Stacia Kane: Unholy Ghosts

Randy had never been strong like that, and he’d been taken. Even then it might have been okay if it weren’t for her blood, for Ereshdiran hooking into her soul like a poisonous barb and using her power combined with Slipknot’s to overcome his captors. So she had been a contributing cause in that one…at Bump’s order.

Just like Bump’s orders had led Brain to her, had allowed Randy to hear from blabbermouth Doyle about Brain showing up at her place, so Randy and the Lamaru could make that connection and know they’d been seen. At least she assumed that was how it happened; it wasn’t like anyone was around she could ask except Doyle, and she had a feeling he wouldn’t be too eager to talk to her.

No, she didn’t feel guilty about Bump not being able to use Chester Airport. She felt guilty because she’d lied. To Terrible. He trusted her, and she’d betrayed that trust. Several times.

It wasn’t anything she could apologize for or explain. It just was.

“Hey, how’d you make that happen, anyroad? You bring them ghosts? How’d you make em go after him like that?”

Her spirits lifted a bit. At least somebody cared about what she’d done. “He was part of them. Made from them, after they went crazy and burned down the airport—sleep deprivation, remember? They splintered, or something. So I set them free to take him back, and they did, and since I used his energy and earth energy to call them, once he was gone and I gave the energy back they had to go.”

He nodded. “Awful smart, aye.”

For a second irritation pricked the back of her neck. Wasn’t he going to express some sort of amazement? Was “awful smart” really all she was going to get?

But then she realized, with an odd, blushing sort of warmth, that it had never occurred to him that she wouldn’t be able to solve the problem. That while she’d been flailing around in the dirt, scared shitless that she was about to kill them all, he’d had complete faith in her ability to save them. Just as she’d never really doubted he could protect her from the Lamaru.

Wasn’t that an uncomfortable thought.

“What you gonna tell them up the Church? About what’s-his-name back there, the one got himself dead?”

She thought about it for a second, glad to have something to distract her, even for a moment. “The truth, or as much of it as I can. The Mortons were my case. He was involved in it. I’ll have to say I only found out about the connection tonight, and that’s why I didn’t call them, but…they don’t really need to know about the rest of it.”

“So you all roses with them, aye? Done a good job and all.”

“Yeah. Yeah, I guess so.” It didn’t feel much like it, though. It felt like she’d done something wrong, like there was a brand-new stain on her soul. She turned toward the window and caught her own reflection, her eyes wide and dark under her bangs.

“You cool? Ain’t talking much.”

“Yeah, I’m just…I’m sorry. I know you were looking forward to using the airport again.”

He tilted his head, glancing at her with an amused look. “You joke, aye? Saw something way better than some single-engine puddlejumper in that sky this night, Chess. Ain’t trade that for nothing. Worth it all the way up. Like I said, there’s other places. Bump always got some plans. Like you, aye? Got some plans for now? I mean, now?”

“N—yeah, actually. I do. I’m supposed to meet someone. I mean, I said I would, after I was done. He—they’re waiting for me.”

Pause. Barely a pause, but she noticed it. “See? Already on to the next move. Chess. Where I drop you?”

The tunnel where Lex waited wasn’t far, down the street from a con ve nience store. She told Terrible to leave her there, and they pulled up outside much more quickly than she’d thought.

What was she supposed to say? She looked over at him, his face filthy, swollen and bruised from the fighting and stained with neon red from the lights outside. It had been…good, to work with him. To spend time with him. Like having a real friend for the first time in her life. But how was she supposed to say something like that without sounding like an idiot? What did you say to people, when you actually wanted them around?

“Here.” She tugged out a fresh baby wipe. “You’re all covered in yuck.”

He didn’t move a muscle while she ran the damp cloth over his face. She had to use her left hand to do it, while her right braced his chin. His skin warmed her fingers.

“Close your eyes.”

He did. She used a new wipe for them, sliding it over his skin until she realized she’d been doing it for too long and stopped.

The wipe crumpled in her fist. “Okay, well, I’ll see you, right?”

“Aye, you know, I’m always around.”

“No, I mean…” Shit! What did people say? “I mean, you could call me, if you want. Just to hang out or something, you know?”

His gaze flicked over her face, searching for something. Whether or not he found it she didn’t know, but he nodded. “Aye. Sure, Chess. I give you a ring up.”

There had to be more to say, but whatever it was she couldn’t think of it. And Lex was waiting. So she held out her hand. He shook it, careful not to touch her burned palm.

She got out of the car, and watched him drive away until the throaty rumble of the Chevelle blended into the sounds of the city.

“So you lived after all, tulip. Getting worried, me. Heard all hell broke loose up there.”

“You didn’t stay to watch?”

The smile spread across his face, slow and smooth as he took her hand, lifted her bag off her shoulder, and slung it over his own. Damn. She did like him, didn’t she. How did that happen? “I watched some.”

“Good show?”

“Not bad, not bad at all. You looking like a straight warrior with all them markings and shit on you.”

“You watched for a while, if you saw that.”

“Some watch TV, aye. Some go for live entertainment.”

“So you like to watch, Lex. I never would have guessed.”

He laughed. “Just keeping an eye on my investments, me. No more airport, aye?”

“No. But…that wasn’t why I did it.”

He shrugged. “Ain’t the intent, it’s the outcome that matters. And I’m thinking this outcome ain’t a bad one, aye? Even if you looking banged up?”

“Yeah, but—”

“Aw, nay. All done, tulip. Let’s not us bother with it anymore. Let’s us get back to my place, you show me where it hurts. Sound good?”

Her grin was genuine in spite of herself. “Yeah. Yeah, that sounds pretty good.”

She let him take her hand and lead her through the tunnel.

Elder Griffin placed his hand on her arm, watching the other Debunkers file out of the room. To call that morning’s meeting “subdued” would be like calling Downside “dirty.”

“Cesaria,” he said, his blue eyes dark. “I needs must speak to you for a moment.”

Shit. Her heart sank. They’d caught her out, she didn’t know how, maybe Doyle had said something or—had she slipped up somewhere? She’d studied her notes so hard, she thought she’d kept her story straight, but maybe…

“Sit down.” He pulled a chair out for her. She sank into it, half expecting steel clasps to come out from beneath the arms and lock her in.

He sat beside her. “Are you certain you feel all right? Watching your friend die like that, even though ’twas his doing…” He shook his head. “I am here if you would like to talk about it, my dear.”

“Thanks, but I’m okay. Really.” Relief flooded through her, almost as sweet as the cozy warmth of her pills. She was safe. They hadn’t caught her, she was safe.

“I’m very proud of you. You know, the Grand Elder never considered the Lamaru to be much of a threat. The idea that they actually managed to turn one of our own, to infiltrate us, is quite disturbing.”