Evenstar (20 page)

Furcas’ eye swiveled up.
 
“I’m a zombie angel.
 
Nom, nom, nom.”
 

“Zombies like brains, not
ribcages
!”

A zombie nearby shook his head.
 
“No way, a zombie eats every part.”

A woman snickered.
 
“Not traditional zombies.
 
Where do think the whole ‘brains’ thing came from?”

A third joined the debate.
 
“Most movies nowadays have them eating everything.”

Paimon grimaced.
 
“That doesn’t even make sense!
 
If you were dead, how could you eat anything?
 
Furcas,
stop it already
!”
 

Furcas had torn a gaping hole with his teeth.
 
He pulled his head back and the wound sealed up; his face was covered in blood.
 
He grinned.
 
“Yum.”

Paimon lifted him up so their faces were close together.
 
He whispered, “Will you please keep it together?
 
I do not need you going to delirious town today, got it?”
 

Furcas replied by kissing his cheek.
 
He smeared blood on the both of them.
 

Paimon sighed.
 
“I’ll take that as a yes.”

A man pushed through the crowd to their right.
 
Paimon and Furcas glanced over.
 
The man stared at them with a shotgun in hand, not a replica.
 

Paimon shouted, “Zombie hunter!
 
He’s a Republican meat-eater too!”

The crowd turned as one and jumped the man.
 
They pulled what they thought was a fake gun out of his hands and picked him up.
 
Paimon reached over and grabbed the gun.
 
“Thanks!”

The crowd carried their captive over their heads, laughing at their victory.
 
Paimon rendered him and Furcas invisible.
 
He walked over to the captured Solomon Soldier and smashed the butt of the gun in his face, knocking him unconscious.
 
Paimon looked around, but no one had noticed.

Furcas coughed.
 
“Behind.”
 
He pointed with his stumpy arm.

Paimon spotted the second man.
 
He dropped back into the visible.
 
“Another zombie hunter!”

The shuffling crowd turned.
 
The Solomon Soldier scowled and dodged.
 
A few zombies electing to be fast-moving tackled the man and took his weapons.
 
More cheers went up.
 

The organizer got out his megaphone.
 
“Take them to Powell’s for lunch!”

Laughter rippled through the crowd.
 
The conscious man struggled and got to his feet.
 
He held up his hand, but his ring was gone, pulled off in the struggle.
 
He swore and dove to the ground for it.
 
The zombies hoisted him back over their heads; their shuffling feet kicked the ring away.
 

Paimon searched, but did not see any reinforcements.
 
They were clear for now.
 
He sidled up to a few zombies.
 
“Anyone know if the Lesser Key is open?”

A woman shook her head.
 
“That place burnt down early this morning.”

Paimon swore.
 
“That was one of my favorites too.
 
All of my mead…burned.”
 

Furcas went limp in his arms.
 

Paimon glanced down.
 
“Furcas?
 
Furcas?”
 

Furcas did not breathe, not that he had to, but it was a bad sign that he wasn’t trying.
 
Paimon shifted them into the invisible and hopped onto the sidewalk.
 
He dropped to his knees and took Furcas’ head in his hands.
 
He lifted his eyelid.
 
Furcas’ iris had turned brilliant blue and his hair stood on end.
 

Paimon grimaced.
 
“Oh
shit
.”

Lightning struck them both.
 
The force knocked Paimon off his feet.
 
He hit the pavement with a snap as his ribs fractured.
 
People scattered and stared at the sky, confused.
 

Paimon crawled over to Furcas and rubbed his side.
 
“Come on, stop that.”
 
Electricity raced across Furcas’ skin.
 
Paimon shook him.
 
“Stop it, Furcas!”

Lightning hit them again.
 
Paimon spat blood.
 
Furcas’ skin took on a bluish hue.
 
Paimon slapped him across the face.
 
“Get a hold of yourself!”

Furcas came to, groggy.
 
“What?”

“You’re calling lightning, you asshole!”

Furcas rubbed his eye.
 
