The berserker jogged beside her, a question in his eyes when she used her blade to kill an enemy instead of using her claws.
“The witch stole my fucking monster,” she said. “But I’m going to get it back.”
He just nodded.
He’d scooped Cree up and carried her as they left the hilltop. Cree didn’t argue. Lex unscrewed the cap from a small, transparent container of water and offered it to Cree, and Rune could see in the bird’s eyes that she gave the water back long before she’d slaked her thirst.
Cree had changed.
“Did you make it into the Flesh Shimmer?” Rune asked, keeping her voice casual.
Lex was the one to answer. “I don’t think so but I’m not sure. Why?”
“I wondered if you’d met Brasque Dray.”
“What do you need to tell us, Rune?” Strad asked.
She couldn’t just blurt out that his son was there. “Probably a lot of things.”
He was staring at her with narrowed eyes when she glanced at him, but Lex changed the subject. “So how do we find the witch?”
“I’ve been told I am the daughter of Skyll,” Rune said. “Part of Mother Skyll lives inside me…” she shook her head. “I know it’s crazy, but some fucked-up shit has gone on in this world. Anyway, she should be able to track Damascus. At least that’s what I’m hoping.”
“Are you picking up her trail?” Strad asked.
“No. But that doesn’t mean I won’t.”
“Tell us everything,” Lex requested.
So while they ran, she told them as much as she could. She started with her reunion with Z, and ended with her time in the witch’s dim.
“We knew who the princess was as soon as we heard the word uttered.” Lex grinned, then dropped her smile. “Sucks about Damascus being…you know. Part of you.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Rune said. “It did for a little while, but now she’s just the evil I have to put down to protect the worlds. Nothing more.”
“We,” Strad said.
But Rune shook her head. “I don’t know, Berserker. I have a feeling when it comes down to it, it’s going to be me against the witch.”
But he was there. Lex was there.
“How did you two get here?”
“Gunnar sent Dawn to lead us. He said you were going to need our help.” Strad swiveled his head, watching for threats, and didn’t look at her.
Lex glared. “Yeah, after you nearly destroyed the poor old guy.”
“You were dying and Rune was gone.” Strad’s voice was hard. “He was going to help us get here or he was going to suffer until I killed him.”
“Where’s Dawn?” Rune asked.
“When we…landed, she wasn’t there. Maybe she didn’t make it off the path.”
“You don’t look like you’re having a hard time with withdrawals,” Rune said, a question in her voice.
“It’s been less than a week,” Lex replied. “The twins are good, also. Much more worried about you than about the withdrawals they may get.”
Rune stumbled. “Less than a week? What do you mean, a week?”
“You left six days ago,” Lex answered.
“Then there’s something fucked up about time,” Rune said. “I’ve been here for a hell of a lot longer than a week.” Every day on Skyll was like a fucking week.
But she relaxed a little more. The twins were okay.
Then she had to ask. “How is everyone? What’s happening with the rotters?”
“Ellis is fine, Rune.” Lex smiled. “Oh! I almost forgot.” She sheathed her blades and pulled something from around her neck. “Ellie said to give you this, and he wouldn’t listen to arguments. So here. Put it on.” She tossed the object to Rune.
Rune held it up. “Fuck me,” she whispered. “Oh, Ellie, you crazy little shit.”
It was the fang—his only protection against the final bite that would turn him. Nothing frightened him more than turning.
And he’d sent his protection to her.
“He thought it might have more defense than just against vampires, and he wanted to do what he could to help you. He said…”
“Yes?” Rune prompted, her heart aching.
“He said he didn’t really want to live in a world without his heart anyway.”
Rune couldn’t speak. She missed him and his sweet innocence so badly she could barely breathe. “I need to see him,” she murmured.
“Of course you do,” Lex said. “And you will. Soon as you go back.”
“Yeah.” Rune’s voice was grim. “Yeah. Maybe.”
“You’re thinking about staying?” Strad’s eyes showed nothing.
“Z is here.” But her voice was so low she wasn’t sure they could hear her.