by A. Blythe
“The whole point is we can control fire,” Reed reminded me.
“Some of you, maybe,” I said. “But even the ones who supposedly can won’t have your level of control.”
His silence confirmed my concern.
Luciano raised his hand. “I still don’t know what my role is.”
I smiled. “You, my good buddy, are going to drive the getaway car.”
“Can’t you all fly and shit?” he asked, surveying the room. “Why do you need a getaway car?”
“No one here can fly,” I said. “We need transport.”
“You know I started out in the crime syndicate as a getaway driver.” Luciano said, warming to the idea.
“I know you did,” I told him. “That’s what gave me the idea.”
He rubbed his hands together expectantly. “So what kind of car is it? A Porsche? Something super fast, right? Because I only know how to drive expensive cars.”
“Let’s worry about the particulars later,” I said.
We ran through our entrance and exit strategies one last time and then it was time to go. I brushed off the butterflies in my stomach. I’d run point on plenty of missions, but never with this many non-agents and never when the life of someone I cared about was hanging in the balance. This was more stressful than the Colony Games. At least there were rules and an arena. This undertaking promised casualties on both sides. Lives would be lost tonight and the certainty unsettled me.
The group streamed out of the warehouse and onto the darkened sidewalk. There were no streetlights in this part of town.
“So where’s the hot rod?” Luciano asked.
I pointed to yellow school bus at the end of the block.
“Where?” he asked. “I can’t see anything past that school bus.”
I made a noise at the back of my throat and he looked at me in shock. “Ta-da,” I said weakly.
“That’s a school bus, like, for children,” he said.
“It’s not just a school bus,” I said. “Mix summoned a more powerful engine and put it in earlier today.”
“Then let Mix drive it.”
“He’s otherwise engaged. You said you wanted to help, Luciano. This is the help I need from you.” Although it wasn’t in my wheelhouse, I recognized the time for flattery. “I know you can drive a getaway car like nobody else. I’m entrusting you with the lives of everyone here.”
He eyed me suspiciously. “You’re riding on the bus?”
“I am.” And, gods be willing, Pinky would join us for the ride home.
“Okay,” he said slowly. “Then I’m your driver.”
We squeezed into the bus. Katrien and her friends would see us coming from a mile away, which was exactly what I wanted. With so many of us alighting from the bus and fanning out in all directions, they’d be hard-pressed to keep up with all of our movements. Not to mention notice any other surprises I had in store.
Once he got settled in the driver’s seat, Luciano seemed to embrace his role. “Who knows any good bus songs?” he yelled. “99 Bottles of Beer anyone?”
So the entire drive up the Schuylkill Expressway, I was surrounded by the robust chorus of magicians and the Nephilim as they sang about beer bottles on the wall. At least no one seemed too concerned that we were driving to our deaths. No need for panic at the last minute.
“Does anyone else hear music?” I asked.
“It sounds like Beethoven’s Fifth,” Reed said, and we stared at each other.
I fumbled to get the phone out of my back pocket. Sure enough, Jonathan’s number was on the screen. Talk about bad timing.
“Jonathan?” I asked, moving to the steps of the bus. They created a small alcove where I sat to try and hear him without the bawdy singing in my ears.
“Yes, Alyse. Are you alone?” His voice was deep and scratchy, like a gray-haired uncle with a penchant for cigars and whiskey.
I poked my head up to see a bus full of supernaturals singing like drunken sailors and swinging their weapons in time to the music. “Not exactly,” I said, “but I really need to talk to you.”
The line went quiet.
“Jonathan?”
No response. I checked the screen. The call was gone.
“You’d better get in your seat, Ally,” Luciano said. “I’m about to floor it.”
Gods be damned. Jonathan would have to wait.
Luciano appeared impressed with the engine provided by Mix. He managed to hit the gas and pass a Ferrari as we approached our exit, which delighted him to no end.
