Chapter 21
Rubbernecking
As the barren red plains of Hell coalesced around them, Zach dropped his arm from where it had been shielding his eyes from the intense wind of the vortex.
He saw the others do the same before they began to look around at their surroundings.
He knew they’d be curious about the realm they found themselves in, since as far as he knew, none of them had visited before, but he honestly didn’t think there was anything much to look at.
Sure, it could be beautiful—the sunsets often bathed the plains with pink and orange light, and the distant glow of a lava lake was unparalleled—but it was pretty much the same everywhere you went in Hell.
They didn’t have a lot of variety when it came to landscapes.
He immediately gathered his magic and sent it out, searching for Drew’s aura.
If any of the others were the one searching for it, he wouldn’t have been able to describe what they had to look for.
Drew’s aura was as familiar to Zach as his own.
How could he describe that it felt like home?
That it smelled of potential, and tasted like happiness?
What words could possibly be used to convey the feeling of sunshine on his face when it entwined with his own, or the emptiness he felt in its absence?
An aura wasn’t just a projection of the energy each person emitted.
It was so much more than that. It was also different from a magical signature.
From a reflection of their hopes and desires, to the core of their morals and values, it was almost like taking a peek into their very soul.
Auras were different for everyone, although close relations’ were similar.
They were also fluid and ever-changing. Years down the track, Zach would find his own aura aligning more with Drew’s, until it would be clear to anyone who could sense them that they were intrinsically connected.
His magic flowed outwards from him as he whispered “amorem meum inveni1.” It caught on the wind and travelled with the breeze, flying in each direction, seeking, searching.
There was no answer to his call from the direction of the Borderlands, or the place they had faced off with the Shadow Blades.
Zach’s breath caught, though, when he felt the faint brush of Drew’s aura against his magic, coming from the direction of the settlement.
“Drew,” he whispered, his hand reaching out subconsciously, as though he could touch him if only he reached far enough.
“Do you have a direction?” Kensington asked.
Zach nodded. “Yes. He’s gone to the village where we were going to stay the night.
” He slumped a little in relief. The idea of Drew being alone on the plains at night had sent icy terror coiling around his heart.
He’d been lucky enough to tame one urco, but there was no guarantee he’d have been able to replicate that success.
There were also things much, much worse than urcos hunting in this realm.
Of course, there were also dangerous situations in the settlement, but sometimes even demons were the lesser of two evils.
Kensington looked across the plain in the direction Zach had indicated. “How far is it to the village?”
“We were keeping a pretty fast pace, since we had an urco on our tail,” Zach explained.
“I think it took us roughly seven or eight hours to get from the village to the outcrop where the Shadow Blades caught up with us. This spot here is roughly halfway, but I’m just guessing.
” He scratched his chin as he thought. “My best estimate is maybe ten to fifteen miles?”
“Okay. Without having seen a place first, I can only safely teleport us to places within eyesight. Given how flat this area is, we’ll probably manage two or three miles at a time.
It’ll still be faster than walking, though, so we’ll hop in that direction, and at each stop, you can check we’re still going the right way. ”
“How exactly do you know that’s the right way?” Tremblay demanded.
Zach fought the urge to roll his eyes. He didn’t want to waste time getting into an argument with Tremblay, and showing any signs of annoyance would be a surefire way to start one.
“I’ve locked onto his aura, or at least the imprint of it on the surrounding area.
He has spent at least several hours in one spot in that direction.
” He pointed helpfully towards the settlement.
Tremblay scoffed. “Aural beacons are pseudo-magic. There’s been very little research into them to prove it’s an effective means of finding someone.”
“There’s actually been several studies into it and corresponding articles in esteemed publications,” Kensington corrected him. “Enough that the prevailing theories are generally accepted.”
“There’s also numerous articles disputing the findings of those studies and offering alternative theories.” Tremblay’s voice dripped with condescension, and Zach had to take a steadying breath to remain calm.
“There will always be debates about any research, but the existence of those papers doesn’t negate the leading theories, which have been peer reviewed by the top scholars in the Collective,” Kensington told him. Zach would bet his last dollar that the Grand Master had been one of those scholars.
