Blood Finale (God Wars #5) (13 page)

* * *

San Francisco—present

Terry Johnston read the note he'd pulled from an expensive, cream-linen envelope a second time.

You are a Nameless One now,
the note read.
Trust me, you'll need it
.

Nothing else was written on the note, and only his name was spelled out on the envelope. He'd already asked his secretary who'd delivered it, and she couldn't remember.

Terry had no idea what a Nameless One was, so he opened his laptop to type in the words. Before he'd half-finished, information filtered into his mind, causing his eyes to widen in surprise.

* * *

Bill's Journal

"Thanks, Russell," I nodded to the former vampire. He'd arrived after I sent mindspeech, to place compulsion on those who'd witnessed Hank's separation of particles. I could have done it myself, but I knew a vampire would be much more adept at it.

The President still didn't have an obsession, but one Senator and two Representatives did. That wasn't good news. "The only way we can remove this is with Kay's help, and she's in the jungle on Du'Ferias, tracking Cayetes' bunch," Hank shook his head. "At least the President hasn't been affected—yet."

"Do you think the obsession can still be transferred?" I asked.

Hank frowned as he considered my question, while a curl of smoke escaped his nostrils. He, Russell and I were in my office after we'd taken care of business at the meeting, and it appeared that Hank was just as perplexed as I that the original obsession seemed to be tainting others.

"That prick Folie lied his head off the whole time," Russell growled as he settled on a guest chair. Russell had stayed for the meeting, shielding himself so he wouldn't be noticed. We listened as patiently as we could while the President asked for suggestions to quell the growing problem of shootings in poor neighborhoods and slums.

I'd told the President I was already looking into the matter and would let him know later what my suggestions were. It was a noncommittal answer and the best I could do with obsessed people in the room.

"It's possible the Sirenali was waiting for you to arrive before obsessing all of you," Hank said. "And if an obsession can be transferred once, it only makes sense that it might be transferred again. This is worse than I imagined."

"What are we going to do about it?" I asked.

"No idea." Hank breathed more smoke. "Send out messages to everyone. Ask for suggestions. If this grows like a virus, and I suspect that's what it is, in a way, then I'm not sure what we can do to stop it."

"Do you think there's power behind this—pushing an obsession to replicate this way?" I asked.

"No doubt," Hank replied.

* * *

Grey House—present

"The blades have to be ten feet long and fourteen inches wide at the base, in order for a Thifilathi to have any effectiveness with them," Nissa said, handing a drawing to Trik and Toff. "And they have to be fireproof. Even with power, this will be tricky."

"How many?" Toff asked.

"Drake says one hundred matched pairs for those who can wield two blades, and an additional four hundred single blades. We're making spelled swords for the Thifilathi; the Falchani sword smiths are making blades for their humanoid counterparts."

"I'm really glad we don't have other pressing business," Toff said.

"Breanne did that for us. She pulled us out of the blackmail mess Grey House was in," Trik responded. "Think where we'd be if that were still in effect."

"I'm happy that's over," Nissa sighed. "Let's get to work. We may have to bend time to get this done, but it will be done."

"Agreed." Toff smiled before leaning in to kiss Nissa gently.

Chapter 8
 

San Rafael—present

Trajan's Journal

"Terry?" Jayson sounded surprised when he opened the door. I was, too—neither of us expected a visit from Breanne's attorney.

"I got this," Terry handed an envelope to Jayson as he stepped inside the house.

"Are you kidding me?" Jayson grinned and slapped Terry on the back.

"I assume this means we're on the same side now, Rome?" Terry asked.

"That's what it means," Jayson said.

"What is he?" I asked. Bill still hadn't made it back from Washington, and I'd considered sending mindspeech when the doorbell rang.

"Nameless One. Says he'll need it," Jayson waved the card at me.

"I worried about that. I didn't appreciate the way your sister-in-law was staring at Terry," Lissa appeared and lifted the card from Jayson's fingers.

"I didn't like the way she was staring at me, either," Terry agreed. Terry was a tall, black man in his forties, although he was now immortal and could appear as young as he wanted.

"Mr. Johnston, I think we should move your family to a safe place," Lissa suggested, her blue eyes studying Terry with concern. "I don't want anybody getting to you through them."

"You think they might?" Terry sounded worried.

"We have to think of everything," she said. "Who wants to transport Terry's family to SouthStar?"

"I'll do it," I raised a hand. "It'll keep me busy and I can collect Fes on the way back. Lissa, if you could, check on Bill in D.C. Okay?"

"I will," she said. "Come with me, Terry. You'll get your first lesson in folding space."