When the bus finally pulled in front of the zoo, I was relieved that we managed to arrive in one piece.
Reed tugged on my arm. “Now might be a good time for an inspirational speech.”
Huh? “Do I look like Aragorn to you?” I didn’t give rousing speeches. We were all responsible and semi-intelligent creatures. I expected everyone to get out there and do as they were told.
He leaned closer and whispered, his breath tickling my ear. “These fine people are about to put their lives on the line because you asked them to. They don’t know Pinky. Most of them don’t know you. You need to offer words of gratitude and encouragement.”
Gratitude and encouragement. Neither of those concepts came naturally to me. I’d have to wing it.
I stood up and clapped for everyone’s attention.
“Before we file out of the bus, I’d like to thank you all for coming together to rescue one of our own. I know Pinky isn’t a djinni or a Naphil”—I glanced at Luciano—“or a member of the crime syndicate, but she’s still one of us. We can’t let Nightshade come into our colony, our territory, and make demands. We can’t let them come in here, take one of our own, and expect to leave unchallenged. Katrien made a grave error in coming to this colony.”
“Damn straight,” Luciano yelled.
“I need you to remember when you’re out there fighting that tonight is isn’t only about Pinky. We also have a responsibility to stop hate in its tracks, before it spreads beyond our borders and takes control of the very organization that safeguards our supernatural community nationwide. Tonight we need to send a clear message to the members of Nightshade that we don’t tolerate bigotry and hatred here.”
The cheers were deafening. I had no doubt whichever djinni Katrien had on border patrol was reporting back to her now.
“There are twenty-two djinn in that zoo who are ready to kill you in order to obtain this ring.” I fished the fake ring from my pocket and held it up for everyone to see. “They want to use this ring to bend the world to their will. We cannot allow that to happen. Not tonight. Not on our watch.”
Not on my watch.
16
There were not twenty-two djinn in the zoo.
“I count at least thirty, maybe more,” Rick said, returning from surveillance at the top of a nearby apartment building. The Nephilim could climb to dizzying heights like no other group.
“What else?” Reed asked.
Rick gave him a mournful look. Bad news was etched in his pretty features.
“You were right about Pinky’s location. She’s on the island, and the whole zoo is heavily guarded. There’s one path that looks relatively clear.”
That was the path Katrien intended for me. I suspected she wanted to prevent anyone else from snagging the ring out from under her.
“Okay,” I said. “We expected this.” Not the extra djinn, of course, but we still had numbers on our side, as well as a few surprises.
It’ll all work out, Reed said. Gods, I hoped so. Pinky’s life was on the line.
“You have your orders,” I shouted. “Good luck.”
Rose came and stood by my side. “I’m sticking with you. Right, dear?”
“Like glue,” I said. “Until we get to the Peacock Pavilion. Then I want you to do your own thing.”
“It’s not an easy glamour. It will take time.”
“I know and that’s fine. I don’t want you to join us right away. Wait for the critical mo
ment.”
Rose nodded and hugged my waist. “Don’t die, dear. I have homemade scones. If you live, I’ll let you come over and try one.”
Homemade scones sounded like the best food on the planet right now. “Thanks, Rose. You’ve given me a reason to live.”
She patted my arm and we walked along the pathway.
A weapon fired in the distance and I knew the gloves were off. As planned, Rose left me at Peacock Pavilion. As I passed through Bird Valley, I felt a presence nearby.
I’m shadowing you. Reed’s voice popped into my head.
I noticed. Why? I’m supposed to come alone.
You’re not letting anything happen to Pinky and I’m not letting anything happen to you.
Reed, your people are here fighting. You need to be with them, especially your brother. Greer could read as many books as he liked, but his practical experience was still lacking.
Greer is…His voice stopped. Not fine.
Where is he? I asked.
Bear Country. It’s just around the bend.
Katrien would have to wait. We ran until we reached the first bear enclosure, where one bear restlessly paced back and forth and the other bear sat nestled in a corner.