“Sorry.”
 
He yawned.
 
“I’m finding it hard to concentrate on anything.
 
I can’t think.”
 
He pawed at Paimon’s burnt and bloody shirt.
 
“Sorry.”

Paimon sat up and looked at the sky.
 
“Fortunately it’s already stormy.”
 
As he said the words, rain fell.
 
“I think I can get you something to make you feel better, or at least concentrate, but I’m going to have to leave you alone for awhile.”

Furcas glared.
 
“
No
.
 
You’re going to do something stupid and reckless.”

Paimon shrugged.
 
“If I don’t, you’re going to do something worse by accident.”

Furcas sat up straight.
 
“But you were upset with me for doing the exact same thing!
 
You said that we have to—”

“
Hey
.
 
Difference is I’m capable of taking care of myself.”
 
Paimon gestured to the people around them.
 
“These zombie people are nice.
 
You can blend in.
 
Just hang out.
 
Be friendly with them.”

“Be
friendly
?
 
I can’t move!”

Paimon looked around.
 
An overweight tourist zoomed by in a scooter.
 
He tipped her out of her chair and brought the scooter back.
 
He put Furcas in it and rested his hand against the control.
 
“You can move your hand enough to move this right?”

Furcas tried it out.
 
“Yes.”

“Good, you’re a disabled zombie, perfect.”

“This is degrading.”

Paimon pointed to the woman who struggled to stand.
 
“That’s degrading,
this
is clever.”

“What if I get attacked?
 
I can’t defend myself.”

“Then play dead, you look it already.”
 
Paimon slapped Furcas on the arm and put his leather coat on Furcas’ lap.
 
“That’ll keep the rain off until you get inside.”
 

“We’re not done with this conversation.”
 
Furcas glowered at him.

“Uh-huh, sure.
 
Be back soon.
 
Stay at the bookstore so I can find you!”
 
Paimon took off running.

Furcas sighed and zoomed back into the crowd.
 
The zombies at the back saw him and grinned.
 
“That’s awesome!”

***

Berith slammed on the brakes.
 
The sudden stop knocked Lucifer and Apple into the seats in front of them.
 
Apple looked up.
 
“What?”

Lucifer held his gauze and hissed.
 
“Are you
trying
to kill me?”

Berith pointed.
 
“Police road block.”
 

Lucifer grimaced and repositioned himself in the seat so that he could see.
 
“Another one?”

Berith nodded and stared at his map of the Seattle area.
 
“Every street route to or near the water is closed.”
 
He turned down an alley and hit the brakes.
 
“Apple, there’s a Lilliam bird in the road.”

Apple caught sight of the raven and grinned.
 
She waved.
 
The raven changed to a man and headed towards the car.
 
Berith unlocked the passenger side and the Chulyin warrior slipped inside.
 
He bowed to them all.
 
“I bring a message from Andrealphus and the Mother.”

Lucifer shot up in his seat.
 
“Yes?”

The Chulyin spoke, “Andrealphus wishes to tell you that he is seeking alternate passage and that they are safe.
 
The Mother also requested that we say ‘Tell Lucifer I love him and to not worry about me.
 
I’m safe.’
 
They have three Chulyin with them.
 
They are heading to the Old Road.”

Lucifer smiled dreamy-eyed.
 
“She said she loves me.”

Apple grimaced.
 
“You’re far south, have they hit the outposts in the north as well?”

The soldier nodded.
 
“Everywhere on the continent.
 
We were out searching for stragglers when we ran into them.
 
There are two others with them, a Lilliam and a newly Fallen.”

Berith looked between Lucifer and Apple.
 
“Helion and Whitney.”

The Chulyin looked ahead.
 
“You are on your way to the second outpost?
 
I will escort you.”

Berith sighed.
 
“I don’t know how far you can escort us this way.
 
The roads are closed.
 
We’ll need to go out on foot eventually, but the less Lucifer must walk, the better.”

The Chulyin nodded.
 
“I can search for a route.”

