by Talis Jones
Initus
A Walking Shadows Novel
Talis Jones
Tri-Blood Publishing
Contents
The Walking Shadows Saga
Part I
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Part II
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Part III
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also by Talis Jones
Thank you
Initus is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2021 by Talis Jones
www.talisjonesofficial.com
Cover copyright © 2021 Talis Jones
Cover design by StaleJive Design Collective
Map copyright © 2021 Talis Jones
Map design by Talis Jones
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
ISBN 9798501718159
Tri-Blood Publishing
www.tribloodpublishing.com
Published in the United States of America.
Acts 20:24
The Walking Shadows Saga
Alarum
Solus
Vicinus
Ultio
Initus
In wrath remember mercy.
Habakkuk 3:1
Love all, trust a few,
Do wrong to none: be able for thine enemy
Rather in power than use; and keep thy friend
Under thy own life's key: be check'd for silence,
But never tax'd for speech.
-William Shakespeare
All’s Well That Ends Well
Act I Scene I
Part One
The Future is a Fickle Treasure
One
Sirens blare and I force calm into my hands as I carefully place the vial I was measuring back into the tray holder. With steady hands and even steps I carry the tray to the cooling chamber and slide it carefully to its designated shelf. There. Done. Now I can let my bones rattle as the harsh strobing lights and ear-splitting shriek of the emergency sirens wail their insistent order for me to evacuate.
I pat my lab coat to ensure my I.D. is still securely clipped to my pocket before shoving out the lab doors and entering the chaotic sea of souls rushing through the hallway. I join the fray, turning my head this way and that, searching for Jez or Fitz, my fellow interns and team members. They’d already left for lunch but I’d wanted to finish the batch we’d just pulled before taking a break. As usual, they’d teased me for being the nerd of the group and thanked me for making the team look good.
No sign of either of them catches my eye so I cover my ears against the noise and dodge elbows to the ribs as I follow the tide down the stairwell. Those idiots were probably taking advantage of the moment to raid the company pantry.
Sweat drips down my back and my hands tremble as I race down, down, down, each step carrying me further towards freedom and safety yet with so many of us packed and desperate inside I feel my lungs struggling to breathe. I never did do well with small spaces. A stairwell isn’t generally thought of as a small space, and I actually don’t have much of a problem with elevators, but the air now feels so thick with thoughts of EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY! HURRY! GET OUT! that I want to curl up out of the way and cry. I’m glad Jez and Fitz aren’t here with me after all because I’d never live it down.
Someone yanks on my elbow, forcing my hand away from my ear, and I turn to snap at them. Jezriel’s wide grin greets me and a bit of my panic ebbs away.
“You weren’t going to escape without us, were you?” he teases, shouting to be heard over the persistent sirens.
Panic still remains a bright sheen in my eyes, I can feel it, but I try to smile back. I fail. It comes out wobbly and I don’t want Jez to tease me about it. Jerking my arm from his grasp I turn away and continue pushing down the crowded stairs but Jez catches my hand and holds it tight. I squeeze it back and try not to run.
Smoke, flames, explosions, all of these things could be riding our heels. Not to mention that as a research facility stocked with plenty of hazardous materials, poison could choke the air before we make it outside.
Also explosions.
My spine trembles.
I can’t. It’s too loud. It’s too loud. I want to scream. I want to hide. I want to sob. My lungs begin to twist painfully, my heart beating wildly in my throat. Sweat slicks my face, my hands, but still Jez doesn’t let go.
What if there was an explosion?? No no no it’s too loud I need to get out get out get out get out get OUT.
Jez hauls me through the people, shoving them out of the way and tugging me right behind him. I’m barely aware of my surroundings at this point and simply stumble after him. Then, at last, I’m plunged into sunlight, blue skies, fresh air, and the sirens immediately begin to fade in volume.
Jez leads me to our designated exit location and checks us in with the evacuation leader stationed there before settling me beneath a small tree at the edge of the parking lot. Kneeling in front of me, hand still caught in my death grip, he smiles.
“You’re alive, Morgan,” he congratulates me. “I’ll accept your thanks for saving your life at any time.”
I focus on steadying my breathing and when I think I can manage to speak I scoff, “Saving my life??”
He nods seriously. “And for taking serious hits on my likability in this place. I was stabbing people left and right with my elbows to rescue you, fair maiden.”
“Oh please,” I roll my eyes. Shifting my gaze over his shoulder I notice more than a few grumpy glares aimed at his back and wince. “Sorry. You didn’t have to do that.”
“Of course I did!” Jez insists in mock offense. “A hero never leaves a lady in distress and I am a Knight after all.”
