by Chris Fox
You must deal with him quickly, Ka-Dun. Before he launches an offensive.
I couldn’t agree more, Blair thought. He aimed the staff at Carter, fueling an ability he knew deathless couldn’t normally defend against. Blair plunged into Carter’s mind, shattering his mental defenses. There was a moment of Carter’s started surprise, then Blair was in.
He floated in near darkness, lit by a sea of glowing dots. Most were further away, tiny pinpricks. A few were close enough to see more clearly, each a frozen image or a scene slowly playing out. Memories, these ones very recent.
Blair began to examine those memories, following the flow back to a large cluster from just a week ago. He plucked one out, letting it unfold.
“Do you really think you can beat an Ark Lord?” Melissa asked. She sat across from Carter, just the pair of them.
“Is that why you came to see me, Melissa: to talk me out of this? It is the perfect plan, and it was voted for unanimously. Attacking this Ark Lord will no doubt result in a number of deaths, so those who survive will all better their lots. They’ll be able to expand territory.”
“I know the arguments. That’s not what I’m asking. What if he’s more powerful than you think? What if he just incinerates you? You haven’t met him. I have.”
“Your concern touches me.” Carter gave a bitter laugh. “You are far too sentimental to be a deathless, Melissa. Your squeamishness is a weakness, one that other lords will exploit if you let them. I will hear no more talk of this. We’re going to kill the Ark Lord, and I am taking that key.”
“It’s your funeral,” Melissa shot back. “You didn’t feel the strength of the Ark.” She rose to her feet. “And it isn’t weakness; it’s social intelligence. Fear isn’t the only way to amass power, and sometimes it’s the worst way. If I’m right, you’ll pay the price for your arrogance soon enough.”
“You’d better pray that happens, Melissa. After advocating for a treaty, you’ve lost almost all your influence. Your underlings are already readying themselves to take advantage of your fall.”
Blair released the memory, considering the import as he proceeded deeper into Carter’s mind. Melissa was deathless, but she was smart enough to work with her enemies. That boded well, if he chose to let her live.
Another memory flitted by, this one catching Blair’s attention. He grabbed it, watching it play out.
Carter backpedaled, then shrank against the wall when he ran out of room. He cowered there. This demon thing, whatever it was, had found him in the heart of his inner sanctum. It had batted aside his defenses like he was a child.
“W-what do you want?” Carter stuttered. He wanted to stop cowering, to stand proudly, but he couldn’t. Something—some force exerted by this monster—robbed him of his will. He’d never been this terrified, and if he’d had a beating heart he was positive it would have stopped.
“My name is Nox. You’ve heard of me, I see.” The demon walked closer, its leathery wings expanding as it approached. Behind it, a tail flicked like a snake, something golden curled within it. “You can stand up now. I release you.”
The fear vanished, and in that moment Carter realized the fear was artificial. He’d been shaped. In its wake flowed a tide of anger. “I’ve heard of you. You work for a god. Hades, right? What the hell are you doing in my office?”
“I can bring the fear back, Mr. Carter. Do I need to do that?” the demon asked calmly.
“No,” Carter said, gritting his fangs.
“I’ve come to bestow power upon you. You crave power, do you not?”
“Of course I do, but no one gives power without getting something in return. Why are you willing to help me, and what do you get out of it?”
Blair could feel the deathless’s suspicion, but also his greed. He wanted the power Nox was offering, even before he knew what it was.
“I gain a powerful servant, one capable of ruling this entire continent,” Nox said. He extended a hand, using one claw to slice a shallow gash in his palm. Black blood bubbled out. “All you have to do is drink. You’ll be far more powerful than your rivals, and in a year you will rule the Lords of Silicon Valley. In five years, you’ll rule California. Ten, the entire western sea board. You’ll live for centuries, Carter. Wouldn’t you like to do it as a god? Rule this continent in the name of Hades.”
Carter’s lust was overpowering, but a morsel of caution remained. “What will the blood do to me?”
