by T. F. Walsh
“Fine,” Axel said. “But after that, we leave the city.”
Sure, doing that had its merits, like avoiding imprisonment, protecting Axel. Both great reasons, but then why was my stomach twisting at the thought? What about my friends? Would they assume I’d become a felon? All sorts of animals lived in the Outlands. Gangs. Fae-hating humans. I wouldn’t last long in that environment.
Axel ran alongside me. We crossed another alley backing onto businesses and passed a dumpster reeking of rotting cabbage.
“Eduard whispered something to me in the interview room.” Axel paused and surveyed the empty lane ahead.
“What was it?” I asked.
“He said my death would start the apocalypse. The end of the world. How batshit crazy is that?”
“The apocalypse?” I stopped in my tracks to catch my breath because my chest stung and panic was cramping my insides. “I just remembered you have gang tattoos. Who the hell are you?”
Axel stopped abruptly and turned around. The moonlight glowed across his shoulders. “A nobody. I’ve been living in Vlasikha my entire life. I have human parents. I catch game for people in my neighborhood so they don’t starve. Crime was my past.” He fell silent and dropped his gaze as if he’d said too much. “We gonna chat and get caught, or keep moving?”
I nodded and hurried, unable to stop his words swirling in my mind. End of the world? What the shit did that have to do with Axel dying?
Soon, we emerged into a children’s playground. The brisk wind pushed the empty swings and swirled leaves around. During the day, this place was barren too. With faes worried about who might die next, parents rarely allowed their children out of sight. Of course, it didn’t make a difference; if their binding partner died, so would they.
When I heard the grunt of a motor, I nudged Axel down a narrow passage between two buildings. “We’re almost there.”
By the time PPD sent a full search team and targeted my house, we’d be long gone. Two blocks away, we entered Alexander Street and its welcoming fern trees.
At the front of my townhouse, I leaped over the flower garden I’d been watering for weeks to no avail and grabbed the house key from my pocket. I jammed it into the lock. A quick click and we were inside, shrouded in darkness. I shut the door and ran to the windows, pulling down the blinds before switching on a lamp in the living room. My abode, my getaway, my life. It surrounded me. Framed PPD medals dotted the wall of an almost empty area. I had donated my old sofa to a human family who’d recently moved into the city, along with my dining table and chairs. They’d needed them more than me, and I’d ordered replacements.
“Okay, make yourself useful and pack water, some supplies.” With no idea how long we’d be gone, using liquor for bartering always helped PPD get information from humans in the Outlands. I charged into the kitchen I’d recently painted yellow and pulled the shutters shut. From the bottom cabinet, I yanked out a backpack and tossed it at Axel. “Fill it up. I’ll be back in two secs.”
I sprinted upstairs to grab my emergency bag—all citizens were encouraged to keep one in case gangs ever attacked the city. Clothes, first-aid kit, rations, and weapons. But standing at the foot of my bed, staring at the cushioned window seat and crammed bookshelf, I froze. On the shelf sat a framed image of Nyx. My sister hated having her photo taken, but in this one, she’d posed at the park. Her radiant smile shone; the glow in her green eyes reminded me of her laughter, her pestering me on weekends for pancakes, her hugs. Since her death, my heart had misplaced a piece. I missed her so much every day. But I believed in the afterlife, and one day I’d see my sister again.
Wiping my cheeks, I thought about the ordinary life I’d been living, doing my job while obscuring the sorrow lurking deep inside. A surge of emotions bubbled beneath the surface. Nyx had only been fourteen years old… too damn young to die.
So if I saved Axel and his binding partner from whatever was going on, the crap I’d landed in was worth saving someone else from such grief. Because if anyone had risked their life to ensure my sister survived, maybe she’d still be with me.
I took the photo out of the frame and stuffed it into my jacket pocket, nudging the two knives on my belt. One had belonged to Nyx, and after I had lost her, I got her name engraved on the handles of both our blades.
When I reached behind to my lower back, I realized my Taser was gone. Must have forgotten it in the woods. Didn’t matter, I had other weapons in my bag. I chewed on my cheek, staring at my shaking hands.
