Phaola’s lips moved some more, and Veritas nodded grimly.
“And when will that happen?” she asked.
This time, even I could read the latest word on Phaola’s lips. It reached me loud and clear.
Tomorrow.
Whatever terrible thing was coming, it would happen tomorrow.
“Tell me more, Phaola,” said Veritas.
“You’re doomed!” howled whoever had tried to replace her, whose voice was so much louder than her own now. “Gaia Charmer, you are doomed!”
“Tell me everything, Phaola.” Veritas pressed her fingers to the side of Phaola’s head, and the howling voice screamed in pain. “Tell me the truth and nothing but the truth...and I will lead you to the true light as you do it.”
22
“There.” Veritas withdrew her hands from Phaola’s head and leaned back on her heels. “I have done all that I can for her. She needs to rest again.”
At a nod from Veritas, Luna fluttered her fingers, and Phaola settled back into a deep sleep.
I stared down at Phaola’s face. She looked serene, though the invader of her body had fought and screamed throughout Veritas’ treatment. “Is she all right? Did you manage to bring her original self back to the forefront?”
Veritas looked weary and let out a long sigh. “I tried to bring out as much of her as remained inside this body, but we won’t know for sure until she wakes up. I won’t lie to you. She was traumatized and buried deep.”
Ashanti moved forward and touched Veritas’ shoulder. “What about me?” she asked. “Do you think my original self is still buried in here?” She touched her chest with the splayed fingers of her right hand. “Do you think you could bring it out as well?”
“Let’s see how Phaola fares first,” said Veritas. “Then we’ll move on to you and the other Landkinders...or at least as many of you as we can in the time remaining.”
I was alarmed at what she’d said. “So our time is limited, then? Something’s going to happen?”
Nodding slowly, Veritas got to her feet. “The enemy is coming. Those who made her what she is...” She gestured at Phaola. “Those who did all of this to your friends...they are coming. And very soon.”
I frowned, feeling a swell of deep foreboding. “Who are they? What do they want?”
Veritas slumped, looking more tired by the minute. “Do you have coffee? I need something right now.”
“This way.” I led her into the front office, where the half-full coffee pot was still on the warmer.
I grabbed one of the plain white guest mugs stacked on the counter and filled it with steaming black liquid, then put it down in front of her.
“So who are they?” I asked. “Who are the people behind what happened to Phaola?”
I noticed, as Veritas emptied a packet of artificial sweetener into the mug, that her hands were shaking. The work she’d done with Phaola must’ve taken more out of her than I’d realized.
“The government,” she said grimly. “Your government.” She stirred in the sweetener, added a single creamer, and raised the mug toward her lips. “They’re engaged in a project to neutralize the forces of Landkind, which they see as a threat.” She had a long sip of the coffee and looked grateful for it. “They see them also as a powerful weapon.”
I stroked my braid thoughtfully. Weaponizing Landkind was not a new idea. It had been one of the chief strategies of Groundswell during its heyday, back before my friends and I had put an end to it. “So they know about Groundswell?”
“According to Phaola, they do.” Veritas had another sip of coffee. “What happened at Parapets terrified them. They were determined never to let Landkind threaten the nation’s security again. The best way to do that, they decided, was to take control of Landkind.”
“But that kind of geomantic manipulation...”
“...was not beyond the capabilities of Groundswell, was it?” said Veritas. “Your government retrieved and recruited some of the best minds from Parapets and put them to work on this project, which they call Terralyze. They figured out a process, which they called The Hollowing, to separate the minds of Landkind from their bodies. Then, they developed another process, The Filling, to implant their own hand-picked military personnel into the emptied bodies and put them to work in the service of their masters.”
“They want to use Landkind to fight their wars?” I said. “Typical.” The thought of it made me furious. Humans, for all their potential for goodness, so often were obsessed with murdering their own kind, destroying their own environment, and using whatever they could find to cause the most destruction and chaos.
