Broken Glass (The Wanderland Chronicles #2), page 19
“Help me move him,” Alice demanded.
“What? Why?” Chess challenged. “He just tried to kill you!”
“I’m not going to kill an unconscious man.” Alice glared at the blinking collar fastened around his neck. “Besides, it’s not his fault. This is the Queen’s game.”
“He made his choice when he joined her,” Chess retorted grimly.
“What about your choice?” Alice snapped. “You joined her too, but then you changed your mind.” She looked down at the lifeless man. “My choice is not to kill if I can avoid it.”
Chess’ brows knotted, but he wisely held his tongue. He scooped under the Joker’s arms while Alice manned his torso. She was about to heft him from the field when a familiar voice sounded in her ear.
“Let me.”
Alice turned as Lewis hunched and gripped the man’s trunk. A stream of blood trickled down his face from a long, thin cut under his cheekbone, but his mouth was set in determination.
“Lewis, what are you doing out here?” Alice asked, her heart squeezing in her chest. “You’re supposed to be with Bug and the others!”
“Someone told me once that just because something seems impossible, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.” Lewis gave her a warm smile. “Call me a dreamer, but I guess it stuck with me.”
Alice grinned back. “I guess so,” she responded. “Here.”
She handed off the Joker to let him assist Chess off the field. Hands free, she dipped to grab her blade, then swung back to the battlefield. Her face paled as a low horn sounded, prickling her spine as its haunting cry crossed the field. The scattered clashes stilled as the blare faded and was replaced by a low, steady hum. It built in ferocity until the dull drone transformed into a thundering roar and the entrance was swarmed.
Dozens of jabberwalkies poured onto the battlefield. They seeped through the entrance, their arms thrashing as they careened towards Eden with unnatural speed, filling the vacant positions left by fallen Jokers.
“Keep fighting!” Lilith’s sharp voice cried above the din, rousing her troops. The soldiers paled, but lined up in somber conviction as they resurged, battling against the Jokers even as the jabberwalkies closed in on them. Alice cracked her knuckles as raw energy coursed through her veins. She watched as the monsters clustered, gnashing their teeth and flailing violently as they stormed their prey, thriving on the chaos of battle.
Invigorated by the scene, Alice drew in a sharp breath and sprinted forward, jumping heedlessly into the fray.
Alice only made it a few steps before a solid body plowed into her shoulder, staggering her sideways. Her feet slid against the rough ground as the jabberwalkie thrashed its claws, trying to tear into her flesh.
She danced backward and the jabberwalkie stuttered to a stop, matching her steps. It studied her, then began circling, its head twisting sideways as it stared her down. Alice mirrored its steps, keeping the monster at arm’s distance with her blood-tipped blade.
Without warning, the momerath let out a raw, visceral shriek and flung itself forward with inhuman speed. Even with her enhanced speed abilities, Alice couldn’t move fast enough. Claws raked down her face, ripping a huge gash across her cheek. Alice cried out in pain as hot liquid seeped down her cheek, spilling onto her shirt. Before she could right herself, the monster’s other hand crashed down to take another chunk out of her cheek. Alice deflected, but the hit whipped her arm, ripping it from the socket with a sickening pop. She screamed and fell to the ground as the jabberwalkie stormed forward, babbling ghoulishly as its lips curled into an evil sneer.
Alice tried to stand, but searing pain shot through her arm and radiated into her back. She stumbled, scraping her skin raw against the asphalt. A terrified cry caught in her throat as her feet backpedaled against the rocky soil to retreat from the prowling monster. It yowled, then charged, saliva dripping from its jagged teeth as Alice watched the end her life reflected in its dead eyes.
The jabberwalkie brandished its claws with a murderous hiss, then released a pained shriek as a small, dark figure darted behind it with the glint of a blade. The monster toppled, staining the asphalt with the thick, black blood that sprayed from the gash that was just carved into its ankle, pooling around its foot. Behind the jabberwalkie, Natalie crouched, her long blade resting high on her shoulder.
Undeterred, the momerath swiped angrily and fell, roaring in pain. It glowered at Natalie and let out another blood-curdling shriek before trying to charge again. But with its tendon severed, the monster couldn’t move. Furious, it slammed its fists against the ground, using all its murderous strength to drag itself toward Natalie.