Nox uncoiled like a serpent, his tail wrapping around Carter’s neck. It yanked him closer, and Nox used one massive arm to pin Carter in place. He forced his palm against Carter’s mouth. “Here. I’ll show you exactly what it does.”
Fire raced through Carter, a fire that Blair recognized. It was the same he’d felt when he’d grasped the hand of the past. The hand had infected him with the werewolf virus. Nox had just infected Carter with a similar virus, something that seemed to be overwriting his deathless nature.
“Tonight will be rough, but in the morning you will feel much better. You’ll be aware of the new strength I’ve given you, as well as the link between us. I can find you anywhere, Carter, never forget that. You belong to me.”
Blair fled from the memory. Carter had been a pawn of Hades, right here in his back yard. Worse, Nox might be aware of Blair’s arrival. It was a troubling possibility, but Blair let it go for now. Sifting memories was valuable, but he needed to deal with Carter and his deathless council.
Blair glided deeper into Carter’s mind. In the distance he saw a massive figure, and he recognized it instantly. It was Carter’s risen, and in a few moments it was going to attack him. Blair didn’t give it a chance. He crossed the space between them easily, shaping a net of energy as he approached. Then he released the net, entangling the risen. It began to shrink, growing smaller and smaller until it was no larger than an emaciated mouse.
“What did you do to it?” Carter whispered. He appeared near Blair, looking like a human in his late twenties. He looked normal—handsome even.
“It doesn’t matter,” Blair said. He turned toward Carter, and raised a hand. “You won’t be around to see it.”
And energy flooded from Blair, obliterating Carter’s mind.
Chapter 30- Mercy
Melissa had known it was a mistake to antagonize Blair. She cringed when he withdrew the staff, its power stronger than the sun itself. She could feel the vast reservoir of power he was pulling through it, more than she’d ever seen shaped before. It made everything she’d done, everything she’d learned, seem like first grade basics.
Carter was powerful, suspiciously so. He’d been nothing but a two bit lord, unremarkable in all ways. Then suddenly he’d exploded in strength, toppling the then-lord of Palo Alto and claiming the city for his own.
Melissa had no idea where Carter had found his power, but it wasn’t even on the same scale as the energies Blair wielded.
She tried to blur, but even as she fueled her abilities the conflict was over. Carter slumped to the desk, eyes glassy and unseeing. Then Melissa was slammed onto the floor, along with every other deathless in the room. The pressure cracked one of her ribs, and she cried out in pain. It was strong enough that she wouldn’t have been able to rise, but she didn’t even try. The last thing she wanted was to draw Blair’s attention.
Footsteps rustled against the carpet as Blair slowly approached. He stopped right next to her, squatting low enough to peer into her face. “Hello, Melissa. You’re not my favorite person in the world, did you know that? You lied to me about Angel Island. You didn’t tell me that you wiped out my people, and drove the few survivors north. Why is that?”
“I-I didn’t want to poison relations,” Melissa pleaded. Another rib cracked, and she cried out. “Please! I knew how Liz would react, how you might react. You said it yourself: it’s a larger world and we’re going to need allies. I didn’t want to jeopardize that.”
“So you omitted some very important facts,” Blair said.
The pressure
on Melissa vanished.
“This is the bitch that attacked us that night,” the teenage Ka-Ken said. She stalked over to Melissa, glaring down at her. “Tell me we’re going to kill her. To kill them all.”
“We’re going to kill most of them,” Blair said. “But not her. She gets to live, and I’ll tell you why. I’ll tell everyone why.” Blair gestured with his staff, and a pulse of potent golden energy rippled outwards. It washed over Melissa, the other deathless, and out into the city beyond. As it grew, she could feel it touching thousands of minds—then tens of thousands.
Hear me. I am Blair, Lord of the Ark of the Redwood. You are hearing this because you live in the lands surrounding my Ark. I lay claim to the lands currently controlled by those who call themselves the Lords of Silicon Valley. If you live there, you are now one of my vassals.
An image flowed into her mind, overwhelming her own senses. She could no longer see the world; instead she saw as if from Blair’s eyes. His hand came up, and fire poured into every deathless in the room—every deathless except her.
