Tome of Bill (Companion): Shining Fury (13 page)

In the end, the need to know trumped everything else and I found myself acting like some kind of crazed stalker. I used my contacts at our old job – a call to our shared manager, under the guise of being social, to see how things were going with the team, learning he’d been on a conference call with Bill just an hour earlier.

It hadn’t been enough, though, and later that day I found myself paying off a cabbie while I sat in the back of his car down the block from Bill’s apartment. Three hours later, well after the sun had set, he emerged with his roommate Tom. The sigh of relief I let out at seeing him whole, however, was quickly overshadowed by a primal anger rising from somewhere deep inside of me. I didn’t stick around to find out what it meant. I ordered the driver to take me away. As we drove off, I said a silent goodbye, expecting it to be forever this time.

How was I to know he’d come looking for me?

Kelly turned and glanced behind her toward where the others were gathered. We didn’t have much time before we moved out, and at that point focus would be the name of the game.

Realizing I’d gone silent for several seconds, I continued. “My powers flared up a couple of times after that. A few by accident, and once or twice when I tried it out myself. It was that former that I think got me noticed, because the Templar approached me not too long after. I’m not entirely unashamed to say I grasped their lifeline with a death grip. I learned their ways, that the world was full of more than I’d ever imagined. I embraced my role in it. I became what they wanted me to be – the Icon, the Blessed One. I let that confidence fill me, pushing all doubt away. I would save humanity and drive the darkness back into the shadows. Fear was for normal people. I was beyond it.”

“Sounds like a pretty okay deal to me. So what happened?”

Before I could answer, Bernadette’s voice rang out. “We are ready to move out, Blessed One. Just give the word.”

“Give me a minute,” I shouted back, before lowering my voice to the barest of whispers. “What happened is I let that confidence blindly lead me by the nose and ended up getting a bullet to the face for my troubles.”

“Oh my God.”

“Exactly. Pain, fear, mortality. All of that stuff, it doesn’t go away. It was just buried, suppressed. This power, it’s almost like a drug. Well, it turns out that a fifty caliber to the head is one hell of a quick rehab.”

Kelly’s eyes scanned me, no doubt searching for evidence of a gaping hole that should have been where my face was.

“It didn’t do anything on the outside. My powers saw to that, but it was close. Too close. I thought that was it. So much for the last defender of humanity, killed on her first real adventure all because she decided to hold hands with the guy who was supposed to be her mortal enemy.”

Kelly stared for a moment before realization shone in her eyes. “That guy, Bill. He didn’t...”

I let out a laugh. “No. He wasn’t the one who shot me. It was a vampire named Remington, specially hired for the job. It was stupid of me, sloppy. I thought the fight with him was over. I thought everything was fine.”

“But it wasn’t.”

“No.”

“I mean, it wasn’t your fault.”

“I know.”

“Doesn’t sound like it was his either. Bill’s, that is.”

“I never...” My voice trailed off. What I had been about to say was a lie, at least partially. I didn’t blame Bill, that was true. The problem was, I
associated
him with it. He was the Night Spawn, the Freewill. I was the Icon. If ever there was an oil and water combination, it was us.

I couldn’t shake the sense that by thumbing my nose at it all, allowing myself to have feelings for him, that maybe the bullet had been less Remington and more fate reminding me that it wasn’t to be.

“That’s why you froze up earlier. I thought it was just surprise or maybe you ate something that didn’t agree with you.”

I smiled sheepishly. Despite the sword at my side, for a moment I felt very much like the scared girl who’d run away to New York City rather than face down her bully of a boyfriend. That seemed to be my forte: pretend to be the person everyone expected me to be only to run away when it didn’t work out. “Yep, turns out the legendary Icon isn’t quite as bulletproof as she lets on.”

Kelly let out a low chuckle. “Everyone is afraid of something. Hell, you should see me around spiders. I’m surprised I haven’t burned down any buildings yet.”

“Except I’m not supposed to be afraid. Everyone thinks I’m...”

