Page 24

M addy waved goodbye . It was all she could do. Dom had returned home after a visit with Lucian to announce he was off again. A get-together with Michael in Vast. Without answering her questions, he shot out his wings and thundered into the air. No so-long-see-ya. No I’ll-be-back-soon to tell you how things went. No why-don’t-you-make-my-life-easy-and-plunge-off-the-edge-of-the-cliff.

She watched Dom pick up speed until he was a disappearing black dot, blending into the low, dark storm clouds.

Maddy glanced around the salon. Pulling a pillow close to the lighted fireplace, she flopped onto it, bent her knees, and hugged them.

Alone .

She was facing the worst crisis of her life. Alone. Yep . Worse than being a Sycophant. She had no way to reach out to her sisters and Dom had deserted her.

Her birth parents had abandoned her. Her father had deserted his family. Her mother preferred alcohol to caring for her. And even though she suspected the reasons for Dom’s escape had to do with his friend Gareth, he had left her.

Maddy descended into the negative thoughts that had plagued her when she was young. Why didn’t those she loved stay with her. Was she really so bad? So unlovable? What could she change about herself?

Stop , she shouted. It’s not your fault. She hadn’t made her father leave. She hadn’t forced booze down her mother’s throat. And she sure hadn’t wanted to be a Scourge.

Besides, though her sisters had moved and made lives for themselves, they had never deserted her. The three were still close, ready to come to each other’s aid when needed. The exception was now. Maddy didn’t think Fia or Darya could un-Scourge her.

Okay . This is not your fault. You have you. That’s enough to get through this.

She heard the tap-tap-tap of claws on the tile.

Freki pounced toward her, the smile on his wolver lips fading once he noticed her expression. “What’s what?”

When he cuddled beside her, she stroked her palm along his silky fur, the motion calming, curative.

“You seem different,” he said, moaning with each pet.

“Yeah? Fangs and Scourge wings will do that to a girl.” She opened her mouth to show him proof. Then, feathers ruffled along her spine. They seemed to be growing bigger.

Freki growled but didn’t flinch with her touch, unlike Dom. “You’re still Maddy.”

“I don’t know about that.”

Freki rocketed to his four feet. “I do. You smell the same. And my nose is never wrong.”

“Tell that to Dom.”

“He’s all bulk and no brain. Where is the cretin?”

“He ditched me. He’s off thinking about whether he should extinct me.”

“Scratch that about the no brain. He’d never hurt you. He loves you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Really? How can you tell? Does he frown less often when I walk into the room?”

“Actually, he does. Dom’s got issues. But he’s been happier with you here, Maddy. Be patient.”

“I need a little comforting myself.”

“Won’t I do?” He snuggled closer.

“Of course you will.” She threw an arm around Freki and squeezed him tight.

****

S erenity Valley, Vast , OneWorld

Dom paced while Remi flipped a knife. Blade. Hilt. Blade. Ely bowed his head in silent meditation, and Ohngel clasped his hands behind his back. They waited for Michael, the OneCreator’s Bearer of Death. Why? They didn’t know, but the OC had suggested the confab and they were desperate for insights.

Michael’s role in keeping Immortals in check was different from that of the assassins. Whereas they dealt with Scourges, the Bearer of Death did business exclusively with Immortals. They were an aggressive lot, requiring a firm hand. Minor rebellions and fighting were regular occurrences.

To the west of Serenity Valley was a clear view of the snowcapped mountains in the Aeries Range and, to the east, the Craggy Peaks. The scenery was a startling contrast to Angor. Here, in a sunny meadow, multi-colored flowers grew amid tall green grasses and low, thick bushes. The clouds were scarce and feathery. No unexpected thunderheads burst, drenching the valley with rain. No winds raged across the valley. Of course, the weather remained consistently boring, interrupted only by light, occasional showers and mild breezes to clear the air.

Michael materialized in the sky, his roan stallion gripped tight between his thighs. He unfurled stark white wings and glided toward the waiting assassins.

He dismounted his stead, both of them splattered with blood. Snapping out his wings, he shook them until they were pristine. The Bearer of Death swatted his horse’s rump, sending him to graze.

When the Feard squinted, he toned down the bright glare seeping from his flesh. “Why the fuck are you calling me from my duties?” His piercing gaze settled on Dom.

They hadn’t been friendly for millennia. Dom blamed Michael for the role he had played at Gareth’s trial. Asked by the OC, the Bearer of Death had served as the prosecutor.

But it seemed Michael had one friend in the crowd. “Hey, Ohngel. Good to see you. Where’s your feisty mate?”

“On another job.” The fire-winged assassin bumped fists with Michael, all friendly-like.

Dominion jumped into the convo, steering it toward their purpose and a speedy end. “We need answers to questions about abnormal events brewing in Angor.” For once, he wasn’t trying to antagonize Michael. Pat on the back.

Ely crossed his arms over his chest. “Event one. We’re looking for Praevus and Serita. They played a role in confining and torturing a human female in Angor. She escaped. Dom nabbed her off the streets. The Mind Rat took off, and Serita’s missing.”

Jutting out a booted foot, Michael rested a hand on a dagger hilt, the blade hanging from a belt holster. “Hmm. I can barely remember the last time an Earther was brought to OneWorld. I think it was not too long after Gabriel created them. Some of the Immortals at court wanted to see the new species, and an idiot snagged a Homo sapiens to bring to Vast. What an uproar that caused. The OC was pissed. And Vast hath no fury like the boss pissed.”

