Well that backfired.
“You are so disgustingly human,” he added with a hiss.
“So human?” said lip piercing, her voice growing smaller. “W-what do you mean?”
The Vampire didn’t answer. Instead he took a step closer. The girls moved towards the door, but after a glance from his boss, the bouncer blocked it with his large frame.
“I’ll have to move locations. But it will be worth it to rid the world of three vermin.”
The girls screamed and scrambled for the exit. They clawed at the doorman, trying to escape. He didn’t even flinch at their efforts.
“Let them go,” warned Gabriella.
Malachi turned around and stared at her. “Who do you think you are, talking down to me in my own bar?” His eyebrows swooped down over his eyes and he leaned forward, his nose turned up like he had smelled something sour. “What…are you anyway?”
Oh crap.
He was distracted by one of the girls letting out a hysterical scream. He gave a predatory smile and turned to face the bar. “Bloodseekers and Bloodlings listen up. You’ve got some drinks coming your way. On the house!”
Some of the Vampires cheered and rose to their feet.
Gabriella squeezed her bracelet. “Now!”
Everything happened at once. Malachi charged for the blonde girl just as we all cast off our jackets. I went to draw the Crimson Twins, hesitated and then opted for the gun instead. Gabriella ran for the owner and pulled him away — the points of his teeth millimetres from the girl’s throat. She dragged him back by his neck and threw him over the bar. The bartender had to dive out of the way as Malachi came flying past. He collided with the spirits shelf, smashing bottles and sending glass tinkling to the floor. The barman’s eyes went wide.
“Guardians!” he yelled, pointing at me. There were roars of indignation as the effect of the belts became redundant. A few more patrons scrambled through the back door. Others stood up to join the fight. A gaunt looking Bloodling charged for me. I aimed the gun and squeezed the trigger. The bullet hit him in the chest, lifting him right off his feet and sending him careering through a set of chairs. He made a groaning sound and then passed out.
I watched as Gabriella pulled away two of the girls behind her. She tried to help the remaining pierced lip girl, but the bouncer sent her spiralling to the floor with a backhand swat. He grabbed the screaming girl’s hair and wrenched her head back. His fangs slid down.
There was no time to do anything.
Without warning, all of the oxygen drained from the room. My lungs felt constricted, like an elastic band had been wrapped around them. I literally couldn’t catch my breath. Around me, those who needed air were gasping. The bouncer stopped his attack and looked around, confused. The pressure in the air grew stronger and both my ears popped. Then suddenly the space in front of the bouncer shimmered and became Midnight.
Whoa.
He slipped two wooden stakes from his pouch and drove them through the bouncer’s shins, pinning him to the door. The Vampire screamed in agony and the girl escaped his grip. Midnight flung her towards the others. Then he smashed his forehead into the bouncer’s nose. There was a sickening crunch and the Vampire’s head flopped into his chest.
Something hit me hard from behind. The impact knocked all the air from my lungs and I stumbled forward. I dropped the gun and it rolled underneath a table. I turned just in time to see a furious Bloodseeker, before it drove a fist as solid as a brick into the side of my face. White hot pain seared across my temple and down into my jaw. I dodged the next punch and pivoted on the spot, smacking the Vampire on the back of the head with my elbow. He grunted and took a few steps back. I sprung forward and rugby tackled him to the ground. Pinning his arms down, I grit my teeth and repeatedly punched his face. When he looked woozy, I reached my hands over my shoulders and drew both swords. His eyes went wide when he saw them. I scissored them across his neck.
“I suggest you stay still.”
I heard a yell and looked up. Rachel had been flung over a table by a Skinshifter. Now it was shedding its skin. Before it could complete the transformation, Delagio sent it flying with a helicopter kick. The half emerging beast yelped as it glanced off a pillar. Delagio turned towards the pool tables and extended his hands. The pool balls shuddered and swept off the table towards him. They started spiralling around his body in rotating loops, faster and faster, until they were a blur. Then he thrust his hands out in the direction of the dazed shifter. The balls shot out like bullets from a machine gun, slamming into the creature with dull thuds. He howled and collapsed to the floor unconscious.
