by N. J. Cooper
“Oh please? Can you ask him for me?” Pogan begged. Kyla nodded.
“Yeah, of course. But I need your help getting to him which means I need to get into the warehouse. I’m not meant to be there though, so we got to keep it a secret, okay?” Kyla reminded. Pogan nodded.
“How can I help?” He asked.
“Well, you’re taking boxes into the warehouse, right?” He nodded. “Do they check what’s in them before you go in?” She asked. He shrugged.
“Not really. Sometimes but not really.” He replied. Kyla nodded.
“So, I’ll hide in the box and you can take me in. But there’s something else. Something big.” Kyla bit her lip, unsure how he would react to Wyatt’s presence.
“You can hide in the box, that’s a good idea. Oh, I like this friends secret.” He clapped, his feet shuffling, the ground protesting against the added pressure. Kyla shifted nervously, trying to smile. She looked over her shoulder to where Wyatt’s face half watched from behind the tree trunk. He tapped his watch with wide eyes. They were running out of time.
“I know, I know Pogan. This is a great friends secret. You know what’s even better than two friends sharing a secret?” Kyla asked. He shook his head, turning it to the side slightly.
“No, what?” He asked.
“Well, three friends sharing a secret of course. Do you think, we could share our secret with my friend Wyatt? He would like to come too. Is that okay?” Kyla asked beckoning Wyatt out. Wyatt walked over cautiously as Pogan frowned and stepped back. He looked between them, his frown deepening. He edged around Wyatt, looking him up and down, sniffing in the air before getting closer. Wyatt tensed as Kyla held her breath. Finally, Pogan stepped back, a grin splitting across his face as he nodded.
“He smells good. I like this friend.” He approved. Kyla blew out her breath as Wyatt’s shoulders slouched in relief. “He can come too. But you not allowed to tell anybody, okay? Papa will be real mad if he finds out,” Pogan said quiet and excited. He pulled over the box, quickly removing the contents from the box and shoving them in the bushes surrounding the tree trunk. He opened the tabs wide, “Okay, get in. We gots to hurry. Those goblins always say I take too long and come find me.” Pogan urged, holding out his hand for them to step on. The box was too high to climb without help. Pogan lifted them in with his huge, gentle hands then peered over the opening with a grin.
“Ready friends?” He asked, showing them the stack of crockery, he was about to surround them with. Kyla and Wyatt backed up to the edge of the box with a nod.
“We’re ready Pogan.” Kyla said just before he covered their small bodies with the giants oversized dinnerware. Once he had put everything back and they were camouflaged, with the box closed, Kyla turned to Wyatt.
“When we get there, we’re going to have to get from a cemetery across the town to the castle. Any ideas?” She whispered, sitting down, stretching her legs out as Wyatt sat next to her. The rattling of the plates and the swaying of the box indicated they were on the move and despite the racing of her heart she was glad they were getting closer. Wyatt checked his watch.
“Well, the only thing I can think of, is use the sun to our advantage. Most of the vampire area is covered in darkness, but for every day at 12.00 am for an hour, the sun comes out so the area can get its deliveries without fear of being drained. The only problem is that the guards are given a charm for an hour, so they won’t get burnt. Those are the ones we are going to have to get passed. Kyla pondered his answer. They were running out of time and she needed to get to Byron before he left again and all the sneaking around was for nothing. She had too much riding on this lead to let it slip away again.
“What if we waited for the sun, then ran straight to the castle? You reckon we could take the guards once we got there?” Kyla tried. Wyatt chuckled.
“Definitely not. They are vampires, the highest trained and protecting the Elders of the vamp area. If you and I can get through to the Elders, then there is something seriously wrong. Plus, even if we got through the guards, the Elders themselves would catch us and we would be in more trouble.” Wyatt revealed. Kyla sighed, closing her eyes as she tried to come up with something when Wyatt spoke again.
“We could always volunteer ourselves.” Wyatt shrugged. Kyla frowned; she didn’t like the sound of that, but he clearly thought it was the only option.
“Volunteer ourselves?” She asked.
