The Dark Calling (The Arcana Chronicles #5)(89)

Jack pointed out, “Kentarch said the sphere is still growing. It could engulf you.”

“I won’t get close enough to allow that.” Aric’s brows drew together. “Where did Kentarch go? We need to find him as soon as possible. I can’t believe he’s separated from his vehicle.”

My eyes watered. I hoped Kentarch didn’t teleport himself and Joules back to Jubilee. There’d be nowhere to land.

Jack scrubbed a hand over his face and explained what had happened.

As he spoke, the duality of the Chariot’s card struck me anew. Kentarch was so physically strong, yet he’d been damaged down to his soul. He was a warrior vanquished not by violence, but by love.

Aric’s expression registered his shock. “Issa was dead all along? Then Kentarch is lost.” He cursed in Latvian. “We needed him in the fight against the Emperor.”

Jack said, “He wasn’t able to help.”

Aric did a double take. “You faced Richter?”

I murmured, “And Zara. She cost Kentarch his right hand. The only reason we escaped them is because of Circe. In any case, there’s no fighting the Emperor. Bullets melted. Javelins and rock too. No weapon can reach him.”

I frowned. Right before I’d killed Lorraine, hadn’t the queen whispered something about Richter? What was it?

Jack added, “That fils de pute has Evie in his sights now, wants to make her his Empress.”

Another string of curses from Aric.

“So what’s your plan, Reaper?” Jack asked. “You always got one.”

“Since I escaped the sphere, my only plan was to reach my wife and prevent her demise. Now I do not know.” The infallible knight looked more unsure than I’d ever seen him.

Jack raised his brows. “Never thought those words would come out of your mouth.”

Aric’s I have power over all I survey vibe was shot. “We’re going to need food and fuel. I can raid the closest settlement and steal both. If they’re disorganized enough, perhaps I can infiltrate and take control, securing a safe shelter.”

“What settlement?” I asked.

“The Sick House.”

I shook my head. “It’s run by the Pentacles. Lorraine—the Queen of Cups—said the Minors were uniting in order to hasten the end of the game and bring back the earth. And that was before I took out an entire suit. Now they’re going to be gunning for me and my kid. No place could be more dangerous.”

Jack said, “Besides, how do we infiltrate without Finn?”

We all grew quiet. Outside, rain began to fall, dotting the cracked windshield of Kentarch’s chariot. Like tears.

I asked Aric, “How is Lark doing?”

“Not well. She grieves the boy she loved.”

“Did she attempt to revive him?”

“Paul persuaded her to cremate the body.”

Though I’d figured Paul would never risk the Magician’s resurrection, some part of me must not have accepted that Finn was gone.

Until now.

I kept replaying his last night when he’d given us that breathtaking illusion of the surf at Malibu. I’d never forget the excitement in his voice and his lively expression. Finn had promised to teach my kid what the sun looked like.

Rage bubbled up from a bottomless well of it. Paul had robbed the world of my friend.

Aric said, “That’s an example of the Hanged Man’s total control. He convinced Fauna, a card known for being driven, to blindly follow his dictates. When she gets free . . .”

I was confused on so many scores—Aric had returned, Jack was alive, and my heart was torn apart again—but I knew one thing for certain: Paul needed to pay. “No one will be free or safe until the Hanged Man is dead. Which is why I’m going to face him.” Now that Death wasn’t defending the castle, I might have a shot against Paul and the others. Or at least, the red witch would. “Aric, we do have the means to kill him.”

“How?”

“Lorraine told us that the only weapon capable of ending him was a noose that had executed twelve murderous souls. Unfortunately, it’d been destroyed. Then I realized I could make another noose, and I happened to have an entire suit of serial killers within reach.”

Jack reached beneath his coat and untied the length of rope from his waist, tossing it on the dash. “No way, Evie. We doan know if this thing will work.”

I needed revenge against Paul. I needed to save my friends. I needed a place to give birth. “I’m facing him. And there’s no question mark at the end of that sentence.”

“Look, we doan have to decide anything right away.” Jack took my hand. “You just hold on. I got food and fuel, me. We can think things through for a spell.”

Aric said, “What food and fuel?”

“We worked salvage in Jubilee, looting wrecks. With the help of Kentarch and Joules, I set up a bug-out location, filled it up nice and good.” Narrowing his gaze, he said, “You bragged about that castle enough, but I bet you’re wishing you had a bolt hole right about now.”

Instead of arguing, Aric asked, “Can we reach this place with the fuel we have?”

“Ouais.” Seeming to make a decision, Jack said, “Head north on this road.”

Aric quickly started driving. He hid it well, but I sensed his relief.