Storm (The Storm Chronicles Book 6) (12 page)

Ford let go and Raven stepped through the bar’s side door and into the interior, which was larger than it looked. Aspen was lying on the floor on top of a pile of old cushions. Her face was paler than usual and her hair, which was normally as vibrant as she was, had matted to her head beneath a mixture of blood and sweat. Another woman sat beside her with an open medical kit.

“Agent Storm?” the woman asked.

Raven nodded. “You must be Mercy. How is she?”

Aspen opened her eyes. “She is fine, Ray. I just got bit by one of those bird-things.”

Mercy patted Aspen’s shoulder. “Rest, boss.”

Raven sat beside Aspen and stroked her hair. Aspen looked like she wanted to say something else, but her eyes sagged shut and she fell back onto the cushions.

“She isn’t fine, Raven,” Mercy whispered. “The antivenin isn’t working. We have to get her to a hospital, and quickly.”

Raven didn’t answer, she was too busy looking at Aspen. She had just watched her die, she wasn’t going to do it again.

“Aspen? Can you hear me?” she asked.

Aspen’s lips moved, but no sound emerged.

“Asp, I’m going to feed you. It’s going to hurt, but it should get the venom out of your system.”

Again, her lips moved soundlessly. Raven raised her own wrist to her lips and bit deep. The coppery taste of blood filling her mouth made her gag, but she choked back the urge and leaned over Aspen to kiss her. The blood flowed from her mouth into Aspen’s. Aspen’s eyes flew open, glowing bright blue in the gloom. Raven pulled back and offered her wrist. Aspen sucked on it instinctively, swallowing Raven’s life essence.

“That… I mean… I wasn’t expecting… I know she’s your fiancé, but…” Mercy stammered.

Raven pulled her wrist away from Aspen’s lips and held her as she began to shiver from the pain wracking her body.

“She isn’t just my fiancé. She’s my familiar, blood bonded to me. My blood will accelerate her healing and get the venom out,” Raven said.

Mercy blinked in surprise. “Of course. I’ve just never seen anything like that, not outside of a movie.”

Raven shrugged. “Some things the movies get right.”

“Let me bandage your wrist…”

She looked at Raven’s wound and frowned.

“I heal fast,” Raven said.

“So I see,” Mercy replied.

Raven let her clean the excess blood off her skin, then turned back to Aspen, who looked almost normal.

“Did you do what I think you did?” Aspen asked.

“I fed you.”

Aspen smiled. “I’m not complaining, but I thought the vampy stuff skeeved you out.”

Raven gave her a look. “I had a choice between letting you die or doing the vampy stuff. It wasn’t a hard choice.”

Aspen sat up and hugged her. “I didn’t think I was going to see you again.”

Raven hugged her back. “You don’t get away from me this easily.”

Ford appeared in the doorway. “I don’t mean to break this up, but we’ve got problems.”

Raven stood and helped Aspen up. “More than just one?”

Ford thumbed her MP5 from single to burst fire. “Looks like about forty, but I didn’t take time to count.”

Raven looked at Aspen. “Are you good?”

Aspen shrugged. “I’ve been better, but I’m okay.”

Raven drew her pistol and followed Ford back to the door, where Kane was peering out at the deck beyond. Dozens of creatures that could only be called zombies were shuffling toward them, with more pushing their way out of the companionway on the opposite side of the deck. They had clearly once been passengers, most were wearing shorts and Polo-style shirts or loose blouses. Their skin was sloughing off in clumps as they walked and bone showed through their faces beneath darkness-filled eye sockets. They carried no weapons, but their hands ended in wickedly curved claws of bone and flesh. They moaned and gnashed their teeth as they shuffled forward like extras in a bad movie.

“Marvelous,” Raven muttered.

Kane glanced at her then back at the shuffling horde. “Marvelous is not the word I would use. What is the plan?”

“Kill them before they kill us.”

“You can’t kill them, they’re already dead,” Ford groused.

