"And here's the ring, my dear." Henry took my hand and slid Lucian's ring onto my index finger. "Let's hope it works."
"You and me both. Are the others in position?"
"Yes, they've been there for hours." Em reached over and punched a key on the keyboard. "Patching you into their comms now."
I grinned as I heard their voices.
"ты принес водку?"
"No, I didn't bring any bloody vodka."
"Guys, can you hear me?" I asked.
"Check."
"Check."
"Check."
"Oh goody, she's finally ready." Em and I rolled our eyes at the bored voice.
"Hello to you too, Di. Darius?"
"Check. I'll be waiting for you."
"Okay, I'm on my way."
I took a deep breath and looked round at Violet, Henry, and Em. They would be monitoring operations from the Mansion. Em hugged me.
"Good luck."
I nodded, feeling sick with nerves. This was it.
Game on.
Chapter 23
It felt like I hadn't been at the school for months. Everything had changed. The building looked smaller, the students younger.
I watched them walking through the main entrance, which had been illuminated with fairy lights. The girls all wearing party dresses, the boys in dinner jackets. Through the windows I could see the flashing disco lights, and hear the vague thump of music.
For a moment, I felt a tinge of regret that I wasn't here on a date. That this wasn't a normal night, when the only things I had to worry about were my dance moves.
I made my way round the side of the school, through the car-park, past the bike sheds and into the playing field. Part of it was lit up by the security floodlights high on the school walls. Beyond was darkness.
I shivered, trying to feel comforted by the knowledge that somewhere out there were Warriors armed to the teeth. I spoke in hushed tones.
"Darius?"
"Here." His voice in my ear sounded so close, I jumped.
"Can you see me?"
"Sure can. You look amazing." He gave a low whistle. "Great dress."
I smiled to myself, wincing when Di cut in.
"Down, boy. Keep your mind on the job."
"Radio silence, all of you." Darius's voice was sharp. "The only one Kaz hears is me. Acknowledge."
"Check."
"Check."
"Check."
"Whatever." I grinned at Di's tone.
"Thanks. So where are you?"
"Close by. I told you I would be."
"I'm glad." And I was. Somehow, my fear was more manageable knowing he was right there with me.
"No problem. So, wishing you were in there dancing?"
"I'm not much of a dancer," I said truthfully. "Mum tried to teach me Bengali dancing when I was a kid but it didn't stick. What about you? They teach you dancing at Warrior school?"
"You'd be surprised what they teach us. Most of us have to learn how to use a knife and fork. Some of us have to be taught what proper food is."
I shuddered.
"You all sound as if you had horrible lives."
"Mine wasn't as bad as some. I was mostly just lonely."
"I'm sorry," I said softly.
"It's not your fault. But my crappy childhood is what I think about when I kill demons. Makes me a better fighter."
I shifted from foot to foot, trying to stretch my muscles. It had been a warm day but the temperature was dropping now the sun had gone in, and I rubbed my arms, feeling goose bumps. I stiffened as I thought I heard a noise. There was nothing but the distant thump of the disco.
“So what’s Warrior training like?”
“Tough. When you start, you don’t know what to expect. I thought it was a game. Until Aloysius broke my arm in three places.”
“What? He broke your arm?”
“He was teaching me an important lesson.” Darius’s voice was amused at my indignation. “Not to let my guard down. It worked.”
“But you were a kid! You were ten!”
It’s okay. It was better than being stuck in the orphanage. At least I had a family again, sort of.”
“Mum told me the Guild discouraged friendships and relationships,” I pointed out. “So it can’t be much of a family.”
“It’s a way of belonging. For most of us, that’s enough.”
His voice gave nothing away, but I sensed he didn’t want to talk about this anymore. I wondered about an organisation that demanded so much from its Warriors, their loyalty and obedience, yet gave so little in return. I rubbed my arms again.
"I'm going to have a walk around, see if I can see anything," I said.
"Okay, but don't go too far. I can't leave my position without being seen."
