Fury Rising (Fury Unbound Book 1) (22 page)

“Fury, Fury—calm down. It’s all right. I’ve asked Jason and Tam to meet you at the entrance.” Queet sounded worried now.

“I’m just…” I tried to say something, anything, but the fear was so thick around me now that all I could do was run. I shot out between the gates, frantically searching for Jason’s car. It swung into view just as I heard a footfall behind me. Terrified, I swung around, only to find myself staring at a couple of leather-clad bikers passing by. They were hand in hand, and gave me an odd, disgusted look as they strolled on by, out of the Junk Yard.

“What a freak,” said one of them, loud enough for me to overhear. He turned to give me a snarky look. “Honey, don’t play in the streets if you’re afraid of the cars.” And then, he and his partner moved on.

Realizing I had worked myself up without any good reason, I gratefully yanked open the car door and dove into the backseat. “Get me out of here. Now.”

Without a word, Jason eased the car out and we were off, away from the Junk Yard and away from whatever nightmares were lurking in my subconscious.

Chapter 16

“Are you all right? You seem rattled.” Jason glanced at me through the rearview mirror. The car was auto-driving tonight, and he turned around to lean over the seat. “Where do you want to go?”

“First, check me for a Trace. Just in case I missed it.” I didn’t want to chance someone being able to backtrack me to my home—or to Jason’s store.

He nodded and reached for my hand. I gave it to him, and he closed his eyes. After a moment, he shook his head. “No Trace. You’re clear.”

“Good. Then get me someplace safe and warm and bright. I feel like I just climbed out of a cold, dark cave.” I huddled in the back, staving off the remnants of the claustrophobia that had swept over me when I was in the Junk Yard. I wasn’t sure exactly why it had happened, but I had the sneaking suspicion it was due to my baggage with the Carver.

Jason turned back and plugged directions into the autopilot. As we veered—I recognized the route we were taking, and it would lead back to Dream Wardens—Tam scrambled over the front seat to sit beside me. He held out his hands, silently, and just as silently I took them. A faint warmth radiated through me, as the cold fear slowly began to melt away. It was as if I had stepped out into a sunny day, with the warmth and light filling every corner of my body. The next thing I knew, Tam was embracing me, hugging away the lump in my chest, and then he kissed me, long and slow, and I melted into the lushness of his presence. A moment later, he gently released me and I drew a shaky breath. I was still wired, but the panic had dissolved.

“Thanks.” I gave him a sideways smile and he returned it, flicking my hair back out of my eyes.

“My pleasure.” He winked.

“What happened?” Jason hadn’t said a word during the time, but his voice was a little harder and it flashed through my mind that he wasn’t necessarily okay with Tam helping me out so willingly.

“I think I triggered memories of my mother.” I pressed my lips together, not wanting to admit it. But it was true. That night would live with me forever, and the flashback triggers were numerous and hard to anticipate.

“Yah, I wondered if it was a good idea. Anyway, tell us what you found out, if anything. Queet said you came racing out of the bar like a bat out of hell.”

“That would be fitting, wouldn’t it?” I laughed, relieved to be able to find something funny. “I discovered a lot more than I thought I would. For one thing, the Thunderstrike? I know who stole it and why.”

“Hold that thought. We’re here.” Jason took control of the car, easing it over to the curb. Then he programmed directions for it to return to the parking garage. The moment we got out, it would automatically lock itself and head off to the rental space to wait until he needed it again.

As Jason tapped in the security code and opened the door, I eagerly pushed in behind him. The store was welcoming—it always felt safe to me. I unfastened my cape and swung it off, draping it over one of the counters, and then immediately made a nosedive for the sofa, curling up on one end as I pulled a throw over me.

“I want something to eat. Sweet if you’ve got it.” I headed toward the break room as Jason nodded, then vanished back out the door. I knew he had a key to Up-Cakes. While he was gone, I changed into a pair of shorts that I kept in the shop, draping the skirt over a chair. I changed out my shoes for a pair of boots, and returned to the front just in time to see Jason reappear with a box of cupcakes. Tam poured me a glass of water, and I was finally able to let out a long, deep breath as I leaned back against the cushions.

