Page 15 of Dead End (Crossroads Queen #9)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

We potentially had a supernatural army of ten thousand ghost soldiers at our disposal. All we needed was Phaedra’s spell to break the curse.

Ten thousand.

I was still running through the list of pros and cons as I drove Otto to Bridger Farm. “Why didn’t you mention the vase during the meeting?”

“Because I didn’t want to discourage anyone from showing up to fight.”

I glanced at him. “In case we can’t actually break the curse?”

“I’m ninety-nine percent certain we’ve cracked the code.” He paused. “Perhaps eighty-five percent.”

“What happens if you’re wrong? Is there any chance the wrong spell could do more damage than the right one?”

“Why don’t you save these questions for Phaedra?” Otto patted the sides of his seat. “What is this ungodly material?”

“Hey, nobody disparages Gary. Don’t make me turn this truck around. ”

He pretended to zip his lip. “Heaven forfend I insult the inanimate object.”

I patted the dashboard. “Gary can hear you, and he’s very sensitive to criticism, something you two have in common.” I parked the truck on the dirt road near the farm. “At least there’ll be plenty of space if the spell works.” It was private, closer to the crossroads, and had plenty of acreage for an army camp.

“They are souls,” Otto reminded me. “They can all occupy the same space if necessary.”

“We’re here.”

“All my vehicles are lower to the ground,” he grumbled, as he descended from the truck.

Phaedra met us at the front door and immediately swept me up in a warm hug. “I’m so happy to see you again.”

“I’m glad to see you, too.”

She released her hold on me. “Ashley’s here. She’s been a great help with this particular project.”

We walked to the farmhouse kitchen at the back of the house where Ashley stood at the large black cauldron with a measuring cup full of green liquid.

“Welcome back, Lorelei.” Ashley emptied the contents into the cauldron and stirred.

“Good to be back.”

“This is so cool,” Ashley said, marveling at the green steam that rose from the cauldron.

“It isn’t every day you revive an ancient army,” I said.

Phaedra pulled out a chair for him. “Sit down, vampire.”

“Yes, witch.” Otto expertly navigated the dining area and sat in the available seat. He must’ve spent more time at the farm than I realized.

“What’s in the cauldron?” I asked. It smelled faintly of evergreen .

“Different project,” Phaedra said. “We don’t need the cauldron for the army spell.”

“I was already in the middle of this when Phaedra got your message,” Ashley explained. “I have to finish or the batch will spoil.”

I felt a tiny bump of pleasure at her dedication to the craft. Nana Pratt would’ve loved to see her granddaughter thriving like this.

To my left, Phaedra and Otto seemed to be speaking in shorthand.

“Exactly how much time did you two spend together while I was gone?” I asked.

“We worked extensively on this,” Otto said.

“It isn’t a blossoming romance, if that’s what you’re wondering,” Ashley said from across the kitchen.

“I wasn’t wondering.”

“Nana Pratt thought every male friend I had was a boyfriend, even when I was in elementary school.” Ashley rolled her eyes. “It was annoying.”

“I can see how it would be.”

Ashley stopped stirring and gripped the handle of the long wooden spoon with both hands. “I miss her.”

“So do I.”

Phaedra carried the vase to the table. “Are we ready?”

I slapped my hands on the table. “Bring it on.”

Phaedra cupped the ancient artifact in her hands. She closed her eyes and recited an incantation under her breath. I didn’t recognize the language.

She finished the incantation and opened her eyes to stare at the vase.

Nothing happened.

I leaned forward to inspect it. “Is that a hairline fracture?”

Otto ran his finger along the side of the vase. “I don’t feel anything. ”

I tried not to let my disappointment show. “For all we know, the legend is simply that. Maybe there’s no Yanmen Army.”

Phaedra gnawed at her bottom lip. “We’ll keep trying, Lorelei. I’ll work day and night until I’ve cracked it.”

“It’s all right, Phaedra. Nobody is expecting a miracle. Our best is all we can do.”

Phaedra tried one more time but to no avail. I drove Otto home and continued to the Castle, trying to curb my feelings of disappointment. On the way to the farm, I’d started to believe we could actually win. I’d let myself get too excited, and now I was paying the price.

As I passed through the open gate, I scanned the horizon for any sign of returning crows. I’d sent a handful of urgent messages. Surely at least one of them had responded by now.

I entered the house to find Kane alone in the kitchen. “Are you washing dishes?”

He twisted to look at me. “They didn’t all fit in the dishwasher.”