* * *

Lissa's Journal

"How did you know to get there?" Terry asked.

"Thurlow sent mindspeech," I said as we walked toward Bill's office in Silver Spring. "We're putting a grassroots effort together to prevent the enemy from taking over."

"Where is Breanne?" Terry asked.

"She is and isn't anywhere, if that makes any sense."

"Tell me later, I feel a headache coming on," Terry sighed.

"I know exactly how you feel," I agreed.

* * *

Bill?
I sent mindspeech as Terry and I walked through the outer doors and into the building that housed his and several other offices.

What's wrong?
Bill's reply was immediate.

Nothing—Trajan was worried. I brought a friend—we're downstairs. Can we come up?

Sure. I'll call the receptionist and tell her to let you through.

Thanks, Bill
.

Five minutes later, Terry and I walked into Bill's office. Russell and Hank were with him.

"Terry, welcome aboard," Hank held out a hand.

Terry shook and grinned at Hank. "Never suspected. Not even for a minute," Terry chuckled.

"I have a feeling this involves Jayson's family, and a money hungry sister-in-law," Hank said. "You'll have to protect yourself. Trajan says your wife, kids and your sister are safe at SouthStar, now."

"Thank you for that," Terry nodded. "I still have your apartment locked up in San Francisco. I run by and check on it twice a week. The bar property has been cleared, too."

"Hold off on building anything else just yet," Hank said. "Or on selling the property."

"Just say the word and I can make it happen," Terry shrugged. "You're the boss, in more ways than one if I understand correctly."

"You catch on fast," Russell laughed.

"And he smells nice," I agreed.

* * *

Trajan's Journal

"Our chef has to prepare the best fish in the city," the manager sniffed. Fes and I sat inside the manager's office at the Title Wave restaurant, while Fes applied for the position of head chef. I wanted to snicker but didn't—Fes could walk into any restaurant in two alliances and they'd beg him to cook. In this one, the manager wanted to be an asshole.

"Let me cook for you, and you can decide," Fes shrugged. Two hours later, after Fes made six types of fish, each with its own sauce, the manager tasted the turbot made with a sauce that Fes and Reah had designed together.

"You're hired," the manager mumbled and finished the entire plate of food.

* * *

"I want the money that went to Breanne Hayworth's charity," Laurel Rome huffed.

"I can get it for you," her attorney smiled. "With his help." He indicated the man standing beside his desk.

Laurel sat in her attorney's office, dressed stylishly in a navy dress with red designer heels.

"We want your husband's money," the man standing beside the desk grinned, revealing many sharp teeth. "You're going to get that for us."

Laurel's eyes widened and she nodded helplessly as the obsession soaked into her brain.

* * *

Trajan's Journal

Lissa came back with Bill, Hank and Terry. Terry, as a newly made Nameless One, was eager to learn everything he could.

Bill grinned as he showed Terry how to separate particles by destroying Breanne's TinyCar.

"She won't like that," Terry laughed as the car's sparks dissipated inside her garage.

"She doesn't need it," Bill sighed. "Besides, I'll buy her anything she wants if she manages to come back."

"What this is for," Lissa explained, "is separating particles of any Sirenali you come across. Don't wait to ask questions, because they may have more powerful allies nearby. Do it immediately, send mindspeech and get the hell away."

"You'll take mindspeech?" Terry blinked dark eyes at Lissa.

"Honey, you bet. Anytime. If you need help, send out blanket mindspeech. Anybody who can, will come."

"Damn, that's an efficient network," Terry breathed.

"It'll have to be," Bill agreed. "We may not be able to survive, otherwise."

"I can't believe this was going on under our noses, and we never suspected."

"You just watch for somebody to come into your office, asking for the money Breanne got for her charity," I said. "Check in with us often, and we'll do the same with you. Communication will be key, I think, in fighting this war."

"You got it," Terry grinned at me. "Damn, I always thought werewolves and vampires were fictitious."

"Wait till you see the Larentii," Bill grinned.

* * *

Du'Ferias—present

Reah's Journal

"Someone with power did this," Jett announced. He would know—he'd grown up in Avendor's jungles.

We stared at the tightly formed wall of roots and vines blocking our way. This wasn't natural—there was no way for the plants and trees before us to get sufficient light, as tangled as they were, to survive.

"So they have Sirenali and rogues with them," Aurelius rumbled.

"And we have no idea how many," Edward said. "This doesn't look good."

Farzi and Nenzi studied the tight, impenetrable barrier before us—just beyond, by a few Earth feet—lay the entrance to Hordace Cayetes' compound. At least that's what we hoped—we had no way to tell at this point.

"I'm concerned he may have more than one fortress," Tybus said.