“You can do this,” I whispered to myself.
A distant siren echoed, and I snatched the duffle bag off the floor and rushed downstairs. Sweat dripped down my spine, yet a cold breeze wrapped around my legs.
I spun to discover the kitchen door open. My heart pounded in my chest. Axel had vanished. He took off? Why?
Idiot. I’d been so worried about getting busted, I didn’t consider the possibility of him ditching me.
I dashed outside to the back yard, expecting it empty. Instead, Axel was crouched, petting the two tabby cats who had spent the day in my house. Relief brought a quick smile to my face. I felt so high-strung, I swore I’d snap in half.
“What are you doing?” I asked. “We have to go.”
“The cats were meowing at the window to get out, so I gave them a can of what looked like meat from your pantry.”
He scratched one cat’s ear and strode toward me. Tigress never let strangers caress her, but now she rubbed herself against Axel’s legs, ogling up to him as if swooning. Weird.
“Okay, cat whisperer, we’ve got—”
A sudden sound from inside stole my words, and my hand flew to the knife on my belt. Axel and I exchanged glances, the blood from his face drained. Someone was pounding on the front door.
Dread rocked me, owning me, pushing against me. “PPD tracked us!”
Chapter 7
The knock on the door continued. Paralyzing fear twisted in my gut, and I stood rooted in place outside the kitchen. Militia had found us. They’d toss me in prison for helping Axel escape, and I would end up in a cell for life.
“Answer the door,” Axel said, his brow pinched, the night shadows revealing his strong face. “Tell PPD I forced you, but then I got away.”
I shook my head and stared at the rear gate in my backyard. Our only escape. We were wasting time. “We’re leaving.” Rushing into the kitchen, I grabbed Axel’s half-filled bag from the counter.
The knocks came again, loud and fast.
Every muscle in me twitched with desperation to hide. Was this how every criminal felt before getting captured?
The promise I’d made to my sister crossed my mind. Help anyone in need.
Fine. First, I’d get Axel to a safe place. Second, I’d make him spill his guts about everything.
“Luna, I know you’re in there,” a familiar female called from outside the front door. “Saw you enter a few minutes ago.”
The whiny, piercing voice belonged to my neighbor, Mrs. Ivanova. We exchanged a wave most mornings, but without fail, every weekend she popped over with a casserole. After her husband had passed away, she lived with three rescued Chihuahuas. The lights at her place were always out after eight. A quick glance at the wall clock. Ten o’clock. Was she in trouble?
I flicked a hand at Axel and pointed to the pantry for him to get inside. He shook his head and stepped behind the wall dividing the living room from the kitchen.
Damn. His stubbornness was going to kill us both. I hurried to the front door and stared through the peephole.
Mrs. Ivanova stood there, arms by her side, in a frozen state. Silver hair dangled over her shoulders, her skin sagging beneath tired eyes. Green fae ink peeked out from behind the collar of her blue nightgown. Was she sleepwalking?
I unlocked the deadbolt and opened the door.
Her mouth widened into an open-toothed grin.
“Is everything all right?” I asked, scanning the yard and street behind her.
; “Dearie, I was concerned. You got home so late, and I wanted to check on you.” She reached out and took my hand. Her fingers were icy cold, and mine buzzed with that same deception mode I’d felt at the headquarters. Mrs. Ivanova was lying. She wasn’t worried about me at all. And my mind flew to Eduard and the faes in the woods. What did they all have in common that made my deception radar go off?
“You know I always work late,” I said to my neighbor who studied me.
She chuckled, but her eyes weren’t smiling. They fastened on me as a predator might do when watching prey. What was going on?
“But you’ve been working hard, and well, I noticed you brought home a friend. It’s dangerous these days, and—”
“It’s okay,” I nudged her hand off mine. “I appreciate your consideration, but I need to go.”
Mrs. Ivanova stepped closer, her gaze concentrated over my shoulder. Was she searching for Axel? Why would she care? She’d never paid attention when my ex had come by in the middle of the night.
Wait… what if someone forced Mrs. Ivanova to visit? Maybe PPD used her to check me out before they ambushed. That constricting feeling tightened in my chest. Were they watching us now?
