by Sean Davies
“We gotta be quick,” Seth announced, cutting the celebration short. “Some of you dump the bodies inside, some of you get our wounded back to the fort – heal ‘em on the way if you can, but stay ahead of the authorities. The rest, follow me!”
“We taking prisoners, boss?” a gang member called from the crowd.
Seth looked around at the defiled ground and laughed. “Fuck no, chuck ‘em in with the dead.”
Everyone except Genevieve laughed, and they all quickly split into groups. Seth led Genie, Archie, and a few gang members to the back of the Monastery where a large set of iron doors had been set into the ground. They were already partially opened where the Morriganigh had hastily rushed for their best weapons, and Seth and Archie wrenched them open with such force and greedy excitement that they almost snapped off the reinforced hinges.
They rushed underground, well aware that their time was short, and a Mage created a bobbing sphere of blue magelight to guide their way under the monastery. The small group saw some old oil lamps hanging from the concrete walls and began lighting them.
Koill Monastery’s crypt and basement had been cleared out and converted into a concrete bunker, divided into multiple sections and filled to the brim with weapon racks and shelves of old ammunition. The Morriganigh, being the subtle Supernaturals that they were, had barely touched the wartime hoard, and Seth and Archie howled with excitement as they began emptying the shelves into some nearby duffel bags. The illusive gang had also used the space to store their best Alchemy ingredients and potions.
Seth threw Archie and Genie a few vials of Sunshield potion each. “See, Archie? Told ya the Morriganigh would reimburse us for the Sunshield potions.”
“Yeah, you were right,” Archie chuckled. “This was a lot more fun in the day.”
Genie smiled. She admired their bravado considering they’d both been at death’s door only moments beforehand.
“What are we doing about the MPKs and fire engines heading this way?” Genevieve asked, as she had a snoop around for any of Annabelle’s belongings.
“We’re going to blow this place sky-high,” Seth laughed. “Then someone can drop in a call saying an old war cache has started to go boom, you know, setting bullets and explosives off, before the grand finale.” He gestured to a shelf of grenades and remote explosives. “Be a good gal and hand those out, and stash the rest in a bag.”
Genevieve did as she was told, and threw the other gang members grenades of all types and the remotely detonated plastic explosives. She then grabbed a large duffel bag, shouldered it, and stuffed it full of explosives. She joined the others in planting and priming the explosives above and beneath ground, as Seth and Archie filled bag after bag full of weapons, ammunition, money, potions, and reagents and passed them out for the others to carry. They raided the cache until the very last minute and then sprinted through the forest with the rest of the gang in tow. They all made it to their vehicles just as they began to hear sirens in the distance, and they scattered across the grassy fields. Seth detonated the charges and a pillar of flames erupted from the heart of the forest, destroying the Koill Monastery and all evidence of a Supernatural turf war. They drove slowly and calmly as soon as they made it to the main roads, and converged on Fort Dominia at various times via different routes.
After they’d cleaned themselves up and healed the wounded, Fort Dominia exploded in jubilation. In one of the VIP bars, Seth put Genie up on his shoulders and chanted ‘Genevieve the saviour’ over and over again to the crowd of rambunctious Golden Fangs. He ordered Archie up on the bar to take a bow, who received a massive cheering applause. Two female gang members latched onto the bulky Vampire and kissed his cheeks, and he helped himself to their bodies for the rest of the night. They all drank themselves silly between regular doses of magically-imbued drugs.
“Where’s Gaius?!” Seth shouted. “Someone find him, or call him – I want to drink the old dog under the table!” he ordered drunkenly.
Genevieve sipped one of Varsara’s cocktails. “I haven’t seen him in ages!” she slurred.
Seth groaned. “I want to start bouncing around ideas for Tropica! I can almost taste that fine, exotic Tropican pussy…”
“What’s Varsara been putting in your cocktail? ‘Cos I want some of that,” Genie sniggered dirtily.
“You are filth, saviour. Pure filth,” Seth chuckled. “I’m planning the party of the century to celebrate the glory of the Golden Fangs!” he said proudly.
