Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Shane woke slowly to soft snores and even softer mumbles.

“Shane…you can’t…touch me there…”

Frowning, Shane looked down at Rai, who was drooling on his chest. What is she dreaming about?

“Shane…too…much…”

Should I wake her? Shane thought about it for a moment, but ultimately decided to sneak out from under her instead.

As gently as he could, he eased her head onto the pillow while pulling his arm out. Using the blanket, he wiped off the drool before summoning a nice long-sleeved shirt and jeans. With matching shoes, he was ready for the day.

With one last glance back at Rai, he smiled. She’s lovely when she sleeps. But I’m still going to make fun of her for drooling all over me.

Slipping out of the room, he closed the door as gently as he could. Voices were coming from further into the house, and the scent of cooking meat filled the air. It wasn’t as tantalizing as actual meat, but the gray stuff had its own appeal after so many years of being around it, although describing it was beyond Shane.

Stepping into the living room, he found Reginald talking with Marge through the doorway of the kitchen.

“He’s awake,” Reginald grumbled.

“About time,” Marge said in response. “I heard you were learning to cook.”

Shane peeked his head into the kitchen. “I’ve heard the same. But it’s not like we have a lot to work with.”

“True,” Marge admitted. “When we leave, we’ll have more options. Reginald was telling me about the wild vegetables and herbs that you used. If we can plant a small garden come spring, we’ll be able to survive.”

Shane nodded. “Good. What are we going to do for winter?”

“Meat,” Reginald said. “Lots of meat. The animal population bloomed after you humans bunkered down in your cities.”

“We need to get farther away than just that little town,” Shane stated. “Do you know of a place?”

Reginald rubbed his chin. “There are a few places that I can think of. But it would be wise to scavenge the town first and get proper clothes for your people. You also found canned goods that were still edible.”

Shane moved to the chair across from the couch. “There are a lot of children to gather, and I need to break out Jeremy today.”

“We’re just waiting on Railen,” Reginald said. “If you didn’t wear her out last night.”

Shane chuckled. “We weren’t that bad.”

“Yes, you were!” Marge laughed as she came out of the kitchen.

Grunting, Shane shook his head. “Leaving that subject alone…” Pausing, he narrowed his eyes at Reginald. “We should focus on the jail. It’s a massive building left over from the old days. The problem we’re going to have is sneaking in and finding which cell he is in.”

“Go in as a Marked,” Marge suggested.

Shane tapped his chin before nodding. “That would work. But how do we get him out? I can’t simply use the front door.”

“Can’t you?” Marge asked. “As a Marked, you can say you’re executing him for treason. They will let you lead him right out the front door to his death.”

Shane opened his mouth to argue but found he had nothing.

“That would work,” Reginald said. Taking a seat on what had become his couch, he added, “If you need a show of force, I would summon myself instead of Rai. Her flames will give her away as something altogether out of the norm.”

“I agree,” Shane said. “Plus, having a bear the size of a UPS truck would be good.”

“What’s a UPS truck?” Reginald asked.

“Really big delivery van,” Marge answered. “The intimidation factor of your presence alone will make the guards wet themselves.”

Shane chuckled. I can already picture myself rocking up to the jail with a giant bear. Maybe I could ride him in.

Glancing up, Shane found Reginald glaring at him. “What?” he asked.

“You’re not riding me,” Reginald grumbled.

“How did you even know I was thinking that?” Shane crossed his arms and glared back.

“Your face gave you away,” Reginald said. “You were smiling a little too much.”

“What’s wrong with my smile? Maybe I was thinking about Rai and what we did last night.”

“You weren’t,” Reginald said, pointing at Shane’s groin. “You would have reacted.”

Glancing at his waist, Shane frowned. “Wow, am I that obvious?”

“Yes,” Marge said before returning the kitchen and the smell of cooking food.

Throwing up his hands, Shane mumbled, “No respect.”

A giggle came from the hall. “I respect you,” Rai said as she stepped into the living room.

Shane patted his lap, and Rai moved to take her seat.

“How did you sleep?” Shane asked.

“Good.” Rai smiled and glanced towards the kitchen. “I think we need to get started for the day.”

“When you’re ready,” Shane said. “We have to get Jeremy first.”

“Then the kids?” Rai asked.

“Yes. We have to figure out where they’re being held and get them out.”

Nodding, Rai nestled into Shane’s chest. “I don’t want to go back into my tattoo.”

“I know,” Shane whispered. “But I’d like you with.”

Kissing his cheek, Rai disappeared into a mote of light and drifted into his arm. Reginald stood up and did the same, emptying the living room rather quickly.

