Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X, #1)(51)

“Mr. Rafferty. You’ve created a hoax in an attempt to trick others into the worship of a fictitious entity. Your license is revoked, and you will be forced to answer for—”

The young man who’d had the earlier fit sprang toward Justin. Mae saw the attack coming and acted without hesitation. I can’t let anything happen to him. She was too far away, though, to stop that first punch that knocked Justin back. That was all the guy got in before Mae reached him and tackled him to the ground. Her sharpened senses warned her of others moving in, and once she was certain her target was down, she spun around and blocked the attack of another man who’d come at Justin. The guy was joined by several of his brethren, men and women, all of them worked up over this blasphemy toward their leader. Mae vaguely noted that Golden Arrow himself, along with other more prudent members of the congregation, was uneasily keeping his distance.

She spared them little more time than that, however. Battle mode seized her, driven by both her normal fighter nature and the influence of that dark presence that reveled in violence. That darkness seemed to take especial satisfaction out of battling the servants of a god, and for a moment, Mae had the surreal sense of being involved in something much bigger than what was, ultimately, a scuffle with some delusional hotheads. The pews made for awkward fighting, but it was more trouble for them than for her, and as soon as she had a semi-clear space around her and Justin, she took out her gun and fired a shot into the air. Everyone froze.

“Back off,” she ordered, moving into a position that gave her a vantage on everyone in the room. “Get over there, against that wall.” Power filled her, and she almost hoped someone would try to resist. They didn’t and instead scurried to comply. Golden Arrow seemed to realize just how much trouble he was in. The rapture was gone, and he looked like a very ordinary, very frightened man.

“Dr. March, maybe we can clear up this misunderstanding—”

“You can clear it up with them,” said Justin, getting to his feet and nodding toward the doorway. Mae could hear voices and footsteps, and within seconds, local police filled the room, notified by a message Justin must have sent off on his ego at the fight’s start. Servitors could request instant access from law enforcement.

Once she and Justin identified themselves, the authorities took over processing and detaining Apollo’s followers. Mae sat near the back of the room with Justin, staying out of the way until they were needed to finalize the official paperwork. The darkness that had aided her in battle was gone, leaving her tired and a little empty.

Justin gingerly touched the spot on his face that had been hit. “Ow,” he said. “My stunning good looks are ruined. How will I get by in the world now?”

Mae rubbed her trembling hands together. “You’ll manage. There’s hardly anything there. Just get some ice when we leave.”

He shook his head. “I’d rather have something harder. We’re staying in Windsor tonight. You want to go hit some nightlife?”

“Incredible,” she said. “You get attacked by a cult, and the only thing you can think of is going clubbing.”

“You have a better idea?” He winced. “Goddamn, that hurts.”

“Baby. The military infirmary would laugh me out if I came in with that.”

“I’m not a supersoldier with a pain-dulling implant.”

“It’s nothing,” she insisted, unable to hide a smile.

“Dr. March.” That was Golden Arrow as the police led him past. His earlier fear was gone, and he’d apparently decided to accept his arrest with arrogance. He came to a halt. “You must be very pleased with yourself. No doubt your master thinks he’s triumphed over mine.”

“SCI’s triumphed over worse than you,” said Justin cheerfully.

Golden Arrow’s eyes gleamed. “That’s not the master I’m talking about.”

“What happened to your partner in crime?” asked Justin. “I was hoping to see Callista.”

“I’m sure you were,” said Golden Arrow with a sneer. “She left last year with Nadia.”

Justin fell silent as he dredged up the name. “Nadia Menari? That Arianrhod priestess?”

“I’m surprised you remember the lives of those you ruin.”

“She was preaching the destruction of men everywhere,” said Justin. “She was lucky she wasn’t arrested. Why’d she go with Callista?”

“I don’t know.” Mae understood little of what was being discussed, but from the bitterness in his voice, Golden Arrow had taken these events personally. “To start some überfeminist cult.”

“Where?”

Golden Arrow glared. “Hell if I know. They took off with half my money and disappeared.”

“If you need to talk more,” said one of the authorities, “we can set up an interrogation room at our station.”

Justin shook his head. “I’m good.” Yet, Mae was pretty sure she heard disappointment in his voice.

“For now,” called Golden Arrow as his captors led him away. “Your side hasn’t won. Not by a long shot.”

“I don’t even know what my side is,” Justin muttered.

Mae watched Golden Arrow until he left the building, and then she turned back to Justin. “Did what he said make sense? Is Callista the priestess you want?”