“Good grief, that’s enough!” I hear a voice from behind me say. I think it belongs to Beryl, but I’m too busy heaving and feeling like my skin is on fire to be certain. Plague lets go of me, and just like that, normality returns.
“What the hell was that?” I croak, spitting into the bucket.
“That’s Plague’s power,” Gio says smugly.
Bubble hands me a towel and a bottle of water from somewhere while I get to grips with what just occurred. My mind is telling me that I should still feel ill, having just puked my guts out, but it’s as though nothing happened.
“You’re such an ass, Gio,” I say, taking a swig of water. He smiles cruelly, but rather than take the bait, I smile back, lifting some of the tension in the room.
“Bubble will sort you out,” Gio says, gesturing to her.
“Oh, no, I’m fine. No more test runs, thanks very much,” I say, getting up quickly. “I’m glad you’re on our side,” I add, mopping my sweaty forehead. “Just promise you’ll never do that to me again.”
“I’ll do my best, mate,” he replies, giving me a wink as he ushers us out, locking up the shop behind him. We walk back in the direction of the club, Gio taking the lead.
I look around and mentally add up the numbers so far. Even with the few we’ve collected along the way, we’re not even scraping fifteen, even if Beryl, David, and Mumbe all agree to help. And time is pressing on. The ATU have at least a five-hour head start on us.
As if by magic, David and Mumbe are standing on the street outside the club looking perplexed, until they see us.
“Oh darlings,” Beryl says, wrapping them both in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“My shift ended early, and we came as soon as we saw your message.” David gives his mum a kiss on the cheek. “I hope you know you seem to have acquired a cat,” he adds, gesturing to the furball next to him.
“Oh! You brought him with you?” Beryl says with surprise.
“More like he followed us here. He got in the car of his own accord and threatened to scratch the leather interior when Mumbe tried to extricate him.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” I step forward and give them both a hug and Algernon a scratch behind the ears. He climbs up my arm and wraps himself around my shoulders like an uncomfortably heavy scarf, but I’m too tired to fight with him now. “It’s really good to see you guys, by the way.”
“God, Curtis, you look like death warmed over,” David says, visibly and audibly shocked.
“The lasting effects of Plague’s abilities, I guess,” I say, running a hand over my face.
“Plague?” David glances around the group. “Dare I ask?”
I shake my head and give him a smile. “Better you don’t.”
“All this standing around is going to draw attention,” Gio says, interrupting our reunion. “Let’s get to the bunker.”
The bunker turns out to be nothing more than a converted coal cellar in a building next to the club. There might even be an entrance that connects the two somewhere underground, considering how close they are.
Gio takes us through a couple of security doors and down a set of rickety wooden stairs that lead into the basement.
It’s a decent-sized space, all things considered, decked out like a bit of a man cave, with a couch, a TV and gaming console, a couple of computers, a kitchenette, and some filing cabinets. Under the staircase is a foldable bed that looks unslept in. It’s clean but fairly basic; maybe it’s used as an emergency bachelor pad for someone working late at the club. The centre of the room is consumed by a large dining table with a dozen chairs around it, like the Gregorios’ version of Arthur’s Round Table, I muse.
Marco flicks the lights on, grabs a drink from the mini fridge, and goes over to pat the Playstation. “I missed you, baby,” he says to it fondly. Then he pulls up a chair at the table, as if he’s done it hundreds of times before.
Gio joins him, as do Lou and Jer, so I keep myself at the back of the room with Beryl and try not to get in the way. Despite my efforts to keep things light between us, Giovanni is obviously still pissed at me—I can tell by the occasional glare he shoots in my direction when he thinks no one else is looking.
As much as I’d like to go over and punch him in his smug gob, I restrain myself. He’s the one who agreed to help us, despite us not seeing eye to eye about Ella. It’s surreal to think that we used to be friends when we worked at his uncle’s restaurant, but that was before I started dating Ella. I have no doubt that jealousy is the main reason he dislikes me so much; he obviously still thinks he’s the better choice for her than I am.
Gloria, Plague, and Bubble stand around the table patiently, and within a few minutes we’re joined by the Andersons, who bounce up and down on the balls of their feet as if it’s impossible for them to stay still. Thankfully, Algernon climbs down off me to find himself a spot in the corner to watch from.
Gio checks his phone periodically but eventually shakes his head.
“I was waiting for Gus and Prunella, but they’re not answering, so we may just have to start without them,” Gio says.
“We’re already here,” a woman’s voice says, right next to me. I nearly jump out of my skin.
“What the hell?” I exclaim, backing up into the wall.
“Sorry about that. I forget to turn it off sometimes,” says the apologetic voice. What I thought were just shadows in the corner of the room dissolve to reveal a man and a woman in their seventies, both impeccably dressed.
“Do I want to know how you got in?” Gio asks, fighting amusement with an attempt to sound stern.
“Probably not.” The man I take to be Gus gives us a cheeky smile worthy of a schoolboy who has just played a practical joke on his teacher.
“Right, then.” Gio clears his throat and stands, the rest of us crowding in, although I keep myself at arm’s length from any of the Augurs I don’t know. I don’t fancy a repeat of what happened at the tattoo parlour any time soon.