I sensed the Incubus before he reached me. I turned to see him charge, wielding a kitchen blade. My instincts took over and I swept out with one of the swords. A loud hiss, like burning oil filled the room. We both watched as the hand, still clutching the knife separated from his arm. It spiralled in the air and landed on the table, tip of the blade buried in the wood. Despite the gruesomeness of it, I almost laughed. It was like something from a cheesy horror movie. The Incubus let out a blood-curdling scream and sank to his knees. Black smoke rolled off the edge of the sword. I looked at the Incubus’s wound. It had been somehow cauterised by the blade.
Midnight moved over to him and looked down at his handcuffs, shrugged and then put the barman into a sleeper hold until he passed out.
The rest of the team carried on fighting until they were the only ones left standing.
I ordered the Bloodseeker to roll over and snapped a set of handcuffs on him. The skin sizzled where the oak lining bit into his skin. After a moment it took effect. He became subdued. Midnight dragged him over to the middle of the room, where all of our attackers lay in a row, cuffed and silent.
Gabriella leapt over the bar, landing in a crouch next to Malachi. I heard a click and she stood, hoisting the dazed Vampire up by his collar. His hands were cuffed behind his back. He groggily snapped his teeth at her, before his head fell forward to his chest. I stood up and breathed out hard.
The girls were whimpering, huddled together in the corner. I scanned the bar, surveying the damage. It was only then that I saw the bathroom door open and a familiar figure creep out and attempt to move through the shadows unnoticed.
Dakin.
What’s a Guardian doing in an illegal bar? He didn’t seem to notice that I’d spotted him. He slipped silently through the doorway. “Ella, come here,” I said. Gabriella laid Malachi next to the others and headed over. “You don’t need me now do you?” I asked. She raised an eyebrow. “Well no, but where are you going?” I was already heading towards the back of the bar. “No time to explain. Trust me.” I slipped through the exit.
28
I shadowed Dakin as quietly as I could. The escape route led to a dusty corridor system. Emergency lights bathed the area in a sickly yellow hue. The walls may have been white once, but now were thick with grime.
I watched as Dakin rounded a corner and waited for a few seconds before following. I kept low to the ground, trailing him around a dizzying number of corners and down passages. As I turned into yet another corridor, the acrid stench of urine and blood attacked my nose, making me gag. Ahead, a set of metal doors had been wrenched open — presumably by the escaping punters. They led to a ramp, which Dakin scrambled up. Keeping my footsteps as light as I could manage, I followed after him.
A Hivemind screamed at me.
I had to clamp a hand over my mouth to keep from crying out. I scrambled away and covered my face to protect myself from the inevitable attack. When it didn’t come, I opened my eyes and realised that the creature was inside a huge cage set into the wall. It stared at me from behind the wire mesh. I noticed dozens more behind it, drool dripping from their teeth and forming puddles on the floor. Again they screeched at me, but stayed motionless, staring with slick black eyes, unable to attack without permission. I shuddered.
Hurrying past, I headed up the ramp and out into the muggy night. I found myself in an in
dustrial area that I vaguely recognised.
We were back in Chapter Hill.
All around me were warehouses. Dakin vaulted onto the roof of one ahead. I waited a few seconds and then followed, praying he wouldn’t see me.
Where the hell is he going?
All I knew was that I didn’t trust him. Rachel and the others may have vouched for him, but the way he glared at me, it was more than just dislike — it was hate.
He vaulted from roof to roof and I followed as stealthily as possible. After a while, my eyesight adjusted to the darkness and trailing Dakin became easier. I hid behind air vents and brickwork to keep from being spotted. But Dakin never even glanced in my direction. He thinks he got away unnoticed. Even so, I wished I could stop my heartbeat, like I’d held my breath, in case he heard its frantic drumming.
