“Chip? What chip is this?” Tam slowly let go of me, returning to the table where he offered Hecate the main seat. She politely declined, allowing the Lord of UnderBarrow to keep his usual place.
I bit my lip. This was not a conversation I wanted to have at this moment. “You need to stay in UnderBarrow, Tam. Unless you can smuggle yourself over to Briarwood or the Wild Wood. A priestess of Pythia did a reading for us back in Hecate’s office. She said that while the Devani had hold of you, they implanted you with a chip. You’re a marked man. They’ll kill you if you show up off the Tremble. At least, if you aren’t in your sovereign land. You’re lucky they don’t monitor the Sandspit all that much. Or maybe they do, and are out there now, looking for you.”
He paled even further than his so-very pale skin. His long curls of dark hair swaddled him like a dark shroud against a ghost and his angular features took on an even more pinched look. “How is it that I don’t remember this?”
“The oracle said that being out on the Tremble scrambled your memory about that. You didn’t spill the beans about me, no worries there, but your memory of being chipped vanished.”
“Then…” He paused. “Never mind about that now. As long as I stay here, I’ll be safe from the shaygra and their stunners. I wish I could go with you.” He paused, looking torn.
“You are needed here. Don’t put yourself in danger. We need you alive, and so do your people. I need you alive.” I reached out, lightly touching him on the arm. “Live to be a hero another day.”
With a final nod, he took his place at the table. “Then, if I cannot go with you, what can I do to help? I understand you are looking to shut down a portal on the World Tree?”
“Lyon opened it, we think.” I shrugged. “I know that spells are hard to undo if another magician casts them, but does the fact that the portal is on the World Tree make a difference? Hecate, what happened at the meeting of the Elder Gods?”
She glanced at the others. Besides Hans, Jason, Greta, Tymbur, Montran, and myself, Tam was present, along with Damh Varias, and Elan.
“Usually, temple business would be just that. Temple business. But you are all involved in this, and since Fury would tell you anyway, I’ll go ahead and break protocol this once. The Convocation of Gods met. They appointed Hades, Thor, and me to be the main contacts, since our Theosians are directly involved. Since I already told you I would come to help however I could, Thor and Hades decided to let me be the liaison.”
“Somehow, I cannot see Hades choosing to walk down the city streets,” Tymbur said softly.
“Somehow, I think you are right. So I came.” Hecate spread her hand over the table and an image of the World Tree appeared, spots glowing brightly all over it. “Here, you see the World Tree and the portals that Gaia forged on it. Others have come and gone, but only hers remain steady. But see this? The red one?” She pointed to a crimson splash on a second-tier branch. “This is the portal through which the dead are marching. Lyon did, indeed, open it. I cannot close it myself, but I have here a charm that can. I got it from Athena, who gave it to me. She rules over order and law, and can counter the chaos they inflicted. But the charm must be activated and thrown through the portal.”
I heard the hesitation in her voice. “You cannot do it, can you?” I guessed. “You’re not allowed to take such a direct path.”
She lowered her head. “Correct. The Convocation of Gods cannot take action on this. Not directly. I can advise, guide, and provide auxiliary support. There are reasons we can’t step in, but those I cannot go into. Not yet.”
“Then somebody has to work their way through the zombies up on the World Tree, activate the charm, and throw it through.” I let out a long, slow breath. “I’ll do it. But I’ll need help.”
Hecate caught my gaze. “I was hoping you would volunteer. But I won’t order you to do so. This won’t be easy, Fury. This won’t be easy at all.”
I had the feeling there was more she wanted to say about it, but wasn’t. I glanced around. “I need backup. I can’t fend off the zombies if I’m focusing on closing the portal. Like Hecate, I’m not going to ask anyone in particular to go.”
Tymbur stood. “I’m here to help, and so is Montran. We will go.”
Hans and Greta jumped to their feet.
Greta thrust her sword into the air. “We’ll help you or die trying. Better to die in battle than whimpering on the sidelines.”