“First thing’s first: Thank you for attending this neighbourhood watch meeting at such short notice.” Gio looks at the people he’s rounded up and gives them each a nod.
“Are we starting without Lorenzo?” Prunella says, sounding surprised.
“That’s the second thing. Enzo isn’t coming,” Gio admits. There are a couple of little gasps and quiet mutters, but they stay quiet enough to wait for an explanation. “He gave me his blessing to call the meeting, but it’s entirely at your discretion as to whether you decide to help us or not.” Gio shuffles nervously from one foot to the other while he waits for the backlash he’s expecting. When none comes, he ploughs on.
“Enzo brought us together to help those Augurs in the area who couldn’t defend themselves, to provide security for the residents of Stonewell, and to have a group where each member was on equal footing with the other.
“But the problem I’m bringing to you all today affects more than just our borough. This spreads farther than Stonewell or even Enfield. Information that I’ve been given shows me that the entire city will be affected by events that could take place within a matter of days if we don’t act now.” Gio looks around the room gravely, all eyes on him. “Enzo has decided to stay and make sure that the club is still the safe haven he’s worked so hard to make it.”
That’s a much nicer way of saying that his cousin thought our mission would be bad for business, but Gio is being kind enough not to ruin whatever image he’s created for himself.
“What exactly are we talking about here? You make it sound as if someone has planted a bomb to blow up the city,” Gus says.
“Worse. You remember the vision about London in flames that I shared with you all?”
Everyone nods. Seems like Agnes’s vision is being re-run more than an episode of Friends.
“It so happens that there’s someone even worse than the Magic Circle. Someone that all of the new people you see here have had direct connection with and know his next despicable
plan.”
I realise then that my friends and I are the new people he’s talking about. Well, if they’re as tight-knit as we are, then maybe we’ll be okay, I think hopefully.
“A man who calls himself the Duke has used his money and influence to create a special brand of Air that will, if he succeeds, turn Augurs everywhere into unstoppable weapons of destruction.”
“How?” asks Prunella, intrigued.
“By allowing us to use our abilities without the need of external power,” Jer replies, cutting Gio’s answer off.
“Impossible,” Maisie says, cracking her knuckles theatrically.
“It’s not. He has an Augur that is a self-generating power source. She can use her abilities day or night, rain or shine, and he kidnapped her a couple of months ago and has kept her in hiding.”
“Blimey,” Maisie replies, her eyes wide with surprise.
“To make matters worse, one of his henchmen just proved that it could be done by breaking Carlton Munday out of prison, eight hours after he’d taken any Air.”
“I saw that on the news at lunch time,” says Prunella, shaking her head. “I didn’t know what to make of it.”
“Just so you all know what you’re getting into, the plan is to break into wherever Clarence is holding Ella, destroy the drugs and all the research, and incapacitate enough of them that the police can do their jobs,” I say, trying to condense it all into a bite-sized piece of information.
A susurration of disconcerted voices ripples across the room.
“Ella is the power source,” Gio adds, failing to mention that she’s also my girlfriend. “Anyone who doesn’t want to be involved can leave right now. No one will hold it against you. I told Enzo I would give you the choice, and I am, but once you agree to stay, we’ll be counting on you.”
The Andersons look at one another and nod, giving each other a fist-bump. Plague shrugs and looks at Bubble, who gives him a shaky smile in return. Gus and Prunella don’t move a muscle, which I take to mean that they aren’t going anywhere. Only Gloria looks uncertain.
“No offence, Giovanni, but your cousin brought me in to the neighbourhood watch to help the residents—to use my abilities to calm people and ease their pain, fend off gangs and Normals who were causing us trouble. I don’t know that I’m cut out to go up against what you’re describing,” she says nervously.
“I appreciate that, Gloria, and to be honest I can’t blame you if you want to go, but I’d appreciate it if you stayed. We need all the help we can get.”
For all our disagreements, I can’t help but admire the way the Giovanni controls the room and the people in front of him. He may be a bit of a dick, but he commands respect, which is more than I’ve done in a few months.
“I’m no hero,” Gloria murmurs.
“We don’t need heroes,” I interject. “We don’t need gangs of Augurs running around and following our orders blindly, just like we don’t need tyrants who think they can change the world by killing and hurting people. We need people who are willing to do something about it.”
“I just don’t think I’m cut out for it,” Gloria says, fidgeting and keeping her eyes down.
To my surprise, Beryl steps forward and takes the younger woman’s hands in her own. A visible jolt of energy seems to pass between them when they touch, but rather than step back, Beryl smiles.
“I don’t presume to know you or the extent of your abilities, but I know that I’d be happier with you helping us. I’m a healer, so I’m not much good for fighting, but I believe in these people and want to help in any way I can. I’ve tended to their wounds and had them as constant companions for some time now, and I wouldn’t be without them all in my life. I’d like you to look into my mind and see what I see, if you’re willing.”
I feel a swell of pride at Beryl’s willingness to potentially put herself in harm’s way for the cause. Gloria nods and closes her eyes, and Beryl does the same. Barely seconds later, they both sigh simultaneously and let go of each other, Gloria’s eyes shining as she assesses whatever it is she saw.
