Come on, sister. On your feet. Were not done with these bastards yet.
I grabbed his wrist, and he yanked me upright. The rabids were still coming at us, insane with bloodlust, but the swarm was smaller now. From the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of Kanin, surrounded by pale bodies, smoothly decapitating a rabid that lunged at him, and the monsters body collapsed like its strings had been cut while the head bounced once and rolled under a tire.
Side by side, Jackal and I cut our way through the last of the horde, crushing skulls and slicing necks until the final monster leaped at us and was struck down, meeting Jackals ax across its face and my sword through its middle. As it dropped, twitching, to the pavement, the echo of its dying shriek faded away, and the tunnel fell silent once more.
Well. That was entertaining. Jackal lowered his ax with a grimace, hunching his shoulders. The back of his duster was shredded, long gashes left by curved talons, though the scratches across his face were already healing. His eyes gleamed dangerously as he stared around at the carnage. Anyone else get the feeling weve been set up?
Kanin strode back to us, his bright, thin blade already vanished from his hand. Lets keep moving, he ordered, his tone brisk. We dont want to stay here. Hurry.
We rushed through the maze of cars until we came to the edge of the tunnel, back into the open. Another semi truck blocked most of the entrance, its doors flung back, showing an empty interior. The unmistakable stench of rabids wafted from the opening, and a pair of motorcycle tracks sped away down the road and vanished into the night.
Well, well, Jackal mused, glancing from the truck to the empty road before us. Isnt that amusing? Looks like we were set up, after all. Oh, someone is going to die. Very painfully, I think. He met Kanins dark stare and narrowed his eyes. Old man, if you say anything along the lines of I told you so, you both can figure out how to get into Chicago without me.
Kanin didnt reply, but I stared at the tracks until they vanished around a bend, and frowned at Jackal. Why are your people attacking us? I growled, glaring at him. I thought you had a handle on them. He scowled back.
If I knew the reason, sister, I wouldnt be here. His eyes glinted. But you can be sure I will get to the bottom of this. And when I do, the backstabbing little shits are going to wish they were never born. Glancing at me and Kanin, he curled a lip. You two can go around, if you want. Keep chasing the psychopath. Im going back to my city, and Im going to bash in some heads until they remember who their king is.
No, I shot back. Theres no time to go around. I looked at Kanin, silently watching us both, and hardened my voice. We have to catch up to Sarren, and we cant do that if we keep taking detours. Old Chicago is the only place we have a chance of catching up. Well grab a couple bikes while Jackal is bashing in heads and keep going to Eden. But we cant turn back now.
I am not disagreeing with you, Allison, Kanin said. His gaze drifted to the road behind us, at the tracks fading in the snow, and his expression turned dark. If the straightest way to Eden is through Old Chicago, we will continue in that direction. But I would advise extreme caution now, as it seems there are humans who wish us harm.
Oh, dont worry, old man, Jackal growled, a dangerous promise in his voice. There wont be for much longer.
Chapter 5
We reached the outskirts of the city later that night.
Id forgotten how huge Chicago was; even the urban sprawl leading up to the main city seemed to go on forever. Miles and miles of empty, silent streets and decaying houses, vehicles rotting along the shoulder, streetlamps and signs lying in the road. The last time Id come through here, Id been riding a stolen motorcycle and hadnt paid much attention to my surroundings as they flew by. My focus had been on steering the bike and avoiding obstacles...and on the person sitting behind me, his arms around my waist.
I shot a glance at Jackal walking beside me, his expression dangerous. And for a brief, irrational moment, resentment flickered. He probably wasnt thinking of what had happened the night Id come through his territory, and if he was, he didnt care. But I remembered. Darrens screams when Jackal had thrown him into a cage with a rabid and let it rip him apart, just to set an example. Fighting an army of raiders to rescue the rest of Zekes group, and setting a building on fire to escape. And, of course, the fight atop Jackals tower, where Id faced my blood brother for the first time, and hed nearly killed me.
Jackal caught me looking at him and raised an eyebrow. Whats that look for? he challenged.
I faced the road again. Nothing.
Bullshit. Jackals gaze lingered on me. Youre thinking about Old Chicago and the last time you came through. Youre remembering all those fun little moments when I killed your humans, tortured them, threw them into the ring with rabidsall those good times. His gaze narrowed. Dont try to deny it, sister. Its written all over your face.