“That’s not their only goal, however,” said Veritas. “They have a much more terrible plan in mind.”
By now, Luna and Ashanti had drifted into the front office area and were listening to our conversation.
“What could be more terrible?” asked Luna.
“Controlling Landkind has its limits,” explained Veritas. “America’s leaders want to go beyond those limits. They want to dominate the world in every way, which is why they are coming for you.” She jabbed a finger at my chest.
“Me?” I said.
Veritas nodded. “That is true. Phaola told me so herself.”
“That’s what Phaola meant when she said Gaia was doomed?” asked Ashanti.
Veritas nodded. “Even as we speak, the government’s forces are on their way. They plan to take you in the morning.” Again, she pointed at me. “They intend to replace your mind with that of one of their agents.”
“How is that even possible?” I was staggered, unable to believe what I was hearing. My stomach churned, and my head throbbed. “I should have sensed it before now. I should have known this was coming.”
Veritas reached out and touched my upper arm. “I will tell you one more true thing before I try to help the others,” she said. “You have strayed from your self, Gaia Charmer...from your truth...and from your reason for being. That you now face a battle for your own survival...that is the price you must pay for your negligence.”
Recognizing the truth of her words, I hung my head. I couldn’t deny that I’d avoided my duties as Mother Earth, that I’d failed to embrace my role fully. But it was just so big, so hard to wrap my head around; it had been easier to stay in my comfortable little life as Gaia the private eye, Gaia the girlfriend, Gaia the only-slightly-above-average.
And Veritas knew it without the slightest iota of doubt. She could see right through me, just as she could see through everyone and everything else.
“However,” she continued, “it is not too late for you. All the power of all the world is at your fingertips, everywhere, always. Open yourself to the possibilities, and you will be unstoppable.”
I nodded as if I completely understood, as if what she’d just told me were obvious and simple to grasp...but I felt no more enlightened than before.
Veritas had another drink of coffee and put the mug back down on the counter. “All that I have told you is true.”
Then she turned and walked to the back room, leaving me stunned and ashamed in her wake, wondering what to do next.
And hurt, most of all, by the fact that I knew everything she had told me was true.
23
“It’s the government,” shouted Minthe as she burst into the office. “Oh my gods, it’s the government.”
Nephelae followed her in and nodded, holding up a printed sheet of paper. “What she said.”
The two of them had hammered on the front door until I’d unlocked it and let them in. Now that they’d made their big announcement, I hated to tell them Phaola had already spoiled it.
Veritas, ever a blunt speaker of the unvarnished truth, had no such compunction. “We already know all that,” she said, “but how do you, whoever you are?”
The two nymphs glared at her, annoyed that she’d stolen their thunder.
Clearly, it was time for me to intervene. “Veritas, allow me to introduce Minthe and Nephelae. They
are two of my best customers and also two of my best friends.”
“Hello.” Veritas nodded stiffly. “Always good to see nymphs like you at large in the modern world.”
“You know we’re nymphs?” snapped Minthe.
“That truth, at least, is obvious,” said Veritas.
I cleared my throat to finish the introductions. “Minthe and Nephelae, meet Veritas, goddess of truth. We brought her in to consult on a case—a different case—but maybe they’ve both ended up at the same place. What was it you were saying about the government, Minthe?”
“We finished examining the sample of ash from the fire-breathing cloud,” said Minthe. “It took a long time and a lot of work.”
Nephelae nodded. “We used every kind of magic at our disposal, Gaia. We even brought in friends with more—scientific—expertise.”
“Discreetly,” said Minthe. “We brought them in discreetly. We remembered you said to be careful.”
“Minthe and I were able to tell that the ash wasn’t from a demon or a dragon or an ifrit,” said Nephelae. “We knew it was man-made...and our friends told us which men had made it.”
