by Charley Case
He shook his head. “It’s too big for that. We would need tons of explosives to crack the Anthem’s hull. I need to get on board so I can engage the self-destruct mechanism…though that would be a pretty big bang that I don't know if we can all get clear of in time.”
“Squee shir shee krii.” Penny took her last bite and patted her belly.
Finn frowned, but nodded. “I don't like it, but it’s an option. As long as you’re certain the lake could absorb the blast.”
“The blast?” Mila asked.
“Penny suggested we use the fuel rod to blow up the Anthem. She could set it to overload and drop it in the water over the ship. That would take care of it.”
Mila shook her head. “No way. There’s a town over there full of people. If you blow up the Anthem, it might kill everyone around here. You may as well use the self destruct. I saw how massive an explosion the Huldu used the first time. A blast that big would blow all the water out of the lake.”
“It wouldn't be like that,” Finn assured her. “What the Huldu did was use magic to create an explosion. This is different, an explosion of magical energy.”
Mila looked around the table with a blank stare. “How’s that different?”
Danica put her elbows on the table. “Rupturing a magical item works in a similar way to, like, a regular explosion, releasing a lot of power very quickly and, if it happened on the surface, the magical explosion would be just as devastating, like when the Dark Star threatened to rupture the Helm of Awe. But because it would happen underwater, that changes things.”
Finn nodded and picked up the explanation. “Magic has a lot of interesting properties, but one of the most interesting is how it interacts with water when in its raw form. Casting underwater is not a problem since you never release raw magic; you first form it into whatever spell you want, then release it. But when it’s raw, it wants to find equilibrium, and water is a nearly perfect environment. So, the water absorbs the raw magic it encounters, kind of like radiation.”
“Okay…” Mila followed so far. “What happens if you rupture the rod deep in the water?”
“It would warp everything in the vicinity to unusable scrap. The Anthem would crumble to dust, and everything on board would fuse into a lump of inert material. There would be an explosion, since the water can only absorb so much, but the lake is deep, and Penny thinks it wouldn't make much difference on the surface.”
Mila turned to Penny, who nodded.
“Okay, Finn, so why don't you like the idea?”
“Overloading a fuel rod isn’t like putting a timer on a bomb.” He sighed. “It’s more like lighting a fuse, but you don't know how long the fuse is. It could take two seconds or two hours to blow. I’m concerned it would be on the two-second side of things, which is a less desirable outcome, since the magic needs time to build pressure enough to rupture the rod.” He frowned, considering the idea further before shaking his head. “It’s something we can decide later. We’ll have the twins get a quick look first. I don't want them taking any chances, so scouting mission first, then decide what to do.” He held up the high-tech binoculars to Penny. “Can you show me how to use these damned things? I can't get them to focus or zoom right.”
Penny examined them and flipped a small switch on top. The binoculars made a quiet humming noise that increased in tone until Finn couldn't hear it anymore, like a capacitor had powered up.
“Oh. I didn't realize there was an electronic element to them.”
Penny smiled, and patted his hand in a motherly fashion. “Chi chi.”
“Like a safety switch,” Mila grinned at him.
“Shut up. Both of you.” He laughed. “Pen, this is why you’re in charge of the gadgets.”
Finn used the binoculars, without wanting to puke his meatball sub, and scanned the south shore with Penny pointing out the house. He found the place. It was nearly as big and luxurious as Preston’s place. Unlike Preston’s cabin, though, it was stone and sported large Gothic style windows and trim. It reminded him of a castle, but more modern.
As he scanned the large balcony—with its own hot tub and pool, of course—Penny informed him what she’d seen. A half-dozen Humvees parked out front along with a few dozen snowmobiles. Ten to twelve guards outside, and more movement through the windows.
“Magical barrier?” Finn asked, spotting the first guard.
Penny said a few, but she couldn't tell from a distance what they did.