I snarled at him, baring fangs, tempted to draw my sword and slash it through his smirking mouth. Dont you ever shut up? I spat. Yes, Im thinking about Old Chicago, and what a bastard you were when we first met. Im wondering why the hell Im even talking to you now and not trying to cut the stupid head from your body. We shouldve had that rematch a long time ago.
Aw, sister, Im hurt, Jackal mocked, putting a hand to his chest. Thats not how I remember it. I remember discovering I had a blood sibling. I remember offering to share everything with her. Because, why not? She was a decent fighter, and I was getting kind of bored talking to brainless minions. Couldve been fun. But, no. His voice hardened. I remember having the cure for Rabidism right at my fingertips, decades of searching, planning, about to pay off. And then, my own sister turned her back on the cure, on ending the virus, in order to save a few pathetic humans.
You staked me and threw me out a window!
You had already made up your mind by then. Jackal glared back, completely serious. I couldnt talk you out of ityoud chosen your side, and it was with the bloodbags. So, yes, I tried to kill you. Because you had waltzed into something that had been cumulating for years, without even knowing what you were threatening, and you destroyed it. His eyes narrowed, mouth setting into a grim line. I wouldve ended Rabidism, sister. If that old human had discovered the cure, I wouldve shared it. I want the rabids gone just as much as anyone. But then you came along, and you were so worried about saving a few humans, you couldnt see the bigger picture. If youd let me finish what Id started years ago, all of this couldve been avoided. Sarren wouldve never gotten the virus, he wouldnt be on his way to destroy Eden right now, and your sappy little human might still be alive.
I roared and spun on Jackal, swinging my blade at his throat. It met the head of the fire ax as Jackal whipped it up to block, sending a ringing screech into the air as the two weapons collided. Snarling, Jackal swung the ax at my face, the broad, bloody edge barely missing me as I ducked. I slashed up with the katana, aiming for his chest, and he dropped the ax down to meet it. There was another clang as the weapons met, and we glared at each other over the crossed blades.
Enough!
And Kanin was there, grabbing me by the collar, pulling us apart. The Master vampire easily held Jackal back with one arm and kept a tight hold of my coat with the other. That is enough, he ordered in his cold, steely voice. Stop it, both of you. We dont have time for this.
Jackal shrugged off Kanins arm and backed away, sneering at me. I growled and bared my fangs, daring him to say something, but he just walked away. I watched him go, fury making me see red. Murdering, insufferable bastard. Id tear him in half and the world would be a better place for it.
Allison, stop, Kanin said, putting a hand on my arm. I was shaking with rage, and gripped the sword hilt to force the anger down, back into the darkness that it came from. Kanin waited with me, keeping a light but firm hold on my elbow, until I was in control again.
When the rage had faded somewhat, I sheathed my katana, feeling the weight of Kanins stare still on me. Im fine, I told him, angry with myself now. Sorry. Jackal was being a bastard, again. I shouldnt have let him get to me.
Kanin released my arm but didnt move. What did he say? the Master vampire asked.
That...its my fault were chasing Sarren now. If I hadnt come after the group in Old Chicago, none of this wouldve happened. Jeb mightve discovered a cure. Sarren wouldnt have released the virus. And...Zeke would still be alive.
Kanin was silent a moment. It had begun snowing again, soft flakes drifting from the sky, swirling around us. Do you believe that? the vampire finally asked.
I dont know what to believe anymore, Kanin. I raked hair out of my face, shoving it back, and faced the road again. It seems like every decision, every choice I make, somehow backfires on me in the end. No matter what I do, things just get worse. Maybe... I swallowed hard. Maybe it is my fault...that Zeke died. Maybe the whole damn world will go extinct, because of me.
Kanin chuckled, nearly making me fall over in shock. You are far too young to carry that burden, Allison, he said. If we are going to be throwing around blame, let us go back even farther, before you were ever born. Let us go back to when the virus and the rabids were first created.
Embarrassed, I ducked my head. I...I didnt mean it like that.
I know. The Master vampire sighed. But, if we are talking about choice and regret, what has happened cannot be undone. And dwelling on the past changes nothing. You will only drive yourself to insanity if you do. He sighed again, sounding like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. Trust me on that.
A shot rang out in the darkness.
I jerked, tensing as the bark of gunfire echoed over the rooftops, sounding fairly close. It faded, but was quickly followed by a roar of fury that was instantly familiar. Jackal.