Carter, her rivals, and even her friends burst into white-hot flame. A heartbeat later there was nothing left but ash.
I have removed the former lords. This will no doubt tempt many of you to make a power play, to try to fill their shoes. By all means try, but first I want you to know three things.
First, Melissa, the Lord of San Francisco, just got a promotion. She’s in charge of the entire Bay Area, and she has my full support. Oppose her, and you are opposing me.
Second, this continent belongs to the living. If you encounter a living person, or a champion, they are to be given safe passage north to Santa Rosa. Fail to observe this, and I will find you. Trust me, I will know if you misbehave. The consequences will be dire.
Lastly, I want you to know that there are greater threats in the world than just deathless and werewolves, threats that we will need to stand united against. I have no desire to wipe you out. I’d prefer you as allies. Only you get to choose whether or not that happens. Oppose me, and justice will be swift. Work with me, and there’s no reason we can’t coexist.
Blair’s thundering voice finally stopped, and the power tickling Melissa’s mind disappeared. She was left staring at Blair and his companions. Both Ka-Ken watched Blair in awe, an expression she was probably mirroring.
Melissa rose hesitantly to her feet. “Why did you let me live?”
“I meant what I said,” Blair explained. His staff flowed back up his arm, disappearing into his body. She could feel its power merging with his. “I’m going to need allies. Greater threats are coming, and if you can get the deathless to fight along side me, you get to live. You have as much free room to maneuver as you’d like. I don’t care who you backstab, or what you have to do to maintain control here. Mark my words, though: if you backstab me in any way, I will simply wipe out every deathless in the Bay Area. All of them.”
“You could really do that, couldn’t you?” Melissa whispered. She felt something between awe and horror. “Trust me, Ark Lord. I will do nothing to jeopardize your support. You give me your mandates, and I promise I will see them enforced.” She meant every word, praying that he would sense her sincerity.
“Good. Then we have an understanding. My people and I are leaving. If you learn something you think I need to know, send a messenger. Otherwise, wait for us to contact you.”
“Yes, Ark Lord,” Melissa said. She gave a deep bow, mustering all the respect she could—respect she felt to her core. Blair was terrifying, but he might be exactly what this new world needed.
Chapter 31- Yosemite
The Great Bear bent to rip a mouthful of flesh from the deer’s carcass. Feeding brought some small comfort—momentarily at least. Deer were his favorite prey, and he reveled in the hot, salty blood as it dribbled down his fur. The cold didn’t bother him at all, not like it did when he was a man.
Each day he’d woken up in a strange place, further from the mountains he’d called home. During the day, he’d press farther west, toward the town Windigo had demanded he reach. He’d settle down to sleep, waking the next morning as if he hadn’t slept.
The Bear lumbered to a nearby stream, drinking deeply. He studied his reflection as he rose from the water, horrified by what he found. Tiny antlers had sprung from his temples, the first visible sign of Windigo’s corruption.
It will not be the last, I can promise you that.
“Why do you torment me, demon?” the Bear demanded. He did not understand what was happening, and that terrified him.
Windigo was a target he couldn’t fight.
Remember that, Bear, and perhaps one day I will let you go.
The Bear’s muzzle shot up, sniffing the wind. Power rippled across the land, the kind of power not seen since the days of the earth mother herself. The Bear stood up on his hind paws, staring across the mountains toward the city that men called San Francisco.
“What is that?” he murmured, unable to understand what he was feeling.
That is the power of an Ark Lord, one who wishes everyone in the land to fear him. Windigo answered. It is a blatant display of power, meant to cow all who see it into serving. He is a threat to us both.
“Perhaps this Ark Lord will be strong enough to stop you,” Yosemite roared, smashing a sapling with a titanic paw. “I will not listen to your lies, Windigo. I know you for what you are, remember that. Nothing you say will sway me. I am no pawn. This Ark Lord has no reason to come to my mountains, and is no enemy of mine.”
He soon will be, Windigo taunted, because he is my enemy, and I control you. When I am through using your body, the Ka-Dun will have ample reason to hate you. I can promise that.