“Kill them more, then. Asp, how’s your flame spell?” Raven asked.

Aspen shook her head. “Weak, Ray. The shield I’m keeping over us is about all I can manage right now.”

“You can explain the shield later.”

Raven looked back at the bar. “Mercy, Ford, grab as many bottles of hard liquor as you can and stuff some of those old napkins in them for wicks.”

“Molotovs?” Kane asked.

Raven nodded. “Even in the rain, the booze will burn and slow those things down.”

“I like the way you think, Agent Storm,” Kane said.

“I don’t,” Ford said. “Won’t the deck catch fire, as well?”

Aspen shook her head. “Probably not. The deck is already soaked with water, blood and that weird algae. I doubt it would burn even if we tried.”

“Besides, torching the ship would surely stop it, would it not?” Kane asked.

“He’s got a point, Ray,” Aspen said.

“I’d rather not burn the ship down with us on it, and the lifeboats won’t survive that storm,” Raven said.

“So, how are we getting off, anyway?”

“Du Guerre has an Osprey not too far away. Once we get out of here, he will pick us up,” Raven said.

Aspen’s mouth fell open. “You called Du Guerre?”

Raven shrugged. “I had no choice, they aren’t exactly selling first class tickets to the hell-ship. He was the only option.”

Aspen looked unhappy, but she drew her pistol and stood ready. Raven tossed her lighter to Ford, who began lighting the molotovs as they assembled them. When they were ready, Kane stepped through the door and began hacking away at the zombies closest to them, keeping them at bay with the massive blade. Raven joined him with her shotgun while Aspen, Mercy and Ford threw the bombs over their heads. The high-priced booze exploded into shards of flaming glass and alcohol, setting the shambling creatures ablaze. Most didn’t react to the flames, they just kept walking and reaching as their skin bubbled and burned in the heat. Some, however, must have still held some semblance of humanity, because they screamed and jumped overboard, only to be swallowed by the sea far below.

“Kane, get back inside, everyone inside,” Raven yelled.

She shot two more of the zombies through the head and backed up herself. The stench of burning flesh and the intense heat were becoming too much. She passed through the doors and Kane slammed them shut against the approaching creatures. He slide the bar home and stood back as the walking dead slammed into the glass.

What followed was a horror show as the creatures slowly burned away, all the while beating on the walls and doors with the burning stumps of their hands. Sickened by the display and the scent of burning flesh, Raven distracted herself by catching up with Aspen and the rest of her team on what they’d experienced.

“Why don’t we just let King and the Airforce sink her?” Ford asked eventually.

Aspen looked at Raven. “It’s a fair question, honey.”

It was Kane who answered. “Whatever happened on this ship, it is still happening. King intended to study the vessel and find out what transpired and if it was possible to save anyone onboard. Destroying her is a last resort.”

“From what I have seen, anyone who has survived the last forty years is either completely insane or part of the damn problem,” Ford said.

Raven checked her shotgun. She had three shells left. “I can’t say I disagree. We’re low on ammunition, Asp is hurt and we have no idea if we can even stop this thing.”

“King will not be pleased—”

“King already made the decision to destroy the ship. The only reason you’re still here is me, he gave you up for dead nine hours ago,” Raven snapped.

Kane shrugged, a movement his lanky form was well-equipped for. “That is not unexpected. But we now have a chance to complete our mission and get away.”

Raven threw her shotgun’s bolt and stood. “King’s missiles will stop it just fine. I say we take off and let the F-18’s do their job.”

Aspen stopped her with an outstretched hand. “Are you sure, love?”

“Do you sense anything alive, besides us?” Raven asked.

Aspen paced away, then came back, her face a mix of emotions. “When we first arrived on this thing, I would have told you there was no one but us. But the longer I’m here, the more I feel. There might be someone, or something, still alive.”

Raven ran a hand through her still-sopping hair. “Could it be the entity? The thing you’ve been fighting with your shield?”

