The Four Horsemen_Descent

by L. J. Swallow

  "For fuck's sake!" exclaims Ewan. "Why?"

  "Who knows? Maybe she's avoiding public appearances." Ewan crosses his arms and pouts in a way that would give Elyssia a run for her money. "Or y'know, we can wait around for a bus or taxi, Ewan. Just feel fortunate she’s doing this for us."

  This isn't the first time I've longed for a teleportation charm or spell. Seriously, being able to move from portal to portal easily makes so much bloody sense, but not to whoever put us here. Yeah, thanks for that.

  "I don't know her well, but I'd hazard a guess Syv may be pissed off if she drove here and didn't find us."

  I blow air into my cheeks. Vee's right. Of course. We need Syv on side, and here's the perfect opportunity for a chat.

  I stride away, still holding Vee's hand, and Ewan's heavy footsteps soon follow. The forest becomes denser for a few hundred metres before thinning out towards a dirt track used as a service access point. A large, padlocked metal box is beneath a tree, with the park property stamp on the side. Tools for maintenance?

  A beaten-up Jeep is parked beside it at the end of the rough track. Syv sits on the bonnet, arms hugging her knees as she watches us approach. Her long auburn hair is loose across her shoulders for once, giving her angular features a softer look. She's swapped leather for denim, but the jeans hug her legs just as tightly and end in the same heavy motorcycle boots. I guess she's always wary who she'll need to kick. She wears a padded green jacket and fingerless gloves, and in her hand twirls one of the curved daggers she favours.

  I arch a brow and indicate the knife. "That's a friendly welcome."

  "Oh." She looks at the weapon as if she forgot she's holding it. "Habit. Always playing with my toys." She shoves the dagger back inside her boot. "You took your bloody time."

  "Busy day," replies Ewan before crossing to the car. "I don't want to hang around any longer than you do."

  Syv twists her head around to watch Ewan as he reaches for the car door handle. "I wouldn't do that if I was—"

  She's interrupted by a snarl and a loud thump as something throws itself against the rear passenger window.

  Ewan steps back. "What the fuck?"

  The window mists as a canine face presses against it, drool spreading across the window from the creature's slavering mouth.

  "Is that...?" asks Vee, keeping her distance.

  "I found him. Well, he found me." She cranes her head, unperturbed by the vicious snarling and barking. "Odd really, I didn't know anything like him existed in this world."

  "What is it?" Vee asks.

  "A demon. Not sure what. Canine." She giggles and says 'woof' at Ewan, whose face hardens. "I don't bloody know. He seemed friendly enough to me, so I thought I'd pick him up. I doubt the locals want to meet him."

  "Friendly?" I choke. "He attacked us before, when he came through the portal."

  Syv hops down from the car, snarky look evaporating. "What portal?"

  "Seth opened one. Chaos. Has anybody mentioned Seth's a god intent on destroying the world? No?" Ewan's eyes harden. "Such as Breanna, who you're also working for?"

  Syv's mouth falls open. "Whoa. What the...that's fucked up. I should chat to Col, see what he knows." She blinks. "Hang on, is there a fucking portal open? Where?"

  "No. We closed it, but not before he ran out." Ewan jabs a finger at the still-snarling dog.

  "Poor thing!" exclaims Syv.

  "Excuse me?"

  "He's trapped here, alone. I bet you scared the crap out of him."

  "Oh yeah, look, he's terrified." Ewan points.

  Syv tuts and shakes her head. "You obviously know nothing about dogs."

  "That monster is not a fucking dog!" He gives a harsh laugh. "What are you going to do? Take it to the RSPCA?"

  "No, I'll take him home. I bet he'd make a great guard dog."

  "Are you serious?"

  "I can't just leave Spot out here. He could attack humans." She smiles around at the dog. "Besides, he likes me."

  "Spot?" Ewan and I ask in unison.

  "Yes. So do you want a ride or what? I'm a busy girl."

  "How are we supposed to get in your car if some creature from another realm, who clearly wants to kill, is in there?" Ewan points again.

  Syv sighs and opens the car door.

  "Fuuuuck." Ewan and I step back while Vee nervously joins us.