“Yeah. At 12, the sun comes out so the ‘supplies’ can come in. Most of what the vampires need is blood. They aren’t allowed to take it without permission, it’s an absolute law and one that most of the supernaturals abide by since taking our blood leaves a dark streak through our aura-it’s a huge thing. So, there are volunteers. From other areas. We can volunteer. They escort them to the castle or the blood bank depending on how powerful, reserving the most powerful for the Elders at the castle of course.” Wyatt explained. Kyla nodded seeing how it could work.
“But won’t they know who I am?” Kyla wondered. Wyatt shrugged.
“Not if the Oracle stays out of it. Unless they’ve specifically seen your face. And you hide your necklace. Then just write your details down as sorceress. Use Sky’s name even.” Wyatt offered. Kyla nodded.
“Okay, and you think they’ll take us into the castle?” She checked. He nodded eagerly.
“I’ve volunteered before, they take me to the castle every time, so they’ll definitely take you.” He shrugged nonchalantly. Kyla’s eyes widened with a gasp escaping her lips. Wyatt clasped his hand over her mouth, looking up to the lid of the box before she could answer. She was about to bite his hand so it would stop covering her mouth but then she heard the nasal voice filtering in through the cardboard.
“Took you long enough, Pogan. Don’t know why your Ma and Pa always get you involved in this stuff, not good for a child to be in adult’s business.” The goblin chastised. Kyla and Wyatt waited anxiously for the reply. They both curled themselves closer into the plates that towered above them.
“They says I can handle it now, Korrin. And I can. Ima put this box in with the others just like I spose to.” He answered. Kyla held her breath waiting for the agreement from the goblin. Finally, she heard the grunt.
“Yeah, yeah. Just do it quickly, Pogan. No more mucking around.” The goblin answered before the shaking of the box resumed, indicating they were moving again. Kyla let out her breath then lent on Wyatt’s shoulder before looking back at him.
“Where were we?” Kyla asked of Wyatt who leaned back against the box.
“You were about to grill me on volunteering my blood to the vampires but it’s no big deal Kyla. They need blood and they ask other supernaturals to provide it. So sometimes I offer. It’s all totally legit.” Wyatt shrugged. Kyla frowned, she never imagined someone actually wanting their blood taken like that.
“What does it feel like?” Kyla asked, purely curious. He grinned.
“It’s sensational. A high you never want to come down from.” he winked. Kyla doubted that.
“So, it’s like a drug?” She asked. He nodded.
“Yeah pretty much. And very addictive. Most don’t go more than three times in a short space of time.” he revealed. Kyla narrowed her eyes at the way his eyes twinkled with memories she could only guess at.
“And how many times have you been?” Kyla demanded, storming up to him despite the gentle rocking of the box with Pogan’s walking. Wyatt scowled and looked away.
“Five.” He admitted sheepishly. Kyla rubbed the back of her neck with a frustrated sigh.
“Are you only here because you want another fix?” Kyla snapped, trying her hardest to keep a hushed voice with words she wanted scream. He glared at her.
“I’m here because I want my shot at Onyx. So what if I get something else out of it too? That’s my business.” Wyatt growled defensively, his arms folding over his chest and holding each bicep. Kyla shoved him against the box.
“Of course, it’s my business! If you’re
too busy trying to get a fix in there while we’re going for Byron, then we are both dead!” She forced, shoving him then turning away trying to pull in her temper that was flaring dangerously. His hand landed on her shoulder as he urged her to look at him.
“I won’t get us killed. It won’t be a problem okay? I promise.” He said, his voice soft and haunted. Kyla moved into his arms, hugging him tightly. He needed help, she wasn’t sure how an addiction like the one he had could be helped, but whatever options he had she would help him get through it.
“I want another promise.” Kyla tried. He stiffened.
“Yeah, I knew you would. I will get help, Kyla. When we get back but for now, we have to focus on what we came here for.” He said. Kyla nodded against him then leaned away.
“Byron.” She whispered. He nodded in agreement just as the tabs to the box lifted slightly. Kyla backed up against the plates with Wyatt, using them to hide their bodies but they needn’t have worried, Pogan’s wide mouth smiled down at them.
“You’re in friends. I put you as close to the tunnels as I can so you can get to Uncle Byron. Good luck.” He grinned.
