Horsemen's War (The Rebellion Chronicles #3) - Steve McHugh Page 0,82
and I wonder if Gawain being in Washington might make Lamashtu try to free him. Seems logical.”
“We should have killed Gawain,” Lucifer said.
“Not disagreeing,” I told him.
“Lamashtu would break him out?”
I nodded. “Again, it’s what I’d do. Gawain knows too much. You break him out, or you kill him. One way or another, problem solved.”
“Lamashtu is old,” Lucifer said. “Really old. And deadly. I’ve only ever met her twice, and the first time was because someone hired her to kill me. I literally had to fake my own death to stop her from coming after me.”
“And the second time?”
“I caught her butchering a family in Belgium during the First World War. She just about escaped with her life, although I doubt she enjoyed being shot in the face a bunch of times.”
“So now she knows you’re alive,” I said.
“I think she has bigger issues,” Lucifer told me.
“She could be anyone,” I said.
“She needs to taste the blood of the victim,” Lucifer said. “That’s her link. So yes, I guess she really could be anyone.”
“At any point are you going to try to make me feel better?” I asked.
“No,” Lucifer said.
I noticed Zamek making his way toward us.
“We’re ready,” Zamek said.
“Any traps?” I asked.
“Shitloads of them,” Zamek said. “Most of it rune based, and most of it done in the last few decades. Some of it is ancient, though.”
“I assume they’re all gone,” Lucifer said.
“Yes,” Zamek said. “The dwarves went through; they activated the gate on their end. There were enemies there, but they’ve been taken care of. But one of the dwarves said it was weird.”
“Define weird,” I said.
“You’ll see. Let’s go.” Zamek motioned for us both to get up.
“I’m going to the realm gate temple first,” I told him. “I need to see Layla.”
Zamek nodded. “Sure, don’t be long.”
I reached the realm gate temple to find Chloe and Layla sitting outside with Piper.
“I thought you were in the hospital,” I said.
“I felt better,” Piper said.
“You look like shit,” I told her, which made her smile.
“Motivational speeches still aren’t your thing, are they?” Chloe said.
“I’m heading back to Shadow Falls,” Piper said. “Just wanted some air. The hospital needed the room for someone who’s really hurt.”
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“She’ll get the care and support she needs in Shadow Falls,” Chloe said. “And it’s safer there.”
Tego padded out of the temple and stopped next to me so I could scratch her behind the ear.
“You have a job for us?” Layla asked.
I nodded. “Lamashtu is on the Earth realm,” I said. “I’m pretty sure she’ll head to Washington, DC.”
“To get Gawain?” Chloe asked.
I nodded.
“That’s what you’d have done, isn’t it?” Chloe asked me.
I nodded again.
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re pretty scary?” Piper asked.
“It’s come up once or twice,” I told her.
“You want me to take a team to DC?” Layla asked.
“Your picks are going to be a bit limited, unfortunately, but I don’t think Gawain is done,” I said. “He surrendered too easily, and no matter how many people are guarding him, Arthur is going to consider him either a useful ally or a threat. Both reasons give his pet shape-shifter a motivation to get to him.”
“Chloe will go with her,” Piper said. “She’ll argue with me about it when you’re gone, but she will.”
Chloe looked like she wanted to argue with her about it now.
“Look, just take who you need to,” I said. “But go to Shadow Falls first, make sure Piper is okay, and then head to Washington. Roberto should be able to tell you if he’s seen anything weird.”
“What’s her endgame?” Layla asked.
I shrugged. “She tried to kill Piper and me. I can’t imagine that she was here to do either, though. Piper was to escape, and me was because she had the opportunity to. Who knows what her endgame is. If you find out, let me know.”
“We’ll head over,” Layla said. “I’ll go straight to DC and speak to Roberto; these guys can head over to Shadow Falls and make sure Piper is in good hands.”
“I’m sorry you won’t have more assistance,” I said. “Do not engage Lamashtu alone. She’s more than a little dangerous.”
“I won’t,” Layla said. “Be careful in Atlantis.”
Tego licked my hand.
“I will be,” I said and turned to Tego. “Keep her safe.”
Tego snorted as if to say, What else am I going to do?
I left everyone outside the realm gate and headed back to the palace, walking past dozens of soldiers who were guarding the entrance.