Circe quipped, “Only people with long lives get to do that.”
We all shared a gallows laugh.
Aric opened that rare vintage, pouring for us. “And there’s much more where this came from.” He seemed to have surrendered to this night; his whole bearing said, In for a penny . . .
“A bottle this fine deserves a toast, one from each of us.” Circe inhaled the aroma from her glass, then raised it. “I’ll begin. I propose a toast to alliances that stick. The twentieth time’s the charm!”
I arched my brows at that. “Hear hear.”
Voice thick, Lark said, “A salute to those we’ve lost.”
I added, “And to those we’ve found.”
Aric raised his glass and parted his lips to speak. “To—”
—QUAKE BEFORE ME!—
—WHERE SHE STOPS, NOBODY KNOWS.—
36
The Hunter
Had no idea how to knot a tie, me.
I’d borrowed one from among all the clothes stowed here by the Swords. The last time I’d worn a tie had been in court when my lawyer had imparted some “wisdom” to his teenage client.
I can spot a future lifer. When you’re old, staring at the bars, you’ll remember this talk. . . .
Sometimes I wished I could go back and tell him, “Not getting old, me. And you? You’ll be dead in the Flash.”
Would I survive the next battle? Seemed like there’d always been another one, my entire life nothing but. And now that the Arcana calls were live, it was only a matter of time before the King of Hell and Lady Luck struck.
When the guys had heard the calls sounding again, Joules had laughed. “Here comes the end. Hold on to your arses, laddies!”
Gabriel had murmured, “Now for the exhale.”
Sol had laughed too. “Well, I’d rather we check out early and be missed than overstay our welcome—at parties and in life.”
Kentarch’s lips had curved, his expression saying, Coming for you, Issa.
After that, Joules and Sol had called a ceasefire, putting aside their resentment. Who had time for it?
I gave my tie one last attempt. I was so nervous to see Evie and to meet the baby in person that my hands fumbled. I’d struggled over the months to tamp down what I felt, but my heart kept clamoring.
I headed out to the living area, found the guys all ready and waiting on me.
Joules—styled and sheared by Sol—wore a decent-looking suit and a smart haircut. Gabriel’s suit had slits in the back to fit around the base of his wings. He made a visible effort to keep them pinned down.
While Sol wore a bright scarf and a white blazer, Kentarch had on a camo sweater and pants, forever on mission.
Our wrapped gifts for Tee sat on the table, all stuff sourced from the hangar.
I held up my tie. “Anybody help me with this?”
Gabe raised his brows. “I’ve never tied a modern one before.”
Kentarch indicated his missing hand.
Sol blinked. “A tie? Like what old people used to wear? Let’s rethink your choices, hunter.”
“C’mere.” Joules knotted me up. “Had to wear one to mass every Sunday.”
“Thanks, podna.” I nodded at him, pleased he was giving this night a chance.
He grumbled something about the Empress’s cooking, then said, “If Calanthe could see me now, ‘styled’ by the Sun Card, and gussied up for a date with Death . . .”
Everybody got quiet. Then we all burst out laughing.
Once our laughter faded, the mood shifted, nerves setting in.
Joules said, “Are we really doin’ this? I mean, how are you goin’ to react to the Empress with Death together—and their kid?”
No sugar-coating from Joules. I shared a glance with Kentarch and said, “I’ll manage, me. We doan have time for anything else.” I’d once believed Domīnija would get a chance to stick around with Evie and Tee long enough for his son to know him. I didn’t anymore.
The game would have its due.
Which meant we were all on borrowed time, because—like the Swords—everyone in this hangar would fight to the end.
Would I be reincarnated? Didn’t feel like I would. Still not buying I was an Arcana.
Would I go to heaven or hell? Didn’t know; my Catholic beliefs were all askew.
The only things I knew for certain were that I loved Evie and that these guys were my brothers-in-arms. We’d been through so much together, clawing our way across miles and bowing up to danger.
I broke out my flask and passed it around.
Gabe took a swig, and his wings shuddered. “Whiskey has yet to grow on me. I might be immune to the appeal.”
“Not me, birdbrain!” After Joules took a hearty drink, Kentarch motioned for the flask. “You want a slug, Tarch?”
He’d never had so much as a taste. Succinct as ever: “Why not?” He took a sip, grimaced. “We’ve been hauling around bottles of this for months?”
I grinned. “I can’t say doan knock it till you’ve tried it anymore, huh?”
Sol laughed. “Only about being a demigod!”
I gazed at each of their faces, and words left my lips: “Cheers to you, podnas. The best hand I could have been dealt to ride out an apocalypse.”
37
The Empress
Dear God, it was happening.
No, not now. Not tonight. My sips of wine grew bitter on my tongue.
Lark’s eyes flashed red as she communed with a scout to locate our enemies. “Richter and Zara are coming in hot.”
I gave a humorless laugh. “You’ve been waiting months to say that.”
Her eyes cleared. “Years. Actual years,” she admitted. “They’re a couple hundred miles out.”
As we set aside our glasses, Circe sighed. “They win the timing award. I say we kill them extra just for this.”
Aric gazed out the window. “Even with tailwind, Fortune can’t fly here in under an hour. And I suspect Richter will flank or follow her.” He turned to me. “Are you ready?”
To never see my son again? No. I want everything to be different. I want peace and sunshine and a chance to build this family! Instead, I said tonelessly, “Make the call.”
Forgoing the phone, he closed his eyes and communicated with Kentarch. After a few moments, he opened his eyes. “The Chariot said they will be here in ten minutes. Without Jack. Kentarch will then transport Tee back. We need to ready ourselves and the baby.”
I nodded.
All bravado, Lark said, “Then let’s make like a shepherd and get the flock upstairs. Meet you back here.”
Circe indulged in one last sip of wine, muttering, “Kill them extra.” She and Lark headed to their rooms.
I took a precious moment to gaze back at the table. “It would have been a lovely dinner.” I tried to take consolation from the beauty of the potential.
Aric held my hand under the glittering chandelier. “Yes, love, it would have. We’ll enjoy it as a victory celebration instead.”
“Good idea,” I said, playing along. As I’d thought when I’d been my mom’s caretaker: We were both actors in our roles.