"That's a frightening thought—and one we should have already considered," Kevis observed. "This is the wealthiest criminal in two Alliances, after all. Why wouldn't he have two fortresses here?"

"This certainly complicates things," Edward huffed. "Should we mist over this barrier, or check the next one first?"

"Let's fly over both," Tybus offered. "It won't take long—both areas are close together."

"We may not be able to see anything, if they're shielded," Aurelius said.

"True," Kevis agreed. "This makes it worse, doesn't it?"

"I'm terrified that they may already know we're here," Kay quavered.

"Kay, we're with you, don't forget that," Kevis rubbed her shoulders gently.

"I know. But we don't know what's on the other side of this," she flung a hand toward the thick, natural barrier. "Or who is on the other side. Just the humanoids Hordace has will scare anybody."

"Kay, whatever it is, we'll be here with you," Kevis soothed.

"Do you smell that?" Aurelius lifted his head swiftly.

"We smell," Farzi hissed. "Turn mist. Now."

* * *

"Just a little taste," Moxas smiled as he blinked hazel eyes at Calhoun. "On a small scale. You'll have believers ready to spread the word; you can trust me on this."

"Who will be the victims?"

"Target the poor or any minorities—it doesn't matter," Moxas shrugged. "Announce that they've committed crimes against the population. If you find the right venue, those people will believe it anyway, without the announcement."

"Make sure to have a camera crew there, for documentation. Put the video on the Internet afterward," Saxom said. "If you build a web page, you can make announcements there later, as to when and where to attend the next one."

"What about police intervention?" Calhoun asked.

"Then target them as well," Moxas laughed. "Teach all that none are immune, if they are disobedient or fail to believe."

"Terrifying and effective. I like it," Calhoun nodded. "Thank you. I'll solicit help in the construction."

"You keep forgetting about my love," Saxom pointed out as Calhoun made ready to go.

"I haven't forgotten. In fact, I'll put someone on that immediately." Calhoun disappeared.

* * *

Du'Ferias—present

Tybus' Journal

Where did they come from?
Kevis asked as we hovered overhead. I hesitated to remain for very long—I could feel Kay's fear vibrating from her mist.

Below us, growling and snarling, lay a vast herd of hideous beasts. Chimeras snapped at kobolds. One-eyed giants shoved manticores aside as they stomped around the perimeter of seething monsters. Outside those, a group of rogue Copper Ra'Ak held themselves apart. While we watched, one of the Ra'Ak stretched out its deadly head and snapped up an unsuspecting minotaur, swallowing it in two gulps.

What are they waiting for?
Philip sent.

Us
, Reah replied.
Or anyone else foolish enough to breach that barrier.

Let's check the next target
, Aurelius' voice held a mental sigh. I was happy to mist everyone away from the creatures gathered below us.

* * *

Rigo stood in the Hraedan King's private library as the King studied him. "Rigovarnus," the King eventually nodded with a sigh. "I assume you don't have welcome news?"

"Sadly, I do not," Rigo agreed. "I have investigated that portion of the square where several have disappeared, as you requested."

"And?"

"That is a portal, built with dark power. It will engulf any who tread near enough," Rigo answered.

"Your painting that hangs in the great hall doesn't do you justice," the King said. "Had I not known that you counseled my father as well as you did, I'd have my doubts about you now. As it is," the King lifted a comp-vid to send a message to his guards and constabulary, "I will attempt to keep all away from this blight until a more permanent solution might be found."

"Check every day," Rigo warned. "In case the portal expands. We have seen this on other worlds already. Noppen is being consumed by such."

"And yet they managed to destroy Wyyld," the King's eyes hardened.

"Wyyld survives," Rigo said. "That world was moved, leaving a decoy shell in its place. It now shares Falchan's sun, and I charge you never to reveal that information."

"At least the Alliance knows Deonus Wyyld still lives. It was wise of him to announce that immediately after the destruction."

"Yes—Deonus Wyyld is very wise and has good advisors about him. He suggested the move and gained assistance to achieve it."

"I hope good advice will continue to come my way, should it be needed," the King said.

"It always has," Rigo offered a slight nod. "I and others continue to watch Hraede—as we have always done."

"Then I thank you—for myself and for the people of Hraede."

* * *

Du'Ferias—present

Reah's Journal

A teeming mass of creatures surrounded a circular area covered by jungle at both target sites.

We're seeing shielded and disguised areas, aren't we?
Edward said.

It looks that way
, Aurelius conceded.
I want to get closer, just to see if we can detect anything.

I can drop lower, if that's what we all decide,
Tybus suggested.

I want,
Farzi said.