“My Lord, there are intruders upon our grounds,” said the minion. It was a misshapen creature that had been human once and now served the Nightmares, an Unholy.
“More curious humans, just let the Dreadwolves have them,” said the Nightmare.
“These intruders are different, my Lord.”
“In which way are they different?” said the Nightmare.
“Two males, one female, and the female is a hunter,” said the minion.
“Where?”
“They are near the south edge of the grounds. One of the males is injured. They are with the witch,” said the minion.
The Nightmare Lord’s eyes narrowed as he looked down at the minion. The minion cowered under the gaze. No one could withstand that gaze for more than a few seconds. Each eye turned a different color as he looked at the creature at his feet.
“I tire of her interference,” the Nightmare Lord said as he left the meeting chamber. The Order is finally fulfilling its word. The plan is set and our time of captivity is drawing to a close. For the first time in a long time, the Nightmare Lord began to smile.
“Locate them. Do not look for the hunter, since the witch will have her hidden. Look for the witch--if you find her, you find the hunter,” said the Nightmare Lord.
“Yes, my Lord,” said the minion, bowing.
**********
Calisto led them through the Park taking several different paths. It was clear she was trying to prevent them from being followed.
“Why is this place so familiar to me?” said Sepia. Calisto spoke as they made their way through the forest.
“You don’t remember? You used to come here often when you were a little girl, with your mother,” said Calisto.
“My mom brought a child into the park?”
“You were a special child and your mother was not just a hunter.”
“I bet,” said Sepia.
They walked along a cobble stone path that wound around a small lake.
“This was just over thirty years ago. The park was different back then. Besides, your mother was a class one hunter, one of the twenty. Very few things in this park would confront her and those that could felt the price was too high,” said Calisto.
“One of the twenty? Gan never told me that,” said Sepia.
Sepia looked at his unconscious form. I wonder what else he has kept from me?
“If he didn’t tell you, he must have his reasons,” said Calisto as they headed over a stone bridge. They drew closer to a small building that was on the other side of the lake.
“Calisto, do you know how my mother died?” said Sepia.
Calisto nodded. “The hunters were losing against the Unholy. It was a period of chaos and the wards were failing, much like they are now. She helped stop a phalanx of behemoths and probably saved this city in the process. This happened at the location you call Bryant Park.”
“Gan told me she took on a T8 alone. That it killed her,” said Sepia.
Calisto looked at Gan and then back at Sepia as if weighing how much she should tell her.
“It’s a little more complicated than that. Understand that a class one hunter is rare. In the entire history of the Order there are perhaps one hundred class one hunters recorded,” said Calisto.
“So a T8 shouldn’t have been a problem? Is that what you’re saying?” said Sepia.
“I think I have said too much,” said Calisto.
“Please, Calisto. I need to know,” said Sepia.
“Gan is better suited for this, I’m not good with words, or sympathy,” said Calisto. “But since he is indisposed, I will tell you. The reason a T8, as you call it, was able to defeat your mother was because she was betrayed.”
“Betrayed, by who?” said Sepia.
“She was betrayed by her gunman. In the midst of the battle he shot her, wounding her. It was enough for the Nightmare to gain the advantage,” said Calisto.
Sepia grew silent as they reached the building. The structure that appeared to be a small cottage from across the lake turned out to be a small keep.
“What the hell? From over there this place looked like a small outhouse,” said Cade.
“That is one of the dangers of walking around here alone,” said Calisto. “Things are rarely what they seem to be.”
Calisto opened the door to the keep and led everyone inside. The door closed behind them sealing them from the park.
“This is your home?” said Sepia.
She looked around and despite the stone the space felt warm and inviting. The style of the interior was understated and minimal, with large rugs covering the stone floor and several paintings on the wall. Lamps hanging from the ceiling gave the room a warm glow.
“This is the Hunter’s Keep. It belonged to your mother and other hunter’s close to her level,” said Calisto.
Cade gave a low whistle. “They kept a base inside the park? These hunters were badass,” he said.
“Class one hunters are tasked with being a pre-emptive force. They stopped countless threats before anyone knew about them. As I said they were a formidable group and had little to fear in the park. The ground around the keep is warded and will deter most of the lower creatures,” said Calisto.
Cade placed Gan down on one of the settees that were around the entryway. Two young men entered the foyer. They dressed Gan’s wound and removed him.
“You can stay here for a few days. It will take some time before you draw attention to yourself. The keep itself is warded so you should remain hidden from most,” said Calisto.
Sepia looked around at the men and women who were dressed in simple clothes going about several tasks.
“Who are they?” said Cade. He looked at the two until they were out of sight, taking note of the stairway they used at the rear of the foyer.
“They help here in the keep. Humans who entered the park and found themselves lost,” said Calisto.
“You mean slaves. You kept them here?” said Sepia. Anger laced her words.
For a brief moment, anger flared in Calisto’s eyes.
“Indignation does not suit you, hunter. Who is keeping who? Are we not in a large cage? Are the wards keeping others out or the Unholy--a human term for the denizens of the park-- in?”
