Page 76 of Dark Shadow of Guilt

Ely nodded. “A Scourge is an Immortal who is infected with a malady. We don’t know why some are prone to it while others are not. Apparently, some claim they have urges, but when they fight them, the disease goes away. We do know it’s not infectious. I think the important question is, how can a human become a Scourge?”

Remi shifted on his cushion. “You’re right. Becoming a Scourge is a molecular change laid into our DNA. Immortal DNA. Even the OC claims ignorance on the subject. The burden of eternity or Chaos’s fault are the only guesses.” He glanced at Ely.

The oldest of the Feard, nodded.

Dom said, “All we have are questions. Who traveled to Earth and brought Maddy here through the gateway? How did Praevus get her? Who set him up in a swanky place and excused him from the Ordeals? Was there a female working with him? Who killed Ike? Who attacked Remi and why? Finally, who set Farce on us?”

“Farce?” asked Ohngel.

Dom explained, “Yeah. On the way to the gateway, six Scourges led by Farce attacked. They wanted Maddy. It was a paid gig.”

“Not that rehashing old shit isn’t entertaining, but Harmony answered a few questions,” said Ely. “The trustee Serita’s missing. And surprise, she’s Praevus’s boss. Anybody know her?”

“I do,” said Remi. “I had a capture order and dropped her in Angor. A Soul Sucker. Let’s assume Serita’s the mysterious female Maddy remembers, and she passed Maddy to Praevus. That answers one small question.”

Ohngel stretched his legs out and leaned back on an elbow. “Ely, how about Harmony? She can get through the gateway. Do you suspect she gave Maddy to Serita?”

“No, but she bears watching in case I’m wrong.”

Dom tossed back his drink, pushed off the pillow on the floor, and poured another. He remained at the bar, distancing himself from Maddy. “Interesting, but it doesn’t explain why Maddy’s a Scourge. Or how. Ohngel, did you arrange a meet with Michael yet?”

“He keeps avoiding me. Says soon. He’s busy.”

“Who isn’t? We need to see the OC again even though he laid the problem in our laps,” added Dom.

Madeline’s hands twisted in her lap. “I’m going with you to meet the OneCreator.”

“No,” blurted Dom. “You can’t. He’s in Vast. Besides, it’s too dangerous. He’s difficult, temperamental.”

Ohngel interrupted. “I just pathed him. He’s in Angor to visit Harmony and take care of biz.”

Dom growled.Great. Maddy could go along. More together time when he needed distance.

Maddy met his glare with no fear. “There. It’s settled. I’m going. I’m through allowing shit to happen to me. I want answers. I trust you to get them, but I’ll be tagging along. This is my life. Ouch.”

“What?” snapped Dom.

She cast a sorrowful expression at him. “Nothing. These damn fangs. I bit my lip. Let’s go.”

“Got Oskar, and I’m ready to ride,” said Indigo, unfolding from the floor pillow. “You really need better seating in here, Dom.”

He ignored Indigo. Though he reached out his arms and Madeline jumped onboard, he found no joy in carrying her. When they soared out of the salon, he reminded himself that she was just another Scourge.

Beyond the lake near Fear Mines, Outcast Tower came into view. It was gray, a mosaic of rocks, the colors varying from light to dark like the clouds above. High walls and round turrets stretched for the sky. The windows, small slits, didn’t let in much light. The overall effect was sinister. The Tower even had a drawbridge of ancient wood. Since Immortals had wings, he wasn’t sure who used it. Maybe merchants carted supplies in and out rather than flying air express.

From the air, they drifted into a central, open courtyard, alive with throngs of Scourges, hawking goods, chatting, hurrying to and fro, and begging. Some were clothed in rags. Some in finer clothing. Even among the punished in Angor there was a stratified society. The ragged poor who had newly arrived or who refused to earn a living. The middle class who got with the Ordeals, did their time, and kept their heads down. The upper class, the trustees who were about to be fully reformed.

Dom and his cohorts footed it from the large, crowded courtyard to the wide marble steps, weathered by time. They climbed to the palace’s interior.

The inside did not live up to the woeful out-of-doors. The halls were striking, lit by overhead lights. Probably because of Harmony’s touch, the walls were painted vibrant colors. The floor was made of dark, shiny stone slabs, here and there enlivened with rugs. Paintings showed eclectic tastes. Vases and figurines sat in cubby holes designed for them.

With Madeline stumbling as she tried to keep up, Dom stormed across the floors dragging her along, the thud of his boots echoing through the halls. The closer he got to the OC, the darker his mood. Slamming inside the meeting room, he snapped out his wings so fast she jumped forward to avoid them.

Dom had held himself in check as long as possible. Finally face-to-face with the OC, he shouted, “What the fuck did you do to Madeline?”

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