“Well, then maybe you need to stop being who everyone else thinks you should be and just be you.”

“I’m not sure me is enough to win this.”

“Maybe not, but a little fear makes you smart enough to think before you rush in. In my book, that more than makes up for blind faith.”

I glanced up and saw Bernadette walking our way. There was so much more I wanted to say. Once the floodgate broke, it seemed the confession didn’t want to end. Unfortunately, we were out of time, so I had to settle for, “Thank you. You have no idea how much I mean that.” I paused, then added, “Just do me a favor and...”

“Hey, now we’re even. We both know each other’s dirty little secrets.”

“So we have something we need to trust the other with.”

“Yep,” Kelly said with a wry smile, “or blackmail each other with. Whatever works.”

* * *

Bernadette insisted on gathering her people for a prayer before we moved out. Over twenty men, all wearing bright scarlet robes, knelt before her. I’d demurred on the request and instead stood back, looking around at the quiet street and the buildings surrounding us. This time I saw the occasional flutter of blinds and caught glimpses of curious faces as they ducked out of sight. The Templar must have been quite the sight for anyone watching.

Well, it was time for them to know they could stop hiding, that there was once again hope in this city.

“They look like the fucking Spanish Inquisition,” Meg commented.

Okay, so maybe there was an equal chance of us scaring the crap out of anyone watching from above. In the long run, it wouldn’t matter so long as we were successful. Speaking of which... “Anything new from Christy?” I asked her.

“Nope. Been quiet. We tried reaching out while everyone was unfolding their Superman capes, but nothing. Not even a buzz of acknowledgement.”

“You still have your cell on you?”

“I tried that, too. Service works, but no answer from her end.”

“Can I borrow it?”

Meg handed it over to me. “Go nuts. I have unlimited minutes.”

I tried Bill’s number. My fingers fumbled, and I tried again, finally getting it right on the third try. I held it up to my ear and realized I had no idea what to say if he did answer. “Hi. I hope you’re all right. Sorry about almost burning your face off,” didn’t quite seem like it would cut it.

While I was pondering this, his voice began to speak into my ear. I almost whooped for joy, but then realized it was just his voicemail. Elation turned to disappointment and when at last it beeped, all I could think to say was, “Call me.”

Talk about lame. I kissed the poor guy, set him on fire, and then ran off – and that’s the best I had.

I was about to hand the phone back to Meg when I realized there was another option: Ed. I dialed and listened to the ringing, thinking at the very least I could leave him a slightly more coherent response – when the line clicked open.

Though there came no greeting, I could hear someone breathing.

“Hello? Ed?”

A loud screech sounded on the other end, almost causing me to drop the device. I put the phone to my ear again, wondering if perhaps it had been interference when I heard more. Hoots and grunts. What the hell?

There came the sound of more shuffling and then an animalistic roar before the line was finally disconnected in a strange clanking sound ... almost as if the phone had been smashed.

“Everything okay?” Meg asked.

“No,” I replied blankly as I handed her back the phone.

“What?”

“Honestly, I have no idea.” My mind, though, was racing to put form to what I’d heard. It had sounded like they were in a zoo, but that made no sense. What did, unfortunately, was something I didn’t want to contemplate. If Bill had changed again. If his darker half had somehow taken over.

I realized I’d started glowing at the thought of him transforming again. Though he’d taken steps to subdue his so-called Dr. Death side, bring it under control, we all knew it was risky. If he’d lost control, put the others in danger...

If that happened, I knew what I might have to do.

“Hey, what’s with the light show?” Meg asked. “You sensing something off?”

She didn’t know the half of it. Whatever the case, we’d wasted enough time. We had a mission to complete, a master vampire to kill. More importantly, I had to know what was happening, that my friends were okay, and – if they weren’t – steel myself for what was to come.

“That’s enough!” I said, raising my voice above the din of prayer still going on nearby. “It’s time for us to move.”

The Templar raised their heads. Bernadette turned, a brief look of annoyance crossing her face, before quickly adding, “Amen!” to whatever she’d been saying.

