One Last Breath

by S. C. Stokes

  “Good. That'll help for now. Remember, magic may bend the rules but never break them. Your body is a bow that will eventually snap. You need rest."

  "No. I need to catch the Shinigami before he escapes. This ends today." Kasey turned as Sanders emerged from the wood work.

  "He's gone,” Sanders said. “He slipped out through the council’s chambers. We need to lock down the building.”

  He grabbed the nearest ADI agent by the front of his shirt. The agent had been watching the fight unfold, too dumbfounded to react. He looked at Sanders and blinked, his thoughts clear on his face: on the one hand, he had orders to apprehend Director Sanders, but on the other, he had seen Arthur Ainslie transform into some sort of Japanese killing machine.

  Sanders shook him. “Wake up! That man is responsible for the murder of Theo Getz and he’s just killed half the council before your very eyes. I need you to seal the building."

  "But we have orders to..."

  "I don't care what your orders are. Give me your earpiece, now.”

  The man shook but didn’t make any move.

  Sanders dropped him. Reaching down, he ripped the man's earpiece free. The man reached for his weapon.

  "I wouldn't do that, agent. I'm not the enemy here, but if you touch that gun, it'll be the last thing you do. You either help us or get the hell out of our way, but there is no middle ground. Not today.”

  The agent relaxed and lowered his hands. Sanders reached down and took the gun for good measure. After tucking it into his pants, he fixed the earpiece behind his ear.

  “Agents of the ADI, this is your director, Noah Sanders. Seal the building at once. I know you have orders to detain me at any cost, but as you will soon learn there is a hostile power loose in the Council Chambers. The man we believe to be Arthur Ainslie has been a wolf in our midst. The truth is, our friend Arthur died over a year ago and this impostor has been leading us astray ever since. If you come into contact with Arthur Ainslie, you are to detain him at all costs. If you see an oriental man in a silk robe, approach with caution. Consider him armed and extremely dangerous. The intruder is the Master of the Shinigami. He has already killed several council members. We need medical teams from the Administorum to the Council Chambers immediately. No non-ADI agents are to enter into the Councils’ private sanctum.”

  Sanders paced as he barked his instructions. “We believe the hostile is hiding inside the sanctum. Evacuate all non-essential personnel, ensure that you use a revelation spell on them before allowing them to leave the building. The intruder cannot be allowed to leave. I repeat, he is armed and extremely dangerous. He poses an imminent threat not only to us but the entire city. He must be contained at any cost. If you have any doubt of the truth of what I speak, simply watch the closed circuit footage of the court’s proceedings. You will see the impostor clearly revealed and you will see him murder many of the Arcane Council in cold blood. You know me. I have and will always act in the best interest of this body. All willing hands are welcome but know that if you raise your hand against me today, in the best interest of our people, I will have to go straight through you. Stand with us or stay out of my way.”

  Sanders looked at Kasey and her mother, exasperation creasing his forehead. “Surveillance department, this is Sanders. Please isolate the footage from the court proceedings and play it on every display throughout the building. Play it on a loop. We need everyone to be aware of the danger posed by this man. Agents, seal off the twenty-fifth floor. Converge on the Sanctum and bring the full weight of our agency down on his head."

  Kasey approached one of the other nearby ADI agents and held out her hand. "Give me your earpiece, now.”

  The agent looked from her to Sanders and then back to her.

  "What are you waiting for?” she asked. “I'm your best chance of catching this man before he kills anyone else. I need to hear what you're hearing."

  The agent reached up and took his earpiece out before handing it to Kasey. She jammed it into her ear.

  The channel was quiet.

  Agent Sanders’ entreaty seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. Kasey waited in silence as the seconds ground by. With each passing moment, her anxiety grew. Surely now after everything they had been through, they wouldn't have to continue to contend with the ADI. She'd been here once before, less than ten days ago. The thought of having to fight her way out of the building once more was more than she could bear. Tears threatened to roll down her cheeks.

  There was a cackle of static as the channel came to life. "Director Sanders, this is the surveillance office. We've seen the footage. It's hard to watch, sir."

