We need to close that portal.
The bodies begin shuffling into the darkness, a symphony of soft moans and groans purring from their dead lips. As they move along the coast, they’ll be sure to encounter our camp. Whether they’ll be able to penetrate the invisible fence that Etch has fashioned, I don’t know. But once they find us, Thresh will know where to go. And the grubs are relentless.
Thresh glares at her ragged soldiers, who are clearly mortified. “As you can see my loyal companions, you can serve us even if you’re dead. So, do not fail me. Now, go and search for those people who escaped the town. Bring them back to me. It doesn’t matter whether they’re alive or dead.”
The men and women gather their packs and horses, scrambling like crabs on the beach by the Fuerst. Within moments, they vanish in the haze of the dawn’s light. I don’t want to be here in this woman’s head any longer but I can’t seem to tear myself away. The sensation is similar to the suffocating fear I felt while descending into Troll’s dungeon.
Thresh enters one of the few houses that haven’t been destroyed. It’s an oddly cheerful building, with a light pink exterior, blue shutters, and an expansive porch. Oil lamps light the threshold. She closes the door behind her and sighs, as if the horrors she’s inflicted are simply the burden of a hard day’s work. A slight, young woman in a light blue dress greets her cautiously. She’s clearly frightened but trying desperately to hide her emotions. I realize that this woman is the owner of the house and that she used to have family here. She’s now alone.
Thresh speaks in a tone I’ve never heard from her — one of carefree happiness. “Is she awake yet?”
“Yes ma’m. She’s eating some mush and cream.”
They’re speaking of Eliza. My entire being expands with anger. I want to stab Thresh and yet I’m trapped inside her mind. For a moment, she pauses, sensing my strong emotion. I need to control myself to avoid being found out.
And there’s my beautiful little girl, looking at Thresh with her clear blues eyes and cereal dripping from her face. She smiles and says, “Hi mommy.”
A thread deep within me snaps. I push my entire being into Thresh and find myself occupying her completely. Thresh is gone and I’m standing in that kitchen with my daughter. I’m expending every ounce of energy to stay this way.
I see Thresh’s reflection in the woman’s eyes. Thresh is still wearing the tattered red dress, her hair braided down the side. Her eyes are wild but blank. I make Thresh say, “Stab me, now. In the heart.”
The woman in blue steps back, trembling.
“Do it. Before Thresh returns.”
The woman is motionless. I search the room for a knife, see a butcher’s blade, and lunge toward it. I’m about to plunge it into Thresh’s chest when I’m feeling tugged away — I’m stirring in my cot back at camp. I can no longer control Thresh’s arms but can still speak. I turn toward the woman. “Listen to me. I’m Eliza’s mother in Thresh’s body. I don’t know how long I have.”
The woman stammers, “If this is a trick, I’ll soon be dead like the rest of my family. I’m Magarat.”
“Magarat, protect my daughter, please. I’ll come get her and rescue you as well. Be strong.”
The tugging grows stronger. I stare at Eliza, who’s oblivious and making quite a mess. The knife drops from Thresh’s hand and the pull’s irresistible. The room fades and I’m in my cot, with Gorian standing over me with her impossibly large eyes. “Hey there,” she says.
I look at her, shaking. “I’ve got to kill that woman.”
Chapter 55 – Iggy’s Return
After the dream-travel, I’m agitated and not at all hungry. Gorian’s been told to feed me breakfast and I’m not complying. Her pretty, flawless face is contorted with frustration. This is a woman who’s not used to resistance.
“Amy, for mars-sake, you’ve got to eat. Grey says that it’s critical for you to get healthy.”
“Woman, I just saw my child for the first time in months. She called that lunatic Thresh her mother. I’ve got to stop her.”
Gorian purses her lips, looking doubtfully at me. “You were just having a vivid dream. All this stress and Grey’s drugs are affecting your sleep patterns.”
“So, you don’t believe I can travel outside my body and occupy others?”
“Scientifically impossible. The only way to transmit neurological electrical signals is through some transmission system like in the pilot house of a starship. You’ve not got the technology to do it.”
I frown and push the food away. “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about. But you’d better get used to the idea that I do more traveling in my sleep than awake. It’s pretty damn miserable. I’d trade it with you anytime.”
“Let’s make a deal. I’ll believe you if you eat something.” She pushes the tray back toward me.
“Please don’t be condescending. I’ve got pressing news. They’re coming.”
Gorian raises an eyebrow. “Who exactly might that be?”
“Thresh used the fog to raise the dead. They’re acting as scouts for her. They’ll find this camp in a matter of days. And, although your fence is impressive, something tells me it’ll be no match to the fog and her grubs. They’ll break through and kill you all.”
Gorian’s silent, obviously spooked by what I’ve just said. She holds her chin and looks out the window, the light shining on her pale hair. She muses, “Perhaps there’s something here on the planet that’s acting like a transmission network for telepaths. I wonder…” She claps excitedly and runs out the door.
I shuffle out of the door after her into the blazing glare of full sunlight. Etch’s sitting on the edge of a table talking with a grey, slick creature with bulging eyes and webbed hands. It’s dressed in the same green material that Gorian and Grey are wearing. Three smaller, unclothed versions of the creature are playing in a puddle in the shade of a nearby building. Etch turns toward me. “Amy, good morning. This is Iggy. He returned last night, with his children. Are they not adorable?” He laughs and puts his hand on the nauron’s shoulder.
The being extends its hand to me. I shake it, discovering that the extremity is cool and indeed slimy. A strange voice, similar to Troll’s, says, “Glad to meet you Amy. I apologize for having to use this device to speak. My language’s very different than yours and I need it for you to understand me.”
“That voice — it’s yours, not a machine?”
Etch responds. “Iggy, Amy had an unfortunate experience with an early model of a human machine interface. She is not used to artificial voices.”
Iggy smiles, showing his toothless jaws. His eyelids droop, slowly lubing his eyes. “Yes, I’m quite organic. As you can see, there are more of me now. They will be unable to speak for quite some time, until they mature. At that time, we will teach them to use transmitters as well.”
“What in the hell is going on here? What are those things splashing in the puddle?” Bets steps out of her cabin, scratching her head. Theo and Samuel follow. They’re equally perplexed.
“Meet Iggy,” I say.
“And his children,” Etch adds.
“Where are English and Minns?” Grey appears with a platter of steaming cakes. “Breakfast will get cold.”
Samuel snorts. “They was drinking brandy until the wee hours. Won’t see them ’til noonday.”
Grey’s face droops. He’s genuinely disappointed.