Aspen shook her head. “No. I can feel that, something dead and dark, nothing more than an intelligent ball of anger. This is something else.”

“Swell,” Raven muttered.

“Problem?” Mercy asked.

Raven didn’t answer. She touched her com and looked out the window. “Francois, it’s been an hour, are you there?”

There followed the crackle of static, then Du Guerre’s voice, sounding far away. “I am here, Ravenel. Have you had any luck? My crew says the ship is burning.”

Raven pushed through the doors and looked up at the storm-wracked sky. “I found them, the fire is a bunch of dead zombies. We’re nearby, can you pick us up?”

“Affirmative, get everyone together, we are making our approach. Give us three minutes,” Du Guerre replied.

“Thank you.”

Raven opened the doors and smiled. “Our ride will be here in three minutes.”

“What about the lifeforce?” Aspen asked.

Raven looked away. “What about it?”

“It isn’t like you to give up on someone, Raven,” Aspen said.

“We don’t even know if it is really a person or another creation of that thing,” Raven said.

Aspen folded her arms. “But it could be and you’re turning your back on them.”

“Asp, don’t,” Raven said.

‘Don’t what? Ask why you’re leaving someone behind? Oh, okay, I won’t!” Aspen snapped.

Raven looked back at Aspen. “Aspen, I’ve shot and nearly killed my own father and tonight I watched you and Rupert die. I’m not trading your life for someone else’s.”

Aspen’s face softened. “Ray, what are you talking about?”

Raven shook her head. “Forget it. Get your stuff, we’re leaving.”

She hefted her weapon and stepped back into the rain, where Kane was clearing a spot for the Osprey’s boarding ropes. She heard the drone of the Osprey’s engines and looked up to see the ugly aircraft on approach just off to starboard. She pulled a flare out of her vest and ignited it on her thigh. It spat pink flame and she tossed it to the ground, confirming the dust-off point. The Osprey was just beginning a slow turn that would bring its rear door in line with the ship when a bolt of lightning struck its port engine. The engine crackled with energy and exploded, sending blades and shrapnel in every direction. As they watched, the Osprey began a slow turn and fall that brought it straight toward them.

“Get to cover!” Kane yelled. “Hurry!”

Raven took Aspen’s hand and ran; the crunch of breaking wood and the howl of tortured metal dogged their heels and she pushed Aspen to safety behind the outdoor bar a split second before she felt the pain of ragged steel in her back. The impact swept her off her feet and she rolled into an old deck chair, which protected her from the rest of the flying metal. When she looked up it was to see the Osprey teetering on the edge of the deck, held in place only by the remains of the twisted railing. A moment later the exposed fuel tank exploded and tore the aircraft in half. The nose fell into the ocean below while the tail section rolled toward the pool and lay still, nothing but a burning hulk.

Raven stood and pulled a piece of torn fuselage out of her back. It was longer than she;d thought, jagged and sharp. She tossed it aside and helped Aspen to her feet.

“Are you alright?” she asked.

Aspen examined Raven’s wound. “Am I alright? This looks deep, are you okay?”

Raven winced as Aspen probed the wound in her back. “It will heal, I’m fine. What about you?”

“Just a few scratches, nothing to write home about. But you should have some blood, Ray.”

Raven ignored her and turned to the smoldering wreck. There weren’t even skeletons, nothing moving, just twisted metal, burning seats and ash. The ash mixed with the rain and ran into the pool, turning it purple.

“Du Guerre?” Aspen asked.

Raven shook her head. There was just no way anyone had survived. Not even Du Guerre. A burial at sea was more than he deserved.

“He isn’t the only casualty,” Kane said softly.

Mercy was slumped against the wall, blood pouring from dozens of wounds where shrapnel had pierced her flesh and left her pinned in place. Her death and been quick, but not at all painless.

“Fuck,” Ford snarled. “Now what are we going to do?”

“Grab your gear and check the wreckage for anything useful,” Raven instructed.

“And then what?”