Natalie’s mouth formed a hard line as she stepped forward, her blade a blur as it sliced the jabberwalkie’s throat, leaving its head attached by the smallest slip of skin. Natalie looked up with a meek smile.
“You might make a joke about that,” she laughed, moving towards Alice. “Maybe something like, ‘Off with its—’”
A furious shriek cut off Natalie’s quip as a heavy body barreled into her. The newcomer roared and ripped its claws into her chest savagely, its arms a bloodied blur. Alice screamed as the jabberwalkie gored the girl, flinging bits of Natalie’s jacket and flesh into the air.
A small choking sound gurgled from Natalie’s chest as her eyes widened, meeting Alice’s horrified gaze over her ruined torso. Alice’s shoulder blazed, but she forced herself to her feet, her fingers fumbling to grip her blade. Using every ounce of strength she had, she plunged the machete into the creature’s back and it slumped forward, crushing the tiny soldier’s frame.
“Natalie!” Alice screamed. One-handed, she gripped the monster’s shoulder to heave it off the girl. Removed from her demonic burden, Natalie spluttered through a gaping pool of blood in her chest.
“Stay with me.” Alice pleaded. She scanned Natalie’s mutilated body frantically for the worst wounds, but couldn’t discern the extent of damage between the ribboned flesh. “Stay with me and I’ll do… something.” Her brain fritzed as she tried to remember Dinah’s training. “Stay with me and I’ll—”
“Save me?” Natalie’s wheezing laugh gurgled through her drowning breath. “You would if you could, you know,” she whispered, then fell limp.
Alice watched in stunned silence until the sounds of battle burst through the haze in her mind, forcing her to move. She stood on shaky legs and stormed forward, her blood singing as she cut through the swarm. Blossoming rage swept over her vision and her limbs moved on their own accord, landing strike after deadly strike, leaving three jabberwalkies and a Joker in her vengeful wake. Her machete rang its final note and Alice stood in the center of the massacre, her chest heaving as she fell to her knees in a daze.
“Alice!”
Shouting her name, Chess stumbled over the slaughter, clutching a seeping wound at his side. His eyes widened as he helped Alice to her feet, worrying over her vacant expression.
“I leave you alone for five minutes…” He forced a trembling laugh and swept her hair from her bloodied cheek, ripping fine strands of silver from the drying wound.
“Don’t worry about that.” Alice blinked and shook her face, releasing his grip. “We have bigger problems.” She turned to reveal her dangling arm.
“Gah!” Chess’ cheeks greened as he watched Alice’s arm swing like a metronome.
“I need you to fix this,” she requested with icy calm.
“What?” His gaze ripped from her arm to her face. “No!”
“I can’t fight with a dislocated shoulder, you idiot. Now fix it, or I’m monster bait,” Alice barked, wincing with every move.
Chess swallowed queasily, his nose scrunching as he reached for her arm. Alice bit her lip, steeling herself for what she was about to do.
“Alright. You’re going to have to—” Alice cut off in a yelp as Chess smashed her shoulder in place. Another black wave rolled over her vision, then dissipated to reveal Chess hovering over her, looking worried.
“Did I do it right?”
Alice groaned and tried to move her shoulder. Though it still ached, it no longer felt like it was being severed one nerve at a time. “Yeah,” she grimaced. “You got it.”
“Good.” Chess sagged in relief. He kneeled toward her, his eyes melting into hers as he smiled. “We wouldn’t want you to be lunch.”
Alice rolled her eyes, preparing to make a snide comment, when the entrance to Eden erupted. She dove to the ground as all around her, a dozen explosions were triggered. Her ears ringing, she peeked up from where she crouched and saw the Joker that Lewis helped disappear in a cloud of blood and guts. Terrified screams ripped through the battlefield as more Contrabands detonated, taking out battling Jokers and their opponents. In a matter of seconds, hundreds of people were dead, leaving Eden’s entrance nothing but cratered asphalt and ravaged bodies.
Alice covered her face as her stomach revolted, clenching her eyes to stave off smoke and tears, until a figure emerged from the wreckage, her burning red hair cloaking her in hellfire as she laughed maniacally.