Her men echoed the response and got to their feet.

I drew my sword and held it high. “Weapons out. The enemy has taken enough from this city. It’s time we take it back for those who can’t stand up to this evil.”

As far as speeches went, it wasn’t something that would win anyone an Academy Award were this a war movie, but I didn’t care.

I next turned my gaze upon the three witches. “Ladies, if you wouldn’t mind. I think we should let the bad guys know we’re here and that we’re coming for them.”

It was like watching a daytime fireworks display. Red, green, and even a few balls of purple energy exploded in the sky above us, high above the nearby building tops. Had this not been deadly serious work, I might have enjoyed the show. Judging by the looks on Kelly and Veronica’s faces, they definitely were.

We marched down the empty streets of Chinatown, heading in the direction of the car wash that had once served to hide the former seat of vampire power in the northeast.

Assuming we met with no resistance, we’d easily make it there within the hour.

However, I was expecting resistance. Heck, I was counting on it.

We’d started this mission as one of stealth. That hadn’t worked out so well for us. Now we were out in the open, blatantly thumbing our noses at the powers that be. If this didn’t draw their attention, well, then we’d have to get creative. Considering the disparate group I was with, I was both curious and a little terrified to see what that could mean.

However, such concerns were for naught. Within fifteen minutes, we heard the first sirens. They were quickly joined by more – a lot more by the sound of it.

The night before, we’d been taken by surprise. This time, it was our turn.

I nodded toward Meg. A half dozen Templar stepped toward her, most of them looking quite nervous.

“Gather round, boys,” she said, “but watch those hands. Anyone cops a feel and I’m leaving you in Limbo.”

“She’s kidding,” I quickly added.

“You take all the fun out of life,” she replied with a smile.

“Just remember...”

“I know, I know. I heard you the first twelve times,
Mom
.”

Before I could say another word, she and her team vanished in a flash of unearthly light.

I spared a glance toward Kelly.

“She’s a bitch, but she’s
our
bitch,” she said.

I repressed a grin and grabbed the radio clipped to my belt. “They’re coming.”

“
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
” came the response from Bernadette.

“As apt a quote as I can think of right now.”

“
Lord be with you.
”

“You too.” I ended the exchange just as the first police cruiser came into view.

“White Mother, watch over us,” Veronica said to my left. Kelly turned to stare at her, to which she amended, “Sorry. Force of habit.”

I wasn’t sure what they meant, but I replied, “I think it’s safe to say we should take whatever help we can get.”

* * *

We assumed a modern-day phalanx position. Me and the witches were out front and center. Templar knights, led by Vincent, formed two rows on either side of us, the front low while the one in the rear prepared to aim high.

It wasn’t lost upon me that I was potentially sandwiched between two groups who would very shortly exchange gunfire. Disciplined as the Templar were, the chaos that was about to ensue could cause nearly anything to happen.

“Are you okay?” Kelly asked quietly.

“Huh?” I turned toward her. “What?”

“Your hands.”

I glanced down and, sure enough, they were trembling.

Kelly took my right in her left. “Be who you are, not who they expect you to be.”

Her words of encouragement touched me, perhaps even deeper than I was willing to admit. For a moment, my vision became blurred with wetness, not an ideal scenario when an enemy convoy was quickly bearing down upon you.

Nevertheless, I wouldn’t have traded that feeling for the world. Not for the confidence of a thousand Shining Ones.

Still, there was work to be done. I gave Kelly’s hand a brief squeeze before letting go. “You’re up,” I said. Mindful of the mixed company, I lowered my voice and added, “Give them hell.”

* * *

The first wave of police cars came at us three wide, one careening up onto the sidewalk, seemingly not caring what it plowed through along the way. More were behind them, quite the parade from this angle, and all in our honor.

At the speed they were moving, they would barrel over us in seconds.

We had slightly different plans, though.

Kelly and Veronica spread their hands wide out in front of them.

“Thirty seven!” Kelly shouted.