Page 42 of When We Lost The Moon

“What, like vampire repellant?” April responded. “I don’t think it works like that.”

“Besides,” Tate said, “your natural musk is strong enough to keep away anybody sensible, with a refined palate.”

I hadn’t seen her arrive, but she was standing near Emma, wearing a cute black hoody with mouse ears, jean shorts and fishnet stockings. Emma had a punk-rock vibe, with frizzy hair and leather fingerless gloves. One side of her head was shaved, and her bangs were dyed purple.

“I think that was an insult,” Luke said. “But I’m going to pretend it wasn’t.”

“A bullet through the heart or brain, won’t always be fatal,” I heard Steve say to a group of soldiers nearby, referring to a display of selected weapons. “A crossbow bolt has a much better chance, since they can’t heal around the wood sticks. They’re very difficult to hit, but you’ll have short-range UV lights, strapped to your armor. Also, shotguns filled with rock salt and garlic. Might put a hole in their chest. Wait for the perfect moment before shooting, take a breath, and aim.”

“Will any of that actually work?” I asked Tate, standing to join them.

“Only if we’re standing still,” she said. “And like the man said, it will mostly just piss us off.”

Luke was still staring at the vials of antidote. Finally he took one and put it in a large bronze bowl, before smashing the glass with a rock.

“Hey!” April frowned, her hands on her hips. He ignored her, dipping the sharp end of a crossbow bolt into the glowing potion and holding it up. Steve had stopped speaking and a few men gathered around him.

“A single drop of elixir gives me a head-rush, and energy for days,” Luke said, holding up the sharp projectile. “Who’s to say a single drop of antidote won’t have the same effect on the elite?”

“It would have to break the skin,” April said, raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms.

“Well, good thing that’s what we’re going for,” Camina said. She dipped the blade of her dagger, coating both edges and then waving it to air dry.

“A thin layer of antidote,” she said, twisting her lip into a smile. “Applied with a vigorous stabbing.”

“It might slow them down,” I shrugged.

Some of the fighters from Iklebot followed her example, dipping their bullets and soaking their axes. A few muttered some kind of prayer or protective spell. The line grew to include Jabob’s men, and even Steve joined in at one point, with a pair of hunting knives and three throwing stars, carefully tipping each sharp point into the shallow pool of antidote.

“Sink two points, with three stars,” he said. “That’s six drops of elixir straight into their veins. I don’t know if the dosage is comparable but… they should definitely feel it. If they hesitate, or their healing slows for a few moments, it could mean the kill.”

It was a spectacle, to see the men from havoc and harpoon annointing their weapons like ritual magic; sprinkling antidote like holy water. We even opened a second vial, so they could rub down their swords and long, bladed spears. A few came back a second time, marking their wrists and foreheads like a benediction, as Luke had suggested earlier. It was superstition, probably. But who cared, if it made them feel safer. Luke had a clever squint in his eye, and I wondered if he’d orchestrated this. Two vials of antidote, for a measurable boost in confidence. It’s not like it would be much use anyway, if we had to get close enough to stab them with a syringe. Even at my fastest, I wasn’t as fast as an elite.

“Pistols and assault rifles,” Jacob said, addressing his men. “Unloaded, safety on, until we’re inside. And even then, only fire if absolutely necessary. If the wall is breached, that means you aren’t safe from slagpaw.”

“Best option is to find cover before sunset,” Camina said, seeming restless at the display of force. “A small room with a sturdy door and a view. Block the entrance and fire from a narrow window.” The Iklebot sharpshooters nodded, with their long-barreled sniper rifles over their shoulders, painted in muted natural colors. Apparently, Tarben had another group camping nearby, but they hadn’t wanted to enter the compound.

“And if you do have to fire,” Steve said, “assume you’re already dead, and unload the rest of your fucking clip. A bullet or two might miss. So fire a hundred.” The havocs chuckled at his bravado, while the Iklebot shooters smiled knowingly.

“Arrows are safer,” I muttered. “Instead of firing blindly into a city full of innocent people.” The weapons brought dread to the pit of my stomach. I knew the damage one bullet could do. Had done. Dozens of guns, hundreds of rounds. A bullet for a life. This table seemed as macabre as the pile of freshly-buried corpses near the entrance.

“Then perhaps, Emily, a demonstration?”

I felt my cheeks go red as Jacob addressed me, and his men turned in my direction.

“I’ve heard you’re a good shot. Not everyone here has had as much practice with a bow. It might be reassuring for them to see how competent you are.”

He stressed his words and I tried to parse whether it was a challenge or a dare.

“I’ll help,” Tate volunteered. She headed to the far section of an open yard, in front of a wooden house, crossing the space so fast I couldn’t track her until she waved. She picked up an acorn and held it out in her fingers.

“Too small a target?” she smirked, reaching down for a large pine cone. I narrowed my eyes at it, picking up a bow. I could make out her pale fingers in the dark evening light, but the pinecone was hardly more than a shadow. I felt my blood pump, but it was just nerves from being put on display. Jacob stepped closer, holding out his palm. Inside was one of the portable black machines from the strip.

“How did you—” I asked, my eyes widening.

“Traded a good assault rifle for it. Not sure I got the better deal, but the technology is interesting.”

I lowered my eyes, discreetly taking the box and vaping in the elixir, holding it until I felt it fill me.

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