Chapter 14

I don't remember much of the ride home. That's probably for the best, considering who was driving.

Between Toot pushing the pedals and Lacuna steering, the two faeries got me back to the house, where they parked the Gremlin in the garage. They then helped me into the townhome, where Bob activated the wards, sealing us safely behind a solid threshold that no-one was getting past.

The rest of the Guard had already arrived with the Shroud in tow. It'd been deposited in the triple ring summoning circle in the basement chamber. As badly as I wanted to go upstairs and pass out, Bob made me first go down and seal the circle. That way it should be safe from any divination as to its whereabouts.

Not that I was sure anyone was still alive to be looking for it.

The shower was ice cold, causing me to shake uncontrollably. Cold hadn't been a problem ever since I'd become the Winter Knight, but it seemed like my bond with the mantle was tenuous at the moment. My veil had seen me out of the alley, but it hadn't been the efficient one I'd grown accustomed to. It had been one of my old ones that blinded me as much as anyone else. I'd dropped it as soon as we were clear, and hadn't reached for any power since.

After what I'd done, I wasn't sure I ever would again.

Toot tried to force some food down, a broth soup that unfortunately tasted more like vegetables than pizza. But my stomach was knotted, and all it did was provide more fuel as I was violently sick, before I finally passed out shivering beneath the covers.

I slept restlessly for hours, my dreams plagued by nightmares, only to wake and realize they weren't dreams after all.

When I finally rose, Lacuna was waiting with the daily report. I listened with numb detachment as she updated me on what she'd been able to find out.

"The Guard managed to retrieve not only the Shroud, but your rods as well," she explained. "You had left some blood at the scene, but we made sure it was contaminated. Your hat stayed on for the duration; there should be no evidence that you were present."

I nodded, my eyes unfocused. She continued. "The mortal authorities arrived as we were leaving. There was a delay, as they had to work their way through the crowd evacuating the building. By the time they made it through, all three Denarians had escaped, as had the small Knight of the Cross."

"Michael?" I asked, dreading the answer.

"He and the other tall Knight were taken into custody by the police, and received medical treatment," Lacuna said. A sob escaped my lips as she spoke, but she thankfully ignored it. "Ms. MacTire was conscious when they took her in. Mr. Moss has already called to report that she will be alright."

My head was bobbing, and I couldn't seem to stop. Lacuna kept rolling. "Mr. Marcone and his people were all taken in for medical treatment. His witch seemed to be in critical condition, and was apparently crashing. But in the middle of their treatments, she just sat up. Her injuries has mostly faded already. The doctors are confused."

"Any word on Susan?" I asked.

"She fled the fight prior to the end," Lacuna confirmed. "We saw her helping what I assumed was Mr. Ortega from the premises, although it was hard to tell."

"Great," I mumbled, looking toward the clock. "Guess the duel is still on."

Lacuna nodded. "We received a call from the intermediary's chaperon. She wishes to speak with you when possible."

I looked up at that. "Am I in trouble?"

The tiny fairy just shrugged. She'd been practicing the expression, but it was still awkward. "The rules of the Accords stipulate that individuals involved in a violation claim must refrain from unscheduled contact. Based on what transpired, she will either rule against both of you, or let it go."

"Great," I repeated, managing to roll my eyes as I laid back in bed.

"Lieutenant Murphy has already stopped by once to speak with you," she continued. "She did not appear to be here in any official capacity, so we disabled the bell and let you sleep."

"Thanks for that," I told her. The last thing I wanted to do was answer the door looking like I'd just been through the ringer. Especially when Murphy likely suspected my involvement in what had happened at the hotel.

I knew Sía would leave me out of it. I could hope Michael and Sanya would as well, although the Russian seemed like the weakest link. With Susan, Ortega, and the Denarians gone, only Marcone and his people would be able to identify me. I might be able to survive accusations from them, given the known hostility between us.

Then again, that same hostility might be enough to give the cops justifiable cause to come knocking at my door.

"What about the other Churchmouse?" I asked. "Garcia?"

"She was injured, but not terribly so," Lacuna advised. "The police apprehended her, but she has already escaped."

I recalled the money she and Valmont had taken as deposits to participate in the auction. "Hopefully she's long gone."

