by Nini Church
Met joined him and ate triple.
The massive meal had happened very fast and suddenly all the food was gone, leaving Fifi sweating and Matty fit to be tied – both tied in knots about Aili and both shocked at what a goddamn pig Met was.
Chapter 14
Determined, Aili gathered everything she had and piled it onto her stomach. The metal rods from both heels, two Streiken stars, a short blade and the belt buckle from her dress.
She used each tool to shave away bits of wood around the small hole above her left shoulder. It was taking a long time as the wood was very dense and the hole only opened by a millimeter – maybe less. All too soon, her hands were cramped and bloody – the hole wasn’t even big enough to stick her finger through.
The Streiken stars worked well, except one slip and she’d cut her finger off. Bleed to death. Hysterically, she wanted to laugh her head off. Wasn’t dead, dead already?
There was something else she wasn’t admitting – the air inside the box was fetid and she wasn’t getting enough oxygen – yet Aili worked her denial – she was sticking to it and not thinking about the implications – panic would set in for sure if she did.
Resourcefully, she tried to sharpen the edge of the belt buckle as she chipped away at the wood, but that didn’t work out either.
Aili refused to give up – she had all the time in the world locked in the dark. Besides, staying busy helped her to not think about being found and forced back into the Fade. That terrified her more than anything. Until…she heard the sounds of footsteps coming closer.
The hairy beast was drawn back down the short tunnel as he’d heard noises. As he entered the darkened room with only embers remaining from the fire, he heard noises in the far corner – maybe more meat? Always more meat.
With expertise, he sidled silently towards the corner, one hand twisted into a claw and a curved, rusted knife in the other. He’d learned to be as fast as his prey or starve to death.
The dim glow of embers behind him cast an arc of flickering red light along the wall, but he didn’t hear or see anything. Nothing moved in the shadows now that he was close. Had he scared them away? Alerted his prey to his presence? Were they watching him now, gloating that they got away from him?
His hand dropped and his knife scraped against an old box, the sound shattering the silence.
Instantly, his mind diverted, forgetting about what he was doing as his eyes swung upwards and he counted the rows of meat he had stockpiled. He needed more. Always more meat.
Aili froze. Even with her wires badly crossed, she sensed something very close.
Was it that beast who had pulled her out of the tunnel? He was as bad as being caged in this wooden box. There were no lesser of two evils in this case.
Did anyone know she hadn’t passed through the Fade? Had been snatched away by god knows what the feck? Metal dug into wood somewhere above her head and she held her breath as fear exploded in her mind.
Was she going into the Fade now?
Fear bloomed and panic took over as she screamed silently and endlessly, her psyche tearing. Yet, a portion of her mind acknowledged the sudden and pervading silence, telling whatever had been there was gone.
Alone again and filled with terror like she’d never known, her mind splintered, widening the tear of her psyche into a gaping hole that threatened to swallow her.
Her face was wet with tears that refused to stop. How could she be crying? Dead was dead, but not. She swished a hand over her face, wiping tears away and smearing blood from her hands everywhere.
What kind of hell was this?
Had her life been so bad this was her end?
Since before she could really remember, Aili tended and healed every race and animal under the sun. Now, she suspected it didn’t matter what actions were taken in life, at the end there was no pay off, good deeds or bad, it all came out crap.
Eyes closed, here in the darkness, her mind torn, troubled and broken, all that remained were memories and she lost herself in them. When Reno’s face blossomed in the centre of her mind, taking over, taking control, she didn’t hold back, giving it up to him, heart and soul as if he were really with her.
Too soon, Reno’s image faded and some sort of Nothingness invaded her mind, but she clutched at what it had been like with him, she held tight not yet ready to give up her memories. Or him. Such a male of wonder, power and glory. To love him was an incredible experience. Although, she’d never let on her true passion for him, it would immediately go to his head…both of them.
Softly, a crazy giggle escaped.
Eyes staring sightlessly in the darkness, she wrapped both arms around her waist and held on for dear life, keeping the faintest image of her beautiful mate in the centre of her mind, imprinting him, his expressive blue eyes, his smoky sea fresh scent, his wide white smile. His sense of humor.
