With the last bit of will that he had, Atticus launched himself at the large Glycon, his body slamming into him.
Thrax released Celine in surprise and stumbled backward. Atticus hit the ground where the Glycon had once stood.
Celine, gasping for breath, wrapped her arms around him. Her body shook. "We go together," she whispered.
She pressed her lips to his neck and instantly the connection opened between them. The air crackled around them, and a blue light filled the space.
Atticus wasn't certain what was happening but knew it was giving him strength. After a moment, he could feel the connection weaken.
Celine slumped unconscious, and he stood with her in his arms.
Thrax stared at him in surprise. "What did you do?"
Atticus shrugged. There was no point pretending he understood what had happened.
Thrax turned his head to the side in irritation. "Doesn't matter," he said. "I will tear you both apart piece by piece."
Atticus prepared to run. He likely wouldn't get far with his leg still injured, but they wouldn’t stand there and let themselves be slaughtered.
Suddenly a radio crackled, and Atticus frowned as the sound cut into the night. He realized it was near Thrax’s waist on a belt.
"It's done," a woman's voice came over the line. "Bring the men back home."
Thrax pulled out the radio. "I still haven't found what is mine," he growled over the line, glaring at Atticus and Celine.
"We have what we came for. Now pull the fuck back or face the consequences, and you’ll never find what you want.”
Thrax’s eyes flared up bright purple, and Atticus knew he wanted to defy the woman on the line.
Atticus nodded to the Glycon. "Better hurry back to your master," he said smugly. “Agatha’s waiting.”
Thrax glared at him before releasing a piercing scream into the night. Several more voices sounded in the distance.
"I will have what is mine," Thrax yelled before bursting into a sprint into the darkened forest.
Chapter Seventeen
Warm arms surrounded her. That was the first thing Celine noticed, firm secure arms that made her feel safe.
Even before she opened her eyes, she knew just who was holding her. There could be no one else but Atticus that could make her feel like this.
Celine blinked her eyes open. She couldn’t see so well without her glasses but knew he was straining to carry her weight. The battle had taken so much out of him.
Everything that had just happened came flooding into her thoughts. She remembered the giant Glycon who Atticus had been fighting. The one that threated to kill her if she didn’t give him what he wanted. Her throat still burned from where he had held her.
“Where is he?” Celine rasped out. Her eyes wildly scanned the darkness around her, but even in her blurry state, she could tell no Glycon stalked them.
“Gone,” Atticus said.
Even through the sound of the storm raging all around them, she could hear his labored breathing.
Celine glanced around in the darkness, straining to see how close they were to the compound. "Are we there yet?"
Atticus glanced down at her, beads of rain rolled down his forehead. She frowned at the strain she found there.
"Close," he said.
Celine struggled in his arms. “You shouldn’t be carrying me.”
Atticus grunted. “I’m fine.”
She could see that he was anything but fine. She placed a hand against his damp cheek. “Please,” she said softly. “I need to rest.”
Atticus stopped his movement and slid her to the ground. She watched as he leaned heavily against a nearby tree, as if his body were too much weight to carry anymore.
She hobbled over to where he stood, his body drawn tight. The closer she moved, the more she could make out the blood that covered his pants.
"How bad is it?" Celine asked, placing a hand on his back.
Atticus shook his head. "It still hurts, but the wound has already stopped bleeding. I'm just tired.”
To hear him say something like that scared her more than anything else. Atticus never seemed to be tired. He always seemed to be on the alert and ready to deal with whatever came their way. For him to say that he was tired meant that he was in a bad way. A very bad way.
"How much farther?" Celine asked, hopeful they would be able to make it.
Atticus nodded to the row of trees. "We're near the field. Once we get there, things should get easier.”
Celine stepped forward and wrapped one of his arms around her shoulder. Atticus frowned at the movement.
"You're injured. I can't lean on you," he said. "I should be the one to carry you. You used so much energy helping me."
Celine wondered if they were going to talk about it. The bright blue light was the last thing she remembered before collapsing. She remembered the way it pulsed through her body, pulling from her to give to him.
But they had felt that before. The odd hum that always seemed to pull them together. She still wasn’t sure just what had happened but knew that she could help him.
"Let me help you," Celine said softly.
Atticus looked like he was going to argue for a moment but instead leaned on her slightly as they stepped forward.
She could feel his leg tremble as they stepped forward and knew it was far worse than he was letting on. They were so close though. All they needed to do was make it past the line of trees. She was just sure of it.
"You saved me," Celine said after they had been walking for a moment.
Atticus didn't say anything, and she wondered just what was going on in his head, especially when he wouldn't talk.
He took in a deep breath, and she glanced over at the handsome man leaning on her. She was glad that the rain had dissipated some so she could stare at him unobstructed.
