Viator (The Viator Chronicles Book 1) (28 page)

Erin ran to the dreamer who was sitting on the floor against the wall with his mouth hanging open.

“Are you all right?” she asked.

“No, no.” He buried his face in his hands.

Erin rested the palms of her hands on top of his head for a moment, then took hold of his hands and helped him stand.

“Let’s go,” she said. “We’ve got to get out of here.”

He sobbed. “I can’t. I’m afraid.”

“We’re in danger here.” Erin grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the little room.

“No, I can’t go. They’ll find me out there.”

“They’ll find you in here, too. Come on.”

She dragged him through the tunnel into the large cavern and turned to face him. Moonlight cast a cold glow on the rough cavern walls, illuminating piles of crumbling stones and the man’s ashen face. He cowered away from her and held his hands out as if warding off a blow. She studied him as he crouched against the wall. He was definitely the same man she’d helped in this cavern before. His eyes darted around, avoiding her gaze.

“Who are you?” she asked.

He flinched as if she had struck him.

“What is your name?” she asked again.

“Henry,” he whispered.

Erin took a deep breath. “Henry Bagley?”

He frowned. “How do you know me? Who are you? Are you one of them?”

Queasiness grew in Erin’s stomach.

“Do you know Gary Arthur?” she whispered.

“What if I do?”

“Don’t play games with me. Do you know him?”

He sneered and turned away from her. “Yeah. I know Gary Arthur. This is his fault. He got us into this mess. If he were here, I’d have you slice him up like you did to Lehman back there.”

“What did Lehman want?” she asked.

Henry snorted. “To hurt me, couldn’t you tell?”

“What does he want from you?”

“Go to hell. I’m outta here.”

“No,” she yelled. She reached out to grab him, but Henry had disappeared.

*****

“Mommy, wake up.”

Erin rolled over and murmured, “Get back here.”

“I’m here,” Gwen said. “Wake up.”

Erin felt Gwen’s warm body snuggling next to hers in her bed, and she woke completely and put her arms around her. “What is it, sweetie?”

“I’m afraid.”

In the dark, Erin could still see the cavern, still feel her anger. The twisted, insolent face of Henry Bagley was fresh in her mind.

“Afraid of what?”

“Big, bad men coming into my room.”

Erin reached over to turn on the bedside lamp and cuddled her daughter again. “No big, bad men are going to come into your room. You’re safe. Everything’s all right.” Her own heart was still beating too fast.

“I want Daddy.”

Erin closed her eyes, and a sob filled her up inside. “Me, too.”

She caressed Gwen’s hair. She remembered the dream clearly and wondered if all those forgotten dreams in the past were similar. In her dream, Gary’s friend was a miserable jerk. Was it true? She shuddered, remembering how the big brute had smacked her to the floor like a beanbag, but then she’d gutted him. His sticky blood had run all over the floor—she even remembered its metallic smell. It made her feel sick to her stomach.

Her thoughts drifted back to Henry Bagley. He had said he wanted her to slice Gary open like she had that giant. Anger grew inside her again.

Erin turned out the light, then pulled the blankets to her chin, keeping one arm wrapped around Gwen.

Chapter 39

The buildings facing the dark street were shades of leaden gray and black. Michael stood with his back to the edge of the wet concrete walls, and the rain poured over him, drenching his cloak and hat, seeping into his boots, and splashing from his collar into his face. He wiped his eyes and mouth with his hand and turned his head, looking up and down the street. Nothing moved except the crow that flew overhead. It landed on top of a burned out streetlight and cawed. Michael retreated into the hollowed-out doorway of the building where he blended into the darkness of the shadows.

He heard the faint sound of running feet approaching from a distance. The sound grew louder until he could hear the splash as each step hit the water pooled in the street. He tensed, his hand on his sword hilt, and pressed against the wall. The footfalls grew louder and echoed down the street as the running man passed right in front of him and kept on going.

Michael peered out and watched him recede into the distance. When he turned a corner, Michael raced after him, his boots making no sound in the pounding rain. The crow flew overhead, seeming to follow as Michael hurtled down the street, careful to keep the runner in view.

