by John Corwin
"The Ministry is also a lot bigger than the shields we dealt with," Mom said. "But with enough Daemos, it could work."
"Please clarify," Thomas said.
"Demonic infestation," Dad said. "We can summon crawlers, scorps, and all sorts of nasty buggers inside the barrier as long as we have line of sight vision to the target area."
"Just like the way Justin snagged the Chalon through a shield." Shelton whooped. "I can't wait to see how Cephus's buddies react when a crawler is chasing them down."
"Can you direct the demons to attack the aether wells?" Elyssa asked.
"That wouldn't be the most efficient use," Dad said. "We'll want to summon as many hard hitters as we can and cut them loose to wreak havoc, not micro-manage them. Just a few crawlers are hard to control."
The image of Cephus's people being ripped apart, souls sucked from their bodies by crawlers sent shivers up my spine. Unfortunately, it seemed the best way to attack the problem. "Can we possibly unleash enough Hell in Heaven to drive Cephus out of the dome?"
"Only a few of us can pull through the really nasty demons," Dad said. "Everyone else can concentrate on hellhounds. I figure we could really shake them up. If we're lucky, someone in control of the shield might panic and open it to escape the mayhem."
Elyssa stopped drawing lines on the hologram and shook her head. "We shouldn't count on that. Instead, we treat this as a diversion while our Seraphim cut a hole through the barrier."
"Yeah, but once our people are inside, the crawlers and scorps are gonna eat them alive," Shelton said.
"We would need to scent our units with brimstone," Kassallandra said. "The scorps and crawlers would be less likely to attack."
Shelton snorted. "Less likely ain't much of a guarantee."
"The Daemos could lead the charge," Dad said. "Once inside, we can control the creatures we summoned and banish them if necessary."
Elyssa bit her lower lip and stared at the floating map. "It sounds risky, but I don't know of an alternative."
I cleared my throat. "We still have the problem of holding open the barrier long enough to allow the ground troops inside."
"You don't have enough Seraphim?" Elyssa asked.
"We need to combine the power of twenty Seraphim into one big battering ram of Stasis." I thrust my hands forward. "To do that, one person has to be the focus, and has to handle all that energy."
Elyssa tilted her head. "Are you saying you can't handle that much power?"
I waggled my hand in a so-so gesture. "When everyone was linked into me to destroy the crystoid, I had to fight to regulate the two opposing forces into perfect balance. I barely managed it with six Seraphim. I'm just not efficient enough with Stasis to handle more."
"Why not break into smaller teams and carve smaller holes in the barrier?" Thomas said.
"Because the smaller holes would only stay open for seconds at a time," I said. "What we need is someone who is powerful and really good with Stasis."
"Oh god," Shelton groaned. "Are you really thinking what I think you're thinking?"
"Yeah." I caught a pained look from Mom who knew exactly who I had in mind. "We need Mr. Gray."
Victus, for one, looked delighted. "Fjoeruss, the creator of the gray men?"
"All attempts to contact him after the war have failed," Thomas reminded me. "Even our best agents were unable to locate him during the crystoid crisis."
"He was never all that enthusiastic about choosing sides during the war, either," Shelton said. "You sure we really need him?"
"He's the most powerful Stasis user I know of." It just so happened I knew one promising way to find him, but I didn't want Victus to get wind of it. His favorite hobby was designing mutant monsters like the tragon in Queens Gate. I didn't want him collaborating with Fjoeruss and learning the secrets of creating lifelike golems.
"Looks like we have a lot of angles to cover," McCloud said. "We need contingency plans in case this fortress assault fails."
"Agreed," Thomas said. "The Custodians are already working on such a plan in the event of another crystoid attack."
"What we need are more ideas about containing Cephus." Elyssa zoomed out the holographic map. "There must be some way of cutting him off completely."
"Sounds impossible," Shelton grumbled. "The entire city is floating on aether."
"It appears we need time to strategize," Thomas said. "I suggest we adjourn. If you have any ideas, consult with Lieutenant Borathen."
The meeting broke fractured into individual conversations and some attendees drifted out of the door.
