The Midnight Man (The Mancer Trilogy Book 2)

by Alan Scott

  One of the bolder creatures surged forward. Solomon let it get within ten feet of him before he snapped his fingers and the hideously disfigured creature collapsed with a fractured ankle. “Ghoul,” sneered Solomon as, with another click, he broke the ghoul’s neck.

  A group of six charged towards him. Solomon released a fireball from the palm of his hand, which erupted amongst the creatures, turning them all into living torches.

  Solomon deflected two magic attacks. “Ah, at last! Here come the big hitters,” he whispered. Standing upright, he pulled his sword from its cane sheath and started to move towards the milling throng coming his way. “Now we shall see who I am.”

  ***

  The man pretending to be Solomon Pace walked down the dim street. Oceania and her husband walked abreast of him. From the side street, a pack of the Brethren came into view, laughing. Their leader caught sight of them and shouted out, “What have we here...”

  Before he could finish his sentence, lightning sprang from the Solomon Pace impostor, striking down the leader and four of his men. Oceania held out her hand and slowly made a fist. Four other men started to shrivel and scream, as their skin cracked and broke, and blood began to seep from their shrivelling flesh. Their screams only intensified as Oceania continued to draw all the water out of their bodies, and within a few more seconds, they were nothing more than dead dried shrivelled husks. Now held in Oceania’s delicate hand was a whip made of water.

  The final two Brethren took one look at their fallen colleagues and raced away towards the market square.

  “Shall we, husband?” asked Oceania.

  “Let’s, wife,” answered the large man.

  The pair of them continued to walk down the street.

  The man pretending to be Solomon Pace grinned widely and twirled his cane, as he, too, continued to proceed toward the market square.

  ***

  Adele placed her hand in her mouth to stop herself from screaming. Creatures from her darkest nightmares were doing battle with Solomon Pace in a scene that only a mad man could imagine. The trees next to the road were on fire, causing great shadows to swirl and cut across the macabre view. Bits of bodies littered the ground, adding to the madness, as did the screams from the dying.

  And in the middle of all the chaos, pain, and darkness danced Solomon Pace, his sword striking out at creatures, which dared to get within his reach. Dark energies flowed from his other hand, blasting creatures, both living and Undead, into pieces. However, he was not unscathed. His clothes were slashed and ripped. Blood ran freely from many cuts. Yet, despite this, the aura of power, arrogance, and superiority still radiated from him.

  Biting hard onto her hand, Adele continued to watch.

  ***

  The vampyre known as John Grass rushed from the town hall, his followers streaming behind him. He flashed his teeth and drew his sword as he watched the trio make their sedate way towards him.

  “Who are you to dare challenge the Brethren of the Night?” he bellowed out.

  Solomon Pace’s impersonator sent lightning crashing towards John Grass. The bolt struck and killed all those near the vampyre, but left John untouched.

  “Fool!” spat John. “Do you not know that magic has no affect on vampyres?”

  The man pretending to be Solomon Pace smiled and sent another blast of lightning into the crowd surrounding the vampyre.

  “What are you doing?” screamed John Grass.

  More lightning was sent.

  The Brethren broke ranks and charged the three protagonists. “Wait!” shouted Grass, to no avail. “Oh, fuck it!” he decreed and charged alongside his men.

  Oceania waited until the charging crowd was within ten feet before sending a blast of wind into the seething mob, causing many of them to be hurtled backwards. Those few that did manage to get within five feet of Oceania were met by the water whip. As it was lashed out, the end would split into five different streams. Each stream would seek out an attacker’s throat and drive itself down into the lungs, filling them with water. As Oceania brought the whip back, it would fuse back to a single strand, leaving only drowning men in its wake.

  From the corner of her eye, she noticed the vampyre moving towards her. “Husband,” she calmly said.

  “I see him, wife,” replied the Kraken as he moved to intercept the advancing creature.

  ***

  “Oh, shit!” declared Kimberley as she, Lindsey, and Mandy watched from their hiding place in the street.

  “What?” asked Lindsey.

  “The vampyre is going to attack the woman!”

  “Oh, no!”

  “Wait, that huge man is stepping between the two.”

  “He will be killed,” pointed out Mandy. “No one can stand against a vam...”

  “Did you see that?” asked Kimberley, quietly.

  “Yes,” both her friends replied together.

  “How did he move so fast?” asked Mandy.

  “He must be very strong,” said Lindsey.

  “Who are they?” asked Kimberley.

  ***

  The Kraken looked down at the sliced-and-diced vampyre, and spat on the remains. “Their best is not very good.”

  “We have done what we have come to do, beloved.” Oceania went up on her toes and kissed her husband’s cheek.

  “Mmm, yes,” the Kraken looked over at the other man, “if this is over?”

  “”Oh, yes. There is some minor finishing up to do, but I have three Dev’ver having fun at the back of the hall, and a number of my men out there looking after the stragglers. I will stay for an hour longer.”

  “Then we shall depart, as I sense no more vampyres in the vicinity,” said Oceania.

  “Farewell, sister, and to you, Kraken.”