“You’re a keeper. Has anyone ever told you that?” I kissed his cheek. “Where’s Claude?”

“I think he went upstairs with Goran. Goran said something about needing help holding the book he’s reading.”

“Ah, Brandon Sanderson.” I gazed outside, hoping to see dark wings on the horizon.

Kane peered at me. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re upset.”

I brushed off his comment. “I’m not upset. It’s just that I sent SOS messages earlier and nobody’s responded.”

“It’s understandable that you’d be upset.”

“I told you I’m not.”

The demon dried his hands on a towel and turned to face me. “You’re upset because you’ve spent your entire adult life doing everything on your own, without the option of support. You finally lowered those stone walls of yours, let in a few friends, expanded your world. You stepped outside your comfort zone to assist others. Now the chips are down, and those you’ve helped won’t return the favor. You’re telling yourself that it means something about you. Perhaps that you’re not good enough. Or that you don’t deserve it.”

Against my will, tears pricked my eyes. “Kane.” My voice came out lower than expected. Raw.

“Why not drag these feelings into the light and examine them fully? Only then can you accept what is instead of what you imagine reality to be.”

“We can do this on our own,” I said, still more throat than voice.

“It appears we have no choice in the matter.”

I balled my hands into fists as another bout of disappointment rocked me. I needed to strategize, not focus on my feelings.

“Admit you’re disappointed.” With tender fingers, he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Get it out of your system. Trust me, you’ll feel better.”

“I have no right to expect…”

“You have every right to your feelings, Lorelei. Now let them out of their cage or they’ll turn up at a most inopportune time.” He allowed himself a tiny smile. “Ask me how I know.”

Heat flooded my cheeks as memories broke through the surface. Kane and I had lost the battle of wills with each other more than once before our inevitable courtship.

“I feel disappointed,” I admitted. “I’d hoped for more support.” I paused. “I don’t feel any better.”

“Not yet, but you will. Why do you feel disappointed?”

“Because I want others to care about the fate of Fairhaven as much as I do. ”

“And why else?” he pressed.

“Does there need to be more?”

“No, but there is more. It’s right there on the tip of your tongue. Say the words.”

“I want them to show up to prove they care about me.” The words tumbled out in a rush.

“And what do you make it mean if they don’t show up?”

“That they don’t care.”

“Except you can’t know that for certain. Perhaps they’re embroiled in a battle of their own. Perhaps they have others to protect and don’t want to incur The Corporation’s wrath. There are a multitude of reasons why someone might not show up that has nothing to do with how they feel about you.”

I gave him a wry smile. “You sound like West. The two of you really ought to spend more time together. I think you’d have a lot to discuss.”

“Assuming we survive this, perhaps we shall.” He engulfed me in his arms, and I breathed in his scent. Kane was a balm to my wounded heart.

Goran darted into the kitchen. “Um, Lorelei. I hate to interrupt, but I think you should know there’s a monster outside the gate.”

I disentangled myself and raced to the porch. Not just any monster.

A magma monster.

I blinked to make sure I wasn’t imagining the cherufe as I stepped outside. “Max?”

He opened his rocky arms. “I’m back, baby. Did you miss me?” Even without the admission, his lisp was the dead giveaway.

Emotions jammed my throat as I hurried across the bridge to the gate. “You’re really here?”

“Fairhaven called for aid. Helheim has answered.” A smile stretched across his wonderfully monstrous face. “And I brought a friend.”

A tall, statuesque figure emerged from behind a telephone pole. It was impossible not to remember the Norse goddess, Hel. “Max tells me you are in need of our assistance. Max has proven himself a faithful servant. If he says the future of the realms are at stake, I believe him.”

My nerves rattled. “Wait. If you’re both here, who’s watching over Helheim?”

“Not to worry. I have a trusted team in place, and they have been advised to watch for any suspicious activity. If any god or goddess tries to enter without authorization, believe me, they won’t get very far.”

The tension in my shoulders eased. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if The Corporation seized control of Helheim while its goddess and guardian were in Fairhaven to help me.

“You never know with them,” I said. “They have deities to spare.”

Hel adjusted her antler crown. “And now you do as well.”

“Welcome to Bluebeard’s Castle. Please, come inside.” With the new arrivals, the Castle was quickly becoming a fortress.

Max lumbered over the bridge beside me. “No offense, but the garden’s looking a little unkempt. I guess Nana Pratt has other priorities right now.”