I walked back towards the bike sheds. Maybe Nisgath wouldn't come. Maybe it was all a ruse, designed to get my hopes up. Or maybe the Named One was watching me right now, getting ready to pounce... I whirled round in a sudden panic.
There was no-one there.
I gave a shaky laugh, and immediately Darius was in my ear.
"Kaz?"
"It's okay. Just spooking myself."
I sat on the low wall by the car park, wondering how Mum was, how many times she'd had her neck broken. I twisted the ring on my finger. The crystal stone seemed to gleam in the darkness. I looked at it closely. What if it didn't work? I mean, Lucian had never tested it out, had he?
Someone came in to the car park.
My breath quickened, but I realised it was only Rebecca Anderson. I frowned when I realised she was crying.
"No... no, don't..." Another figure was behind her.
"Kaz, what is it?" Darius in my ear.
"It's nothing. Just Rebecca. Hang on."
Cautiously, I slid off the wall and moved closer. Rebecca's make-up was smeared, and she was trying to push someone away from her.
Mark.
Rebecca was sobbing. "I don't want to, let me go..."
"Stop struggling," he hissed. He grabbed her round the waist and lowered his mouth to her neck. "So delicious..." I stiffened. His voice was predatory, bestial. He sounded exactly like... I swallowed.
"Get away from her," I called out hoarsely. "She's not the one you want. I'm here." Slowly, Mark turned around and stared at me with narrowed eyes. I looked for shadows but couldn't see any. Then again, it was dark. "I know it's you."
I had no doubt. It was Nisgath, in another disguise. The Named One had come for me. My heart beat faster.
Mark took a step towards me.
"It was a mistake for you to come here," he sneered. "It's the last time you'll ever spoil my fun again."
He drew back his fist and launched a punch straight at my face. I dodged it, blocking his arm and driving an elbow brutally into his nose. He crumpled to the floor, rolling pathetically on his back and clasping his face.
"By dose! You broke by dose!"
I stared down, frustrated. I'd been so sure it was Nisgath, but when I touched him, he hadn't changed. He was just a creep of the human variety.
I leaned over and gave him a right hook-hook to the jaw. With a final groan, he lapsed into unconsciousness. I glanced at Rebecca.
"That should keep his hands off you for a few minutes," I said grimly. Darius spoke up again.
“Everything ok?”
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry.”
Rebecca walked over, peering down at her unconscious boyfriend.
"He didn't mean to," she said hesitantly. "He's a bit drunk and he..."
"I don't care if he was drugged to the eyeballs," I said shortly. "No-one has the right to force themselves on you." I turned to go, to get back to the hunt for Nisgath, but Rebecca stopped me.
"Um, I know we haven't been friends, but thanks." She hesitated, then gave me an awkward hug. Bemused, I patted her on the shoulder.
“No problem.”
She stepped back with a watery smile.
"Worst prom e
ver," she said. "I think I'm swearing off boys for good."
"I know the feeling," I told her. "I think..." I stopped dead. There were shadows playing over Rebecca's face. My eyes switched behind her, over her shoulder. Out of the dark, a shape materialised.
I saw its teeth first, like something out of a horror movie. The rest followed. The monstrous form of Nisgath was standing right behind Rebecca, grinning. Slowly it brought one long claw to its mouth, as if to say 'shh'.
"Rebecca!"
I made a grab to pull her forward but Nisgath wrapped one hand round her neck and lifted her off the ground. The girl tried to scream but Nisgath crushed her windpipe shut. As her head lolled, black essence poured like oil around her, into her, filling her obscenely until Nisgath's form disappeared and Rebecca fell to the floor in a crumpled heap.
There was silence.
Then: "Kaz! Kaz, what's happening?" Darius.
"It's here! Nisgath is here!" My voice was shaking, and I couldn't hide my fear.
"I'm coming."
"No, stay back!" I wanted Darius next to me more than anything but I couldn't let him risk his life. "Nisgath has to take me, it's the only way!"
