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  Neither was the Shadow Archer. She wore handcuffs that Tessa had brought just in case they found another villain to subdue. Not that they were sure that the archer was evil.

  In the Walmart, Steven had stripped the cloak and mask off the dark elf. Tessa gently searched the archer’s robes, but all she found was a pouch full of what looked like cornbread wrapped in broad leaves, green and waxy. The dark elf also had a silver flask full of water. Her quiver had her black arrows, some engraved with symbols they didn’t recognize.

  Steven had cast Enchantrix on the arrows, and all he could say for sure was that different arrows did different things. It wasn’t Animus in them, but Morta. That was interesting and somewhat disturbing.

  The Walmart was mostly empty; it had been scavenged either before or after the Great Devouring. That was what the Zothoric called their scourging of a planet, destroying life down to the very bacteria. Sabina, during one of her many Divinatio spells, had confirmed that several large forests were untouched, so the entire planet still had oxygen, but that oxygen was fading.

  They had a month, maybe less, before the Battle World became inhospitable. They weren’t sure if this was a trap Zothora, the Horror Mother, the Utereich, had set for them. Or if it was blind destruction.

  Steven and his Escort bedded down in the dining area near the front of the Walmart. Aria was out running recon, to make sure the Zothoric didn’t come in uninvited. As long as they kept out of sight, the demons couldn’t find them thanks to the enchanted bracelets on their wrists.

  Steven was surprised that Uchiko hadn’t joined Aria outside. That was where the ninja liked to be, on the outskirts, in the shadows, watching over them and keeping them safe.

  Tessa sat on the counter. “Okay, so we have a double D instead of the golden arches of the M, as in McDonald’s. I’m still trying to figure it out. How did Donald Douglas win the burger wars on this planet?”

  “Dude, I love Donald Douglas,” Mouse insisted. She searched the menu. “Big Dougs are delicious!”

  Mouse was glowing with energy. Tessa had revived the fallen members of the Escort with her considerable Animus stores enhanced now by Icharaam’s Orb, which they were still trying to figure out. The gunslinging barista hadn’t used any of the magic during the fight.

  Fight was a kind word for the altercation. It could’ve easily turned into a massacre.

  The Shadow Archer sat on the floor. Her hands were bound, and she wasn’t happy about it. She glared at them.

  Uchiko stood back, arms crossed, eyes never leaving the strange woman’s face. The ninja Warling was a slender Japanese woman, beautiful with long dark hair braided into a single strip of midnight that dropped down the back of her black fighting gi. Uchiko’s brown eyes couldn’t have been more intense.

  Nor could the elf woman’s.

  Mouse stared at the Shadow Archer. “I could’ve stayed back at the airport and been glared at. Hey, little elven blue, come blow your horn. Give us your name, rank, and serial number.”

  The archer lifted her chin in defiance.

  Tessa slipped off the counter and came around. She bent and took one of the archer’s hands in her own. “We can be your friends. You can trust us. We’re good people.”

  “Can she be our friend?” Mouse asked. “She did try to kill you, Tessa.”

  “That was back when I was pondering the dark side,” Tessa replied. “I’m good now. So good, I’m great.” She patted the Shadow Archer’s hand. “You were confused back then.”

  Uchiko sighed.

  Steven turned to her. “What’s wrong, Uchiko?”

  “I hate her,” the ninja said simply. “And I have known much hate in my life. This thing, this elf, as you call her, has been a thorn in my side for most of my miserable existence.”

  “Ooh!” Mouse purred. “Give us all the gossip. I’m all ears. We could have a slumber party, get in our pajamas, have a pillow fight, and dish. Maybe, later, we could do some sensitive lesbian exploring.”

  Tessa perked up. “Really?”

  Mouse snorted at her. “Not really.”

  Uchiko was unfazed by the chatter. “In the Dragonsoul underworld, for centuries, since I first failed to become a Dragonskin, it was the three of us... me, Bruno Illick, and the Shadow Archer. Different Dragonlord Primes would use us to fight. I’ve felt her fists before, and she has felt my arrows. Bruno nearly killed her in Palestine a few hundred years ago. For a long time, I thought he’d been successful. And in the Congo. Another incident.”