“You know I’ll do what I can. I can fly up into the tree and do my best to take care of some of them as they come through the portal.” Jason stood, taking his place by the others.
“I will come, too.” Elan stepped forward, raising her bariclore.
A thought crossed my mind. “Just how many are we talking about? Zombies, that is. Are they coming through in a continuous stream?”
Hecate shook her head. “No, but rapidly enough to be a problem. I hate to say it, but in the time it took all of us to get here, there are probably enough loose in the streets that it’s going to cause an ongoing problem. We must shut down the portal, but that won’t stop the scourge. And since zombieism spreads, the infection will already be contaminating the city. I’m afraid that Seattle has more problems than just fighting off the undead.”
Tam’s expression darkened. “I would call the city leaders and tell them, but considering my status right now, that’s not possible. However, I can call the leaders of the Were communities, the shifters, and ask them to carry the news.”
“You can’t call them, though. In fact, you should get out of UnderBarrow now, while the chaos is diverting their attention.” My gaze fastened on Laren. “Laren will take you. He can carry you in the ship. He can transport you through the Locks, over to the Wild Wood past Wild Wave Inlet.” Tam opened his mouth and I knew he was going to protest. “Please don’t refuse. This is the best opportunity for you to get out of here. Damh Varias is trustworthy, he can keep UnderBarrow going for now. Tam,” I said, feeling tears well up. “You have to escape until we figure out how to fix this mess with the Devani. I keep thinking there has to be a reason they targeted you. It can’t be just random.”
Damh Varias took my side, to my surprise. “The Lady Fury speaks with wisdom. Now would be the easiest time to smuggle you out. You must not allow yourself to be trapped here, and you know that our other methods of transportation are out of kilter right now.”
“She’s right, man. Go. Get out of here.” Jason shook his head. “We didn’t rescue you from the Tremble just to see you trapped in this place. We’ll take care of Fury, I promise. We’ll send her to you as soon as we can.”
“Then I’d best be off with haste.” Tam let out a long sigh. “I will go to the Lord of the Cascadia Fae. We have an alliance.”
As I watched him, I suddenly saw the years weigh in on him—it was no more than a shadow, but for a moment, he looked ancient as the hills, ancient as the ocean. Ancient and tired and angry. The power behind the façade he wore on a daily basis hit with an impact that I did not expect, and it struck me once again how little I knew about the man I loved.
“Fury? A kiss before I go?” It was a plea, this time, rather than a command.
I moved to his side. Feeling more conspicuous than ever—this was really a good-bye kiss until we could figure out what to do—I shyly leaned my face up, meeting his lips. This time the passion was muted, and the longing deeper. There was a sadness that came through the kiss as well—laden with fear and loss and worry. I realized that he was afraid for me, and afraid of losing me, and that made my heart ache even worse.
Quietly, I pulled to the side. I had to maintain my courage, had to put our separation beyond what was coming. I couldn’t go into this torn. As if reading my mind, Tam smiled then, and bopped me on the nose.
“Give them hell, my Fury. Go out there and tear up that portal and stop the pestilence that is threatening Seattle. If anybody can do it, you can.” And with that, Laren motioned to Tam and they headed toward the
door. Turning to Damh Varias before he left, Tam said, “My kingdom is in your hands. Treat her gently, treat her like she deserves. I’ll contact you the usual way once I reach sanctuary.”
Damh Varias bowed, very low. “As you order, milord. I am your faithful and obedient servant, always.”
As the door closed behind Laren and Tam, Hecate motioned for me to return to the table. “Come. We must plan quickly, and then we must act.”
I closed my eyes, shoving every ounce of anguish I had to the side. I returned to the table as Hecate laid out what needed to be done.
Chapter 19
As we crept out from the entrance to UnderBarrow next to the World Tree, I was still trying to wrap my head around what I needed to do. My muscles had eased a bit. A good layer of All-Heal saw to that, as well as some AntiBruise on my face. Tam had arranged for a group of guards to go with us. They were skilled in dealing with the undead, and all of them were armed with silver weapons. Silver was a scourge to the walking dead.
