her mouth pinched, Dain with his hands at his sides, clenched into fists, Alendra and himself on the ground.
Pissing great.
But worst of all, Kalaes held his gun in both hands, sighting down the barrel at a young woman with spiky ginger hair and an eye-patch. She held a machine gun, and it was pointed at Kalaes — as were three more guns held by younger boys.
“Drop the gun,” the young woman said, “or I’ll shoot.”
But Kalaes made no move to comply. He drew a long breath and his finger pressed on the trigger.
Shit, no. Elei climbed to his feet and rushed to Kalaes’ side, making a grab for the gun — too late, too pissing late — while someone else shoved Kalaes aside and turned the gun muzzle away.
Dain.
“Give me that,” Dain said when Kalaes didn’t relinquish control, glaring at Dain as if he didn’t recognize him. Maybe he didn’t. “Kal?”
It gave Elei the window he needed to reach Kalaes and put a restraining hand on his shoulder. “It’s just Rex, Kal. Give Dain the gun.”
Kalaes blinked, a confused frown on his face that made Elei wonder just how hard Rex was hitting him. Kalaes looked at the gun Dain was trying to wrestle away from him and let go of it so suddenly Dain lurched back.
Dammit, Kalaes still seemed dazed.
“You threatened us,” the young woman accused, lifting a hand to adjust her eye-patch. Elei wondered what was hiding underneath — a missing eye or a parasite-infected one.
“A mistake.” Alendra stood in front of Kalaes. “We’re sorry.”
“We’ve been on the run and we’re somewhat trigger-happy, pooskers,” Zoe added with a shrug. “You surprised us, that’s all.”
“This is Seagull territory. You shouldn’t be surprised we patrol it,” the woman bit out.
“We were told we’d have safe crossing.”
“You will as long as you don’t pull guns on us.” The woman gave Kalaes who was breathing hard, hands fisted at his sides, a pointed glare.
“We’re looking for Top Gull. Need some hot stuff.”
The woman eyed Zoe suspiciously. “You know Top Gull?”
A younger girl elbowed her in the hip. “She’s the Queen of the Hounds.”
“I know who she is,” the woman scoffed. “Well, come on, then. Put the guns away and keep quiet.”
Zoe licked her lips and nodded. Dain stuffed his hands in his pockets, a dark scowl on his face, but he followed Zoe. Alendra grabbed Kalaes’ hand and pulled him along, while Elei fell in step behind them, sparing a wary glance at the street kids who brought up the rear, guns aimed right at him.
Pulse still hammering madly behind his eyes, adrenaline pumping, he did his best to stumble along and ignore the colors and the whispers swirling in his head.
Stuff it, Rex. No danger, okay?
After twists and turns, they were ushered into a building with broken windows and led down a narrow staircase. Rex was determined to drive Elei mad, humming and muttering in his mind, sending shivers down his spine and making his hands twitch. Trying to take over.
He clamped down on the thought and the fear it brought. Because it wasn’t just him, or Kalaes who depended on his relative sanity, but much more. The war, for instance, and the fate of the Seven Islands.
“Everything’s okay; everything’s fine.” He chanted the old mantra under his breath, getting odd looks from the kids and Dain, until he made it a silent thought, a looping prayer, blanking out the world.
They descended to a dank cellar with a long nepheline table. A young man sat at its head, a dark cap on his head, pulled low over his eyes. Alone. A king, of sorts. A king and a queen meeting in the stinking places under the earth, surrounded by grimy children with guns.
Elei snorted and barely caught himself before laughing out loud. Oh gods, now was not the time for a headlong plunge into madness. He clenched his hands, focusing on the bright flicker of pain as his nails bit into his palms, and closed his eyes, taking deep breaths.
He was vaguely aware of voices. They talked about guns and aircars, the discussion peppered with words he didn’t know and names of people he’d probably never meet. Zoe sounded self-assured. She was calling on a favor Top Gull owed her. It had to do with a certain unwritten gang law that couldn’t be ignored, and Top Gull reluctantly agreed that was so. He’d give them handguns and one small glidecraft, and that was all he could afford to spare. Take it or leave it.
Didn’t they have other contacts?
Of course they did, Zoe said, but he owed her a favor.
As the haggling began, Elei stepped back, where Dain and Kalaes stood arguing over something. He sank to the floor and leaned his pounding head on the wall.
“Seriously?” Dain was muttering. “You tell people he’s your brother?”
“Look, Dain, I understand why you’re angry.” Kalaes sounded tired. “I didn’t mean to—”
“Angry? I’m way past angry, dammit. That’s not your brother. How do I know? Your brother’s dead. I know you, your history, your dreams and nightmares. You sent me away, never came to visit, said you’d never take in any more strays. And yet you took him in.”