  “Farewell, brother,” said Oceania, as she opened a shadow-door and stepped through with her husband.

  ***

  The sensation of pain managed to seep back into Adele’s numbed mind, as the copper taste of blood filled her mouth. She quickly removed her damaged hand and glanced at the deep teeth marks that marred the skin.

  There was a terrible calm now surrounding the area where the battle had been fought. A few trees crackled as flames clung to life on the blackened branches, their faint light illuminating the scene and highlighting him.

  He stood stock still, staring at the ground before lifting his arms out to his sides and raising his head to the sky. Slowly and steadily, he declared to the universe, “I AM Solomon Pace!” Dropping his arms to the side, he turned and headed towards Adele. As he did so, his clothes melted away from him, leaving him naked as he strode towards the stunned and wide-eyed woman.

  Adele swallowed hard as she watched Solomon approach. He had a dancer’s build and balance - taut muscles over a lean frame. Even naked, Solomon radiated power and, yes - Adele swallowed hard again - a raw and dangerous sexuality. He stopped ten feet from her and held out his arms. Shadows swayed and pulsed as they washed over him, and when they vanished, he was left wearing a smart suit with matching shoes.

  Pace closed the distance to Adele, and offered his hand. Taking it, Adele was gently pulled upright. Solomon turned his head to look at the dead, which littered the countryside. “Guess I just needed the exercise.” Leaning on his cane, Solomon continued, “You had better go now and tell them what you have seen.”

  “What about you?” managed Adele.

  Solomon took a deep breath and held it for a moment before letting it out. “Me? Well, I have an appointment to keep.”

  “What about the fake Solomon?”

  “What about him?”

  “Well, aren’t you angry about it?”

  “I will deal with him when the time comes; however, right now, Adele...”

  “Yes?”

  “...it’s time to run.”

  Adele looked into Solomon’s harsh face and piercing eyes, and gulped. “I’m off,” she said as she turned and ran.

  ***

  Twenty minutes later


  The fake Solomon Pace scratched his cheek and smiled in satisfaction. All the Brethren in the town were dead and the Dev’ver had just finished hunting down those that had tried to run. The smile changed to one of puzzlement a moment later.

  “Boss?”

  “Yes.”

  “I have found the reinforcements.”

  “Ah, where are they?”

  “Dead.”

  “What do you mean - dead?”

  “They are all dead.”

  “How?”

  “By someone very dangerous, boss.”

  “Okay.” Solomon’s imitator cancelled the connection and glanced over to where the three girls were standing. There would be questions and he was sure that Kimberley was already having major doubts. He saw Adele run into view and make straight for her friends. He continued watching for a few moments before making up his mind. He opened a shadow-door and stepped through.

  ***

  Kimberley stared at Adele. “What?”

  “I saw him wipe out the reinforcements,” gasped Adele. “It was terrible.” Adele fought to keep her voice from shaking. “He was terrible… He was…”

  “Commanding, arrogant, total bastard,” interrupted Kimberley.

  “Yes,” nodded Adele.

  “THAT was Solomon Pace.”

  “If you are correct, then who was that?” asked a confused Lindsey.

  The three women watched as a shadow-door opened and the man impersonating Solomon Pace stepped through and out of their lives.

  ***

  The man disguised as Solomon Pace stepped through the portal and breathed deep of the jasmine-filled air. Closing his eyes, he smiled at the gentle sound of rain created by the water feature. Opening his eyes, the man’s face and body began to blur and shake, only to stop seconds later to reveal the youthful face of Lucas Pace. “Well, brother, never let it be said that I don’t keep your name and legend alive.” Rolling his shoulders and whistling badly, Lucas made his way out of his garden and out into the town.

  ***

  “I do not know,” replied a puzzled Kimberley.

  “What about the real one?” asked Mandy.

  “Ah, yes - the other one,” added Lindsey.

  Kimberley’s face fell. “Mother!” Kimberley started to run. “Oh, shit! Mother!”

  ***

  The room was lit only by the full moon, which flooded in through the window. Within the room sat Daniele Weir, wearing her best dress. Her hands were folded on her lap, her eyes closed, and a faint smile on her lips. The screaming and sounds of violence had stopped, and a very restful silence had descended.

  Daniele’s smile spread as she heard the footsteps coming down the hall, accompanied by the tap-tap of a cane. The footsteps halted and the door to the livingroom swung open. Daniele’s smile got wider as she opened her eyes. There he stood - silhouetted within the doorframe, leaning casually on his cane.

  “You are late,” she said, simply.

  “I’ve been preoccupied.”

  Standing, Daniele straightened her dress and crossed her hands in front of her.

  Solomon smiled devilishly and held out his hand. “Dance?”

  ***

  With her blood pounding in her ears and her heart racing, Kimberley raced down the road to the house where she and her mother lived. “Mother!” she screamed, as she hurtled to the front door. Bouncing slightly off the outside wall, she flung it open. “Mother, answer me!” Breathing deeply, Kimberley made her way to the livingroom. Frantically, she looked inside – it was empty. “Fuck, fuck, fuck!” Kimberley shouted whilst stamping her foot.