Marge stuck her head out of the kitchen. “I’ll gather Rachel and Lin from their house. They’ll want to be here for when Jeremy comes back.”

With one last nod, Shane got up and left.

***

Shane joined the crowd moving towards the market, the biggest gathering in the city. He wanted to blend in as much as possible before breaking off and heading to the jail.

“Why not just head straight there?” Rai asked.

“Habit,” Shane answered.

Despite admitting that he didn’t need to blend with the crowd, he continued to do so anyways. He picked up on gossip and rumors of the city.

“Did you hear about the mayor?”

“No.”

“He was found dead a fortnight ago.”

“Then who’s in charge?”

“I’m not sure.”

Shane frowned at that particular news, but the gossip wasn’t over.

“The slums are going to be purged, I heard.”

“About time.”

“Those miscreants have been a burden on this city for too long.”

“What are they going to do with the land?”

“Bulldoze it and build more housing.”

“Poor kids.”

“Don’t feel sorry for them. I lost a pouch of coins yesterday because of one of those brats.”

Shane’s hands balled into fists, his nails nearly cutting into his palms.

“We’ll get them out,” Rai said, her tone soothing.

Shane nodded. “We’ll have to move quick. I don’t know how much time we have.”

“Then let’s not dally any longer,” Reginald said. “Get to the jail.”

Shane ground his teeth as he overhead another piece of gossip.

“Did you hear about the thief that was captured the other day?”

“No.”

“Supposedly he was the partner of that madman that dashed through the city a few weeks back. The one with all the Summons chasing him.”

“Did they steal something?”

“No idea, but my cousin is a guard, and they’re going to use the boy to lure out his partner.”

“Didn’t that man escape into the wilds?”

“Yes, but they’re going to throw the boy into the wilds to draw his partner out.”

Shane stopped listening as he hurried towards the jail. From the market, he made his way to the west side of town where the jail was between the slums and the residential area.

It only took a few minutes, but Shane had to stop and look over the monstrous building. He had never been inside before, but he had heard stories. Tales of the torture that prisoners went through.

I’m coming, Jeremy.

Straightening his posture, Shane walked towards the entrance. Half a dozen guards were on duty, two of them in a gate house that opened and closed the main door. The other four had spears crafted from iron from the mine.

“Halt!” one of the guards called out.

Shane didn’t stop.

When the four guards moved to intercept him, he rolled up his sleeve and made his tattoo pulse.

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“Out of my way,” Shane growled.

The four guards lowered their weapons but didn’t move.

“We’re sorry, sir,” the lead guard said, “but you can’t come and go as you please.”

Shane narrowed his eyes on the man. “There’s a boy in there that is going to be bait for my target. I’m here to collect him.”

The men stepped back.

“I thought Johnson was going to collect the boy?”

“What’s your name, guard?” Shane asked in a condescending tone.

“Smith, sir.”

“Well, Smith, plans have changed. If you don’t get out of my way, I’ll be forced to go through you. After all, you puny guards are worthless to this city.”

Smith bristled at the words, and the other guards raised their weapons again.

“Come out,” Shane ordered.

Motes of light flickered from his tattoo and materialized as a bear. Reginald stood in his full glory, looking down at the small humans.

Grumbling, Reginald stepped forward, his steps shaking the ground.

“Are you sure you want to raise your weapons at me?” Shane asked with a sneer.

The men backed up, and Smith turned towards the gatehouse. “Open the door!”

Shane crossed his arms as the door groaned open. He didn’t fully understand how they had power to do that, but there were clearly more mysteries to this world than he knew.

Reginald stood by Shane’s side, growling at the men as they scurried away. Once the door was open, Reginald returned to his tattoo, leaving Shane to enter.

To Shane’s surprise, the door stayed open as the guards on the other side retreated. Shane made sure they saw a glimpse of Reginald before dismissing him.

“Show me to the boy,” Shane ordered, grabbing the attention of a guard.

“Y-yes, sir!” The man stood in place, his hands shaking.

“Now!” Shane barked.

The guards jumped, and the one that Shane singled out shuffled down the hall.

Grumbling, Shane muttered, “These are the people the citizens rely on?”

The guards head turned slightly, but the man didn’t dare say anything.

The halls were dimly lit from bulbs in the ceiling. Yet another example of the use of electricity in this part of the city. Whereas gas was used in Marge’s place, Shane didn’t think they could power the city on their reserves.

They must be using something else.

“What’s wrong, Shane?” Rai asked.

“Electricity. I thought it was cut off years ago. I was wrong.”