  The dog jumps out and I stare as Syv scolds the animal for barking. It crouches at her feet, hackles up. "I'll put him in the back. You'll be fine."

  She crosses to the car boot and lifts the door. The Jeep has a bar between the boot space and the back seats. "Coming or not?" asks Syv as she slams the door closed.

  I eye the open passenger door, debating what to do. Vee mutters something about how she wants to get home and climbs in. Alarmed the dog might attack, I join her.

  The car smells of stinking dog breath, and when I close the window I can't see anything through the mist on the pane. Ewan joins Syv in the front and we lapse into silence, besides the heavy panting and low growl from the creature separated from us by metal.

  Metal I'd bet he could chew through if he wanted.

  6

  VEE

  Syv's battered Jeep is parked outside the house, an uncomfortable reminder nobody else here has a car. Ewan lost his shit about his bike stuck in Scotland and Joss wasn't amused that this was on Ewan’s priority list. Joss is right, Ewan’s bike is the least of our current problems.

  Xander and Heath are on their way back but will be hours yet. I watch through the lounge window as Syv stands with Spot, now leashed by rope. Ewan and her continue an argument that started in the car about what to do with him. I tiptoe to watch as Syv stomps away with her new pet in tow.

  Joss wanders in with an amused smile.

  "Aren't you worried? The dog attacked you," I ask.

  "A little. Ewan's telling her to put him in the old barn."

  "Good thing nobody's cars are parked in there." Xander in particular likes to keep his Aston under cover, and the barn makes a makeshift garage. I doubt he'd like it chewed or clawed up by a demonic dog.

  "Yeah." Joss cups my cheek. "How are you feeling after our surprise journey and encounter?"

  I smile at Joss's attempts to make light of everything again. "We have a lot to chat to Heath and Xander about when they get home."

  "That'll take another three hours, apparently."

  The front door slams and the windows shake before Syv appears in the lounge. She strips off her green jacket and dumps it on the sofa. Beneath, she wears a black singlet with a large blue stone on a necklace, hanging between her full breasts. She drags her fingers through her hair, pulling it out of her face, and a tattoo across her wrist shows itself. A black symbol, intricate and hard to make out at a distance.

  "I locked Spot in the barn. Now I need a drink." She strides past us into the kitchen, and cupboard doors bang open and closed until the chink of glass can be heard. She reappears with a bottle and four glasses. "Here. Something for the shock?"

  "It's 4 p.m., Syv," says Joss.

  "Who gives a fuck?" She thrusts a glass at him and sloshes in whiskey. "Vee?"

  "Uh." My protest is silenced as she pours and passes me a drink too.

  "Yeah." Ewan strides into the kitchen and holds out a hand. "I need one."

  Drinks distributed, Syv pulls herself onto the kitchen counter and sits, sipping as she watches the three of us.

  "Get me up to speed then. I've been hunting for this artefact you're all keen to find. Xander told me things are more complicated now but didn’t elaborate." She slurps. "Man, he was in a bad mood. What's with this Chaos thing?"

  Joss makes a derisive sound. "'Chaos thing'. You don't know how bad this is."

  "Enlighten me." Syv pours herself another drink.

  We spend the next half hour filling Syv in with all the details about what's happening, and the events of the last twenty-four hours. Her face switches between surprise and shock before she pulls her neutral expression
back on.

  I don't miss that she drinks more quickly as the story continues, her pink cheeks and troubled look growing as her name is mentioned.

  "I guess I'd better find this artefact you need and quickly," she says eventually. "Thanks for sending a god after me."

  "We didn’t send him. If Seth has someone following you, I think he’s confident you’ll find the object more easily than anyone else. Do you think you can?"

  Syv smiles proudly, then drains her glass. "If I walk into a museum or antique store, every magic item attracts me. Do you know how many types are out there? Fae. Druidic. Elemental. Demonic. A shitload. I think I know what I’m looking for now, but it’s still tricky."

  "Maybe your new pet can help you," suggests Ewan with snark. "He could sniff something out."

  "Ah, who knows. I bet he has some special skills," she replies.

  "Yeah, like the ability to rip people to shreds in seconds."

  "Don't worry your pretty face, Ewan. I’ll protect you."

