“Sniffers?” Alexis asked.
Archer said, “Augments with an enhanced sense of smell. Trust me, he knows we’re coming.”
Drachen flicked the safety off his rifle. “Then I guess we go in the front door.” He looked at each of them in turn. “Any objections?”
Nathan checked his weapon. No one objected. Drachen said, “Keep your heads down, shit’s about to get real.”
“The day has arrived.” Jason Crowley turned from the balcony and faced the room. His eyes roamed over six of his best, standing in a row before him. He crossed his hands behind his back and walked the line.
“Scout has led our enemies to our doorstep. They come for the stone. We will show them the cost of their hubris.” Crowley eyed Ripper—his yellow gaze steady in return. “Take up a position in the chamber. You must keep the stone from their hands at any cost.”
Ripper bowed his head. “They shall not get past me, my master.”
“See that they don’t.” Crowley turned his attention to Siren. A cruel grin parted his lips. “The fools have no clue what is in store for them. Cover the front entrance. Let’s give diplomacy a chance.”
Siren nodded. “They will be putty in my hands, master.”
Crowley reached a hand out and cupped her cheek. “I have no reason to doubt that. But, with so much at stake, we must be vigilant.” His eyes drifted to Blur. Glowing red eyes stared back at him from beneath the silver helmet. Crowley said, “Provide backup for Siren. Keep her safe.”
Blur bent a knee. His hollow voice echoed his compliance. “Yes, my master.”
The sight broadened Crowley’s grin and touched his eyes. He moved to his right and stood before Grim. “Old friend,” Crowley said, “I doubt we shall need you in this fight. But …”
“Vigilance, my master,” Grim said, “I understand and await your command.”
Crowley took Grim’s hand. The curare weakened his grip. Blue veins stood out on Crowley’s neck and traced crooked lines across his face before his own augmentation reversed the effects. “Take Hije with you and cover our rear. If they attempt to breach there or escape, I know you’ll stop them dead.”
Grim bowed his head. “It will be done, my master.”
“My father leads them here,” Hije said, “Allow me to go to him, master. I will put him down.”
Crowley stepped in front of Hije and considered her proposal. “You feel you’re ready for that confrontation?”
She thrust her shoulders back and straightened her posture. “He made a mistake coming here. I’m ready.”
Crowley thought about it a moment longer. “No,” he said, “provide support to Grim.”
Hije pleaded. “Master—”
Crowley’s look cut her off. The steel in his gaze left no room for bargaining. “You have your orders.”
Her shoulders slumped, and Hije said, “Yes, my master.”
Crowley came to the end of the line. Brutalis towered over the rest of them and awaited his commands. Crowley turned around and walked back to the center of the row. “Brutalis shall remain here with me.” He faced them all, and said, “Fan out. Get to your positions. To protect what we’ve built here, they must pay in blood. Do not fail.”
All six bowed, and Crowley turned back to the balcony. Wildfires raged in the hills coloring the sky an ominous red.
66
Alexis kept close to Archer. They had yet to see another living soul. Devastated buildings surrounded them, their walls missing and roofs collapsed. She gazed at one shopfront for a moment. The facing wall was gone, and a hole through the second floor allowed for a trickle of pebbles to fall.
Ahead of her, Drachen led the way. He kept his assault rifle up and swung it around at the slightest sound. Nathan loped behind him, an automatic pistol firmly gripped in his hand. She felt the weight of the handgun on her hip. Entirely foreign to her, she hoped she wouldn’t need to use it.
They rounded a corner and saw the castle looming on the hill. Broken and weathered trees lined the path toward the imposing pale brick stronghold. Turrets rose into the sky from three of the four corners and were each topped with crenels on their parapets. An iron portcullis hung open over the front entrance, inviting their entry. Behind the castle, the hills glowed orange and red from raging wildfires. The sky was choked by giant plumes of black smoke.
Drachen called for a halt to their advance, and the four of them crouched low beside the path. “The gate is up,” Drachen said, “Another sign we’re expected.”
“We should go around back,” Nathan said.
Alexis nodded. “He’s right. If they’re expecting us, why are we going in the front door? There must be a more covert approach.”