I sidled up to Elyssa. "Well, Lieutenant, is seems you have your job cut out for you."
"I don't know how we're going to do it." Elyssa stared at the frozen image of the barrier. "At best, we can prevent Cephus from kidnapping more citizens and turning them into mutants. After that this turns into a siege."
I didn't like the sound of that. "There's nothing we can do to stop him from his evil plans?"
"We might be able to stop a crystoid launch, but if he opens a portal to the Void, all we can do is sit back and watch." Elyssa's forehead creased with worry. "We have to crack that egg."
I wracked my brain for some unorthodox manner to reach the objective, but aside from building a gigantic excavator, didn't reach an epiphany.
Shelton squeezed through the dwindling crowd and sat on the edge of the table next to me. "I know this ain't the best time to bring this up, but we'd like to have the rehearsal dinner tonight if you have time."
Elyssa smiled. "Are you kidding me? We haven't had a break since we left for the mission. I need a diversion."
"Wonderful," Bella said as she joined us. "It is good to have you back home."
My stomach rumbled at the thought of normal food. "Please tell me you're having pizza or burgers."
Bella shook her head. "We're having Colombian food—empanadas, arepas, and plenty of plantains."
"I wanted pizza too," Shelton murmured. He quickly grinned when Bella gave him a sharp look.
I checked the time and was shocked to discover it was only two in the afternoon. "What time do we start the festivities?"
"Six," Shelton said.
"Anything I can do to help?" Elyssa asked.
"Oh, there's plenty," Bella said. "But you have far more important things to plan."
Elyssa turned off the holographic map and picked up her phone. "No, I need some downtime to help me think. Cooking or putting up decorations sounds like just what I need."
"I'm going to get a late lunch." I patted my pockets for my phone and remembered once again it was still vacationing in Seraphina. "Who's up for pizza?"
Shelton's hand shot up. "I'm in all the way."
"I'm not hungry," Elyssa said. "Why don't you two enjoy some boy talk while Bella and I prepare for tonight?"
"Okay." The words were barely out of my mouth when Shelton grabbed my arm and pulled me out of there.
I dragged my feet. "Hey, I didn't get to kiss Elyssa goodbye."
"Plenty of time for that later." Shelton grinned. "I can't wait to get my hands on beer and pizza."
"Harry, don't destroy your diet!" Bella called after us.
He pulled me around the corner. "I'm pretending I didn't hear that."
"Since when are you on a diet?" I asked.
"Since a week ago." Shelton groaned. "Bella doesn't understand that I have a high metabolism." He patted his stomach. "The pounds just melt off even if I'm just sitting around."
I looked at his slightly round belly. "No more donuts?"
"No more pancakes. No more donuts." His eyes filled with agony. "I have to eat turkey sausage instead of bacon for breakfast!"
"Maybe you could ask someone to turn you into a vampire," I suggested. "Eat all you want then."
Shelton's nose wrinkled. "And have to drink blood? No thanks." He shuddered. "Already grosses me out when Bella drinks her occasional goblet of blood. I'm just happy dhampyrs don't have to drink it as often as vam
pires."
"Doesn't bother me," I said. "I usually let Elyssa sip right off my neck."
"You're lucky you don't scar easily." He flashed white marks on his neck. "Turns out my delicate skin doesn't like fangs." We boarded the levitator and rode it to the hangar level.
Several delegates from various factions still remained. My parents were speaking with Kassallandra, probably about the plans to summon demons inside Cephus's fortress. Victus nodded his head at a tall thin man standing next to a small boy I recognized as Conrad, Victus's son. The boy looked too pale to be healthy, his frame thin and frail.
A portal opened in one of the yellow squares and a Templar hurried through. His eyes locked onto me almost instantly as he jogged over. "Commander Slade, a woman from Seraphina is requesting to travel here."
"Cora?" I asked.
He nodded. "Yes, sir. She claims to have news."
"Please let her through." My stomach knotted. Had the Mzodi decided to join us?
He jogged back through and a moment later, Cora appeared.
