The Immortal Coil (20 page)

“I’ll show you where they are,” I told him, leading the way upstairs.

Lyle stopped to stare at the wreckage of the containment unit as we passed by the lab I had been held in. It looked a lot worse than I realized at the time. Broken glass and twisted metal mixed with the blood-stained robes and ashes of the fallen Strigoi who thought they could keep me as their pet. “Jesus, what happened here?” he asked.

“Me.”

Getting back to New York had been no easy task, and the kindness of strangers seemed more fictional than anything I had seen the past few days. But I couldn’t blame anyone for steering clear of the two foul-smelling, mangy foreigners talking to each other about supernatural conspiracies.

Fortunately, we had found a gas station outside Frankfurt where we were able to wash up a little and get directions to the nearest airport. Lyle and I came up with a plan to make enough money for plane tickets and clean clothes at the duty-free store. Or rather, I came up with it, and after much convincing, he contributed his expertise as an officer of the law. I had no way of withdrawing money from my bank without a physical card or any form of legitimate ID. Lyle was a murder suspect, so strolling into the US Embassy wasn’t going to work. We had no choice but to steal what we needed.

Officer Turner knew all the tricks that pickpockets used, and put them to good effect by distracting unsuspecting victims. We did have something normal thieves didn’t, and that was telekinesis. It didn’t take us long to collect enough money and I got good practice at more delicate manipulation of my powers. Resorting to this brought on a disheartening feeling, but I got used to it more quickly than I should have.

“Hey, can I talk to you about something?” Lyle asked as our train pulled away from JFK Airport. It seemed odd to me that he’d have reservations about anything by now, but I had a feeling I knew what was on his mind. In a stroke of fortunate irony, or possibly clever deception, Vivian had presented Lyle with fake passports and matching IDs for both of us right before we confronted Rozalin in the chateau. He was adamant that Vivian was trying to help us escape, but I wasn’t so easily convinced.

“Yeah, what is it?”

“It’s about Vivi. I get why we shouldn’t trust them, but we have to look at their kind as people too. She saved my life twice. I at least owe her the benefit of the doubt. Innocent until proven guilty, remember? I know you think it’s because they wanted to keep us around to help, but while you were gone and I was recovering she went out of her way to keep me company.” I could tell he wanted me to ask just how out of the way she went, but I wasn’t interested in hearing about their pillow talk. “Noah and Vivi aren’t the ones who want us dead; it was an order they couldn’t refuse.”

“You’re a cop. If you’re given an order you don’t believe in to that extreme would you follow it?”

“No, I’d do what I feel is right. But we’re talking about a whole different ballgame here. You saw how they can mess with each other’s minds. They’re not given the choice to stand up for what they believe.”

“It’s not like I’m in any position to be a threat to them, if that’s what you’re worried about now, but you’re also giving them too much credit. We’re nobody to them.”

“I’m not saying we’re in love or that we’re even friends, but I honestly feel that they’re capable of some compassion. Aurelia’s probably pissed about her home being trashed, and doesn’t trust us any more than she does Vance.”

“So she tries to have us killed? That’s taking it a little far.”

“If she were any other woman I’d say bring her some flowers or jewelry and work the rest out under the sheets, if you know what I mean.”

“Not really,” I stated flatly. Sex was the last thing on my mind right now, but judging by the childish grin on his face I could tell Lyle wasn’t on the same page.

“Oh right, yeah. How’s that work with two guys? Do you get each other flowers? Do you even like flowers, or is that just a stereotype?”

“Lyle, just … just stop.”

“I’m serious! How else am I supposed to know if I don’t ask? You must’ve had a boyfriend or something before, right?”

“Not really.”

