Elves Invasion

38

Carrick stumbled through the dark to fulfill her wish, but his body was weak. Lillian sent her strength to revive him. The throbbing was still there—Lillian hadn’t eased that—but now that it was mixed with power, the pain morphed into pleasure for him. His witch understood him so well.

Carrick vaulted up the side of the house, a mere blur to the eye, and opened a window on the second floor. He crept through the house until he could position himself best to hear the agent’s voice. She was questioning the tenant.

“No, I already told you,” said a hassled man. “I didn’t know any of them. One of them cooked me breakfast. I assumed he was a chef. Roger? Ronald? I can’t remember his name. I don’t interview the people who come to my parties, you know.” The man sounded like he was used to talking down to people. “There were two hot girls with them. That’s all I know.”

“They just showed up and you let them in?” Simms asked, sounding skeptical. “All someone needs are two hot girls to get into your house?”

“I brought them,” said another male voice. “I brought all of them.”

“Mister . . .” There was a pause as Simms flipped through a small notepad. “Eye. How did you know the suspects?”

“I didn’t,” he said. His voice sounded small and hollow. “I saw them walking down Route One and I picked them up.”

“Are you accustomed to picking up hitchhikers and letting them into your friends’ houses?” Simms asked.

“No. No, I never pick up people.”

“So why did you?”

Carrick heard him take a long, drawn-in breath. “It was her. Ava. She looked at me and I just stopped my truck. I don’t know why I did it. They didn’t even try to wave me down or anything. I just wanted to . . .” His voice trailed off. “Are you going after her?”

“They told you they were going to Yosemite?” Simms asked, ignoring his question.

“Yes. That’s all I know.”

“Yosemite is a big place. Were they specific about any particular site? Were they meeting someone? Did they have camping gear with them?” Simms’s questions came fast.

“No. No camping gear,” Eye said, growing more agitated. “They mentioned friends, but I think that was a lie. Agent Simms, are you going after her?”

There was a long pause. “Yes,” she answered.

“Take me with you.” It wasn’t a request. Eye sounded desperate. “I can help you. She trusts me.”

“Special Agent? We have one more for you,” said another voice.

Carrick heard a young man’s voice protesting as he was brought into the room. “I told you, I don’t know where they’re keeping the bomb,” he said. “All I know is that they said that some guy had nukes.”

“What’s this?” Simms said harshly.

“I told them already, like, seven times,” the young man said, his voice growing desperate. “I was outside. It was dark. The whole group was on the patio, talking, and one of them said something about a nuke and bombing the whole eastern seaboard. Then they went back inside. I thought they couldn’t be serious until you guys showed up looking for them, then I thought maybe it’s true. They didn’t sound like they were joking at the time, but it’s crazy. Right?” The young man sounded like he really wanted someone to tell him it was.

“Have you checked this yet?” Simms said as an aside to one of her subordinates.

“We’re on it,” the subordinate replied. He raised his voice to a shout as Simms ran from the room. “We haven’t verified it yet!”

“Call everyone,” Simms ordered in return. “I’m not waiting around for a terrorist attack.”

“Agent, take me with you,” Eye shouted. “I can help!”

There was no answer. Simms left the room. Carrick eased himself back into the shadows.

Shall I follow her, My Lady?

No. We both know Ava isn’t going to this Yosemite place. She’s going home, Carrick, Lillian replied.

I’m to go to Salem, then?

No. Stay with Simms.

And if she gets too close to Ava, what shall I do?

What you must.

Ava’s eyes unfocused for a moment, the pavement still scrawling beneath her while the desert and mountains in front of her hung forever far away, like a movie backdrop. Lillian was reaching out to her. After a moment’s hesitation Ava let her make contact.

Simms is coming, Lillian told her. She got information from the people at the house on the bluff.

Is she going to Yosemite or Salem?

She just arrived in Yosemite. She will know soon that you aren’t there. She tracks you with more than the pictures from the Walmart and the witnesses from the party. She tracks you with her yearning. Stay off the main roads.

I will.

Are you coming back to my world?

Yes. Once I get far enough east in this world I’m going to worldjump my coven back to yours, Ava told her. There was no point in trying to hide her plans from Lillian anymore.

It will do you no good to try and talk me off the path of war, Lillian warned.

I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m coming back to exterminate the Hive.

Finally, we agree. My army marches. Gather yours and join me.

Ava breathed an ironic laugh at the thought of joining forces with Lillian, and then the laugh turned to a chill as she considered another enemy-ally. How do you know about Simms, Lillian?

Lillian did not answer. Ava’s skin started to crawl.

Did you worldjump Carrick? Where is he?

Ava felt the connection end and brought herself back to the present. She glanced up at the rearview mirror and saw Windyard sitting in the back, looking at her.

“Lillian?” he guessed. Ava nodded, still not completely sure how he always seemed to know who she was mindspeaking with. “Is she still planning to attack Bower City alone?” he asked.

Ava smirked at him. “She asked me to join her, but she isn’t waiting around for my answer. She isn’t going to like what I have to say about teaming up with Alaric, no matter how much sense it makes.” A thought occurred to her. “There’s only one person she ever listened to, and it certainly isn’t me. Someone we’re going to need to pull this off.” Windyard narrowed his eyes in question. “Forget it,” Ava said. “Just strategizing.”