  Uchiko’s mouth grew small as she grew more furious, hurt, or both. “In the Black Sea Primacy, I was sent in to assassinate one of the Prime’s vassals. This thing got there first and took my prize. It was like that. We always vied against each other.”

  Tessa shook her head. “She’s a person, Uchiko, not a thing. Let’s not be racist.”

  “Would it be speciesist?” Mouse asked. “I mean, she’s not human, so it’s not a matter of race.”

  “Stop,” Steven said. “This isn’t helping.”

  “Our witty banter isn’t helping?” Mouse feigned annoyance. “I hate Battle World. It’s simply no fucking fun.”

  “It’s been a lot of fucking,” Tessa countered. “We had to keep our Animus filled. This will help with that.” She reached into her leather satchel and touched the orb.

  “I said stop,” Steven sighed.

  He got down and took the archer’s other hand. Her palm was rough, weathered, which seemed rather surprising. Her blue skin looked so soft. Maybe other parts were. He shook away the lust. He did have to wonder if his natural Dragonlord powers would work on the dark elf. Most women were drawn to him—as a Dragonsoul male, he needed an Escort to provide him with Animus. Call it one of the benefits of dragon evolution.

  “Magica Divinatio,” he murmured.

  “I tried that,” Tessa said. “I couldn’t link to her mind.”

  Steven didn’t stop. He reached out with his mind, and he found the dark elf’s consciousness. He felt a stirring in his Morta core.

  The Shadow Archer’s eyes widened. Steven Drokharis. You are Steven Drokharis.

  Her voice was soft, feminine, with a slight accent, somewhat German, though he couldn’t place it. Of course he couldn’t. She was a different species, from a different planet, most likely. Or would you call it another realm?

  Steven recalled the three doors at the top of the St. Vrain Aerie. A wolf door. An eagle door. A cat door. The eagle door had been marked with the word Lyra on it, and they’d learned it was another name for elves. The wolf door led to the Battle World. As for the cat door, or the Oikos door, he didn’t know. Pru though it was Greek, something about home.

  On the Battle World’s version of his father’s Aerie, the eagle and cat doors had been destroyed. They’d entered through the wolf door, but they couldn’t use it again. If the Zothoric found Gaia Alpha, everything and everyone they loved would be destroyed.

  And yet, Steven’s armies were there, waiting for him to give them the signal before coming through. It wasn’t time yet.

  What’s your name? Steven asked.

  I am called Nefrinasia. Tell the Nippon bitch. Tell Uchiko. To stop staring at me. Or I will kill her. The words came to him slowly, and yes, it was his Morta core that was allowing him to talk to the strange elf.

  “Her name is Nefrinasia,” Steven told his Escort. “Uchiko, please, you’re not helping. She wants you to stop staring at her.”

  “I will keep staring,” the ninja spat. “I want to kill her and watch the light fade from her eyes.”

  “Wow,” Mouse breathed. “Hard-core hate.”

  Tessa rose and went to Uchiko. “Come on. Let’s go for a little walk. We’ll get the story from Steven.”

  Tessa was a wonder with people. She led Uchiko off. Steven and Mouse were alone with the Shadow Archer. Nefrinasia. It was a mouthful.

  Can I call you Nefri? Steven asked.

  A wounded look appeared in the elf’s eyes. Others. Lovers. Have call
ed me that. Not for a long time. For centuries. Time. Is cruel.

  Her words came clipped. Was it because he was translating her words as they came to him? Or was it because she wasn’t accustomed to talking?

  Can you speak? Steven asked.

  Nefri shook her head. Throat. Cut. When I escaped. Please, I would not talk with you about that yet. The memories. Cut me. She pulled down the collar of her robe. A dark scar cut across her neck. That wound had not healed well.

  It’s okay, Steven soothed. Tessa is right. You can be our friend. Why did you try and shoot her with an arrow?

  The darkness in her. I thought she might be following a dark path. I know. I know dark paths.

  Steven was glad Mouse wasn’t involved in the conversation in any real way. She would’ve made a joke, something about a dark elf following a dark path.

  Nefri continued. You love that woman. If you love her. I can trust her. I know what you want.

  That brought a smile to Steven’s face. What do I want?

