The Great and Terrible: No Monsters Like Hers
The Great and Terrible: Chapter 5

I pressed my scarred palm to my mouth. Was Henry West dead? Had the smoke killed him?

Did I have another crime to answer for?

I squatted, reached out and, with a trembling hand, jammed two fingers into the hollow of his throat, searching for… A pulse! Oh, thank goodness.

When you are released from your contract, you’ll have a three-minute head start. No more, no less.

Were Henry’s words enough to free me from the verbal contract, despite the lack of witnesses? They must be, or the so-called water maiden wouldn’t have touted the merits of my head start. She hadn’t steered me wrong so far and the clock was ticking, so…

Go, go, go! I erupted to my feet and reached out to swipe the letter opener, only to close my fingers before contact. Could I really risk another theft? Even to acquire a weapon.

Frustrated and resolved, I blasted from the office. The bath babes lined the hallway. They burst into a haunting melody. As soon as they clocked my identity, they switched to a fast-paced song. Something I might hear in a movie during a high-speed chase destined to end with a lethal crash.

I hurried on, following Elaine’s directions. Left, left, right, left. Several servants noticed my mad dash through the mansion, especially in the kitchen, but as promised, no one attempted to stop me. Tick tock. I made it to the backyard and dashed through the bee garden.

In the distance, the sun framed the stable with a golden glow. I sprinted for it, certain an alarm would screech at any moment. But dang it, I didn’t want to leave without those healing grains.

I rushed inside the stable. No sign of Hogg, the stablekeeper. How much time remained on the three minute clock? Hunting for Patch, I ran down the aisle between stalls. Cliques congregated here and there. Some played dice games. Others talked. A few huddled in a corner alone to read a book. No one paid me any heed.

I found my target observing the others from the loft, where the old woman had stood earlier. Up the steps I bounded. “I want to buy the serpens-rosa,” I blurted out. Forget pleasantries. No time. “At least one grain.” I would protect it with my life. “What’s your price? Tell me! My father is dying, and I’m going to save him.”

Patch gaped at me. “You told Henry West no? He must be losing his touch.”

“Is hearing my response to him what you require for payment?” I demanded, glancing over my shoulder. No sign of Hogg. Still. My anxiety cranked up another notch.

The girl snorted. “Hardly.”

“Then I won’t waste time explaining.” Since Patch never offered a straight response, I continued with my best idea. “A water maiden is helping me reach the City of Lux. Iris.” If I had to name drop, I would. “Any silvers I replace or earn along the way, I’ll hand over to you. All of them. I’ll guard your back, and I won’t betray you, even when you annoy me.”

“West has my contract,” she reminded me.

Gah! The contract. And unlike me, she didn’t have a water maiden with unexplainable tricks and sketchy motives in her corner. “Then how about a single grain because I turned down the opportunity to deliver your whipping?”

“Reward you for making a mistake? Nah. Don’t think I will.”

Very well. I had one last thing to offer. “Give me a grain, and I vow to return to you, whatever it takes, and help you gain your freedom. Don’t let this opportunity pass. You might not get another.” Always go with what worked.

“Nah,” she repeated, but this time there was a tremor in her voice. “I’ll get my hopes up, and you’ll disappoint me.”

“You don’t need Patch’s serpens-rosa if you’re going to Lux.” The slightly familiar voice came from behind me, and I spun. The older woman who’d teased the redhead about defeating Tandi had climbed to the top of the stairs. “It’s as common as bread there, I’ve heard.”

Only a fool based her decision on rumors. I peered at a scowling Patch. Her serpens-rosa, at least, was a sure thing. Plus, there was no guarantee I would be able to pay anyone else. “Please.”

“You’re as good as dead if you leave,” the girl snapped, holding onto her vial with a vice grip. “Only pain and misery await you out there.”

“And no pain or misery await me here?” Okay. Enough back and forth. Tick tock, tick tock. I would give this one more shot. “There’s no crimen above my head, so you know I’m not lying. I mean it when I say I’ll help you however I can.”

Patch’s mouth floundered open and closed. Ultimately, she rasped, “No. You’re of no use to me if you’re gone.”

Disappointment struck, but fine. Whatever. I wasn’t without options. Nor was I opposed to striking a second deal with the water maiden if it proved necessary. “I wish you all the best with your upcoming punishment and inevitable beheading.” Off I went, soaring past the older woman.

I drew to a halt in the middle of the steps. Guess my three minutes were up. A glowering Hogg threw open his office door. Henry must have awakened and phoned him. Or whatever method these people used to communicate long distance.