Shane returned his attention to the jail as they passed a locked common area with two stories. Dozens of cells lined the two floors, all with people inside. The overwhelming scent of sewage thickened the air. Water dripped from rusted pipes in the ceiling, pooling on the floor in a fetid mess.

“Poor souls,” Shane thought.

“We’re not here for them,” Reginald reminded him.

“I know.”

As they progressed deeper into the jail, they came across two more common areas that were likewise locked tight. It wasn’t until they neared the back of the facility that Shane started to worry.

A sign showed them entering the isolation section. The cells here were solid metal doors with no slits. The lights were dimmer, and Shane swallowed hard as he was led to one of the cells.

“In here?” Shane asked.

“Yes, sir.”

“Open it,” Shane ordered.

The guard pulled out a ring of keys and opened the cell. Shane controlled his expression as the dark interior gave way to light from the hall.

Curled up on the floor with no bedding and only a bucket was Jeremy. His face was swollen and bruised. His fingers were bloody, and his shirt stained from torture. His blond hair was pulled out in sections, leaving him looking even more frail than normal.

“At least you worked him over,” Shane said. “It’ll make catching his partner easier.”

“Are you really throwing him outside the wall?” the guard asked.

“Yes. Sometimes the best way to hunt is with juicy bait.” Shane chuckled before stepping into the cell. Kicking Jeremy’s foot, he yelled, “Get up!”

His friend stifled a sob as he tried to pull himself up. Shane acted like he lost patience and grabbed Jeremy’s arm and yanked him to his feet.

Jeremy yelled in pain.

“Walk,” Shane ordered.

Jeremy forced one foot in front of the other as Shane continued to hold his arm. More than once, Shane had to brace the man as he staggered and nearly fell.

“Guard, show us out,” Shane ordered.

“Yes, sir!”

The walk out of the prison was not as silent as entering. Jeremy whimpered and sobbed as he was practically dragged with Shane.

If Shane didn’t have to play the part, he would have carried his friend. He wished he could heal him even partially, but his powers didn’t have that ability.

Suppressing his anger, Shane reached the front door and left. The guards shut the door, and Shane dragged Jeremy down the road.

Just before the guards were out of hearing range, Shane said, “I should drag you through the market. Maybe others will understand the dangers of going against the Marked.”

Jeremy whimpered, and Shane slowed his pace.

When they left the guards’ sight, Shane pulled Jeremy into an alley. “What the hell happened to you?”

Jeremy’s swollen eyes widened as much as they could as Shane eased him against the wall. “Shane?”

“Yes. Dammit, Jeremy. Who did this to you?”

“One of the Marked,” Jeremy said through a pained grimace.

Growling, Shane picked Jeremy up and carried him towards the slums. “We have to get you back. We’re leaving the city.”

Jeremy’s head lolled back, his eyes closing.

“I’m going to tear this city apart!” Shane growled.

“Not yet, Shane,” Rai said. “We have to get your friends out of here and to safety. Then we can find Veronica.”

“She’s controlling the Marked?” Shane asked.

“Most likely,” Reginald answered. “We won’t be able to kill her without killing a few of the Marked.”

“They deserve to die!”

Rai’s tattoo pulsed as she sent warm energy through his body. “Focus on our first task, my love.”

Shane nodded and hurried back to Marge’s.

***

Rai shifted her thoughts to Shane. “You were brutal in there.”

“I had to be.”

Frowning, Rai nodded. “I know, but I didn’t know there was that side to you. It was almost scary.”

“He did good,” Reginald grumbled. “He put fear into those men’s hearts, and they will remember not to cross him in the future.”

“Are all Marked like that?” Shane asked.

Rai reached through their bond to comfort him. “They are, to an extent. You’ve seen them before, so you knew what to expect.”

“Fear and power,” Shane mumbled.

“Yes. But you no longer need to fear them.” Rai hummed happily. “I’ll burn your foes to ashes before I let them touch you.”

Shane chuckled. “That’s only slightly terrifying.”

“Don’t worry,” Rai cooed. “I’ll warm you up later. Maybe we can see who burns the brightest.”

“Please stop,” Reginald grumbled. “It’s bad enough hearing you two at night.”

Shane laughed. “Thanks for hooking those vines to the wall. We made good use of them.”

Rai felt herself blush. “We did…”

Reginald chuckled. “I think I’m going to invest in a gag for you two.”

“Rai’s not that loud,” Shane said, defending her.

“Who said anything about Rai being loud? The sounds coming from that bedroom were mostly definitely from you, Shane,” Reginald said with a laugh.

