by Ken Lange
I blink several times then it hits me: this feels almost…normal. Slowly, I raise my hand to my face and touch the eyelid. There’s something there. But unlike an actual eye that’s rounded, this is flat with a small rim around the outer edge.
Steeling myself, I open my eyes, only to close them a half second later. Everything around me is too bright and so vivid that it hurts my head. I stagger back and lean against the wall. “What’s happening? What did you do?”
Charlene places her hand on my shoulder and the other around my eye to force it open again. “It’ll take some getting used to, but I gave you an eye.” She touches it, and the world flares. “There. Try again.”
This time, the room comes into focus. Everything is still a bit too intense for my liking, but it’s manageable. “Not that I’m ungrateful, but how is this even possible?”
Charlene suppresses a grin. “You have no idea, do you?”
I grab a paper towel off the counter to dab at the corner where it keeps watering. “About what, exactly?”
Power blazes around her. “I am the pure personification of what the Telchines were: a maker, a creator. We would seek the thing we needed most at that moment, focus on that desire, and reach through the veil to pull back our desires made manifest.” She waves a hand in my direction. “In this case, you needed to be able to see clearly, and the universe has provided.”
Okay, that’s some hokey sounding bullshit. Then again, I’m standing here with a fancy new eye thingy…so maybe she’s onto something. “Ah, thanks?”
She snickers. “Anytime. Now would you be so kind as to move your hand away from your face, so I can see if it needs any further adjustments?”
I do as she asks. “Fine, but be careful. It still burns a little and while it’s fading, it’s not comfortable.”
Justine chuckles. “The lady just shoved a rock into your head and all you’ve got to say is it’s a little uncomfortable? Christ. I’d say you’re doing good, all things considered.”
Squinting my eye closed, I turn to Justine. “You just let her shove a rock into my face?”
She shrugs. “By the time I figured out what she was doing, it was done.”
Charlene grabs my chin and forces me to look at her. “Stay still.” She winces. “Okay, ah, while I can’t tell if it needs anything else, you should know that it’s not exactly…normal. But it’s got to beat having an empty socket.”
Justine leans into view, frowns, and turns to Charlene. “Why is it gold?”
Charlene shakes her head as she steps back. “No idea. The stone I placed there was clear. I’d meant it to mimic his other eye, but that clearly didn’t happen.”
Justine peers into my eye and sighs. “Clearly.” She glances back at Charlene. “I will say this, it’s…unique.”
Oh, that doesn’t sound good.
Alex peers around Charlene, stares at me for several seconds, and ducks out of sight. “That’s one way of putting it, I suppose.”
Charlene whirls around and glares at the man. “Be polite.”
Alex’s hands go up in an I-don’t-know gesture. “If it helps, you’re no less attractive than you were.”
That makes me laugh. “Gee, thanks.”
He flattens his jacket and smiles. “Anytime…and most of those strange floating orbs seem to have found an orbit around the center there.”
I cut my eyes at Justine.
She offers me a weak smile. “That’s part of its charm. I think.”
Well, that’s just great. I’m tired, and Charlene needs to go home. “Okay, show and tell is over. If you want Mjölnir, it’s yours.”
She puts her hand around the chain and is flung across the room, where she smashes into the wall with a dull thud. Alex and I run over to help her to her feet.
“You okay?”
She blinks. “I’ll be fine. But it seems you have one more thing to add to your plate.”
“Come again?”
She frowns and gestures at the hammer. “Mjölnir’s your problem now. It seems to have chosen a host.”
I shake my head. “No, it tried to electrocute me earlier. It really doesn’t like me.”
She points at it. “Try again.”
I walk over and wrap my hand around the hilt. Power surges through me once more, but with a little more pep than before. I drop it onto the floor. “See?”
She frowns. “Well, if it’s not you then it belongs to one of your relatives.”
I shrug. “I’m sure Kira or Nicholas will be thrilled with the new toy.”