Raven met Aspen’s eyes. “We finish the mission before King blows this ship back to hell.”

CHAPTER TEN

Chicago, Tempeste Manor, 9:00 p.m.

Snow was still falling when Levac’s Nash slid into the driveway of Tempeste Manor and became stuck against the pillar that supported the iron gates that, as far as he could remember, had never been closed. He climbed out of the car, flipped his collar up against the snow and slogged down the driveway to the front steps. He paused to kick the snow off his battered loafers then rang the doorbell. Dominique answered while his finger was still on the button. He still didn’t know how she did that.

“Rupert! What a pleasant surprise. Come in, do, before you catch your death of cold!”

The great hall was warm and dry and the snow began to melt immediately as Levac entered. Dominique handed him a warm towel and closed the door behind him.

“What brings you out this late?”

Levac pulled off his scarf and hung it on the ornate coatrack beside the door. “I’m looking for Sable, we have a new case. Is she in?”

Dominique nodded. “Yes, she is here, she is speaking with Valentina. Let me take you to them.”

Levac followed Dominique up the ornate staircase, past Raven’s room to one he wasn’t familiar with. The door was open and Sable was sitting on the bed beside Valentina, a haunted look in her eyes.

“My lady, Rupert Levac is here to see Branwen.”

Valentina looked up and smiled. “Welcome, dear Rupert. Right on time, as always.”

Levac smiled back. “Does that mean I haven’t missed dinner?”

“She means you’re in time to help Raven,” Sable said.

Levac noted the blood dripping from Sable’s nose and produced a clean swallow’s eye handkerchief from one of his pockets.

“Raven is on a case, what’s going on?”

Sable took the handkerchief and wiped the blood from her nose and lip. “Unlike my sister, I can feel and sometimes see her. Wherever she is, she’s in trouble and King isn’t answering. Did he tell you anything about what she’s working on?”

Levac shrugged. “Only that she is on a case somewhere. I guess she passed her exams and was put back on duty today, which is good news.”

He leaned against the wall. “Raven spends most of her life in trouble, it goes with being her. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.”

Valentina didn’t look convinced. “This seems different, Rupert. Branwen felt her pain and saw her fall unconscious. The vision was so intense Branwen’s nose began to bleed.”

Levac fished his phone out of his pocket along with half a cheeseburger he’d forgotten was there. He wiped ketchup off the phone with the hem of his coat and dialed Raven’s number. It rang several times then went to voicemail. He frowned at the phone and took a bite of the burger. It was stale, but better than nothing.

“Could you see where she was?” he asked around the mouthful of meat and cheese.

“That’s gross, Rupert,” Sable said.

He shrugged. “You’ll get used to it. Where was she?”

Sable stood and wiped more blood from her nose. “I don’t know. Somewhere it was raining and the floor was wood, that was all I saw before I lost her. I haven’t seen or felt anything since.”

“What about you?” Valentina asked. “Can you feel her?”

She looked worried, anxious.

Levac swallowed and forced a smile. “Yes. I know she is out there, I can feel our connection, but she keeps me on the back burner so that’s all I’ve got.”

He finished the sandwich and stuffed the wrapper back into his pocket. “I’m sure she’s okay, if something was wrong she would contact us for back-up.”

Sable gave him a look. “My sister calls for back-up?”

Levac felt uncomfortable under her gaze. “Sometimes. Occasionally. Not often…okay, maybe twice in three years...”

“That is what I thought. We have to find her!” Valentina said.

Sable folded her arms and leaned back against the bed. “We don’t even know where to start looking, Mom. She could still be in Seattle or be anywhere else, Section Thirteen works all over the country at a moment’s notice.”

Levac nodded in agreement. “I’ll call Bobbie and see if she knows anything, but in the meantime we’ve got work to do.”

“We do?”

“Yup. Sandoval is dead, our case has become a genuine locked-room mystery and King wants answers, ASAP,” Levac said.

“Damn. How did he die?”