  He scowls.

  "One thing’s for sure, I’m hanging ‘round you guys for protection." She hops down and wanders back into the lounge, calling, "Want to see my new weapons?"

  I watch her go. All females I've met since my arrival in this life haven't been friendly. Syv is non-committal towards me, but that beats Portia's rudeness and Breanna's quiet suspicion.

  Syv walks back in carrying two thin-bladed daggers, gripping them by the ornately carved handles. The blades catch the kitchen light and dazzle, and I'm pleased they're bloodstain-free.

  Syv twirls one in her hands before setting it on the table. "My weapons are prettier than yours, boys. Still using bowie knives?" Syv taps her palm across her open mouth, faking a yawn. She winks at me and I smile at her teasing. "Here, what do you think of mine?"

  I take the proffered dagger and weigh it in my hand. It's lighter, and she's correct, it's prettier, the blade thinner and sharper than the ones the guys give me.

  What do I say? I've no clue how to discuss the merits of instruments of death. "Nice."

  She cups a hand around her mouth so the guys can't hear her next word to me. "Fae."

  "Oh. Is that a good idea?" Is this what Portia was talking about when she accused Syv of stealing something important?

  "Nah. Ten a penny. You can find them in antique shops all over. Col wants them all; he's not happy about fae items strewn across the world. That's most of what I collect for him."

  Ewan takes the dagger and places it on the table. "As interesting as your life is, we've more important things to deal with than your shady business dealings and unimpressive weapons."

  Syv cocks a brow. "Gonna show me your weapon then, Ewan? Is that impressive?"

  I laugh as Joss groans at her descent into childish laughter. Ewan makes an exasperated noise and picks up his glass. "Joss. I want to research Chaos, demonic dogs, and how to shut up cheeky mercenaries."

  Syv smirks and flicks him on the nose. "You know I'll always help you. I owe you. Well, Xander, anyway."

  My ears prick up. I've heard a few references to Xander and Syv, and the possibility they may've been intimate had niggled, but this sounds like something different.

  Ewan looks to me. "Are you okay, Vee? We can stay with you and talk about what happened?"

  I shake my head. "I'd rather wait until Xander and Heath get home. I'm kind of okay."

  "Kind of?"

  I scrunch my face up. "Kind of. Don't ask me questions." Joss and Ewan exchange troubled glances and I reach out to touch Joss’s arm, who's closer. "Like Syv, I need a drink."

  Is Joss going to push this? He chews on his lip, then nods. "Okay, keep Syv company," says Joss.

  Syv watches them go and shakes her head. "They mean stay with me and make sure I don't steal anything."

  I nod, because I've no idea what to say. She wouldn't steal from the Horsemen. Would she?

  I'm still processing what happened to me and why. The meeting where I was told I'm a supernatural nuclear bomb. The teleporting. Seth. Closing a portal. It's all too much for my brain to deal with at once.

  The teleportation—or whatever it was—didn't hurt or scare me, but I knew the portal was close by before the guys told me. Am I linked to the portals somehow? Or Seth? If I'd been close enough, I wouldn't have been able to stop myself attacking him. I barely have any recollection of closing the portal or how I did; it was an instinctive response as if I was standing back and watching myself.

  No, my biggest fear is how suddenly everything happened and how I had no control.

  Syv slaps both palms on the table and squints at the now-empty bottle. "I hope they have more."

  "Their house is always stocked with alcohol." I point at the top cupboard.

  When Syv places shot glasses and a half bottle of tequila in front of me, I weigh up what to do. Despite the amount I've drank, I don't feel as intoxicated as I may've done before. Looks like Syv can hold her liquor well too.

  Syv spots my hesitation as she hovers the bottle above a small glass. "I don't often hang out with people. I want to have some fun."

  "What about Abel?" I ask.

  She purses her lips as she swaps to pouring into the second glass. "We don't spend much time together. We're a long-distance friends with benefits. He's in the States a lot."

  I suck my lips together, unsure if I should say the next words. My mind flashes back to the last time I saw her other acquaintance, Taron.

  Y'know. The time I killed him.

  She grimaces as she takes a shot. "I don't get attached. It gets messy, and I'm too busy."