  To free the Dragonsouls. To kill the Zothoric. I want the same. I followed you here. You do not understand what you face. Tears shimmered in her purple eyes. I understand what you face.

  Will you help us?

  I can end the Horror Mother. I can slay Zothora. The tears were gone. An impish smile replaced them. You will need to help me.

  Mouse interrupted with an annoyed sigh. “Okay, I feel like the loser girl at the slumber party where the girls are in the other room, giggling. Spill the beans, Steven. What are you two talking about?

  “When were you ever at a slumber party?” Steven asked. “As I understand it, you grew up kind of an outcast in your family.”

  “Ouch,” Mouse said, laughing a little. “I watched human movies. I know about slumber parties. I went to one or two. I had a big family. My sisters had friends.”

  Nefri gazed up at the woman. You all speak strangely. I know English. Yet I have trouble grasping. Some of the meaning.

  You’ll get used to it, Steven told her. You won’t be alone. Aria is lost a lot of the time as well.

  He had to get them back on track. “Mouse, give me a bit longer. I’m almost done.” He had to be. His Animus was waning.

  Back to Nefri. Are you a Lyra?

  She definitely looked ashamed, and she sent one word to him. Ohkreela.

  It was like she expected that one word to mean everything to him.

  The spell ended. Nefri took in a ragged breath. She wasn’t glaring at him, but she wasn’t exactly friendly. In fact, she smirked at him, chuckling a little. At what, he had no idea.

  Aria walked through the doors, naked and human. She slung her belt with the Animus Daggers across her back. “There is a Cruxis about five miles away on a lake. I saw thousands of Shaze, but nothing very interesting.”

  Mouse grabbed a red oversized T-shirt with Kansas City Kings on the front. She tossed it to Aria. “There you go, Aria. It’s your color. I know you like red.”

  Aria tossed it back. “I’m fine.” She came over, frowning at Nefri. “Has she spoken?”

  “She can’t speak,” Steven said. “But I was able to talk to her. She... she has a Morta core, mixed with Animus. I think my own Morta helped me communicate with her.”

  Nefri nodded.

  He turned to her. “Can you help me with my Morta core?”

  Another nod.

  Aria crossed her arms. “Did she say why she wanted to steal the orb and the Hellstring?”

  “That didn’t come up. She does want to destroy the Zothoric.” Steven paused. “I think she’s on our side.”

  Aria put a hand on Steven’s back. “I need Animus, Dragonlord. We all do. It’s past time for you to service us.”

  “Wow, service us,” Mouse said. “That is so sexy. It’s like we’re cars in need of a checkup.”

  “I do like looking under your hood,” Steven said.

  Mouse grinned. “Why did that give me a tingle?”

  “Why did you saying ‘tingle’ give me a tingle?” Steven shot back.

  Aria sighed. “This is not helping me. I need filling.”

  Mouse fanned her face. “Aria, you have got to stop. Now I need a filling too.”

  Tessa and Uchiko returned. Of course, Tessa heard them. “Did I hear something about being filled?”

  Steven cast a glance at Nefri, who was watching all the women intently. Did the dark elves procreate like humans? Was their anatomy even similar?

  Under her robes, Nefri did have breasts and hips, but he wondered what lay between her legs. And if she’d even be interested.

  Tessa began to unbutton her shirt, revealing her bra, overflowing with smooth globes of rounded skin. She stopped. “Uh, what are we going to do with big blue here?”

  Nefri smiled suggestively, her eyes twinkling.

  “Let me ask her,” Steven said. “I can do another spell, Tessa, but I’ll need some help.” He reached out a hand.

  Tessa took it, her top open. She gave him Animus, and he felt his core respond. He whispered, “Divinatio.”

  Again, he linked with Nefri’s mind.

  She spoke with him immediately. I find the name big blue rather comical. I know what you must do with your Escort. You needn’t be ashamed. I’ve witnessed such acts before on many occasions. It has been a long time since I have partaken.

  Can we trust you? Steven asked.

  Nefri lifted her cuffed hands. Perhaps if you free. I can help you with your Escort.

  Steven considered that, but he had a clear picture in his head of the archer escaping and not returning. They had Icharaam’s Orb, but now they needed help finding Quinnestri and the rest of the Lyra. The universe was a big place. They would need all the help they could get.