Lucifer grabbed the soldier by his shoulder.
 
“How did she look?”

The Chulyin jumped in his seat, appearing startled for the first time.
 
“In good health, dirty, but mentally fit.
 
They will reach the Old Road soon, if they have not already.
 
The one with flight makes things faster.”

Lucifer smiled, despite his pain.
 
“Good.
 
Thank you.”

Apple addressed the soldier, “If there is no open route we need to go on foot.
 
Just get us as close as possible.”

The soldier nodded and turned to a raven.
 
The bird hopped out of the car and took to the air.
 
He circled higher and flew north.
 

Apple looked out the window.
 
“Going north.”

***

Dahlia and Whitney walked between Nukka and Andy.
 
Helion flew overhead with Tonrar and Sinaaq.
 
Nukka had both blades drawn.
 
Andy leapt from tree to tree; he kept watch on the area behind him.
 
The girls did not pay attention to anything except the ground and their conversation.
 

Whitney laughed quietly.
 
“
Actually
the wings were pretty awesome.
 
Having sex in the air is an experience.”
 
She thought back and laughed.
 
“It’s still hard to think that it happened because you and Lucifer were getting it on upstairs.
 
That’s kind of dirty.”

Dahlia blushed alongside her.
 
“Yeah, tell me about it.
 
How embarrassing is that?
 
I’m just glad it was mutual between you.”

Whitney grinned.
 
“Yeah, but it sped things up by years probably.
 
I don’t get the impression he ever even thought about sex.
 
He was a
virgin
,” Whitney whispered.
 
“I wonder if it counts really since we were under the influence.”

Dahlia grinned.
 
“Corrupter!”
 
She elbowed Whitney.
 
“So, have you two messed around since?”

Whitney shrugged.
 
“Just kissing.
 
He’s super shy; he seems to be content with just holding me.
 
Oh God, he does this thing and it is
so cute
, Dahlia!”

“What?”

“He sings to me while he’s flying!”
 
Whitney tugged on Dahlia’s arm.
 
“I’ve never had anyone sing to me before.”

“Aww.”
 
Dahlia and Whitney looked up at Helion.
 
He saw them and waved with a big grin on his face.
 
He and Sinaaq practiced cartwheels in the sky.
 

Andy came to a stop at Dahlia’s side.
 
“We have people following us.”

Nukka stopped and ran back to him.
 
“Lilliam?”

“They look like human hikers.
 
They’ve seen our footprints though and are following.”
 
He looked back through the forest.

Tonrar, Helion, and Sinaaq touched down on the ground.
 
Helion gulped.
 
“Could they see me?”

Andy shook his head.
 
“We are naturally glamoured.
 
Humans don’t see us unless we want to be seen.”

Nukka and Tonrar shared a worried look.
 
“We are close to the Old Road.
 
We cannot risk a human finding the entrance.”

Dahlia looked behind them.
 
“So what do we do?
 
Can we cover our tracks?”

Nukka shook her head.
 
“We are too close.
 
They could find the entrance by accident if they stay in the area long enough.”

Dahlia frowned.  “But they can’t get in right?”

Nukka nodded.  “But they can wait and lay ambush to someone that can.” 

Andy gestured to the forest.
 
“Then we could lead them astray.”

Tonrar nodded.
 
“We could leave fake tracks.”

Nukka shook her head.
 
“I do not trust that method alone.  We need to take care of this now.”

Andy frowned.
 
“Well, I need at least one of you to come with us to get Dahlia into the Old Road and through the enchantments.”

Nukka smiled mirthlessly.
 
“Only
I
have a passkey, Tonrar and Sinaaq do not.”
 
She looked back in the woods.
 
“We wait, we kill them, and we go to the Old Road.”

Whitney and Dahlia gaped.
 
“We
kill
them?”

Andy held his hands up.
 
“Dahlia, I’ve explained about humans.”

Dahlia scowled.
 
“Explaining is not the same as actually seeing it and having it happen!
 