“The U.S. government, that’s who.” Minthe looked disgusted. “The chemical composition of the ash matches the skin of certain U.S. military-grade drones.”
“And it’s saturated with a napalm-like chemical used in some flamethrowers,” added Nephelae.
“Mystery solved!” Minthe laughed. “You and Ashanti weren’t attacked by a fire-breathing creature at all.”
“It was a flamethrowing government drone,” added Nephelae.
I nodded, playing with my braid. What they’d told us lined up with what we already knew...but it changed nothing. If what Phaola had told us was as true as Veritas thought, the forces of human darkness would attack in the morning, and they wouldn’t be deterred.
“Thank for the information,” I said finally. “Now you should both get going. I’ll call if we need anything else.”
Minthe frowned. “You’re giving us the bum’s rush?”
“Don’t take it personally,” I said. “In fact, I want all of you to clear out. It’s been a tough day, and I still have a shit-ton of work to do.”
Everyone just stood around and exchanged looks, the exact opposite of what I’d just told them to do.
“Go on.” I marched over to the door, swung it wide, and gestured at the open doorway. “There’s no use in none of us getting any sleep.”
“But the government’s coming for you in the morning,” said Ashanti. “Phaola said you’re doomed.”
“Wait, what?” Minthe sounded alarmed. “You didn’t mention...”
“That’s why she’s trying to get rid of us,” Veritas said with the absolute certainty of a truth-teller. “She wants us out of the line of fire if fighting breaks out.”
“Like that’s going to happen.” Ashanti smacked her fist in the palm of her hand, sending sparks spitting through the air of the office. “I, for one, am not going anywhere.”
“Neither am I,” said Nephelae.
“That goes for both of us.” Minthe laughed. “Never let it be said that nymphs like us won’t stand up for our beloved Mother Earth.”
“Everyone, please.” Again, I gestured at the doorway. I wished they’d all listen to me for once, especially now that so much danger was on the way. “I promise, I can handle this.”
“Not if your power fluctuations continue,” said Ashanti.
“She speaks the truth,” said Veritas.
“Who asked you?” I snapped. “I’m the one who invited you here, remember?”
With that, Luna stepped forward, coming face-to-face with me. “Gaia,” she said firmly. “I speak for us all when I say none of us are going to abandon you in your hour of need.”
Veritas cleared her throat. “Actually, I need to get going. I have other commitments I need to return to, and...”
“None of us but her are going to abandon you,” corrected Luna. “Just as we know you would never abandon us.”
I looked around at them, feeling annoyed...also feeling worried about what might happen to them if they stayed. But at the same time, I felt something else, too, something that made my heart beat faster in my chest.
Honored. Loved. Hopeful. I felt all those things.
As dark as tomorrow looked from where I stood, perhaps there was hope for salvation if all these people cared enough to fight at my side.
Not that I was going to tell them that. “Have it your way.” I shut the door and glared around the room, doing my best to look displeased. “But don’t come crying to me when the government tears you all a new one.”
“We wouldn’t dream of it, boss.” Luna was all smiles. “And anyway, it won’t happen like that, and you know it. We’re going to win.”
I met Veritas’ gaze. “Are we?”
She just shrugged. “How the hell should I know? Do I look like the Oracle at Delphi?” And then she marched into the back room while the rest of us laughed.
24
I wiped a tear from my cheek when Phaola’s eyes fluttered open and fixed on me.
“Gaia!” It was her voice speaking from those lips, not the voice of whoever had been implanted in her head by the government. “I’m back!”
“I’m so glad,” I told her, dabbing away another tear. “I’ve been so worried about you, my friend.”
“She’s not out of the woods yet.” Veritas was kneeling with Phaola’s head in her lap, massaging her temples after administering the last round of treatment. “The other mind still infects her, though I’ve pushed it to the background.”
“She’s in charge again,” I said, patting Phaola’s arm.
“But she might not stay that way,” said Veritas. “She still has a fight on her hands, I’m afraid.”