"I used to think the scariest thing that could ever happen was to be captured by the Horatius Group," Atticus said softly. "They held my people in their clutches for so long. Using us for their own whims. Making us fight for them like we were dogs to command. When we left, we thought that would end. That we would be free of the fear. Instead maybe we should have counted ourselves lucky. We could have just as easily ended up like that poor bastard." He shook his head. "But tonight I think I saw the scariest thing I’ve ever seen." He glanced her way. "Seeing Thrax squeezing the life out of you right in front of me and not being able to do anything to stop it." Atticus choked on his words and took a deep breath before continuing on. "If anything happened to you I would be lost," he said. "I've never had to worry about another person, and I thought that it would be a hassle. But it’s not. My worry for you is what keeps me going."
Celine chuckled. "You might want to talk to Allison about that hassle part." She snickered.
Atticus stopped in his tracks and turned her to look him in his eyes. "You will never be a hassle to me.” His blue eyes stared deep into her own, reaching out to make her understand. "My life was empty without you," he said. "You've brought joy into my life in a way I never thought possible. I love you."
Her heart thumped wildly in her chest over the three little words she been waiting so long to hear. They were now coming from the man she wanted to hear them from most.
For the first time, she understood what it was like to have a full heart. She loved him with every fiber of her being.
Celine wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a soft kiss. "I love you," she whispered against his mouth. "I will always love you."
She pulled back to stare at his beautiful face.
A frown pulled on the corners of her mouth. Without her glasses, she hadn't been able to see him properly, but this close she could see just how pale he was. His skin so light that she could just make out the pale veins under his skin.
Atticus slumped in her arms. His body grew cold and shook hard against her as she struggled to keep his massive weight standing.
"What is it?" she said. Her hea
rt beat frantically in her chest. "What's wrong?"
Atticus struggled to take in a breath. She could see his labored breathing, which only frightened her more.
She lowered him to the ground and propped him against the tree there. His head lulled to the side.
Without hesitation, Celine tore open the pant leg where Thrax had scratched him, certain she would find the root of the problem. Although the wound was healed from her blue light, the skin there was hot to the touch.
“Infection?” Celine whispered.
She was no nurse, but that’s what it seemed like. Maybe it had reached his blood. There was no way of knowing without a doctor.
Celine knew she wouldn’t be able to carry him back to the compound like this. It had been a struggle to help carry his weight before. There was no way, even if her ankle were at full capacity, she would be able to lug a huge man like him back.
She took his face between her palms and helped him to stare at her. "I'm going to get help," she said quickly. “I will be back soon.”
Atticus reached out to hold her hand, his grip so light a small child could have fought him off with ease.
"It's too dangerous," he said, his words starting to slur as he slipped in and out of consciousness.
Celine shook her head. "I don't care," she said. "You need help, and I'm the only one that can get it."
She pulled away from Atticus. If she didn't get help for him soon, there was no telling how long he would last.
Celine turned in the direction they had been walking. He said they were close. Close to the field. Close enough that with a little luck, she might be able to get help.
She ran now. Her ankle throbbed with each step, but she ignored the pain. She pushed through it. He needed her, and she would do whatever it took to get him help.
The field came into view, and Celine glanced around. They had not run into any more Glycons, and she doubted luck had anything to do with it, especially after that radio message. Whatever had happened was over, and her only choice was to race forward and just hope for the best.
Celine burst from the tree line into the long, wet grass. It slapped against her legs, and the mud there sucked her shoes as she moved forward.
It was a struggle to run now, but that wasn’t really an issue anyway since the throbbing had grown so intense there was no way she’d be able to go on much longer.
There in the distance, two figures moved near the light of the compound. Without her glasses, her eyesight was too poor to see just who it was.
Celine froze in her tracks as the two men started to run toward her.
This was it. Either it was to help her or end her.
The closer they moved, the more she could see and the less they looked like Glycons. No red glowing eyes for one thing.
"Over here," Celine shouted to them, just praying she was right. "Atticus needs help."
She turned now and made her way through the grass, but they were already racing past her.
“Stay here,” one shouted. “We’ll get him.” As the man ran past her, she saw the bright blue eyes. Hybrids.
Like hell she was just going to wait around. She had to get back to him. To see that he was still alive.
Celine pulled the strength from deep inside and started to run once again, one thought on her mind as she ignored the shooting pain in her leg: Atticus.
She burst through the tree line, and even in the dark, she found him just where she had left him, their connection providing a guide.
Celine knelt between the two men, no longer able to draw from any remaining strength.
She placed her hand in his and gave a small squeeze.
“I came back,” Celine whispered, darkness already starting to wrap around her. “I came back to you.”
Chapter Eighteen
When Atticus woke he was surprised to find himself in a small bedroom. The walls were unfamiliar to him. Even the smell of the place suggested he’d never been in it before.
Worry filled him as the events of the last few days flooded over him. The last thing he remembered was Celine’s hand.
Atticus breathed in deeply, surprised when the woman next to him moved slightly in her sleep.
They had made it out, and they were both safe. It was all he wanted.
"She hasn't left your side since we brought you here," Rem said from the door of the room.
