by Jaymin Eve
Shoe stores. Of course that would be her first thought. Even though she flew most places now and rarely wore shoes. There was no changing the fundamentals of Lucy. And Lucy was a shoe whore.
We were confusing the man. His poor brain was getting taxed from all the strange facts we were forcing on him.
“Yes, of course we have shoe stores. Where else would we buy our … shoes?”
I wanted to laugh, he was so blustery. At least all evidence still pointed to the safety of this side of the barrier. Leaving the girls here would be okay.
“It’s not on here!” Chrissie’s exclamation drew our attention. “New York isn’t on your map. It should be right there.” She jabbed her finger into the blank spot which was depicted on this map as ocean.
The male sighed, before leaning back into the large-backed chair and lacing both hands together, resting them over his pronounced gut. “I’ve heard many stories in this room, but manufacturing an entire American state. Well … that’s a bit stupid. Why go with something that’s so easily confirmed?”
I was about to slap the asshole grin off his face when the door behind us smashed open. I expected it to be one of the other men off the coastguard boat, but instead it was a lady.
Older. Late forties at least. She had her hair pulled up into a severe ponytail. Just the slightest hint of gray peeking through the blond highlights. Her expression was a mixture of freaked out and over-excited. Hints of red graced the tips of her high cheekbones.
“Geoff!” Her exclamation had our interrogator jumping to his feet. And the way he smoothed his wisps of hair down, he was more than a little interested in what she had to say. “You’ve got to see this.”
Just like that we were forgotten as he lumbered out of the room after the older woman.
Brace and I exchanged a single glance.
He nodded.
Yep, we were so totally finding out what had happened.
Something told me that whatever was coming was going to rock Geoff’s comfortable little town to its core.
Chapter 10
By the time we made it out of the interrogation room the building was empty. It seemed that everyone, including our smuggled girls, had taken off to see this sight. We pretty much sprinted back out onto the wooden docks. In the distance, toward our right side, a large group of people had gathered.
Brace’s long legs carved through the distance in less than a minute. I hauled butt to keep pace with him, the others bringing up the rear. Lucy had to be half-carried by Colton. Her tiny legs just couldn’t keep up. Eva and Chrissie were last and they lagged further back. Still, all of us had a pretty decent view of what had expelled all the humans from the building and out onto this long dock which jutted into the ocean.
Holy crapola.
The barrier had been down for about an hour, and already things were happening. Out on the horizon, coming straight for Atlantic City, were about twenty boats. Voices were loud as we closed in on the mass of confused people. Coastguard uniforms were dotted throughout and I could see many of them were on their two-way-style communication devices which were attached to their shoulders. Alerting various government departments, most probably.
The vessels were a mixture of old and new. Mostly white and varying in size, a lot of them did not look sea-worthy. I hoped that just regular humans were on board, people who had finally been able to escape from New York. They’d probably be from the rebels’ quadrant, or teenagers from the compounds.
But if they were gangers.
Well, the ones standing here would be in a world of trouble. Luckily, though, I wasn’t about to bail on them just yet. We could surely spare another few minutes to make sure war wasn’t arriving via a bunch of leaky boats. A part of me had to know that we hadn’t just destroyed the barrier and let the evil out to infect the rest of the world. The power grid would still be there in an hour – I hoped.
Heavy breathing started right beside my ear. Eva. She sounded like she was about to hyperventilate or something.
“We can’t leave until we know that the females are okay,” she said.
It wasn’t exactly an order, but I knew she’d be difficult if I decided it was time to go before she was ready.
I tilted my head to the left so I could meet her eyes. “I’m not a complete ass. I want to make sure that everyone is safe and that this fallout from New York doesn’t erupt into a war. But I only have so much time. When I say it’s time to go, we have no other choice.”
Pupils flicked right and left as she examined me closely. “I only ask that we try,” she finally said.
I was happy that she didn’t argue any further. I could see fire in her. The same fire that was in all the half-Walkers, but there was also flexibility and compromise, and that was important.
“You know that your element is spirit,” I murmured, turning back to face out to the ocean. “You make the seventh of our elemental tie.”
I felt her body stiffen beside me. Her muscles were rigid and the next few breaths were still heavy and sort of jagged.
“Spirit.” The word sounded strangled, although not surprised. She clearly knew something. “I guess that explains it then.”
“Explains what?” Brace said from where he stood nearby. He didn’t have to be at the front to see; he was a head above everyone here.
Her lips parted into an awkward, strained grin. “It explains why I see dead people.”
Okay then. That was unexpected. I hadn’t exactly been sure what ‘spirit’ was going to entail, but seeing dead people had not been on that list.
“So you like, literally, see the spirits of the dead?” I asked.
Brace cleared his throat before she could answer, and I knew he would have some theory regarding her gift. He knew the stories of the originals and he understood Walker powers a lot better than me. He let her speak first.
“Yes, I see the resonance left behind when a human dies. Sometimes it’s clearer than others. Their spirit seems … almost aware. Other times they’re nothing more than a transparent reflection, just wisps which eventually fade away. They help me on the streets. I avoid the places with lots of dead.”