Clearly, Hogg knew what had happened. Remaining in the doorway, he scanned the area and projected fury. Alarms bells rang inside my head. Only a matter of nanoseconds before he spotted me.

I raced down the remaining steps, catching Hogg’s notice.

He shouted, “Stop her!”

If I got caught…if they threatened me into signing on as a substitute again… No! A circumstance to be avoided, whatever the cost. I dodged grasping hands and exited outside. Other than a broken compass, I lacked provision of any kind as I bounded across a petal covered hill, climbed over a waist-high picket fence, and sprinted as fast as my feet would carry me, my sandals kicking dirt. Their thin soles ensured I felt every pebble I came upon.

Breath sawed in and out of my mouth. Already winded. Great. I threw a glance over my shoulder. No one gave chase at least. Hogg had stopped at the fence, Patch beside him. Both tracked me with their gazes, but only the substitute radiated envy. The henchman silently promised revenge.

I trudged up a taller hill without slowing my pace. My flimsy dress fluttered in the wind, the hem flapping against my calves. Those three-eyed birds flew overhead, watching my progress. I shuddered. Were they scavengers hoping to feast on my remains?

Finally, I reached the hill’s peak. Except, more hills stretched in the distance, and I moaned. Well, no matter. Turn around? Never. On I slogged, putting the Wests and Hogg in my rear view.

Remaining cognizant of Elaine’s directions, I counted the seconds in my head, keeping time. If my calculations were correct, I mostly ran but sometimes speed walked ten minute miles. Meaning, I should reach the river in an hour. My biggest obstacle now? Not collapsing from exhaustion. Already I huffed, puffed and poured with sweat.

At least I had a pretty distraction. As the sun lowered on the horizon, it reminded me of Jasher’s eyes. Oh. Ugh. What a silly thought. Totally inconsequential.

Another half-hour passed, checking off three more miles. Please, please, please. Only two more miles to go. Determination was a whip at my back, driving me onward, faster and faster. I didn’t slow even when oxygen scraped my lungs raw. Didn’t pause to take stock as the temperature unexpectedly chilled, my internal thermostat plummeting from over-warm to unbearably cold.

A combination of shudders and shivers disrupted my steps as darkness swept over the land at a swifter clip than expected. Between heartbeats, I plunged from one level of gloom to the next. If I failed to reach the river in time…

I counted another mile before the next plunge. Then a half mile. Whatever energy I’d gained from the serpens-rosa waned completely. Lack of food and water didn’t help. I wasn’t sure how much farther I could go or when I’d lose all hint of light.

Wait! A familiar noise captured my attention, and I whimpered with relief. Rushing water. I quickened my steps, scaled a final hill, and stopped at long last, drinking in the glorious sight below me. A smile broke free. I’d done it! I’d reached the river!

Dangerous journey? Ha!

Churning water beat at glistening rocks of every color. So thirsty. Trees peppered the other side of the shore, their limbs heavy with colorful fruits and berries, each unrecognizable to me. But so what. My empty stomach twisted. So hungry.

If I drank without boiling the water first, I might sicken. If I attempted to swim across the river to eat, I could be swept away. But maybe not. I was a strong swimmer. Very strong.

But was I strong enough right now?

Let’s replace out. I speed-walked the remaining distance, breaching the shore just as the last rays of light vanished. In an instant, total darkness cloaked the terrain. A darkness so thick I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face.

My heart raced. Fighting for calm, I went still. Any second, my eyes would adjust, and I’d be able to see. Yep. Surely by the count of three. One. Two. Two and a half.

Nope. No adjusting took place. With ragged inhalations, I spun left, right. Zero visibility. Not a flicker of light in any direction. A near hysterical laugh bubbled up.

This is fine. Absolutely fine. I just needed to think, to weigh my options. Which were…what? What!? Stay here, out in the open where anyone or thing could stumble upon me, or try to swim to the other side with who knew what kind of creatures lurking below the surface?

Both were abysmal ideas, but one was worse than the other. I knew it. I did. But my frantic thoughts supplied a good reason for doing it anyway. Yes, I might be killed by repeated collisions with those rocks, but the more distance I put between West and me, the better.

I wrapped my arms around my middle. No, I should opt for the semi-smart thing and stay here, awaiting sunrise. Hogg hadn’t given chase. Of course, there’d been no need. He’d comprehended what I hadn’t: the darkness well and truly trapped me.

If I wasn’t careful, what I didn’t know was going to get me killed.

Most likely, Hogg planned to set out bright and early in the morning. If not him, those bounty hunters. They would drag me back, and Henry would do something dastardly to hurt or scare me until I caved to his demands. I’d have to remain awake and ready to go at the first hint of light.

