The Wrath of Pan (The Inglewood Chronicles Book 2)

by Jeremy Croston

  He jogged over, “What is it?”

  “Listen, do you hear that noise?”

  He stopped talking and listened. “Is that the helicopter hangar opening?”

  “I don’t know, where’s it at?”

  He pointed to the hangar in the middle. “Go tell the others. I’m on it!”

  I took off running, the noise getting louder and screeching to a stop. That noise was replaced by the sound of a helicopter starting up. I didn’t know much about ‘em, but I knew it took a few minutes to get the propellers up to speed.

  I pulled the door open and saw the helicopter there on the pad getting ready for takeoff. Pan was in the pilot seat, with John beside him. That meant Rosette was in the back. I sprinted over, much to the shock of the two sitting inside. When I reached the helicopter, I pulled the door open and saw Rosette tied into a seat.

  John shouted at Pan, “Get us airborne, quickly!” He fumbled with the buckles to get himself out.

  I hopped in and undid Rosette’s a lot faster. As the helicopter began to rise from the ground, John still wasn’t completely free from his restraints. I picked Rosette up and went to leave. A hand grabbed me, stopping me in my place.

  “Not so fast wolf! She is mine!”

  We were only a few feet off the ground, but rising. “Sorry Rosette.” I pushed her out and she fell hard to the ground. As the helicopter lifted off into the sky, I saw Liz and Gregory standing over her. I had to close the door to keep from getting sucked out.

  I was now stuck in a confined space with two angry vampires. John looked like he was ready to kill me on the spot. “You are a problem that needs to be dealt with appropriately.”

  “You talk an awfully big game. I’m sure your mouth is how you got the Baron to go along with your idiot ideas, huh?”

  He let go of me and made his way into the passenger area. “Forte was always a follower. He appreciated that I wanted to bring back my parents’ ideals.”

  “Well as a mastermind, I can’t say I’m all that impressed with the title of Hammer of Jehovah? Going as far as to call yourself an angel? Pathetic.”

  His eyes started to turn red, his vampiric state taking over. “It is a title you must earn! I earned the right to take the mantle!”

  I had no idea what he was talking about. “It’s over now. Even that shiny stone I know you got on you is worthless to your cause without her to open the path.”

  “It is a shame, but there are always other witches out there to be found, willing to do my work. She just happened to be already trained for the task.”

  “Let me guess, the O’Byrne witch clan already knew the spells needed?”

  “Yes, but it matters not. Cain will walk this Earth and there is little anyone can do to stop it.” He took another step towards me, “But it does not matter to you. Your life is about to come to an end.”

  As my daddy would say, I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. I reached into my pocket, sliding on the Tiger Claws. I wasn’t about to die without even trying. “Maybe it is, but there ain’t no way I’m going to cower to an asshole like you.”

  He lunged, fast, at me. In the small space, there wasn’t much I could do to avoid it, so I let him grab me. With his head in reach, I unloaded two quick punches to his face. Both snapped him back, hard. The claws did their job.

  I might’ve hurt him, but he still had a hold of me. With the hand not attached to me, he brought an open palm right on my nose. The force behind it broke it in an instant. The pain and impact caused me to see double and my only defense was to start swinging wildly. Nothing connected.

  He grabbed the back of my head and brought it down on his knee. Two more punches sent me to the floor. As I lay there, I tried my damndest to get back up, but I kept falling over.

  “Pathetic, though I am impressed you were able to make me bleed.” I heard the sound of sword being taken out of its sheathe. “I must thank you for the gift of returning my father’s blade. Had I known that idiot Roderick had it all these years...?”

  Struggling, I did make it back to my feet. “I’ve taken worse beatings in my life.”

  I couldn’t really tell if he was smirking or not. “I am not surprised.”

  In one quick motion, he thrust the sword into me. The pain didn’t even register, just shock over a foreign object entering my body. The blade slid out just as easily as it entered.

  “Good bye Victor. I will let my sister know you died in an honorable way.”

  He opened the door to the helicopter and kicked me out. The rush of the wind took over as I fell back to the Earth. My final victory was John not knowing I took the Gem of Babylon from him during out fight. With a small smile on my face, I closed my eyes.

  **Liz**

  We were back in the cars, trying to trace the path the helicopter may have taken. We needed to get Victor back. “Rosette, this is important, did they mention anywhere in particular they were headed?”

  The witch in the backseat had not said much since being thrown from the helicopter. “They said something about heading west. They were following the Thames to their destination, I think.”

  That was the direction we were going. Maybe we would be able to see them in the sky. Strange enough, my phone rang. The caller ID said it was my brother Jonathan. I answered but said nothing. In an arrogant, laughing voice, he told me the one thing that I had feared as soon as it the helicopter took off.

  I pulled the car over on the road, crying uncontrollably. His laughter still was going on the other end causing me to crush the phone.

  “Liz, what’s the matter?”

  I could not talk. Each time I tried to tell her what happened, my voice choked up and the words escaped me.

  “It’ll be okay, ye know?” The witch got out and opened the front door. My body wasn’t even protesting and she brought me into a hug. “It’ll be alright. Ye just need to tell me what’s wrong.”