Sepia, her face flushed in shame, couldn’t answer.
“I’m sorry, but those people,” said Sepia.
“They are here of their own free will since each was given the choice of leaving the park to return to their lives. They chose to stay here. Many of them were living on the streets, the usual prey for the Unholy,” said Calisto.
Sepia looked around and could see more of the helpers cleaning or walking with purpose to attend to some duty. They looked happy despite living in the most dangerous area in the city.
“I guess this is an improvement over the streets,” said Cade.
“It certainly is,” said Calisto. She spoke to one of the women who approached.
“Martha here will show you to your rooms. Try and get some rest, since tomorrow will be a long day.”
Martha led them through the corridors to their respective rooms where they both slept through the night. In the morning Martha knocked on their doors and led them to the dining room. Breakfast was on the table and Gan was already eating. Calisto was beside him and they were discussing something when Sepia and Cade walked in. They both grew silent while Sepia and Cade ate. Once breakfast was done Calisto stood, looking sidelong at Gan, she spoke to Sepia.
“Come, I doubt your arrival here was an accident or went unnoticed so we may as well make the most of it.”
“What do you mean not an accident?” said Sepia.
“It was clear you were supposed to come here, to the park,” said Calisto.
“How do you figure that?” said Cade.
“Tell me you trained them better than this, Gan. They can’t possibly be this naïve,” said Calisto.
Gan gave her a hard look and she softened a bit.
“You’l
l have to forgive me. I’m just not used to dealing with people. It’s been a long time since I have had anyone to speak to, besides Ursa,” she said. It was her turn to give Gan a hard look. He coughed and turned away. “Please come with me, we do have to prepare.”
She began walking down one of the side corridors after speaking to one of the young girls.
“Prepare? Prepare for what?” said Sepia. They followed Calisto who moved at a fast pace.
“He will be coming, the one we call Chimera. He is a Nightmare Lord and surpasses any number you may have on a threat scale for those creatures.” She stole a glance a Gan as she said this.
“And he knows we are here? How does he know this?” said Cade.
“I am certain he knows you are here but it will take some time before he can find you. How he knows is simple, even though he may be confined to the park, he has informants and spies outside,” said Calisto as she took one corridor after the other. They entered a large training area. Gan came in after them.
“What is he, a brute? Something large? Just put me on the roof and I’ll take him down,” said Cade.
“With bullets? You intend to shoot it?” asked Calisto. “I’m afraid it will take more than that.”
“All I need is one clean shot. One Nightmare, --lord or not, --I can drop him,” said Cade as he tapped his rifle. Gan shook his head.
“Bullets won’t stop this Nightmare, boy. Come with me and I’ll show you how you can slow it down and maybe buy us a few seconds, maybe enough to save your sorry ass,” said Gan.
Calisto took Sepia off to the other side of the training area.
“Let’s begin. Draw your blade and align with it,” said Calisto.
Sepia drew Perdition from its scabbard. Calisto clapped her hands together and slowly spread them apart, forming a blade from energy.
“What kind of blade is that?” asked Sepia.
“When you progress far enough you will be able to store your blade within you, eliminating the need for a scabbard,” said Calisto. “Each hunter has a unique method of retrieval.”
“Store it where?”
Calisto held her blade in her hand. Its steel gleamed with its own light.
“A blade is just another expression of energy. Like the matter around us. A named blade like yours will be easier to store once you learn how, but for now let’s work on your alignment,” said Calisto.
Four days passed in this way. Each day Calisto took Sepia to the training area to work on her blade alignment while Gan took Cade aside to work on the vulnerable aspects of targets and which weapons to use.
Now, on the fifth day the keep felt empty somehow. That morning Martha did not awaken Sepia, rather it was Calisto who came to her room.
“I’m afraid our time has come to a close. I have received news that Chimera will be on the move here soon. Unfortunately you are not ready to face him yet,” said Calisto.
“I’m aligned now, don’t you think I can handle him?” said Sepia.
“You aren’t fully aligned. As you are now, he will kill you in short order. Being aligned is only the beginning. I have prepared a room to mask you, but you must leave through the tunnels. Gan and I will slow him down enough for you to get out of the park.”
“Out of the park?”
Calisto nodded as she began moving. “It’s the only way you will be safe. A word of caution, you cannot trust your fellow hunters, since the spy Chimera has must be among them or your organization, The Order. Treat everyone as a potential enemy.”
Gan came around the corner with Cade and several bags of ammo and rifle parts. Falling in behind Calisto, Gan gave Cade some magazines.
“Remember you are not to engage this creature.” Gan was speaking with Cade as they walked up.
“In this room is a hatch that leads to tunnels. These tunnels will take you to the west side of the park. Stay on the main artery and do not deviate from that. If you do you will get lost down there,” said Gan. He and Cade looked at their watches and synced the time.
“Once I give you the signal you head down and jackrabbit through. Don’t stop for anyone or anything, understand?” said Gan.
Calisto was walking deeper into the keep. It smelled musty and Sepia could see cobwebs across most of the corners.
“I got it, old man, are you coming with?”