  "I'm sorry about what happened to Taron, though. I know he was your friend."

  "Occupational hazard—that's the cliché term, right?"

  "I guess..." I stare down at the shot glass filled with clear liquid.

  "You're going to ask me why I do all this, aren't you?" She taps her fingers on the table. "The usual. Money. No education past high school, no skills apart from bartending or waitressing." She grimaces. "Laying out punters who grope my arse doesn’t offer job security. Using my unique skills? Profitable, and maybe one day I'll find out more about myself. A journey of self-discovery!" She ends her little speech by flourishing her hands in the air.

  "Because you're half-demon?" Man, I'm bold after a few drinks. This girl has sharp knives and a temper to match her hair, I'll bet.

  "And half kickass awesomeness." She chuckles, but with every word, I pick up something else. The alcohol pulls away some barriers she may not realise are coming down. She's lost and unsure. Desperate for answers.

  I know the feeling.

  "I'm sure you are. How long have you known the Horsemen?"

  She nods at my glass. "Drink."

  I obey, and the fiery liquid burns my throat. I thought whiskey was bad, but this? Ugh.

  "You want to know what about Xander and if we have a past, don't you? I’ve seen the look on your face when I mention him."

  "Yes." I place a hand over my mouth. Go me and my truth-telling.

  She laughs. "Don't worry, I haven't screwed him if that's what worries you. That arrogant ass isn't my type, and the Horsemen were never fans of my activities. Anyway, I was in a difficult situation once. Xander was there and helped me out of it. We called a truce, and I agreed to help him when needed." She punctuates her staccato story with a long drink. "So yeah. That."

  "Must've been bad if you still owe him."

  Her lips thin. "Years ago. Forgotten about. I lived."

  She clamps up. I could’ve guessed she’s somebody who doesn’t welcome questions.

  "How about you, Vee? I hear stories about you, and I'm curious. I know the guys have no clue where they came from, and you don't either, but who's the real Vee? You know, the person behind Truth."

  I focus on drinking, afraid because I ask myself that question too much. "The Fifth, apparently."

  "With four hot guys smitten by you. I'm not into the whole protective male thing, but it's gotta boost a girl's e
go."

  I can't stop the grin on my less-than-sober face. "It does. Sometimes more than others, but it's partly why I'm here to unite us against..." The dark reality sneaks into our relaxing afternoon.

  "Chaos?" Syv interrupts. "Tell me about him. Man, that sneaky bastard had me fooled. All of us."

  "Perks of being a god, I guess."

  Syv spins the dagger around on the table as she listens, face impassive. "I think you're doing the right thing, working with Ripley. He's correct—if we don’t ally, then we all end up dead."

  "I don't think we have a choice. But it doesn't mean anybody will trust him."

  "I don't think that's necessary; you can all keep separate. Keep your secrets."

  I drink. "The guys are worried Ripley will open a portal to let his leader through."

  "That'd be dumb. If Seth wants to open them all, then Ripley opening one would give him a head start. Besides, if you're uh...attracted to portals when Seth tampers with them, Ripley won't have much chance." She taps her dagger against her chin. "Maybe that's why the Order wanted to kill you before the Horsemen found you. They knew you'd stop the portals opening and end their plans."

  Hearing the opinion of someone outside of our group, apart from Seth's lies, is weird but welcome. How much does Syv know about how the guys operate? I get a sense she attempts neutrality with every client, or potential client, but that must be tricky and involve double-crossing at some point.

  She catches my expression. "But, I hear you're too strong for anybody to touch you now. You must be, if you're going to take down a god."

  I gulp the mouthful of tequila and stare back, eyes watering. "Excuse me?"

  "Personally, I don't think you're here to help Seth, so it must be your role to take him down."

  Her stated opinion shouldn't be a surprise, it's what's been discussed, but I also don't want this to be the truth.

  "But we'll know for sure once we've decoded this book and found out what the prophecy is."

  This time I almost choke. "Prophecy?"

  Syv waves a dismissive hand. "Well, there's always a prophecy, isn't there?"

  "Can we talk about something else, please?" I ask and pour the shots this time. "Tell me a story, I bet you have plenty."