Twisting around, I found Pedro floating in front of the rear vaults wearing a somber expression.
“How?” I searched him for an exit wound, but there was too much blood. “Did Kierce…?”
“As soon as he stopped screaming, it shot from the left side of his ribs.” Pedro indicated the far corner. “I lost it when it ricocheted. The door was open, so it might have gotten out, but I don’t think so.”
“Okay.” I reached inside myself, deep into my core of power, and used the same method that helped me identify the Alcheyvaha bones to locate my own. I found it wedged between two drawers. Impact hadn’t chipped it or cracked it, and it held its bullet shape. “Phew.” As gross as it was to hold on to a gory bit of toe, I tucked it in my pocket. “I wouldn’t want that to fall into the wrong hands.”
“The damage kicked his healing into overdrive, and his body ejected the bullet.” Harrow stuck his head in. “That’s my guess. Shifters heal that way. They purge foreign materials to avoid infection.”
For a second, I had almost credited Dis Pater with patching up his investment. “That makes sense.”
“Carter and Josie have made a bed in the back of the wagon.” He shoved the ruined door aside for easier access. “Jean-Claude and I will carry Kierce out and get him settled when you give the word.”
“Hey.” I twisted to face him. “Thank you. For helping with Kierce.”
“Magic is easier for me to use in service to others.” He ducked his head. “Maybe that’ll change one day.”
To accept his power was to accept himself, and I wanted both those things for him. “Maybe so.”
“We packed your things,” Josie called in. “As soon as you say your goodbyes, we’re ready to go.”
“We’ve got the box for the Suarezes,” Matty added. “We just need to find Pascal.”
“He went to say his goodbyes.” I forced myself to my feet. “He probably just needs someone to let him in.”
Behind them, I heard Rollo volunteer, and I picked my way out of the crypt to find Vi standing there. The look on her face wasn’t encouraging, and I could guess why. “Any word from Lucia?”
There was always a chance Ithas left before she made her move—she struck me as the cautious type—but anger could turn anyone reckless. With phones useless in Abaddon, we had no way of checking in on her and no easy path to offer help even if she could ask for assistance.
“She’s running late to say her goodbyes. That’s all,cher. Don’t you worry.” She gathered my hands in her soft ones.“Lucky for you both, she can portal to Thunderbolt and do the honors there.” Her fingers grew damp in mine. “You’re sure you’re not angry with me for contacting her?”
“You saved me, so I can’t be mad about that.” I chose my words with care. “I’m glad to understand how I came to be. Even if it wasn’t the sort of origin story anyone wants for themselves, I can make peace with my peculiarities knowing it’s not lacking talent or skill that kept me from becoming a necromancer. I was never Society material anyway.”
“You’re safe from them now, and that’s not nothing if you’re going to remain so near Savannah.”
“We worked so hard to make a home there. I don’t want to abandon it. We might not get a choice, but it would be nice to walk River Street sometimes and not have to keep glancing over my shoulder in case an overzealous sentinel decides to pick a fight.”
“Well, New Orleans will always welcome you with open arms.” She wrapped me in hers. “So will I.”
“I love you, Vi.” I kissed her smooth cheek. “You’re the best.”
“I love you too.” She sniffled and withdrew. “Check in as soon as things are settled, yeah?”
“I will.”
“Take these.” Rollo slapped two feather-and-bone charms into my hand. “Snap the bone when you’re ready. It’ll take care of…” he made a vague gesture to my bloody state, “…all that.”
“Aww.” I tucked them in my pocket then flung myself at him, embracing him. “Thanks, Rollo.”
“Merde.”He flung me off him, wiping at the stains I left on him. “Why the hell you do that?”
“I just wanted to show you my appreciation.”
“Next time, do it over there.” He walked off cursing. “Fuckingmaringouin.”
Chuckling at Rollo’s tantrum, Jean-Claude scooped me up in a hug that left my feet dangling.
“You better not wait so long to come back.” He squeezed me tight. “We miss you around here.”