“I thought that’s what this wasssh?” Genevieve slurred.
Seth laughed thuggishly. “This ain’t nothing compared to what I’ve got planned for tomorrow.”
“Isn’t anything,” Genevieve corrected, remembering her schooling from what seemed like a lifetime ago. “Double negative…”
“Pfft, whatever,” Seth waved his whole arm dismissively. “We’re gonna have fireworks, I got a fuck-off giant sound system coming for the courtyard, Archie’s gonna head down the Catacombs a buy a fuck-ton of Artravenia from the Shadow Market, the whole dungeon’s attending to supply the physical filth… it’s gonna be fucking epic!”
Genevieve chuckled and felt so relieved that everything was over. She began running her future through her intoxicated mind and an idea formed that she could barely fault. She mused over the pros and cons, and then put it forward to Seth.
“I want to go,” she said confidently. “I want to go to Tropica. I’ll take and hold the Golden Fang territory over in Beachhead Two for you.”
“What?” Seth said, astonished. “No, I want you here with me.”
“Well, you can’t send frosty Miss Scythe, she’ll melt like an ice lolly in the sun,” Genie joked.
Seth grumbled awkwardly. “I’d rather you stayed.”
“Please, Seth,” Genevieve said, grabbing his arm softly. “I’m done here, mission complete! I want a fresh start, and it’s not like I won’t come back to visit. Oh, and you wouldn’t believe how good I look in a string bikini…” she added flirtatiously in an attempt to get her way.
Seth eyed her up and down, not even attempting to be subtle, and let out a long sigh. “Fine… for you, saviour, anything,” he said, staggering off.
Genevieve smirked and took another sip of her powerful cocktail. She would miss Imperia but looked forward to starting fresh in a whole new nation, especially one as beautiful as Tropica. Her biggest challenge would be lying to her parents and informing Annabelle’s parents that their daughter would never be returning in a way that missed out all of the drug dealing and Supernatural secrets. Archie waved a plastic pouch of Rushdust under her nose, and she took a pinch and snorted it greedily. Genevieve decided to work out the kinks in her new plan another day.
Chapter 14
Warpath
Jonathan Knight of the Trinity of Old sat opposite Lucius’ fine oak desk in the Autocrat Suite of the Hotel Noir, the noble Vampire’s luxury establishment, residence, and exquisitely furnished front for his gang the Shadow Circle. Standing at the Mage’s side was Xavier, Lucius’ number two since the ancient days of their holdfast, looking as stern and vigilant as ever, while Lucius himself poured out three glasses of expensive vintage wine at his well-stocked antique drinks cabinet. The leader of the Shadow Circle wore a thin smile on his pale chiselled face, his long black hair was tied back neatly with a red ribbon, and he wore an expensive black pinstriped suit marked with his gang’s emblem in silver thread on the jacket pocket. The noble Vampire emanated both class and wealth. Lucius handed Jonathan his glass first and then Xavier, finally returning for his own glass last, a small courteous gesture Jonathan couldn’t help but admire.
“I apologise for costing you both a Corrective potion at this early hour,” Jonathan said formally.
“On a fine day like this, it would be a crime not to.” Lucius smiled kindly as he stood by the window and admired the view of the busy, sun-kissed Capital City.
“What does the Trinity want with us?” Xavier asked bluntly, taking a small sip
of wine as he awaited the answer.
Jonathan chuckled. “Straight to business as always, aye, Xavier? You never change.”
“I have to admit, I am very intrigued as to why the Trinity of Old would send their favourite emissary to our doorstep,” Lucius purred without taking his eyes off the glorious cityscape.
Jonathan smiled. He could tell from the tone of Lucius’ voice that the cunning Vampire knew exactly why he was present, but he still had to play the game nonetheless.
“We both have a common enemy,” Jonathan began, “one that is kicking up quite a storm, and is frankly becoming completely unmanageable. Have you heard the latest news from the east of Imperia?” he asked, already knowing that they had.