A ferocious roar erupted from the darkness, a sound half starvation, half rage and pure menace. Fear punched me. Did a monstra approach? But there was no rain. So what else was out here?

Twigs snapped, and I jolted, my heart pounding like a war drum. How close was that?

A slight whoosh of air caressed my cheek. I only had a split second to stiffen before a soft snick of pounding footsteps registered. Boom! A hard body slammed into me. Down I tumbled, crashing into the ground. The attacker accompanied me, wrapping strong arms around me and absorbing the worst of the impact.

Despite the courtesy, I sprang to my feet, hands fisted and already swinging. Jasher! I clocked his identity too late. My fist of fury connected with his face, pain exploding in my knuckles.

Even as his head whipped to the side, he caught both my wrists, preventing a second blow.

Barely recovered from my shock, I wrenched free. Wait. I could see him. Could see everything around us, too. Somehow, we stood inside a sphere of hazy light. And he looked good. Fierce determination hardened every line of his powerful frame. But, um, he stood statue-still. Very reminiscent of the Tinman. The blood-stained ax hung rested in a white-knuckled grip. He wore a breastplate carved with swirling symbols, plus matching arm and shin guards. With his dark hair askew, dirt and blood-streaked skin, and a busted lip, he was a warrior grimed up to the max.

Henry might be more handsome, classically speaking, but the governor’s son exuded carnality and indulgence. Jasher possessed a far more potent magnetism. Pure strength and total control.

A deadly force of nature, he took a step closer to me. Panic seized my good sense, all admiration for him shattering. Was he here to render my deathblow?

I prepared to take another swing at him, but he merely peered beyond my shoulder and pressed a finger to his lips.

Be quiet? Seriously?

Heartbeat, heartbeat. Indecision played tug of war with my good sense. Should I trust him or run? Screech? Fight him, though weaponless?

With a grunt, he lunged, but not at me. He tackled a pouncing boar type beast behind me, taking the sphere of light with him. I shrieked, but quickly pressed my hand over my mouth.

Darkness swooped in, and I lost sight of the combatants. My lungs emptied. I darted my gaze, trying to see something, anything. Terrifying sounds taunted my ears. Sharper grunts, furious huffs, and savage snarls.

For a blink-and-miss-it-moment, the sphere of light buzzed past me, chasing away the gloom. I saw Jasher wrestling the boar, and the brutality of the battle astounded me. Then the darkness covered me once more. But the light returned again and again, every time the grappling pair neared.

Oh! A weapon. I swooped down and grabbed a fallen ax. Goodness gracious! The weight of it strained my biceps.

Darkness.

Light.

“Behind you,” I screamed as the creature attempted to sneak up on him. Should I swing the ax? What if I harmed Jasher?

Darkness.

Light. Another scream burst from me when I realized the beast was mere inches from my face, its open mouth, its razor-sharp fangs soon to sink into my throat. I did it. I swung. The sharp edge grazed Jasher’s shoulder as he crashed into my would-be killer, taking it to the ground.

Darkness.

Tremors rocked me on my feet. The ax shook in my grip. More grunting and snarling preceded a high-pitched squeal and two heavy thumps.

I froze, unsure what to do, what to say.

Jasher reappeared directly in front of me, bringing the sphere of light with him. Fresh blood smeared his face and trickled from gashes in his cheeks. The same crimson splattered his armor, soaked his hands, and dripped from his ax blade.

“You are uninjured?” he asked, barely winded. He claimed his weapon.

“Y-yes. Correct.” I flattened my palms over the compass, which rested beneath my top, tucked between my breasts. Did it have enough juice to put down another male? “But you’re not. You need serpens-rosa.”

“Not yet. I have only one remaining, and I’m saving it for a life-or-death situation.”

He possessed a grain! “I’ve heard we can buy more in the City of Lux.”

He snorted. “Serpens-rosa is extremely difficult to acquire.”

What! The old woman had lied? But. No, she couldn’t have. Otherwise, a crimen would’ve appeared over her head, leading to her execution. She must have believed what she’d stated. Just as Jasher did.

“I’d like to buy yours,” I said, unable to hide my desperation. To show I was a team player, I kept my gaze down. “Name your price.” I’d replace a way to pay it, whatever it was.

“My grain isn’t for sale.”

My hands balled. The medicine wasn’t for sale now, because I didn’t know his fee. But he had one. Everyone did. At least, that’s what my business professors claimed.