“Thanks Pogan.” I waved. He giggled before shutting the tabs and stomping away. Kyla didn’t hesitate, she pulled her knife out, cutting a human sized square in the side of the box. She climbed out with Wyatt following closely behind. She checked their surroundings. It was relatively the same as before except some of the boxes were in the aisles, some were open, some were coloured, but the biggest difference was the horde of goblins and occasional giant walking and scurrying through the aisles with boxes and items she couldn’t even begin to describe. And all of them covered in armour and weapons. They were prepping for something big. Kyla held in her anger and urge to bust their operation wide open knowing the only way to stop anything was to stop Byron. Stopping Byron, stopped Onyx and that was her inevitable end goal. That and not dying at the end of it but according to the prophecy that wasn’t an option, so as long as she took out as many of them as she could, she could die knowing everyone she cared about was safe. Cementing that idea in her mind, she looked closer at where Pogan had placed them in the giant warehouse. She had to remember where they had gone last time and where Geroff had been left. She so badly wanted to use the Oracle’s senses to try and find it but just as she was about to give in to her urge, Wyatt grabbed her wrist.
“It’s just over here, I scratched off one of the paint marks on the post next to it, when you were looking inside so we would know where we found it in case they moved it.” Wyatt told, leading her through the aisle. They got to where the paint mark was scratched off on the framing of the shelving unit. Kyla helped Wyatt shove one of the boxes aside, using all of their effort to move it enough for their bodies to slip in beside. Kyla went through the boxes first, Wyatt coming in after her. They got to the other side of the shelving unit, leaving the gap in-between the boxes for a quick escape if they needed it. Kyla took in what was on the other side of the boxes and although she knew that the door had to be somewhere close, she hadn’t expected the pole they had been searching for to be right behind the shelving unit. Wyatt had been right. They had used Geroff’s remains to hide the scent of their blood so they wouldn’t know where to look. Kyla clenched her fists as she stepped down onto the cold concrete of the warehouse. There was only a thin walkway between the backs of the two shelving units, but it was all she needed. She moved to the pole, searching over it with scrutinizing eyes before feeling the pole Byron was meant to have remained trapped to and yet had escaped.
“There has to be an entrance to the tunnels somewhere here” Kyla whispered. Wyatt helped her look, but they found nothing. She couldn’t give up though. She looked over the ground around it before trying the last thing she could think of. Re-enactment. Kyla sat down in front of the pole, wrapping her arms around the back as Byron had been secured. Wyatt stood back and let her try it. She leant back against the pole and waited. Nothing happened. Kyla was about to give up and use her teleportation, the consequences of using the Oracle and tipping Byron off before they had the chance to get him, be damned, but that’s when she felt it. At the base of the pole, brushing against her fingers. A small metal hoop. Kyla gasped and swung around the pole to look at it. She showed it to Wyatt before he shrugged.
“Could be anything, only one way to know for sure though” He prompted. Kyla nodded then yanked on the hoop. She had barely registered the fact that she had pulled the loop before the ground opened up and dropped them both down a flight of concrete steps. The hatch sealed back over them as she landed with a grunt on her side, her entire body aching and protesting from the tumble. Wyatt landed next to her, but recovered quicker, standing to help her up. She dusted herself off then looked around them. It was mostly dark with only the flames of the wall torches to guide them. Kyla didn’t need any help finding her way though. She sensed the power pulling her forward. A demand in her body that urged her steps. The Oracle grew restless.
‘Kyla, I have been so patient but if you don’t put some speed into this mission, he is going to be gone, it will be morning and Zarek will get there before we will. We are going to miss the hour of sun. Get to the vampire area. It’s three areas over but you’ll find it if you go down the next tunnel on the left. I’ll know when we are close, I can sense their undead stench.’ The Oracle bit. Kyla picked up the pace in response, Wyatt doing the same. They ran, following the Oracle’s directions until they rounded the corner and came to a vault door similar to the one she had seen in her vision with Geroff. But this one had a different engraving. SUCCO in the middle of a tear drop. She assumed it was meant to be a drop of blood and went to go forward. Her skin prickled though, making her halt mid-stride, glancing around with a furrowed brow. Wyatt tensed, watching her.
“What’s wrong?” He asked. Kyla checked with the Oracle who shrugged.
“This is weird. They had a giant guarding the other door. And when I was in the vision, they said he should have messaged to the vamp guarding their door. Why is there no one guarding it tonight?” Kyla questioned, an uneasy feeling settling into her stomach.
