Moving to the keypad he closed his cell door. Then he wandered to me, opening my energetic cell then the empress’s. We moved to leave when I heard familiar voices call out, “Don’t forget about us.” Kristian growled and I glanced at him, stunned—I had actually forgotten.
“Of course,” I recovered. “Coming.” I ran further down the corridor and mimicked what Zarlach had done with the empress’s cell controller and their cell doors slid open. I was caught between happy and sad—happy that I was given another chance but sad that my friends had to suffer. Even now as I gaze upon them I knew something had shaken them to their very core and I wasn’t sure if it was Ivan or his henchmen. Kristian avoided my gaze while Beatrice forced a smile . . . something was wrong; I could feel it.
“Time to get out of here.” The empress mused. She stared intensely at the energy chain that held her shackles together. Bit by bit, the shackles began to freeze not before long she was able to break the bands shattering the ice. She repeated the process with the rest of us, eventually our wrists were free for the second time today.
I took in my surroundings, making sure no one entered. Once that was done, we departed out of the room and inched behind a bend, there were a few guards there, Zarlach and the empress sent a silent signal too each other than to us before disappearing after the guards. I planted my back against the wall and stared up at the lights overhead, when I heard nothing I glanced back around the corner and spied no one was there.
I glanced at Kristian and Beatrice who remained as confused as I was. I looked around the corner once again and found that Zarlach and the empress stood in the centre deep in a soft conversation. I transitioned into my Vampieruz form and followed after them, certain that Kristian and Beatrice also transitioned. I knew they did. I felt their increased energetic pressure it was like a beacon. Once we met up with Zarlach and the empress, our group was quick to exit the prison cells. “Do you remember how to phase?” he asked. I nodded, it was one of the few I managed to master because it was cool.
He turned to a wall and walked through it, I followed after and felt Beatrice and Kristian follow after. I ran through several walls after Zarlach and the empress. Once I caught up to him, he stopped in a room and I had to pull myself up quickly or risk crashing into him. Something I really didn’t want to happen. He held a finger to his lips and I glanced at what his eyes rested on, it was a sleeping monster one that was large and bristly. A handheld crossbow summoned in his hand and he aimed at the sleeping outlander. I didn’t like what he intended but I also knew that we needed to get out of here alive. I mouthed, “Don’t.” But it didn’t matter, Zarlach pulled the trigger and the sterling silver arrow flew through the air and through the neck of the monster, who gargled blood before clumping against the wall.
Zarlach turned from me and chased after the empress. I stood shocked. I felt something breathe down my neck—it was hot. Kristian tossed a throwing knife which gazed my cheek as it passed me and Beatrice was quick to transition. She sprinted towards me with her silver sword in hand. Her rapier punctured the monster I noticed stood behind me. I glanced over my shoulder and viewed the sight in absolute fear. An outlander was behind me this whole time and I never sensed him there. I felt my soft facial features burn and I knew that my cut had already healed. I peered over my shoulder and managed to catch a glimpse of the monster before it dusted away into nothing.
Beatrice caught my arm, “Time to go Princess.” I let her lead me but I never realised how much I hated what Zarlach did—there was no hesitation with him—no second thought. Just a silver arrow planted through the throat of an unfortunate Outlander. The way he did things sometimes really got under my skin especially when he was nosy. That really ticked me off. As we moved through the walls I was pulled to the ground by Kristian.
“Ow hey!” I hoarsely whispered. He smiled.
“You should really be more mindful of your surroundings.” he teased and I glared.
“Maybe you should be more mindful of whom you speak to.” I retorted. Zarlach hushed a shh and we fell silent. His gaze landed onto the pirates ahead of us.
I took in my surroundings making sure no one spotted us as we crouched behind large crates in the hanger bay. Once that was done, we departed out of the room and inched behind a bend, there were a few guards there, Zarlach and the empress sent a silent signal to each other than to us before disappearing after the guards. I planted my back against the wall and stared up at the lights overhead, when I heard nothing I glanced back around the corner and spied no one was there.
I viewed Kristian and Beatrice as they remained as confused as I was. I looked around the corner once again and found that Zarlach and the empress stood in the centre deep in a soft conversation. I transitioned into my Vampieruz form and followed after them, certain that Kristian and Beatrice didn’t transition. Once we met up with Zarlach and the empress our group was quick to exit the prison cells. “Do you remember how to phase?” he asked. I nodded, it was one of the few I managed to master because it was cool.
He turned to a wall and walked through it, I followed after and felt Beatrice and Kristian follow after. I ran through several walls after Zarlach and the empress surprised that in idol form Kristian and Beatrice could transition. Once I caught up to him, he stopped in a room and I had to pull myself up quickly or risk crashing into him. Something I really didn’t want to happen. He held a finger to his lips and I glanced at what his eyes rested on, it was a sleeping monster one that was large and bristly. A handheld crossbow summoned in his hand and he aimed it at it. I didn’t like what he intended but I also knew that we needed to get out of here alive. I mouthed, “Don’t.” But it didn’t matter, Zarlach pulled the trigger and the sterling silver arrow flew through the air and the monster gargled before clumping against the wall.
Zarlach turned from me and chased after the empress. I stood shocked. I felt something breathe down my neck—it was hot. Kristian transitioned and tossed a throwing knife which gazed my cheek while Beatrice was quick to transition, as well. She sprinted towards me with her silver sword in hand. Her rapier punctured the monster I only just noticed stood behind me. I glanced over my shoulder and viewed the sight in absolute fear. He was there all this time and I never knew—never sensed him there. I felt my skin burn and I knew that my cut had already healed. I peered over my shoulder and just managed to catch a glimpse of the monster dusted away into nothing. The flames that caught his form managed a small tickling flicker, before vanishing as his body turned to ash.
