Bran’s eyes lit up, then dimmed. “How the heck are we going to find this power plant?”
There was no disguising my grin. “We’re in a library, and libraries carry information. All we need to do is find a map.”
Chapter Four
The map was easy enough to find. The library had a small tourist information center, and whatever magick held this place in its thrall had perfectly preserved the leaflets on display. Finding our location hadn’t been hard; the map was pictorial, probably for children to use, and the library was a you are here dot. The power plant was three streets over on an industrial estate. The thought of going back outside made my skin crawl but it was our only shot at getting out of here. The kids would be hungry and thirsty soon, and then what? The bulk of our supplies had been lost in our mad dash for survival.
Anya?
Azazel’s voice drifted out to me from the stacks, and, pocketing the leaflet for reference, I stepped between the shelves. It was close and dim and safe surrounded by books.
“Azazel?”
I’m here, Anya.
“How are you feeling?”
I’ll live but I can’t take form, not even my incorporeal form. The power I drew from the creatures was tainted. It’s like a sickness but I’m fighting it. I just need a little more time. I’ll be of no aid to you out there. I cannot affect the world around me if I am unable to coalesce.
The panic I thought I had in check flared like a hungry flame. “You’re not just saying you’re okay to make me feel better, are you? I mean, you’re not going to die while I’m gone?” A low rumble filled my head, staunching the anxiety. If he could laugh, then he’d be okay. “I so want to hug you right now.”
A long silence. We’re no longer children, Anya.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
A sigh. Nothing. Just be safe. Be wise and be wary.
My pulse sped up, because out there was like nothing I’d ever dealt with, and being wise and wary wasn’t going to help. Being fast and stealthy would. “I’ll be careful.” Another thought hit me. “Are you going to be able to run with the others?”
I am nothing to the creatures out there. I will be fine.
“But you can’t stay here. The whole place could shift at any time. It could...It could take you away.”
Anya, I am a creature who knows how to survive. You of all people should know this.
Leaving Azazel to his convalescence, I headed back into the library’s study area. Bran was loading his gun and Helgi was whispering to June.
She stopped when she caught sight of me. “You good to go?”
“Yeah.”
“Bran’s going to cover us, shoot as many of those fuckers as he can to buy us time to escape.”
“Us?”
Her brows shot up. “I’m coming with you.”
“No. You need to stay with the kids. Get them out as soon as the power goes down.” I strode over to the nearest window and peered out. The spider thingies had backed off a bit, but they weren’t showing signs of leaving. “As soon as they go down you get the heck out and head for the border to leave this fucked-up place. I’ll be right behind you.”
Helgi shook her head. “Nope. My idea’s better. We both go, shut down the power, and then head back here and get the kids out. Together.”
“Helgi, we don’t know how the power in this place works. I could shut it down, but what if it doesn’t stay off. Every second counts.”
“And you need backup. You need someone to keep the shit off your back while you work your tech magick.”
She had a point.
“Go,” Bran said. “Nile and I can take care of the kids. We’ll get them out. You just catch up when you can.” He pulled a short sword from a sheath at his hip and held it out to Helgi. “You’ll need this.”
“Thanks.”
My pack was by the entrance. Taking it was not an option if I wanted to be able to fight unhindered. But the mercs had enough to carry, and it wouldn’t be fair to add my pack to the load. Slipping the book out of the bag, I tucked it into my waistband at the small of my back.
A shadow fell over me. “The little ones are scared...” June gnawed on her bottom lip.
And so was she, but being the eldest came with its own set of unique responsibilities, one June took seriously.
I squeezed her hand. “It’s going to be okay. I promise.”
Her smile wobbled. “Can you tell them that?”
How did I tell the kids their nightmares weren’t real when we’d literally walked into one? There were no words to make sense of what was happening to us. No pretty half-truths to soothe them, so the bald-faced truth would have to do. I approached the minicamp they’d made under the huge table. June had managed to find a rug and some cushions from a sofa at the back of the library. Gemma and Neddie sat, arms wrapped around each other, and Stefan was gaunt-cheeked and smudge-eyed.
I crouched down to their level. “Hey guys, how are you holding up?”
Gemma sniffed but remained dry-eyed. She was a hard nut. Stefan’s gaze slid over my shoulder to the window, a thin barrier between us and them.
“I know you must be scared. I’m scared too, but I promise you that I’m going to do everything in my power to get us all out of here. Okay?”
“What are you going to do?” Stefan asked. There was no challenge in his tone, just genuine curiosity.
“I’m going to make sure they stop working, and to do that I’ll need to go back outside.”
“No!” the twins said in unison.
My heart squeezed with love for them. “I’ll be fine. Trust me. I have Helgi with me and we’re going to shut off the power that makes them work.”
“Like take out the batteries?” Neddie asked.
“Yes, like that. And then you guys are going to make a run for it with Bran and Nile. They’ll be in charge.”
Gemma shook her head. “Not going without you.”
“I’ll catch up to you, I promise.” I smoothed her hair back from her face. “I’m not going to lie to you. I have no idea what else is out there, but I do know that we have to try to get out, because staying here indefinitely is not an option.”
Gemma pressed her lips together, her eyes welling.
“What if your plan doesn’t work?” Stefan asked in a small voice. “What if you can’t stop them?”
Oh lord. “Then we’ll think of another way.”
Helgi joined us. “Anya, we need to get going.”
I made to stand but the kids jumped me in a group hug, their tiny hearts beating way too fast, reminding me that their lives were in my hands and there was no way I’d be letting them down.
With a final squeeze I released them and stood up. “Let’s get this done.”
The boom of gunshots and the crackle of metal drowned out the thud of my boots as we sprinted away from the library and down the street. But they were on us, riding the power lines either side of us, scuttling and jumping across rooftops. The trick was to keep moving. We sprinted in a weaving pattern, dodging their jumps and swipes. No need to talk or give instructions—we were connected.