Valor: The Custos Saga

by Jessica Tastet

  Trevor lifted into the air, away from her reach. Angelica froze. Trevor’s brown eyes opened and stared into her own. She looked into his fear.

  The creature grinned a hideous smile and flung Trevor over the edge of the building.

  “Noooo!” Angelica felt it hurl from deep within her chest.

  Cain restrained her from lunging at the Custos. “Everyone down the stairs. Do not look back, just run.”

  Everyone stood frozen in paralysis.

  “Go!” Angelica cried out, her chest heaving from the breath that would not come. “Leave the book Gabney.”

  With hands trembling, Gabney set the backpack down, and Cain snatched it up, throwing it over his shoulder. The others looked from him to Angelica.

  “Roxy,” Angelica said, forcing air into her lungs, although it felt like scraping against glass. “Get my people home safe.”

  Roxy nodded, tears glistening and her mouth set. She propelled the others forward, and one by one they began to disappear down the stairs.

  Suddenly, Bruce Meek flew through the air, screaming as he went over the side. The others scrambled down, disappearing quickly down the side.

  A gruff, husky voice spoke. “Always fight your own battles. Never let others stand in front of you.”

  “But doing someone else’s work is okay,” Angelica snapped.

  The Custos growled and focused on them.

  Cain and Angelica’s eyes met, and they nodded. The energy began in her abdomen, and she molded it into a thick ball. Humming a lullaby, she pushed out the drumming of his heart as he moved in toward them. The ball grew tighter in her chest, consuming her anger, her anguish, and the pain thrashing her insides. She felt as though she was on fire.

  “Now!”

  Cain and Angelica’s hands connected and the power surged through them and tunneled toward the Custos. As the energy crashed into him, his eyes widened and he flailed through the air, gaining speed as Angelica pushed the energy from her until she felt his shock overpower his fight.

  Angelica flinched as he disappeared over the side of the building, and moments later a thud pierced through her as he rammed the sidewalk below.

  Anger darkened Rex’s eyes. “I will have that book!”

  “Not as long as I’m Valor.“Angelica enunciated each word, letting them echo through her.

  Angelica backed up to the edge of the building, and Cain followed.

  Rex moved forward. “Are you ready to die as Valor?”

  Trust me. Angelica looked to Cain, eyebrows raised.

  He hesitated a moment and then nodded.

  Angelica stepped up to the ledge of the building.

  For one moment, she thought she should have tested Kline’s lesson before, but she was willing to go on a little faith now that Dark Soldiers surrounded her.

  Rex put his hands up. “You don’t have to jump. If you give me that book, we can all walk away.”

  Cain stepped up onto the ledge, looking down below. I hope you know what you are doing.

  Angelica grabbed his hand and jumped. A rush pushed her head back a moment. She released a breath and activated her telekinesis, keeping herself near the building. Cain’s weight made it difficult at first, but he caught on after the initial shock and dulled the force of gravity pulling them down.

  They glided to the sidewalk below and dust rose up around their feet.

  Cain yanked his hand away. “How…”

  He trailed off and then began stepping backward from her.

  “I’m going to want that book back,” Angelica said, standing her ground, hoping the fear that had crept into his eyes would work in her favor.

  He stepped further back. “For now it’s mine.”

  “I’m going to come for it.”

  He nodded and jogged toward the touristy area, her backpack bouncing against his back.

  You’re not Rex. You are half Lily.

  She felt him sever the connection. It was just as well. Opening that line could get confusing now that he’d betrayed Landon and the others.

  Wanting to go to Trevor, she hesitated at taking off before the Dark Soldiers made it down the stairs, but she couldn’t bring herself to see him. His death would be her fault. She’d need to call Detective Gavin. She couldn’t just leave him there.

  Hearing the footsteps echoing on the stairs, Angelica hurried away. A block away, arms closed around her from behind, and she struggled as she was pulled into a narrow alley.

  “Shhh…” Kline whispered in her ear.

