Returning from a darkened table, the Aegis distributed a stack of photographs among them. Billy looked at the images, tracing the contours of their faces with his eyes. The people depicted looked ordinary, unremarkable. He could have passed any of them in the supermarket without a second glance, but like him, they were preternaturals.
And, by some twist of fate, they were his enemies.
His work done, the projected Malorius offered them a few, empty compliments, and the screen went blank. The four of them were left in a dark silence, stunned by the meeting’s abrupt ending. Billy was annoyed, but also relieved.
Perhaps this was his chance to quit, before anything else happened. His instinct was to slink away into the night, but as the Aegis knew where he lived, Billy had to take more official action. He opened his mouth to speak.
“Why does he need us here for that?” Iguanus hissed, challenging the others to answer. Billy stayed quiet, becoming uncomfortable. The reptile’s black eyes hadn’t yet turned to him. They stayed fixed on the Aegis. No answer came.
Rangda spoke up, breaking the stillness. “He’s proving his control over us. If he can get us to drop everything and meet for this, then he knows that he owns us.”
Billy thought about what she said. It worried him, but he found himself agreeing. He was not the only one to give up his independence. All of them were feeling their leashes shorten.
“I had more freedom than this in prison,” Rangda added.
The Aegis listened, then turned and walked away. He had said nothing during the entire evening.
Iguanus moved to interrupt his departure, but thought better of it, and let the man go. As he exited the building on the ground, so too did Billy, from the roof. There was no way that he wanted to stay and chat with the remaining two. Although he did not know Rangda well, she seemed to share something with Iguanus. Her lethal disregard frightened him.
Billy began to crawl back across the rooftops, but lingered just long enough to see the giant screen again flicker to life through the warehouse’s dusty windows. He returned, easing himself down the building’s side and watching through the frosted panes.
In an instant, the room grew brighter. Iguanus shrank back from the screen, his eyes adjusting. As he retreated, Rangda came out of the darkness behind him. They stood side by side under the giant head’s cinematic gaze.
The image of Malorius cast his eyes down upon them.
“Good. You’re here. I have additional duties for you two, and if kept confidential, your compensation will be greatly improved.” The screen then displayed a list of names and addresses. Over it, the villain continued speaking. “There are those who have not yet chosen a side in this little war of ours. I want you to eliminate them.”
A hard copy ejected from an unnoticed slot below the screen. Iguanus took one, his name printed in bold text on the cover. He looked over the information.
“Why us?” Rangda asked, taking her own list.
Malorius smiled. “Let’s just say that you have the instincts needed,” he replied, amusing himself.
Neither viewer laughed.
He continued, “You may work as you wish, but bring me their bodies as proof of your success. You will find more instructions inside, and will be paid quite well for each. The papers I’ve given will show you the rewards.”
At this, all was again dark.
Billy turned invisible, hanging below the warehouse’s gutters. He squinted, trying to see the papers that the others held in their hands. The more he heard, the sicker he felt, and the desire to know what was happening grew. Why had Malorius hidden this? Was it to betray him? Despite his “membership” in this group, he knew they could turn on him at any moment.
He waited for the exchange to end, and Rangda to leave, deciding to follow Iguanus wherever the silvery lizard led. The monster would more than likely keep to darkness, and Billy could remain hidden as he followed.
He had to see that list. His own life may well be in danger.
Chapter Twenty
The Claremont building rose above the landscaped expanse of Valour Park, a memorial green in the heart of the city. The posh palace had come to be known as a place for the rich and famous to hang their hats, and people were happy to spend an average man’s yearly income for a week in the upscale apartments. Billy had dreamed of living in these extravagant accommodations, but as he climbed the building’s dark side, he could think about none of those fantasies.
Iguanus was above him, plunging his sharp claws into the building’s wall and pulling himself further up. The lizard wasn’t aware of Billy’s presence, and as broken chunks of limestone fell to pepper the alleyway below, he dodged, wanting to keep it that way. He had taken a big risk in following the silvery creature, and had it not been for his abilities, he wouldn’t have even dared. Something was happening beyond Malorius’ stated plans however, and he wanted to know exactly what.
The silvery creature reached the top of the building, pointing his polished snout over the lip of the moon-frosted rooftop. He ran four legged along the gravel, his thick tail tracing a curving groove. Slinking around the vents and attic accesses, he came to another edge, and paused. Iguanus flipping through the pages of Malorius’ report, then set it aside and disappeared over the roof’s edge.
Billy followed, invisible. As the lizard plunged his claws into the building’s opposite side, he ran toward the discarded pages. Snatching them up, he scanned the document as best he could in the moonlight. Names, pictures, and other information met his eyes, but to his great relief, his own name was not among them.
A great crash punctuated the night air, and he ran toward the sound, peering down the building and seeing the tip of Iguanus’ tail vanish through a broken window.
Using his wall-crawling abilities, he followed. He descended the front of the building, stopping at the window’s border. The penthouse’s internal heat leaked outward, passing across shards of the jagged glass. Billy peered inside.