I seized Mrs. Ivanova’s wrist and yanked her into the house. She stumbled on her feet as I slammed the door shut behind us. “You’re safe,” I said, leaning closer. “Now what’s going on? Is someone making you come and talk to me?”
She stared at me, dazed at first, then patted my arm and brushed past. “Don’t be silly, Dearie. Now, where is your male friend?” She leaned closer, her lavender scent flooding my nose, and lowered her voice. “I’m an excellent judge of character.”
I scratched my head. My thoughts were a spinning top, blurring into an unrecognizable heap.
“Maybe we can do this tomorrow?” I followed her to the center of the living room. “I’m exhausted and need to get some sleep,” I said as a distraction to send her home.
She glanced at me, her lips pursed. “I’m so thirsty.”
Sighing, I held back the instinct to tell her she had plenty to drink at her home. But when I opened my mouth, I lost the words as Axel rounded the corner, holding a bottle of water. He wore a smile, looking straight at Mrs. Ivanova.
Geez, why not also ask her to join our escape from the PPD? We had to go, not entertain the neighbors.
“Nice to meet you, ma’am. Luna is in good company. There’s no need to worry.” Axel’s expression was all rainbows and candy as he handed her the water. “Here you go.” Damn, he knew how to impress the elderly, especially since the only looks he gave me were glares.
But Mrs. Ivanova wasn’t moving or speaking. Her attention fastened on Axel as if trying to find her thoughts.
“Is something wrong?” I reached out and touched her hand. My nerves were at a snapping point. Having my neighbor go into cardiac arrest was the last problem I needed tonight.
Mrs. Ivanova pushed my arm aside with such strength, I staggered backward. Then she lunged for Axel. Her hand sailed into her nightgown and reappeared, gripping a kitchen knife.
Axel gasped and recoiled.
My mind was numb. What the fuck! Before I understood the situation, I leaped at her, grappling for the weapon. I kicked my foot into her legs. She spun, falling onto me, dragging us both to the floor.
I thrust a fist against her shoulders, but her arms were wild tentacles. Finally, I wrestled her hands away from me, but her elbow struck the side of my face, and my vision danced for a few seconds.
At once, she flew off. Axel was standing over me, hauling me upright by the arm.
Mrs. Ivanova pounced onto Axel, legs wrapped around his waist. He wrestled for the knife with both hands around hers. They lurched into a wall.
I rushed to help and fisted her gown, wrenching her backward in the process. She fell onto her side, but never groaned in pain, only got up again.
Last week, the woman had asked for my help to move her potted plant from the front to the backyard, yet here she fought a man twice her size with ease.
“Shit, she’s strong,” Axel growled the words as Mrs. Ivanova charged, bulldozing me aside with the potency of a bull. She head-butted him in the chin.
Staggering to a halt, I shot after her as Axel wobbled on his feet, blood streaking his cheek. I flung an arm around her neck. “Please, Mrs. Ivanova. I don’t want to hurt you. Stop this.”
She had Axel’s blood on her fingers and stuck them into her mouth, making a sickening slurping sound.
“What the fuck’s wrong with you?”
She twisted to face me, unblinking. Her lips receded over a toothy grin. “We’ve come for him,” she whispered as if it were our little secret. “Too late for you. For everyone.”
“Drop the knife,” I spat. This was beyond ridiculous, and I’d had enough of this crappy night.
The old lady shook her head in slow motion, her grip on the blade unwavering, and she flicked her hand out of my grasp. The knife sliced across my collarbone. I screamed.
Axel grasped her arm and peeled her fingers off the hilt, the muscles in his neck twitching.
But she bucked against me with such force, a shudder rocked me. I jerked back as if a car had hit me. Losing my footing, I tripped and fell onto my butt.
No shitting way was she stronger than me. I scrambled up.
Axel was swinging my neighbor away from him, knife still in his hand, yet she ripped free. Instead of falling, she stopped mid-spin, released a snarl and attacked again.
“Stop!” I closed the distance in rapid steps. Except the pair was already on the ground, Axel underneath and blood pooling around him.