Atticus turned to focus on his leader, his mind still trying to take in everything around him. Nothing was really registering.
As quietly as he could, Atticus pulled himself to an upright position. His body still ached, but he was feeling better than he had before.
"How long have I been here?" he asked, and glanced around the small room once again. “And where the hell is here?”
Rem stepped into the room and sat down in a chair in the corner of the room. "Well, you’ve been here about three days now."
Atticus’s eyes widened. He expected a day, maybe two, but three was serious business for his people. Even if they weren’t immune to illness, they tended to heal faster than humans.
“It was touch and go at first,” Rem said. “What passes for the doctor here wasn’t so certain you would make it. Of course Celine informed him that you had better, or she was going to make his life a living hell.”
Atticus glanced down at the small woman laying next to him. The bruising on her neck was already starting to fade to an ugly yellow. She looked better than she had the last time he’d seen her.
He glanced around the room again. There was something familiar about the place, and yet he’d never been there before.
"Like I said, where exactly is here?" Atticus asked.
Rem leaned back in his chair. "The Azilian compound.”
Atticus raised a brow. First, they were enemies, and now they were allies? A bit of helpful information here and there didn’t make the Azilians trustworthy. He wasn’t so certain this was such a great idea. Yet they had taken care of him.
"That was quite the cut that Thrax gave you," Rem said. "I've seen something similar before. The ability to infect. A deadly combination. A way to make sure a hybrid doesn’t heal so quickly once the Glycon has attacked."
Atticus glanced down at his leg. He wiggled his toes, glad they had feeling.
“So they were engineered to be that way,” Atticus said more than asked. It was like he suspected all along.
Rem nodded. “There must be more out there like him.” Rem sighed. “Even if Agatha is running some rogue operation, the Group never does anything without making a whole line. After all, Thrax is a Glycon, a servant. It just wouldn’t be good science.”
His stomach rolled. Rem was right. If there was one like Thrax, there were at least a dozen more just like it so they could test them. He couldn’t even imagine his people going up against a force like that.
"With your combined gifts,” Rem said, “you were able to heal the wound, but that only sealed in the infection. It was lucky that Celine was able to get help in time. Any longer and you likely wouldn’t be here."
It was no surprise to Atticus that Celine has saved his life. The woman would never cease to amaze him.
“From what we can tell, the Glycons guarded the forest line for two days,” Rem said. “I’ve never seen them so well disciplined.”
Atticus nodded. He had been thinking the same. These Glycons were different than what they had dealt with before. Even setting aside Thrax. They took commands, even when those commands might bring them pain.
“They crossed the sound line,” Atticus said. “Thrax said they had incentive. But listening to them, it sounded as if they were in pain.”
Rem nodded. “We think Agatha used some sort of mind control. That’s part of how she’s able to keep such a tight reign on them.”
Atticus frowned. “Although it doesn’t look like she’s doing that all the time,” he said, thinking of all the missing animals in the area.
Rem shrugged and ran a hand across his face. “Her control over th
em might be limited. We still don’t know exactly how all this works, but our intel says that there should be some sort of tower, a transmitter. We’ve already got men out looking, but it’s hard to tell just where. The forest is dense, and there are many places for them to have one.”
Atticus nodded. It wouldn’t be easy, and even if they did find one, it would be hard to explain why they had taken it down. They were already on thin ice with the townspeople. Trust was at a minimum thanks to the missing animals and deaths.
"A Glycon stole the stone," Rem said, his face tightening. "Quintus mentioned you were in pursuit of a Glycon before it disappeared. We searched, and we found a tunnel they dug out and linked with the compound. Who knows how long they have been planning this?” He shook his head. “Agatha always was a smart woman."
Atticus grunted. Not the ideal situation there hoping for. Now the enemy had the stone. The hybrids didn’t trust that stone to begin with, and they already knew it contained great power.
"So the enemy of my enemy is my friend," Rem said with a yawn. "Or something like that for now. Anassa has the information we need to come out ahead, and since she lost a number of her best fighters, I’ve suggested some of our men stay here."
“Are you sure about this?”
“Sure enough.” Rem leaned forward and stared at the small woman nestled into Atticus’s arms. "Plus it allows us the opportunity to keep an eye on certain situations.” He stared knowingly at Atticus. "The Azilians seemed to have experience in that field. Her dreams are dangerous, and the more they are allowed to go on unchecked, the greater danger she will be in."
Atticus shouldn’t have been surprised his leader knew about her special ability. It seemed he knew everything.
"The Shadow Man, as she calls him, came when she was sleeping," Atticus said. "Seemed like it wanted to attack but didn't. Somehow she fought it in her sleep. She sent out a blinding blue light, and the thing just went away."
For the first time since Atticus had known him, Rem seemed surprised.
"Does she know about this?" Rem said.
Atticus shook his head.
"I think it might be best if she didn't," Rem said.
Atticus: #8 (Luna Lodge: Hunters of Atlas) Page 9