In the middle of the devastation the Queen stepped forward, her imposing stance radiating pure fury. She looked around the battlefield, reveling in the stares of all souls, frowning only when Haigha shuffled forward, his twin blades twisted to rest patiently against his forearms as he addressed the invading dictator, their curved edges dripping blood. He glowered at the Queen, his bitter determination stretching his jagged scar taut across his face.
“Why are you here?” he seethed. “You know this is a violation of the treaty.”
The Queen’s hand flew to her collarbone as she blinked in false innocence, right before she laughed, her leaden gaze hardening on Haigha. “What treaty?” she purred.
She dragged a small collared figure before her, displaying him to the crowd. His body sagged on broken bones, but the Queen held him up, her fist knotted in his tattered, blood-stained jacket.
“Our treaty ended the moment you took him.” She tossed Jack to the ground like a dirty tissue and he hit the earth with an anguished groan. His body stirred in pain, but his shattered bones splayed helplessly where she discarded him.
Haigha’s jaw clenched. “Treaty or no, you’re trespassing on my territory.”
The Queen cackled. “Your territory,” she mocked. “It’s time you realized, Haigha, that all the land around here belongs to me.”
“If you’re so sure it’s yours,” Haigha challenged, “why destroy it? Seems your trail of devastation has extended to swallow more than hearts.”
The Queen let out an amused laugh, stepping around Jack’s prostrate frame to stand before Haigha. She raised her hand to gently caress the jagged scar marring his cheek.
“Oh, Haigha, you’ve always been prettier than you were smart.” She patted his cheek and stepped back, sweeping her arms out to encompass the battlefield. “Did you think I was just going to let you build your little ‘resistance’ with no consequences?”
Haigha’s brow furrowed. His stern gaze darted to Alice, but he did not shrink from the Queen’s accusation. “The only resistance we’ve put up is to keep you from destroying our home!” he roared.
The Queen rocked with laughter. When she finally settled, her eyes narrowed to slits. “Your dedication to your little camp is endearing, Haigha, but I dislike being lied to.” She stepped forward, her eyes narrowed menacingly. “I will give you one last chance. Give me what’s mine, or be destroyed. I’ll not let you walk away from me again.”
Haigha drew himself up to his full height. “You will not take our home.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” The Queen grinned evilly and removed her coat, revealing a set of throwing daggers harnessed to her chest. In a flash, she flung one at Haigha, drawing an angry red line across his jaw.
Haigha wiped the trickling wound and charged, hefting his blades to slash at the Queen, unhindered by his ancient injury. The Queen’s eyes flashed, then in a deathly blur, another blade sang through the air. Haigha stumbled as the knife bit into his thigh, but still he surged forward, slicing his sword in a dangerous uppercut, forcing the Queen to dance back to avoid the blade’s curved partner.
“Not bad for an invalid,” the Queen congratulated as Haigha closed in on her, his swords raised in a glinting ‘x’. She darted forward and Haigha swung, missing her by inches. With blinding speed, the Queen struck, embedding a serrated blade deep in his forearm. Haigha spun and smashed into her with a single strike. The Queen darted back and the edge of Haigha’s blade drew a thick red line down her thigh. Grimacing, she bared her teeth in a wicked grin as she drove her final blade into Haigha’s stomach.
The noble man dropped to his knees, groaning as he grabbed the knife burrowed in his intestines. A desperate shriek ripped through the field and Lilith flung herself at the Queen, who responded with blinding speed. Before Lilith could react, she delivered a devastating kick, her heeled boot smashing into the soldier’s stomach and flinging her backward over her fallen leader.
The Queen stalked forward, eyes ablaze.
“Don’t waste your tears on the dead, girl,” she bristled. “He was never yours to begin with.” The Queen knelt over Haigha, her stone gaze fractured for just a moment before she smoothed it in place to growl at Lilith. “Just like everything else, he was and always will be mine.”
Lilith shrieked and lunged for the Queen, ripping at her blazing curls. Her irrational attack garnered little ground as the Queen disoriented the furious soldier with a vicious backhand, followed by flashing her blinding blade to cut a crimson gash down the side of Lilith’s face. She towered over Lilith where she lay alongside Haigha, then cocked her head to admire their identical scars.