  The panic seizing her lightened some, but her senses stayed in hyper mode.

  “What’s going on?” Angelica whispered, when he released her. She kept an eye out on the street, expecting Rex’s men to pass.

  “I was sent to take you back to him.” Kline studied her, his gaze unnerving.

  Angelica’s muscles tensed. “That monster is dead.”

  Kline shook his head. “Gint’s not who we fear. I will go to him and tell him you got away. It will give you some time, but for my failure, I fear he will send someone else.”

  “Come to Landon House with me,” Angelica said. “I can protect you.”

  Kline’s face softened, and Angelica saw something in those eyes. A contradiction of innocence and seductive power and determination.

  “I can’t.” Kline reached out and touched her hair. “I need to go in and see what his next move is.”

  “Will I see you again?”

  “I will come back.” He smiled. “You need more training.”

  Angelica nodded.

  He moved toward the entrance to the alley and peeked out. “They’ve gone now. Get back quickly.”

  “I lost the book of Shadow Souls. Cain has it now. Maybe he’ll want to go after him?”

  Kline smiled. “That book only means something to the hybrids. Lucilius only wants a page from it, but I may be able to use it. Now hurry before word travels.”

  Angelica hesitated at the entrance to the alley, wanting to touch him for some reason. To see if he were real. To check that it was really his heartbeat she heard at a murmur. To assure herself that her instincts that he shouldn’t go back to the Custos were wrong.

  She passed though. Lysander had twisted her heart enough for tonight, and she wasn’t ready to open it up just yet.

  Their eyes met one last time before she scurried off in the direction of Landon House, alert to every noise around her.

  Sixty-One

  The wind kicked up debris around his legs and the plane’s engines drummed out any possibility of conversation with the others loading bags. Cain gripped the backpack tighter as he advanced onto the runway. The black bounded, yellowing pages held with hand stitched leather called to him from within the zipper. He couldn’t wait for the pages to spill its secrets and bring him closer to his end goal.

  Serena brushed against him as she turned to look behind them again. Her nose twitched and the line wrinkled across her forehead as she searched for a familiar face.

  “They aren’t coming,” Cain said.

  Serena looked up at him and her eyes watered.

  “If you want to change your mind, I’m sure Jack or John will take you back.”

  She shook her head and swallowed. “You are my future. I love you.”

  He rubbed her arm, and his gut knotted. Simone should be on this plane with him as Serena had never been part of his plan. Knowing his father, Simone would be kept alive as a bargaining tool, which worked for Cain because it bought him some time with this book and a way to figure out how to hold onto it and get Simone back.

  Simone may have changed her mind about him after Rex finished with her, but Cain had to do right by her. He needed her back.

  Five of the young recruits that hadn’t shown much allegiance to his father boarded the plane with their duffel bags, and Cain guided Serena to the steps. A silent tear rolled down her cheek, and Cain felt her guilt at betraying her father.

  John Landon had taught Cain much of what Rex wasn’t capable
of teaching him. In fact, Cain owed John more than his father for this desire to have something different. Only John had this passion to change the Vindica to make it fit the modern world instead of keep outdated practices. Of course, the organization had fought him on every suggestion and it had floundered because of it. Cain had understood the necessity for change from John. Hopefully one day the man would understand.

  Cain would use what the man had taught him to begin anew. The help from others had already begun to come as several had joined him and he now had a benefactor supporting him. The Vindica neared its death, just as the Reckoning promised, and now others would look to him to give them a way out.

  Cain stepped into the entrance of the plane and looked out at the tarmac. He planned to return to this city, but he knew it wouldn’t be the same for a city doesn’t stand still while you’re gone.

  Angelica would be waiting for him. Half Lily, half Rex, just like him. The two sides swirling inside like oil and water.

  Cain closed his eyes and felt the humid Louisiana air against his face.

  Goodbye little sister. I’ll see you soon.

