I nodded and hurried after him, and together we walked across the snowy yard, toward the field and the tangled woods beyond. Back toward the road, and the trail that would take us to Eden.
Chapter 4
I cant believe youve gone all bleeding heart on me again.
Shut up, Jackal.
We were back on the road again, and the forest had finally thinned out. Though it still wrapped its barren claws around everything it could touch, we were seeing more houses and buildings huddled in the snow through the trees, stubbornly clinging to existence. Rusty hulks of cars were sprinkled about the road, though usually on the other side, heading away from us. In my experience, that meant we were nearing a city, but all the nights had sort of blended together, and I had no idea how close to Eden we were. If we were close at all.
So, all those fun plans we madefinding the cure, undead army, our own vampire cityall thats gone right out the window, hasnt it?
Yes. I told you before, I dont want any of those things.
Typical. He snorted. Silly me, thinking you actually had potential. I thought, Finally, shes realized shes a vampire. Now were getting somewhere. But now youre just a big fluffy bunny with sharp teeth.
Shut up, Jackal!
If you two do not stop, Kanin said without turning around, I am going to find another road to Eden without you. James, it has been two days. Let it go.
Whatever you say, old man, Jackal said, holding his hands up. Though I dont know why youre complaining. You got your little spawn back. You must be so proud.
Whats the matter, James? I couldnt keep the grin from my face as he turned on me. Dont tell me youre jealous.
He snorted. Of you? Dont make me laugh, sister. If I feel anything right now, its pity. I...wait a second. He stopped in the middle of the road, gazing around, making Kanin and me stop, too. His gold eyes swept over an ancient road sign, most of it eaten by rust, the words unreadable. I recognize this town, he muttered, as Kanin and I watched cautiously. I know where we are. These are the outskirts of Old Chicago.
I stared at him. Are you sure?
Yeah, sister. I think I know my own territory. Jackal grinned, eyes shining eagerly as he gazed down the road. No question. Follow this road for another two days, and youll hit Chicago, right in the heart of Raidertown.
How nice for you, I said, though the thought of being close to another vampires territory, especially this vampires territory, made me nervous. You can finally go home. Im sure your murderous raider friends will be thrilled to see you again.
Oh, Im sure they couldnt care less, Jackal returned, waving an airy hand. At my surprised look, he chuckled. Please, sister. I might be an egotistical bastard, but Im not blind. The minions follow me because I promise them power, freedom and all the carnage they can stomach. And because Ill tear the head off anyone who challenges me. If I never come back, its no loss to them. Theyll do what theyve always done. So, yeah... He shrugged. I dont have any illusions of them showering me with flowers and puppies when I return. However, its a good place to grab a snack, a place to sleep thats not completely disgusting, and maybe a couple bikes for the road. We can shave a lot of time off getting to Eden if were not on foot.
He had a point. Chasing Sarren would be easier if we had a working vehicle. And, I wouldnt lie, the thought of riding a motorcycle again was tempting. Id borrowed one from the raiders the last time I was in Old Chicago, and had discovered the thrill of flying down an empty highway at top speed. Nothing compared, really.
Kanin narrowed his eyes, looking troubled. And what if Sarren has gotten there before us? he asked.
Jackal snorted. Then hes either crazier than I thought or completely suicidal. Even Sarren cant take out a whole city of armed, bloodthirsty minions. He curled a lip in disgust. And if he can, then youll have to excuse me, because at that point Im going to say the hell with you both, you can chase after Sarren without me. Though I dont think thats going to be a problem. The minions are stupid and savage, but they have one thing that makes them semi-usefultheres a whole fucking lot of them. He smirked, crossing his arms. If Sarren wants to take out my city, hes welcome to try. The minions arent a bunch of cowering little meatsacks, and four hundred raiders with automatic weapons are a match for any bloodsucker, crazy or not. Trespassers always get the same receptiona bunch of lead through the brain.
And what about me? I asked, frowning at him. Im pretty sure your army hasnt forgotten what happened when I was in Old Chicago. The last time I went through, they were trying to kill me.
Give them some credit, sister. Jackal gave me an exasperated eye roll. You had just burned down my theater and killed a whole lot of them on your way out. Which, frankly, Im still a little annoyed about. I happened to like that theater.
But dont worry, he went on, confident and unconcerned. Youre with me, and the only way the minions will shoot at you is if I give the order. Theyre a stupid lot, but they know their place on the food chain.
Just dont get any ideas, I growled at him. Actually, I dont know if I like the idea of going into your city of bloodthirsty killers. Youve stabbed us in the back beforewhats to stop you from doing it again?