“All right. Here’s what I found out.” I ran down everything that had happened and everything Nat had said. “So as far as I can figure out, he gave the Order of the Black Mist the Thunderstrike, trying to buy his way in. They took it, said see-ya, and that was that. Lyon…have you ever heard of him, Jason? You run in magical circles more than Tam or I do.”

Jason paled and slowly lowered himself to the chair opposite. “We’re all in trouble.”

“Why?”

“His name is Lyon Burkenwald. He’s from Black Forest, originally, and works with a dark magic that has roots going back to…well…to the first witches and magicians from the original Black Forest area. Strong hereditary magic. I only met him once, and that was enough. It was at a meet-and-greet at the Seattle Magicians Guild. Burkenwald wasn’t invited, but he showed up anyway. He’s a good six-five, long blond hair, broad shoulders. Looks like he should be wielding a broadsword.”

“What did he want, if he wasn’t invited?” Tam asked.

“Lyon was trying to drum up support for the Order of the Black Mist which, at the time, we knew nothing about. Since it wasn’t authorized by the Conglomerate, we told him to leave. He laughed and said we’d rue the day we ever cast our lots in with the Corp-Rats. His whole viewpoint is based on human supremacy. He believes that most of the gods have outlived their purpose, and that Chaos is the only answer. Basically, he’s an anarchist who wants to tear down the governments.”

“In other words, he’s out to topple one regime and set up another. Like we surmised—he wants to form a meteocramancy.” I sucked in a deep breath. “How effective do you think he is at luring in other magicians?”

Jason shook his head. “
Too
good. He’s riveting, and has charisma out the yin-yang. He’s a born orator, and trust me, he wields an incredible amount of power. But he was cast out of the city several years ago for inciting riots. Apparently, he found his way back in.”

“Apparently so. And now, he has the Thunderstrike. Do you think he’ll use it?” I was thinking of the tornado in Bend.

“He’s not stupid, but arrogant? Most definitely. I think he truly believes that he can go up against Gaia, which is insane, at best. But nobody ever said smart people had to be sane, and nobody ever said that intelligence has to be paired with wisdom. It’s all too possible for one to exist without the other.”

“Too bad he’s smart and crazy instead of not-so-bright but wise.” I frowned. “Do you think we should go hunting through the Tunnels for him?”

“He’ll know we’re coming. The man has a following of ultra-fanatical groupies. I don’t know why I didn’t put two and two together when Hecate told you about the Order of the Black Mist, but it all makes sense now.” Jason started to pace—a habit that drove me batty, but seemed to give him comfort.

There was nothing I could add. I was supposed to recover the Thunderstrike. If I couldn’t go down into the Tunnels, I wasn’t sure just how I was supposed to do that. My phone rang, breaking the silence. I glanced at the caller ID.
Hecate.

Frowning, I answered. “Yes? What’s up?”

“Are you all right?” She was blunt as usual, right on point.

“I’m okay, but what’s wrong? You sound frazzled.”

“An hour ago there was a major earthquake on the California Plateau, along the edge of the ocean where the Andreas Fault System is. It wasn’t natural, Fury. Lightning Strikes sent out a team. Nobody lives in the area, but there’s magical energy all over the signature, and astrigators are pouring out of the cracks. Lightning Strikes will try to contain them, but it’s likely some will get through and breed.”

“But that’s two territories away. And I happen to know who took the disk. It should still be in our area. Surely it can’t reach out that far?”

“Don’t be so sure. But remember, there are also still three magical grimoires missing. The Thunderstrike isn’t the only thing that can disrupt the balance.” She paused. “That’s not all. A hurricane’s formed over on the East Coast. It’s heading for the Texicana Gulf. It’s a monster, and if it jogs east, it will go right over the capital.” Her voice was grim. “Lucky for us, it’s so big it’s moving slowly. But we have to disrupt whatever is spawning it.”

