Jack and his crew had toiled for months to reach Fort Colman. What would they find inside? When I bit my lip, Aric muted our mic. “He’ll be okay.” In a dry tone, he added, “Remember, he cheats Death.”
18
The Hunter
“Let me do the talking, Tower,” I reminded Joules as we made our way to the fort’s entrance.
On the walls, guards manned spotlights, sweeping the flatlands all around, illuminating the falling snow. Weather’s picking up. We’d made it just in time.
“Just promise me I’ll get to blow up some shite.”
“Chances are.” My plan was to do recon and see if the Pentacles had amassed any weapons. If this suit turned out to be as evil as the Cups, we’d abduct one for interrogation.
A pair of armed guards swung a spotlight at us as we approached. I made my limp more pronounced.
One shouldered his rifle, cocking it. “Hands up and state your business!”
We raised our gloved hands. “Heard your message. I’m here to get an old bullet taken out of my leg.”
“What have you got to trade?”
“A truck just down the road.” I pointed over my shoulder. “It runs, but we used all our fuel getting here.”
“Where’d you come from? Cars have been blocked by the snow for weeks.”
“From the coast. Caught a break in the weather. Can’t believe we made it.”
They gave me and Joules a once-over, then one said, “All of the specialists are at a service today.” The two shared a snicker. “You’ll have to come back tomorrow.”
“Service? Like a burial?” Never in a million years had I thought they’d turn us away. “Man, I got pain like you can’t imagine, especially after we worked our tails off to get here. Did I mention we have a running truck?”
“Then sleep in it tonight and return tomorrow.”
In my earpiece, Domīnija said, “Walk away, Jack. Something is going on inside that you’re not to see.”
I muttered, “Got it.” A stray impulse made me call out, “You got any food to advance us on the trade?”
A shared look between the guards. “If your truck runs, you can get some meat. Tomorrow.”
Meat. I somehow kept my cool as I said, “All right. We’ll be back.”
On the way to the truck, Joules said, “Bet they’re goin’ to slaughter someone.”
“Ouais.”
“Jaysus, this world. Canna stand much more of it.”
Evie’s voice carried into my earpiece. “Jack, leave that place for good.” She sounded tired and off somehow. She should be resting, not fretting about me. “I know you want to rescue any innocent people inside. Just remember that shackled person does not mean good person.”
I didn’t want to worry her more, but now that we had finally gotten here, nothing would stop me from going in. “Can’t leave, me. I’m goan to see this service.”
“Not without me.” Joules pointed back at the wall and said, “I spied an area where the spotlights don’t overlap. Tarch can teleport us to the top of that wall, and we can drop down.”
“You in, Kentarch?” We hadn’t needed him to teleport too much lately.
Over the radio: “In.”
From the background, I heard Sol say, “I still would like to go.” But according to Evie, we couldn’t risk him because he was her key to taking out Richter. I didn’t know if she should be planning a dustup against the Emperor, but we were keeping Sol on the bench, just in case.
Gabe made a sound of agreement. But he’d give us away; his wings had only been growing.
Domīnija said, “You enter at your own risk, mortal. The other Arcana can’t swoop in to save you. We must weigh the salvation of the world against your curiosity.”
“No one will swoop in, Reaper. Everybody knows I’m expendable.”
“I don’t,” Evie said. “Jack, you’re being ridiculous. In the past we only risked ourselves to rescue a friend or loved one—not to solve a mystery.”
The guys and I had fought so hard to get here. Couldn’t give up the brass ring yet. “I can’t explain it, bébé. I just know I’m supposed to go in there.”
Joules said, “With a little backup, Cajun. I’m not on the MVP list either.”
“I’ll fire the comms back on inside.” I forced myself to disconnect from her before I lost my nerve.
When we reached the truck, Kentarch, Gabe, and Sol were waiting for us outside.
Gabe said, “I would feel better if I can go and help you.”
“You can’t pass for human, birdbrain.” Joules rolled his eyes. “Stay here and make sure these eejits don’t get any savior ideas.”
While Kentarch raised a brow, Sol said, “Por Dios, you make it difficult to want to save you, Tower.”
I slanted Gabe a look. He truly did need to make sure no one broke ranks to rescue one civvy and a very stubborn Tower. The Archangel nodded with understanding.
Kentarch offered his arm. “Ready?”
“Ouais.” I grabbed Joules’s arm and the Chariot’s. A split second of shivers later, and we were on the wall.
We crouched down, scanning the layout.
This historic fort had five bastions in a star shape, like a pentacle. A coincidence? Or maybe this suit been attracted to its shape.
Though spotlights blazed outside, only lanterns and torches lit the interior. In the center was a large, flat area that probably used to be a grassy green. Surrounding it were two-story walls with rooms inside. Corridors connected the rooms, all leading to one main entrance with a large black door.
Signs for Fort Colman tourists still hung throughout, scorched but intact. Storehouse. Barracks. Guardhouse. Chapel.
Off to one side of the green, row upon row of empty army tents flapped in the wind.
“Where is everybody?” Joules murmured.
I saw only the two guards from earlier, a couple more manning spotlights, and an additional four huddled around a trash fire on the far side of the fort. All armed with automatic rifles. “I guess they’re at that service.” If the Minors had united, then we could be facing down three suits of fourteen each. Forty-two beings with unknown powers. Were they all inside?
“Thought there’d be crowds here.” Joules shook his head. “Didn’t the Queen of Cups tell you this place was bigger than Jubilee? Maybe they ate everyone?”
Or got struck down with plague. “Let’s go find out.” To Kentarch, I said, “Any sign of trouble coming your way, you get yourselves to the castle.”
“We will be listening and watching you both. Stay on guard.” Kentarch disappeared.
Joules and I readied to jump down the twenty or so feet. My bad leg was going to be singing. For a second, I wondered what it’d be like if these people truly traded medical care for goods. Evie could have a real doctor for her labor. Finn could have had help as well.
Joules and I dropped. As predicted, I had to bite back a groan of pain before I limped on. I drew my crossbow and muttered to Joules, “On my six.”
He nodded, javelin at the ready.