  "Indeed," Sanders replied. “I saw it with my own eyes and am still struggling with it, but I need you to…”

  "Don't worry, director,” the voice interrupted. “It's already playing on all screens. If anyone hasn't seen it yet, they soon will."

  Kasey's heart leapt at the announcement. Finally, something was going their way.

  "Thank you, agent," Sanders replied

  "No, sir. Thank you. It's good to have you back."

  Sanders nodded as he took in the battered courtroom. "It's good to be back, but I fear the worst is still ahead of us."

  Chapter Twenty

  Kasey burst through the door into the Council Sanctum.

  The ADI were attempting to seal the Council Complex. Their best chance to catch Akihiro was before he reached the surface. Kasey's own experience escaping the Arcane Council told her that once he was out of the Council Chambers, there would be very little the Arcane Council could do to block every entrance and exit to the metropolis.

  Moreover, once he was clear of the Council Chambers, masquerading as Arthur Ainslie, most of the magical community wouldn't think twice about letting him pass. Indeed, if they were to stand a chance at stopping him, they would have to catch him before he reached the surface.

  Kasey found herself in a richly furnished corridor. Two ADI agents lay unmoving on the floor. She checked for a pulse. There was none whatsoever. Whatever spell the Master had used, it had done its work effectively. The two had never stood a chance.

  Kasey advanced down the corridor with Sanders and her mother only a single stride behind. She had to go for a happy medium between headlong pursuit and blindly meandering into a trap set by Akihiro. He'd proved himself a more than capable adversary and if they continued without due care, they might find themselves like the two agents they had just passed.

  Akihiro had shown he had no regard for human life. If anything, he had shown a relish for the taking of it. Not surprising, considering what he had planned for the city. Some part of her had hoped the crowded courtroom might contain his response. Unfortunately, she had been mistaken. It was a miracle more people hadn't been slain in the confrontation.

  Reaching for the office doors, Kasey began opening each of them. She started on the left with Noah taking those on the right.

  The offices were the sitting chambers for members of the Council. In this private sanctum, they could deliberate and carry on the affairs of the council without interference from the vast bureaucracy above them. Freed from interruption, they governed the affairs of the World of Magic in the United States.

  Until today.

  Each door she opened revealed a large private office space. The furnishings differed by room, but most were dominated by a large mahogany desk and shelves lined with books and manuscripts running along the walls.

  Each office was empty. She reached the last door. It was labeled Arthur Ainslie, Arcane Chancellor.

  She stood poised, ready to throw open the door. Noah took up position behind her, gun in hand. She could feel the tendrils of arcane energy gather as her mother raised both hands, ready to unleash hell.

  Kasey threw open the door, and Sanders stormed into the room. Kasey was hot on his heels. An ornamental Ming vase held pride of place in the corner of the chamber. Several portraits in gold frames hung behind the desk. They depicted people Kasey didn't recognize, but she pr
esumed they were past Chancellors who had held the office. The pictures spanned back generations.

  "Empty," Sanders declared. “I think he’s already made a break for the surface."

  “Then we best be after him,” Kasey said, sweeping her hair behind her ear. “We can't rely on the ADI to contain him. We escaped from here, it’s safe to assume he can, too."

  "What's the most direct route to the surface?" her mother asked. "The ADI will be trying to evacuate the rest of the building. Anyone who hasn't heard what transpired down here is just going to let him pass. We need to get to him, now."

  "There is a bank of elevators from these Chambers to the Underpass. It allows the counselors to come and go as they will, without the need to wait for anyone else,” Sanders said.

  "Lead the way.” Kasey pointed to the door.

  Sanders strode out of the office and down the hall, never at any point lowering his weapon. As they reached the bank of elevators, one was climbing steadily toward the surface. The other waited idly.

  Kasey mashed the elevator’s button furiously. The doors parted and she charged into the elevator, Sanders and her mother right behind her.

  "Which floor?” Kasey asked.

