Chapter 146

My mana was nearly tapped by the time I found myself sitting in a small private room at the hospital. The walls were an ugly yellow and the floor was off just a shade, making it distinct but no less ugly. A gray cabinet, a bed, and two uncomfortable chairs were the only things in there. They’d stripped out as much medical equipment as they could - clearing the space, not for comfort, but for control.

I’d spent most of what I had left healing the officers caught in the blast when Fredrik escaped.

I could heal, but not well. Not like Mirri. Not like Lilae. What I did was patchwork. Enough to keep someone alive until someone better could take over. And some of those cops needed better.

I stayed with them until the hospital staff came back. Then they asked me to move in here - out of the way. They said it was a choice. It wasn’t.

At least they didn’t handcuff me. Not that it would’ve mattered. I was pretty sure I could shatter anything they put on my wrists.

I reached out with what little Faith and mana I had left, brushing against Unity. It answered faintly - distant, but there. Still in Ashlara’s hands.

They had Lilae. They’d gotten out. Hiding somewhere nearby.

Good.

“Get Lilae home,” I told them. “I’ll be fine. I’ll come back as soon as I can. This won’t take long.”

They didn’t like that. Mirri argued. Ashlara grumbled. But there wasn’t anything they could do without making things worse.

Jenkins questioned me for nearly an hour. Just the two of us in the room.

“What were those things?” he asked.

“Gallowborn,” I said.

“I’m gonna need more than that.”

I studied him for a moment. “It would take years to explain everything I know - and I don’t even have the full picture. I’ve only been in that world a few years myself. But what I can tell you is this - magic exists there. And things don’t work the way they do here.”

I exhaled slowly. “There was a goddess. Zelmyra. When she died, her Faith returned to the world and created these trees - Weeping Gallows. They’re predators. Like a Venus flytrap, but for people. They lure you in. Whisper to you. Then drain you dry.”

I rubbed my face. “At least… that’s what I thought they did.”

His eyes stayed locked on mine.

“I’ve since learned that some of the people they drain… come back,” I continued. “Gallowborn. I don’t know how. I don’t know why. But they’re… what you saw. Basically plant people. When they’re first created, they’re highly suggestible - imprinting like ducklings.”

“That man - Fredrik, or whatever his real name is - he’s part of a group called the Covenant of Mercy. They’re feeding people to the Gallows. Trying to create more of them.”

Jenkins’ jaw tightened. “You’re telling me there’s a group out there turning people into… those things?”

“I’m telling you I saw it,” I said. “I tried to infiltrate them. Figure out what they were doing. I found the Gallowborn. I saw them moving guns - maybe **** - from here to that world. And shipping something back. I don’t know what.”

“And they can just… look like normal people?”

“They are people,” I said. “Just changed. They can take on the shape they had before. So whatever Fredrik looked like… that was probably him.”

“And there’s how many of them?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know. If I had to guess? A few hundred. Maybe more. I don’t know how many are here versus there. And I don’t know what they ultimately want.”

He stared at me for a long moment. “Is there anyone else from that world here?” he asked. “You said Lilae’s mother was here. And her sister.”

“Yeah,” I said. “We came looking for Lilae. I told her not to come - it’s dangerous. I didn’t even know the trees could be used as portals until I saw the Covenant do it. Then Tansy opened one and brought her through. We didn’t realize she was gone until morning.”

“And Tansy is five?”

I let out a dry, humorless chuckle. “Yeah. But she matured in about a week. Long story.”

His brow furrowed. “Matured how?”

I leaned back slightly. “A god named Urzan-Brak died a few years ago. When his Faith hit the world… every pregnancy came to term. Instantly. My girlfriends - Ashlara and Serah - were maybe a month along. They doubled over, bellies swelled, and five minutes later Vel and Thae were born.”

He didn’t interrupt.

“Mirri and her grandmother went to check on the surrounding villages and found other children who had come to term the same way. We collected them, brought them home, and raised them. By the next morning, they were toddlers. The morning after that, they looked six. By the end of the week? Fully grown.” I met his eyes. “That’s what Faith does.”

He took that in slowly. “And Tansy’s out there now?”

“Somewhere,” I said. “With Mirri and Lilae.”

“And where is that?” His tone sharpened.

“Safe,” I said simply. “I told them to go home while I handled this.” I gestured vaguely around the room.

“Back through the tree?”

I nodded. “Yeah. It’s the only way I know. But it’s not the only way that exists.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Because I was taken there,” I said. “Before the Gallows ever existed.”

He leaned forward slightly. “Let’s talk about that.”

I gave a small nod. “I was kidnapped. Brought there by gods. They wanted me to kill a god slayer. We had a disagreement about that. But the god slayer came after me. I didn’t kill him, but he’s not around anymore.”

“What happened to him?”

I held his gaze. “He was killed by the same eldritch horrors that nearly killed me.”

Jenkins pulled off his hat and ran a hand over his head, trying to reconcile what he’d seen with what he was hearing. “You keep saying ‘gods,’” he said. “What does that actually mean?”