I inhaled deeply to counteract the rising tide of tears. “Actually, Nana Pratt and Ray decided to cross over. Claude’s been pulling weeds here and there, but yard maintenance isn’t exactly at the top of anyone’s list right now.”

Max stopped at the front porch to hug me. “I’m so sorry, Lorelei. I know how important they were to you.”

The weight of his natural body armor crushed my chest. “Thanks,” I wheezed.

Hel strode past us and straight inside like she was the queen of my castle. I felt a pang of embarrassment as the hinges of the front door creaked loudly. I’d have to hunt down the bottle of WD-40 Ray was so fond of.

Max eyed the door. “Maybe I should stay outside. I take up more space than your average guest.”

“What’s the point of having a massive money pit if I can’t accommodate my friends? Come inside with the others. We’ll make it work.”

The cherufe’s lead foot broke straight through the porch step. He froze in place, his molten eyes registering pure horror.

“It was already on the verge of breaking,” I said, as breezily as possible. “You just hastened it along.”

Max shook his head. “Your house is a china shop and I’m a bull. This will never work.”

“It will. This house was built with the extraordinary in mind.”

Praying the floorboards were up to the challenge, I held my breath as Max trudged into the house.

“Can I get you anything to eat or drink?” I offered. I could practically feel Nana Pratt’s shining approval from on high.

“I would kill for an iced coffee,” Max said, fanning himself with a molten hand. “I need the caffeine and the cool down.”

We made it safely to the kitchen, where the cherufe was greeted warmly by Claude. The revenant leaped onto Max’s shoulder from the countertop.

I noticed someone had already supplied Hel with a glass of iced tea, or possibly the goddess had served herself. She seemed like a woman of action.

I was relieved to see the coffee pot was full. I chose a lidded cup with a built-in straw for Max’s awkward appendages, added ice, and then coffee. “One iced coffee for my special guest. ”

“I came to save you and here you are saving me.” He sucked down the refreshment with gusto.

“It means a lot that you’re both here.”

Hel polished off her glass of iced tea and smacked her lips. “Why wait for them to arrive? Why not invade them before they can invade you? Utilize the element of surprise.”

“Because not all deities in Paradise deserve to be swept up in a battle.”

Hel scoffed. “Name one.”

“I can do better than that.” I reeled off a list of names, including Kamikins, Libitina, Nabu, and Darago.

Max’s bulky body went still. “Darago, the volcano goddess?”

I nodded. “As a matter of fact, I told her about you.”

He jerked the cup away from his mouth. “Why? Why would you do that? Darago is terrifying. Goddesses like her are the reason I’m living in Helheim.”

“She isn’t like that anymore. She’s like you, Max. She doesn’t approve of sacrifices or hurting people. That’s the reason I mentioned you.”

“Then what is she doing hitching her wagon to The Corporation?”

“There are lot of deities and supernaturals there that don’t agree with the company’s ethos. Some were even brought there under false pretenses.”

“And yet they chose to remain.” Hel’s look of dismay was plain. “Where is your privy? The refreshment went straight through me.”

I pointed her in the direction of the downstairs bathroom.

Max shook his head. “Her bladder is the size of a pea. Don’t tell her I said that.” He set the empty cup on the counter with a thud. “How are we supposed to fight a complicated enemy? What ever happened to Sauron versus Frodo?”

“Gollum was complex,” I pointed out. “Anyway, I only told Darago about you because I thought she could help you with your problem.” If Max eventually decided to return to his Chilean village with the Filipino goddess, the other cherufes might be persuaded to leave him in peace and stop trying to instigate deadly eruptions.

Max stared vacantly at the empty doorway. “I don’t have a problem anymore. I like my new home. It suits me.”

“Hel’s a good leader?”

“An excellent one. She cares about the souls under her command. She’s respected, and she’s fond of Garm, her Helheim hound.” His gaze shifted to me. “In fact, she reminds me a lot of you.”

“That’s kind of you to say.”

A chorus of voices in the foyer drew Max’s attention. “I hear His Royal Demonness. Let me go say hi.”

I took the rare free moment to scrub away a black scuff mark on the kitchen floor. A definite downside of high traffic in and out of the Castle was the dirt. I had to admit, I missed having a cleaner. Part of me wanted to ignore the mark and pretend it wasn’t there, but the image of a disapproving Nana Pratt bloomed in my mind. The elderly ghost had worked too hard to keep these floors clean to let them turn to rot now. Nobody could deny that guilt was a strong motivator.