Another spell of protection and safety came to her – she could almost hear Ma singing it – so she mouthed the words, pouring the last bits of her energy into each, driving them home. When done, she felt no different – nothing popped within her, nothing stirred.
Silently, Aili let out a slow breath, not hiding from the truth and her worst fear any more – she was already dead and simply reliving the past.
A small smile tucked up the corners of her lips.
No matter what, she’d keep Reno front and center in her mind.
To her last breath.
Best way to go out of this life was thinking about Reno.
Edgy, impatient and ready to roll ten minutes ago, Reno eyed the ornery fucking God, but he wasn’t giving up. “You already admitted you can move a small army between dimensions an’ it doesn’t fucking matter what dimension we’re in. I get that, Met. I’m pressing for Conn and Caleb to join us which’ll be eight eyes on the ground to search for Aili.” He had wanted Jericho to join them, but that had quickly been ruled out with a blasting “No!” roaring from Met – “King of the fucking Jinn isn’t going anywhere near the motherfuckin’ Fade” – Met’s words verbatim.
Reno hated it, but agreed that in this case Met knew best.
Met, brows furrowed together, sharply nodded once.
Reno sprang to his feet, hand signaling Cal and Conn as both big Jinns shifted seamlessly in on either side of him. Opening his mouth, Reno abruptly shut it when Met waved a big hand.
“That’s my line now.” With a big grin, Met stood, clapping Reno on the back and turned to Conn and Caleb – two warriors wholly unprepared and unaware of the journey ahead – he said, “Let’s roll.”
Quickly, he ushered them into the dimensional track as gold dust covered them – only to essentially hide the dimensional track. Few knew of their existence, but Met did and he had mastered the tracks fast.
Reno was pleased to see they landed back in the Fade within sight of the terrifying black spiraling tunnel. Only now, it swarmed with Wraiths, all heavily armed with a contingent lined along the base of the sheer wall and another rimming the tunnel entrance. How the fuck were they gonna get through all of them? ‘Cause nothing was gonna stop Reno from doing just that.
Conn sniffed the dense, fetid air as Cal tried to get his roid operational, but Met swiped it away with a grin. “Shit don’t work here.” He tucked it in his back pocket. “Ask me for it when this is over and I might give it back if you build one for me.”
Pissed, but Caleb grinned – he loved a fucking challenge. “You’re on, old man.”
Met turned to Cal, golden eyes drilling. “Call me that again and you won’t have a brain to build anything with. Got it?”
Cal dipped his chin, accepting Met’s threat, but his hazel eyes were full of amusement and he couldn’t hide that one corner of his lip tweaked up.
Met didn’t miss it, nor the breath of fresh air Calebre always brought wherever he went. A true wizard of the First Order with a lineage established well before First Blood, his heritage was ancient. For he was a blood member of one of the most vaunted families:
Calipus Ex. Unfortunately, none of Cal’s superb skills were active in the Fade.
Conn swiped Zulu’s usual line. “What’s plan A? Or B?” Shaggy red brows drawn over deep brown eyes, his words hung, lingering and goading as usual.
Automatically, Reno shrugged. “Plan is, I’m going in no matter how many we face.”
Caleb grunted, big hazel cat’s eyes on Met as Conn shifted closer to Reno, wanting to stay on point.
Raw inside and almost unaware of the others, he went deep. Reno drew in upon himself, sourcing his energies, accepting Met had given him extra with all the gold dust. He slipped into the stream where only a few elements were present and tried not to gag on the sensation of ash filling his mouth. Mapping and discarding each molecule and scent until so faintly he almost imagined it, Aili’s scent layered over his tongue – sweet magnolia and a faint tang of strawberries, but the hint of vanilla didn’t arrive.
Full of dread and worry, his heart so heavy he could barely breathe, Reno’s face fell and his cheeks were suddenly damp.
Wet.
Tears dripping off his fucking chin.