  Sixty-Two

  His mind registered the approach of muffled footsteps, but he did not look up to see. A voice scratched the surface of his fugue state. “Lord, the car is ready.”

  Rex glanced at the twitching Tom as he remembered that before his mind had drifted, he’d been filing documents into his briefcase. Pages and pages of handwritten notes outlining his takeover arrangements of the Vindica. Arrangements he’d postponed after tonight’s dismal outcome.

  He released a deep breath, anger pulsating through his temple. He must maintain control.

  His meticulous gaze swept the library, noticing dust draping the books like a sheet. The volumes had gone untouched this stay. Darkness swallowed the balcony’s French doors. Night had hidden their indiscretions in its shadows.

  The anger boiled and rose up into his throat again.

  “Lord?” Tom asked, his concern etched in the wrinkles of his forehead.

  He exhaled his anger, holding onto only his desire for revenge.

  “Has our guest been secured as well?”

  Tom nodded. “The young lady had to be sedated, but she’s already been transported.”

  Gripping his briefcase in his fist, Rex strolled pass Tom, the rooms blurring as he passed. Fear flickered in his Dark Soldier’s eyes as he passed them. With each click of the clock’s hand, his men waited for punishment, knowing it would be swift and destructive. They’d failed him.

  Failure did not settle into his bones well. Especially when betrayed by his own blood. He’d learned this lesson before, but he’d believed his own offspring would be different. Back then he’d done what was necessary, and Cain and Angelica were no different because that truce on the roof would not last.

  Rex could see the possibility within them though. He only needed to push them in the right direction, and he’d have what he wanted.

  Out front, a prickle touched the back of his neck as he sensed the eerie presence even before his gaze departed the midnight Rolls Royce. He searched the empty St. Charles Street as he picked up the faint echo of a drumbeat. In the shadowed corner of a two-story white home, Rex found the intruder, a lone figure with only his colorless face glaring from the darkness.

  Their eyes met and Rex nodded.

  Of course, another was sent. Was it to punish for the loss or to replace the loss? He doubted the latter as Custos didn’t work for hybrids; it wasn’t in their nature. The loss of Gint and the surfacing of the book had rippled through their world. A convergence of energy as great as Cain and Angelica had unknowingly projected had been felt by anyone with strong abilities. Soon, any number of enemies would be brought down upon them.

  “Sir, should I send the men?” Tom asked, staring at the lone figure as well.

  “No, the men have their orders. We still have some time.”

  Rex slipped into the back seat and Tom closed the door.

  Rex could use this to his advantage. He understood desperation well, and with the Reckoning upon them, soon so would they.

  Rex’s time would come, and it would seem sooner than he’d thought only twenty minutes ago.

  Sixty-Three

  Kline should have returned to Landon House with Angelica, but Magis could not assure him that his father had made it out through the network. He could not take that chance. He’d return to her after his family’s safety was guaranteed.

  As he entered headquarters, he noticed the dim lighting spilling into the foyer and the silence. Kline walked toward the great room in search of Lucilius, steeling his mind, tucking away any yearning for Angelica deep in the inner recesses.

  Entering the ornately finished room, Lucilius sat waiting in a high back chair in front of a raging fire in the marble fireplace. But it was the two other sentries on each side of the door that gave Kline pause. Lucilius had sent for more men. Two Kline didn’t recognize.

  “Join us Kline.” Lucilius motioned to the room. “We have been waiting for your return.”

  “Sir, I bring bad tidings,” Kline said, bowing his head to him. “Gint is dead as are several others. Angelica has escaped.”

  “Has she now?” Lucilius’s eyebrows rose.

  “She made a deal with Cain,” Kline continued, choosing his words, feeling Lucilius’s contempt. “She traded The Book of Shadow Souls for his help. The two defeated Gint.”

  “So Cain has the book?” Lucilius taped his fingers on the carved arm of the chair.

  Kline nodded.

  “I see.” Lucilius sighed.

  Kline cleared his throat. “How do you wish to proceed?”