I exhaled. “Not what you think. Not… capital-G God. Not religion. These are… beings formed from Faith. That’s Faith with a big ‘F’. Not belief in a religious sense. Faith is something that mortals generate just by existing. It forms the base components of that world. Like gravity. Or quantum mechanics.”

He frowned.

“When enough people believe in something - really believe - it becomes real. And if that belief builds up enough, it becomes a person. That’s what a god is there.”

I gestured slightly. “Each one embodies an aspect. Fire, for example. But not just fire - a version of fire. Hearth-fire, you know - warmth, safety, whatever. Or inferno - destruction, that kind of thing. Same element, completely different expression.”

“They can control their aspect,” I continued. “Amplify it. Shape it. But they can’t go against it. A fire god can’t make something cold. Can’t extinguish fire completely. That’s not what they are.”

I paused. “And most of them?” I added quietly. “They don’t care about mortals. Since they’re not born like normal people and they live forever, they don’t have a whole lot in common with regular people. And with that much power at their disposal, there’s little that a mortal can offer.”

Jenkins studied me. “But they cared enough to kidnap you.”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

I smirked faintly. “Funny story.”

He didn’t smile.

“The god slayer - Brand - was from Earth too. They turned him into a weapon. He could kill gods and absorb their power. Then they lost control of him.”

“And they chose you to stop him.”

“Yeah.”

“But why you?” His eyes narrowed. “You ex-military? MMA fighter? What made you so special that they wanted you to kill him?”

I met his gaze. “Because I’m like him. But different,” I added. “Mortals use magic. Gods use Faith. If you try to mix the two, it usually kills you. Brand was… unique. He could use both.”

I leaned forward slightly. “Turns out I’m unique as well.”

“Because you can absorb Faith?”

“No,” I said. “Because I am Faith.”

His expression didn’t change - but I could see the disbelief underneath it. “You’re saying you’re a god.”

“Yeah.”

Silence stretched between us.

“I was born here,” I went on. “Regular parents. Grew up in Norristown. Nothing special. I don’t know how it works. But I can use magic… and I can use Faith.” I held his eyes. “That makes me something different.”

He swallowed slightly. “And your… aspect?”

I didn’t hesitate. “Belief,” I said. “In the absence of proof.”

* * *

Mirri mended Lilae’s wounds, the torn flesh from the Gallowborn’s thorns knitting closed beneath a soft green glow. Skin sealed. Blood vanished. But Lilae didn’t wake.

Thae said they’d put something in her.

Mirri was panicking. Serah didn’t show it but the set of her shoulders, the stillness in her stance… she was one breath away from tearing the city apart if Lilae didn’t open her eyes.

I held the far end of the alley, standing watch, trying to **** down the fear clawing its way up my throat. The sun was sinking fast, dragging the world down into long shadows between the enormous towers.

Thae had taken to the rooftops, watching from above.

The ferals guarded the other end of the alley, silent and ready.

Seth was out there somewhere, but we had no idea where.

“V-vaer?” Lilae’s voice was thin - fragile enough I almost missed it beneath the constant noise of this place.

I was moving before I realized it.

Mirri was already there, cradling Lilae, rocking her gently as tears ran freely down her face.

“Y-you shouldn’t be here…” Lilae whispered. “It’s… dangerous. Thren…”

“It’s okay, Lilae,” Mirri said softly, brushing her hair back. “We came to get you. It’s okay. We’re going home soon. We just need to make sure you’re alright.”

Lilae’s eyes fluttered shut. For a moment, I thought she was slipping under again.

Then they snapped open. “Officer Jenkins!” she gasped, trying to push herself up. “There’s Gallowborn-”

“I know,” Mirri soothed, holding her close. “Thren’s handling it. He’ll be here soon. You’re safe.”

“Is everyone okay?” Seth’s voice came through the staff in my hands.

I nearly dropped the damned thing. “Uh… yeah?” I answered uncertainly.

There was a faint exhale of relief through the wood. “Get Lilae home,” Seth said. “I’ll be fine. I’ll come back as soon as I can. This won’t take long.”

“Bullshit!” Mirri snapped, her voice cutting sharp through the alley. “You’ve been gone over an hour. Your family needs you. Get your ass over here.”

“Mirri…” He sighed. “Lilae’s safety comes first. I’m trying to smooth things over. There were two Gallowborn. People got hurt.”

“Officer Jenkins?” Lilae murmured, her voice dazed, almost slurred.

A brief pause.

“He’s fine,” Seth said. “Just a few cuts and bruises. Some of the others weren’t so lucky. You all need to go. Do you remember the way?”

“I don’t like this,” I said.

“I know, Ashie. But it’s what we need. Lilae’s safety is everything. Yours too. If I don’t handle this, more people could get hurt - and it might make it harder for you to get home.”

I clenched my jaw. There wasn’t anything I could argue that mattered more than that. Not here. Not now. I didn’t know this world. And Lilae came first.

“If you’re not home by morning,” I said, voice low and steady, “we’re coming back.” I set my jaw. “And we’ll burn this city to the ground until we find you.”

It wasn’t a threat. It was a promise.