“No,” Yosemite snarled. “I will not let you.”
Oh, little Bear. You are so amusing. What makes you think you can stop me?
Chapter 32- Sobek
Jordan peered out through the windshield. The wipers were working overtime to keep it clear of rain. Lima’s perimeter now had machine gun emplacements at every major checkpoint, each shielded by sandbags. At the closest encampment, Jordan saw a backhoe digging a trench behind the emplacement. He was impressed by how much Rodrigo had accomplished in the week he’d been away.
“The batteries you requested are being installed in those holes,” Rodrigo called over the wind. He pointed down to the encampment Jordan was already watching. “We’ve explained to every champion how they will be used, and they have all begun drills to practice.”
“Very nicely done.” Jordan rarely gave praise, but this was earned. “Is the delegation for Sobek ready?”
Jordan knew he was the last to arrive, but he’d been spending most of his time getting ready for the trek into the jungle. He needed to leave as soon as possible, and that meant he couldn’t give Sobek’s arrival the time and attention it deserved. He’d had to do something he hated: delegate. Fortunately, it looked like Rodrigo had been a good choice.
“They’re assembled. Shall we go there now, Ark Lord? Sobek’s vessel was spotted about twenty minutes ago. It will be here shortly.” Rodrigo gestured at the Jeep, moving to the driver’s side.
“Yeah, let’s get over there,” Jordan answered. He climbed into the Jeep, still marveling over how much of the old world had survived here. From Blair’s brief description, it sounded like Santa Rosa had reverted to Little House on the Prairie levels of tech.
They sped through the nearly empty streets, occasionally passing other Jeeps. Jordan recognized the Asian couple in one, and Alison and her Ka-Dun in another.
“They are on hourly patrols,” Rodrigo explained. He turned onto the broad thoroughfare leading down to the docks. “We have twenty-four hour coverage. The people already feel safer, and the men take more pride in their city. Before, it was about how strong each werewolf was. Now, it is becoming about how strong we all are.”
“That’s the real secret to effective leadership,” Jordan replied. It was a direct quote from the Director. “Teach people to inv
est in the organization instead of themselves, and they will become the organization.”
“I’m so glad you came to Lima, Ark Lord,” Rodrigo said. He gave a gap-toothed smile as he pulled into a parking spot next to an empty dock. “You are a real leader, sir.”
Jordan barked out a laugh. “I’m just imitating the real leaders.”
The Jeep’s door opened with a groan, and Jordan stepped onto the wet concrete. They’d parked near an empty pier, long enough to contain a cargo hauler the size of the one Sobek was supposed to bring. Rodrigo approached the crowd of people waiting around the edge of the dock, so Jordan followed. Several wore orange raincoats and looked to be dock workers. The rest were dressed like soldiers, and Jordan was surprised to find he recognized all of them. If the downpour bothered them, they certainly didn’t show it.
“Salute your Ark Lord, whelps,” Vimal barked. He snapped to attention, and the others mimicked it almost perfectly.
“At ease,” Jordan said, returning the salute. He strode down the dock, stopping next to the Indian man. “I admit I’m a little surprised. I expected some resentment after our first few sessions together.”
“Not at all, Ark Lord.” Vimal’s dark face had his usual lack of expression. “You’ve shown me the value of cooperation, and demonstrated that you are an able leader. I am proud to follow you.”
Jordan extended a hand, and Vimal shook it. “I’m proud to have you.”
“Ships sighted,” bellowed a voice from above.
Jordan turned to the water, scanning. A cluster of grey specks was approaching through the sheets of rain. He counted eight. That wasn’t a stone shipment. That was a show of force.
“Give me your binoculars,” Jordan said to the closest uniformed werewolf.
Six of the ships were destroyers, the kind of warship that could bombard a shore from miles out. The last two were freighters, each loaded with colorful cargo containers. Those last two vessels were pulling away from the main group, heading toward the dock. The destroyers didn’t approach, but the implied threat was there. The ships were perfectly capable of destroying Lima without closing to visual range. The only reason to get this close was to intimidate. Sobek had a navy and wanted them to know it.