He laughs at that, ax raised once more. Then he charges.
One hour quickly turns into two, then three. I won’t relent and Preacher accommodates me nicely. A Guardian without a Calling, he’s always had to compensate with the tough-guy act. At least that’s what I’ve sensed. People try to hide from me, but I read them. I see them.
Just like I saw Em. And, eventually, she saw me too.
When I’m so out of breath I can’t catch it, I finally agree to call it a night, or morning as the case may be. We head inside and Preacher commences snoring the second his head hits the cot, boots on and ax in hand. I roll my eyes and cross to the bedroom window, holding my blade up to reflect the waning moonlight. I’ll never forget the day I obtained my mirrorglass blade. For some, a weapon is a trophy. For me, it’s a hefty reminder of who I am and where I come from, of the person I will always aim to be.
But it isn’t the light on the blue-silver knife that gains my attention. Instead, it’s my own altered image. I haven’t looked at myself since she left, couldn’t bear to see what she saw that caused her such terror. But there it is. There I am. Blackened veins everywhere, clawing at my torso and creeping up my neck. Even my honey-colored hair has darkened, my eyes displaying subdued shades of their original colors. The gold flecks in my green eye have vanished, leaving a scum-like circle of puke in their place.
I smirk and roll my shoulders. What’s the outside? The shell I’m stuck in? This doesn’t define me. Never has, never will. As long as I serve the Verity, as long as I cling to love, nothing, not even the Void itself, can take me.
“You can’t fight forever. Eventually I’ll come out. I have before and I will again.”
The voice belonging to the darkest part of my soul croaks from deep within. I press him down. I’ve done this for years, had plenty of practice. I’m not about to give in now. Not when remaining myself is vital to finding Em. She told me once bound souls always find each other. Whatever Josh did to her, I have to believe that, at least, is true.
I sheathe my blade and turn from my reflection. The sun’ll be up within the hour. I should rest, but what’s the point? I won’t be at ease until I’ve located her. And unfortunately, to do that I need a favor from someone I hoped never to see again. He may be a traitor, but he’s also a marauder. A treasure hunter. Attention to detail has served me well in the past, and I’ll bet my mirrorglass blade he possesses what I need.
“Jonathan Gage.” I grunt his name beneath my breath. Servant to Isabeau Archer, the immortal Fairy Queen. He helped Josh, that Shadowalker downstairs, and he can crowe well help me.
I step around Tide Toshiro, my chief cook from The Seven Seas, sprawled out on a floor mat. Streak, who showed up to the party a few hours following the others, sleeps standing up in one corner. Whether he’s truly sleeping or just resting is up for question. I don’t dare startle him and invite his fury. And by fury I mean his wretched sailor breath.
When I exit the room and tread through the cottage, the loose boards creak and buckle. I pass Elizabeth and Makai’s closed door. I almost think I hear baby Evan stir and I pause, bating my breath. When I’m certain I haven’t startled him, I continue on, more cautious than before.
The front room is noiseless aside from the girls’ breathing. The fire has long since died. Robyn Song lies curled up on the rug in Bengal tiger form, though she resembles a harmless kitten more than the ferocious beast she is. Especially with that purple clump of hair on her cheek.
Dahlia Moon—Regina Reeves—took off late last night for Nitegra Compound, Flint in tow.
“Time waits for no man,” the Ever woman had announced, floured hands flailing. “And those Thresholds won’t be waitin’ either, ya hear. Betcha Breckan and Isaach’ll have news. They keep tabs on all the happenings here. Bet yer left boot that pair’ll know if there’s any Threshold worth its water left. If that’s the case, we’ll have a plan when we reconvene.” She clapped. “Besides, it’s never too good to stay in one place for long. That means you too, Miss Elizabeth. Time we found you a new hideout.”
“Regina, please.” Elizabeth touched her arm, their history made clear with a look. “We can all depart in the morning. Together. Is it wise to split up?”
“Nonsense, child.” She pecked Evan, asleep in his mother’s arms, on the head. “Y’all get some rest now. I’ve been around enough years, sleep’s become a luxury. If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll take Flint along with me. I’ve not been feelin’ my best and could use the extra hand.” She winked and lowered her voice, spoke behind her hand. “Besides, that boy’s a bit of scrum and umptious, if you know what I mean.”
I think everyone in the room knew what she meant. Poor Flint went beet red. It was all I could do to keep a straight face. Hopefully he’s survived the night, and the two will have news for Makai when they meet up.
I take a head count, then glance out the window. Stormy is nowhere to be seen, probably off on a morning jog or something. She’s kept to herself since arriving, and I don’t blame her. Her husband, Kuna, is gone and Em is her best friend. The water Magnet must feel so alone.
Guilt weighs heavy on my fighting soul. If I were to take anyone along, it’d be her. But I can’t. I have to take this on alone. I will not have Josh or Stormy or anyone else interfering.
In the end my gaze rests on Ebony Archer and my adoptive sister Khloe. For all I know, this could be the last time I see them. I lean over Khloe, brush her frizzy hair off her face, and kiss her forehead. The girls share the couch, spooning, the elder with her arms wrapped around my baby sister. Our baby sister, I guess. Both are Tiernan’s biological daughters.
And me?
I belong to no one.
Never even met my real parents, whom I now know to be the former King Aidan and Queen Ember. What’s more, the man who claims to be my brother is insane. It’s really too bad I need him. Joshua David is the only one who knows exactly what’s happened to Em. The only one who’s been in contact with Gage and Isabeau recently.
To top it off, his Ever blood is useful in these times. Granted, we have Dahlia, but I’d rather not cut into her if it’s not necessary. She’s been acting ill, a reminder Evers are just as human as the rest of us. The Shadowalker is our blood supply, and even if we have to bleed him dry—
I smack myself hard on the head. The sinister thoughts come before I can stop them. I have to stay on full alert if I’m going to keep the Void from taking over.
Fine. Always liked a good challenge.
My surge of confidence is quickly followed by resentment as I make my way back down the hall. Wren Song rests slouched beside the door to the cellar. I nudge her boot with the toe of my own.
Nothing. Not even a change in breathing.
I comb my fingers through my greasy hair with one hand while turning the knob on the cellar door with the other. For the dread of Dragons, David. Why’d you have to be such a moron?
He’s locked away again. It took the lot of us against him and Wren to keep him down there. Even Commander Archer, who’s like an older brother to David, saw it as an essential precaution to contain him. But I know all too well the battle he faces now. David allowed the Void to take hold of him. Permitted his darker side to surface. And that’s the most dangerous game of all. I’ve told Makai exactly what’s going on with the Ever. He and the others can handle the Shadowalker when I’m gone, no sweat.