Levac pulled out his notepad. “Unknown at this time. The only visible injury was to his neck, but Pocock confirmed it was post-mortem. I put the autopsy and evidence analysis on priority, we should have something soon.”

“Fat chance. Pocock is a slow tub of lard who sweats on everything.”

Levac rubbed the stubble on his chin. “Cut the guy some slack. Harvey’s big, but he knows his shit. The only tech I trust more is Aspen.”

Sable made a face. “He always smells like old gym socks.”

Levac flipped absently through his notepad. “Raven said the same thing a few years ago. His smell doesn’t change the quality of his work.”

“Do you have anything we can work with right now?” Sable asked.

“Would you believe we are looking for something with serrated claws? One that can get through closed doors without leaving any trace behind.”

“There are a few creatures, too many to choose with just that information,” Valentina said.

“Mom’s right, that description doesn’t narrow it down much,” Sable added. “It could be anything from an ancient mummy to a bonethief.”

Levac pulled out his pencil and made a note. “Mummies are real. Good to know. What about something that is in the city? Does that narrow it down?”

Valentina stood and moved to the door. “Not much, Rupert. Those of a magikal bent could summon most anything, if they desired. I leave you to your work, please let me know if you hear of Raven.”

“I’m sure she is fine, Lady Tempeste. You know Raven, she doesn’t die easily,” Levac said.

Valentina inclined her head. “I hope you are right, Rupert. I have a bad feeling.”

She joined Dominique in the hallway and together they walked away, leaving Levac alone with Sable.

“So, now what?”

Levac’s answer was interrupted by the chirp of his cellphone. He slid a thumb across the screen and pressed the speaker button. “Whatcha got, Harvey?”

“Not much, but I put the handprint you found through AFIS like you asked. Got a hit,” Harvey replied.

“Who?”

“His name is Sebastian Pace.”

Levac handed the phone to Sable and began flipping through his notepad with enough force to tear pages. “Sebastian Pace, owns Nevermore Books on 57
th
?”

“I don’t know, one second,” Pocock replied.

Levac heard him typing and then “Yep, that’s the one. The print is definitely his. It looks like he’s on file because he’s got a pistol permit.”

“So no police record,” Sable said.

“’Fraid not, Ray,” Pocock said.

“This is Agent Tempeste not Agent Storm,” Sable snapped.

Levac could hear Pocock’s shrug. “My bad, Agent Tempeste, you two sound exactly alike. I’ll call you if anything else comes up, let me know if you find out how his print got onto the back of a mirror, I’m curious.”

The call ended and Levac pocketed the phone. “Feel like going on a field trip?”

Sable tossed the handkerchief into the wastebasket. “Why not? I haven’t killed anything all day.”

Levac led the way out of the room and down the stairs. “I’m hoping we won’t have to kill anyone. If this pans out, maybe we can actually just arrest someone for a change.”

“I wouldn’t bet on it. Most badguys like the ones we go after don’t come quietly,” Sable said.

Levac had to admit, she was right. And he had no idea where they would incarcerate them even if they did come quietly. How did you lock up someone who could bend the bars to any cell, kick off the doors and mesmerize people?

He picked up his soggy scarf and looked at it ruefully. Sloan had made it over the course of several weeks and he loved it, but the heavy blue wool took forever to dry. He put it back on the rack for later and turned back to Sable.

“I’ve noticed. But I can always hope. Ready?” he asked.

“Yeah, but we aren’t taking your car out in that snow. I’ll grab an SUV from the garage,” Sable replied.

Levac frowned as he remembered his Nash was still stuck at the end of the driveway. “Yeah…that’s probably best. I’ll meet you out front.”

Sable hurried away and Levac stepped out into the snow. The storm was slowing, but still managing to dump a mix of snow and ice on the city. On the one hand, it was going to be a white Christmas. On the other, snow brought out psychopaths just as easily as the full moon.

While he waited, he dialed King’s number. It was answered on the third ring.

“Agent Daniels.”