Elei blinked, saw the finger pointing in his direction. Thought about saying something but got a glimpse of Alendra shaking her head.
Right. He’d only make things worse.
“It’s complicated,” Kalaes said.
“Complicated? It’s simple to me. I thought we were brothers once, too.”
“Dammit, Dain.” Kalaes sighed and slid down the wall. “I said it’s complicated. I’m sorry, for all it’s worth.”
“And that makes it all right, I suppose.”
“Look. Maera met you. She told me you were okay. I thought it was true.”
“You’re lying. I told Maera about our problems and she swore she’d report to you.”
“She never did. Dain, listen, Maera...” Kalaes tugged on his sp
iky hair. “She wasn’t who she seemed and it all went to the hells.”
Dain frowned and leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets, pale hair hanging in his face. “That’s convenient.”
“No, it’s...” Kalaes shook his head. “I said I’m sorry and I mean it. I should’ve checked on you myself. I was too much of a coward, so I sent Maera. I needed...” He drew a shaky breath. “Needed time, after all that happened, and I convinced myself you were better off without me.”
“Dammit, Kal,” Dain whispered. “You were my whole family. How could I be better off without you?”
Kalaes clenched his jaw and bowed his head. “I made a promise, the same one Elei did, back at Teos. I’ll make sure street children have a better life. Once this is over. I’m not running away again.”
Dain scowled at his boots, then nodded. “Fine. I’ll accept your apology. But only if you explain why you took this kid in and made him your brother. I mean, he even infected you with this parasite that makes you act crazy. Well, crazier.”
“I’m surprised you notice a difference,” Kalaes said drily.
“Not funny.” Dain glanced sideways at Elei, and his gaze was as warm as the frigid depths of the ocean. “And you haven’t answered.”
“I didn’t take Elei in,” Kalaes muttered. “He did. He reminded me that fearing for those you love is okay. Reminded me of who I used to be. As for the parasite...” He traced a finger over the white scars of palantin on his neck, shot Elei a quick look and his mouth curved in a crooked grin. “He infected me to save my life. And I’m grateful.”
***
Hera leaned her head against the aircar window, staring out at the fungi fields and hamlets. Sleep had been an elusive thing and her head felt heavy.
Sacmis was driving, her lean hands assured and confident on the levers of the control panel. They skirted the small town of Fyra with its blockades and strong police presence — it nestled on the heavenway to Dakru City, the only reason for the sudden vigilance.
The regime feared an attack on their capital.
If the distraction in Artemisia did not succeed... It did not bear thinking about. Mantis’ plan would fail and with it the hope everyone in the resistance had harbored for so long.
Death. Hera had never had the stomach for it. She’d dealt death without regrets when her friends were in danger, but a world where life had more value would be welcome.
“So what’s your plan?” Hera turned to Mantis who had the map spread on his knees and was frowning at it.
“We could try the Kissian Road, bypassing Thassia and Lyssos.”
“And get caught, sacrificing everyone, or detour into the mountains and thereby sacrifice those in Artemisia working to give us a chance to succeed. Are you out of your damn mind?” Red misted Hera’s eyes. Stupid mortal, jeopardizing everyone’s lives. How had she ever thought he could pull this off?
“Hera.” Sacmis was giving her a narrow-eyed look. “Breathe.”
Hera blinked and drew a long breath. Looked like the drugs were leaving her system. “Shit.”
“Why should it take so long?” Mantis straightened the map as if he had not noticed anything, a pretense for which Hera was grateful.
“There’s no direct road from Lyssos,” Hera muttered, her hands clenching in her lap. Relax. “A vein of surin was discovered there a year ago, and the area was declared red zone. The mine is well protected and the road closed.”
“It’s not on the map.”
“Maybe your map is old.”
“Or maybe the regime kept the mine a secret. Strong military presence, I guess?” Mantis asked thoughtfully, pale brows knitting.
“Very.” Surin was rare and precious, necessary for isolating dakron reactors. “You were about to send us into a death trap.”
“You would have stopped me, and you did.” He was so damn calm.
Hera’s hands fisted. Deep breaths, she told herself. He was right. Shit.
“Okay, how about we cross through the Asphodel lowlands?” he muttered.
Hera’s sight darkened. “You...”
“Hera’s right, you’re nuts.” Sacmis cast her a warning glance over her shoulder. “They’re not nicknamed the Death Fields for nothing.”
“I knew taking you along was a good idea.” Mantis winked, though his mouth was pinched. “Spill.”
“Swamps with toxic gasses bubbling to the surface.”
“Poisonous?”
“Depends on how much you inhale. Stuporific, for sure, and once you stop moving, you sink into the mud and water, so it does not matter much whether you’re poisoned or drowned.”
“But I brought masks. This part of the fields is supposed to be drier and not so dangerous, with fewer fumes. If we seal the aircar and move fast...” The look in Mantis’ eyes grew distant.