From the floor, Mark gave a moan as he started coming to. I knelt down and shook him hard.
"Mark! Mark, get up. You have to go."
"What happened? Why does by dose hurt? Did you hit me?"
"Get up!" I desperation I tried to drag him up by his clothes, but he was far too heavy. He groaned and tried to bat my hands away.
"I'm going to be..." he turned his head to one side and vomited, lapsing back into semi-consciousness.
And then Rebecca came back to life.
Her body twitched and jerked, as if trying to work out how everything went together. Her legs and arms bent at unfeasible angles before relaxing again. Then in one fluid, impossible motion, she rose to her feet as if pulled by strings.
She brushed off her dress, pulled her straps back up, and stood in front of me. Mascara smudged, lipstick smeared, a malicious smile plastered over her face.
"Oh, that's so much better. And it's so nice to see you again, Kaz. I was very much hoping you'd come. Did you like my invitation?"
I moistened my lips, my heart hammering.
"What now?"
"Now I'm going to take you to see your mother. That's what you want, isn't it? First things first though." She walked over to the still prostrate Mark and knelt down next to him.
"Young man, you have no respect for women."
He glazed blearily up at her.
"Rebecca?" he asked.
She shook her head. "I’m afraid not. Rebecca is dead. And so are you."
She grabbed his broken nose, making him scream out loud, jerking his head forward as far as it would go, then slammed it back hard against the tarmac. His screams stopped abruptly. A dark pool of blood flecked with brain matter spread from beneath his head.
Looking straight at me, the thing masquerading as Rebecca slowly drew her index finger through it, and licked it off. Her lips made a vile smacking sound.
"You didn't have to do that," I said, my voice shaking.
"I thought you'd approve. He was disrespectful."
"Kaz." Darius's voice quietly in my ear. "I see you. I'm here. Don't be afraid. I'll follow wherever it takes you."
His voice gave me courage and a strength I didn't know I had. I lifted my chin and spoke calmly.
"So let's go."
The Rebecca thing straightened up, cocking her head to one side.
"No friends, Kaz? No Warriors around to protect you?"
"Why should there be? You want to take me to Mum, I want the same thing."
"Ah, I wish I could believe you. But the one thing I've learned about humans is they are such liars." She held out a hand. "Give me your earpiece."
"What do you mean?
"Don't play games. Give it to me."
I hesitated. It would mean losing my communications with the others. With Darius. But it wouldn't matter, I told myself. They could still follow me. Silently, I fished out the plastic bud and dropped it into her hand.
"Thank you. Now, how many Warriors are watching us right now?"
A voice rang out before I could answer.
"One."
I whirled round.
“Darius, no!”
"You," the demon hissed. "The last time we met, you forced me to run. That won't be happening again." Its eyes flicked behind him. "Surely you're not alone?"
"It's just me."
He looked calm, relaxed, but his hand was resting on the hilt of his sword and I knew he had a gun full of purified bullets tucked into his waistband. Nisgath curved Rebecca's mouth into a hideous grin.
"I'm sorry but I don't believe you."
In the darkness behind the Named One, shadows began to move. Monstrous shapes shifted and took form. A deep snarling noise began, low at first, then growing in intensity. One by one, ten huge drones lurched forward, some on all six paws, some walking upright. Nisgath looked triumphantly at Darius.
"You have a choice, Warrior. Tell your colleagues to show themselves, and I'll make sure my drones only attack them, no-one else. But if you continue to lie to me, I will set them on the school. Every child inside that building will be torn apart. Their deaths will be on your conscience." She turned to me with a grotesque grin. “Like I said. Worst prom ever.”
I looked at Darius in despair. His face was blank but his knuckles were white.
"Why should I trust you to keep your word, demon?" he said.
"Because I swear it. And unlike humans, that means something."
Darius rested his gaze on me.
"And Kaz?"
"From this moment on, she is not your concern. All you have to worry about are the drones. Do they attack your Warriors, or the children? Come now, I am running out of patience."