I just had to replace a way to purchase some of Jasher’s time. A far more precious commodity many undervalued. “Thank you for endangering your own life to help me. I appreciate it.” Always good to start with gratitude, especially when it was genuine. “Also, I apologize for injuring you. It was unintentional, I assure you.” I peeked at him to gauge his reaction.

“Don’t thank me. I helped only myself.” He looked me over, perhaps noticing my granter of wishes outfit for the first time. A double-blink followed his examination, then a swallow. “You are nothing to me.”

At least he was honest. And no offense taken, really. He wasn’t exactly high on my list of somethings, either. Except. “You trying to tell me you came out searching for a nothing?” Bet he expected a hefty paycheck from West.

“Who says I was searching for you? I’m on the hunt for my brother. Stumbling upon you was…” He ran his tongue over his teeth, going quiet.

“A bonus?” I quipped, wrapping my arms around my middle. Wait. He really wasn’t here to drag me kicking and screaming to the Governor’s Guild? Relief chased away trepidation. Bargaining with him should be easier than anticipated.

“A surprise,” he corrected, sheathing his weapons. “If you want to remain free, you should remove your brand.” He motioned to my scarred palm. “Bounty hunters will come for you until you do.”

Remove it, as in cut it off? The bottom dropped out of my world. “Henry West released me from my contract. Shouldn’t the brand deactivate or whatever?” Maybe? Hopefully?

Confusion marred Jasher’s features. “The Wests release no one. How did you manage such a feat?” He pursed his lips. “No, it doesn’t matter. Whatever the answer, the brand is a magnet for bounty hunters.”

Under no circumstances should I slice off a hank of my hand. I was fighting for passage home and needed all the strength I could get. Blood loss would only weaken me. “I’ll handle the brand another day. Perhaps your protective services are available for purchase in the meantime? And your guide services? I’m on my way to the City of Lux.”

His eyes slitted. “You can’t afford my rates.”

Oops. Looked at him again. Trepidation returned with a vengeance. I must garner this man’s cooperation. “Surely there’s something I can do to make it worth your while.” Uh, what are you offering? I didn’t know! Just something.

“I doubt you’ve got anything worth trading.”

Ouch. “I’m an excellent nurse. Let me tend your wounds.”

“I don’t require tending.” A noise of irritation left him. “I’m too tired to decide your fate right now. We’ll talk in the morning.”

“Deal!” I’d take it. If I had one night to convince Jasher to escort me to the City of Lux, well, I’d pour on the charm and succeed. I couldn’t make the trip alone, obviously.

He turned on his heel and stalked off, ending the conversation. A travesty in itself, but he also took the light with him.

“Where are you going?” I called as the darkness swelled, attempting to choke me. “Jasher! I won’t look at you ever again, I promise.” I gave chase, but only made it four steps. I’d already lost my bearings. Which way was which?

Splashing sounds rose in the distance. Was Jasher swimming away or was something swimming closer?

To my immense relief, the executioner returned a few minutes later. Yes! He brought the light. He must have taken a dip. His face, armor and hands were now clean, and water dampened his hair. A backpack dangled from his shoulder.

He dropped the pack on a pile of flower petals, crouched, and dug inside. Out came a bundle of some kind of meat jerky, berries, and a canteen. “You’re looking.”

I cut off a mewl of desire. “Don’t flatter yourself. Just tell me you’re willing to feed me free of charge during what I hope will be our first night together, with many more to come. Otherwise you might wake up to replace a carcass.”

“Fine,” he grumbled. “Eat.”

“Thank you!” I hurried over and knelt before the treasures. All but weeping with joy, I brought the metal canister to my lips. Mmmm. What sweet water. I gulped mouthful after mouthful of the cool liquid, unable to stop.

“Slow down.” He forced the container from my greedy grip and thrust a stick of jerky my way.

Starved, I tore off a big hunk with my teeth. Chewy but surprisingly tasty. Next, he offered a handful of berries.

Grateful, I accepted the succulent fruit. As I chewed the first, I moaned and settled on my haunches. “Have you come across any clues about your brother?”

“No.” He canted his head at me, as he’d done upon the dais, those sunset eyes alert. “You hail from the otherworld, yes?”

“I do.” My pulse picked up speed. I wiped the corners of my mouth, realized I was staring, and lowered my gaze. “How many of us have you met?”

“More than a few, less than a bunch. The accent and lack of protocol always gives you away. Also the determination to reach the City of Lux.”

“Have you ever helped an…otherworlder?”

“Yes. I helped a man not bring a storm.”