I flicked my eyes up to my mate. “Is this going to be the full extent of her abilities?”
Brace’s chocolate eyes were soft. “I very much doubt it. The same way the shield kept the majority of your powers from emerging, Eva’s will be the same. Not to mention that Earth mutes or … distorts everything to do with energy. Like you, until Eva is on First World for an extended time, we won’t know the true nature of her gift.”
Her golden skin tones paled considerably at his words. And then we lost her. Whatever animation had been in her face was now gone, eyes glassy, as if she was in another place. She’d retreated somewhere that no one could touch.
Strange.
Before I could say anything more to her, she turned tail and ran. Back down the docks. I was stunned for a second, watching her retreating form, blond ponytail bouncing.
Shaking my head, I grabbed Brace’s arm. “I’m going after her. Keep an eye on everyone for me.”
He pushed a strand of hair behind my ear, and grazed my cheek with his fingertips. “You got it, Red. Be careful.”
I took off. Eva was fast. She was already back at the docks and heading toward the building. I was fast too, and enough of my energy had returned that I could really sprint after her. The warmth of the morning sun disappeared as I entered the weathered office again. I was worried I’d have to search her out, but she had not moved past the first room that contained all the pictures. She was just standing there, staring at one which was titled ‘Jet Ski Challenge 2037’.
“We used to have a jet ski.” She was talking before I even reached her side. “One Christmas, when I was ten, Dad hinted that he had this amazing gift me for me and Matty … my little brother.”
My heart hurt at the sheer agony in her voice. Just saying the name of her brother was too painful for her. But she managed to continue.
&
nbsp; “We were bouncing off the walls all morning even after opening our presents. Dad held out until about 10am. Then, finally, he drove us to the local lake. It was a massive water zone, and everyone from all the surrounding areas would spend hours there in the summer months.
“I jumped out of the car, wondering if he’d organized a party, but there was no one around. Just this lump covered in a sheet. He told me to rip it off –”
A sob shook her, cutting off part of the next word.
“There it was all white and shiny … best present ever. We played on it all day and I’d never had so much fun. Mom came along later and the four of us took turns zooming around the lake.”
By the time she turned to face me tears filled those tiger eyes. “I loved my family more than my own life. How could Mom do this to me? To Dad? She lied to me my entire life. I don’t even know who I am anymore.”
I had no idea what to say to her. There were no words, and the two people who might have shed some light on the situation were dead.
“Dad gave me this sword,” she continued, reaching up to rub the red blade. “He said it was strong, and it was connected to me, but he’d never tell me anything else about her. Mortem is no ordinary blade, she hums with energy. I believe it’s Walker.”
Well, that was interesting. “Maybe your father wasn’t unaware. Maybe your mother was already pregnant when he met her and he didn’t care. There are plenty of scenarios, Eva. But really the most important part you already know. Your Dad raised you as his own; loved you as his own. He’s your father. No matter who actually donated the sperm.”
She snorted through her wash of tears. “I like you. You’re a pretty cool chick and I don’t trust many … but I think we could be friends.”
I reached forward and captured her hand in mine. “I’m really sorry about your family. If you ever want to talk to me about what happened, I’m always here to listen.”
She sighed, but didn’t pull away from my grip. “I don’t think I’m ready for that. I might never be ready. But I’m okay with being part of the half-Walker family. I understand that the mission might be dangerous. I know you said we could all die. But I’m the sort of person who would rather fight to the end than stand around and let the assholes win. I know now the only reason I survived … that night … was because I’m not human. I couldn’t save my family, but I can try my best to save the rest of the world.”
The silence between us was sort of comfortable now.
“We should get back to the docks,” I said, letting go of her hand.
She nodded and wiped away the last of the moisture beneath her eyes.
We moved back together, our pace just short of a run. As soon as I was back with the main group, I headed toward Chrissie. She was near the front of the jetty, with some of the other females.
All of them still had their gazes firmly locked on the approaching boats. The coastguards were still yelling and issuing stern commands into their little comms, preparing for whatever drama this rush of unauthorized boats was bringing. Our group of misplaced females had been long forgotten and now was the time for us to get them out of sight and secured away. First though, I was going to do a little digging.
Chrissie noticed me then, and she reached across and linked her arm though mine. “I’m really sorry I hit you, Abby. It was a bitchface move and I totally owe you a freebie.”
I squeezed her arm. “No, you don’t. I understand your anger and pain. It’s all forgiven.”
No one seemed to be paying attention to us. Still I lowered my voice and shifted my face even closer. “We have to leave soon, and Eva is coming with us. But I do want to make sure you and the girls are safe. Any news on the boats?”
Chrissie’s sharp eyes flickered once behind us before coming back to me. “They’re raising the white flag, and I glimpsed a few people on one. No tatts, so I think we have rebels here. Not gangers.”
That was great.
“Be careful with Eva,” she said out of nowhere.
I raised my brows and she took the hint to continue.
“I don’t know what her story is; she never opened up to any of us. She just appeared one night in the alley where I was camped out. Sword on her back and something dead in her eyes. I’ve seen more than one girl come to me like that. The only thing I do know is that her family is gone. She has a bit of a death wish herself, and she’s a great fighter. One of the best I’ve ever seen.”