My phone vibrated on the counter, and I was grateful for the excuse to stop. Despite my supernatural strength, the scuff mark wasn’t budging. Maybe The Corporation planted it here to drive me mad. Throw a mouse in my pantry and they just might manage it.

I picked up the phone. “Hey, Anna. What’s up?”

“I think you should come to the crossroads,” the werewolf said. “There are some seriously weird vibes, and I’m not sure what to make of them.”

“You think something is weird and automatically think of me? I’m flattered.”

“Just come before I get snatched up by a giant tortoise monster.”

“Is that what you see?”

“I don’t see anything yet. I told you it’s a vibe.”

Anna Dupree wasn’t one to make a giant tortoise monster out of a turtle. “I’ll be there in ten.”

I raced upstairs to put on my ass-kicking boots and grab a few weapons from the trunk at the foot of my bed. Weird vibes could be anything from The Corporation to a vampire pirate to—a giant snapping tortoise monster. I selected two throwing knives, a longsword, and a crossbow.

Emotions scrunched into a ball in my stomach. It felt strange to suit up without talking to Ray or Nana Pratt or hearing one of them warn me about the dangers of running with sharp objects. Full acceptance of their absence would take time.

I shut the lid of the trunk to see Claude perched on the edge of my bed.

Be careful , the revenant signed.

Tears pushed their way forward, and I let a few escape before I dammed the rest. “I will. Thanks, Claude.”

Kane was the first to spot me as a I hurried downstairs. “Is it time?”

“Anna said there are weird vibes at the crossroads.”

“Then we’ll come with you. That’s what everyone is here for.”

“Stay here and wait for my signal.” For all I knew, this was a trick to draw us to the crossroads, while they invaded Fairhaven from a different access point.

Once outside, I opted for the motorcycle. Betsy was easier to drive when I was laden with weapons, and I could park closer to the crossroads than if I had the truck. Time was very much of the essence.

The helmet made my head sweaty. Instead of focusing on the uncomfortable sensation, I thanked my lucky stars that I still had a head to get sweaty, unlike Lucifer.

The air was unnaturally still as I parked the motorcycle and made my way to the crossroads. The smells seemed normal enough—evergreen, pine, and all the earthy scents associated with Wild Acres. The sounds, though… Even the birds had fallen silent. I scanned the sky for crows, but they were nowhere to be seen.

My skin pricked. Anna was right. Something was amiss.

I arrived at the clearing with my longsword drawn. Anna and West were the only two werewolves in sight.

“I thought we had extra eyes on the crossroads,” I said.

“They’re here,” West said. “I’ve got them on standby, but I wanted to wait for your input.”

Energy crackled in the air.

Anna’s gaze tracked an invisible line in the forest. “You feel it, right?”

I nodded.

“Any ideas?” West asked.

“I vote for the wait-and-see approach.”

“But what if it’s The Corporation?” Anna asked. “Wouldn’t it be better to at least have the wolves hiding behind the trees?”

“If it’s The Corporation, the pack will be defenseless against them.” I hated to be so blunt, but it was the truth. The werewolves weren’t very high on the supernatural chart when deities were involved.

“Should we call Kane?” Anna asked.

The fact that West didn’t scowl and immediately object showed the progress the two had made over the course of the past year.

“He’s ready if we need him.” The demon was preternaturally fast when the situation required it.

The wind picked up and the tiny hairs on my arms stood at attention. Something powerful was about to come through the crossroads. I adjusted my grip on the sword.

“Anna. West. Go stand on the other side of those oak trees behind me, would you? West, open the group chat on your phone and type the code word, but don’t hit send until my signal.”

They followed my instructions without complaint or posturing. The forest was so quiet that I swore I could hear the werewolves’ hearts beating in sync.

Heartbeats quickly morphed into hoofbeats. Horses charged between the two mighty oaks that flanked the crossroads, led by a cloaked figure on a coal-black mare with eyes that burned like two small red dwarf stars.

“Abort signal!” I yelled, lowering my weapon. Every muscle in my body relaxed at the sight of the Night Mallt’s mount. “Matilda!”

The Celtic spirit yanked back her hood as her horse skidded to a halt beside me. “Cariad, thank the gods you’re still alive.”

“For the moment.”

She dismounted her horse with graceful ease. “I received your message. I would’ve arrived sooner, but your crow was mistaken for a spy.” She glared at a hunter behind her. “I’m only glad I wasn’t too late to rectify the situation.”

“On the contrary, you’re just in time.” I had so much to tell her. “The ghosts are gone. Kane moved in. I went to the underworld to rule.” I tripped over my tongue as my words fought for dominance .