So more killing. “Since I’m not breaking any more laws, there’s no need to sharpen your ax.” I finished off the sweet berries, then nibbled on the meat stick rather than devour it, all while stealthily studying Jasher through the thick shield of my lashes.

“You hope to go home, yes? You’ve heard of the portal in Lux.”

A portal between worlds? No, I’d heard no such thing until now. “Can that portal take me to the otherworld?”

“Most definitely. But only the Guardian is allowed to navigate it.” Jasher tossed a couple berries into his mouth, chewed and swallowed.

He’d said allowed, not able. The opposite of the bath babes. “I hear he’s great and terrible.”

“Heed my words,” Jasher replied, breezing past my comment. “You may get what you want, but you may not like what you get.”

A cryptic warning. Yay. Determined to get through to him by any means necessary, I fiddled with the strap around my neck, lifting the compass from beneath my shirt.

He went stiff as a board. “Where did you get that?”

Whoa! Such passion, so quickly. If I had looked at Patch’s serpens-rosa with even half this intensity, I couldn’t blame her for going on the defensive. “It was a gift from a water maiden,” I replied, too afraid to lie. “Why?”

He scowled. “It wasn’t a gift, but bait.”

What, exactly, had Iris given me? A magical amulet of some sort, worthy of tornado-powered a fairy tale? “I’m guessing I have something worth trading now.”

Our gazes met. Held. His lids constricted to slits, and his intense stare bore holes in whatever confidence I possessed, draining it fast. No wonder people weren’t supposed to look at royal guards. Wowzer.

“You do,” he grated.

And confidence returned. Excitement prickled my skin, giving me the strength to break our stare. “What is it? What can it do? And yes, the answers are part of our bargaining process.” I’d learned my lesson well. You had to live with the consequences of your decisions, even if you made them in ignorance.

The muscle in his jaw jumped faster, but he didn’t look away. “It can do nothing but assuage a longstanding ache in me. It was my mother’s. She came from your world and brought it with her.”

Oooh. So much to unpack there. First of all, no wonder Iris had called the compass a ticket home. But how did she know I would oh, so conveniently run into Jasher? Second, he’d offered the information with zero inflection. The same deadness I’d witnessed at the execution, and yet, clearly the piece meant something to him. Third, he’d said ‘was.’ Past tense.

“Your mother died? Here, in this land?”

“She did.” Still no inflection in his tone. “I was a child.”

Sympathy squeezed my chest. “That sucks. I know how bad it is to lose a parent.”

He canted his head to the side in that curious way of his. “You lost one of yours?”

“Surprised the heartless executioner and the unwitting substitute have something in common? Yes, I was eight when my mother vanished.” Perhaps to visit this world. A thought too reactive to ponder now. “Unless I return home with the serpens-rosa, I’m going to lose my father too. He’s dying of cancer. It’s a terrible disease, and I will do anything to save him.” On that note. “Take me to Lux, protect me from bounty hunters, give me a serpens-rosa, let me look at you whenever I want, and I’ll give you the compass.” Start high, and as necessary, let go of what I could live without.

He flicked the tip of his tongue over an incisor. “Very well. A deal is struck.”

Wait. He wasn’t going to negotiate? I’d done it? Facilitated another quick turnaround? Yes! I opened up to thank him, but a yawn took over, nearly cracking my jaw. Now that I’d eaten and secured medicine and passage, there was no staving off fatigue.

“Sleep,” my companion muttered.

“No reason to look so gloomy, Jash. I’ll be an excellent addition to your team roster. I don’t mean to brag, but I’m like a houseplant.” I fluffed my hair. “I only need food and water to thrive.”

He appeared unimpressed.

Okay, how about this? “If you want, I can tell you stories about your mother’s homeworld along the way.”

Intrigue might—might!—have glinted in his sunset eyes. “There are already two bounty hunters on your trail, and they’re closer than you think.” He dug inside his backpack, withdrew a shirt, and tossed it my way. Then he stretched out flat, still clad in his armor, and used the pack as a pillow. “We’ll need to leave before dawn.”

I twisted each direction, examining the sphere of light for any hint of a coming invasion. “You can’t just say something like that and go to sleep. We should remain awake and alert.”

Minutes passed, but the quiet endured.

Well. Obviously this was going to be a long night—for me. Not only did I need to watch out for hunters, but I must also guard my compass. If Jasher stole it and abandoned me…

No, he wouldn’t risk the crimen. Would he? Did he own a stable?

I was just annoyed enough to mutter, “I would’ve agreed to give you the compass for an escort to Lux alone.”

“I’m headed to Lux, anyway,” he piped up. “I’d have taken you for free.”