Charlene blows out a long breath. “It’s nearly as powerful as Gungnir, so they’ll need to wield it with care.”
The thought of Kira having such a weapon gives me pause. “I see. Thanks for the heads up.”
Alex steadies her. “We need to return to the ship.”
“All right.” She turns to me. “Good luck and stay safe.”
I smile. “You too. Do you need a ride back to the dock?”
She grins. “No, we’ll be fine from here.”
White mist envelops them, and they vanish on the spot.
Turning to Justine, I ask, “Is this thing really that bad?”
She smiles. “Not anymore.” Leaning in close, she squints. “It’s mesmerizing…it’s like there’s a tiny universe trapped in there. There are swirling galaxies, shining bits of gold like miniature stars… It’s beautiful.”
I laugh. “I think that’s the first time anything about me has been called beautiful.”
Her smile falters slightly. “I’m sorry to hear that.” She touches my cheek. “Everyone deserves to know there’s beauty in them.”
Blood rushes to my cheeks. “Uh-huh…thanks.” I gesture at the hammer. “Let me move this damn thing out of the way and maybe we can get a proper dinner.”
She nods. “I’d like that.”
Ducking past her, I pick up Mjölnir before traipsing off to store it in my sanctuary until someone claims it.
Chapter 14
June 4th
My bedroom door is closed, the lights are off, and it’s dark outside when I open my eyes. But thanks to Charlene’s gift, everything is as clear and bright as if it were noon on a cloudless day. Which is a little unsettling. I glance over at Justine’s side of the bed to find it empty. Guess one of us found the motivation to get up early.
As for me, it takes more than a little convincing to work up enough energy just to sit up. My feet touch the cool hardwood floor below. To stem the influx of information, I close my eyes and dial things down. Slowly, I open them and while it’s somewhat better, it’s still a lot.
It’s taken my ability to perceive the energy around me and multiplied it several times over. For instance, the powerlines, cables, pipes, and other random shit hidden just behind the sheetrock all give off a signature I can see. It’s as if I’m in the Matrix but without the weird green analog lighting. This is all in a full array of colors with a variety of depths and rhythms I didn’t even realize could exist.
In short, the eye is fantastic. And I have this feeling that there’s more to it. That there’s something sitting there waiting for me on the periphery of my understanding, biding its time to show me the wonders of the universe. All it needs is for me to be ready.
Right now, all I’m ready for is a goddamn shower. I get to my feet and take it slowly, and eventually, I make it to the bath. The moment the water hits my skin, I nearly faint from the input. Every droplet of water explodes, giving off multicolored sparks that my skin and body absorb at an astronomical rate.
After dressing, I take the stairs to the third floor. About halfway down the hall, I come to a complete halt. Even with the door closed and a solid wall in front of me, I can make out a brilliant blue, person-shaped glow sitting on my sofa. I’m pretty sure Charlene wouldn’t have just popped back, but you never know. At least it’s too small to be her father. Honestly, I can either stand here and guess all day or just walk in and find out. I cautiously step inside. It’s Nora.
“Hey. This is a bit unexpected, but I’m glad to see you. How’s Kira?”
Her expression falters for a moment. “That’s why I’m here. Do you have a few minutes?”
“Of course.” I walk over and take a seat. “What can I do for you two?”
Nora pauses. “I’m fine, but Kira…not so much.”
My head hurts and I don’t have time for someone to beat around the bush this morning. “If it’s not too much trouble, just say what’s on your mind. You, more than most, know that I don’t do subtle.”
Wringing her hands, she tries to calm herself. “Things have been rocky for a few years now. Then a little over a year ago, things really went sideways. Something in her changed—I don’t know what—but I was willing to work with her through that. But since our trip to meet Xiwangmu, she’s become more and more reclusive…and now she hasn’t been home in nearly three days.”
The final sentence hits me hard. “Seriously? Three days?”
She doesn’t move for several seconds then she tilts her head nearly imperceptibly. “Yes.” As her emotions bubble to the surface in her face and eyes, the energy around her changes ever so slightly.