He dropped down onto street level and slunk towards an unassuming warehouse near the back. Without warning, he checked over his shoulder. I dived behind an old skip. It felt like a hummingbird was beating its wings against my chest. A cold sweat broke out on my forehead and I waited for him to come and confront me.
Nothing happened.
I leaned out. He was still looking warily in other directions for signs of pursuers. Then he curled up his fist and banged in a complicated rhythm on the metal door. A few seconds later it was opened and he disappeared inside.
I counted to thirty and then slipped from my hiding place, running low towards the warehouse. I pressed myself against the wall and was just about to leap onto the roof, when I noticed a small symbol painted in white on the metal by my foot.
A crudely drawn eye. The Eye of the Abyss.
Fear gripped my chest. Suddenly I wished I’d brought the rest of Orion with me. Not this. I didn’t expect this!
I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. I knew I couldn’t turn away now — I needed to find out exactly what Dakin was up to.
Vaulting up, I wrapped my hands over the warehouse edge and dragged myself carefully onto the roof. I scanned around in the darkness and found what I was hoping for. Light shone out into the inky night from a section of skylight windows. I ran to them and lowered myself onto my stomach. The glass was filthy. I used my t-shirt to clear a little patch in the grime and peered through the glass.
The window looked into a large room. The walls had been painted with dozens of SOS symbols. They glistened in thick black — little tears of paint — seeping down from the main art. At one end were dozens of racks, filled with a multitude of vicious weapons. At the other end stood a plinth, which had been fashioned into a rudimentary stage. Standing in front of it was a large crowd, dressed in red, hooded cloaks. From my angle, I could just about make out their faces. There were all manner of species, I had seen before, including Vampires, Oni and Skinshifters, as well as some I hadn’t but recognised from the pages of my handbook, like Imps and Goblins. But the one that looked the most terrifying dwarfed even the tallest Oni. It had oily black skin and a goat-like face. Two black horns protruded from its forehead and curved into twin spikes that arched above its head. I’d heard Tyler mention them once and read about the species recently in the handbook.
Devil.
I kept scanning the room, taking in each face to see if there was any I recognised. None of them looked familiar, which provided a small amount of comfort. I’d met most of the Guardians at the joining feast, which meant that the only Rogue appeared to be Dakin. That thought evaporated when the devil stepped forward and for split second I saw a face I couldn’t mistake. The birdlike features. The pale skin.
Sylvia.
I grit my teeth together in anger. This woman represented the Coven. She passed on our missions. If she was corrupt then the entire chain was corrupt. The bitch could make us walk into anything she wanted.
A door opened and Dakin entered the room. He was dressed in the same cloak as the other members. He merged with the crowd and I lost him amongst the sea of red.
All those in attendance were talking amongst themselves. Their noise blended into a single roar of sound and even with my improved hearing, I couldn’t single any of them out. One by one, they stopped talking and turned to face the stage. I craned my neck to see what they were looking at.
A man stood on the plinth, hand raised to silence the Soldiers of Sorrow.
The man was Sage Asmund.
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Sage Asmund wasn’t merely a disgruntled hybrid or Pandemonian or even a pissed off Witch. He’s the leader of an entire base! I finally understood how much the HASEA was suffering. The corruption was everywhere. A sick feeling rose in the pit of my stomach. It took all of my strength not to vomit.
He raised a second arm to join the first and complete silence descended on the room.
“My fellow Soldiers of Sorrow,” he announced. “Before we get down to the reason I have called you all here tonight, Brother Dakin has brought it to my attention that he narrowly avoided detection whilst trying to recruit new brothers and sisters in The Black Tap. Yet again, the HASEA fiends swooped in, raining down their bigoted oppression of the superior races. And for what? Humans?”
There was a roar of indignation from the crowd.
“Well no more!” Asmund grew louder. “They think they can do what they want without repercussions. Where was the justice when their newest recruit — the one they put their misguided faith in — killed Brother Dakin’s maker?”
There were more cries and fists pumped in to the air.
I froze. Rahuman was his maker? No wonder he hates me!
