We were told that he was alone and based on infrared scanning equipment we had, he was supposed to be on the subterranean level. Katherine insisted I go in anyways. I trusted her call, so someone else must have screwed up and gave us out of date image scans. Jeremy had been lying in wait when I breached the second story window.
Once all of my wounds were treated within the hospital’s capabilities, I was interviewed to get my side of the story. All routine questions to collect as many facts as they could to put the case to bed. I’m sure that despite my unfortunate involvement, the bureau still saw this case as a win. Jeremy Golden was dead, end of story.
I had a question of my own. “So, is Katherine going to be suspended?” Even with the crappy imagery, she still sent me in, and in the process I was severely injured.
“We shouldn’t be discussing this with you, but why would she?” I was dumbstruck. So just like that, she gets off scot free. She was my friend, but she had screwed up at my expense. I don’t think I’ll be able to go back to work for a very long time. I needed to heal physically, and most of all, mentally.
The morphine couldn’t temper my rage. “That’s bullshit. She sent me into that building, and nothing happens. Wait until the press gets wind of this.” I was ranting like a crazy person.
The scans we received were sent every two minutes. There was no way for him to slip upstairs that quickly. We had the building staked out for over an hour.
“Agent Nealy calm down this instant.”
“The hell I will. Are you going to stand there and tell me that our state of the art scanners couldn’t pick up the fact that our target seamlessly ascended a couple stories undetected when we had the place surrounded from every angle? I’m going to go public with this.” A member of Internal Affairs stepped into the room.
“Agent Nealy, I’m afraid I can’t allow you to do that.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Not at all, I have come prepared with an offer that I think you will find most tempting.” Seriously, they were going to bribe me. I would play along for now. Compliance was better than being locked away in some hole like the CIA does to their dirty little secrets.
“Let’s hear it then,” I said.
“Smart choice Agent Nealy, you will find that cooperating with us will be in your best interest.” Lodging a veiled threat, that was a classic bureaucratic move. They would stoop to any level to keep me quiet.
They weren’t kidding when they said that the offer would be tempting. I would be officially retired with full benefits, and for my “unfortunate” accident, the bureau was granting me a token of their gratitude and sympathy. If you wanted to call a $250,000 wire transfer from an undisclosed bank account a token, I would be splitting hairs if I called it hush money. Which it was, and I wasn’t under any delusion that it was anything else. They screwed up, and wanted to sweep the whole mess under the rug.
Of course the money was only part of the deal. I was debriefed and forced to sign a non-disclosure agreement that would allow the FBI to imprison me if I talked about what happened. That meant no press, no family, or anyone else I might feel like getting chatty with on the subject. I was even more shocked when they handed me a piece of paper with a scripted cover story to memorize.
“Try to be convincing,” they said.
I had told Jared the truth, but I knew he wouldn’t turn me in for breaking the contract. We each had a past that brought great pain with remembrance, that’s why those secrets stayed buried from the outside world. “Please stop pacing, it’s making me uncomfortable.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine mostly. It’s your pacing, it’s bringing back some memories that I really don’t want to relive right now.” Or ever for that matter˗˗˗I did enough of that in therapy.
“Oh. I’m sorry, I’ll stop.” He knew what I was referring to. No further explanation was needed.
My ass was starting to go numb from sitting on the stone floor of our cage. Escape routes were limited, seeing as the one door was the only visible exit in sight. I got up to inspect the rest of the cellar, but as I did, the rough texture of the stone scraped at my hand. Stone˗˗˗that’s it! Jared could manipulate part of the wall.
“Are you in the mood to make the earth move?” A twinkle in my eye demonstrated my excitement.
“Really Alex, this isn’t the time or the place to be fooling around.” Okay, maybe I could have worded that better.
“That’s not what I meant you big pervert. Jared, you’re a Stone Walker.” His eyes knitted together. “And what are we currently surrounded by?”
“Stone,” he said, the revelation hitting home.
“Hop to it. Blast a hole in the wall and we can get out of here.”
“It’s not that simple. My powers don’t work that way. For us to escape, I have to force the wall apart like if I was opening a curtain. It takes time and concentration. The rumbling would draw attention and Katherine would shoot us both dead.”
“If we can’t go through the wall, can you at least break off a couple of pieces that could be used as weapons?”
“I can do that.”
“She said that they would be coming to get us tomorrow, so all we have to do is be ready by the door, and take them by surprise.” I doubt she will be expecting that. Watch out Katherine, revenge was a bitch. And this bitch was ready to strike.
20
Jared placed his hands on the back wall. It was a safe bet to choose a surface furthest away from the door. We couldn’t risk Katherine or any of her accomplices overhearing us before we acquired our makeshift weapons. Her senses were finely tuned, making our predicament all the more precarious. It was part of her DNA, a unique trait possessed by all Stone Walker in existence.
Eyes closed in concentration, tiny cracks began to radiate from beneath Jared’s fingers. He paused, waiting to see if any of the vibrations caused by his crafted striations had been detected. No hastened footsteps came barreling towards the door. We were still safe for now.
