Boreal and John Grey Season 1 (51 page)

No way would Dave recognize her from a distance. Man, she barely recognized herself.

As she walked briskly on, she noticed the military’s presence. Officers with machine guns were herding people down the streets, and an armed jeep stood a block down. She strode past, pretending she belonged there, in the disaster zone.

One of the soldiers actually nodded at her.

Feeling more confident, she hurried by the neighborhood’ pharmacy and the grocery store, gaze flicking to the doorways, seeing who sat or lay there. She knew the faces of most homeless people in the area. That was her one advantage right now.

She nodded to old Joe who sat at his usual spot outside the afro-shop at the corner, then waved at Maria who was curled as always outside the launderette. Maria gave her a blank look, obviously not recognizing her.

Ella walked past the deli and the Greek fast-food joint, moving closer to her building with every step. Cold sweat sprang on her back, chilling her. She paused at the corner, glanced around, then drew back. Two uniformed women were posted by the entrance and two men were walking toward them. Military? Police? Members of the super secret organization? Whichever it was, they looked armed and trigger-happy.

Clutching her briefcase, she stepped back.

The plan of the area was clear in her mind. She began walking the streets directly around the block, squatting down to check the faces of the homeless, awkward on the heels. The cold breeze whipped her long hair across her face and she let it, keeping her gaze down.

No Finn yet, but she refused to let panic take hold. Finn was made of titanium. He’d survived terrible odds. And yet...
‘A bullet can kill us the same as you,’
he’d said.

Jesus, stop it. Keep walking, keep checking
.

She weaved through the narrow streets and crossed another avenue, widening the perimeter. Another armored jeep rolled by, but didn’t stop. If Finn was there, it was all over. They’d find him before her.

Unless he’d moved. Unless he’d left for good. Maybe she’d never find him again.

Keep walking
.

More alleys and people smoking in the sun outside cafes and restaurants, faces grim. She was crossing into unfamiliar territory now; she’d only walked this way when she wanted to buy flowers. She gave the flower shop a wide berth, sure the owner would recognize her, and kept going, checking any sheltered spot, writing down names, feeling her heart sink.

Stop moping
. She thought of Finn, lying alone somewhere; thought of Norma, sick and frail as she was, waiting in her car.
You’re a kick-ass secret agent, and people depend on you
.

Lifting her chin, she set off again. Her feet were killing her and she longed for her hiking boots. The skirt didn’t let her walk fast, and she was sure she had mascara running down her cheeks mingled with sweat.

Wobbling on her heels, she tottered down yet another squalid street, where she was almost bowled over by a man reading his newspaper. He grumbled something unflattering under his breath and continued on his way. A policewoman in uniform gave her a funny look and turned to speak into her phone.

Ella kept a plastic smile on as she checked inside every building entrance, behind every dumpster. People stared but left her in peace. Three military in grey uniforms rounded a corner and cast her quick looks but didn’t stop.

Where are you, Finn?
Maybe she should retrace her steps, see if she’d missed some clue.

Two avenues and three streets down, she was starting to believe her whole theory was wrong. Besides, she couldn’t walk anymore in those damn shoes, she was sure her toes were bleeding, and she could hear distant shouts and orders being yelled back and forth. The army would be here soon.

Her sleep-starved brain had let her down, leaping to random conclusions and leading her in wrong directions. If she could rest just for one minute—

A plain covered in snow, stretching to the blue mountains at the horizon.

The image withered, and she could see again. Out of balance she staggered, hitting a wall with her shoulder. She fought not to slide down. That was Finn; had to be. He was nearby.

Pushing off the wall, she patted her hair and hoped nobody had noticed her little jig. She glanced around.
Which way?

Putting the clipboard back into the briefcase, she set off back the way she’d come, eyes on every possible hiding place, checking the forms curled under their blankets or ratty sleeping bags on the sidewalk.

Another image hit her, rattling her like a hammer blow. A dragon rising from the mist, huge wings unfolding, its snake-like neck undulating. A rider sat right behind the head, in a halo of light, a weapon in one hand. He bowed forward, weapon pointing, and the dragon swooped down, spitting scorching fire.

The image faded. Ella stumbled, dizzy, and fell against a passerby.

“Watch where you’re going,” he muttered, pushing her off, and she bent over, panting. Her briefcase had fallen to the ground. She reached for it, her hand shaking.

The air shimmered overhead, breaking into glittering shards, and through them something moved, something massive and white.

“Run!” she yelled, kicked off the shoes and launched into a sprint. An opening between two buildings caught her eye and she ducked into it, skidding. She crouched low and peeked outside.