  I controlled myself just long enough to spit out the words. “Vic is dead.”

  Chapter 40

  **Liz**

  It had been two long weeks since we returned to Arizona. My first order of business was to inform Vic’s family of his death. To my surprise, his father Callum took the news the hardest. I offered my condolences and stayed for a small memorial service.

  Following that, I made my report to Cristof about what had happened in London. The loss of Vic was a great blow, but he suggested I make the witch Rosette my new chief inspector. It took me a few days to follow through, but I did.

  Finally there was the situation with Jonathan. Cristof and I decided it was best to wait and see what clues Roderick would discover. Hopefully he would be calling soon with something for us to go on.

  “Ye called ma’am?”

  Rosette entered my office. Our relationship had improved considerably since coming back. “Yes I did. I got a complaint from a female vampire downtown that someone is stalking her. I would like you to look into it. Please take Phil with you as backup.”

  She took the file and left. She had been working with Phil since her appointment as Reno wanted nothing to do with her. I knew he had been close to Vic, so I expected as much.

  I held on to the vial of blood Vic gave me while we were in the catacombs. It was all I had left of him. My computer dinged, causing me to jump for a moment. I pulled up my email and it was from Roderick.

  Dearest Elizabeth,

  Let me express my sincere condolences for everything this situation has done to you. I have put my full attention on finding Pan and Jonathan. A source of mine it appears was successful. The two have gone to Ireland in the attempt to recruit a new witch to their cause. If you want my help, please let me know and I will provide anything I can.

  -Roderick

  I re-read the email twice. Finally, something that pointed us in the right direction. I picked up my phone and made a very important call. Nothing was going to stop me and my love’s brother from seeking my revenge.

  Epilogue

  I hu
rt all over. If this was what being dead all was about, I hated it. I still could feel where the sword plunged into my chest.

  “Calm yourself, you cannot overdo it so soon.”

  My voice was harsh, but I was able to spit out a few words. “Liz, that you?”

  “No my champion, it is not. Your vampire mate believes you to be dead.”

  I opened my eyes, the light was blinding. It took a few moments for everything to come into focus. “Do I know you?”

  We were in a tent, I think. I was lying on some sort of cot, naked, but covered up by a towel. As for the lady talking, she was close. Her face was really pretty and her smile could melt the hearts of a lot of men. “We met, very briefly, but you made quite an impression on me. I am the Sphinx from the catacombs.”

  As soon as she said it, I recognized her. “Am I dead?”

  “You were close. When I found you in the river, your heartbeat was feint. It took a great deal of time and energy to bring you back from the brink. Be thankful you have vampire blood in you.”

  I wish I had more to offer than short questions, but it’s all I could muster. “How long?”

  The Sphinx seemed amused at my question. “Time means little to me, but I would say you have been in my care for about a month, maybe?”

  A whole freaking month? I had to let that one sink in. The Sphinx rubbed my hand with hers. I hated the feeling I had, but I enjoyed it. It was almost as if we were connected.

  Reading my mind, “We are connected. We made a deal in the catacombs, remember? I let your group pass with the provision that one day when I needed you; you would have to say yes.”

  “Thought the deal was with Liz?”

  She put her head down on me. “No, the deal was always meant for you. Plus all the energy I funneled into you, we are practically lovers now.”

  I tried to move my arm, but she stopped me. “What do you need?”

  “The gem… is it safe?”

  “You did an admirable thing, taking the gem like you did. It is safe, here with us.”

  At least that wasn’t a total screw up. I didn’t have the energy to say much else. I closed my eyes again, ready to go back to sleep.

  “Before I let you rest more my champion, do you not want to know where you are?”

  Sure I did. Maybe she was still reading my mind and wouldn’t make me ask.

  “It is not mind reading my sweet. Our connection allows us access to each other’s thoughts. As for your current location, I have brought you to the one place you will be safest and also where I need your help.”

  She opened a flap on the tent and I did my best to look out. Were we in some remote tropical forest?

  “Tropical forest no, but remote yes.” She decided to pause for dramatics I reckon. “The vampires used to call it Foreverland, but this island is much better known as Neverland.”

  **Bernard**

  It’d been a bit since Liz left, telling us that Vic was dead. Dad hadn’t been doing so good, so I took more responsibility at the sheriff’s office. Hell, it was pretty quiet as three quarters of the town was mourning my brother.

  My youngest brother Felix was beside himself with grief. I thanked the good Lord everyday that Michael Browne was in time. The old pastor was working miracles in just getting Felix to open up to me and mom.

  Chaz and Argent were due to visit dad today and hopefully they could break him out of his funk. As for me, the quiet was what I needed. No one needed to see me and my anger over what happened.

  My brother died a hero, taking on some jerk calling himself the Hammer of Jehovah. Before Liz had left, I told her when she found out where he was, I wanted in. My brother’s killer would see no mercy.

  My phone buzzed in my pocket, a Phoenix area code. Grinning, I answered.

  “Bernard, we found him.”