“What did I just say? You don’t wait for anyone. You keep going until you are out on the other side,” said Gan.
Sepia could sense the fear in the air. “Is this Nightmare Lord really that powerful?”
Gan looked at Calisto. Sepia caught the nod he gave her. Calisto turned to Sepia.
“Every creature in park fears Chimera,” said Calisto.
“Why is that?” said Sepia.
Calisto turned another corner and stood before a large reinforced door.
“In here, both of you. This room should mask you until you use the tunnels,” said Calisto.
“Why, Calisto? What is it that they fear?” said Sepia.
Calisto was about to close the door, she turned and faced Sepia, sadness in her eyes.
“He is incredibly powerful, but he has one thing that sets him apart from all others.”
“What?” said Sepia not really wanting to hear the answer.
“His eyes hunter, he has eyes just like yours,” said Calisto.
Calisto closed the door and the room began to give off a low level hum.
Sepia felt like she just been gut-checked. The air rushed out of her lungs and she sat on the bed, stunned.
“Hey, so what it has eyes like yours? That proves nothing. You are still you. C’mon, let’s get moving. Find the hatch, we need to be ready to go. Shake it off,” said Cade.
Sepia snapped out of her reverie.
“Fine, I’ll locate the hatch you get our things ready to move,” said Sepia.
“That’s what I just, -- never mind,” said Cade.
“What is this signal Gan is going to give you?” said Sepia.
“He said we will feel a small earthquake and that will be our signal to haul ass.”
“A small earthquake. You do realize this is still New York? We are sitting on bedrock,” said Sepia.
She continued to search the floor for the hatch, without luck.
“Do you think they may have gotten the wrong room? I’m not seeing a hatch anywhere around here,” she said.
“Take a breath and spread out, find the gap in the floor beneath us.”
Why didn’t I think of that? Sepia stood in the middle of the room and took several deep breaths. She let her senses spread out and felt under the floor in the upper right corner a depression.
“Found it!” said Sepia. She moved over to the corner and looked for a handle or latch to open the trapdoor. She felt around for a few moments and found the latch. Grabbing it with both hands, she pulled until the muscles in her arms bulged. Nothing happened for a moment and then she felt the rush of air as the trapdoor opened revealing a staircase.
“I can’t believe there’s a Nightmare out there powerful enough to scare Calisto. She helped train my mother; it means she has to have some skill. Did you see what she did with the sword?”
“Every day. That clap and ‘pull the sword out of thin air’ bit is impressive and scary as hell,” said Cade.
“And yet this Nightmare is off the scale? Maybe we should stay and help?” Cade gave her a look.
“No, Blue. You know I always have your back, but we aren’t staying,” said Cade as he rubbed his hand through his hair. “Calisto looked pretty freaked out about this Chimera guy. We aren’t sticking around to find out why.”
Sepia stopped pacing and crossed her arms on her chest, glaring at Cade.
“Don’t give me that look, Blue. You heard her. The thing is off the charts.”
“Fine, how soon until we get this signal?” said Sepia.
“It should be any moment now according to Gan. This Chimera knows where we are, so he should be heading our way,” said Cade.
>
“Maybe we can head out and then come back in, so we give it the impression we are escaping but we aren’t,” said Sepia.
Cade threw up his hands in frustration while mumbling under his breath. “Fine, fine, we want to go out and rush into the Nightmare that is going to crush us. Sure why not?”
“Okay, okay, we stick to the plan. I hate this. I hate running,” said Sepia.
“Don’t think of it as running, think of it as a strategic withdrawal. Let’s go wait in the tunnel,” he said.
Sepia glared at him as she descended the stairs. She began to feel a strange sensation across her skin. It felt like an immense buildup of static electricity.
“Cade, I can feel him getting closer,” she said.
Cade started undoing the several grenades he kept on him. He assembled them to create a chain detonation for increased firepower.
“Let’s make sure no one follows us down this tunnel,” he said. He began to rig the grenades at the beams reinforcing the tunnel.
“The cross beams aren’t the weak spots. Put the grenades there on the joists,” said Sepia.
“This is not my first explosive adventure, Blue,” he said.
He placed several grenades on each joist and tied the pins together with filament.
“Sorry, let’s just get out of here,” she said. They both headed down the tunnel as far as the filament would allow without pulling the pins.
Sepia could still feel the low thrum of power coursing through the room.
“Once I pull these, we run like there’s no tomorrow, if not we get buried in here and this was all for nothing,” said Cade.
Sepia remained silent clearly upset about leaving the park.
“I’m sorry about this, Blue, but this is the best way. We have to make sure you get safe,” said Cade.
“What are you talking about? We’re both getting out of here.”
Cade side kicked Sepia, taking her off guard as she fell and rolled forward several feet. He rushed toward the grenade filled joists pulling all of the pins. Sepia had barely enough time to recover when the grenades went off.
“Cade, no! Cade, are you there?” The dust and the rubble made it impossible to see. She calmed her breathing and sensed him on the other side of the rubble heading back into the keep.
Rise of the Night (Sepia Blue Book 1) Page 9
