Chapter 19 #2
Nerves and adrenaline surged into Allie, and she launched into a hasty explanation.
“I mean, that’s how I think of it—well, like an ability gifted to you.
There are other ways, I guess.” She looked down.
“You’re the first person other than me who seems to have abilities that go past the norm.
Although I’m pretty sure Cam has something, like stamina or strength or something like that, but I haven’t confirmed—”
Key held up a hand, smiling and shaking her head. “I get you. I totally get you. And to answer your question... Yeah, the berserker thing’s probably part of it. Plus I’m stronger and faster than I was.” She paused. “But that’s not it. Ability-wise.”
Allie stared, electrified. “You have something else?”
“Yes. But before I show you, can I ask—what’s your ability?”
Allie swallowed. Now or never. “I can... find things. Places, items. People, too, I think.”
“Whoa.” Key’s brown eyes widened. “Morrigan shows you? Or does She give you the power to see?”
“A bit of both? Sometimes, I find things in dreams—she points them out, shows me directly. She did that with where we were supposed to go when we left the bunker. But I can seek things out on my own when I’m awake.”
“When you’re feeling better, I’d love to see that. And pardon me for being practical, but goddamn, girl.” Key grinned, and her eyes were full of respect. “That’s going to be so useful out here.”
As long as I can actually find what we need. “It’s not without dangers. I have to go into a trance, and it closes me off to the physical world.”
“So you’re vulnerable while you’re seeking.” Key nodded thoughtfully. “No problem. We can cover you.”
“That’s good, but... I’m worried about what Cam will... I mean, how he’ll take it.”
Key grimaced. “Honey, I can promise you that boy’s seen plenty of weird shit. The only thing he’s not going to really dig about this is that it’ll put you in danger, but he also happens to be uniquely suited to playing guard dog.” Key’s eyes lit up. “Hey, that’s how you found the ambushers.”
Allie nodded. “Morrigan warned me, told me to look for them.”
“You didn’t do your thing in front of Cam, I take it.”
Allie shook her head.
“Then you went off on your own and nearly got killed.” Key grunted. “Well, he’s definitely not going to love all that. Or you keeping it a secret.” When Allie didn’t respond to this, Key leaned in. “But he’ll get over it.”
“I hope.”
Key nudged her. “He will.”
Allie tried to take comfort in Key’s confidence. “Thank you for... well, everything, I guess.”
“Allie, honey, I don’t know if you’ve caught on, but you’re one of us now. You’re part of the family.”
A tide of warmth spread through Allie at that statement. Part of the family.
But Key wasn’t done. “And I can tell you something else. We’re not the only ones who have gifts. We’re the only ones who talk to gods, as far as I know, but other people have been... touched, I guess?... by the gods.”
Allie nodded. “Cam.”
“Cameron has always been tough. Strong. But ever since the Zs hit, he’s been able to do shit he never could have before.”
“He ran from that horde for days, only stopping occasionally for a bit of sleep.”
“Exactly. I mean, he’s not out there lifting cars over his head or anything, but he’s able to function way better than anyone else I know without much sleep, food, water. And I know he heals quicker than most people.”
“The gunshot wound.”
Key nodded grimly. “He should have died. That bullet hole had all the marks of infection early on, but suddenly, it stopped festering and was clean and ready for stitching—no antibiotics, nothing.”
“Wow.”
“Ripper might have something. Enhanced accuracy or sight, maybe? Laurel probably had some sort of gift, but I couldn’t figure it out, and well, she’s gone. You know about that.” Key looked at Allie. “Now you’re here, after you found Cam.”
Laurel’s name gave Allie a pang, but she was able to see past it to the bigger picture Key was painting. “And we’re all together in one group.”
“Seems like more than a coincidence, doesn’t it?
There’s got to be more groups of us out there.
” Key sighed, her expression troubled. “I’m trying hard not to dwell too much on it, but I’m telling you, nothing good for humanity’s coming from all this.
The zombies and their weirdness, the old gods messing around in our lives, helpful or not.
..” She shook her head. “And of course, Sek doesn’t answer questions directly.
Like, ever. I’ll bet you a crisp dollar bill your Morrigan doesn’t either. ”
Allie mimed taking out a nonexistent wallet from her pocket, withdrawing a dollar bill, and handing it over.
Key laughed. “Right.” She raised her head, half groaning, half shouting, “Shit!” Then she dropped her head and shook it as if to clear it.
“Well, we’ve got to deal with what’s in front of us.
” She blew out a breath. “Thanks, Allie. For telling me about it all. For sharing the burden a bit.” Her smile was a little sad this time.
“It’s nice to have someone else in the Goddesses-Talk-to-Me Club. ”
“You’re welcome.” Going with her instincts, Allie leaned forward to hug Key. It was hesitant, but Key reciprocated, leaning into Allie for a few seconds. Then she gave Allie’s shoulder a light, careful squeeze before she let go.
When Key pulled back, Allie was surprised to see tears in the other woman’s eyes.
“Thank you,” Key said, wiping at her cheeks with her fingers. “I guess I needed that.”
“Any time.” Allie meant it.
“There’s one more thing. It’s a secret, kind of.
Only Dette knows, mostly because I have to be careful how I use it.
” Key put one hand on Allie’s shoulder and closed her eyes.
Allie felt warmth spreading throughout her body, and when she looked down, Key’s hand glowed a faint red.
That red energy, she knew, was flowing through her own body.
Her cuts tingled, warm and itchy for a heartbeat or two, then the warmth faded. As did much of her lingering pain.
“You can heal?” Allie pulled up her shirt. The smaller cuts and scrapes were mostly gone, leaving only crusts of scabs in some places. The larger wound was still there, but it had faded and no longer ached when she moved.
Key smiled a little dully, her face lined with weariness.
For the first time, Allie remembered that Key had to be more than a decade older than she was, probably close to fifty.
Logically, she knew that must be the case, since she and Odette had adopted Cam when they were a married couple settled in their careers, but those years didn’t usually show on Key’s strong, handsome face. Most of the time, she looked ageless.
“It’s limited, and even so, I can’t use it too often,” Key explained. “It wears me out, takes up too much energy. Sometimes, when I try to use it, the wounds show up on me.”
“No! Did my—”
Key lifted a hand. “No, I promise. Yours are days old and already healing, so I only gave them a little nudge.”
Allie’s brain worked rapidly. “I’ll bet you work with Odette sometimes when she’s tending to patients. That’s how you use it without anyone knowing.”
Key chuckled. “Score another one for the smart girl.” She yawned a little. “But the big thing is I need to do it when I can rest and recover safely. Being sleepy out here in Z-land can get you killed. I’m going to nap when we get back to the camp, as should you. It’ll help the healing energy.”
Allie stood on her own for the first time in days. “Thank you, Key.”
Key got up too. “Don’t thank me yet.” Her eyes went a little sad again. “There’s a storm coming. I’ll bet you can feel it too.”
Allie knew Key wasn’t talking about the weather. “Looks can be deceiving,” she said, repeating Morrigan’s words.
Key nodded grimly. “They absolutely can be.”
Looking at Key’s fierce expression, Allie wondered if she should stock up on beer and red food coloring, just in case.