A deafening screech sounded, and she saw a dragon’s head and a huge wing writhe before they dropped with a horrible splat to the asphalt. The Gate fizzled and vanished.

Oh god
. She leaned back against the grimy wall to catch her breath. It was over. The army would come now and cordon the area off, take everyone out.

Finn had to be close. Really, really close.

She turned around.

A dark shape huddled halfway into the alley, slumped behind the rail of a fire escape ladder.
Could it be...?

Dammit, Ella, move
. She pushed off the wall and ran to him, bare feet slapping on the dirty asphalt. The metallic tang of blood hit her as she dropped to her knees. A black bandana covered his head, and he was wrapped in a filthy blanket.

“Finn.” Her heart hammered. She shook his shoulder but he didn’t react. She cupped his face and lifted it toward the light.

He blinked, his eyes bloodshot and creased with fatigue and pain. He stared blankly at her.

Then he lifted his gun and pointed it at her face.

***

“Finn, can you hear me?” Ella didn’t dare move. The gun was aimed at her head, and although his hand shook, she wasn’t reassured; if anything, his finger might slip on the trigger. “It’s me, Ella.”

Finn didn’t react. He had that vacant expression in his eyes she’d come to recognize.
Flashback
. At least he was awake, and that meant no Gates.

“Put down your gun and report,” she barked. “Status.”

The change was instantaneous. His eyes widened and the gun lowered until it slithered from his fingers to the ground. “
Sar
,” he wheezed, his teeth clenched. “
Daudr
.”

Death
.

“No-one’s dying,” she snapped, and he jerked. “We need to move out, right now. Stand up.”

When she stood and reached down for him, he caught her hand and heaved himself up.

Choking on a cry, face going ghost-white, he dropped back down and curled an arm around his middle. She crouched down and tried to pry his arm away to see the damage but his muscles were locked, his face twisted. He hunched over, shaking. It tore at her heart.

Shouting came from right outside the alley, orders bouncing back and forth.
Shit
. “Finn, get up. Please.”

He didn’t look up. She lifted his arm around her shoulders and hooked her own around his waist. “We’re in enemy territory. You need to keep quiet.”

Without waiting for acknowledgment, she braced herself and hauled him upright. His arm tightened convulsively around her shoulders, his fingers digging into her muscle with bruising force, but the only sound that escaped him was a tiny moan.

She stepped toward the other exit of the alley, and he stumbled along. He was biting his lower lip, she realized, hard enough to draw blood.

It wouldn’t be long before the army thought to look into the alley. But a few more steps and Finn’s legs started to buckle, dragging them both down.

Christ
. Desperately she tried to stay upright. She expected to be stopped at any moment, expected the impact of bullets in her back. “Finn, dammit, we need to keep going.”

His breath coming in short, shallow gasps, he lifted his head. His face was white as milk. Sweat rolled down his face and dripped from his chin.

“Keep walking, soldier.” What was that Norse word? “
Drengr
.”
Warrior
.

“At your command,” he breathed. Slowly, shaking with the effort, he drew himself upright.

“Come,” she choked out and led him to the end of the alley, their way painfully slow, the army breathing down their neck.

The muscles in her shoulders burned and she was drenched in sweat. Her whole focus was on getting him out of the alley, memories of the first time she’d saved him from the Shades flashing through her mind like blades.

 She had a plan. Get him out, reach Norma’s car.
Keep it simple
. Just one foot in front of the other, Finn’s heart beating frantically against her side, her hand around his waist measuring his every labored breath.

 A car zoomed past, scaring the shit out of her. She took a step back, dragging Finn with her, doing her best not to jolt him more but he grunted, his breath catching.

Cars
. An avenue, not yet blocked by the military.
Oh yeah, baby
. Carefully she ducked under Finn’s arm and held his shoulders, steadying him. He gave her a dazed look. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

He wavered when she let go of him. Heart in her throat, she ran into the street, waving her arms at the first taxi she saw. “Stop!” she yelled. “Stop!”

When the taxi pulled up at the sidewalk, she jogged back, her bare feet freezing on the asphalt, and grabbed Finn who seemed to be standing by sheer force of will. She guided him into the taxi and ignored the driver’s frown in favor of settling Finn inside.

Glancing through the rear window, she saw officers burst through the alley mouth, machine guns drawn. “The parking lot behind the Carlston Mall,” she told the driver, proud her voice sounded steady. “As fast as you can. This place’s a real nightmare.”

Which was, after all, the truth.