“Maybe because it’s ten past 12 and the sun will already be out in the vamp area by now.” He suggested then looked at his watch again. “Which means we have about five minutes to get down to the vans of volunteers or we’ll be noticed slipping in. And a total of 50 minutes to get in and out.” Wyatt realised. Kyla let go of her concerns, knowing they didn’t have time to second guess anything now.
“Right, I guess we’ll find out. But if this is a trap…” Kyla started. Wyatt interrupted.
“Then I walk into it with you. I knew the risks when I left that hotel with you, Kyla. I’m here for whatever happens.” He promised. Kyla nodded in thanks then pushed open the vault door, a niggling in the back of her mind hinting that there should have been a trick to it, some kind of security measure but she brushed it off. So, they walked into another trap, what was new? Kyla climbed the steps behind the door then opened the hatch above them. It led out into the same cemetery she had been in the vision. The sun shone down on them bright and blearing, almost burning her human skin with its glare. There were no clouds and no breeze to break up the heat, that she assumed was all part of the protection detail for the volunteers. Kyla looked back at Wyatt who was climbing out, squinting against the brightness after such darkness, the same as her. He shut the hatch door and walked over to her. She led him to the tree she had stood by last time and they looked down on to the town. It was so different from what she had remembered. There were no vampires in the street. No music. No cold. Everything was silent and empty. Kyla looked over to where two huge white vans were pulled up next to a grey stone building of huge proportions. People piled out of each of them.
“I’m guessing we are going with them?” Kyla asked. Wyatt nodded.
“Yeah, that there is the blood bank. All of the blood within our realm is processed through there if it’s not being taken directly from the source. We have to get in t
hat line of volunteers, fill out our paperwork, then we go to the castle. But we have to hurry, or they’ll notice us.” Wyatt explained.
“I guess we better go then.” Kyla agreed, a strong pull in her stomach telling her Byron was still here. The knowledge gave her a burst of motivation and she walked next to Wyatt, down to the volunteers.
~ 17 ~
Wyatt took the lead on their suicide mission to slip into the volunteers. He urged her forward so he brung up the rear of the line, that was being ushered into the building. They had been able to discreetly move through the town to the vans since it was so
bright and most of the curtains on the buildings were shut, but now it was the hard part. Remaining unrecognized. She trusted Wyatt though and followed the others up the stone steps where they lined up to go into the blood bank. Most of them were dishevelled and twitching, their eyes darting around, their hands shaking as they bit on their nails or patted their ragged clothes down. These were regulars and addicted. Most had a human form, but there were a couple of forms she didn’t even recognize. Kyla looked back at Wyatt for reassurance, trying to keep her head as low as possible and copy the addict’s actions slightly. She didn’t want to stand out to the guards, who were centaurs of course and all it would take was a call through from Shemar or Orion. She just had to hope that they had enough sense not to dob her in quite yet. Wyatt nodded with a slight smirk and indicated her to move forward with the others. They all moved through the door and Kyla had to use a lot of control not to gasp. The bank was cold and sterile, a hospital like freshness to the air and the chill of the huge space had her shivering. She stepped forward taking everything in awe. Everyone who walked past had fangs, white skin and bright red eyes. What she would expect from vampires and yet they were paired by weak creatures of all kinds. The creatures who went past her had a dazed look about them, with blood dripping from their neck wounds. Some had arm bands instead and despite all that, it was the openness of the blood taking that got her. She tried not to cringe at the sight, but it was hard. Chairs were in even intervals around the room with flimsy, clear plastic curtains to contain them as they were either sucked from directly or attached to machines that were siphoning the blood from their systems. Vampires in white coats pushed carts of blood around with labels and clip boards and Kyla had to stop herself from gagging. Blood as a currency was a lot to take in and she suddenly didn’t want to risk her blood becoming a part of that. She wasn’t sure if Wyatt sensed her hesitancy or whether he noticed the colour drain from her face but either way, as they grouped by a desk to fill out paperwork, he urged her to the front, his hand on her lower back to ground her. She pushed through, grabbing the pen with a shaking hand. The vampire woman sitting behind the desk was entering the previous donors’ details in the computer as Wyatt stepped up next to her and filled his own in beside her.