Ely nodded. “I kinda remember. That’s when he discouraged travel to the planet.”

Dom shifted from foot to foot, wanting to hurry the convo along. “Yeah. This female was not so lucky. I don’t think she was a curiosity. Praevus made her a Syc.”

“Really? Disturbing.” Michael drew his brows tight.

Dom stared. “Obviously.”

“I don’t deal with Scourges,” said Michael.

Ely brushed an errant strand of long hair over his shoulder. It was pale like ice rather than white like Michael’s. “Neither Praevus nor Serita can leave the dimension. So who snatched the female from Earth? Had to be an Immortal. You deal with them.”

Remi dropped his blade into its holster. “Why did they snatch her? And who the fuck would give her to Scourges?”

Michael shook his head. “Not me. I’d never put a human in the hands of a Scourge.”

Dom said, “Not thinking you would. Maybe you know an Immortal who might.”

Michael’s horse trotted over to nudge his owner’s shoulder. The Bearer of Death smiled but sent the steed on his way with a hand smacked to a flank. “I’ll look into it. You started the meet by referring to a few events. What are the others?”

Dom scrubbed a fist across his jaw. “Event two. Somebody extincted the Scourge Ike who put us on Praevus’s trail.”

Michael shrugged. “Don’t know him, but okay. You guys, me, and the OC are the only Immortals who make that list of suspects. Should be easy to narrow it down.”

Dom continued, “The OC claims innocence. Which leaves...”

Michael stroked his chin with a finger and thumb. “Me? Sorry. Not me, One-eye. I’ve been busy with a small but bloody uprising in Vast. There’s the problem with Immortals. We think a little mayhem is exciting—our injuries healing quickly and the boredom of eternity giving rise to mischief. So, what’s a few cuts, bruises, or blood? Of course, that’s the good guys, not Scourges.” Michael smirked.

“Yeah. Here’s the latest kicker. Event three,” said Dom. “I tried to take Madeline—she’s the human—to Earth after she was healed of Sycophancy. She couldn’t pass through the gate. She’s becoming a Scourge. Wings. Nascent but growing. Fangs.”

He watched Michael’s face for a reaction. Bright Boy was surprised. He wasn’t faking. Silent, he had the look of someone searching for a memory. The problem with living forever was recall. Sometimes, the brain had to sift through billions upon billions of occurrences.

Finally, he shook his head as if he hadn’t pried loose a recollection. “What the fuck have you guys stepped in? Sounds like pure, high-grade horseshit. A Mind Rat can’t make a Scourge. It’s a malady suffered only by Immortals.” Michael shoved his hands to his hips and shifted from boot to boot.

Dom drew a deep breath before letting out an exasperated sigh. “We know nothing more about this shit than we did before.”

Everybody shrugged.

Michael whistled for his horse. Afterward, he added, “I’ve never heard of a Scourge being made.”

“Yeah? How about you? Can you make a Scourge?” asked Remi.

“I don’t make Scourges.”

“Here’s more to chew on. When I was headed to the gateway with Maddy, a group of Scourges led by Farce attacked us. Somebody paid to have her snatched.”

“Samey-same happened to me over the Razor Mountains. How crazy is that?” Remi dragged his fingers through his hair.

Michael’s attention returned to the conversation. He waved off the steed he had called, saying. “Farce. The guy who used to be in the OC’s personal guard?” The Bearer of Death contained the bright light which once again oozed from his flesh. “I never liked him.”

“Ditto. He’ll never be a bother again,” said Dom.

Michael laughed. “Is the OC entertaining court with a game at your expense?”

Dom’s upper lip curved into a snarl. “We tossed that around. So, the best guess is the OneCreator is playing us. He brings a human to Angor. Gives her to Serita who gives her to Praevus. Then he extincts Ike for snitching. While everyone is rushing around trying to solve the mystery, the OC’s laughing his ass off as he amuses his court. Is that the take?”

“Simplest solution,” said Michael.

“Why do I feel the sitch is more complicated?” asked Remi. “I see the OC setting up a game. And hell, if Ike pissed him off for something else, he’d have no problem extincting him. After all, he brought the guy into OneWorld and can take him out of it. What I don’t see is his putting a human female through the horror. It’s not his style. He’s very protective of humans. The weaker species. Self-determination and all that shit he spouts.”

“So, where’s that leave us?” asked Dom.

“With a mystery whose solution is above my pay grade.” Michael’s flesh shimmered like a bright star. “Harmony may provide insight into Serita and Praevus.”

“Yeah,” said Ely. “Been there. Done that.”

Remi and Michael were right. Nothing here was simple.

Bright Boy’s stallion charged from the meadow, his head down, puffs of steam snorting from his nostrils. His goal was to knock the Bearer of Death off his feet. Macho horse.

Michael, equally macho, stood his ground, taking the hit. The steed pawed the dirt several times to save face while Bright Boy lunged onto his back. “Rumor has it Lucian is gathering followers again. If you can find him, check him out. I look forward to seeing the assassins next time. Except you, One-eye.”

“Asshole.” Dom flicked up his middle finger. “Why does everyone bring up Luce?”

His brethren shrugged.

The Bearer of Death swept out his white wings while his stallion shot out his own, snorted, and pranced, anxious to be gone. They took off, their strokes in unison.

The Feard trailed Michael off the ground, taking to the air but flying in the other direction.