Matilda’s eyes widened. “Why would you do such a thing? You love this place, flawed though it may be.”

“Hestia insisted, but I’m glad I went because I found something important while I was there.”

“I hope it’s a way to defeat The Corporation once and for all.”

“Better. My parents. They’re alive.”

Gasping, Matilda grasped my arm. “Alive? But how?”

“They hid themselves in the one place they knew no god would ever look—Tartarus.”

“And where are they now?”

“Recovering in the underworld.”

“Then why have you returned? Nowhere is safe from The Corporation. The underworld requires protection while they gather their strength.”

I waved my hand at the crossroads. “Fairhaven is critical to their success. If they fail to capture the crossroads, their entire plan falls apart.”

“It is a good thing your crow was rescued from the spit.”

Her comment caught me off guard. “You roast your spies?”

“Never mind the details.” Matilda bowed her head. “As the leader of the Wild Hunt, I pledge my riders to you.” The rest of the hunters immediately followed suit.

I turned to smile at the wolves. “Hey, Arrowhead Pack. Good news. Our odds have just improved.”

Anna looked at West. “Is this how it feels to be an alpha?”

West gazed at the rows of bowed heads. “I’m pretty sure this is how it feels to be a god.”

“This will be unlike any battle you’ve ever fought,” I told the Wild Hunt. “I’ve seen the devastation of other lands and, I’ll be frank, it’s terrifying.”

Anna darted forward to jostle my elbow. “Are you trying to scare them away?” she hissed .

“It’s only fair that they know exactly what they’re up against. Fairhaven isn’t theirs to protect.”

The Night Mallt raised her head, eyes blazing. “Your fight has always been my fight, annwyl. That is what it means to be family.”

My heart swelled. To hear those words from her… It meant more to me than she would ever know. “Thank you, Matilda.”

She straightened and adjusted her cloak. “Now, do you have a plan?”

I smiled. “Always.”

We returned to the Castle as a group that included both werewolves and hunters. For once I was grateful for five thousand square feet of house and a huge yard. Claude pounced on Matilda, and I felt a little choked up as I witnessed their sweet reunion.

Kane intercepted me in the foyer. “I think we should order food. Two boxes of elbow macaroni and a tin of crushed tomatoes isn’t going to cut it.”

“We’ll order pizza. A large pie in every option they have.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Even Hawaiian?”

I grimaced. “That’s not a fight I’m willing to lose. No pineapple on pizza on my watch.”

“Noted.”

Josie peeled away from the shadows. “I’ll make the call. You two organize the troops.”

I’d never seen such a full house. “Why is everyone here? We aborted the signal.”

Kane hesitated. “Actually, West may have inadvertently hit send. He didn’t want to be the one to tell you.”

The alpha poked his head between us. “Anna bumped my arm, and my finger slipped.” He continued into the kitchen, his favorite place in my house.

The Castle was teeming with energy. With life. It both heartened me and frightened me. The chances of every one of us making it back to this house alive... I stopped the negative thoughts in their tracks. All we could was our best.

“Did somebody order a nature mage?” a voice shouted.

My heart fluttered as I stepped into the foyer. “Brody?”

The nature mage opened his arms wide. “Would I leave ye in the lurch? Lorelei calls and Brody comes running.” He wrapped me in a warm embrace. “I like this version of Lorelei who hugs. A vast improvement, lass.”

I pulled back from him. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

Brody patted the quiver strapped across his shoulder. “A little birdie told me we might be facing off against a pack of angry gods.”

“There’s no ‘might,’” I said. “It’s definitely happening. The only question is when.”

“Then I’m glad I made it in time … for pizza.” His eyes widened as Josie began to distribute the piping hot boxes.

A paper plate found its way into my hand, along with a slice of pepperoni. I felt seen and understood as I tucked in.

Brody nodded his head toward the library. “Your man Ray has been busy since my last visit. The woodwork is spectacular.”

“Ray and Nana Pratt chose to cross over. They’re no longer attached to the property.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” He regarded the library. “Well, Ray did a very fine job on those shelves. I reckon he was very proud of his handiwork.”

“I think he was satisfied with his legacy.”

“Probably why he opted to leave on a high note. I know I would. ”

It felt good to see Brody again and to know that he cared enough to return to Fairhaven, even knowing the risks.

“Tell me the plan,” Brody said, cramming a slice of pizza into his mouth like he hadn’t seen food for days. Maybe he hadn’t.