I was involved with someone, but I didn’t want to honor what we had with a title. It started the summer before my senior year. We met at the gym where I worked and connected over our love of baseball. He didn’t seem like the type to be interested in guys; he played on the school baseball team and did hockey on the side. Everything happened so fast and he took the lead each step of the way. Soon we were texting each other like a couple and going on dates that ended in my first kiss. Seven months later and he never missed a chance to wish me goodnight and good morning, always followed by how much he was in love with me. I was so happy I didn’t even mind that we had to check no one was watching when we held hands, or make sure not to walk too close together or lean in to talk to each other at dinner.

Christmas week I was at the mall shopping for his gift when I see him there at the food court. He had his arms around this girl I had never seen before. I stood there debating whether I should go up to him or not until they started kissing. I felt so betrayed I was nauseous. I wanted to ask him what was going on, but I was afraid I would start crying. They walked passed me as they left and he just looked right through me like I didn’t exist.

I didn’t think I’d ever hear from him again, but he texted me that night asking what I was doing as if nothing happened a few hours earlier. I asked if he was with his girlfriend and he said yes without any hesitation. Then he tells me I was a mistake, he wanted a ‘real’ relationship and to get married one day and have a family. I guess in the end I learned that no matter how many types of people there are in the world, heartbreak is universal.

“I’m kinda scared to see what she’s gonna look like.” Lyle watched anxiously as the streets flew by the train window. “The city, I mean.”

“I’m more worried about the others like me. They’re out there somewhere.”

“Yeah, but if we stop the Carpathians they should be safe,” Lyle said as we passed through the tunnel into Manhattan.

“But for how long? And how do we save an entire city?”

“We made it this far, right? There’s a lot fewer of them than there were yesterday, so I’d say we’re doing pretty well. Their biggest mistake was making so many enemies, but I guess history really is doomed to repeat itself.”

“True. No matter how much I keep saying I don’t want to fight I never seem to be able to stop. I hate feeling like everything’s been predetermined for me.”

“You wanted to stop Rozalin, didn’t you? We all have a common enemy; it doesn’t mean you’re being controlled.”

“I was only there to get Vance until she started messing with me about my parents. Then I wanted revenge.”

“That’s natural.”

“But is it healthy?”

“Nothing wrong with fighting if it’s for the right reason.”

“I want to do the right thing. I just don’t want it to turn me into something I may not like along the way,” I said. Whether or not my DNA or my soul dictated if I was human, I still wanted to believe I was. I’d felt like an outcast ever since I found out I was different. I constantly repressed the thought that maybe my powers were the first step to transforming into a real monster. My fear was that when my parents and everyone else found out they would turn on me and I would be alone … or dead.

Besides the charming facade of the Archios, I was genuinely happy to find others that were different from “normal” humans too. Now, being normal seemed so insignificant. I was fighting in a war I didn’t believe in and never knew existed. For all their years of wisdom, the covens were no less close-minded than the humans they laughed at. There was no one big bad guy for us to defeat. Everyone involved had had some hand in fueling the fire that now engulfed us all. I didn’t want to fight and take a side, yet my personal choice in all of this seemed not to matter. It felt inevitable that my power to cause destruction would come to define me.

“Hey man, excuse me. What’s the situation like in the city right now?” Lyle asked the man who checked our tickets as we pulled into Penn Station. “I hear there’s some trouble going on.”

“You boys must be from out of town. You picked a bad time to go on vacation.” The burly man broke out in a hoarse smoker’s cough. “Sightseein’ during the day is all right, but if you’re lookin’ for the good ol’ nightlife maybe you should’ve gone to Vegas this time around.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked. It was reassuring to hear the city was still standing, but this was making me wary. We were so out of touch with the news.

“Curfew started up a few days ago. Everything shuts down after nine. If the police catch you on the street you’re gonna get a hefty fine or thrown in jail overnight.”

“They can do that?” I turned to Lyle.

“Sure can,” the gentleman answered and began rummaging through his jacket pockets for a lozenge. “Orders from higher up. They’re saying it’s because of some gangs that moved in causing trouble. Hogwash if you ask me. I haven’t seen any gangs and I’ve been here thirty years. You know what I think it really is?”