  “The Underpass,” Sanders replied. “It’s the surest way out of here. Also has the largest crowd for him to get lost in. Remember, he could be anyone by now, not just Ainslie.”

  Kasey punched the button for the Underpass, and the elevator rocketed toward the surface.

  The security monitor in the elevator was playing a constant reel of the scene that had unfolded in the courtroom. Kasey watched in horror once more as the Shinigami killed the council member at his side. It seemed the surveillance team was spreading the message far and wide.

  The Shinigami would have his work cut out for him. His Arthur Ainslie alibi wouldn't hold up to scrutiny for much longer now. Kasey let out a deep breath as she tried to calm her pounding heart. It threatened to leap out of her chest.

  She was so close. Her visions, the attack on the city, the killings—everything had led her to this point. The man behind it all had finally been revealed, and now he was running for his life. It felt good to be the hunter rather than the hunted for once. Now with the resources of the ADI severed, the Master of the Shinigami was alone and outnumbered.

  It all ends today.

  The doors opened and Kasey leapt out of the elevator into the Underpass. The elevators opened directly onto the concourse. As they stepped out into the expansive chamber, people fled in disarray. Screams echoed down the corridor.

  "I guess we know which way he went," Kasey said to Sanders.

  “Indeed. He's not running. He’s hurting our people."

  "It's to be expected," her mother replied. “You weren’t alive for the fifties. It was a dangerous time to be in New York. The Council had waned under weak leadership and mobs of wizards roamed the streets. Those wizards ruled through fear and oppression. We have robbed Akihiro of his army, Kasey. Now he seeks to maintain his power through intimidation and fear.”

  "Not if I have anything to say about it," Kasey said. “It's time we put him in the ground for good."

  She took off down the Underpass, chasing the chaos unfolding ahead. The footsteps of Sanders and her mother pounded behind her.

  As they ran, a voice in her ear called a warning. "Director Sanders, we’re under attack."

  "Under attack?” Sanders answered. “In the Underpass? Yes, we are aware of it. We’re moving to intercept the suspect as we speak."

  There was a pause. "No, sir. I mean, yes, sir. We are aware the chief suspect is in the Underpass wreaking havoc. I'm speaking about the force that has broken in from outside. They have breached our blockade at City Hall."

  “City Hall? What the…? Tell me more, now!"

  "As you instructed, director, we've stationed men at every exit. Our agents at City Hall just radioed in that they have run into hostile fire. An unknown party of wizards attacked them from the streets. They were heavily armed and employing magic with abandon. Sir, they are on the streets, in full view of the public."

  "We can't worry about that now,” Sanders replied. “We’ll do whatever damage control we can later. For now, we need to apprehend Akihiro. Any idea how many of them there are?"

  The surveillance office replied, "Dozens, sir. I tried to raise our agents again, but neither of them are responding. Is it safe to assume these intruders are acting in concert with our suspect?"

  Sanders looked up the Underpass. They were heading for Town Hall.

  "Without a doubt. They have come to extract him. We can't be far behind, but we are going to need backup. There are three of us and one of him, but we can't deal with dozens of his allies. Have all agents converge on the Underpass, we need to reach him before they do. If they breached at City Hall, that will be their extraction point. We need to trap him here. If he makes it to the streets, there's no telling what they'll do."

  "Roger that. We’ll rally our forces," the voice replied.

  The call for reinforcements went out over the earpiece. At least this time the agents were on their side.

  Sanders stopped and pulled out his phone. He began hastily dialing a number.

  Kasey came to a halt next to him. "Sanders, what are you doing?"

  "Calling for reinforcements,” he replied cryptically.

  The line opened, but she didn't recognize the voice at the other end.

  "It's me,” Sanders began. “The target is in the tunnels beneath City Hall. He’s likely shed his alias and may no longer be pretending to be the Arcane Chancellor. You'll know him when you see him. Oriental man in his mid to late fifties. He'll be at the heart of the carnage. Take him down."

  "Understood. Moving to intercept," the voice replied.