I laugh and feel the last dregs of panic dispersing at last. Outside of the building, everything and everyone seems to instantly mellow out and I hold onto that reassurance. “Okay, thank you, Jezriel Knight, for saving my life and sacrificing your popularity, but not your ego, in doing so.”
He snorts. “I’ll take it.”
I pull my knees up against my chest and hide my face. “I can’t believe I lost it.”
Jez nudges my knee. “Don’t worry about it. Loud noises, crowds, you’ve always hated that stuff. And any emergency situation makes people freak out.”
I lift my head enough to deliver a sardonic gaze. “It was a drill, Jez. A drill. Everyone else was able to rush out, chatting, laughing with the adrenaline knowing there was no danger, but not me. No, I nearly collapse from a panic attack over nothing.”
>
Jez opens his mouth angrily to refute my criticism but I cut him off.
“Where’s Fitz?” I still don’t see him and if he’d been at lunch with Jez then he should’ve been here by now.
“Relax, he’s coming.” Jez shifts to sit beside me and we scan the growing crowd of employees together. “Look! There he is.”
Sandy hair and annoyed caramel eyes weave their way towards us. “Fitz!” I call in relief.
He stands over us, hands in his pockets, and arches one arrogant, well-groomed eyebrow. “Finally out of the friend zone?”
I realize I’m still clasping Jez’s hand and quickly break contact. “What took you so long?”
“Someone shoved an armload of snacks against my chest and demanded I hide them in the intern’s break room first,” he glares at Jez.
“Priorities!” he defends himself.
I laugh at them both. “I knew it! I knew you’d raid the pantry, you thieves.”
“I’m not your errand boy, Jezriel Knight. Aren’t you too old for hijinks like that anyway?”
“Hijinks?” Jez grins, laughing at Fitzwilliam Rochester III the rich boy with rich words as he calls him.
“Jez,” I scold, elbowing him to leave Fitz alone. True that Fitz is always easy to tease, taking himself so seriously, but I know how easily he gets hurt too.
“Nerd,” he teases.
“Joker,” I throw back.
“What does that make Fitz?” he wonders. “The Penguin?”
I snort and try to hide it behind a cough while Jez grins brazenly at Fitz.
“Ha ha. Very funny,” Fitz grumbles unamused. “You look like a mess,” he observes, taking in my mildly disheveled state.
Mess seems like a vast overstatement to me, but compared to his constantly immaculate presentation I suppose I am. “You know I’m sensitive to loud noises,” I snap.
Fitz gives what can only be described as a guffaw. “I hope you at least managed to properly secure the samples before you lost it? Or did you just panic and flee? I need to know if I should brace myself for losing this internship.”
“Hey,” Jez growls. “Leave her alone. It’s Morgan. You know she put the project first. Besides, your dad can always get you another internship.”
Anger lights Fitz’s eyes, both at the accusation and its truth, but I’m not in the mood to endure their bickering just now. Jez and Fitz are the definition of frenemies. They somehow manage to loath and trip each other at every opportunity while simultaneously having one another’s back when it counts.
“Don’t worry you guys,” I sigh. “I took care of it before fleeing and screaming in mindless terror.”
Jez laughs and Fitz rolls his eyes but I notice a bit of tension leave their shoulders. If my panic had taken control and I’d ruined those samples, dropped a vial, didn’t store them properly… I’d lose my internship and would have a hell of a time trying to find another one. I doubt Jez and Fitz would have been in jeopardy but then again Dr. Xi is big on teamwork which also includes group punishment. He insists he needs to know that he can trust his people not to fracture into petty rivalries and horde secrets. His facility remains one of the top in the nation and even holds government contracts with “need to know” stipulations and gags (which, I might add, is incredibly cool). His research is bigger than money and careers, it touches on national security and the future of humanity. So, one person screws up and we all feel the consequences.
“Attention! Everyone!”
We turn towards our evacuation station leader as they wave their arms to get our group’s attention.
“Good job. I got the all clear from up the ladder and you can all go back inside and return to work.”
My stomach grumbles and I’m glad Jez and Fitz stole that stash despite my minor qualms over such dishonest antics. Ohh I hope they grabbed a bag of cheese puffs.
“Why don’t they evacuate Dottie?” I wonder suddenly. Casting my gaze across the chattering crowd I don’t see her anywhere.
“Dottie?” Fitz asks.
Jez snorts. “She named the Android that works the front desk.” Turning to me he adds, “And because she’s a robot, why bother?”
