The Queen of Smiles (Stories From a Post-Break World) by Chris Tullbane

Author:Chris Tullbane [Tullbane, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Ghost Falls Press
Published: 2022-11-21T16:00:00+00:00

•—•—•

Evan and Two-Feathers were gone, which told me precisely fucking nothing I hadn’t already seen for myself. I felt the storm surge inside of me, heard its metal growl fill the grove, as Jules took a step back, hands raised. His mouth was moving but I couldn’t hear the words.

Why couldn’t I hear the words?

A few seconds later, the answer came to me; I’d set the storm free without even realizing it. I reformed my shell in the middle of a newly made clearing, fresh lumber scattered about me, shredded leaves falling to the ground like rain.

“Start at the beginning,” I said, unwilling to admit that I hadn’t heard a word Jules had said. “What happened?”

“We entered the fort on the other bank just fine,” said Jules, voice tight. “Got told the ferry wouldn’t be leaving until today and found a spot to hole up in overnight. We got a few looks, especially Selene and Two-Feathers, but had no real issues from the locals. Same with the ferry ride itself. Took forever, took more of the advance money you gave me, but we were on our way.”

“And then?” I couldn’t keep the metal out of my voice, couldn’t keep the storm from raging within its shell.

“Everything went to shit when we reached this side of the river. First, they wanted more money to unload the horses. Then, they tried to take your bike as contraband. I paid those people off, but someone must have been unhappy with their cut, because we were jumped on our way from the dock. We all knew better than to fight back, so we scattered, but…”

“But?”

“Miles has got to be pushing sixty, Queenie. They ran him down and started in on him, fists and boots. And when Two-Feathers saw—”

“He went back to save him.”

“Yeah. Only there was a column of soldiers passing through town from the south, and they had Immortals with them. A Beast Shifter and a Lightbringer both.”

If I had eyes, I’d have closed them. Two-Feathers was hell on wheels, but he was a long way from indestructible.

“I would have gone back for them,” said Jules, his tone so earnest I almost believed him, “but there were too many soldiers; they’d have taken me too. I knew I needed to find Cross and Selene and get here to tell you what had happened.”

I wanted to rage, and the storm did too. The job came first, always, but you didn’t just leave men behind to be—

Wait. “Taken, not killed?”

He nodded. “Those soldiers passing through had a wagon train with them. Three cages on wheels, chock full of prisoners to be processed. They added Miles and Two-Feathers to the final wagon. The nomad was in bad shape, but he was breathing… and from what you said about the army’s need for Powers, I’m guessing they’ll keep him that way.”

“Tillatoba is the closest station.” I turned back to the distant fort, visible only as a light on the horizon. “We’ll put some distance between us and the ferry and ambush them as they come by.

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