I picked up on the problem immediately. Greer stood in front of the enclosure, surrounded by four men. They each pointed a gun at him, wearing a familiar vacant look.
“They’re under a spell,” I said.
“I knew they were human,” Greer said, turning slowly to face us. “I’m not sure how to defend myself without hurting them.”
“That’s the idea,” I said. Katrien probably had humans positioned around the zoo. More of a human sword than a human shield.
I kept my gaze fixed on the four men. Reed, I need Melania.
“On it.” He went quiet and I wondered exactly how many bars his telepathy had. What if she was out of range?
I approached the men, my hands raised. “Gentlemen, my name is Alyse Winters.”
They snapped to attention. Okay, good. Katrien had programmed them to react to my name. That likely meant they had orders not to kill me.
“The ring,” they said in unison.
“Yes, yes. I’m working on it, but I need Greer,” I said. “He needs to accompany me to Bird Lake to see Katrien. Did she forget to mention that?”
They stared at me blankly.
“Lower your weapons,” I said firmly. They didn’t comply. “Alrighty then. Please let Greer leave your vicious circle and come with me.” I took a steadying breath and looked at Greer. “Let’s go, Greer.”
His brown eyes met mine and I saw the concern reflected there.
My fingers inched toward my yantoks. No sudden moves.
“So have you guys ever seen Star Wars?” I asked, unsheathing the yantoks and extending them as slowly as possible. “Do these remind you of lightsabers?”
The men formed a straight line in front of me, intent on the show.
“Um, you guys…” Greer stood behind the row of men, now facing the enclosure. “Is anyone else curious why that bear…?”
The four men tilted their heads in unison as Bear Flynn appeared behind them. Their guns clattered to the ground as he opened his furry arms and enveloped them in a bear hug.
“Try not to squeeze them to death,” I yelled. “They’re innocent, remember?”
Flynn waited until they lost consciousness to release them. Then he shifted back into human form.
“Thank the gods I had a reason to leave the pen,” he said. “That other bear was not happy about having a new roommate.”
“How long have you been here?” I asked.
“Since about three o’clock. I saw Katrien walk past with her team around ten.”
“And Pinky?” I asked.
“She was slung over some Ifrit’s shoulder.” Unconscious, just as I suspected.
Melania arrived in time to see four bodies on the ground in front of me.
“They’re not dead,” I told her quickly, before she got the wrong idea. “Only unconscious.”
“Good,” she said, and dropped to her knees. “Unconscious people make better patients anyway.”
“There will be more before the night is over,” I said. “Just follow the trail of bodies.”
Melania glared at me. “You truly are delightful, aren’t you?”
“Flynn, stay with Melania,” I said. “She’s going to need help getting the humans to safety once she’s done repairing their minds.” He saluted me and wagged a finger at Greer. “You come with us.”
“Really?” He seemed genuinely excited.
“Absolutely not,” Reed said. “He’s a liability.”
“Since when?” I countered. “He’s been nothing but an asset since the moment he arrived in town.”
Greer shot his older brother a triumphant look. Sibling rivalries were so petty.
“I only want you to come as far as the lake’s edge,” I warned. “The perimeter will be teeming with djinn.”
Reed concentrated for a moment. “Pinky’s not alone on the island either,” he said. “I hear at least two other voices in my head.”
“That explains a lot,” I said wryly.
Beside me, Greer snickered. “I like her, big brother. Although it’s not clear to me why you do.”
“He’s partial to the abuse,” I said.
As the lake came into view, we were met by four more of Katrien’s zombies. These four looked like they’d been abducted from a Doomsday Prepper party. They all wore jeans, tactical jackets, and bug out boots.
“Who’d like to do the honors?” I asked.
“After you, boss,” Greer said.
This time, I didn’t bother to introduce myself. I swung the yantoks from either side and crashed into two of their heads. Those two knocked hard against the two in the middle. A painful domino effect.