Grumbling, Shane turned off his thoughts.

“Now you hurt his feelings,” Rai said.

She could feel Reginald roll his eyes. “I did not. He just didn’t have a comeback.”

Rai sighed. “It’s hard seeing him so serious. Usually, I have to beat him into this kind of mood.”

“It makes me proud that he can set his joking aside,” Reginald said firmly.

Rai let her thoughts drift towards Jeremy. Closing herself off from Reginald, she thought, What would Shane do if I was captured?

***

Setting Jeremy down, Shane opened Marge’s door before helping his friend through the threshold. A gasp came from the couch, and a flurry of movement caught Shane’s attention.

His old friend, Rachel, rushed forward to grab her husband. Their four-year-old son watched with wide eyes brimming with tears.

“Daddy?” Lin asked.

Marge picked up the child and carried him to the kitchen. “Let’s get you some juice.”

The temporary distraction helped. With Rachel helping Jeremy over to the couch, she took his hand and looked over his fingers.

“They pulled his nails,” Rachel said through her tears.

Shane shut the door behind him. A moment later, Rai and Reginald appeared in a burst of light.

Rai hurried to Rachel’s side and hugged her. “We got him out as quickly as we could.”

Rachel sat frozen as she looked between Rai, Reginald, and Shane.

“Long story,” Shane said before moving to the kitchen. “I need a wet towel.”

Marge tossed him what he needed without saying a word. Lin was sitting on the counter, drinking from a cup.

Returning to his friend, he cleaned off the blood from his hands and arms. “He was burned,” Shane said.

Rai left Rachel to help pull off Jeremy’s ragged shirt. What they found were wounds littered over his body. Cuts and burns dominated most of the torture. His face was still swollen, his lips split from repeated hits.

Shane massaged the bridge of his nose. “They’ll be looking for me soon. I still have to rescue the rest of the children.”

Rachel stared at him with wide eyes. “There’s nowhere to escape to.”

“There is,” Shane assured her. “We’re leaving the city.” Turning to Reginald, he added, “My friend has some Descendants that will help you get settled.”

“Us? What about you, Shane?” Rachel asked.

“I have more business in the city. I’ll make sure you’re all safe before I come back.”

“You’re just going to leave us?” Rachel asked, her voice filled with pain.

Shane grabbed her hands. “I’ll come back. I’ve always come back. Don’t start doubting me now.”

Rachel nodded and sobbed.

Shane squeezed her hand before turning back to Jeremy. He was drifting in and out of consciousness. Patting his cheek, Shane woke him up a bit more.

“I need you, bud,” Shane said.

Jeremy opened one eye and looked around. “Shane? Rachel?”

“We’re here,” Rachel said. Leaning in, she rested her head on his chest, making him hiss in pain.

Shane patted his arm gently. “I need you awake for a bit, Jeremy. I have some questions for you.”

Jeremy looked up at him and then around the room. His eye stopped on Reginald first. “You’re new.”

“So am I!” Rai chirped.

Jeremy panned his gaze to the fox, and his eye widened as much as it could. “You’re not human!”

“Neither is Reginald,” Rai huffed. Getting up, she went over to Shane and hugged him. “I’m Shane’s wife. Rai.”

Jeremy seemed to force a frown. “You got married?”

Shane chuckled. “You’ve missed a lot over the last few weeks. I’m a Marked now.”

“You’re one of those bastards?” Jeremy scoffed.

“Not really,” Shane said slowly. “Turns out I’m something beyond what the normal Marked are. I’ll explain later. Right now, I need to know where the children were taken.”

Jeremy forced himself to sit up more. Lifting his hand, he touched his cheek, hissing in pain. “Water?”

Reginald moved first. He returned a moment later and passed the glass off to Rachel.

“Thank you,” Rachel said before lifting the glass to her husband’s lips.

Jeremy drank slowly, his stomach growling at the intake of his first drink in likely days.

“We’re leaving today,” Shane said. “I need to get the children first.”

Jeremy pushed the glass away. “What happened to you, Shane?”

“Besides being hunted, turned into a Marked, and forced into a marriage?” Shane forced himself to smile.

“You were not forced!” Rai growled.

“I’m pretty sure you sat on me and held me down,” Shane said, tapping his chin. “Those vines came out as well.”

“They did not!”

Jeremy chuckled. “There he is…”

“You’ll have to ignore Rai,” Shane said with a smile. “She’s a very angry fox. But her tail is very soft and cuddly. Sleeping with it is amazing, if you can get over her drooling.”

“I don’t drool!” Rai snapped.