Tremblay crossed his arms and declared, “It’s still too risky to take a chance on.”
“What would you suggest as an alternative, then?” Kensington asked, with more patience than the situation deserved. “We just pick a direction at random and hope for the best?”
Tremblay opened his mouth, then closed it, and seemed unable to give a response to that.
“Research aside,” Zach said. “I know aural beacons work because I’ve been using them for thousands of years.” He glared at Tremblay. “How long have you been practicing magic for again?”
“I don’t think we can discount Zach’s experience in this matter,” Cavendish told Tremblay diplomatically. “I’m sure he knows what he’s doing.”
“Fine,” he huffed. “But when we end up chasing our tails, you all know who to blame!”
“Now that we’ve got that sorted,” Kensington drawled. “Let’s take one another’s hands and form a circle.”
Zach was quick to step in between Kensington and Cavendish, not confident he wouldn’t crush the bones of Tremblay’s hand if he was forced to touch him right now. Kensington shuffled them around until he was facing the direction of the village, and then the air pressure dropped as he said the spell.
They popped into existence on the same path they’d taken, but this time the glow from the lava lake was much closer.
Once again, Zach immediately sent a tendril of magic off in search of Drew’s aura, but because he knew which direction to point it in, the ping of his magic locating it was much faster.
“We’re good,” he told Kensington.
They teleported in hops and jumps several more times, and each time, Drew’s aura got stronger and stronger.
Unfortunately, it never got so strong as to show he was still in the settlement.
They would need intel, though, so at least they could stop and ask questions and try to determine if anyone had seen Drew, and if so, where he might have gone.
Oh, and by any chance had he mentioned what the fuck he was looking for?
They all took a moment to glamour themselves before they entered the village, and Zach led them towards the inn from before.
Not only was it where he assumed Drew probably went, but it was also guaranteed to have an abundance of chatty demons who would be willing—for a pint or a coin or two—to speak to them.
When they reached the square where the inn was located, they discovered a large crowd of demons milling about, watching the inn with fear in their eyes. The small group approached them, only for a large bang from inside the building cause the demons to jump, shriek, and take several steps back.
“What’s going on?” Cavendish murmured as they watched one very large, very furry, and very dangerous-looking demon bury his face in the chest of his friend and whimper with fear.
“I have absolutely no idea,” Zach said, shaking his head. He spied the innkeeper and led the others through the crowd to him. “Hello,” Zach greeted him. “Can you tell us what’s happening?”
The innkeeper glanced over at them and said, “If you don’t wish to be torn limb from limb, I would leave now while you still can.”
Zach frowned. “But why? What’s going on?”
“There’s something inside,” the innkeeper said in a low, trembling voice. “Something that should never see the light of day. We’re doomed. All doomed!” he finished dramatically.
“Forgive me if this is a dumb question,” Zach said carefully. “But if it’s so dangerous, why is everyone just standing around waiting? Shouldn’t the town be evacuated?”
“It can’t kill us all at once,” the demon said matter-of-factly. “I know I’m faster than most here, so I’m sure I can make it somewhere safe before it’s finished.”
Zach pursed his lips and nodded, unable to dispute that logic. People everywhere—demons, human, angels, everyone—were nosy fuckers who loved rubbernecking at unfortunate incidents.
There was another loud crash from inside the inn, and the door bulged outwards as something inside tried very hard to get out.
“On second thoughts,” the innkeeper said, already backing away. “I just remembered I have somewhere to be . . .” He turned and fled.
Before Zach could suggest they make a strategic retreat to assess the situation further, there was another loud thump, and then the door to the inn exploded outward.
Splinters and bits of wood went flying into the crowd, but no one seemed to notice the projectiles when an enormous beast started stalking towards them.
“We’re all going to die!” a demon screamed and pushed through the crowd in an attempt to escape.
The beast knocked demons over, stepping on fallen bodies and limbs as it single-mindedly made its way across the square.
Straight towards them.
The air was filled with terrified cries, moaning and whimpering, and shouts to run away. Zach just grinned and opened his arms wide.
“Hey, boy! What are you doing here?”
The urco lunged at him, knocking him to the ground, and proceeded to lick every inch of his face.
1. 'Find my love'