  To be continued…

  Here is a preview of the Ragnarok on Ice Series:

  Blood and Arrows

  Prologue

  For many cycles, both races of elves lived in peace in the reaches of Alfheim. High in the great tree, Yggdrasil, they prospered together, enjoying the fruits of their labor. The light elves, fair skinned and golden haired, excelled in the arts and magic. The dark elves, smokey blue in their complexion, preferred to work in crafting metal and using their creations for combat.

  But, as all things that are different, they would not always see eye to eye. At first, the complaints were small and easily resolved. As time went on, the differences grew and the feelings between the races hardened. No longer able to resolve their conflicts, the dark elves decided it was time for them to find their own land. The light elf emperor was against this, stating that the dark elves were, in fact, to be common laborers for the light elves. Angered by such arrogance, the dark elves took matters into their own hands. What followed were the Elven Wars.

  Cycles of bloodshed and turmoil plagued the realms. In the midst of the chaos, the ice giants of Jotenheim used the distractions of war to attack Asgard. It was only after Thrym’s defeat and exile back to Jotenheim did Odin get involved with the elves. The new emperor of the light elves was willing to come to an agreement with the dark elves, but the feelings in the newly formed Svartalfheim were raw. Odin forced his hand and the Pact was eventually signed and put into agreement.

  The peace between the elves has held, but with the unexpected death of the light elf emperor who supported it and the unknown intentions of Alfheim’s new queen, the future is not clear. Only The Norns truly know what is to come, but it is not in their nature to reveal that information so freely…

  Chapter 1

  “Order, we need to have order.” The voice of King Oor boomed throughout the assembly hall. The dark elves fell silent and looked at him. “I understand the less than pleasant attitude the Aesir have shown us lately is cause for concern. However, unless we do our due diligence and find out why, the matter will only escalate. We cannot afford to go to war with Odin over hurt feelings.”

  Father looked over at me, quietly he murmured, “I am afraid he is right daughter, the Aesir have not attacked us or shown us any harm other than a cold shoulder.”

  “But father, we also cannot let them bully us into submission. We need to show them the Svartalfheim has a backbone.”

  “So much like your mother…” He snickered a little bit and turned his attention back to Oor.

  Ever since mother had passed away, my father Hargna had taken me under his wing to become more of a politician and less of a warrior. I had not liked it much in the beginning, but now I came to realize the political arena is almost as deadly as the battlefield. When I focused back on Oor, it seemed I was in the middle of another dialogue.

  “We need to continue to work together, as clans, and use our stealth to see what information we can spy. The royal mage, Azmodeous, has already tried to make contact with the Aesir to set up a meeting. While we wait for word to return, remember the tasks I have given each clan and follow. For now, that is all.”

  Just like that, we were dismissed. I saw Oor go over to Azmodeous and the mage whispered something into his ear. The sight of the elf was enough to give me chills.

  “Come Rumil, we have much to do and do not have time for daydreaming.”

  “As you wish father.” I fell in line behind him. I knew when we made it back to our stronghold; he would want to send out some more teams to see what we could gain from going back into the Great Forest. Aesir activity was gaining in there, especially after Loki’s release.

  It was a very weird time in the realms. Cycles ago, my father had helped in the release of the wolf, Fenrir. Prophecy stated when the wolf was released from its bounds that Ragnarok was to start. The prophecy was not to happen though; Fenrir fled to Midgard and has not been seen since. Before he left, he freed his father, Loki, from his prison and ever since everyone has been on edge.

  “Father, do you think the failed Ragnarok prophecy is the cause of this uneasiness?”

  He stopped walking. It seemed lik
e for a few moments I would not receive an answer, but when he turned to me, his eyes were deep in thought. “The very same thought has been crossing my mind too. It has been many cycles since that fateful day Fenrir escaped. With the prophecy so many of us have lived our lives towards no more, it certainly does make for a rather unstable time in history.”

  Ominous is the word I would use, but then father would just tell me not to worry. I could not help it though, I am a natural worrier. Every time I take a team into that forsaken forest, I worry that something will happen. It also did not help that each time I was given new elves to take with me. Father said it was because of my field leadership skills, but it did not help my anxiety.

  We continued walking through Svartalfheim until we returned to our stronghold, the Cave of Fenrir. We had lived with the wolf peacefully for many cycles, so it was just not the same knowing he was not here. As we entered the cave, the Darklighter stronghold was as impressive as always. It had taken a great many elves to carve the citadel into the side of the cave wall, but upon its completion it was by far the most impressive of all the dark elf clans.

  The dark granite stone made our stronghold almost impenetrable. Should Svartalfheim ever be invaded, our citadels would hold that I was sure of. The most impressive feature was the towers that had been built in. From the view at the top, it would take an individual of great skill to sneak in.

  Father and I walked in and made our way into his library. Books were never of interest to me, so I never came in unless I had reason.

  “Rumil, you heard what Oor said; we need to continue doing our part. As the clean chief, I would like you to take a scouting party in the forest and see what is going on. The Dark Moons have discovered the location of Sif’s cabin out there. I would send them out again, but with the strange happenings coming from Jotenheim, I feel sending them there is better.”