  I’m not ready to free you yet, he sent. We’ll take our fun to another part of the Walmart. I’m sorry, Nefri, but I need more of your story before I can trust you.

  That might take a long time. Those eyes were playful, strange, beautiful.

  Uchiko let out a grunt of disapproval and left the Walmart.

  Nefri watched her. And there are some among you. Who will never trust me. And who I will hate in return.

  Steven didn’t like the sound of that.

  Mouse waved at Steven. “Take Thirteen and Darkside in the back and do your filling. I’ll sit with tall, blue, and handsome here.”

  The dark elf barked laughter.

  He went with Tessa and Aria to a far corner, and they found blankets and cushions to put down on the floor.

  Aria kissed him and helped him undress as Tessa finished the job of freeing her breasts from her bra. She unbuckled her gun belt and pushed down her jeans. The guns went on the jeans near her satchel. She brushed her hand over her tits. “I have to say, the dark elf is hot. You know me, I’m already wondering if she’s going to join us.”

  Aria had Steven’s shaft in her hands, stroking him. “Let us be together, the three of us, and stop planning for a moment.”

  Tessa reached and lifted the orb. “We can’t be lazy. We have work to do, Thirteen. Well, you do. Do you mind giving me a little loving? I want to try something with our prize here.”

  “I love to love you, dearest Tessa.” Aria left Steven to kiss Tessa, their breasts touching, dark skin and pale skin, a lovely combination.

  Tessa went to the floor, spreading her legs, showing Aria and Steven her sex.

  Aria got on all fours in front of her and slowly licked her way up Tessa’s quivering thigh. She’d lost some weight during their weeks on the Battle World, but she hadn’t lost it in her thighs or her wonderfully squishy ass. She propped herself up on her elbows, one hand on Icharaam’s Orb, lying in a tangle of blankets.

  Steven helped himself to Aria’s sex. She was spread in front of him, her legs apart. He licked up her slit, got her ready, and slid in.

  Aria sighed happily. She returned to Tessa, who was nearing an orgasm. “Yes, there, yes, okay. Oh, Aria. Oh.”

  The barista was pushed over the edge. Her sk
in glowed, as did the sphere. A pink light flashed out of the orb, bathing Aria and Steven with power.

  The pleasure was incredible. Not only did he get Animus from the blast, but it made him come. He pushed himself into Aria fully, even as she whimpered underneath him.

  “I felt that!” Mouse called from across the floor. “My turn next! Whatever you did, Tessa, with our new toy, you’re going to have to do that again and again.”

  Tessa was giggling, red-faced, so cute, so naked, and so completely adorable. “I think Adam & Eve Online is going to pay us millions if I can make more of these orbs. I’ve never had a vibrator do that before!”

  Chapter Three

  TWO DAYS LATER, UCHIKO sat in her perch outside the ruins of the Denver International Airport. She’d taken over a control tower east of the airport, up high. She had created a nice roost there, with blankets, sleeping bags, and chairs, on top of the tower as well as inside. She’d removed the equipment herself, since there were no longer airplanes that needed it.

  Not all of the humans were gone. They’d seen signs of people, but so far, they’d not met anyone face-to-face.

  Uchiko supplied her perch with the essentials: energy drinks, packages of freeze-dried food, water, and her favorite cookies. While much was different about Gaia Beta, the Battle World still had Oreos. She liked to eat them with milk best of all, but there was no milk anymore on Gaia Beta. The cows were all dead, the cartons all spoiled, and she’d tried dehydrated milk, but it didn’t taste anything like the real thing.

  So she ate the Oreos plain, screwing off the top of the cookie, licking up the white middle, and then munching down the rest.

  Haru had introduced the cookies to her during their time guarding Steven’s family in their Cherry Creek compound. Poor Haru, American food had fattened him up until he could hardly fight. As for Uchiko, she limited herself to two Oreos a day. It was enough.

  She’d kept up the discipline of the Dragonskin rituals for centuries. It required a sparse diet, which taught acolytes to maximize their access to the Animus in their bodies and in the world.

  Even after she’d failed the rituals, she’d continued the self-denial, if nothing else, as a punishment for her failure.