Of course she was: she had Walker genetics.
“And her sword is sort of special. I swear I’ve seen it glow before.”
Eva had said the sword was extraordinary. If we discovered its origins, we might find out who her Walker father was. Something for another time. A time when we weren’t in a life-and-death battle.
“She’s a good person, Abbs.” Chrissie drew my attention again. “She never leaves a girl behind. You can trust her to have your back, but she doesn’t allow herself to be close to anyone. I never pushed because I’m the same way. We all have our demons. Our secrets. The reason many of the vigiladies stay with me is I offer them a way to fit in, but still keep their secrets. Plus we like to kick ganger ass.”
I grinned. “If Luce and I had of stayed on Earth, we’d have totally been in your vigiladies.”
A chuckle escaped her.
“But we would have required a mask.” Isn’t it some sort of unwritten rule: superheroes need masks?
Chrissie’s chuckles turned into laughter then, not big belly laughs or anything, but more happiness than I’d seen from her in a long time. I joined her, even though we were drawing more than a few strange looks. As the hilarity of the situation died off, my gaze returned to the boats. They looked closer. They had slowed as they approached the docks but were definitely still coming in.
“We need to leave now,” I said to Chrissie. “Take the girls and find somewhere to hole up with them until you can assess what the fallout from New York is going to be.”
She nodded a few times, her eyes locked on mine. “Yes, I’ll round them up. Can you see if there’s a vehicle or something to steal?”
I grinned. It felt like a wonky, sort of crazy smile, but I was excited. There weren’t many cars on the other worlds, and I’d wanted to try my hand at driving again. I’d learned how to hotwire and drive at a young age – it was part of the escape plan from the compound – but as the years went on and vehicles became scarcer, the opportunities to drive faded to almost nothing.
Today was my lucky day.
“On it!” I managed to keep it below a shriek. “Meet you in the parking lot, on the other side of that building.”
Chrissie winked, and then she faded off into the mass of people. I had no doubt she would start sending the girls over in small groups, so as not to draw any attention. I had to hurry, so I was ready for them.
Help Chrissie for me, babe!
Brace had started to follow me, but I wanted to make sure that nothing happened on the docks while I was gone.
Yes, sir. He chuckled and I heard murmurs of bossy little thing.
I was a little bossy at times.
My pace picked up from a walk to a jog and eventually I was sprinting along the docks again, but this time I didn’t enter the building. Instead I veered off to the left and followed the narrow cement path around to the parking lot.
I almost shrieked again as the black tarred area came into view. It was filled with vehicles of all varieties. I slowed my run so I could scan across.
Crap.
I might have a problem; most of these cars were makes and models more advanced than anything I’d ever seen. I needed something older, the style I’d learned to drive and steal. I didn’t have time to figure out anything with fancy computers or complicated wiring systems.
“Oh, my god, Abby!” Lucy rounded the corner, yelling her head off. Colton and Eva were with her. “So many cars. So many.”
Lucy trailed off as if the sight of so much shiny goodness had rendered her speechless.
“
I don’t know any of these models,” I said. “And I need a vehicle big enough that we’ll all fit.”
Every freaking car here was some sort of sleek fancy model. More of the girls were starting to join us, Chrissie and Brace sending them across. Colton looked just as helpless as I was. He was a Walker. They didn’t exactly use or need cars.
I was just about to panic when a loud rumble blasted across the graveled lot and, as I shifted my head to the left, a grin kicked up the corner of my lips. Hells to the yeah! The gods of fate loved Abby today; about effing time they started to send us some luck.
Turning into the lot was an old Ford pickup truck, original and beautifully restored by the looks of the shiny black paint. It gave that deep chugging sound that only a true V8 could obtain. The owner pulled it up near the back, where the larger spaces were, to accommodate the massive size.
This was the one I needed. Oh, yeah, I totally needed it. Double bonus: I knew how to get her moving.
A male human jumped out. He wore an official-looking uniform. Not police, but maybe some sort of special services. Black head to toe, with white letters across his chest and back, spelling out SWAT. I had no idea what division he was from, but something told me stealing his car was a bad idea. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a choice.
“Get the girls across to that garden,” I said to Colton. He followed my hand as I pointed toward a grassy knoll that was visible on the far side of the parking lot. “I’ll bring that car around.”
The Ford was loud and easily recognizable. I would not have any time to hang out in the parking lot, or the owner would most certainly hear his big, rumbly engine.
Colton gave me a nod, and Lucy hugged me. I took off toward the car, taking the long way around so I wouldn’t run into the owner. Thankfully he wasn’t looking toward our group. His focus was on the docks as he spoke into a tiny hand-held device. Some sort of cell phone, by the looks.
I’d never seen anything like it, small and sleek, fitting securely into the palm of his hand. I did briefly wonder why he’d arrived on his own and not in an official police vehicle, but maybe they did things differently from what I’d seen on television. Or maybe he’d been off duty and rushed over. Either way, it was lucky for us, because his car was our only hope.