Archer used his bow to point to the hills. “The fires make that approach dangerous.”
“And going in the front door is safe?” Alexis said, “We’re walking into a trap.”
Drachen turned from the castle to look at her. “Probably, but your only hope of getting out of California alive is through that gate. And I, for one, would rather face my enemies head on.” He rose and added, “Once we make the courtyard, spread out and keep to the walls. Let’s move out.”
Despite her misgivings, Alexis fell into line behind Archer. They passed under the portcullis, and Alexis couldn’t keep from looking at the sharp spikes aimed their direction. An interior courtyard opened up around them, and she followed Archer to the left. She watched Drachen aim his assault rifle at a woman standing in the center of the yard.
“You!” Drachen roared.
Alexis watched the woman smile. “Lower your weapon,” she said to him, “You don’t want to hurt me.”
Drachen trembled and slowly lowered his gun. “Siren,” Archer whispered beside her.
“Siren?” Alexis asked.
Siren approached Drachen and breathed in his face. With a glance around the courtyard, she said, “Kill them all.”
“Go!” Archer grabbed Alexis by the arm and dragged her over behind a wagon loaded with hay. She saw Drachen turn and open fire on them. Bullets pinged and ricocheted off the stone walls. The noise deafened her. She covered her ears with her hands as she huddled on the ground and screamed.
Archer notched an arrow and waited. Alexis reached for the gun on her hip. She heard the gunfire change pitch and watched Archer stand. He loosed the arrow and Drachen cried out in pain. Alexis rose and squeezed off two rounds. The shots went wide left.
Automatic fire resumed around them. Bits of hay and chunks of wood landed on her as Alexis ducked back to the ground. Through the slit underneath the wagon, she watched Drachen move closer.
More gunfire sounded behind him. She watched Nathan fire off rounds in his direction. Alexis twisted her arms under the wagon and fired four more shots at Drachen’s feet. Each one kicked up dirt, but missed the target. Her hands ached from the recoil.
Beside her, Archer unhooked a bola from his waist and let the three wooden orbs dangle from the rope. She gave him a quizzical look, but he laid in wait.
Once Drachen returned fire at Nathan, Archer sprang into action. He leapt to his feet, swung the bola overhead, and sent it flying toward Siren. It struck her and wrapped around her neck. She dropped to the ground, her hands desperate to loosen her noose.
Archer climbed over the wagon and landed with a rolling motion. He came to a stop with another arrow notched and aimed at Drachen. “Shake it off, man!”
Drachen whipped his weapon around to take aim at Archer. The blunt tip arrow flew and struck Drachen in the chest plate of his kavendium armor. A tiny explosive charge ignited and tossed him backward. Archer rushed forward, unsheathing a knife as he ran.
Alexis slid out from underneath the wagon and hurried closer to Archer, catching a look from Nathan as she went. Archer pressed a knee against Drachen’s chest and held the blade to his throat. “We good?”
Drachen grimaced and blinked several times. “Yeah.” He groaned. “Where’s the bit
ch?”
Archer put the knife away and pointed to where Siren dropped. “Where is she?” Alexis asked, her voice shrill with fright.
Drachen recaptured his assault rifle and adjusted his body armor. The four of them surveyed the area but found no sign of Siren. A flicker across the yard drew their attention. Alexis stared slack-jawed at a man with glowing red eyes who appeared out of thin air.
Nathan hissed, “Blur.”
Nathan roared. He took aim at Blur and squeezed off four rounds. Blur shifted in place to dodge each bullet. Nathan kept pulling the trigger until the click told him he was empty.
“Did you really think that would work?” Quinn asked.
His face twisted with rage, Nathan ignored Quinn. He waved at his allies to keep them back. “This one’s mine.”
Nathan felt Alexis grab his arm. “You can’t take him yourself.”
He shook free of her grip and pointed at Drachen. “When I grab him, take the bastard down.”
“Can you grab him?” Drachen asked.
“Watch me.” Nathan let loose a primal scream and charged across the courtyard. Blur’s vibration increased before he appeared in front of Nathan. He drove a fist into Nathan’s chest, knocking the wind out of him, and stopping his forward charge. Blur followed up with a high knee to Nathan’s chin and an overhead blow to his head that sent Nathan hard to the ground.