“Yes; multiple human disappearances, a violent office robbery, crime waves of petty theft and vandalism, forest fires at a Great War weapon cache…” Lucius sighed disheartened, acting well.
Jonathan tilted his head slightly. “We believe these unpleasantly overt events may be tied to one particular group.”
Lucius sat down at his desk, raised his glass, and then took a long sip of wine before answering. “Really? Well, I hope the Trinity doesn’t think we’re to blame. I heard some of the trouble may have been down to disgruntled teens playing with fireworks.”
Xavier grumbled disapprovingly, clearly tired of skirting around the facts.
The representative of the Trinity sighed in defeat. He had been trying to get Lucius to speak truthfully first, but Jonathan knew from their former working relationship that the diplomatic Vampire could perform his verbal manoeuvres all century, and so he finally gave in.
“My masters believe that the Golden Fangs are responsible for it all,” Jonathan admitted bluntly before taking a long swig of the wine.
“They are,” Xavier said with iron-clad certainty. “With a lunatic like Seth Fleur d’Or running the show, and that mad-dog Gaius lurking in Fort Dominia’s shadows, it’s no wonder.”
“Remember what Gaius was like during the Shadow War?” Lucius grimaced at the memory.
“I’d rather forget,” Jonathan said quietly.
“Does Cherriesa miss her favourite bloodhound?” Lucius asked with a mix of curiosity and amusement. “I should imagine she was at a loss when her favourite, most amoral killer left the Catacombs.”
Jonathan resettled his spectacles. “You know our lady is one to hold grudges.”
“Then I should imagine that Xavier and I should be worried, too,” the boss of the Shadow Circle chuckled behind his hand, somewhat mockingly.
“Why haven’t you done something about them already?” Xavier asked, cutting the conversation dead as he retied the ribbon around his hair.
The Trinity representative shrugged slightly. “This gang situation is quite delicate, as you know.”
“It certainly is,” Lucius remarked with a smile.
“We don’t want to provoke… something larger, by going after them alone. Not to mention you have expert fighters in your midst; with your help we could settle this problem with minimal casualties on our side,” Jonathan explained as diplomatically as he could.
The compliments about his fighters lightened Lucius up slightly, and his demeanour softened. He rested on his elbows and leaned across his desk. “So, we fight alongside you, and you look as though you are cooperating with the concerned surface-dwelling Supernaturals, restoring the people’s faith in your ability to deal with problematic members of our society. Not to mention a loan of the Shadow Circle’s expert fighters. But what do we get in return for assisting you?”
“The admiration of your rulers,” Jonathan began with a smirk, knowing that was worthless to them. “But most importantly, the end of the Golden Fangs. We know you’re planning on moving against them,” he bluffed.
“Actually, we were playing defensively,” Xavier explained unimpressed, shredding Jonathan’s bluff to shreds. “We were hoping the Morriganigh would finish the numb-skulls off, or yourselves.”
“But now the Morriganigh are gone, and here you are requesting our help,” Lucius continued. “So it looks like we’ll be getting our hands dirty after all, Xavier.”
“So you’ll help?” Jonathan asked, trying to suppress every ounce of eagerness from his tone.
Lucius sat back and stroked his chin as he pondered. “It does sound like a very good arrangement, but I was hoping that the Trinity would be a bit more… forthcoming with their request for assistance…” He left the statement hanging until Jonathan drained his glass.
The Mage leant forward and placed the expensive crystal glass on Lucius’ desk, taking care to use a coaster, ready to offer the reward his masters had allowed him to propose.
“My masters will allow you to keep Fort Dominia, as long as you limit the human customers to those already in the know. You may also claim any Golden Fang territory,” he said the word distastefully, “in Woodsholme and Taynulia without challenge or fuss. As long as you continue your activities and business ventures with your usual excellent discretion, of course. Gaelliard City will remain fair game; we don’t want to show too much favouritism, after all.”
“Of course, that’s completely understandable,” Lucius said, warming to the idea.
“Will you be bringing Sanctium?” Xavier asked as blunt as ever.
“No, Silvario doesn’t want to diminish the reserves,” Jonathan began. “He believes if our forces are combined then we won’t need it.”