Taking a deep breath, I say, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. But it’s been a bad year for her, with Katharine’s death and all.”
Nora nods. “If it were just that, I wouldn’t be here.” A small growl escapes her lips. “I can’t put my finger on it, but something’s changed deep within her.”
My vision dims for a fraction of a second as the weight of her revelation hits me. Between what I’ve seen, Rick’s comments, Mir’s assessment, and now Nora, there’s no denying that something is terribly wrong with my daughter. The muscles around my chest tighten and it’s difficult to breathe, making it impossible for me to speak for several seconds. Raising my hand, I shakily point at the bar. “I need a drink. Want one?”
She shakes her head. “No thanks.”
I pull out my mobile and dial Kira’s number only to be sent to voicemail. “Hey, honey, just checking in to make sure you’re okay. Give me a call as soon as you get this.” Ending the call, I glance over at Nora. “Mind holding on for a second?”
She gives me a dismissive wave. “I’ve got time.”
I close my eyes and reach out for Kira, but she’s not there. It’s as if she’s not on the network. Frowning, I decide to take things to the next level and appear in Mir’s office inside the Nexus.
He jumps and nearly drops what’s in his hands. “What…? Oh, hey. What are you doing here?” He taps his right eye. “Come to talk about…whatever that is? Or is this something else? I mean, it’s not like you just pop in every day—or ever.”
Wow, okay, I really do need to do better by the guy. He’s always there when I need him. And sometimes when I don’t. “I’ll have to be better about stopping by more often. Right now, though, I need your help.”
He sets the trinket in his hand aside. “Okay, shoot.”
It takes me a few seconds to repeat Nora’s concerns. “She’s not answering her phone, and I can’t find her in the Nexus… Is that even possible?”
Mir frowns and moves over to a monitor that appears out of nowhere. “Ah…no.” His fingers dance across the screen and then he stops. “Okay, that’s weird. I can’t find her either. I can tell you where she was, but she’s currently off grid…which, given her status within the Nexus, shouldn’t be a thing.”
That’s not at all comforting. Or helpful, for that matter. “Okay, text me her last location. I’ve got to finish speaking with Nora then I’ll go check it out.”
Mir sucks air through his teeth. “No need for the text. You know the place. She was in Katharine’s old building late yesterday evening. After your call last night, she went dark.”
“That’s not good.” Fear grips me as my stomach ties itself in knots. Forcing calm into my voice, I do my best not to let my knees buckle. “Okay, if she shows up again, let me know. Hey, for shits and giggles, trace her phone for me.”
He rubs his chin. “Already did. It and her car are at Katharine’s work.”
My heart sinks. I’ve failed my child. “All right, thanks.”
A half second later, I’m back in the room with Nora. “Sorry about that. I…ah… How much do you know about the Nexus?”
Reds and pinks flare in Nora’s aura as her shoulders slump forward. “Not a lot, but enough to know that you should’ve found her.”
The pain in her voice is palpable, and it breaks my heart. “What you probably don’t know is that the system was…is heavily damaged, which means there are bugs we’re still working out. If it were fully operational, I’d be much more concerned about it.” That last bit is a flat-out lie. I’m freaked the hell out, but getting her worked up won’t help matters. “I’m hoping that once Mir cleans things up, we’ll be able to find her quickly. In the meantime, I’ll track her down using old-school methods.”
She walks over, sits next to me, and wraps her delicate hand around my own. “You’re an awful liar, but I appreciate the effort. Can you at least tell me if you’ve got a lead?”
I gently squeeze her hand. “Yeah, I know where to start. You’re welcome to join me if you want.”
Nora tenses then shakes her head. “I’m not sure that’d be a good idea. She’s been avoiding me, and I’m afraid my presence would only upset her more.” Gesturing out at the street, she says, “I’ll go for a drive. If you find her, call me if she wants to see me. If not, I’ll go home and wait. You’ve got my number, right?”