Levac didn’t recognize the voice, it was feminine and somewhat husky. “This is Agent Levac, is King available?”

“Hi, Rupert. No, I’m sorry, I’ve made him take a few hours’ rest. Can I take a message?” Daniels asked.

“Let him know we’ve got a lead in the Sandoval case. I also have news on Raven, when he’s available. He might be able to shed some light on her situation,” Levac replied.

“I certainly will. Is that all, Rupert?” Daniels asked.

Levac hesitated, then asked, “Have we met?”

“Yes, and then no. You met me during an investigation about a year ago, now.”

Levac thought for a moment. “Silver Daniels?”

Daniels’ laugh had a musical quality to it. “Indeed, the one and the same. You could say I am Abraham’s caretaker.”

“That explains a lot. That’s all, I will be in touch if this plays out,” Levac said.

“Very good, Rupert. Stay warm.”

The call ended and a black Land Rover SUV rounded the driveway from the direction of the garage. It was a sleek vehicle that screamed speed, with its wide, low-profile tires, throaty exhaust sound and side-pipes. It slid to a halt a few feet away and Sable leaned out the driver’s window.

“The meter’s running, let’s go, partner.”

Levac looked at the Land Rover then back at Sable. “Couldn’t we take something a little less Fast and Furious? What about your dad’s Ford?”

“No. Get in or stay here.”

Levac raised his hands in surrender and walked around the vehicle. He climbed in on the passenger side and the Land Rover took off like it had been shot from a cannon. He tried to hold onto the safety bar and buckle his seatbelt at the same time, which resulted in tethering himself, however momentarily, to the dashboard.

“What the hell are you doing?”

Levac pulled the seatbelt free and tried again. “Trying to keep from dying, could you slow down a little?”

“Not even a little, just sit back and tell me where we’re going,” Sable replied.

“57
th
, about halfway down. You’re looking for Nevermore Books.”

“Bookstores are closed, Rupert.”

Levac shoved the seatbelt closed and leaned back, feeling sick. “Probably. But this is one of those weird bookstores like the Curiosity Shoppe in Old Town. He keeps odd hours, is a millionaire and lives above the store in the penthouse suite. Rumor has it, he even has his own private security guards to protect his book collection.”

Sable shifted gears and rounded Levac’s stalled Nash without slowing. Snow swirled around them and made that peculiar hushing noise that only fresh snow makes. “Sounds insane. I wouldn’t pay to protect a pile of paper.”

Levac held the safety bar like it was his lifeline, which, considering how Sable drove, it very well might have been. “What would you pay to protect?”

The Land Rover slid sideways through the next intersection and accelerated toward the not so distant city. “There isn’t much I can’t protect on my own. If I needed it I guess I would protect my place on Block Island. It’s about the only thing I own, besides the Jag.”

Levac was impressed. “You have a house out on Block Island?”

Sable gave him side-eye. “Why so surprised?”

“You just don’t seem the beach type. Raven only goes once a year and ends up wearing SPF1000 the whole time.”

“I guess that is one more difference. I love the beach. I burn, probably just as bad as she does, but it is worth it to feel the sand between my toes and not have to carry a weapon,” Sable said.

She changed lanes again and accelerated around a slower-moving vehicle that was having trouble with the snow. Levac watched the little Honda go by and looked back at Sable.

“It’s a difference, but also something the same. Raven craves an opportunity to hang up her pistol, even for a little while. Every time she tries, she gets called back out again.”

Sable didn’t comment, she just kept driving and Levac let the silence grow even as the city followed suit. Soon they were downtown dodging snow-plows and the psychotic few braving the weather. The city looked as if it had been covered in cotton and glitter, dotted here and there with dirty snowbanks pushed aside by the plows. It shone and glittered beneath the street lights and looked fresh, clean. Levac always liked the city after a good snow. Even the most hardened of criminals were softened and driven indoors by the bitter cold and deep, pristine white. That would change once the storm was over and the sun had risen, but for now the city was peaceful.