“I can handle it, now that you’ve given me a fighting chance.” Phaola nodded. “I’ll rip that asshole right out of my cerebrum and kick him to the curb.”
“I believe you just might.” Veritas looked at the other two Landkind bodies stretched out on the floor of the back room. “But I’m not so sure about the others.”
“Give them more of the same treatment you gave me,” said Phaola. “Blue Knob Mountain and Prince Gallitzin State Park are pretty tough, you know.”
“The minds possessing them are more tenacious than the one that took you over, Phaola.” With that, Veritas turned to meet my gaze. “I’d think twice before waking them. If you do wake them, watch out for unusual behavior.” She dipped her gaze, and I realized she was referring to Phaola, too. “You can’t be too careful.”
Message received. “Thanks for doing your best with them,” I told her. “Could you take a look at Ashanti, too, before you go?”
“Of course.” Veritas gently lifted Phaola’s head from her lap and got to her feet. “But I can only spare a minute or two.”
As Veritas headed into the front office to find Ashanti, Phaola pushed herself to a sitting position and smiled. “Sorry I tried to kill you at the fracking site, girlfriend,” she told me. “I wasn’t myself.”
“I know,” I said. “And I’m sorry Luna kicked your ass there, too.”
“Who’s Luna? Have we met?”
I shrugged. “You were out cold the whole time. But you didn’t miss much. She’s nothing to write home about. Just, you know, the human avatar of the freakin’ moon.”
Phaola grinned. “Sorry I missed her.”
“And I’m sorry I didn’t come for you sooner.” I knew it was a buzzkill thing to say, but it was something I needed to put out there. “I’m sorry I didn’t know you were in danger sooner.”
“Stop that.” Phaola touched my cheek. “I could’ve called you any time. I was the one who decided to march in there without asking for help from my friend the entire planet.”
“Well, I haven’t been a very good planet lately,” I told her. “I didn’t even notice a government conspiracy was abducting and reprogramming Landkind across the country.”
>
“So you’re telling me big, bad Mother Earth isn’t perfect? Well, hot damn!” She grinned. “I guess you’re more human than you thought.”
I shook my head. “No, I’m serious, Phae. I’ve been wrapped up in my own shit, and I let everyone down. Now all hell’s about to break loose.”
“Hey.” She squeezed my shoulder. “You’re not the one who kidnapped all those Landkinders, hollowed them out, and put soldiers’ minds in charge of their bodies, are you?”
“No, but...”
“No buts.” Phaola squeezed tighter. “You are not the bad guy here. Neither am I, though I do have one taking up space in my brain.”
Phaola had a way of always making me feel better—but I was still worried about her. “Are you going to be okay?” I asked. “Are you sure you can manage the creep in your head?”
She gave me a steady-eyed stare of great sincerity. “Absolutely, Gaia. But if I have the slightest doubt whatsoever at any time, you’ll be the first to know.”
“Because you’ll try to kill me?”
“Because I’ll give you a heads-up before I go sideways. I promise. And I give you permission in advance to leave the kid gloves off. Don’t hold back, if it comes to it. Okay?”
I nodded, though I had zero intention of keeping that promise. Sacrificing a friend, knowingly, was right at the top of the list of things I would never do.
25
When Phaola and I walked back into the office, Ashanti was in a chair with her head tipped back and her eyes closed. Veritas stood over her, fingers pressed to Ashanti’s temples, gazing with intense focus at her face.
Luna looked our way and raised a finger to her lips. Minthe and Nephelae didn’t even notice us; they were too wrapped up in watching whatever Veritas was doing to Ashanti.
“Try once more to remember,” Veritas said softly. “We know you are the Great Lady of the Grand Canyon. Tell us what you recall of your life in that role.”
Ashanti scowled. “Nothing. It’s all a blank. It’s like I never existed until Phaola found me wandering in the woods.”
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