Nathan crawled a short distance away. He shuddered from a violent cough and caught the looks on his allies’ faces. Raising a hand to them, he kept them back. “No.” Nathan regained his feet and turned back to Blur. He never saw him move and received two more vicious blows to the gut and head. Nathan sprawled back out on the ground.
He coughed again, and blood spewed from his mouth. Blur appeared over him. Nathan heard the low buzz of his vibration. He steadied his nerve and closed his eyes to prepare. Nathan felt more blows connect against his kidneys and ribcage. Blocking out the pain, he entered a forced calm, and saw the pattern to the attack.
His left arm shot up and blocked Blur’s next punch. He gripped Blur’s right forearm and squeezed. Blood trickled down Nathan’s chin, but his smile broadened anyway. He heard Blur scream in agony—a hollow, empty sound.
“Now!” Nathan hollered.
Automatic weapons fire ripped through the air. Blur increased his vibration until Nathan could no longer hold him. Nathan’s grip released but not before three bullets struck Blur’s gleaming helmet. Blur staggered back. His red eyes flickered and went out. Falling to one knee, he removed the cracked and busted helmet. The vehemence of his look chilled the marrow of Nathan’s bones.
Bullets whizzed past Blur, kicking up dust and dirt around him. A sonic boom flattened them all. When Nathan lifted his head, Blur was gone.
67
Crowley knelt beside Siren. His fingers worked the bola loose from around her neck. She gasped once and turned away to vomit on the floor.
Brutalis shuffled closer and handed him a towel. He tossed it to Siren who used it to wipe her mouth. She looked at him and said, “I told Blur not to move me like that.”
“Couldn’t be helped,” Crowley said, “You became a liability out there once they silenced your voice.”
She sat back on her haunches. Her voice was contrite as she offered apology, “I’m sorry, master. I allowed one to get the drop on me.” Siren held her gaze on the floor. “Send me back out, and I won’t fail you again.”
Crowley shook his head. “No, diplomacy has failed. They rejected our open hand, and now must face our closed fist.” He nodded toward Brutalis. “Go to the front. Find them and bring their leader to me. Alive. Kill the rest if you must.”
Brutalis slinked forward. His head hung low, and his feet shuffled in place. “Master,” his voice boomed off the stone walls. “I stay. I protect you.”
Crowley gave him a withering look. He stood and Brutalis took a step back. “Do I seem helpless to you?”
Brutalis averted his gaze and touched a finger to his protruding lip. His massive shoulders hunched over in submission. “No, master.”
“Do as I have ordered, then.” Crowley softened his tone. “Besides, I have Siren here with me. We’ll be fine.”
Brutalis bowed and lumbered from the room. In his wake, the heavy door closed with a resounding thud. Crowley heard a sonic boom echo off the castle stonework. Retrieving his HoloSphere from within his jacket, he looked at it and frowned.
“Master.” Siren regained her feet and asked, “If I may, why keep any of them alive? They’ve come here to attack us and steal what is yours. We should show them no mercy.”
Crowley smirked at her. He walked closer and touched her cheek with only the tips of his fingers. “You trust me, yes?”
Siren cupped his hand closer to her face. “With my very being.”
“Then trust me when I tell you, being brought before me will be no mercy to them.”
Nathan hung his head. His fingers dug into the ground and squeezed the dirt in silent frustration.
Drachen appeared over him, his assault rifle at the ready. “We need to move. We’re too exposed out here.”
Nathan rose to his knees and coughed. Dark drops of blood stained the earth beneath him. “Are you good to move?” Archer asked him.
Another cough gripped Nathan’s chest. Agony spread from his center to his limbs. He wiped more blood from his lip with the back of his hand and fell back on his haunches. A coughing fit seized him and twisted his face in misery. When his coughing subsided, Nathan glanced at Archer and gave him a thumbs up, not trusting himself to speak without more coughing.
Drachen declared, “He can’t come with us.” Nathan raised his gaze to him and was met with a somber expression. “We need stealth. You’re hurt, and I can’t trust you not to cough. King, keep him company, and get yourselves to cover.”