“We’re still hammering out the details,” Gun said, squeezing his tall, slender frame between us. “Things get messy when there are too many chefs in the kitchen.”

“It’s bad enough when it’s just the guild,” Camryn added. “Throw in a wolf pack, the local cops, the Wild Hunt, and a few randos, and you’ve got yourself a hot pocket of egos.”

“Mhm,” Gun said. “Tasty.”

Brody perked up as he swallowed the last of his pizza. “The Night Mallt has returned as well?”

“It seems the Bat signal reached the far corners of the realm. Who knew it was that strong?”

“We didn’t come back for the Bat signal, Lorelei,” Brody said, licking the grease from his fingers. “We came back for you.”

“Anyway, Matilda’s in the kitchen, boiling the kettle for tea,” Gun said. “I don’t know why she won’t just use the microwave.”

Brody clutched his chest. “Blasphemy!”

The pizzas were gone so quickly, I worried someone would be tempted to gnaw on the boxes.

“What are the sleeping arrangements?” Brody asked. “I’m happy to pitch a tent in the woods if there’s no room at the inn.”

“Nonsense. There’s plenty of space.”

“Excellent. I didn’t want to presume. I know how you like to collect people.”

I recoiled. “I don’t collect people.”

“Oh, I meant no offense. T’is a lovely quality. I wish more would take a cue from you. ”

“Apparently, I wasn’t always this compassionate and generous.” I told him about my conversation with Enceladus.

Brody eyed me with curiosity. “You’ve got yourself a giant locked up? Any chance we can free him for a limited time? A fella like that could come in handy in a fight.”

“I don’t think that would be wise.” I was willing to have him released from eternal torment, but not from Tartarus itself. The giant’s time on earth had passed long ago.

“So the old Melinoe was a bit of a shrew, eh?” Brody nodded thoughtfully. “Must be Lorelei who softened those hard edges.”

“There would be no Lorelei without Melinoe,” I said. I understood now more than ever that my two selves were inextricably linked. Not two halves, but a messy mixture of two wholes in one body.

He tipped an imaginary cap. “And I am quite appreciative of both.”

“Kane’s in my room.”

Brody feigned a gasp. “The scandal.”

“Kami can sleep in Libby’s bed,” I continued, “and you can have the blankets.”

Gun glanced at me. “Where’s Libby?”

“I sent her on an errand.”

“You sent her away so she doesn’t have to fight, didn’t you? Is it because you still feel guilty about Unas?”

“Gun apologized to Kami and Libby, just FYI,” Camryn interrupted. “It was quite something to behold.

“I didn’t send her away out of guilt,” I objected. “In fact, I sent her on a very important errand.”

“Why not send me?” Cam asked.

I gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “We need you and your magic, Cam. Libby’s strengths lie elsewhere.”

The mage patted her pocket. “My deck of cards are at your service, Your Majesty. ”

Gun cupped his hands around his mouth. “Speech!”

I waved my hands in objection. “Nobody needs a speech.”

“Of course they do. This is the calm before the storm, Lor. The part where the soldiers need a rousing speech from their fearless leader.”

“I’m far from fearless.” Quite the opposite, in fact. I was chock full of fear.

Kane’s eyes found mine. “He’s right, you know. This isn’t a team accustomed to working together. A few words of encouragement from you would go a long way toward solidifying the bond between them.”

“Well, when you put it like that.”

Gun let loose a shrill whistle. “Everybody outside! Now!”

Bodies jostled for position as everyone rushed out front. I waited for the group to gather in the yard, then took my place on the porch facing them. What words of encouragement could I offer such a ragtag group?

I cleared the anxiety from my throat. “We’re no strangers to loss. Loss of loved ones. Loss of our homes. Loss of our own identities. Soon we’ll have the chance to right those wrongs, and to prevent The Corporation from ever hurting another living soul. Some of us have faced off against gods before, but never like this. We don’t know what to expect, only that their goal is to seize control of the crossroads, and our goal is to stop them. We lose this fight, and we lose everything. No exaggeration.”

“No pressure,” Gun muttered.

“We’re all in this together. Fight hard. Watch each other’s backs. Don’t lose sight of who you are, even in the heat of battle.”

Josie slow clapped. “Great pep talk, Clay. Now let’s go slay some gods.”

A rumble followed her declaration, quickly followed by a lightning strike. Every head turned toward Wild Acres, where smoke billowed from the trees. My jaw snapped shut.

At long last, The Corporation had arrived.