I am human.
 
I was raised by humans!
 
I take issue with them being killed for no reason!”

“They’d kill you if they knew what you were.”
 
Andy took her hand.
 
“It’s safest this way.
 
They
are not an endangered species.
 
A few lost hikers won’t hurt their numbers.”

Whitney looked ill.
 
“Their numbers?
 
They have families.”

Nukka examined her blades.
 
“Irrelevant.
 
They put
our
species at risk.
 
It is us against them and there are far more of them.”

Andy nodded.
 
“Always has been.”

Helion frowned.
 
“I will take Dahlia and Whitney into the air so they do not need to watch.”

Andy nodded.
 
“Nukka, can you take care of the hikers?”

Nukka nodded.
 
“I will make it quick.”

Dahlia sliced the air with her hand.
 
“Whoa!
 
We have
not
agreed to this.”

Andy frowned.
 
“This is not a vote, Dahlia.”

Dahlia went red in the face.
 
“I am the fucking Mother-something or other, and I say you’re
not
killing them!
 
So
obey
me!”
 
The Lilliam and Andy went silent.
 
The Lilliam nodded and bowed their heads.
 
Dahlia gaped; she had not thought that would work.
 

Andy shook with anger.
 
“
Dahlia
!
 
Take that back!”

“No!”

Andy gripped her shoulders.
 
“This is a mistake!”

Dahlia looked past him.
 
“You kill humans only if they attack, you subdue if they threaten.
 
That’s an order, to all of you.”

Andy seethed.
 
“Do not make orders you do not know the consequences of!”

Dahlia looked grim.
 
“I cannot live with you killing innocents.”

“None of them are innocent!”

“Our definitions of innocent are obviously different, Andy!”

Andy paced.
 
“So now what?
 
We just say ‘Hey how are you, what’s your intent?’”

Dahlia shrugged.
 
“Can’t you hypnotize them?”

“And
then
what?”

“Tell them to walk back the other way or something!”
 
Dahlia made a face.
 
“I don’t know!”

Helion nudged Andy.
 
“They come.”

The air shimmered and glamour fell on the group.
 
Helion’s wings disappeared and appeared to be like a jacket.
 
They looked as if they all wore backpacks and carried camping gear.
 

A hiking group of five came through the clearing.
 
The humans waved and smiled.
 
A man in the front called out, “We thought we might be running into someone!
 
We’re lost!”

Andy sniffed the air.
 
He put himself between Dahlia and the humans.
 
“We have maps if you need them.”
 

“Yes please!
 
Ours was lost, our possessions taken by animals a few nights back.”

Nukka tensed.
 
She slipped the passkey off her neck and placed it in Sinaaq’s hands.
 
Nukka did not meet his eyes.
 
She sniffed the breeze as Andrealphus did.
 
Both Fallen and Lilliam smelled the tang of iron in the air.
 

A woman came up behind the man and held up a compass.
 
“Our compass is broken too!”
 
She held the item in the light towards Helion.
 
Andy’s eyes widened; he recognized the metal and symbols.
 
He shoved Dahlia at Sinaaq and lunged at the woman.
 
“Run!”

Helion threw himself at Andy.
 
He caught him by the wrist and hauled him into the air.
 
Helion pumped his wings and gasped.
 
“Andy!
 
Andy!
 
I can’t control my body!”

Andy struggled against Helion’s grip.
 
“It’s not your fault, buddy.”

Helion trembled as they flew higher.
 
“What should I do?”

Andy watched the fight on the ground.
 
“Just keep me informed of your orders.”

“But what’s going on!”

“You’re a fallen angel now.
 
Gabriel created a lamin for you and gave it to a human; it means they can control your actions.”
 
The pair flew through wispy clouds.
 
“He made one for each of us millennia ago.”

Helion was in tears.
 
“I’m supposed to kill you!
 
Andy, I don’t want to kill you!”

“You can’t kill me that easily.
 
I’m immortal, Helion.”
 
Andy squinted to see the battle below.
 