  Sanders hung up the phone and slid it back into his pocket. "Hades’ men. I figure every man will count and they’re as ruthless as anyone I've ever met."

  Kasey nodded. It made sense. After all, they had spent a million in cash to secure Hades’ assistance. It would be nice to see some sort of payoff from her time in the cage.

  The three of them stormed down the Underpass. As they moved down the tunnels, they found two agents huddling behind a marble statue of a witch Kasey didn’t recognize.

  "Director," the first agent shouted, leaping to his feet.

  The second joined him

  Sanders hurried to them. "Tell me what's going on."

  “It's the chancellor,” the first agent said, panting. “He’s gone ballistic. He’s butchering anyone that gets in his path."

  “That's not the chancellor. He’s a rogue agent who had infiltrated the council. We need to take him down immediately.”

  The agents fell into step behind them. From the creases of worry on their faces, Kasey could see they were less than enthusiastic about attacking the man they had previously believed to be the Chancellor of the Arcane Council.

  A piercing scream echoed down the Underpass. They quickened their pace. Kasey could feel the steady pounding of her heart as she drew each breath. Up ahead, the Master of the Shinigami appeared. He was disguised as Arthur Ainslie once more. One hand was raised, and two ADI agents hovered in the air before him. The agents danced like marionettes on a string, their bodies twitching as they were tortured by unseen hands.

  Arthur advanced down the corridor, waving his arms like the deranged conductor of a deadly symphony.

  Innocent bystanders cowered before the impostor.

  Kasey knew that kind of fear. She'd felt it herself, when she was being hunted. It was the same terror that had rooted her to the spot as she had stared into the gaping maw of the werewolf, Danilo.

  With one sweep of his hand, the Chancellor cast the bystanders aside like rag dolls. The bystanders bounced along the Underpass, before sliding into a heap against the wall.

  Kasey longed to help them, but the Master of the Shinigami had to be stopped first. She quickened her pace. The Master must've heard their approach as he turned and lo
oked over his shoulder.

  "Oh, the insufferable Kasey Chase and Mr. Sanders. I'm surprised you are willing to bring yourself within my reach once more. You two truly are the worst excuses for heroes I've ever seen. Don't you realize you stand before the tsunami? It will crush you and everything else before it. You can't stop us now, it’s too late."

  Kasey summoned her power, but before the words of her spell could even leave her lips, a lance of blue energy emanated from somewhere to her right. The spell scored a glancing hit to the Master’s shoulder. He howled in rage, as the attack shattered his concentration and burned into his shoulder.

  Kasey followed the source of the spell and saw John Ainslie advancing on the Master.

  Kasey had no idea where John had emerged from, but given his father's position, she had no doubt he knew the complex rabbit warren of tunnels beneath Manhattan as well as anyone alive. Most people would have used them to flee. John had used them to hunt down his father's killer.

  John chanted again and a blast of energy rolled toward the Master. The Master’s left arm may have hung uselessly from his ruined shoulder, but his right hand rose to meet it.

  The two agents that had been dancing before him crumpled to the floor as the Chancellor turned his whole focus on John. Akihiro chanted, and John dodged reflexively.

  In spite of the Master’s chanting there was no arcane missile to evade. Instead, John was torn from his feet by the same incantation the Master of the Shinigami had used to control the agents.

  Kasey gasped as John was swept from his feet. Waving his hand like the conductor of some macabre symphony, the Master of the Shinigami dragged John through the air until he stood suspended between Akihiro and Kasey.

  "Miss Chase, go ahead and unleash that spell. You will likely hit your beloved."

  Kasey felt the arcane energy coursing through her. Every fiber of her being wanted to let loose and obliterate the Master of the Shinigami, but she knew that no matter how she aimed her spell, he would ensure John was first to be hit.

  She would be killing John herself. The thought tore at her heartstrings. She didn't know how to process her feelings for him anymore. Once, he'd been her tormentor, but more recently he'd been her ally, her confidant, and friend. She'd even come to enjoy the little time they had manage to spend together. They were feelings that she had never expected.