I crashed to my knees alongside them, pulling at Mrs. Ivanova’s nightdress, rolling her off Axel. The hilt stuck out of my neighbor’s stomach. I couldn’t make sense of what I was seeing.
Axel groaned and pulled himself to a sitting position. “She came at me so fast.” He paused, staring at her. “I don’t even know how it happened.”
My fingers were on her neck. No pulse. I lifted my gaze to meet his. “She’s dead.” And for those few seconds, my life stopped as darkness crowded at the edges of my eyes, dread squeezing me. My neighbor was gone. The same fae who looked after me when I’d lost my sister, brought me food, insisting I join her and other women for morning tea every Sunday. Tears blurred my vision. Mrs. Ivanova had never given up on me after Nyx’s death. She had insisted I leave the house and continue enjoying life.
Wait… “Why’s she shimmering?” I wiped my cheeks.
“What the fuck?”
Her body faded as if it were a static image on my comm when I was out of range. She flicked back and forth between being Mrs. Ivanova and something else.
I rubbed my face. Did I imagine it? Stress from everything and exhaustion making me see things?
Mrs. Ivanova seemed to elongate and grow thinner. Hair lengthened, changing color. I couldn’t move. Even Axel stood immobile, his mouth hanging open.
With a sudden crackle of electricity down my arms, Mrs. Ivanova’s body morphed into something else. What replaced her body in my living room had me shaking. I recoiled.
Snow-white hair was matted at the ends with blood. Pale skin and wide, inky black eyes. No distinctive features because these creatures were identical. Or at least they were in the history books.
“Shit. Is that a vulsine?” Axel’s words shook. He paced from the front door to the kitchen. “Can’t be. Vulsines are from the old Fae Realm. They supposedly died when the world shattered up into thirteen planets,” he continued. “So, what the hell is one doing here?”
Vulsines took the form of whomever they’d killed. Books indicated they represented an evil omen, a harbinger of bad luck. But none had ever been seen in Kutia Hollow… at least until now.
Axel’s attention landed on me, and terror showed behind his eyes.
“Do you think it’s a real vulsine?” My next inhale hitched down to my lungs.
“Didn’t you just see it transform?” He ran
a hand through his hair and paced again. “Хуёво. Хуёво. Хуёво.”
Yep, this was beyond fucked. Recent events flooded my thoughts. My deception radar had been out of control. The faes in the woods. Eduard. Mrs. Ivanova. Had they all been replaced by such creatures?
I choked on my tears, and numbness swallowed me for a moment in self-pity.
“We need to get out of here and fast.” Axel yanked at my arm, eying the back yard.
Dread licked the length of my spine. From what I’d read, vulsines were soulless creatures that killed for sport. And they never stopped.
“We need to warn PPD,” I blurted.
“Shitty idea.”
Maybe he was right. Eduard, a senior council rep, had been infiltrated, so how widespread was this? Who else had been taken over? “Crap.” I ran to my phone and called Santasha’s number, but it went to message. “Hey, it’s me. Listen, something real bad is happening. Go home this minute, and don’t let anyone in. I’ll call you soon.”
I turned to Axel, unsure which direction to go next. Returning to PPD would land me in prison… or worse. Sure, I could show them the evidence in my house, but would Eduard cover it up? Probably. I stepped toward Axel, convinced I knew why there’d been a spike in deaths recently, but I still didn’t understand how Axel played into the whole scheme of events.
“Why do the vulsines want you dead?” I asked.
Before he could answer, a wail of sirens echoed in the night. Pulsing blue and red lights pierced through my window blinds.
I didn’t think, just acted, and shoved Axel out the back door. “Run!”
Chapter 8
The night’s events were a straitjacket around my chest. I sprinted down a side street alongside Axel, leaving my home, my friends, my job. I’d lost everything. The house had been my sanctuary away from the world, but it was gone. So were photographs, new furniture I’d ordered, and even the cats who’d grown on me. But nothing compared to losing my neighbor, and my thoughts rippled with all the times we’d spent together. Our laughter. Sharing meals. Her encouraging words. Tears rolled down my cheeks. No pretense of coping because I was sinking.