Victus stopped talking at once and stared at her. I could almost hear the gears grinding in his head.
"Man, I hope this doesn't take long," Shelton said. "I'm starving."
Cora drew in a deep breath and grimaced. "I can barely smell the trees from here."
"We're in an underground hangar bay," I explained. "Would you prefer to go outside?"
"No." She waved a hand past her nose.
"Hey, I'm Shelton," Shelton said and extended a hand.
Cora gripped his hand, but didn't shake it. "A pleasure."
Shelton looked at her orange locks. "Do you dye your hair?"
As if in response, her hair shaded dark green and bounced back to orange. "Not precisely."
"Cool," he murmured, eyes wide.
"Anyway," I elbowed Shelton to the side. "Do you have good news?"
Cora smiled. "The Muhala Kajeen has agreed to help. She believes the rapid increase of Draxadis incursions are caused by Cephus's new arch. When they heard of the latest attack on the Evadora, it took them little time to reach a decision."
I sighed with relief. "That's great. How long will it take the fleet to reach Kdosh?"
"They dock in the morning." Cora looked left and stiffened. "What is wrong with that boy?"
Shelton glanced at Conrad. "Bad parenting and a pompous ass for a father."
Victus saw Cora looking his way and took it as an invitation to approach along with Delectra and the tall thin man. "Greetings, and welcome to Eden. You must be Cora." He flourished a bow and made no move to shake hands. "I am Victus Edison, and this is my wife, Delectra."
Cora never broke her gaze from Conrad. "This is your boy?"
Delectra raised an eyebrow. "Yes. Our apologies, but he has always been a sickly lad."
The Lyrolai woman knelt next to him, her eyes soft. "No, he is not sick. This is something else."
The thin man I didn't recognize stepped forward and pulled the child away. "It's time for your medicine, Conrad." He smiled, but his bushy black eyebrows and rumpled attire gave him a somewhat sinister look.
Cora rose, eyes flashing. "And you are?"
"Dr. Rufus Cumberbatch at your service." Cumberbatch bowed briefly. "Now, come boy. We really must away."
"I would love to hear more about the Glimmer," Victus said.
Cora's eyes hardened and she turned to me. "You told them that which I asked you to keep secret?"
Embarrassment flushed me with heat. "Uh, technically you said not to tell your crew." I held up my hands. "Besides, I told them it's classified information."
She glared coldly at me and spoke in a hard tone. "I will return to Seraphina."
"I'm sorry," Victus said. "I shouldn't have mentioned it."
"I do not blame you," Cora said.
I took her by the arm and guided her away from the others. "Please, I thought it was okay to tell my own people."
She pulled her arm free and faced me, eyes glittering. "Why would you betray my trust?"
I struggled for an excuse. "I had to tell them who you were. They had to know they could trust you."
Cora's stony gaze held mine. "Do you trust me?"
"Yes."
"Do they trust you?" she asked.
I'm an idiot. My throat went dry. "Yes."
"Apparently, I can no longer trust you." Cora shook her head slowly like a disappointed mother. "I do not think the Mzodi should help someone untrustworthy."
"No, please reconsider, Cora." My voice trembled with desperation. "Your crew won't find out from my people, I promise. I really didn't think—"
"That much is obvious," she said, icicles dangling from every word. "We will complete work on the skyway and part ways."
"Is there anything I can do to change your mind?" I asked. "Please, let me earn back your trust."
"Good luck in your endeavors, Justin." She turned and stalked toward the portal zones.
My heart thudded like a timpani drum and my chest felt hollow. I looked at Victus and felt rage building inside. It was almost as if he'd done it on purpose, but why would he sabotage the war effort?
Victus looked at me with some alarm in his eyes. As Cora passed him, he stepped in her way and bowed his head ever so slightly. "My son would dearly love to see your ship. May we come visit it?"
Cora's gaze snapped toward Cumberbatch and the boy as they waited on a portal to open. She stared so long, Victus seemed to wonder if she'd gone catatonic. At last she answered. "Only you and your son may visit. I will be available tomorrow evening."
