Strange Trouble by Laken Cane

will take the master.” For the first time, Marta’s
voice broke and the jolly façade began to crack.
    “How can I kill her?”
    Marta shook her head. “I do not have much faith in your
ability to kill her, but I do believe you can send her back. If you make her
fear you, she will go. You have to try. But first, you have to make your people
release my maker.”
    “I don’t have to do anything,” Rune said.
    Her cell rang, the sudden sound causing her to jerk. She
holstered her gun and pulled the cell from her pocket. “Raze?”
    “Rune, Fie is gone.”
    “What?”
    “I found George unconscious on the floor. When I got him to
wake up…” His swallow was loud. “His eyes are empty. He’s awake but can’t talk. Doesn’t even acknowledge me. He’s not a zombie.
Just…it’s like something terrible happened and he withdrew into himself. Like
that.”
    “The witch has the child,” Marta said.
    Lex took the phone from Rune’s numb hand. Rune heard her
talking to Raze, but had no idea what she was saying. Inside her head was just
white noise.
    Damascus.
    “She’s here,” Rune whispered.
    Marta glided closer, close enough to touch. She peered down
into Rune’s eyes, then shook her head. “No, darling. She’s not here.” She gestured at the area, then put her fingers against Rune’s scalp. “She’s in there.”
    “What do you mean?” Jack asked. “What the fuck do you mean?”
    “She’s aware of Rune. She’s welcoming the challenge. She
came for Nicolas Llodra, but you have caught her interest.”
    Rune realized she was nodding. “God, yes. Oh, God.” She put her hand to her mouth. I feel
her. Why do I feel her?
    Marta’s voice was as caressing as her fingers had been
against Rune’s head. “ Now you have to try. Save us, Rune. Save Nicolas.
And most of all, save the little girl.”
    “How does she know me?” Rune asked, breathless.
    Marta’s eyes were full of ancient knowledge. “Because you are like her, Rune. And she recognizes a
kindred spirit.”
    But deep inside, Rune knew it was something more. Just as
with Blood and Fire, she knew the witch, somehow.
    Maybe in her dreams.
    Or, more likely, in her nightmares.
     
     

Part Two
    Contrition
     
     

  Chapter
Sixteen
    Yes, she was changed.
    Her world was changed.
    Every step closer to her true self,
to what—and who—she really was, changed her.
    Suddenly the berserker was there, behind her. He pulled her
unresponsive body back against him and wrapped his arms around her.
    “All of you must leave,” Marta said. Her red, full lips
looked soft, ornamental, almost, but the authority in her voice was
unmistakable. “Rune will have to do this on her own, and staying will only
ensure your deaths. The humans are coming to turn Rock County into a
wasteland.” She stared down into Rune’s face. “Order them away, darling.”
    It always came down to being alone.
    She wet her dry, dry lips. “Leave me, guys.”
    Marta nodded at Jack. “Return her phone so she can give the
order to release Nicolas. Once your people release him and he feeds, he will
fly through the night to reach us.”
    “What’s to keep the witch from coming back for him, if I
send her away?”
    “There are no guarantees. But maybe next time, he will be
ready for her.”
    “I’m not leaving you here,” Strad said. His breath warmed
her scalp. “I will not leave you.”
    She took a deep breath, straightened, and stepped out of his
arms. “You will, Berserker. All of you will. And I swear to you I will not be
defeated. I’ll join you as soon as I can.” Do I really believe that?
    Marta nodded approvingly. “She will save the world,
children.”
    “Denim,” Z said. His despair and depression were almost
visible. He still refused to look at Rune.
    She couldn’t blame him.
    “Shit,” she said.
    “I will find him,” Marta said. “And I’ll send him on his
way. Come with me now. The witch is waiting and time is running out for the
child.”
    “Rune,”