When the man turned into an alley, Michael slowed and trailed him close to the buildings. The crow flew ahead and stopped at the place the runner had turned. It landed on the ground and drank from a puddle of water, then cawed and flew on, following the new route the runner had taken.

Michael quickened his pace and saw him turn into a doorway, push the door open, and step inside. The crow rested on an overhang above the entry, and Michael slowed, edging his way close to the walls until he reached it. The building was made of concrete blocks, but many were cracked, and all were drenched. Water ran down the walls and poured over the gutters.

He turned the knob and silently pushed the door open. Icy air flowed out. He stepped inside and closed the door, shutting out nearly all the light. When his vision adjusted, he saw the hallway and crept down it toward the first room. A sweet, rotten stench hit him in the face. He pressed his back against the wall of the passage.

“What have you brought us?” a thin, hollow voice asked from inside the room. A mortifer’s voice. The sound of a chair scraping against the old wood floor pierced through the voice, and Michael shivered. His stomach tightened.

The silence from the room felt like ice, frozen and immovable. Michael held his breath.

The chair scraped across the floor again. Michael nearly jumped.

A man’s voice croaked. “Information.”

“What is it?” the hollow voice hissed.

“I … I know where he’ll be.”

The deep, hollow voice laughed. “Who?”

There was silence for a moment, then the man whispered again, so quietly Michael barely heard him. “The viator.”

The scornful laugh was louder. “And what do you want for this information?”

“Kill Grekov—destroy him.”

“We’ve already killed one man for you. You haven’t yet paid us for that.” The hollow voice was menacing.

Again, there was silence.

“This information will fulfill that debt,” the man said. “And I brought you one viator already.”

The mortifer’s voice was harsh. “That was not part of our bargain, fool. You had to prove yourself. But I see we may need to require further proof from you.”

“No, no you don’t. I understand. And I can get you something more.” The man’s voice quavered.

“What do you have for us?”

“Not yet. I can get it, though, if it is valuable to you. A flask.”

Silence stretched out like a frozen river. The mortifer spoke again. “That might have some small value. You must let us see this flask.”

The man’s voice was calm. “I can possibly do that.”

Again, the mortifer laughed. “Aaah … We’ll see. Well, we’ll take care of Grekov, but only after you destroy the viator.”

The chair scraped over the floor again, and Michael heard the man scramble and fall to the floor. “No, I can’t.”

Michael felt frozen to the wall, listening. His heart was pounding. He’d heard enough. He slipped back down the hall and out the door into the rain. He crept into the shadow of the doorway of the closest building and waited.

The man burst out of the building and started to run back down the street. Michael stepped out of the shadows and grabbed him as he ran. He threw him against the wall. The man screamed and crumpled to the ground. Michael picked him up by his shoulders and held him up high, pressing him against the wall.

“What the hell are you doing, Arthur?” Michael said through gritted teeth.

Gary’s eyes were wide. His face was twisted, spittle on his chin. “Fuck. What are you doing here?”

Michael shook him, banging his head against the wall. “What are you doing with them?”

“Nothing.” Gary’s voice was a squeak. “Nothing.”

“Like hell, you stupid shit. You didn’t think I’d find you.”

Gary stared at him. Michael put him down but still held a tight grip on his shoulders.

“They’re trying to make me do things, but I told them no,” Gary said in a shaking voice.

“Don’t lie to me. What man did they kill for you?”

“No one,” Gary yelled. “I didn’t.”

Michael still held him, his face twisted with anger. “And you led a viator to them?”

“No. They’re lying.”

“Was it Sean?”

“I didn’t. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Dreamers don’t bargain with mortifers unless they choose to.”

“Go to hell. You don’t know everything,” Gary swung his arms up and around, breaking Michael’s hold on him. He shoved Michael back. Michael grabbed him by the throat and pressed him to the wall again. Gary choked, his eyes wide, face turning red. He flailed his arms, grasped Michael’s hands, trying to get free, but Michael pressed him harder.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Michael whispered, teeth clenched. “I would kill you now if I could.”

