Something Wicked This Way Comes

Chapter 59

Claire didn't know what to do. She was stuck, the timing of Daisy's arrival the opposite of auspicious. Harley was seizing violently next to her, eyes darker than the night itself—powers he had yet to control seeping into the cracks of the earth, tearing it apart and summoning gods know what. Daisy's crew didn't seem afraid of the dinosaurs anymore, creeping closer, dripping with blood and audacity.

How did they escape? Claire thought desperately, wanting to seize control of the situation—but not knowing how.

Harley was completely incapacitated and vulnerable. Antigone could and would fight, but they were outnumbered and it would take only one lucky strike from one of the pirates to end the three of them—dinos or no.

"I asked you where my brother is," Daisy hissed at her, bronze spear covered in blood. The blood of the faeries no doubt. Claire's stomach churned at the thought. "I won't ask so nicely again."

"You hardly did the first time," Claire shot back, rising to her feet. She shot a glance at Mama, hoping her or Pickles would at least try to make quick work of these murderers. But neither of them looked... totally there.

Pickles was hissing and pacing back and forth, gaze distant even for a reptile. Mama hadn't even lifted her feet yet. Next to Claire, Harley's seizure went on. He was gasping sharply, air being forced from his lungs. Then the first crack in the ground appeared, the howling of tormented souls rising from it.

Daisy sneered at her, leveling her spear. "If I have to leave a trail of bodies in my wake to enact my revenge, then that's what I'll do." She smiled nastily. "The boy is already halfway to his grave."

Harley made a desperate crying noise below her. Claire closed her eyes, swallowing the urge to cry. She opened them again, meeting Daisy's gaze with determination.

"If you want to get to Carter," she told them all firmly. "You'll have to go through me first."

Daisy laughed, cocking her head to the side. "That can be arranged, witch."

She shot forward, poised and ready to strike Claire down.

***

They came to a wide open cavern under the ground. Carter shone his light up at the domed ceiling, inspecting their surroundings. There were other tunnel entrances dotting the underground dome. The ground was dry and cracked under their feet, littered with bones and old rusted weapons.

"Do you think all the tunnels converge here?" Pan asked.

"Maybe," Carter said hesitantly. He turned, looking back the way they'd come. Then he looked at Douxie, who was still trying very hard to keep himself together. "Baby, what do you think?"

Douxie took in a shaky breath. "I... I think we should wait and see? We're just wandering right now anyway, we need a plan."

"I agree," Toril said. "Fifteen minutes?"

"Fifteen," Carter agreed. "Everyone eat something, we'll discuss a plan. What to do next."

He handed his pack off to Toril just as Douxie tugged on his arm, pulling him away. Carter looked up at his lover, recognizing that look in his eyes. He pursed his lips, giving him a nod to say, "I'll be right there". Douxie slowly backed off, out of earshot to wait for him.

"Make sure he eats something," Carter told Toril, nodding at Pantelis. "Give us five."

Toril nodded, letting him do what he needed to do. Carter took a deep breath, crossing the space to where his fiancé was waiting.