Finn studied the guard pacing the balcony, an automatic rifle slung across his chest, dressed in a mid-thigh white coat that hid any other weaponry. The man’s features were indicative of a Kashgar, but without feeling his aura it was impossible to tell.
“I think that’s a different group than the ones on the highway,” Finn said, lowering the binoculars. “They look like Kashgar to me. We should be ready for magical attacks if it comes to a fight.”
“Chi.”
Finn sucked in a breath and considered their next move. “Are the girls getting changed?”
Penny nodded.
“Okay. I say we go soon. I think it would be odd for us to be going out on the lake too late in the afternoon. We’ll already be the odd ones venturing out over the deep, but there’s no helping it.”
He held up the binoculars again and zoomed out to get a full-view of the house. He spotted four more guards outfitted like the one on the deck, keeping a sharp eye out. Another two guards came up the steps at the side of the house, one of them speaking into a walkie talkie. The six guards did a full sweep with eagle eyes, and Finn worried they’d gotten wind of him being in the area.
He thought about calling the whole thing off when he spied a large door open and a woman with long black hair and wearing a thin black robe step out. She had a towel around her neck and walked on bare feet through the thin layer of snow toward the hot tub.
Finn zoomed in. It surprised him how young she looked. He had expected a woman starting her own county to be, well, older. Then again, because she looked like a Peabrain didn’t mean she was one. Plenty of races aged slow and looked human.
She dropped the robe to reveal pale skin and a shapely figure under her one-piece black swimsuit. She slipped into the water and leaned back, closing her eyes. It took a second before Finn noticed it, a thin haze of shadow like dark smoke shrouded her. A faint roiling cloud of dark energy, like an aura. Damn. She was powerful. It already impressed him how she could teleport something as large as an asteroid.
Finn lowered the binoculars. “She’s there. Hellena. She’s right fucking there.”
Penny held out her hands and Finn handed the device over. The dragon did the best she could to hold the binoculars, but ended up having to rest them on a railing post and look through a single eyehole. After a few seconds, she pulled her face from the rubber pad and whistled.
“Yeah. Did you see the black smoke? Probably how she got her name.”
Penny nodded.
“Change of plans,” Finn said, leaning on the rail. “Only me and the twins are going out on the ice.”
Penny started to protest, but Finn held up a hand. “No arguing. We weren’t a hundred percent sure she was here. Now we know. I don't want all of us to be out there if we don't have to. Besides, out on the ice, we’ll stick out like sore thumbs, so having a dragon with me is a dead giveaway. Me and the twins look like a father and his kids going out for some fun. If we bring the whole gang, well, you get the picture. There’s also the added benefit that if I get taken out, you and the girls still have a chance to deal with the Anthem.”
Penny gave him a hard stare, her hands on her hips, but Finn could tell she agreed with his logic, even if it pissed her off. Eventually, she nodded agreement.
“Great. Let’s break it to Mila and Danica.” He clapped his hands together. “This ought to be fun.”
“Shir shi?” Penny hopped on his shoulder as he headed toward the door.
“It’s a joke, Penny. Mila’s gonna blow a gasket.”
> Chapter Twenty-Seven
Mila watched from the boathouse’s open garage door as Finn set off on the four-wheeler, pulling a nice fishing shack outfitted with sled rails. The chains on the ATV’s tires spit up ice chips, and the twins were packed into the shed along with all the equipment they would need for their scouting mission. Mila felt confident in their abilities to blend in and hoped they would be safe.
She smiled at the thought of being able to shapeshift into an otter. She wondered if their odd human behaviorisms were because of their otter side. She giggled at the unintentional pun and her in-ear comm crackled to life.
“What’s so funny?” Finn asked, the wind a lot less pronounced through his comm than she would have guessed.
“Nothing. I was thinking about Regan and Ronan’s ‘otter half.’” She giggled again, unable to help herself.
The twins cut in and said in unison, “Heard it a million times. Do better.”
Mila laughed again.
