The Dark Calling (The Arcana Chronicles #5)

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.

“And then what happens when we run through those supplies?” I asked. “We’re just delaying the inevitable: my battle against Paul.”

“He is protected by Fauna, the Archangel, and his own sphere,” Aric said. “Sievā, think of the baby.”

Sick of hearing that! I whipped my head around so fast, my damp hair slapped my bruised face. “Like you thought of the baby when you threw your swords at me? You don’t get to say that to me! You don’t get a say in my existence.”

The pain in his expression . . .

“Do I?” Jack squeezed my hand. “Tee comes first, Evie. You know this. I’m all for duking it out when there’s no choice”—he cast me a significant look—“but let’s not pick a fight either.”

“Lark would rescue me if our situations were reversed. And Gabriel got trapped in the sphere because he saved my life. I won’t repay him by doing nothing. At least Aric’s not there anymore. I can handle three of them.”

“Can you not wait?” Aric asked. “What is the rush?”

“Circe believes this kid is my shield against Paul’s powers. Once I give birth, I could fall under his control.”

“And will our child be a shield against other Arcana? Gabriel is stronger than ever before. Though Fauna is suffering, her predators would still be deadly.”

“Why wouldn’t Paul want me alive? Since he lost you, another Arcana would grow his sphere, right? And he has the cilice.”

Aric admitted, “The Hanged Man did suggest we use it.”

When I shuddered, Jack asked Aric, “That came from your armor, right? Neutralized her powers?”

“Yes. I forced her to wear it.” A shadow crossed his expression. “Even if Paul wants you alive, Fauna might reach you before you ever get a chance to face him. Her hatred for you is nigh uncontrollable. If the Hanged Man’s control slipped, your body would be eviscerated.”

Jack said, “Which is why I will go in with the noose.”

I glared at him. “Not happening. I’m not losing you again.”

“Lots of confidence you got in me. I’m a good shot.”

“I don’t want Lark or Gabriel killed either. If I can manage spores, I can put them to sleep. The creatures too.” Big if, Eves.

Aric pointed out, “You didn’t manage spores when you were escaping the castle.”

“I was taken off guard then. You’re really going to remind me of that night?”

“If I must.”

Jack asked me, “You expect me to sit with the Reaper while you go take care of business?”

“I expect you to keep him away from the sphere. To remind him what’s at stake.” My head was beginning to ache, fatigue taking its toll. “And I expect Aric to watch your back while I’m gone.”

Jack folded his arms over his chest. “This solo plan ain’t cutting it. What about Circe?”

Aric said, “The Priestess will be depleted from that show of power, whether she controlled it or not.”

I added, “How would we contact her anyway? It took me weeks before she answered at the lake, and we can’t return there or risk another face-off against Richter.” I worried about Circe’s well-being, but I also didn’t see how I could help her. “Keep in mind that I only have so long before I . . . give birth.” First time I’d ever said those words.

In all the excitement, I hadn’t felt Tee flutter once. Had my run-in with the Cups been the final straw for this pregnancy?

No, I refused to believe that. “Look, I’m tired of debating something that’s as good as done.” The truck’s heater blew a constant warm blast over me. Sleep called.