“I gave that mark to Haigha, too,” the Queen hummed delightedly. “Now you’ll have something to remember him by. For the time being.” Possessed with a wicked grin, the Queen raised her blade, prepared to strike.
“Enough.”
Alice stepped forward, placing herself between the Queen and Haigha’s broken guard. Her whole body trembled with adrenaline, while behind her, Lilith’s wracking sobs dissolved into the dirt.
“You’ve proved your point,” Alice declared, gazing at the decimated battlefield. “But your troops are hurting just as much as ours. You can end this now. Leave, and we won’t follow you.”
A wry smile danced on the Queen’s lips as she studied Alice’s protective stance over Eden’s troops. “Oh, Alice,” she let out a harsh giggle. “You should know better than anyone that Queens never make bargains.”
“I’m not bargaining,” Alice declared. Hundreds of eyes watched her, waiting for her next move. She took in another steadying breath. “I’m telling you to leave.”
“You want me to leave?” the Queen pouted. “But I’ve so come to enjoy our visits. I always discover so many fascinating new things when you’re around.” The Queen glanced around the battlefield, searching. A disappointed glimmer crossed her expression, and she returned her attention to Alice. “Tell me, are you enjoying having your father back? Your reunion didn’t seem quite so happy at Tulgey, and I can’t find him now.” She arched her brow in a challenge. “Perhaps time doesn’t heal all wounds?”
Alice ground her teeth. The Queen smiled.
“I’d be happy to take him off your hands,” she offered. “Or, better yet, I’ll make you an offer. “Haigha’s little camp, for you.”
Alice scoffed. “You want me to go with you? Why, so we can braid each other’s hair?”
The Queen smirked. “No, I can’t say it will be that enjoyable for you, I’m afraid. However, it doesn’t change the fact that you are quite valuable. So much so, that I would be willing to overlook Haigha’s transgressions in exchange for a trade. I guarantee that you will find some things in Tulgey quite to your liking.”
Unbidden, Alice’s gaze flickered to Nate, who shielded the Queen’s left, his golden hair and skin speckled in dark flecks of blood. His arms clasped tight behind his back as he watched at attention, observing the exchange behind heavy, hooded eyes.
The Queen followed Alice’s stare to her nephew and her grin deepened.
“What do you say, Alice? I could give you everything you’re looking for.”
Alice tore her gaze from Nate to glare at the Queen. “I don’t want anything from you,” she spat.
“You always were an impudent child,” the Queen grinned. “Maybe in a different life, we could have been friends, you and I.”
“Not bloody likely,” Alice snapped.
The Queen pressed a quiet hum. “No. Not likely at all.” She snapped her crimson tipped fingers and her remaining Jokers fanned around her in an impressive show of power. Ace stood beside her, his lecherous sneer widening while Nate’s stared miserably at the floor. The Queen stepped back and ushered forward a dark, hooded figure.
With a delighted flourish, she removed its crimson mask, revealing a distorted, sallow creature whose marred face belied its former beauty. Though it stooped under a wicked ContraBand, there was no mistaking the lithe grace with which it moved.
Alice’s breath hitched as her gaze met the creature’s blinking russet eyes.
“Dinah.”
Alice released a strangled cry as the momerath walked forward.
No, not a momerath, Alice chided herself. My sister.
But it was hard to tell. Though Dinah’s mottled features remained delicate and refined, unclaimed by prowling rage, her gait was predatory, dangerous, as she stalked through the Queen’s new arena.
A heavy Contraband clapped tightly around her neck, modified with a ring of deadly spikes protruding from its edges. Dinah didn’t seem to mind as she walked forward, her strange, cinnamon eyes carefully surveying the surrounding scene. She searched the smoldering battleground, the underlying tension in her muscles betraying her dangerous stance.
“What did you do?” Alice breathed.
The Queen raised her hand and Dinah slowed to a halt. Her obedience earned a delighted grin from the confident dictator, who stepped forward to gently stroke her hair. Dinah’s lips curled to bare her teeth, but she did not attack.