Xavier and Lucius shot each other a quick glance.
“So, what happens if we refuse this generous offer of cooperation?” Lucius asked with a smirk.
“Then I’ve been informed to take the deal elsewhere,” the Trinity representative smirked back, “starting with the Triumvir of Sorrow.”
Lucius looked at Xavier for a few seconds, and it appeared as though they were communicating silently. The leader of the Shadow Circle drained his glass dry and put it down beside Jonathan’s.
“Well played, Jonathan Knight,” Lucius said, offering the Mage his soft pale hand.
Jonathan smiled and shook it gratefully. “When do you think you’ll be ready?” Jonathan asked as he slid a contact card across the desk.
Lucius took the card, pocketed in his suit jacket, and looked deep in thought. “Well, Mr. Fleur d’Or – or Goldfang, as he’d prefer to be called nowadays – is apparently planning the party of the century tonight… so, tonight,” Lucius said firmly.
“That soon?!” Jonathan gasped, forgetting to shield his surprise.
“Intoxicated enemies are easier to kill than prepared ones,” Xavier said in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Tonight it is, then,” Jonathan agreed with a quick nod.
The Trinity Mage stood up, shook Xavier’s hand, and began to leave the lavish Autocrat suite when he suddenly stopped by the door.
“There is one other thing,” Jonathan began.
“Which is?” Lucius asked out of genuine curiosity.
“Well, we have a potential recruit of sorts within the Golden Fangs,” Jonathan began, hoping to save Genevieve from the firing line.
“As do we,” Lucius interrupted with the faintest hint of a smile. “Rumour has it she’s faster than Fleur d’Or himself.”
Jonathan closed his eyes and let out a long, disheartened sigh. “I knew I shouldn’t have sent her to your lot… well played, Lucius, well played.”
✽ ✽ ✽
Genevieve grumbled, groaned, and pulled her aching head out of her pillow. She looked around her bedroom and waited for her vision to settle. Genie couldn’t even remember the drive back from Fort Dominia, and hoped that she hadn’t ploughed through anyone’s garden. She remembered something about leaving before the flirting between her and the girls got too real and led to more carnal debauchery, as she’d rather be known as ‘Genevieve the saviour’ than ‘Genevieve the easy’. According to Seth, the evening would play host to ‘the party of the century’, and she made a mental note to pocket some Cleansing potions before waking up after that.
Genie dragged herself into the bathroom, pulled off her clothes, and had a quick bath before getting dressed in a baggy black t-shirt, light grey tracksuit bottoms, and a dark grey hoodie. She planned on chilling out for the whole day, and would make herself look glamourous at the very last minute before the Golden Fang’s big bash.
She recalled coming up with a plan to go to Tropica, and that Seth had accepted after what she hoped was ‘light’ flirtation, but now that Genevieve was sober she realised that she knew next to nothing about the gang situation on the tropical continent. Genevieve ran the scenario through her groggy mind and still liked it. She would miss Imperia, her parents, and the few genuine friends she had at the fort, but the thought of a fresh start was just too appealing to turn down. Genevieve also imagined that Seth would pay her handsomely to head up the Tropican spearhead, and even more if it meant she’d come back and visit regularly. She looked towards Annabelle’s room, and for a moment she felt as though the investigation wasn’t over, that there was still something more to be unearthed. Genie let out a pained sigh.
“This is exactly why I have to go,” Genevieve explained to her friend’s bedroom door, as though she was talking to Annabelle’s spirit itself. “I’m always going to feel this way if I stay. I love you with all my heart, Anna, but I can’t spend eternity chasing whatever mysteries my mind invents about you. Your killers are gone, so I hope you can rest in peace now,” she said, wiping the tears from her eyes.
Genevieve also remembered that Chloe’s belongings were stored in Annabelle’s room, and she would have to call Jonathan and arrange a drop-off before she departed for her new life. Genie hoped the friendly Mage emissary wouldn’t be too disappointed when she told him that she wouldn’t be joining the Trinity of Old.