The comms were another of Penny's mystery purchases with the company debit card. It turned out over the last few months the little dragon had been collected many goodies. When she had opened the bag and shown them what was in there, it took a good fifteen minutes to go through it all. Along with the in-ear comms were military-grade tablets with everything from GPS to direct satellite data up-links on them. Body armor made from some spider-goat hybrid silk. The very idea of a goat in some lab genetically spliced with a spider to produce silk creeped Mila out, but the armor was sweet. Penny even had one made to fit Finn, and he wore it under under a thick, green winter coat they’d found in the closet. They’d convinced him hitting the ice in his stitched bomber jacket would look suspicious since the temp was in the teens.
Other things in the bag included foldable batons, various tasers, and a plethora of non-lethal, but effective sprays; the only one she had heard of was mace, but one labeled Jumbo Bear Spray seemed like it would work on anything. Mila wasn't sure ‘jumbo’ described the can or the bear, but she figured it didn't matter to anyone who got a face full of it.
The most important thing Penny pulled from the bag was the stone skin ring Mila had worn the night they fought off Jeffery and the hellhounds. Finn gave the ring to Danica, since they knew she could power it with her magic.
He’d handed her the binoculars as well, asking her to keep watch on the Dark Star’s place and to let him know if there were any changes. Mila glanced up to the balcony and saw her tall friend leaning on the railing watching the house like a hawk, her bow slung over her shoulder, a quiver of arrows on her hip.
Mila felt useless as she watched the shed slow and stop a half mile out on the ice. She saw Finn hop off and unhook the shed from the ATV. Mila wanted to be out there with them, but Finn made a good argument for her, Danica, and Penny to stay behind. She just didn't like it.
With a sigh, she headed for the door.
“You okay, Mila?” Finn asked, making her jump. She needed to get used to him being in her ear.
“Yeah. Just don't know what to do with myself right now. I don't like sitting around worrying.” She stepped out of the boathouse and onto the dock, looking over and squinting in the midafternoon light at the tiny figure of Finn beside the shack as he peered her way.
“You should try the gun again. I saw a pile of frozen dirt that looked like it would make a good backstop in the sideyard.”
Mila turned and saw the mound he was talking about. “Won’t firing off a gun draw a bunch of attention?”
When Finn replied, she heard the muffled sound of an engine. “No. Remember the rifle Preston loaned you? Magical weapons don't make a lot of noise. Especially that one, since it doesn't fire a solid projectile. Give it a try.”
Mila pulled the pistol out and cradled it in her hands. She bit her lip. “What if it doesn't work? I feel like that would be a nail in the coffin.” She was quiet when she said it, but Finn had heard her.
“If it doesn't work, it doesn't mean you won’t awaken. It just means it’s not happening right now.”
“Give it a go, Mila,” Danica cut in. “Magic is a tool. We should know if it’s one you can use or not. What’s the worst that could happen? By the way, Penny agrees with us. At least I think that’s what she’s saying.”
Mila peered to see Penny gesturing at Danica. “You’re right. We need to know.”
“Be sure to turn the safety off,” Finn joked.
“Shut up and dig that ice hole, jerk.” Mila shot back, a smile on her face.
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied. Before the channel cut out, the background engine sound revved up.
Mila examined the Ivar. It was sleeker than any pistol she’d used. It didn't seem to have any moving parts except for the safety switch and trigger. Where there would be writing or branding on a normal pistol, the Ivar displayed delicate scrollwork that shone silver against the black finish. It was beautiful.
A weapon shouldn't be art, she thought.
She lined up, facing the backstop, and aimed at the lower half of the pile so she didn't overshoot the target. Taking a deep breath, she flipped the safety and put her finger on the trigger. She gripped tight, not knowing how much kickback to expect.
Mila stood like that for a good minute, scared to pull the trigger. Not scared of the gun going off, but that it wouldn't.
“Come on, Mila. Just do it,” she mumbled, too quiet for the mic in her comms to pick up.