Around me there were more roars of anger. Fangs popped down and shifters struggled to keep their human form intact.
“The HASEA is nothing more than a bunch of human lovers who have made weak Pandemonians and Hybrids roll over like faithful dogs!” However, mark my words! Tomorrow evening that changes!” he paused. “Tomorrow The Sorrow comes.”
The room hushed.
I leaned in further, pressing my nose against the glass. My heart hammered in my chest. I prayed no one looked up.
Sage Asmund pointed a finger at the crowd. “So far, none of you have managed to complete the simple task of killing one solitary little Chosen. But it is out of your hands now. Hades has spoken. The boy is to be left to the Sorrow.”
There were murmurs of disapproval from the crowd. The devil let out a guttural growl that drowned out everything like a vocal tidal wave.
Asmund looked at the beast warily. “Do not let yourselves become angry brothers and sisters, you all still have so much you can give. This is what we have been waiting for. Why some have pretended, and others have remained hidden for so long. As I speak, The Sorrow lies in wait, unable to pass through the Veil. But its tracking is complete. The boy cannot run or hide. Tomorrow evening, we will attack the Warren and force that old fool to unseal the Veil! The Sorrow will pass through and claim their Alexander Eden!”
There was a crescendo of roaring enthusiasm. I could feel my skin crawling. I’d thought I was safe. But these people were declaring all-out war. Just so that thing could come and kill me.
“The boy represents more than a simple threat to Hades. He represents hope. Hope of a new rising of Chosen. Hope of our defeat. Hope of an end to the Ageless war. When The Sorrow extinguishes his life, the faith of the HASEA dies with him. More will turn to us.” He raised his hand into the air and coiled it into a fist. “Then we will crush those that remain!”
The room exploded into a roar of noise. He continued to shout above the snarls, growls and hisses. “Brothers and sisters, many of you may lose your lives tomorrow. But know that you fight for a cause greater than yourself. A right to be free of the HASEA! To sweep aside the human vermin. To prepare Earth for Hades reign!” He thrust his fists into the air and the roar from the crowd was so heavy, it made the window vibrate. I shrank back from the glass. I didn’t need to hear any more. My mind was racing. I needed to get back. I needed to warn everyone.
The SOS were coming to kill us.
&n
bsp; “I’m going to rip his frigging head off!” hissed Scarlett. “I trusted that bastard with my life.”
“Scarlett, calm down,” interrupted Tyler, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “Faru, how did no one know that Dakin’s maker was Rahuman?”
The whole of Orion — minus Sophia — as well as Scarlett and Tyler were standing in Faru’s office. After witnessing the SOS meeting, I’d sprinted all the way back through the maze of corridors to The Black Tap. The bar had been crawling with agents, loading our attackers into armoured vans. Gabriella and the rest of the team had still been there. I’d breathlessly explained what I’d seen to a horrified reception. We’d headed straight back to the Warren and called an emergency meeting with Faru, where I’d repeated what I’d witnessed again.
Faru placed his hands down on the desk and shook his head slowly. “He made us believe that his maker had been a Bloodling long since dead. He had always been such a good Guardian, I had no reason to doubt his words.”
“But what about the mind thing? Surely you would have seen?” I said.
“No. I cannot see into the minds of Pandemonians, or hybrids. I can only establish a communication link with them. That is all.” His face seemed to crumble with distress. He bowed his head and took a deep breath. “Sage Asmund was a dear friend to me; I have known him for over a century. How could he do this to us? Dakin, served this base for decades. Never once did I suspect he had ulterior motives.” His hands coiled into fists on the desk.“And Sylvia. All of these years, supporting the Alliance and protecting the Earth from the threat of Hades. How could I have been so close and failed to see it? Even Lafelei’s words alluded to her betrayal.” “What do you mean?” I asked. “Betrayed by the Moon and Stars.” The words sank in and it dawned on me. “Moon’s edge. The name of the Coven. And Witches, they worship the stars don’t they?”
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