“Just let me know how you’re going to try it, I’d appreciate that.”

Helion nodded as he gained altitude.
 
“I’m supposed to drop you.
 
No, they want me to
smash
you into the rocks.”

Andy nodded.
 
“Okay, good to know.
 
By my head?”

“Yes!”

Andy grimaced.
 
“Great.”

“Can’t you knock me out?”

Andy struggled.
 
“You’re stronger than you look, but I’ll try and break your wings.
 
Don’t be pissed off.”

Helion nodded.
 
“I forgive you, Andy.”

Andy pulled himself up Helion’s arms as they flew higher.
 
He kicked at Helion’s wings.

Helion swerved.
 
“They’re making me fight your attack.”

Andy sighed.
 
He bit Helion’s arm and gnawed.
 

Helion punched him in the face.
 
“Sorry, Andy!”

Andy shook his head.
 
“Don’t apologize.
 
I’ve been in your shoes.”
 
He sank his teeth in Helion’s forearm.
 
Helion wrapped his legs around Andy’s waist and squeezed.
 
Andy gasped.
 
“Damn it you’re strong.”
 

Andy struggled, but couldn’t move.
 
He caught Helion’s eye.
 
“Look, if they succeed and you knock me out, do
not
tell them anything.
 
They have to order you to tell them the truth.
 
If they do, you must, but you can be tricky about it.
 
Think like Belial or Paimon, be them when you answer.
 
Do not tell them anything about Dahlia or the City.
 
Do you understand?
 
You have to be smarter than they are!”

“Yes, Andy.
 
I can do that, Andy.”

Andy nodded.
 
“Good, I know you can.”

Helion punched Andy in the face and burst into tears.
 
“Andy, I’m sorry!”

“Stop
apologizing
, Helion!”

Below, the five humans rushed the Lilliam.
 
Nukka and Tonrar placed themselves between Whitney and Dahlia.
 
Sinaaq raced away with Dahlia in his arms.
 

Whitney ran after Dahlia and Sinaaq.
 
An arrow pierced her leg.
 
She screamed and hit the ground.
 
In the air, Helion turned white, but was unable to break the compulsion of the lamin.
 

Dahlia reached back towards her friend.
 
“
Whitney
!
 
Sinaaq, we have to get her!”

Sinaaq shook his head.
 
Gunshots and screams filled the space behind them.
 

Dahlia gripped Sinaaq’s shoulders.
 
“I
order
you to stop!”

Sinaaq stopped.
 
Dahlia twisted out of his grip.
 
She pressed Furcas and Paimon’s lamins into his hands.
 
“Get these away from here!
 
Go to the City, tell everyone what happened, and get help!
 
Get Lucifer!
 
Do not look back.
 
Go now!”

Sinaaq changed into a raven, the passkey and lamin in his claws.
 
He flew away, leaving Dahlia alone.
 
She ran back to Whitney.
 
Whitney crawled on the ground; her leg bled profusely.
 

“Whitney!”
 
Dahlia tore at her shirt and wrapped Whitney’s leg wound.
 
“Have you been shot anywhere else?”

“No.”
 
Whitney was pale.
 

Dahlia slipped her arm around her waist and pulled her into the woods.
 
“Come on, we can’t be too far away from that road.”

Tonrar dropped out of the sky beside them.
 
He bled out of several iron-tainted wounds.
 
His blades dripped blood.
 
A woman threw herself into him, knife aimed at Whitney.
 
Tonrar chopped her arm off, then her head.
 
He looked at the girls.
 
“They have many reinforcements.”

Dahlia nodded.
 
“Sinaaq is going to the City for help.”

Tonrar nodded.
 
“Not soon enough for us, but perhaps it will help you.”
 
A man came at them with guns raised.
 
Tonrar threw his sword, piercing the man through the head.
 
He used the other blade to deflect a bolt aimed at Dahlia.
 

Nukka leapt through the woods and plowed into the man that threatened her mate.
 
“Mother, keep moving!”