He didn’t give a shit – shame was nothing to him in this defining moment – his heart weighed a million fucking pounds in his chest and all he could think about was what was happening to Aili. Where was she?
He stepped away from everyone, but Conn slid directly into his path, shaking his head. They agreed before setting out to remain together. Had pledged to make it happen and watch each other’s back.
It was their creed, and if they applied everything they knew, Reno was sure they’d bring Aili home. His throat closed and his head dropped as Conn cuffed a shoulder, giving him a good shake.
“Here in the Fade tis all bad, but we’ll rescue aer Aili. I can see it in yer eyes that ye believe she’s alive.”
Met stepped ahead, big feet sinking into fine gray sand as he dropped a few inches. “Shadow Warriors, we return.”
Clanking metal surrounded the small group and Met smiled widely as the lead warrior, Oregain, ferreted out Reno again.
Almost invisible in his washed–out chain mail, a smoky, power encrusted mist, Oregain shifted in next to Reno, solidifying a little and forcing both Conn and Caleb to back away as he loomed over the mate to the female they guarded.
Reno recognized the shaggy white hair and white pointed goatee. When his empty white eyes landed on Reno, Oregain nodded slowly.
“You have her?”
Oregain, leader of the Shadow Warriors, swung one misty arm out, index finger pointing to the rough dark tunnel. Mist dispersed in a wide swath when he disappeared, then reappeared in front of his warriors.
Less than a blink, Reno noted, realizing Oregain was in his element and that eased him a hell of a lot.
His misty warriors were dressed in full chainmail, even their metal helmets had it draped around their necks and chins, with ancient swords hanging from wide heavy hips and others with them strapped across their broad backs. At Oregain’s command, as one they moved for the darkened tunnel and its gapping maw of forever black, clearing a path.
Met motioned with his hand to follow them. “No one speaks unless needed. It distracts the Shadow Warriors.”
Cal’s eyes gleamed with excitement, but Conn seemed hesitant, unsure as he shook his head.
Met flattened his palm, spun his finger in a circle as it danced off his palm, signaling – Let’s roll.
Reno grinned for the first time in what felt like forever. He stepped up beside Met as Conn and Caleb quickly fell into a tight formation while keeping six behind them.
Well ahead, Oregain scanned the area, tallying numbers when the Wraiths spotted them. Behind him another twenty Shadow Warriors formed, making the total a good round fifty and all armed – eager to battle with hands on sword hilts.
When the rasp of many swords pulling from their sheaths split the air, Met stopped, right fist held high, he pulled it down hard, signaling everyone to stand down.
The Shadow Warriors would take it from here.
It wasn’t long before Met noticed a Wraith he recognized. Emerille, current commander of the Wraiths and Fate’s toddy, who was vigorously and wildly motioning with both arms and screaming at Oregain that he and his warriors were in a No–Go Zone.
In less than a blink, Emerille crashed to his knees as an unseen force smacked him down. Oregain formed in front of Emerille as he wavered before going for a face plant at the feet of the frightening Shadow Warrior. Other Wraiths faded back as Oregain ordered twenty of his warriors to round them up. The Wraiths huddled together, surrounded by Shadow Warriors, holding their broad swords hefted and waiting for the order to slaughter.
Oregain pointed to four of his warriors and motioned Met and the Jinn to follow him. They climbed into the tunnel while the Shadow Warriors levitated, materializing at the gaping opening into the final lap of the Fade. Already long dead, but not gone from any dimension, the powerful draw to slip into the black void had no effect on them.
At the lip of the black tunnel, a blood bath ensued as the line of Wraiths were truly slaughtered, laying in piles of gore and spilling innards. Metal screeched on metal as ancient blades returned to their sheaths and the Shadow Warriors waited still and silent for their next order.
They took up a lot of space even if they were non–corporeal. Reno, Cal and Conn stood together not wanting to get up close and personal by brushing against the wandering mists of the ancient warriors.
A long finger pointing at Reno, Oregain turned on his heel and strode up the uneven tunnel, moving over the rough surface as if it were smooth as glass.