* * *

There was a knock at the door and another cop leaned in just enough to be seen. “Detective’s here.”

Jenkins gave a short nod. “Excuse me, Seth.”

I nodded back.

Jenkins stepped out, and the other officer took his place.

He didn’t crowd the room - just stood near the door without blocking it, one hand resting on his belt - close to his gun, but not touching it. His dark eyes stayed on me, steady and unreadable.

I leaned back in the chair and rubbed at my eyes, trying to push back the fatigue.

The silence stretched.

After a few long minutes, he finally spoke. “You the one did all that out there?”

I cracked my eyes open, head still resting against the wall. “Some of it.”

“You hurt those guys?”

I shut my eyes again. “Not directly. I restrained them - got them out of my way. Then the other guy blasted my spell apart and everything went to hell.” I exhaled slowly. “I did what I could to patch them up.”

He gave a quiet hum, like he didn’t know what to do with that.

The silence settled back in. I let it.

Another knock.

The door opened, and a new man stepped in - well-built, dark-skinned, short hair, features that said he’d seen plenty and believed half of it. His sleeves were rolled to the elbows, white shirt crisp, red tie patterned with Snoopy, blue slacks pressed sharp enough to cut. Coffee in one hand, another chair in the other. His jacket was already draped over the back of it.

Jenkins followed him in. The other officer slipped out.

The newcomer set the chair down and took his seat across from me. Jenkins reclaimed his spot beside him.

The man took a slow sip of his coffee, eyes never leaving me. Studying. Measuring.

“Detective Donnelly,” he said at last. “Before we go any further, I need to advise you of your rights.”

He pulled a card from his pocket, voice steady and practiced. “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you can’t afford one, one will be appointed to you. Do you understand these rights?”

I nodded. “Yeah. I understand.”

He gave a small nod. “Knowing these rights, are you willing to talk to me?”

“Sure.” I leaned back in the chair.

Another sip of coffee. “You’ve already been talking to Officer Jenkins. We’re going to continue that conversation.” He tilted his head slightly. “So catch me up. How’d you get here?”

I sighed and glanced at Jenkins. “I got to this world by walking through a magical tree. I got to the hospital by walking.”

Donnelly flicked a glance at Jenkins, then back to me. “You expect us to believe you came through a magic tree?”

“Nope.” I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “Look, I get it. None of this makes sense. Magic doesn’t exist. Goblins don’t exist. Dimensional travel doesn’t exist. I used to think the same thing.”

I let out a breath. “Took me a while to adjust. I didn’t exactly have a choice.”

I met his eyes. “So no - I don’t expect you to believe me. But it’s true whether you believe it or not. And right now, you’ve got a potential invasion of brainwashed plant people who’ve already compromised the FBI.” I gave a small shrug. “Do with that what you want. It’s not my world anymore. I don’t care.”

His eyes narrowed slightly. “Who are you working with?”

“You mean besides my family? The ones trying to get my daughter back?” I shook my head. “No one.”

“And where is your family now?”

I brushed my senses against Unity for a moment - felt its faint echo. “Making their way home.”

“They went through this magical tree?”

“Not yet,” I said. “But they’re close.”

He exhaled through his nose, unimpressed. “Tell me about this Covenant of Mercy. Why’d they attack you?”

“I tried to infiltrate them in the other world,” I said. “I saw they were moving guns over there and something else back here. I shut it down. Fredrik was there. He recognized me.”

I leaned back again. “I’m guessing he showed up here because he heard my daughter was in the hospital. She stands out because she’s a goblin.”

“Right. So your daughter is a goblin.”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “Adopted. Most of my kids are. Doesn’t mean I love them any less.”

“What about Tansy?”

My expression tightened. “Even Tansy.” A beat. “We don’t always agree, but she’s still my daughter.”

He gave a noncommittal nod. “Why did you attack the officers?”

“I didn’t attack them - I restrained them,” I said evenly. “My daughter was in danger and they pointed guns at me. I moved them out of the way so I could deal with the actual threat. They had no idea what Fredrik was.”

“A lot of good men got hurt.”

My voice dropped. “That wasn’t the plan. I thought I had him contained.” I shook my head slightly. “I didn’t. That’s on me. I won’t make the same mistake again.”

He let that sit for a moment. “You say you’re from Earth. How?”

I frowned slightly. “Same way you are. I was born here.”

“You told Officer Jenkins you’re a god.”

“Yeah.” I gave a shrug.

“And gods aren’t born.”

“That’s what I’ve been told,” I said. “Doesn’t change the fact that I was. In Norristown. I don’t know how or why I’m different. I didn’t display any strange powers when I lived here. I was a project manager at a tech company. Going through a divorce.” I gave a small, humorless smile. “Nothing special.”

I leaned forward slightly. “Then I get kidnapped, dropped into another world, almost die a few times, and suddenly I’m something else.”

I paused.

Something shifted. A pit opened in my stomach. My senses stretched outward on instinct.

“What is it?” Jenkins asked, leaning forward.

I was already on my feet. “Rittenhouse Square is on fire.”