"Do it, Darius. Call them." My eyes were full of tears as I realised he had no choice.
He swallowed, still hesitating, knowing if he ordered them to come out there would be no-one left to follow me.
But in the end, it wasn’t his call. They came anyway. Javier, Luka, Max, and Di. Silently, they took positions next to Darius, their weapons drawn.
"So noble," sighed Nisgath, mockingly. "It sets my heart a-quiver to see your heroic self-sacrifice. Who knows, maybe one or two of you will survive."
"Not if you keep boring us to death," snapped Di. "Let's do this."
"As you wish."
The drones started moving forward, their attention fixed on the Warriors. With a howl, they began their attack, leaping towards them, fang and claw meeting sword and dagger
Sobbing, I lurched forward blindly, wanting to help, but Nisgath held me back effortlessly.
"Do you really want to fight? Or do you want to see your mother? This is your last chance.”
I cast one last glance towards the battle. I saw Darius’s face before he was driven back into the darkness by a drone. I’m sorry, forgive me. I turned to Nisgath.
“Take me to her.”
Another drone materialised out of the darkness, and she thrust me at it. Four of its arms closed about me, holding me tight against the stench of its body.
"You may want to close your eyes for this. By the way, nice dress."
And then we were moving, the scenery around me blurring as the demon picked up speed, racing in and out of shadows so fast I couldn't breathe, and I slid slowly into unconsciousness.
Chapter 24
I came to, shivering. It was cold. My head was thumping, and there were dark spots in front of my eyes. I wasn't sure if it was because there were demons around, or because I'd been deprived of oxygen during my ride here. I sat up, gulping in great breaths of air, and looked round groggily.
I was in an enormous cavern, the walls lit with primitive flaming torches, the air musty and dank. Somewhere I could hear water dripping.
I jumped as a drone walked past me, ignoring me completely. It climbed half way up a ca
ve wall, then squatted there at ninety degrees to the floor as if gravity didn't exist. I looked behind me; the cave seemed lighter there, and I guessed it was where the entrance was. But two more drones were pacing restlessly, blocking any hope of escape.
I turned back and squinted into the darkness. As my eyes adjusted, I saw something standing in the shadows. I caught my breath. Torchlight glinted off its alien domed head and reflected from its cold insectile eyes. Falroq. It was as motionless as a statue, two blades crossed on its back and a heavy bag slung over one shoulder. I watched it fearfully, but it didn't move.
I heard a muffled sob to my right, and turning my head I saw what I'd missed the first time. A cage, built into the walls of the cave. Small and cramped, but nevertheless filled with people. No, I corrected myself. Children.
They had clearly been there for some time. I could smell them, the rank odour of unwashed bodies compounded by terror. Casting a glance at Falroq, I moved cautiously over to the cage, peering into its dark recesses. I counted twelve, all of varying ages, and none that I recognised until I saw the two at the very back.
Andy and Helena, the sweethearts from my school, who'd disappeared nearly a month ago.
"Are you okay?" I whispered urgently. "Andy, why are you here? What's happening?"
"All in good time, my dear." The voice came from directly behind me, and I spun round. Nisgath was standing there, smiling Rebecca's smile, the smeared make-up giving her the unsettling appearance of a deranged clown. "They are my guests, until midnight at least. And you, of course, are my guest of honour. Do you like my home? Temporary, of course."
"Yeah, I love what you've done with the place," I quipped, trying for bravado. "Shame it'll get ruined when the Warriors show up."
"The Warriors have no idea where we are, and by the time they find us, it'll be too late.”
That’s what you think. I remembered I still had the necklace with the tracker. I reached for it with a sense of triumph and relief. It would already be signalling my location, it was only a matter of time before… I stopped, my fingers at my throat. The necklace was gone.
In a panic I cast around, hoping it had fallen off inside the cave. I couldn’t see it anywhere. It must have come off during the nightmare ride here, and it could be miles away. I realised Nisgath was watching me with amusement.
Daughter of Kali- Awakening Page 22