As we stepped into the now-raging storm, it was difficult to see much farther than a few feet ahead of us. But then, as my eyes adjusted to the glowing light of the World Tree, I saw them. Figures shuffling all too fast for my taste, away from the base of the tree. And by shuffling, I meant very quickly moving into the Sandspit. Several were headed in our direction and I tensed, hand on my thigh, ready to bring out my whip.
But Tam’s men moved in, their swords flashing as they waded into the snow, heading toward the shambling corpses. I grimaced as the glint of their swords flashed in the green glow, and the sound of grunts and slobbered shouts echoed as the men engaged. I was torn between helping them, and circumnavigating the battle and heading toward the World Tree.
Hecate decided for me. She led the way around the fight, bringing to bear a silver wand. It shimmered with a pale blue light, and as she held it up, the light shone through the snowfall, illuminating the way. While she couldn’t close the portal herself, she could fight off zombies, and her very presence lifted our spirits. Tymbur swung in behind her, then Montran. Behind me were Jason and Greta, then Elan and Hans.
Another group of zombies closed in—about ten of them—and Hecate’s wand flashed, the brilliance lighting up the entire area. As the light flared, the creatures staggered, giving Montran time to move forward and hold up a silver sigil. I recognized it as a symbol belonging to Hades.
“From body to earth, the grave your home,
Return to your shrouds, never to roam.”
His voice echoed, stronger than I thought it could manage. The energy emerged from the sigil, concentric rings of a pale gray light, a toroidal vortex rippling out toward the zombies, flowing over them like a twister on its side. I watched, breathless, as the spell caught them up, churning them into the topsy-turvy funnel. I couldn’t quite see what was happening to them, but it seemed a blur of body parts and then the funnel vanished, along with the zombies.
I let out a long breath. “That was impressive.”
“Well, hope I don’t need to cast the spell more than twice. That’s about the most I can manage before recharging.” Montran rubbed his head; he looked strained and his shoulders hunched forward. Even in the dim light and the swirling snow, the toll the spell had taken on him was apparent. Tymbur motioned for him to move closer to the group, taking his place.
“My magic is different, given I’m a Theosian, but rest for a bit. Save your energy in case we’re in desperate need.” He seemed protective of the young priest, and I suddenly noticed a resemblance between the two.
“Are you Montran’s father?” I blurted out before I could check myself.
But Tymbur smiled softly. “No, Lady Fury. But I am his uncle, many times removed. My brother, who is long, long dead, had sons. And they had children. And so on, until Montran came along. I have seen many generations of my family slide past in the arms of time. As will you as you grow and age.”
I blinked as his words penetrated. He was right, of course. Theosians lived far, far longer than they would have if they hadn’t been altered by the Sandspit. I was barely into my thirties, but if I did have family—if my mother had survived or if I had siblings—I would have had to watch them age and die while I stayed young. The aging process slowed dramatically during the third decade. From now on, I’d only show my age in fits and spits as time went on.
The revelation unsettled me and I shook my head. “I can’t think about that now. I have no family to leave behind.” Which was true. If I had grandparents, I had never been to see them. If I had cousins, they hadn’t come over to play when I was young. As far as I knew, I was the last of my line. Suddenly feeling more alone than I had since I watched my mother die, I fell into a deep silence.
Hecate seemed to pick up on my confusion. “Fury, we’ll talk about this later. Focus on our task at hand.” She leaned back, clapping me on the shoulder. Her snakes, who weren’t affected by the chill at all, bobbed and tongued the air in my direction, but they didn’t coil, nor did they seem agitated.
As the weight of her hand pressed down on me, a flood of power and strength echoed through me, as if I had just plugged myself into an outlet.
“I’m good. Thanks.” I caught her gaze and she smiled softly. The unsettled feelings that Tymbur’s comments had stirred up faded away. I was where I belonged. Inhaling deeply, I shook them off and channeled my attention onto the World Tree. We were standing at the base of it.