Ramping up his power, a faint glow ringed Jared’s hands. The cracks on the wall grew larger. Sweat beaded and dripped down the side of his face.
Clack, clack. I smiled at the sight of two chunks of rock falling to the ground. Once the magic was released, Jared slid to his knees while drawing a forced breath.
“Are you okay?” I asked in concern.
“I’ll be fine. It’s been awhile since I have used my powers in such a way. My body is out of practice,” he said.
A stab of guilt hit me. I didn’t even think to ask before I started issuing demands. I just assumed that he was up to the task, since he said he could do it.
“Are you sure? Don’t push yourself for me. We can always come up with another plan.”
“I’m sure. Besides, I managed to knock out a couple pieces that should make sufficient weapons.”
“Yeah, and we’re going to get to use them right away. In spite of our subtle attempt to conceal your chiseling, I think we have been discovered.”
Multiple sets of footsteps were closing in on the entrance to the cellar quite rapidly. Well shit.
“You get on one side of the door and I’ll get on the other. Whatever comes through the door first, pommel them with the rock, and any other Stone Wielder tricks you got up your sleeves.”
“You mean you want me to fight with my magic.” A look of uncertainly stared back at me. I forget that in his society, using their powers to attack someone was a last resort, and even then, they didn’t like to hurt others that way. History had proven the impact magic could have when used with evil intent.
“Look I know you aren’t supposed to use your magic offensively unless it is your only choice. Our lives are in danger, so this isn’t the time for a moral dilemma. Please tell me I can count on you to back me up.”
“You can.” His resolve was solid. We waited until the footsteps stopped right outside the door. I raised my chunk of rock. It was about to get a heck of a lot bloodier in her
e.
The heavy wooden door swung open, barely missing Jared. Faces I recognized as Katherine’s two accomplices, dashed into the cellar, not realizing that we had been waiting for them. Their guns were drawn, yet our advantage gave us the edge.
I slammed into the guy closest to me, his head taking on a nasty gash from the sharpened point of my impromptu club. His gun fell from his grasp. Blood poured down his face, yet he wasn’t giving up. A fist came towards my nose, his aim true. I turned at the last second, so his knuckles only grazed my cheek. I brought the piece of rock down once more, knocking him to the ground unconscious.
Jared was faring pretty well himself. His opponent was lying in a heap of broken crates. A bloodied wound on the back of his head indicated they he too, was down for the count. It was a minor victory.
Katherine stood in the doorway, a look of pure hatred shining in her eyes. This would prove to be a more challenging fight. She had trained in hand to hand combat like I had, and had several more years of experience on me. And of course, she was a Stone Walker like Jared. Their bodies were resilient and could take on more damage than a human’s could.
“You two are proving to be more trouble than you’re worth. I should have asked for double my fees.”
“What, you mean your despicable assassination fees?”
“Silly naïve Alex, what better way to keep my skills at their best? And over the years, I have come to enjoy snuffing out the lives of parasites like you. That’s what most of you humans are˗˗˗greedy creatures that would stab someone in the back if it meant getting a higher position in life.”
“So how was I classified?”
“You were one of the exceptions, but don’t get too giddy, Jeremy Golden was supposed to finish you off. Sadly, your fellow agents were anxious to save you, so they took him out before he could complete his job.”
“You were trying to kill me then, but why?” I couldn’t believe it. Katherine had been my friend since day one at the bureau, and now she’s admitting to attempted murder.
“It was nothing personal, but one of your previous targets was willing to pay me a hefty sum to execute you. Part of me would have mourned, but business was business.” That cold hearted bitch. Mourn my ass˗˗˗all I was to her was a temporary amusement until someone else caught her fancy.
Jared clenched his fists to keep from lashing out, his gaze filled with rage. “You don’t deserve to walk this earth.” He said, growling out the words.
“Don’t pretend that you’re perfect. I’m sure you did plenty of terrible things in desperation when we first landed in this country. I just chose a very lucrative occupation, nothing more nothing less.” Katherine was flippant, like it wasn’t a big deal that she murdered people for a living.
“I never went around killing for profit. My mother took care of us.”
“Funny you should mention˗˗˗”
“Enough! I don’t want to hear another word from your mouth. We end this now.” He took a defensive stance with his chunk of rock raised in anticipation. I did the same. Katherine wasn’t leaving this vineyard alive. We couldn’t let her.
While our positions held, her impatience pushed her to make the first move, and as I noted, without her usual precision. Jared must have really pissed her off. In all the years I trained and worked with her, she never leapt into a fight without a plan, or let her opponent put her on the offense. If that recklessness ensured her downfall, then so be it. Katherine would still put up a good fight.
She charged Jared first. Another battle tactic she passed onto me˗˗˗eliminate the strongest combatant first. I should feel insulted that she felt that I wasn’t that much of a threat, but her opinion no longer mattered to me. She wasn’t my boss or friend anymore, so any hurt feelings or foolish pride were meaningless to me.
They exchanged blows, each landing hits in key locations. Blood trickled from Jared’s nose and Katherine had a slash across her chest. Katherine probably had more fighting experience, but he was holding his own.