Chapter Four

Deep

“Let me have a look at the wound.” Ella tried to wrestle Finn’s hand off his side but he didn’t seem to hear her. Sweat rolled down his face. He shivered under the ratty blanket wrapped around his shoulders and his other hand clenched in the brown cloth.

Relief intertwined with worry. No matter how tough Finn was, he seemed to be in serious pain, and her hands were sticky with his blood.

“Is he okay?” the driver called, his face looking concerned in the rear-view mirror. “Should I take you to a hospital?”

 He should, but of course that was out of the question. “Carlston Mall,” she repeated. The gun was cold against her flesh, tucked inside the waistband of the skirt.

The driver shrugged, a tense gesture, and said nothing more.

“Finn.” Ella pried Finn’s hand from the blanket and held it. “Talk to me. Did you stop the bleeding?”

His eyes tracked nothingness as they drove through the city center. He hadn’t even glanced outside. At least he was conscious, no Gates were opening, and he hadn’t drawn any of his knives on her.

Swallowing past the lump in her throat, she stared forward and hoped to god Norma was still waiting for them, and that she knew how to help.

The Mall loomed at the side of the avenue and she directed the driver to the back where the largest parking lot was. It was still early in the morning, and few cars were there. She spotted Norma’s battered black sedan and almost groaned in relief.

Quickly she paid the taxi and went around to help Finn. The driver, bless him, also came to give a hand, but Finn didn’t make any move to get out of the car.

“Are you sure about the hospital?” the driver muttered. “He doesn’t look too good.”

“
Adramar
,” Finn hissed, eyes intent on something she couldn’t see.

Adramar was the elven queen. What was he remembering?

“Just give us a moment,” Ella said and crouched by the open car door.

“Ella?” Norma was approaching them, and Ella cringed at the loud use of her name. She really hoped the taxi driver hadn’t been watching the news that morning.

“Hey.” Ella placed a hand on Finn’s leg. “Come on, we’re almost there. We need to move.” She was babbling, hoping something hit home. “
Drengr
. Get out.”

Just like the first time, the word seemed to get through, and Finn turned his head. “
Visi
.”

Commander. Or something like that
. “Yeah, yeah.” She forced her voice into colder tones. “Move it, Finn. We’re waiting for you.”

“What’s wrong with him?” Norma whispered from behind, but Ella didn’t turn. She held a hand out.

He took it. His fingers were slippery with fresh blood.
Jesus
. His gaze flicked up to her and he froze. “Ella?”

“Yeah, that’s me.” She cleared her throat, her voice inexplicably thick. “You need to get up. It’ll hurt.”

He was still staring at her, jaw slack, as if he couldn’t believe his eyes. Maybe it was like sleepwalking, she thought, waking up to find you were someplace else than you had been a second ago.
Damn confusing
.

“We need to go,” she said again, gently. “You have to get out of the car.”

He looked down at his lap, then around the car. The driver, who had gotten back inside, gave him a nervous smile. Finn nodded and lifted one foot out, then struggled with his bad leg.

“Oh for god’s sake, let me help.” Norma huffed and wedged herself between Ella and Finn. For someone so frail-looking, she sure was strong. She lifted Finn’s leg out of the car and straightened it, then bent it again at the knee. “There you go, young man.”

Finn was doing a good imitation of a fish. “Norma?”

The old woman grinned. “In the flesh. We’re gonna get you back on your feet in a flash, my boy, just wait and see.”

Finn swallowed hard. A strand of hair had escaped the bandana and stuck to his cheek, dark with sweat. “You shouldn’t... You’re...” He couldn’t seem to find the words.

Norma took pity. “You’re family to me, Finn. You didn’t think I’d help you? Come on out now, let’s get you to a safer place.”

He tried. His legs trembled, his face went white, and he sank back down with groan.

Heart clenching, Ella motioned Norma aside. “Let me.” She waited until Finn looked up again. He was blinking back tears. She was going to kill Dave for this. “We’ll do this slowly. Hold on to me.”

It took some maneuvering, Finn hissing and cursing, until he was upright and leaning against the car. He coughed and cursed again, face twisting in a grimace.

Again wondering how the hell he’d survived, afraid to question it too much in case she jinxed it, Ella wrapped an arm around him and led him toward Norma’s car. She could hear the old woman telling the taxi driver everything was okay, then paying and sending him on his way.

Finn kept his head down, limping along. Blood soaked Ella’s shirt where their bodies touched. If he’d managed to staunch the hemorrhage before, moving about had obviously restarted it.