She pulled the trigger.
Nothing happened. She pulled again. Still nothing. Flipping the safety switch the other way, she tried again. Nothing but the soft click of the trigger.
She felt a flash of shame, even though she knew it wasn’t her fault.
She held the gun in the palms of her hands and frowned at it. “Why won’t you work for me?”
She considered throwing the damn thing in the lake, then noticed three polished spots around the grip where her palm would lay. She glanced at her gloved hand and raised an eyebrow.
“If the magic has to come from me, maybe it has to be in contact with it, right? Maybe my glove’s the problem?”
“Did you say something?” Finn shouted in her ear, the roar of the auger engine half drowning him out.
“No, it’s fine,” Mila responded loudly. “I’m going to try something.”
“Let me know how it goes. We’re about through.” He cut out, leaving Mila's ears ringing.
She stripped her glove off and gripped the pistol’s handle, surprised at how warm it was despite the cold. This time, when she gripped it, she thought she felt a small shock. It was slight, so she wasn't sure if it had been real or in her head.
She took aim and flipped off the safety. This time, she didn't hesitate to pull the trigger.
Pain blossomed in the back of her head as a thick white bolt of energy shot from the barrel of the gun and blasted a two-foot crater into the base of the dirt backstop. A loud boom echoed off the mountains, making snow fall from the shaking trees around her.
Mila fell to her knees and clutched the back of her head as an instant headache threatened to split her skull her apart.
Finn’s head snapped up. The sound of an explosion echoed off the mountains and sent the thick ice beneath them vibrating.
A wave of unfamiliar power washed over him and the twins, who were already pulling their clothes off. They glanced at him, and he at them.
“What the fuck was that?” Finn yelled into the comm.
“I thought…you said the gun wouldn’t hurt…” Mila croaked.
“That was the pistol? What the fuck happened?”
“Well…” she sounded like she was picking herself up off the ground. “I fired it, and it was a lot more fucking powerful than you said it would be.”
“Uh, Finn?” Danica cut in, “That sent off a wave of power that hit me like a brick wall.”
“We felt it all the way over here. Hey, what are the Dark Star’s people doing?”
“They’re in a fuss, but don't seem to be making a move
so far.”
“Should we go or stay?” Regan asked Finn, her shirt halfway off.
He bit his cheek then chanced another look through some less powerful binoculars Penny had given him. Danica was right, they were searching the area but not making moves toward their Humvees or snowmobiles.
He turned to the twins. “Go. We might not get another chance, so if the ship is unguarded, go for it, but if you see even one person, I don't care if they’re busy doing something else, get the hell out of there. We’ll figure something else out.”
They nodded and tossed their clothes to the side. Regan jumped, hopping into the air above the large hole Finn had augered, her feet together and arms to her side. She shifted right before going beneath the water, a large brown and black otter slipping through the hole without even a splash.
Ronan gave Finn a salute and followed his sister, also shifting in the blink of an eye and into the freezing water just as fast.
“Oh, shit…” Danica’s voice came over the comm.
“What?” Finn immediately saw what had caught her attention.
Hellena was out onto the balcony. She wore a hooded black and red cloak. She stepped to the rail, and Finn trained the binoculars on her as she slowly scanned the lake, her head swiveling. His blood froze when her gaze locked on him.
She pointed right at him, and Finn saw her guards spring to action, flooding out of the house. In seconds, dozens of snowmobiles roared around the house and onto the ice, headed his way.
“Finn…” Danica called.
“I see them.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Mila climbed to her feet, head still aching, although the pain subsided with every passing second.
Penny swooped down and landed on her shoulder. “Shir chi?” The dragon placed a hand on Mila's temple, closing her eyes.
“No, I’m fine.” The stabbing pain at the back of her skull was now but a dull throb. It felt like when she worked out too hard and her arms were jelly the next day. She could still use them, but they ached. It was as if her brain had done a strenuous lifting session and was speeding through the recovery.