I circled the pair, aligning myself with Katherine’s back. It was a calculated move. While he kept her busy, I could come up from behind and land a devastating shot to the back of her head. She had predicted this.
“Really Alex˗˗˗sneaking up on me, how dishonorable can you get? I thought I taught you better than that.” Seriously˗˗˗she wanted to condemn my fighting prowess, when she’s the one playing assassin for hire.
Her leg launched backwards, sending me to ground. I clutched my stomach from the impact. Holy hell on wheels, she was still as strong as I remembered.
“I’m not through yet. You should know by now that I never give up.” I said.
“It’s too bad that your persistence is going to get you killed this time.” She still had her arrogant streak too.
“Killed huh? I thought we were more useful to you and your boss alive.”
“I am perfectly capable of deciphering a few silly poems on my own. Why my boss decided that you two should join me, was ridiculous to begin with.”
“Then why are we still alive?”
“For a few thousand reasons if you catch where I’m going with this.” Katherine taunted.
“Oh trust me, I catch your drift. It just means that I might take a little more pleasure from your demise.”
“Careful or you’ll start sounding just like me.” Her bait hit halfway. The accusation stung. I just didn’t let it show.
I got to my feet to prepare for another attack. Joining forces with Jared and going at her head on should prove more effective. He was aiming for her chest and above, so that left her lower half exposed. I could take advantage of that. My chance never came.
“What’s the matter Jared, too valiant to take a woman’s life? Is that why Emily still walks around freely?” How did she know about Emily?
“She has nothing to do with this.”
“Oh, did I strike a nerve? I would say I’m sorry, but I’m not. It’s pathetic that you allowed a human woman to trick you again into loving her. Isn’t that right Alex?”
A thunderous roar shook the entire structure. Jared stood with his arms outstretched to the sky. Leathery patches covered his forearms and parts of his face. Veined wings similar to a bats’ sprung from his back, opening wide in his fury.
“This should be fun. I’m going to enjoy beating you while in your˗˗˗” Her menacing promise was silenced by a stone spike that rose from the floor and pierced through Katherine’s chest.
“Killing˗˗˗another Stone˗˗˗Walker, your˗˗˗mother would˗˗˗be so proud.” She gasped out with a pleased grin. Her body trembled once more, then all movement ceased.
I went to approach Jared. “Don’t come any closer Alex.” He bellowed, sending a bolt of fear down my spine. Unlike the incident that took place in my front yard, I listened this time. My recklessness almost ended my life that day, so tempting fate twice in my lifetime was not a goal I wanted to accomplish. I held perfectly still.
Even if he hadn’t dissuaded me, I don’t think I could have advanced any further. This was a side of Jared I had never seen before. His anger was a powerful force, and for that, I was glad to be a friend and not a foe. The scaly skin and broad wingspan were enough to stop me in my tracks.
Once he regained control, his wings retracted and disappeared beneath his skin. Same with the patches of discoloration, they too morphed back to his normal tone.
“I’m okay now Alex.” He said, the statement coming off surprisingly calm. I still couldn’t move. So many questions bubbled to the surface. I wasn’t sure which to ask first.
“Are you sure that it’s safe? I wouldn’t want you to mistake me for an enemy and tear me to shreds.” I tried to hide my fear with a joke. It didn’t work.
“You have become frightened of me again. I’m sorry you had to see that. I lost my cool, but I couldn’t let her go after you.” He had transformed to protect me.
That realization dragged me from my stupor. “I wasn’t expecting you to go all creature of
the night on me. It surprised me and I reacted poorly.”
“I was hoping that you would never have to see me like that.”
“That beast is part of who you are. Never be ashamed of it.” I placed my hand on his chest. “You did it to save my life, and I will always remember that.” Killing Katherine was the only way we were going to get out of there. I didn’t want to think about what she would have done had she defeated us.
“I also didn’t think that I would ever use my powers to take another’s life.”
“Don’t you dare feel guilty about her. It was either her or us. You did what had to be done.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, my face coming to rest against his chest. “Don’t give her a second thought. She betrayed your kind and would have kept on committing unspeakable acts.”
I lifted my face to meet his eyes. “We need to find out where we are, and how long it’s going to take to get back to the lighthouse.”
“You’re right. Let’s get out of here.” We ascended back up the stairs to search for the lantern and the rest of our possessions.
Those creeps working with Katherine had taken our belongings before securing us in the cellar. They better not have wrecked it. Without it we would be screwed. Too many casualties had already taken place. No one else needed to end up like Erika and Serena. Their mission had to be completed.
21
Glimmers of light from the stars above weren’t much help with navigating foreign territory. Once we cleared the last row of wooden spikes, dense areas of sprawling trees dotted the terrain. Stray branches poking out added an extra element of difficulty on top of the shallow depressions that winked in and out from beneath scatters of leaves.
One wrong move and you could end up with a sprain or broken bone. I was already in a stormy mood, and the addition of an obstacle course spanning the French countryside only added fuel to the fire. Meandering around under the cover of darkness had its challenges.
Threads of Blood and Silk: The stone Wielder's Legacy Trilogy Book 2 Page 8
