Contents
Chapter 9: A Bone That Cannot Be Cracked
Overview
Trapped in Garrison Oaks, Steve defies Carolyn’s indifference by treating the wounded lion Naga and vowing to save her. He hijacks a taxi amid a siege of murderous dogs; Dresden sacrifices himself so Steve and Naga can escape. Carolyn later arrives, pays the injured cabbie, and foretells a coming plague led by Barry O’Shea.
Summary
Steve, wounded and sheltering with two lions in the McGillicuttys’ house, takes a call from Carolyn. She directs him to blood-loss “medicine” that proves to be suppositories and reveals Michael bound the lions to protect Steve. Despite Carolyn calling the lions disposable, Steve refuses to abandon the injured Naga.
Steve tests the remedy on himself, rapidly regaining strength and thirst, then administers it to Naga. She improves enough to drink but continues bleeding. After a failed attempt to find a working car, he uses the last dose on Naga. With dogs massed outside and time running out, Steve bribes a dispatcher, then coerces the arriving cabdriver into the house and takes his keys.
Carrying Naga in a painful fireman’s carry, Steve and Dresden force a breakout. Steve shoots Thane and other attacking dogs while Dresden mauls several, but a new tide of canines rushes in. Steve reaches the cab with Naga; Dresden deliberately turns back to hold the horde, sacrificing himself so they can escape.
Steve flees Garrison Oaks with Naga in the stolen minivan. Later, Carolyn reaches the house, finds the terrified, injured cabbie, Harshen Patel, and assures his survival. She compensates him with a duffel of cash and instructs him to evacuate his family to a brightly lit city refuge, warning that Barry O’Shea’s rise will trigger a devastating, light-averse plague.
Who Appears
- SteveWounded but resolute; treats Naga with Carolyn’s remedy, hijacks a cab, and escapes as Dresden buys their freedom.
- DresdenLion king bound by his word; fights the dogs and sacrifices himself to protect Steve and Naga.
- CarolynCalls with aid and revelations; later compensates Harshen and warns of Barry O’Shea’s imminent plague.
- NagaYoung lioness gravely wounded; revived by suppositories and saved by Steve’s determined rescue.
- Harshen PatelTaxi owner-driver coerced by Steve; mauled by residents; later paid by Carolyn and advised to flee.
- ThanePack leader besieging the house; shot by Steve during the escape.
- Mrs. McGillicuttyUndeadlike resident; her phone connects Steve to Carolyn; later attacks Harshen.
- Mr. McGillicuttyUndeadlike resident; aimlessly roams and later helps attack Harshen.
- Barry O’SheaNamed by Carolyn as emerging power whose rise will bring a plague and darkness.