“The ground is not suitable for the aircar,” Hera snapped. “Too unsteady.”
“It’s a small aircar,” Mantis said. “It could make it. Listen.” His gaze hardened. “We’ve moved too far south to make it to the underground entrance by nightfall, and we’ll need all the time we can get to open it and pull that machine out. And then we’ll need to march to Dakru City. Going through those fields is our only option. There’s a trail.” He tapped the map. “I’ve looked into it.”
Hera grabbed the map from him and he let her, lifting his hands. She studied the area, a drumming in her ears she vaguely recognized as her heartbeat. “We could take the road west up to Irmia, then cut north through the Agaric Alsos.”
“The Agaric Alsos,” Mantis breathed, his eyes widening. He looked for the first time like the young boy he was. “I’ve never seen it.”
Acres and acres of agaric stalks, a glowing fungi forest in the center of which nestled an abandoned temple. On podding days, the radiance from the giant mushrooms lit up the sky for miles.
“We may yet arrive late,” Sacmis said, her tone dubious. “But it’s certainly better than dying in the Asphodel lowlands.”
“You know better,” Mantis said, his eyes still wide. “The road through the Agaric Alsos it is.”
“You only agreed because you’re dying to see it,” Sacmis grumbled, her mouth twitching in a half-smile.
He shrugged, his eyes hardening. “If we’re throwing ourselves into the regime’s maws, I might as well see it before the end.”
Sacmis drove on as silence spread inside the aircar, Mantis’ last words ringing like bells. Hera did not know what to say, and Mantis did not seem inclined to say anything more.
The quiet pressed on her chest like a tombstone.
They were still moving south, heading toward the crossroads to the western roads. Water shimmered to the side of the road, but also far ahead. Blue algae ponds, most likely, although they were not marked on the map and Hera had no idea they existed so far inland.
She turned her attention back to the map, struggling to remember whether the road beyond the Agaric Alsos might give them any trouble. She could not recall anything of importance in that direction. Reaching the Alsos would take them most of the day. They might hide in the forest until nightfall before approaching the area they wanted.
“Mantis,” Sacmis said, her gaze fixed ahead, “you said back at the farm that we are your hope.”
His mouth curved in a faint smile.
“But now,” Sacmis went on, “you sound as if you have no hope. What changed?”
He chewed on his lower lip and pushed pale hair out of his face. His hands shook slightly, Hera noticed, and her breath caught.
“What’s going on?”
He puffed out a sigh. “Do you see the flatlands to our right?”
Hera wiped the condensation from the glass and stared outside. “Swamps?”
“The Asphodel fields.”
“I did not realize we were so close,” Sacmis muttered.
“We passed the entry point to the trail I told you about.”
Hera frowned at the reflections on the road ahead. “And those ponds?”<
br />
Sacmis squinted, leaning forward. “I thought they were ponds, too, but now...”
“Those aren’t ponds.” Mantis stood and placed a hand on Sacmis’ shoulder. “They’re Silver Bullet aircars. I’ve seen them in Abydos over the past week. They’re military.”
Silver Bullets. Hera had seen them before. A new technology, the regime had proclaimed. Probably a new cache they’d discovered.
“Sobek’s balls,” Sacmis muttered. “And now?”
“The next entry point to a navigable path through the swamps is in half a mile,” Mantis said quietly. “Be ready to turn right.”
“So that’s why...” Hera groaned.
Mantis nodded. “I had hope, until you told me crossing the fields was suicide.”
Dammit. Hera shot to her feet and set about closing the windows. “Can this aircar be sealed?”
“I’ve brought nepheline tape.” Mantis brandished a brown roll.
“Frigid hells.” Hera caught the roll he threw at her. “We’ll cross the Death Fields protected by a roll of rotten tape?”
“That or hold your breath for a couple of hours.”
Something clinked on the aircar wall, then again.
“They’re firing,” Sacmis ground out.
“Turn now,” Mantis said. “No other choice.”
Because if the bullets did not kill them, they’d puncture the aircar, turning it into a sieve, and no amount of tape would suffice to seal the deadly fumes out.
“Hold on,” Sacmis said grimly. “It will be a bumpy ride.”
As a metaphor for their lives, Hera thought, cutting tape with her teeth and sticking it to every seam and crack she could find, a bumpy ride was surely apt.
Chapter Eight
The wind whistled between the storehouses and dilapidated buildings, carrying the noise of traffic from the avenues and the voices of port workers working late into the night.
Elei walked alongside Alendra but watched at Kalaes who hurried a few steps ahead with Dain and Zoe. The things he’d said... What did Kalaes mean when he said Elei had taken him in? He couldn’t figure it out, but it made him feel warm.
Rex Aftermath (Elei's Chronicles) Page 9