  Taking a deep and calming breath, she allowed herself one last “Fuck!” before squaring her shoulders and marching out of the house. “Right, time to find my mum.”

  ***

  Solomon and Daniele stepped from the shadow-door into the moonlit glade.

  “Your timing, as always, is excellent, Sol.”

  “Thank you,” replied Solomon as he moved away. He pushed the tip of his cane into the earth, took off his jacket, and hung it over the intricately carved handle. Gracefully turning, he offered his hand.

  Daniele moved forward. “It has been a while.”

  Solomon slid one hand around her waist and took her hand in his other. “I shall be gentle.”

  “You, gentle?” Daniele lightly laughed.

  Then the music began.

  Daniele tried her best to keep up with Solomon, but it had been too many years. She was out of practice and her feet were no longer nimble. Stumbling, Daniele swore, “Damn,” and fought hard against the tears. Solomon gripped her waist tighter, preventing Daniele from falling.

  They danced for a few more minutes before Solomon stopped, released Daniele, and took a step back. “Is there anything wrong?”

  “No. Now, shall we?” Daniele moved to take his hand again.

  Solomon took a step back and silently placed his hands behind his back.

  “Please,” Daniele whispered.

  Solomon looked at the woman before him. Shaking his head, he turned around and moved towards his jacket and cane.

  “Please.”

  Solomon walked away.

  “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry...”

  Solomon continued on.

  “...sorry that I'm not the woman I once was - the woman you need.”

  “None of us are what we once were, Daniele,” replied Solomon, without a pause in his step.

  “I am sorry I let you down, Sol. I am sorry I hurt you. I did not want to hurt you.”

  Solomon stopped walking and stared at the ground with an unreadable expression on his face. Moments passed, then Solomon turned and made his way back to the quietly weeping woman. “Not all dances are fast.” Taking Daniele in hand, Solomon led her in a waltz to a gentler melody.

  Daniele placed her head on Solomon’s chest. “Thank you.”

  Solomon kept on dancing.

  “I could dance the entire night away like this, Sol.”

  “And you will, Daniele, you will.”

  Time passed, and music and tempo changed from slow to medium and back again, but the dancing never reached the giddy speeds of years gone past. Daniele felt herself getting tired and her feet ached, but never once did she complain - never once did she let Solomon down.

  As the dawn chorus announced the start of new day, Daniele could barely hold herself up. She was cold, her mind was numb, she could no longer feel her feet, and she was exhausted. She felt a gentle kiss on her cheek and she smiled. “You danced well, Daniele.”

  “Thank you, Sol.”

  “Consider your debt paid.”

  “Thank you.”

  Solomon Pace helped the woman slowly crumble to the ground, then turned and walked away from her. It was with a knowing smile that he heard the approaching voices as he continued on his way.

  “MUM!” screamed Kimberley as she jumped from the cart. She had just seen her mother collapse from the arms of the man who was now walking away. “MUM!” screamed Kimberley again as she raced to the fallen woman.

  “Come on, Lindsey,” urged Mandy as both women followed Kimberley. Turning to the man who was driving the cart, Mandy called out, “Please, wait here, Master Jones.”

  “Will do, Mandy.”

  “Thank you.” With that, Mandy rushed towards her friends.

  “Mum!” Kimberley dropped to her knees and clasped her mother’s shoulder.

  “Oh, shite,” commented Lindsey as she arrived and saw Daniele’s blood-soaked shoes.

  “Mum,” Kimberley gently shook the prone woman.

  Daniele smiled, weakly. “I did it. I danced with Sol one last time.”

  Kimberley raised her tear-filled eyes to where Solomon Pace was donning his jacket. He then retrieved his cane and, without looking back, exited through a shadow-door. “Was it worth it, Mum?”

  “Oh, yes, child, it was worth...”

  “Mum!” called Kimberley. “Mum!” Kimberley gave her mum a push.
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  Mandy knelt down and placed her hand on Daniele’s neck. After a moment, she said, “I’m sorry, Daniele. Your mum has passed away.”

  “No!” Kimberley could no longer hold back the tears.

  “I’m afraid so.” Mandy stood. “I’ll go and get a blanket.”

  Lindsey moved herself around and placed her arm across Kimberley’s shoulder, holding her friend close.

  Mandy walked up to the cart and Master Jones. “Do you have a blanket? I’m sorry to say that Mistress Daniele Weir has passed away.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that, Mandy.”

  “It was kind of you to drive us through the night to this glade.”

  “It was not a problem. Daniele hired me over the years to help search for this place. She was a woman on a mission, I can tell you.”

  “You found it, though.”

  “Oh, yes. Two years ago. She cried for an hour. Anyway, here is a blanket. Give me a wave when you want me to bring the cart up and load the body.”

  “Will do.”

  “Oh, Mandy.”

  “Yes?”

  “What did she die of?”

  Mandy thought for a moment before saying, “It was her heart.”

  Chapter Nine

  A Strange Brew