Ella opened the car door. “We’ll get painkillers for you,” she said as he lowered himself inside, eyes scrunching shut. “I promise.”

“What he needs is a doctor,” Norma grumbled, practically shoving Ella aside and getting into Finn’s face. “I know a clinic about halfway between here and Jamesville. Show me the wound, boy.”

To Ella’s surprise, Finn didn’t glower or flinch. He sat still and let Norma push back the blanket and peel his jacket open. His shirt was drenched in blood and when Norma pulled it up, Ella saw the entry hole of the bullet.

Dear god, it was right under his heart. The ghostly pain bloomed in her ribcage again and it was all she could do not to moan.

“We can’t take him to a clinic,” she said.

“Why not?”

How about because he’s an elf?
“The police will also be looking for him,” Ella said instead.

“Well, it can’t be helped.” Norma reached around Finn, to his back. “I can’t feel an exit wound,” she muttered. “Bullet’s still inside and only with x-rays will we be able to tell if it needs to be removed or not and whether he has any internal injuries.”

Bullet. Internal injuries
. She still hadn’t saved him; he could still die. Ice closed around her chest.

“We need to stop the bleeding.” Ella dug out the medical supplies from her backpack. She handed Norma gauze pads and watched as she pressed one to the wound.

Finn hissed, clawing at the gauze. Norma pushed his hand away as the first pad soaked through to crimson. She added another on top of it. “Broken ribs,” she said, shaking her head.

Ella had guessed as much. She tried to summon her limited medical knowledge. “Should we bind them?”

“No. He needs to be able to draw deep breaths or he may get pneumonia.” She pressed the pad until Finn gripped the car door so hard the metal groaned. “Strong painkillers will help.”

Ella had to keep reminding herself Norma was a nurse and knew what she was doing, had to resist shoving her out of the way to touch Finn, reassure herself he was alive.

Still so hard to believe
.

The back of her neck prickled, and she turned around. About ten yards away, a woman sat in her car, staring. She flinched when she caught Ella’s gaze and lifted a phone to her ear.

“We need to go. Let me drive.” Ella dragged Norma up and sent her toward the other side of the sedan. “I think someone just recognized my face and called the cops.”

Finn caught Ella’s hand, pulling her down to his eye level, and damn but his grip was like steel even when he looked about to pass out. “What’s your plan?” he asked hoarsely.

Plan? Oh right, the plan
. “To get you out of here alive,” she said and found a grin for him. “Seems to be working so far.”

He grunted and let go, glowering.

She sat behind the wheel, a weight lifting off her chest.
A grumpy Finn
. He had to be feeling better.

Yeah, definitely a good sign.
At last
.

***

Ten minutes later, Ella didn’t feel like smiling and wasn’t so sure about good signs anymore. Police sirens hounded them as she sped through the suburbs. She thought she’d lost them for a moment, but that hadn’t lasted long.

“Slow down, dear,” Norma said, a hand pressed to her chest. “This is too fast for me.”

Oh shit
. Her heart. “I can’t.” Maybe she should leave Norma with Finn someplace and lead the police far from them. But where? Finn needed a doctor and — oh hell, another police car was coming from a side street to cut them off.

She spun the wheel and they skidded sideways, barely avoiding a parked car. She turned into another street.

Norma was panting, as if she couldn’t get enough air.

“Hey.” Ella spared her a glance as she sped down the quiet road. “Breathe. Everything will be okay.”

“Slow down.” Norma clutched her chest, face pale. “Please, slow down.”

Shit shit shit
. Ella gripped the wheel tighter, not to slam her hand on it and howl in frustration.

“What’s going on?” Finn asked, gripping the back of her seat.
“Norma?”

Ella grabbed Norma’s bag. “Do you have a mobile phone?”

She passed the bag to Finn who rummaged inside, cursing. The sirens returned. She swerved into another side street, heading back the way they’d come.

How she wished she’d listened to Mike and created some sort of code for cases of emergency. How had the little shit known something like this would happen? She shook her head, then noticed that Norma was making little gasping noises.

Please, don’t die on me
.

Slowing down again, she twisted and grabbed the phone Finn had unearthed. She punched in Mike’s number. Desperate measures.

The phone rang and rang, and then there was a click on the other end.

“Mike?” She turned into another street, keeping her metaphoric fingers crossed it would take them back the way they’d come, although now she had a different destination in mind.

“Ella?” Mike hissed into the phone. “Are you crazy?”

Ella thought about this. “Yeah,” she said. “And yeah.”

“Are you all right?”