Lyle and I stared blankly, waiting for him to continue.

“Terrorists,” he whispered. “I hear people been getting sick whole buildings at a time. Sounds more like that biological warfare malarkey we were hearing about all the time a few years back. That stuff got swept right under the rug, didn’t it?”

“Thanks, man, we’ll keep our eyes open,” Lyle said as we turned to leave.

“You’re quite welcome,
Officer
.”

“What did he say?” We whispered to each other and turned back around. The car door closed. He smiled at us through the window as it pulled away.

“That was messed up,” Lyle complained. “How’d he know I’m a cop?”

“What time is it?” I left to find the board with all the track times for the railroad.

“I’ve never seen Penn Station this empty,” Lyle said, catching up to me.

The station was desolate except for a few other passengers leaving the platforms and the NYPD on patrol. All the shops were closing up for the night. It was the same weird vibe as being in a mall after hours.

“8:54.” Lyle pointed to the track information. “This place really does shut down by nine. Trains don’t start up again until 5:30 AM. We’re not getting out of the city until morning unless we walk across the bridge, but I bet it’s heavily guarded.”

“We didn’t come here to leave.”

“Okay, badass. I was just planning ahead in case things get too crazy. I guess now you’re cool with joining the fight again?” he asked.

“I’m not, I just want it over with.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t let you turn evil,” Lyle assured me as we climbed the stairs out to the street.

“I don’t think it’s something you can stop.”

“Well, Vance did say he wasn’t sure if you could live through decapitation.”

I tried not to laugh. “I need new friends,” I muttered under my breath.

“Oh come on, you know I’m joking. I’d try shooting you first.”

“You’re starting to sound like Noah,” I jabbed back at him.

“Please, promise you’ll shoot me if I ever get like that.”

Up on 34th Street the police were ushering civilians home and directing traffic as it thinned out to just a few taxis and buses making their final rounds. The city that never slept grew quiet around us. The lights were all still in full effect, giving the empty streets an abandoned feeling.

“Move along, guys,” an officer politely ordered us as we hung around taking it all in. Lyle kept his head down to avoid eye contact in case he was recognized.

“What’s the curfew for?” I asked.

“Just a temporary precaution. Gangs have been active in certain areas at night. We’re keeping civilians off the street until we can sort everything out.”

I thanked the cop for the information and hurried off with Lyle as if we knew where we were going.

“Back in France Vivi said the Archios were working on condemning buildings. We know my apartment is one, and probably the hotel where we were sent is too. There won’t be anybody left in those buildings by now, but that’s ground zero. We start there and work our way out.”

“One building could have hundreds of those creatures in it, not to mention we can’t get caught by the police or anybody helping to clear them out. So how should we do this?” Lyle asked.

“Pick a building, dive in, and don’t get caught.”

“Fair enough. I had to lose my gun back in Germany, so I’m gonna need a weapon for when shit goes down.”

We stuck to residential side streets as much as possible while heading uptown. Police cars were on full patrol, but mostly stuck to the major avenues. Lyle and I had to duck between buildings and behind dumpsters when the occasional patrol would pass, but we were making steady progress. The good part of the curfew was that it would be easy to hear anything going on.

A police siren ahead stopped us from trying to race across Fifth Avenue unseen. We froze, hiding around the corner and hoping they would pass, but then came the sound of a car door opening and closing.

“Sir, do you know what time it is?” we heard a female officer ask.

“Yes,” a man’s voice wheezed. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I live just up ahead. I was stuck finishing late at the office when the trains stopped and I couldn’t find a taxi and …”

I peered around the corner and spotted a portly, disheveled gentleman in his late fifties wearing an ill-fitting brown suit talking to the policewoman. He was clutching a briefcase overflowing with papers in one hand and a laptop case in the other.