"Actually, she is with the other Knight at St. Mary's," Lacuna said, surprising me. At my look, she nodded crisply. "You never retracted the order to have her shadowed."

"Ah," I said. "So she caught up with Shiro?"

"He caught up with her," Lacuna corrected me. "He witnessed her escape, and convinced her that holy ground was the safest place to hide from the Denarians. She has remained there ever since."

"Maybe if she keeps her head down, she'll get out of this."

Lacuna nodded again. "I should warn you that Lieutenant Murphy has been by the Church as well."

"Really?" I asked, surprised. "What for?"

"We do not know," Lacuna replied. "Our contact has only watched through the windows, and isn't very good at lip reading."

"Right. Sorry," I said, shaking my head. "Your team has performed flawlessly, Luna. I can't thank you enough."

"Our pleasure, my lord." She gave a bow, before looking to me expectantly. "Would you like me to relay a message to the intermediary?"

I looked at the time again, seeing that most of the day had already passed. With it being winter, there were only a few hours left before sundown. "Yeah, tell her I'll meet with her shortly." I glanced up at the fairy. "Any word from Nicodemus?"

"No," she replied.

"I guess I'll have to hope he keeps his word."

"As long as you have the Shroud, I cannot see him betraying you," she replied.

I pursed my lips, considering my options. "I guess I'll have to decide soon if I'm going to hand it over to him, or give it to Vincent."

Lacuna's wings fluttered quickly as she bobbed in the air. "Did you not swear upon your power to give it to Nicodemus?"

"I did."

"And would breaking that vow not cost you your power?"

"It might."

Lacuna frowned, clearly confused. "Then why would you do that?"

"Because maybe I don't deserve the power I have."

My head was hanging when I said it, my hands on my knees as I sat on the edge of the bed. I didn't see her reaction, but I saw her swoop down to stand beside me on the comforter. "You regret your actions from last night."

"No," I replied softly. "I regret my actions for the last couple of years."

And what a few years it had been. On the run from the Council, I'd killed to survive. Wardens and assassins alike. And then, when I'd grown desperate, I'd become the Winter Knight. I'd been a fool to think that I could control such power, or offer any resistance to the monsters I served. I was a slave to both.

That much was obvious after the previous night. In a moment of rage, I'd given in to the mantle, and had nearly beaten a woman to death. Hell, I'd almost killed Hendricks with magic, something I'd avoided doing even when on the run from the Council. And then I'd almost killed my own friend, as he'd tried to save me from myself.

Not to mention what I'd done to any humans left among those fighting in the shadows.

Lacuna hadn't volunteered anything about that. I wasn't sure if it was because she didn't know, or she knew that it might break me.

It didn't matter, really. Whether anyone had died or not, I'd once again turned the force of life into a maelstrom of death. At Bianca's, it had been a fire spell that had created whirlwinds of fire that had killed anything and everything in their path. At the hotel, it'd been an icy wind spell that had shredded flesh and bone of friend and foe alike.

I laughed bitterly, finally admitting to myself that the Council was right. I was a monster, one that wielded magic with reckless abandon. All to save my own skin.

Lacuna stood by, letting me organize my thoughts. When I turned to her, it was to find an expectant look. "What will you do, my lord?"

My face hardened as I came to a decision. "What I have to."


Lacuna contacted Kincaid while I freshened up. I'd been pleased to find that my eardrums weren't burst, but I was still tender all over. I'd come out of the fight remarkably unscathed, although the impacts from the shotgun had left bruising all along my left side. I knew if I hadn't laid those spells into the suit, I'd be dead.

By the time I was done, Lacuna returned to inform me that the Archive was en route. I headed downstairs to await her arrival. It didn't take long, and I dropped the outer ward and opened the gate as I stepped outside.

I pulled my duster closed, surprised by how the cold affected me. It was enough to cause me to shiver, and for once I was glad for my hat for more than just the spells laid into it.

When Kincaid parked, I headed down the steps. I was waiting when the Archive stepped out, that day dressed in a lilac ski suit and purple down jacket. I smiled at the sight of her.

"Mr. Dresden," she said softly, her face impassive as she looked up. Considering the difference in our heights, her neck was fully craned back.