Nathan forced himself to his feet and winced from the pain of standing. In a voice weaker than he wanted, he said, “I’m not out of this fight yet.”
“You are for now.” Drachen said, “I don’t much care if you die, but I won’t have you endangering my life.” Nathan wobbled on his feet before the pain in his sides took him back to one knee. Drachen turned to Alexis and said, “If he recovers enough to fight, come find us. Otherwise, stay out of sight.”
Archer reached a hand over his shoulder. His fingers wrapped around the fletching of an arrow as his eyes scanned the courtyard. Nathan felt tension radiate off him in waves and struggled back to his feet. He coughed once into his hand and grimaced from the sharp pain in his sides.
“What is it?” Drachen asked Archer.
With the arrow still in his quiver, Archer said, “Hije. She’s nearby. I can feel her presence.”
Dubious, Drachen said, “I thought her special power was avoiding detection?”
“She wants me to know she’s here.”
Drachen lifted his assault rifle higher and placed the stock against his shoulder. “Well then, let’s not delay the reunion. Lead the way.”
Archer trotted away, followed close by Drachen. Nathan watched them go with a twinge of regret. Alexis wrapped her arm around his waist and attempted to guide him out of the center of the courtyard. He shrugged off her help. “I can walk.”
Alexis scoffed. “You can barely stand. My guess is you have internal bleeding from that pummeling you took. I’d consider accepting help more often, you might live longer.”
More blood trickled from his mouth as Nathan coughed again. He turned away from her and hobbled toward the courtyard wall. “I’m fine. Just need a moment to catch my breath.”
She hurried ahead. Nathan ground his teeth against the sharp pain of every step. “She’s right, you know.” Quinn smiled next to him. “You need help.” Nathan saw a glint of madness in Quinn’s stare. “Now’s your chance. Do it now. No one’s around, you can blame her death on the freaks in this place. Let me help you.”
Nathan groaned. He struggled to ignore Q
uinn’s suggestion, but his poisonous words took hold amongst Nathan’s doubts. Quinn continued, “You leave her alive, and she’ll turn on you. I know you know this. Take care of her now, and no one has to know. It’s clean. Come on, Miller. This is who you are. It’s who you’ve always been.”
Nathan stared at him. He stopped hobbling forward and took a deep, painful breath. With trained precision, he slammed a fresh clip into his Glock.
“You want to be free of me?” Quinn asked. “You kill her, and you’re free.”
“Or you’re lying and she haunts me too,” Nathan whispered.
Quinn placed his hands on Nathan’s shoulders. He stood right in front of him and said, “You know I’m not—you know it. Whether or not you admit it, your guilt keeps us tethered together. Embrace your darkness. Accept your true nature, and all your guilt goes away. Kill her the way you killed me. I betrayed you, but I couldn’t have done it without her. See your vengeance done now and find peace.”
Nathan looked through Quinn to where Alexis stood, staring back at him. She returned toward him and asked, “Why have you stopped? We need to …” Her voice trailed off when her eyes fell on the gun aimed at her. “Miller, what are you doing?”
Nathan coughed and winced, but kept his gun trained on her chest. “You may not believe me, but I wish it didn’t have to be this way.”
Alexis whipped her arm up. She trained her gun on Nathan and pulled the trigger. Click. Her eyes widened. She pulled the trigger again. Click.
Nathan said, “You’re empty.”
Alexis looked at the gun in her hand before she tossed it aside. “You going to shoot me, Miller? Where does that get you?”
“It gets you off my back. Permanently.”
Alexis took a step back. “You’ll never get away with this.”
“Who’s going to stop me?” Nathan grinned. “Far as anyone will ever know, Blur came back, stole my gun, and made me watch him execute you.”
“No one will believe that.”
Nathan coughed again. Blood splatter dotted the ground in front of him. “I suppose I’ll find out, won’t I?” He watched her step back again, toward the wagon and cover. “Don’t.” Nathan shook the gun at her. “You won’t make it. Let’s not make this harder than it has to be.”
Singularity Page 27
