Page 187 of Remnants: Disruption
He stares at me for a few seconds before bursting into a fit of somewhat manic laughter. “Holy shit, Skovsgaard, when did you go from a mild mannered, depressed PI to a fucking battle general?”
“I’m still depressed,” I say, letting out a laugh. “I just have a purpose now.”
“Did you say something about Bloody Mary?” Lucille asks, her voice a little timid.
“I did,” I say, turning to her. “She’s the only one who can stand against Darkrend. You’ve been lied to your whole life about her. All of you have. She’s neither a monster nor a legend—though she is extraordinary.”
The other three stare at me for a long moment. Like I’d just sprouted horns and began bleating like a goat.
“Oh, shit,” Ana chirps, sounding delighted. “You’re in love with her.”
“Deeply,” I say, grinning a little at the thought. “Though that’s a relatively new development.”
“In love with Bloody fucking Mary,” Kronos mumbles, a sort of disbelieving note in his voice. “Of course.”
Ana laughs again and I feel a buzz against my thigh.
“Hold on,” I say, turning to Azazel. “Can you clean this up? I’m going to return to the Citadel.”
“The cage for the were—for the subject should open at your command. We will be fine here for some time. Bast reported that the other tower is secure. Morgana has just notified me that RISE is setting up operations near the border between us and New Chicago, but there have not yet been any further attacks.”
I nod before answering the phone.
“Arya, what is happening?” Cass’ voice sounds stronger and most definitely frustrated. Someone like her is bound to be incensed by the idea of being bedridden.
“Well, we’ve secured the mega-buildings in the Casket. We’re going to staff them with acolytes and other Remnants who can keep the people safe while you and I see to figuring out what’s actually going on.”
Cass lets out a low breath. “What happened?”
I chew on my bottom lip before deciding honesty would be the best policy. “We made it in time to find RISE rolling up in force. One thing led to another, and we’ve definitely started a skirmish—if not a war.”
She’s silent for a moment before she responds in a near whisper.
“Why has Darkrend just not ended us?”
I falter in step as I reach the door to the bar.
“I—” I let out a breath. “I don’t know. He’s clearly working towards something. He didn’t want me dead. At least not yet. We’re missing something.”
“Very well,” Cass sounds exhausted. “I will await your message.”
I hang up and give Azazel quick thumbs up before falling into the shadows.
The Cradle reappears around me, and I look up to see the still-suspended werewolf. He startles at my reappearance, standing to glare down at me.
“What kind of sick fuck leaves me up here?” his growl is downright animal—which makes sense, I guess.
“I could ask you the same,” I retort and, before I can even prepare for it, the cage dissolves.
He lets out a shriek that sounds much more human before I lasso a shadow around his thicker leg.
The werewolf lands roughly on the stone floor. His body is entirely fur, but like the other werewolves, he’s biped. It’s like ahuge dire wolf just decided to stand up and develop opposable thumbs.
“It’s funny,” I say, wrapping him tightly in thick tendrils of shadow, “you’re about to be vital in saving us from Darkrend—and you’re not even remotely worthy of it.”
He lets out a grunt of protest, but the band around his snout holds firm.
I pull out my phone and tap Cass’ contact—still the only one on the list.