Acting on impulse, I sat down on the gravel driveway. That seemed to surprise the two of them, but it put me almost at eye level with the girl. "Welcome back."

The Archive's head tilted oddly as she studied me. "You seem different today, Mr. Dresden."

"Call me Harry," I replied.

"I'm not sure that would be appropriate," she stated.

"Are you here to kill me?" I asked.

"Did you attack Duke Ortega last night?" she replied.

Rather than just denying it outright, I actually stopped to think about the engagement. "Yes."

The girl's eyes hardened. "You attempted to kill him?"

"Not initially," I replied. "It got chaotic kind of quick. At first I tried to simply knock him away. But when he went after my friend, I hit him with something that could have killed him, if I'd really wanted him dead."

The Archive's eyes narrowed further. Kincaid just watched impassively. "You did not wish him dead?"

I sighed lightly, feeling like a weight had been lifted off my chest. "Yes. No. Both, maybe. But not really."

The girl seemed to consider that. "Would you be willing to negotiate a settlement?" the Archive asked.

"The only thing he offered was to turn me into a vampire," I informed her. "I'm still not willing to do that, but if he wants a were-gild or something, I'm willing to pay." I sat up a little. "Not that I'm admitting guilt. I still feel my actions at the party were in the right. But they resulted in Bianca losing people."

The girl studied me for a long time. I assumed she was determining if she was going to kill me or not. And I found that I was okay with that. A calm had settled over me ever since Lacuna and I had talked, and I'd come to my decision.

Eventually the girl nodded. "I will not rule against you for your actions last night." She glanced toward Kincaid. "Ortega was not so forthcoming, and denied that you and he crossed paths in the fight."

"Like I said, it was chaotic," I replied. "Maybe he thought someone else hit him with ice magic."

"Perhaps," the girl said with a frown. "Regardless, the duel shall commence at sundown. Mr. Ortega has presented no other options to me for reconciliation, other than your conversion. But I will be sure to provide him with an opportunity to request something else before the fight."

I offered her a weak smile. "I guess we'll see then."

"I will see you in a few hours, Mr. Dresden," the girl said, before turning back to Kincaid. The chauffeur, who was once again wearing the hat, opened her door for her and let her in while I rose.

I nodded to him as I started toward the door, but stopped when he spoke. "Dresden." I turned back, and saw him looking at me from across the car. "You had better come ready for a fight tonight. Regardless of what you or she might hope, Ortega is not going to let this go."

"I figured," I told him.

The man studied me, as if he were finding something other than what he'd expected. After another moment, he climbed into the car, and started down the drive.

I headed back toward the house, my hands shoved in my pockets to try and keep warm.


I got a call late in the afternoon from Sía, who assured me she was going to be okay. She'd suffered a concussion from the head injury, which had looked worse than it'd been. Her arm was broken, but that would mend in time.

Her primary concern was for me. She'd seen what I'd done, and what I'd become.

"Are you sure you're alright?" she asked for the upteenth time.

"I'm fine," I repeated. "Just getting ready for tonight."

"Okay," she said, sounding unconvinced. "Be careful. And watch your back."

"I will."

"I'm serious," she said. "Moss said that Marcone's people have started to retaliate against us. They seem to think we're to blame for what happened.

"What about you?" I asked quickly.

"I've got a couple guys here," she assured me. "And the cops have a small battalion of men stationed in this wing. Marcone is still in intensive care."

"He's lucky to be alive," I commented, recalling Nicodemus's attack.

"That's what I heard," she confirmed. "Doctor-patient confidentiality aside, the rumor is he lost an eye."

"Wow," I said, unable to hide my surprise. "That's…"

"Yeah," Sía grumbled. "The last thing he needed was an eye-patch to make him look even more sinister."

That wasn't exactly where I was going with it, but I let it slide. "Just be careful."

"I'm surrounded by cops and robbers," she said flippantly. "You're the one going to fight undead monsters before brokering a deal with a devil."

I hadn't told her my decision. "I'll be fine."

She still seemed reluctant to believe me, but there was nothing I could do about that. With neither of us comforted by the call, we said our goodbyes, and I finished getting ready for the duel.