I let out a long breath. “I’d better tell you what I found out tonight. Do you want me to come over to the temple?”

“No, just tell me now.”

As I laid out what I had learned, and added in what Jason told me about Lyon, Hecate let out a sigh that sounded about as exasperated as a goddess can get.

“The Fates say that the next few days bring the possibility of world-shaking events. They told me tonight that no matter what we do, we won’t be able to catch all the loose threads. Some strands will still break, and there will be long-term repercussions.”

I sighed. “For once, can’t they just come out and tell us what’s going on? I get so tired of the riddles. Seriously, would it be so bad if they said—
Order of the Black Mist, bad. Kill them all. You can find them at the top of a bell tower.
Or,
Lightning Strikes? Needs to move in faster.
Something concrete we could work with.”

That made her laugh. “Oh, I wish it were that simple. But you know very well that the Fates can’t alter the course of destiny, and are limited to speaking in riddles and generalities. They are allowed that much leeway, and no more. The Norns are bound by the same rules, according to Freya.”

I paused, blinking. “You talk to Freya?”

“Yes, why?”

“I didn’t know the Greeks and the Norse played footsie.”

“We don’t, but she and I happened to pass each other on the World Tree…and no, it’s not the same branch that’s down in the Sandspit. We talk.”

I thought for a moment. “What about going to the Conglomerate? We could tell them about the Order of the Black Mist and Lyon. Maybe they can uproot the Tunnels and drive them out? Isn’t it time to enlist some human help on this?” But even as I said it, I knew it was a fool’s cause. “Never mind. Ten to one, World Regency was holding that disk for some corporation that’s part of the Conglomerate. They probably already know about all this.” Thirsty, I stood. If I remembered right, there was some juice in the break room.

“Which is why…watch the sky-eyes, Fury. The Devani seem up in arms, and I gather they were massing on the north side of Croix. There’s something going down with the Conglomerate, and I’m not certain what they’re up to. None of the gods are. The governments tell us what they think we want to hear, in hopes that we’re as gullible as their people.”

That the Devani were massing was an issue. They pledged total allegiance to the government. I started to answer when the floor began to sway beneath my feet. Instantly, I was on my hands and knees. Tam and Jason dropped to the floor as well.

The Seattle Fault Complex was as dangerous as the Andreas Fault System. As the sound of thunder filled the room, the floor rippled beneath my hands and knees. From out in the streets, I could hear screaming, and the sound of concrete and brick hitting the ground. Darktown was made up of predominantly older buildings, many of which had already been through the World Shift. How well would they hold? How well would Dream Wardens hold?

The lights flickered once, twice, and then went out as the rumbling continued. The infrastructure wasn’t very stable down here in Darktown. I crawled beneath one of the display tables. The crashing of items around us as they rattled off the shelves was a grim reminder that we had too much glass in the shop. As the sound intensified, I pressed my hands to my ears. A moment later—it might have been sixty seconds, it might have been two minutes—the ground slowly ground to a halt.

“Kae? Are you all right?” Jason’s voice echoed eerily in the darkness from what sounded like the back of the shop. “Tam?”

“I’m okay, I think.” I crawled out from beneath the table, bracing myself for any aftershocks.

“I’m fine.” Tam’s voice echoed from near me. “Damn it. Be careful if you’re crawling—there’s glass all over the floor. Found a shard the hard way.”

Shaking, I slowly pulled myself to my feet, scraping my knee on some sharp metal object as I stood. I pulled out my phone, but the next moment, there was a light shining in the middle of the shop. Jason stood there, a scroll in hand, the light emanating directly in front of him. I knew it wasn’t one of his specialties, so I figured it had come from the scroll.

“How did you find that in the dark?”

“I always keep a couple of them in the emergency kit, and I know exactly where that kit is at all times. Let’s take stock. Are you sure you’re okay? Everybody to the sofa.”