Patting my pocket with my phone, I say, “I do.”
Nora leans in and hugs me. “Find her and bring her home.”
“I’ll do my best.”
She stands, straightens her shirt, offers me a weak smile, and leaves.
I sit there for another minute or two trying to find something to grab onto. Finding nothing, I take a deep breath, get up, and place one foot in front of the other until I’m in the garage. A few minutes later, I pull onto St. Charles on my way to the Warehouse District.
After Katharine’s death, I took control of her holdings to minimize the damage to anyone in her employ. Her people didn’t deserve to be put out in the cold because she was a murderous bitch, so I did what I could for them. Most of them took the transition well, but there were a few who didn’t.
Anyway, one of these businesses I’d taken over was an upscale jewelry boutique that specialized in custom pieces for folks with too much money. Which is where I am now. The boutique takes up the entire block, starting at Notre Dame and Commerce. It’s a sprawling redbrick from the turn of the century with an amazing penthouse on the fifth floor. Other than that one nice feature, the rest is all business. There are six massive furnaces that span the width of the building and go from the fourth floor to the first. So, converting this place into anything else will be a costly venture. If I had my way, we would’ve sold it by now, but Kira hasn’t been willing to let go of it yet. Which is why it’s been sitting vacant for six months.
The structure itself is bizarre. Everything around it has a pulse, some semblance of a spark, even the surrounding buildings without power. But this one feels and looks dead. The power lines running to the top are carrying electricity, but from what I can tell, none of it is coming inside. The entire building gives off an unusual darkness that’s concentrated on the fourth floor. Great. Not exactly helpful, but I’ll manage.
I fish the two keys for the side door out of my pocket and make my way inside. The air is humid and still, yet not nearly as stale as it should be. There are two sets of footprints in the dust, the larger of which I’m guessing belongs to Kira. The other…well, that’s the million-dollar question.
I follow them up four flights of stairs, cautiously.
There are at least a dozen workstations spread across the floor. At the far end of the room are the blast furnaces used to smelt precious metals, and there’s an opening between the last two. And by opening, I mean someone took a sledgehammer to t
he wall and tore a hole through two and a half feet of brick. Broken and shattered masonry is scattered across the floor, which makes any sort of stealth impossible. Doing my best not to make too much noise, I ease up to the edge to find a hidden hallway that runs the length of the building.
My shields snap around me as I step closer. Taking it slowly, I stick my head around the edge to investigate. The side nearest to me is a dead end. The other way, however, goes on for about a dozen feet before a massive, reinforced steel door blocks the way. Taking a deep breath, I stalk toward the thing. I grab the handle and pull, but it’s locked from the inside.
I’m less than amused.
I reposition myself, grab hold with both hands, and put all my strength into it. The metal tears open like an old tin can. Tossing its broken remains to the side, I move over the threshold. The first room is empty, so I walk across to the door that’s cattycorner to this one.
Scanning the room, I find a woman lying on the floor with an IV in her arm that goes up to an empty bag of blood. I roll the body over, and it’s Samantha, Katharine’s former assistant, and one of those people who hadn’t taken things well.
Revulsion courses through me as my gaze tracks down a second tube. There’s another arm hanging off a golden table, but from this angle, it’s impossible to tell who it belongs to. I rush across the room. Kira is pale, barely breathing, and her aura is black with the occasional spark of gold flashing like dying stars in the depth of space.
My hands shake as I tug the needle out of her arm and put my finger against her neck to check her pulse. It’s a ragged thing that barely registers.
Mir appears next to me. “I’ll contact Nicholas and the others.”
I kneel and check Samantha. She’s dead, and judging from her body temp, she has been for a few hours now. That’s just great. What in the nine hells were they doing here and what did she do to my daughter?
Chapter 15
The last three hours have been some of the longest of my life. One of the Ulfr Hunn rapid-response teams showed up right after Mir alerted the others. They’ve been trying to stabilize Kira ever since, but so far, there hasn’t been a noticeable change.