The World Tree rose a hundred feet high, and there were rough stairs leading up the trunk, notched from the tree limbs, roughly hewn and difficult to navigate. We would only be able to travel in single file, and our destination was the second tier—a line of branches up the trunk about thirty-five feet from the ground. From here, we could see the gleam of the new portal, shining with a sickly crimson light, as the zombies slowly appeared, moving out of the vortex of light to begin their trek down the web of limbs leading to the bottom of the Sandspit.
They were coming at intervals of every couple minutes and I suddenly realized just how many of these creatures had to be in the streets by now. My heart began to sink. We would stop the influx of them by closing the portal, but until we hunted them all down, the infection would continue as they attacked the living. The magnitude of our task hit home.
“What do we do? How are we going to track all of them down?”
“Fury, focus on one thing at a time. We shut down the portal, then we worry about cleanup afterward. Do you remember what I told you?” Hecate stood back, handing me the components of the spell Athena had fashioned. There was a scroll and a small sphere that swirled with brilliant colors. Reason and war, bound together in a smooth glass orb. The surface was mirrored, shining in the dim light.
“How do I hold this so I don’t break it before we get up there?” I was horrified that I’d make a mistake and ruin everything.
“Carry it in this bag—it won’t prevent an accident, but it will cushion the orb well. Keep the orb and the scroll in an easy-to-access place.” She glanced at my jacket. “You’re going to want to take that coat off. It’s too long to manage the Tree with. Too easy to get caught on a stray branch.”
I shrugged out of it, my teeth chattering as the cold settled in. I was used to my legs being cold, but the snow seemed to settle into my bruises and I ached. I glanced down. My corset had no pockets and I didn’t trust slipping the sphere into the pockets of my leather shorts. I didn’t even know if it would fit. So I tied the loops of the pouch holding the orb through the loops of my belt, letting it dangle against my left thigh.
As instinct kicked in, I shed thoughts of everything and everyone except the task at hand. I could do this. I took on Abominations and sent them back to Pandoriam. I was the chosen of Hecate, I was her servant. I pulled my hair back, wrapping it into a ponytail and, ignoring the aches in my body, turned to my goddess.
“Milady, I am ready.”
“Go, and be safe.” She stood back. “I cannot venture up the Wor
ld Tree with you, but I will do everything I can from below. Take care of her,” she told the others. “She must reach her goal or your world is in danger and the Order of the Black Mist will win this time.”
“Let’s get a move on,” Tymbur said. “Montran, you and I go first. If one of us falls, the other will be there. Hans, you next. Fury, after him. Then Greta and Elan. Jason, can you fly up over the Tree and do what you can from up there?”
I will go too. I can carry messages to Hecate should need be. Queet suddenly swept around us.
Queet! I’m so glad you’re here. Stay close. I’m afraid. I didn’t want to admit it, not even to myself, but the truth was, as focused and ready to go into battle as I felt, the sight of the dead walking out of that portal was enough to freeze my blood.
I’ll be by your side, Fury. I’m in fighting form again, so there may be ways I can help.
As we headed up the tree, Tam’s men spread out, hunting down what zombies they could find around the base of the World Tree. There were still figures coming out of the portal, but Tymbur was leading us up a different route so that we wouldn’t meet them head-on.
“I want to come in at them from the side,” he said. “That way we can reach the portal without going through the onslaught of zombies that have already come through. See, we’re climbing boughs that lead to other portals. But halfway up, another bough crosses over close enough to our destination that, with a little luck, we can jump the distance and be almost at the portal we’re aiming for without having to fight off any zombies.”
“Speaking of portals.” I pulled up my Trace screen and scanned for Aboms. The last thing we needed was—Oh hell. An Abom had just entered our realm from the portal leading to Pandoriam. Wishing we could shut that one down while we were at it, I cast around, trying to see where the Abomination was.
Queet, there’s an Abom loose on the Tree.