  Lucilius sat in silence, studying Kline’s face. Kline stood statuesque against the assessment.

  Finally, Lucilius stood. “I require very little from my sentries as I know the intelligence required to obtain the position. Trust and loyalty and very little else isn’t too much to ask. You have failed at both.”

  “Sir?” Kline asked, his jaw clenching.

  “Tonight was a test of sorts as I had begun to have my suspicions about you. I have to admit that I didn’t expect Gint to fail. I’d sent him to terminate everyone but Angelica. I figured that way she would come to me since that part of her that is human wouldn’t be able to resist justice and all that nonsense. But what to do with you? You who have developed an obsession with using her for my downfall.”

  “That’s way out of line,” Kline uttered, fighting to keep the anger and panic in check.

  “Careful Kline,” Lucilius said, smiling. “You don’t posses the rank anymore to speak to me in such a manner. I believe it was a human woman similar to Angelica that stripped your family of their royal status. A second offense would likely cost you your family’s bloodline.”

  “Angelica posses enough Custos blood to dismiss any allegations and punishment.”

  Lucilius chuckled, filling the room with his wretched menacing sound. “You may be right but you have no evidence. I’ve destroyed the blood test. No, she will die like the other hybrids when it is time, and you are going to return to a Labos prison cell for your betrayal and treason against your people. I’m sure your father will serve your death sentence just as your grandfather served his.”

  Gathering his strength, Kline shoved forward, throwing Lucilius into the mantle, flipping the chair over as he flew through the air. Lucilius bounced off the mantle and landed before him.

  Kline felt Lucilius enter his head, and Kline struggled against the intrusion. Pushing forward, Kline shoved him physically, unable to take his attention away from the fight over control of his body.

  Pain shot down his back as a hard blow landed behind his neck. Kline turned and faced the broad shouldered sentry whose fist was coming down.

  Kline blocked his throw and landed one in his gut, all the while fighting Lucilius’s attempt at control.

  The other sentry approached and drew a dagger from his leg. Kline slipped and telekinetically
tossed the dagger to the side, giving Lucilius his way in.

  Kline felt the intrusion right before he felt his lungs tighten.

  He couldn’t breathe. He fell to his knees, gasping for oxygen.

  “That was the wrong move,” Lucilius said, glaring down at him. “But I will keep you alive for a little while because I have plans for you.”

  Everything went dark. His last thought being he’d failed Angelica and his father.

  Sixty-Four

  The night air numbed Angelica’s flushed cheeks. She sipped from her glass of red wine, feeling it warm and relax her jittery insides. She leaned forward over the balcony railing, weightlessness swallowing her. Closing her eyes to the bare street below, she could touch a freedom beyond gravity.

  It lasted only seconds before sadness crushed her chest again. The numbness she kept imposing on her body eventually evaporated into crushing loss.

  Trevor was gone and it was her fault.

  An aching traveled over her body, and a familiar longing encapsulated her chest. She peered into the shadows of the street lamps, and Lysander gazed up at her from behind a street post.

  The cold tightened its grip on her body, and her flesh warmed in remembrance of his touch.

  Their eyes met and she couldn’t look away.

  Why had he returned? Guilt. Regret. A need to betray her again.

  The doorbell echoed through Landon House, and Angelica’s heart sank immediately sensing more bad news coming. Lysander nodded, and Angelica pulled away from the balcony wrought iron railing, feeling an aching in her bones.

  Downstairs, Gabney stood fidgety by the door as Madame Lulu shrugged off her overcoat.

  Angelica stepped on the bottom step and sipped from her wine glass.

  John came from the sitting room, where he’d probably been sitting in his study writing notes for himself.

  “Madame Lulu,” John said surprised. “What do we owe this late night visit?”

  “You should know after tonight’s events.” Her eyes were big and her lips set in a stiff line.

  Gabney hung the overcoat and looked to Angelica. Roxy brushed up against Angelica as she reached the bottom landing, and Griffen came around the staircase at the same time.