Youre never going to let me live that down, are you? Jackal gave me an annoyed look. Even though it probably saved your soft little hide from being carved into a pentagram by Sarren. Everyone seems to forget that part. Would it kill you to have a little faith in your older brother?
It might.
Well, youll just have to take your chances now, wont you?
I scowled and glanced at Kanin, who stood a few feet away, watching his offspring argue with a stoic expression. Kanin? What do you think?
The Master vampire sighed. If we are already headed in that direction, he said, I see no reason why we shouldnt go through Old Chicago. If we can procure a vehicle and reach Eden in a shorter amount of time, it will be worth the detour. But... And his brow furrowed slightly as he looked at Jackal. I fear what we might find when we reach the city, he mused, ignoring the others disdainful look. Let us hope Sarren has left your humans undisturbed.
The Master vampire sighed. If we are already headed in that direction, he said, I see no reason why we shouldnt go through Old Chicago. If we can procure a vehicle and reach Eden in a shorter amount of time, it will be worth the detour. But... And his brow furrowed slightly as he looked at Jackal. I fear what we might find when we reach the city, he mused, ignoring the others disdainful look. Let us hope Sarren has left your humans undisturbed.
We started off again, and now that I knew where we were, where we were headed, certain landmarks began taking on a familiar feel. I thought I recognized a bend in the road, a rusty car half buried in weeds and snow on the side of the pavement. I wondered if I hadnt passed them on my way to Old Chicago the first time Id come through. Though it had been only a few months before, it felt like a lifetime ago.
We came to another town, empty and deserted like all the ones before it. But as we walked down cracked, snow-covered roads, passing ancient structures falling apart and smothered by weeds, something felt strange. The sense of déjà vu was growing stronger, to the point where I finally stopped in the middle of the road, gazing around and racking my brain for the reason this seemed so familiar.
Allison. Kanin turned, dark eyes searching as I stood there, frowning. What are you doing?
I know this place. The feeling was stronger than ever, beckoning me down a certain street, and my curiosity was too insistent to ignore. I had to know. Without answering, I headed off the main road and began walking deeper into town. The other two vampires hesitated a moment, then followed.
Uh, sister? In case you didnt know, Chicago is that way.
Still ignoring them, I continued down the sidewalk, past crumbling buildings and the hulks of dead cars. Everything looked different now, because of the snow, but I felt like Id been here before.
Then I walked around the collapsed wall of an old gas station...and froze.
I had definitely been here before.
Across the street, a building sat on an empty corner, desolate and still in the falling snow. It had been burned, and charred, blackened beams stood out harshly against the snowy backdrop. The roof was gone, but I remembered the wooden cross that once stood atop it, and the flames that had engulfed it on that last night. The night Jackals men had attacked Jebbadiah Crosse and his followers, kidnapping everyone but Zeke to bring them to Old Chicago.
Silently, I crossed the road, stepped over the curb, and walked onto the tiny strip of land beside the church. Crosses and headstones poked out of the snow as I gazed around, my eyes falling on the very place Id seen Zeke and Jeb Crosse together for the last time.
I heard Jackal and Kanin cross the road as well, but both vampires halted at the edge of the sidewalk, disdaining to step onto the cemetery grounds. A church, Jackal said in obvious distaste. Of course it would be a church. Why am I even surprised? You really dont get this whole demon thing, do you, sister?
I gave him a strange look. In New Covington, all churches had been razed and burned by the vampire lords long before I was born. There were stories and speculation as to why, of course, but some of the more colorful rumors said that vampires couldnt cross the threshold of a church, couldnt set foot on holy ground, and burned up if they tried.
Obviously, they were wrong. I was standing right here, in the shadow of a church, and I was fine. But Kanin and Jackal still looked reluctant to approach, and I grinned at my brother over the strip of earth separating us.
Whats the matter, Jackal? Afraid youre going to burst into flames if you set foot on the grounds?
His sneer had an edge to it. Isnt that cute? A brand-new demon spawn, all puffed up and smug, thinking shes invincible. Let me make one thing clear, sister, he went on, still keeping well back from the edge of the lot. Im not afraid of the Big Guy, never have been, never will be. But, unlike some newbie vamps that wont be named, I have never been confused as to what I am. Even if God is dead, even if Hes not here anymorehell, even if Hes nothing but a boogeyman made up by pathetic humans desperate for some sort of hopeI, at least, am still a demon. Ive never pretended anything different. And God, if He is real, still hates us.