“Mom always threatened to bang our heads together, didn’t she?” Greer asked his brother. He observed the quartet on the ground. “I don’t think I would have enjoyed it.”
“I doubt your mother would have used yantoks,” I said.
“That’s true,” Greer said somberly. “She would’ve used the cast iron griddle.”
The idea of the Reed brothers being so difficult as children as to drive their mother to violence beggared belief.
“No djinn here,” I observed when we reached the edge of the lake.
An empty swan paddle boat drifted toward the shore and I knew I was expected to get in. Alone.
“This is where I leave you,” I told the Nephilim.
“I don’t like this,” Reed said, and I could see the tension in his jaw.
“Do me a favor and go to the Peacock Pavilion. Make sure Rose is ready,” I said. “Her scene is coming up.”
“Her scene?” Reed queried. “Forget it. I don’t want to know.”
I climbed into the boat and pressed the pedals, steering the giant swan toward the island. “This is harder than it looks,” I muttered and, not for the first time, deeply regretted my copper cuffs.
I crossed the lake, pumping my legs like mad. If my plan failed, a lot of good people were going to die tonight. I owed them everything I had in me. I thought of Katrien’s tea leaves and wondered if there’d been any truth to the reading.
The swan landed on the island with a thud. I stood carefully, making sure not to lose my balance as I stepped onto land. Two muscled Hinns emerged from the trees.
“Now this is how you treat a lady,” I said, offering an arm to each of them.
They surprised me by actually slipping their arms through mine.
“Katrien has been waiting for you,” the Hinn on my left said.
“I would have been here sooner but traffic was a bitch,” I said.
The other Hinn stifled a laugh. “We’ve heard many tales of you, Alyse Winters. Nightshade would be honored if you joined our cause.”
“Were your orders to sweet-talk me?” I asked. “Because I have disappointing news for you—I don�
��t join causes that are driven by hate and anger.”
“You are mistaken,” Katrien said, stepping out of the brush. Unsurprisingly, she looked stronger, more like herself. “Our cause is driven by love. Love for djinn everywhere.”
“Your so-called love is only a symptom of your hate,” I told her. “Where’s Pinky?”
“Safe. For now.” She looked me up and down. “Where is the ring?”
I patted my pocket. “Safe. For now.”
“I see you did not choose to wear it,” she said smugly. “I knew you would not dare.”
I freed myself from the Hinns. “You’re right, Katrien. Congratulations, you win. You played me and I fell for every word.”
“Stay here and watch out for any of her companions,” she ordered the Hinns. “You were meant to come alone.”
“And you were meant to not brainwash half the human men in the city.” I splayed my hands. “This is why we can’t have nice things.”
Katrien smiled and gestured for me to follow. I traipsed through the dirt after her.
“I am a generous spirit, Alyse. I would like to give you one last chance to join us,” she said. “Nightshade would be stronger with you, especially when we have your cuffs removed.”
“You’d be stronger with me even with my cuffs,” I said. “I’m an asset.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “If you were such an asset, you wouldn’t be losing this battle.”
“Don’t count your chickens, Kat. Do you have that expression in Eastern Bumblefuck?”
We arrived in a clearing where Pinky was tied to a tree from shoulders to ankles. She was awake now, her blue eyes round and frightened. Her hands were securely fastened and her mouth was taped over. A guarantee she wouldn’t be doing any spells.
Katrien noticed my displeased expression. “We couldn’t take any chances,” she explained.
At least Pinky was conscious and appeared unharmed. When we escaped, I needed her on two feet and mobile.
“Show me the ring,” Katrien demanded, inhaling deeply. “I can feel its power from here.”
I removed Mr. Herman’s ring from my pocket and unwrapped the tissue. “It’s right here, as promised. Release Pinky and it’s all yours.”
Katrien eyed me suspiciously. “I expected a little more resistance. What is the point of bringing a bus full of degenerates with you?”