Reno followed, noticing the big Shadow Warrior gliding above the floor. Met was inches behind him as Conn and Cal brought up the rear. A few feet short of where Met had earlier declared that Aili hadn’t come this far, on the left Oregain put both hands on the rough wall, forcing the rock to shift as stone ground on stone.
Awed, Reno watched the rough wall slide inwards as a hidden door behind it crashed open, revealing a dark storeroom. He spied an exit along the far back wall, a narrow, rough opening leading into pitch blackness.
Oregain swept his hand out and Reno rushed past. Two Shadow Warriors slipped by him, heading for the narrow, dark opening off the jumbled storeroom.
Acrid stench hit him instantly, eyes watering and nose burning. The small room was full of gnawed bones, some whole skeletons of a small creature. Looking up, he saw rats, long dead and putrefied, hanging by knotted tails from old rusted bars embedded in the ceiling.
Broken bits of furniture piled into corners except one where a big Shadow Warrior guarded something. Heart thumping, hoping it was Aili, Reno looked closely and couldn’t tell if it was animal or one of the races. Certainly, not his mate.
A long snout and beady eyes that didn’t land on anything for long and hair all over his body made him the butt ugliest thing Reno had ever seen.
Met brushed past Reno to ease in beside Oregain, his stark golden eyes, swirling with impatience.
The misty warrior simply pointed to a wooden box with the lid split at the bottom and wedged in. If Aili was inside, she couldn’t get out. It was tucked out of the way, nestled against an old stone wall and blackened by smoke with a few items tossed on top.
Oregain shifted in front of Met, one big hand splayed, keeping Met back. He motioned to one of the items on top of the wooden box.
“Jesu!” Met cursed under his breath. “Tabernack! Bollocks! Fuck!”
Reno’s terrifying blue eyes were honed on the animal as he shouted, “Talk! Where’s Aili?” He hunched down, fists clenched so tight his fingers felt like they might snap. Silently, he studied the creature as the Shadow Warrior loomed next to him.
Met inched closer to the wooden box and leaned down to study the items mixed with old rat bones. One, a massive diamond housed in thick gold with an intricate chain attached was The Star of Light. Hell, yeah! He smiled widely – elated that whoever stole it all those centuries ago had obviously gon
e into the Fade.
Met didn’t believe in coincidences – they didn’t exist, another mirage – but suspected the gem appeared now for a reason. But what? It had heighted protective qualities. Or maybe it pertained to the future? Fuck, he hated that! – when the future blended ever so finely into the now.
Yet, his instincts were telling this powerful lost treasure was cloaking Aili. How the hell had Aili gotten here if she was already moving through the last leg of the Fade? Met turned to eye the mixed race beast who was evidently crazy as a loon as he sat talking softly to himself and often slapping his head repeatedly. Met knew it wasn’t an act.
Met turned back to the lid of the wooden box, admitting the other item shook him badly – to his fucking core. He always assumed they were destroyed when most of the gods of old were annihilated during the First Jinn rebellion.
Met had never seen one.
A God killer.
Long and solid, the rod was pure gold as were the chains dangling on either end with golden globes inscribed with God killing glyphs. He couldn’t touch it, of course, and backed away.
Oregain’s powerful broadsword swept out, the tip held steady in his massive fist, he linked it around a length of gold chain and lifted the God Killer from the top of the wooden box.
“Fuck, I can’t… I’ve no idea how to house it.” Met threw his hands in the air and shoved backwards.
Cal leaned in, eyeing the golden rod with two heavily engraved globes dangling from the end of the Shadow Warrior’s sword. “What do you need?” He reached inside his plaid shirt, a loud ripping sound echoing and Cal produced a black square of cloth. He pushed on two edges and it popped open.
Met wanted to hug the fucker, he was so relieved. Wizard boy was now his first favorite of his son–in–law’s warriors.
Caleb held out the black pouch made of Mylar and Kevlar mixed to his specific blend and a few hundred wards. Oregain dipped the tip of his broadsword down, letting it slide neatly into the pouch. Cal sealed it before flattening it against the inside of his shirt, a sticky adhesive strip gluing it to the material.