Shortly before nightfall, as the hues in the sky became mottled and bruised, I pulled the Gremlin into the vast parking surrounding the United Center.

Given the time of day, much less the cold temperatures of an arctic winter, the place was all but deserted. There was no-one on the streets, and only those shops desperate for the random patron were open. There were a few places in the area that had their lights on, but not as many as their should have been on a Friday night. Not after the recession hit the previous summer.

I made my way to one of the entrances, where a car was waiting at the curb. I watched as the driver opened the rear door, and Ortega and Susan stepped out.

The sunlight was too far gone for it to bother them. Neither looked any worse for wear after the previous night. Their skin was as flawless as ever, although I noted that Ortega's face was rigid as he looked in my direction. He didn't stare very long, before he suddenly turned and headed for the door. It opened as he approached, and I spotted Kincaid holding it open from the inside.

Susan lingered on the sidewalk, and I wondered what she was thinking. The last I'd seen of her, she'd been torn to pieces. Now she was whole, and wearing a simple black outfit consisting of a black t-shirt and black jeans. Apparently the cold was affecting me more than it was her.

She offered me a weak smile as I walked up. "Glad to see you made it out of there."

"You too," I said softly. I glanced toward the door, where Ortega had disappeared inside. "Guess he's eager to get started."

"He's going to kill you, Harry," Susan said simply.

"He'll try," I replied, my tone light despite the danger. I was still riding high on my detached mental state, despite the conversation with Sía bringing me down a bit.

"No, I mean he's going to kill you," she replied with a shake of her head. "Rules be damned. If he's winning, he'll take pleasure in defeating you. If he's losing, he'll cheat. Either way, he doesn't plan on letting you walk out of here alive."

"I guess Kincaid was right," I said. "No chance of us avoiding this."

"Not after last night," Susan said quietly. Her eyes drifted toward the stadium. "I had to carry him out, Harry. That last attack of yours almost finished him."

I'd wondered if that vampire I'd pulled off my back had been him. The only two Reds on that side of the room had been him and Susan, and it hadn't been her. My fire spell had hit hard enough to obliterate a lesser vamp; and yet Ortega looked un-phased.

"He looked alright just now," I said.

Susan studied me for a very long moment. "That's because he drained three families."

And just like that, my calm was gone.

"I'm sorry," she said quickly, her face flushing. "I didn't mean it like that."

"No," I said, my voice low and cold. "I understand."

Once again I'd fucked up.

I'd thought I'd learned my lesson from Bianca's. I'd even rubbed it in Michael's face. Don't leave wounded enemies at your back, or they'll come at you again. Finish them when you have the chance.

I'd let Ortega live, becoming distracted with everything else.

And now three families were dead because of me.

"How many?" I asked.

"Harry…"

"How many?" I repeated, my voice surprisingly calm.

"Twelve," she whispered as softly as she could.

I nodded, the number not meaning anything. It could have been as many as a hundred, or only just one. It was still too many. Too many lives taken because of my foolishness.

"And how many did you eat?" I asked, my tone sounding odd even to my ears.

Susan blanched, her face draining of whatever blood pumped through her veins. Whoever's blood.

"Never-mind," I said, turning to look at the approaching limo. "It doesn't matter."

I'm not sure vampires can be hurt, but if they can, I think I hurt Susan then. She probably could have lived with my rage, or my sadness. Either would have been understandable, something she could recognize.

Instead, I offered her the same detached coldness that Michael had when he'd seen her.

Because she was no longer Susan Rodriguez.

As the limo pulled to a stop, Susan started toward the stadium. I waited for Nicodemus, who stepped out of the car with a mild indifference to his face that bordered on cocky.

"Mr. Dresden," he said with a slight smile. "Sorry I'm late. I had to pick something up."

"It's fine," I told him.

His lips pursed at my tone. "Do you still have it?"

"Yes."

"And it's nearby?"

"Yes," I repeated.

"Excellent," he said, his smile widening. Tucking his hands in his pockets, the man looked to the stadium. "Then let us finish, so that we can both get on with the time we have remaining."

I walked into the stadium with the monster at my side, to face the monsters that wanted to kill me.