Shane raised his brow. “Then why was my chest so wet this morning? Hmm? Also, what were you dreaming about? Where was I not supposed to touch you?”

Rai’s face turned crimson as she stammered, “N-nowhere. I-I don’t know w-what you’re talking about.”

Shane chuckled. “I’ll explore your body later. I bet I can figure it out.”

“Shane,” Rachel said with a hint of a warning.

“Yes, Rachel?”

“You were talking about the children. How did you end up on sex?”

Shane shrugged. “Rai knows how to twist my words. Thanks to her, we always end up with sex talk.”

“That’s your fault!” Rai growled.

“Meh.” Shane shrugged. Turning back to Jeremy, he asked, “Do you know where they are?”

Jeremy nodded, wincing as his head moved. “They’re in Warehouse Three.”

“Got it,” Shane said. “Do we know their guard force?”

Jeremy nodded again. “No Marked, only regular guards.” Pausing, he took a pained breath. “About a dozen guards.”

Shane rubbed his chin. “While I rescue the children, I need someone to get everyone in the slums together. We need to meet at the west wall where we’ll make our escape.”

“There’s no gate there, Shane,” Rachel said.

“Then it’s a good thing we’re going under the wall,” Shane responded. “Jeremy will be safe with Marge. Rachel, I need your help with this. The slums are going to be purged.”

“What?” Marge asked as she came out of the kitchen with Lin.

“Rumor has it that the city is going to steamroll the slums and destroy everything.” Pinching the bridge of his nose, Shane added, “I don’t know how much time we have, but I’ll likely have to go out the east wall and circle around. I don’t dare bring the children through the city.”

Marge nodded. “That’s smart.” Turning to Reginald, she asked, “You can get the children out safely?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Reginald said. Pressing his fist into his hand, he added, “I’ll have them outside in seconds. We just need to find them.”

Turning to Rai, Marge asked, “What about you? How are you going to add to this fight?”

Rai shook her head. “I’ll join the fight if we get caught. But I’m thinking it might be a good idea to start a few warehouses on fire. It’ll make our getaway easier.”

“Sow chaos,” Shane agreed. “It’ll work, but the supplies lost will hurt the city.”

“They can be replenished,” Rai said. “The lives of those children cannot.”

Shane covered his mouth and coughed. “We could—”

“Shane!” Rai growled. “We are done with sex talk!”

“But—”

“Shane,” Rachel said in warning. “I know you have trouble with the little man in your pants, but now isn’t the time.”

Shane smiled. Turning to Rai, he said, “I have three-thirty open. Can I pencil you in?”

Rai stared at him in disbelief.

When Jeremy laughed, Shane’s smile widened.

“I’m glad you’re back, Shane,” Jeremy said through a whimper of pain.

Shane touched his ribs. “Don’t laugh too much. You have a few cracked ribs. Try to smile only.”

Rai smacked Shane’s arm. “You can’t schedule our sex life!”

“I can’t?” Shane asked, his brows wrinkled in confusion.

“No,” Rachel said. “Women need a finer touch in their relationships.”

Rai smiled. “Thank you, Rachel.” Holding out her hand, she high-fived her new friend.

Rachel regarded Rai quizzically. “We are going to have a very long talk after this. I want to know why two Descendants are helping us, not to mention we’re getting even more.”

“You’ll have some of the answers,” Shane said. “But not all of them.” Turning to Marge, he added, “Take Jeremy and Lin to the wall. Start gathering everyone. I won’t be gone long.”

“You said that before you disappeared for nearly a month,” Jeremy said.

“Yes, but this time I have someone to keep me in line. Rai has a very firm hand. She also makes the best knots.”

“Shane!” Rai smacked his arm again.

“Abuse!” Shane gasped. “My arm!”

Groaning, Rai burst into motes of light and returned to him. Reginald, who had been smiling at the whole interaction, did the same.

Left with his friends, Shane frowned. “I won’t be gone long. I’ll kill the guards if I have to, but those children will be saved.”

“What happened to you, Shane?” Jeremy asked.

Rachel leaned forward for the answer as well.

Shane closed his eyes. “I was given a way to help our lives.”

“What did you give up?” Rachel asked.

Shaking his head, Shane said, “Nothing you need to concern yourself with.” Smiling, he started towards the door. “You know, Jeremy, you might finally win a beauty contest.”

“Fuck you, Shane!” Jeremy grumbled before hissing in pain.

“Naw,” Shane said. “I have Rai for that. You’re not my type.”

“Get out,” Marge said before moving to Jeremy’s side.

Laughing, Shane stepped outside, ready for his next venture.