He let go of Gary, and Gary staggered, coughing. He rushed at Michael and took a swing at his face, but Michael moved and took the hit in the shoulder. Michael shoved him away. Gary stood still for a moment and sneered. “Why are you even pretending to threaten me? You can’t hurt me. Isn’t it against your rules?” He spat on the ground, wiped his chin, turned and ran down the road.

Michael stood for a long while in front of the building in the shadows while the rain poured over him. He finally closed his eyes and faded from the street until he felt the warm softness of his bed. He opened his eyes to the darkness and lay awake, staring at the ceiling until dawn.

Chapter 40

Erin looked out her bedroom window at Puget Sound. The early morning fog still hovered in a thin layer over the calm water, blue sky above. She had lain awake for a long while with her arm around Gwen before finally falling to sleep again herself.

Gwen’s eyes opened and she looked up at Erin and smiled. “Mommy, did I sleep in here with you?”

“You did. Do you remember you came in here in the middle of the night?”

“Yes. Is it time to get up?”

“You can stay in bed a little longer. I’ll go take a shower. Then you’ll need to get ready for school.”

After dropping the children off at school, Erin tried to focus on work, but the memory of her dream lingered, leaving her feeling taut and preoccupied. Her first student was due to arrive soon, and as she gazed out the window, she noticed an empty black sedan parked across the street. The sight made her heart race and sent a jolt of adrenaline through her veins. She chided herself for being so jumpy. It was only a car.

When the lesson was over, she walked her student to the door, noticing with relief that the car was gone. She grabbed her coat and headed out to Hannah’s bakery.

The bell jingled when she opened the bakery door and Hannah looked up.

“Erin. It’s good to see you.”

“I know—thought I’d stop by and get a quiche for lunch. Do you have any?”

“Sure, we have a couple left.” Hannah pulled one out of the case and placed it on a plate. “Glass of water?”

“Thanks. Can you take a few minutes and sit with me?”

No other customers were in the shop, so Hannah joined Erin at one of the small café tables. “I could use a lunch break now anyway.” Hannah called out to the back room, “Katie, could you watch the store for half an hour?”

“Will do.” Hannah’s part-time helper came out of the back room for a minute. “Can I get you two anything?”

“No thanks, we’re good,” Hannah said. She turned to Erin. “Is everything all right?”

“I have too much on my mind lately.” She looked sidelong at Hannah. “I’ve been seeing quite a bit of Gary, for one thing, and I’m concerned.”

Hannah looked puzzled and reached out her hand, resting it on Erin’s arm. “Why?”

Erin sighed. “Well, the other day we had a picnic at Deception Pass—Gary, me, and the kids—and when we got back to the car, a couple men were waiting to talk to him. They were threatening.”

Hannah’s eyes widened. “What did Gary say?”

“He said there was nothing to worry about. He explained that a shipment he was responsible for had been missing but now it’s found, although some of it’s damaged. He said these guys were just bullies who wouldn’t really hurt him.”

“What was in the shipment?”

“I don’t know. Gary assured me it had nothing to do with drugs.”

“I’m sure it doesn’t,” Hannah said. “He was a good friend of William’s, and I think William would have had some idea if his friend was into anything illegal. And these men—I’m sure Gary’s right—I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about.” She sipped her coffee. “How do you feel about him?”

Erin smiled, thinking of the night before. “I can’t help but like him … more than like him. But this is moving so fast. He told me he wants to marry me.”

“What? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t tell him yes.”

“I had no idea you two had become so serious,” Hannah said. “It’s natural to feel some hesitation, but if it feels like the right thing, well, you need to let yourself move on.”

“Yes, I know … and I really am trying to. He was at the house last night, and he played with the kids, and we had a wonderful evening.”

“Good.”

The bakery door opened and Michael stepped inside.

“Hello, Hannah, Erin.” His stance was relaxed, but his face looked tentative.

“Hi. It’s good to see you again,” Hannah said.

Erin felt her face grow warm, and she smiled. “How are you?”

“All right. I was walking by and saw you. Can I join you?”

“Of course,” Hannah said. He pulled up another chair and sat next to Hannah. Katie brought him a cup of coffee, and he poured in some cream and sat stirring his cup, looking across the table at Erin.