“I hope you’ll consider staying,” Beryl almost whispers to her. Gloria glances over at David and Mumbe and then at me. Whatever she read from Beryl’s mind must have included us. We lived together under the same roof for months, after all. She places a gentle hand on my arm and gives me a genuine smile.
“I don’t know if I’m good enough for whatever it is we’re about to do, but I’d like to help get your girl back,” Gloria says quietly to me.
“I have no doubt you’ll be amazing,” I reply.
“Okay, I’m in,” she announces to the room, taking a deep breath.
Gio, having watched the whole exchange from across the room, with an irritated look on his face, clears his throat. “Great. Glad that’s settled.” He claps his hands together with feigned enthusiasm. “Now, what’s the plan?” He looks expectantly at me. Everyone else follows his line of sight until I have twelve pairs of eyes on me, waiting for the master strategy.
“Come on, then, Dark-Knife. What’s the big mission?” he teases.
It’s a stupid jibe, coupled with an even stupider nickname, but it gets under my skin anyway. I quash the anxiety with determination. Rather than allow Giovanni to see me flounder, I dive right in, hoping that no one noticed my moments of hesitation.
“We have three clear objectives,” I say, waving a hand until Marco helpfully finds me some paper and a marker to write with. “Find the stash of Air and destroy it. Find the research that would otherwise help someone recreate the Air, and destroy that. Finally, save Ella.” Even if she doesn’t want to be saved, I add to myself.
“Before I left the Auger Terror Unit, I was led to understand that the drugs were being kept and manufactured at an old medical research site that is widely known as the Facility.”
I catch the shudder that passes through Jer and Lou, but I plough on. “Horrendous experiments were carried out there about a decade ago. Men, women, and children were held captive and tested, all with the aim of Carlton Munday making himself more powerful. He’s what everyone refers to as an Absorber, and his colleague, partner in crime, and best friend, the Duke, was an amplifier, at least until Munday absorbed even his abilities.”
A ripple breaks out across the neighbourhood watch group as I describe the sordid history of the Facility, the experiments I read reports of, and the lives that were ruined as a result.
I leave out the fact that Munday had an affair with the Duke’s wife and that it seems they still worked together even afterwards, a fact I still can’t believe.
“We have to assume that the Duke has plenty of people working for him, so we’ll have a number of powerful and irascible Augurs to compete with, along with a whole ATU team that might catch up to us, who will be on our side but won’t know it.”
“And the government guys couldn’t have just done the job themselves?” Michael asks.
“They’re looking in the wrong place, and they wouldn’t listen to our intel,” I reply.
I wonder if I should add that they think Ella is a suspect thanks to her note, but one look at Gio makes me think better of it. I don’t want to give him a reason to gloat.
“Your proposition is risky,” Gio says. “We really need more resources and more time.”
“Unfortunately, the one thing we don’t have is time. It could be hours or days before the ATU find the real location of the drugs, and by then the Duke could have finished off the formula, with Munday’s help, and already be distributing it.”
I’m met with silence.
“This is it so far as a team goes, guys. I’m sorry, but I came to you because there’s no one else willing to help.”
“More like stupid enough,” Plague grumbles.
“And you think you should be calling the shots for our team, too?” Gio narrows his eyes at me.
The question catches me off guard, and I feel the heavy weight of a dozen pairs of eyes. I shrug. I don’t want to be team leader, but if
it’s not going to be me, then it has to be Lou or Jer. They know the Facility more intimately than anyone else here.
“Great, so to make things even more complicated, the Normal wants to be the one to give us orders,” Gio announces loudly. My cheeks redden, and a shot of anger flares up inside me, but I manage to keep my mouth shut.
The faces in the room, both new and familiar, all turn to look at me.
“What are you suggesting, Giovanni?” I ask, trying to keep the edge out of my voice.
“Well, I think we should vote, to see who should lead us. If Enzo were here, it would be him, of course, but we have to have a leader. From what you’ve told me so far, we could be heavily outnumbered, so we need to work as a team, and that will only work out if we’re all following the same leader.” He gives me a smile for show, but I can see exactly what he wants.
His petty attempt to get me to react isn’t going to work this time though. If I explode now, I might as well leave. Instead I give him a level expression and nod. “You want these good people to vote between the two of us? Fine. That’s fair enough. We wouldn’t want anyone sabotaging our mission because they can’t take orders, now, would we?” I say, aiming at him.
“Exactly. You’ve only been a part of our world for a few months, Curtis, and half of that you’ve spent working for the government. I don’t know that I’m comfortable with you calling all the shots, Dark-Knife,” he snaps back.
It takes all my willpower not to lose it, but I take a deep breath and make my case. “Sure, Gio, sure. Bear in mind that I’ve been working with some of the most highly trained men and women in the country for the past two months and have been living, eating, sleeping, and breathing getting Ella back since last year.”
“No offence to the lad,” Plague speaks up, “but don’t you think a Gregorio would be the best person to lead us? Not that I really know what we’re being led into yet,” he adds.
Shattered by Magic Page 15