Beyond marble walls and a gilded ceiling, Iguanus thrashed atop a four-post bed. Two people had slept there moments before, and Billy could see the bloody remains of the nearest occupant, minus a good portion of his throat. The victim’s eyes were open, but little more. He stared upward in a puddle of his own wet warmth, gurgling.
The other occupant had rolled out of bed, and a scream rose from his lungs.
Iguanus looked to him.
The man ducked below a tail lash, electricity sparkling in his eyes. He leapt backwards across the floor, and as he rose, a ball of energy charged from his fingers.
Iguanus jumped as the energy bolt landed, causing an explosion of feathers and blood as it struck the bed. A great hole appeared in the burning mattress, and the dead man’s head burst with the attack’s force.
The unknown preternatural opened his mouth for another shriek, but was silenced before any noise came. Instead, it was replaced with a muffled gasp as his ribs met the silvery girth of Iguanus’ tail. Momentum from the strike propelled him to the opposing wall, and he let out a whimper as bones declared themselves broken. Blood leaked across his silk pajamas.
With a rallied effort, another bolt of energy charged and left him. This one struck, hitting Iguanus broadside and lighting him with arcs of electricity. Spasms shivered through his metallic body, and his limbs jerked. The creature’s movements slowed.
With this, the man saw his opportunity. Running despite his injuries, he made for the door, and managed to open it, bouncing against the frame in his haste and stumbling most of the way through.
Iguanus clutched at him, catching an ankle, and the man fell. He kicked at the door in desperation, closing as best he could.
The lizard regained himself and continued the assault. The barrier between them was solid, but the creature’s metallic head poked through with a single strike. Another thrust flung the door open again as Iguanus burst into the next room. He rushed the prone body.
Seeing death approach, the man unleashed a last frantic
attack. This time his target was the wall. Bits of marble and gold gilding rained across the polished floor as the lightning opened an irregular breach. He clawed his way toward it, hoping to escape the murderous lizard.
Another tail lash fell, slamming atop the man and ending his escape. Seeing his success, Iguanus slowed and walked toward his downed victim, who again attempted a pathetic crawl for freedom. The villain opened wide, his teeth closing in around the man’s peripheral vision. The saurian snout bit down, and with a twist of the head, broke the man’s neck.
The body slumped to the floor, and the light within him faded.
Turning, Iguanus returned to the bedroom and feasted on the headless corpse. He left the other man strangely intact.
Billy climbed away from the window, having seen enough. Despite the night’s mild weather, the scene sent a long shiver down his spine. He couldn’t quit now. He had feared his “allies” before, but somehow he had thought his preternatural ability bound them, as if they were some sort of brethren. He knew now that there was no such connection, and no code that protected him. With a word, Iguanus would murder him, as he had the man in the luxury penthouse.
Only by staying in Malorius’ good graces would he be spared. Like it or not, his best option was to lay low, and do as they commanded. He climbed back down the building, and walked, invisible in the night. For now, he could do nothing but wait.
__________
Two days later, Lieutenant David Mead was already inside the hospital room when Jack Williams opened the door. They saw each other, but exchanged no immediate words. The room’s third occupant received their combined attentions. Lying there, unconscious, was Sibyl.
“She looks peaceful today.” Jack tried, but didn’t quite deliver his sentence with the conviction he had hoped.
David looked up, meeting the senator’s eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Jack sat at the edge of the hospital bed, watching the other man. “I didn’t know that it would matter to you,” he said. The Lieutenant hadn’t known her for long, really hadn’t known her at all, but his reaction to her condition seemed to indicate a connection between the two. “You’d only met once.”
“Twice.”
Jack went on. “I had no idea that you were close.”
Sybil had left Jack’s side little in the weeks before the accident. There had been no time in which the two could have gotten this well acquainted, not unless she had used her ability. Jack considered the possibility. Why would she have done that?
He looked at the Lieutenant, but the man didn’t seem willing to volunteer any more information.
“They’re doing all they can for her,” Jack said in his most comforting tone.
David grunted. “Is it enough?”
The senator wasn’t sure how to answer the question. He looked back to Sybil, pale and gaunt. The beauty of her face was muted by the long slumber and the hospital lighting. He remembered her smile, and the glint of her violet eyes.
“I don’t know,” he said, his voice solemn.
“Was it one of the attacks?”
Jack said nothing.
“I’ve seen the reports,” Mead continued. “I know someone is taking out preternaturals. Was she one of them?”
“No,” Jack replied. “This was something we did ourselves.”
Another moment passed between them before David shook his head. “I can’t get them ready, Mr. Williams. Those preternaturals that attacked the prison, they were organized and efficient. There’s no way these civilians can face them. Not with the time we have.”
“You’ll do your best.”
David stared, “That’s not good enough.” He walked around the bed, stopping at its foot. “If the past few days have proven anything, it’s that these people are not soldiers. They need more time.”
Jack stood, pointing to Sybil. “This changes nothing.”
David wasn’t satisfied. His voice grew in intensity. “She didn’t deserve this, and neither do they. You’re playing with their lives.”