I frown, feeling hurt on Dottie’s behalf. Maybe she is just a vaguely humanoid machine, the only Android Dr. Xi allows on his property in fact no matter if their popularity and uses are growing, but it felt weird for her to wave at me each morning and not know her name so I named her and once I named her an attachment formed. Then again, Jez claims I could befriend a pet rock.
He’s right. I have a lovely little rock I picked up at the park that I glued a pair of googly eyes to and named Timothy enjoying the sunshine from my kitchen windowsill at this very moment.
“Morgan Travers,” our station leader calls, marching over to us with all authority. “I expect you to dispatch your lab coat to the cleaners immediately before entering any secured rooms. Next time, remember to leave it at your work station or at the very least don’t sit in the wet grass with it on.”
“Yes, sir,” I nod.
“So in an emergency she’s supposed to remember to hang up the precious coat?” Jez asks in disbelief. “It’ll just burn in the fire!”
The leader gives him a look of impatience Jez is well used to. “Obviously not. However, this was a drill and not a surprise one. Regardless of a drill or a spontaneous desire to roam outside, a filthy coat is against regulations in quarantined zones and clean work areas.” With a huff he strides off.
“So she has some grass on her ass! Big deal!” Jez shouts after him.
“Oh my gosh, Jez, please shut up,” I beg, my cheeks burning bright red.
“No way,” Jez frowns. “We’re best friends and that comes with certain duties and privileges like talking about grass on your best buddy’s ass.”
I abandon him, quickly walking back towards the building before I can combust from embarrassment even though a part of me wants to laugh because Jez is just that type of person. He makes you want to laugh and lift a bit of life’s weight from your shoulders.
His hand is also awfully nice to hold.
“Imbecile,” Fitz mutters.
“I bet you piss in a golden toilet, Rochester,” Jez shoots back.
Their bickering is quickly muffled the brisker I make my walk and soon the embarrassment has worn off and I’m hurrying out of eagerness to return to the lab. I love my job. I love science. I love having the opportunity to work for Dr. Xi at ZoiTech. I love spending hours and hours in the lab. My older sister Marissa and I used to joke that I got the brains and she got the beauty. We love each other and though we’re vastly different in our passions with our pale blonde hair our only similarity, it’s never been an issue. I would spend a whole day helping her shop and she’d never miss one of my science fair competitions. We’re different, but like two sides of a coin.
Marissa’s husband, Javi, though, I could monopolize for hours to discuss science with. It’s practically routine to send someone to drag us back into the group after doing so at events from birthdays to Thanksgiving. I think about Jez’s stinging comment about how Fitz’s dad could get his son just about any internship or job he wanted and feel a moment of discomfort. Fitz’s father is Jonathan Rochester, U.S. Secretary of State, and it seems a shadow Fitz can never escape from even when he refused to follow his family’s tradition of careers in politics. Jez and I earned our positions, just like Fitz did despite rumors, but I can never seem to shake the worry that my brother-in-law, Dr. Javier Ramsey, was a part of why I’m here and it drives me to push myself harder to prove myself. I graduated top of my class and no one has questioned my internship with Dr. Harold Xi, but I did. I do. I always manage to feel surprised when I achieve something.
Jez has been my best friend since freshman year of college and as such knows Javi just as well as I do, but nothing could phase his self-confidence. Jez is Jez, happy to be who he is and uncaring if anyone questions it. Oh to be more like him…
“Ms. Travers,” a co
nfident tone slices into my spiraling thoughts.
Jolting in surprise I remove my gaze from my feet and focus on who’d called my name only to swallow in fear at Dr. Xi himself waiting patiently for my response.
“Good afternoon, Dr. Xi,” I manage nervously. He doesn’t necessarily look scary, but there’s something in his manner that keeps me on edge. “Can I help you with something?”
“Yes,” he answers calmly. “I was reviewing the latest project report from your team and I am impressed. You have a bright future ahead of you, Ms. Travers. Dr. Ramsey was quite right in his enthusiasm for you to join the team.”
A jolt of pride wars with my fear of only being selected for my connections. “Thank you, sir. I work with a good team.”
Approval fills his posture. “I look forward to seeing what you make of this internship,” he shares then nods in dismissal. As he leaves I sigh as feeling returns to my legs and I wipe my sweaty palms along my coat glad he didn’t see the “grass on my ass.”
A low whistle comes from behind me and I turn to see Fitz and Jez brimming with curiosity. “Big Dr. Xi knows your name, eh?” Jez arches his brows waiting for an explanation.
“I’m sure he knows everyone’s name,” I counter.
“I’m sure he does not,” Fitz shakes his head. “What did he say? Was it about the project? He didn’t seem upset…”