Delectra raised an eyebrow. "What about me?"
Cora tilted her head slightly as if realizing the other woman was still there. "What about you?"
"Thank you," Victus said quickly, bowing again. "I'm sure Conrad will love it."
"Yes," Cora said faintly. "Perhaps." She snapped her gaze away from Conrad and headed to the open portal leading to the Three Sisters way station, Delectra staring after her with open contempt.
Shelton got in Victus's face. "You're a real calculating jackass, you know that?"
"Step away from my husband," Delectra growled. "Or I will throw you away."
Victus feigned innocence. "I didn't realize you weren't authorized to tell anyone her secret, Justin."
"You knew better," I said, "but you're always looking for an angle, Victus." I had a feeling visiting Cora with his son was another angle.
"We agreed to declassify anything regarding the Glimmer, so long as it didn't involve Cora," he said. "I thought it was fine to ask her for more information."
"Or maybe you asked to declassify it so you could piss her off," I hissed. "What do you have to gain from this?"
"Apologies, Justin." Victus held out his hands in supplication. "I spoke before thinking."
"Yeah, right," Shelton said. "That was premeditated as hell." He grabbed my arm. "Let's go eat before this jackass makes me lose my appetite."
Victus managed a troubled look, though Delectra ruined it by casting murderous glares at Shelton.
"What am I going to do?" I said in a pitiful voice. "They were going to help us, damn it! Now we have to use the skyway. By the time it's fixed, Cephus will have opened a portal to the Void."
"We'll figure out something," Shelton said. "If they're staying to repair the skyway, we have time to change her mind."
"How?" I threw up my hands. "I have nothing she wants."
"Flowers and chocolate always work," Shelton said. He grinned. "C'mon, man, chin up. We've faced tougher odds before. How hard can it be to change a woman's mind?" He frowned. "Never mind. I think we're screwed on this one."
I groaned. "What will I tell the others?"
"Just tell them she decided not to help."
"No." I shook my head. "I'll tell them. Maybe Elyssa or Thomas can figure out something."
"Maybe so." Shelton crossed his arms. "Now, for more important issues—what are we gonna eat?"
I pushed away the troubled thoughts a
nd headed toward the row of dark sedans parked along the back wall.
"I've got half a mind to run against Victus in the next election," Shelton said. "You'd endorse me, right?"
"Yeah, if you can change Cora's mind." I mustered a wan smile.
He snorted. "I'd have more luck pulling a rabbit out of my ass."
The car on the end was one Elyssa and I used on a regular basis. The door opened when I touched it, and a fake engine noise thrummed to life. Though the automobile was designed to blend in, it could camouflage itself and even fly if necessary. Though I wasn't looking forward to Atlanta traffic, I decided to enjoy a nice normal drive through the outside world.
"Where's Cinder?" I asked as I steered us toward downtown. The thought of pizza helped me swallow the lump of regret in my throat. Shelton was right—we'd faced tougher obstacles before. I can fix this.
"The minute he found out you were back, he said he had some finishing touches to put on my bachelor party." An apologetic grin crossed his face. "I know it's probably gonna be the worst one in history, but at least we can hang out one more time before the big day."
I barked a laugh. "I'm actually curious to see what he's got in mind."
"Dude, this is Cinder we're talking about." Shelton shook his head. "This is the same golem who thought he could build himself a golem girlfriend."
"Well, at least he cares enough to try."
Shelton hissed air between his teeth. "Yeah. I think he sort of understands how to care."
I circled back to my original reason for asking about Cinder. "I need you to call him for me."
"Right now?" Shelton looked out the window as Antico's Pizza appeared.
"Yeah, no time to waste." I gave him a conspiratorial look. "I think he's our best hope for pulling out the big guns. We need to find Fjoeruss."
Chapter 22
I pulled into the parking lot and saw two open slots. Before I could get there, a shiny black BMW whipped in and double-parked right over the white line. A man in a black suit with a red power tie got out.
Shelton leaned out the car window. "Hey, buddy, how about parking in between the lines?"
"And risk getting my new car scratched?" the man said. "No way."