Jack drew closer to the other man, his tone assuming authority. “You’ve seen the prison footage. Who can face them, if not our people?” He studied the man. “There’s no choice. We have a job to do, Lieutenant.”
“I don’t,” David countered. “Get someone else. I quit.” He walked toward the door.
“There is no one else.”
Jack grew more urgent in his words, more commanding. His voice no longer maintained its softness. “You know how it is out there. You’ve fought these people.”
“And I lost,” David responded. His knuckles had turned white as he held the bed’s footboard. He gnashed his teeth, and directed a glare into open space.
Jack sat, breathing a heavy sigh. “Is that what this is?” He drew up a wrinkled hand, closing his eyes and rubbing his forehead. “I want you to think of one thing here, son. One thing to cut through all of your self-pity and doubt.”
He looked to David. “What would she want?”
There was no reply.
Jack continued. “She’s the one that suggested you. Do you know that?” He shifted his eyes and looked at Sybil. “She read about your encounter with the Aegis, and she was certain that you would be the one to lead these people. Wouldn’t even consider anyone else.” He stood, returning his gaze to David. “So when you think about quitting, I want you to remember one question. What would she have wanted you to do?”
There was nothing left to say. David grabbed his leather jacket and exited the room. He swung the door closed, quick with anger, but caught it just before it slammed. It latched gently behind him.
Jack sat there, himself unsure. He understood the sorrow at the loss of a colleague. He had lost more than a few friends in his lifetime. His eyes found the pale girl.
Sybil looked as she ever did, unmoving and asleep. A small, ceramic vase rested beside her, its elegant figure flowing upward with a gentle curve. Jack noticed the new addition, its mouth forming an open diamond-shape opposite the square base. A single, dark red rose rested within.
Chapter Twenty-one
Three weeks later, David had yet to leave Jack’s project.
He stood in front of the two squads, shifting his weight from one foot to another. His body flowed from a defensive posture to a more aggressive stance, and he raised his fists, as if preparing to battle an unseen foe. His eyes broke their stare, and looked out across the group.
The sun’s rays beat down upon the recruits, fewer than those that had started the project, and despite the cool breeze and their white robes, he could see beads of sweat welling from the foreheads in the nearest row. Most of his initiates followed his actions well, their attention and dedication impressing him. Looking at his watch, David realized that the class had been practicing for over an hour. It was time to give them their money’s worth.
Dropping his final stance, he again relaxed, moving backward onto an area padded with red and blue mats. “Do I have any volunteers?”
A few of them raised their hands.
He pointed at the most talented among them, a beautiful woman known as Femme Fatale. A few months ago, David would have found her irresistible. Her skimpy wardrobe and well-proportioned body inspired the attentions of many, but he felt different now. He told himself that it was the job, that his position as leader and trainer required a change in the dynamics of their relationship. He dismissed the idea, forcing it from his mind.
She walked onto the mats, and he settled on her eyes, watching as she sized him up. Femme cocked an eyebrow and stared back, waiting. After unknown moments, he made the first move.
She blocked his punch with little effort, and countered with her own. He dodged, and swept at her legs. She jumped clear.
This one had skill. She had learned well.
He punched again, and she blocked. They exchanged blows, none impacting the other in any significant way. They moved and jumped and fought through every square inch of mat space. One last leg sweep found its target
, and she went down.
Seeing her falling body, David found that he was drawn down as well, her hands gripping the lapels of his robe. They both landed with a thud, David bracing himself inches above her. When gravity was done moving them, they again stared eye to eye.
“That was good,” he said, somewhat unwilling to move. He lifted himself back up, and offered her a hand.
She accepted it, using his weight to stand. Again on both feet, she retained her grip upon him. “You haven’t seen anything yet,” she said, pulling him close before letting go. She wavered mere inches from him, then winked and walked away.
The class seemed not to notice their little exchange, and he was glad for it. Undaunted, he rounded up a few more victims and went at it again. When his students found out that they could rest after sparring, it didn’t take much inspiration to fill his queue. They came forth and faced him one at a time, and while most moved with an amateurish speed, the group was fast enough to challenge him. He took each and every one of them down, but found himself tiring as the row of opponents shortened.
They were holding back. He knew that. These demonstrations were intended to hone their human, or ordinary, skills. They had been instructed to restrain their abilities, at least for now. He trained them much like any pseudo-military force, making certain that they could defend themselves even without their powers. It’s what David knew best.
As the line ended, he paired them off, and for the next half hour, they dueled. Walking amongst them, he checked and corrected their stances. Most were showing their fatigue, but their forms remained good. With a few more weeks of practice, these people would master the essentials of self-defense. Then, they could move on to more advanced topics.
David checked his watch again as a small team came out onto the field. The man leading them carried a garment, and from its sheen in the sunlight, he could see that the next stage of the project was about to begin. The group approached them, stopping just short of the sparring recruits, and allowing the man to continue inward to its center. David stood, having expected this interruption. He called everyone to attention as the other man assumed a position next to him.
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