Beatrice caught my arm, “Time to go Princess.” I let her but never realised how much I hated what Zarlach did—there was no hesitation with him—no second thought. Just a silver arrow planted through the forefront of an unfortunate outlander. The way he did things sometimes really got under my skin especially when he was nosy. That really ticked me off. As we moved through the walls I was pulled to the ground by Kristian.
“Ow hey!” I hoarsely whispered. He smiled.
“You should really be more mindful of your surroundings.” he teased and I glared.
“Maybe you should be more mindful of whom you speak to.” I retorted. Zarlach hushed a shh and we fell silent. His gaze landed on the pirates ahead of us.
I watched as several men and women stood in a line, they passed containers filled with small glistening diamonds. They were like a working ship—quick and efficient they were as they passed the container filled with diamonds from one end to the other they started on the next one. I was beyond surprised that they could plunder diamonds here, let alone so quickly. I peeped at the empress. Her jaw locked as she glared at the pirates. She was ticked off and right now I didn’t like it and this time I had no idea if it was because of the diamonds or her daughter. They were most likely stealing her diamonds after all. “Is that the vault?” Zarlach whispered as several more golden objects were passed along the line of people. At the start of the line was a portal that opened to a large silver steel vault door. It was open and I could see peop
le inside.
I groaned. “Is that the vault everyone’s been talking about?” Annoyed that no one was clear about it with me. I began counting down from fifty aware that I had enough anger to charge into that area of weapon cradling pirates. Several pirates dressed in all black, they walked around in formation cradling long swords and short swords within their scabbards. There was one male that stood out to me, his bald head seemed to shin under the bright high lights of the communication grid. They were very disciplined I could tell, and very well trained. I regarded the same man I had before—someone who I believed was the leader of this group. I glanced over at the empress her eyes were hard. “What do we do?” I asked.
“Nothing we stay put, for now.” I couldn’t help my eyes as they gazed upon him. I didn’t mean it in any way romantic it was something that drew me to him, he wasn’t attractive yet but felt a connection there tweaking its way into my subconscious. I had no idea who this man was but once a connection was formed I learnt everything I needed to know. The strangest part was I had no idea how I knew.
“I know what we can do.” I stated and every sat staring at me. “What?”
“Cecelia?” Beatrice questioned. “How could you possibly know what to do?”
“I agree.” Kristian said.
I growled in a whisper, “Of course you do.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kristian’s eyes were hard and I could tell he wasn’t happy but then again neither was I.
“You know exactly what I—” I began and was cut off by Zarlach and his interference.
“Enough!” he growled. “You keep going the way you two are and we’ll be in trouble. Do you two understand? This is no place for you to carry on.” I regarded Kristian carefully his eyes were hard still but I knew I wasn’t going to let that intimidate me so I glared back—managing a deadly glare of my own. “Is that understood?” Zarlach pressed, when no one answered he repeated, “Is that understood?” Kristian broke his glare, I continued to glare, he really did agitate me in some ways more than others half the time. “Cecelia.” Zarlach continued and I glanced over at him to find the empress wasn’t by his side.
“Where did she go?” I asked and it was then Zarlach recognised the meaning, behind my words. I felt my neck pulse and I touched it, it was tender from the bite marks but I wondered what would happen now—he had already taken my blood what was next to come? Could he do more than that and if so what? Should I be afraid and run away or should I be reckless and fight? I didn’t know all I knew was that we had to get that Codex and once we do Earth and its people should be saved.
I heard a growl. Turning over my shoulder I spied what I prayed I’d never find—a demon hound. They were dogs of the Underworld they were like sensors to demonic blood. In other words, they were the ones that caught and found demons who attempted to escape Hell. “Where’s Beatrice?” I asked and Kristian glanced to his left.
“Obviously not here.” he sourly replied.
“You think.” I retorted. I swore I heard Zarlach grunt in annoyance. Behind us, something growled and my attention followed. There was a demon hound—a dog of the underworld with senses ten times sharper than the dogs on Earth. It growled and I knew if it barked we would be in trouble, too late . . . it did. Heads whipped our way, as feet padded along the ground towards us while weapons were armed and we were once again surrounded. A man shifted through a parting crowd, I was surprised to see it was the bald headed man he, this time, he was human and wore a combat uniform of dark navy blue Kevlar.
I knew there was something different about him but I couldn’t quite place it, until now. Even though there was something oddly familiar about him—he was a human surrounded by Outlanders—that was never a good sign. “There you are little princess.” he mused and I was alerted of what area he grew up in, by the way he pronounced his words. “The boss has been looking for you.”
I felt my neck throb and ache in pain as my blood began to quicken. “Ah . . .”—he said noticing my sudden panting– “. . . he’s not finished with you. Otherwise why else would you still be alive?”
“I see . . .” My legs burned and my feet ached. I was reminded of a long distance running as this pain reminded me of that exertion your muscles get after running for a long time. I collapsed but was surprised when Kristian was quick at my side, loping my arm over his shoulder he held me vast and I silently thanked him.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
“I’m okay . . . I think.” I heard the bald headed man grumble a laugh.
“You haven’t noticed?” he asked and continued, “No matter where you go you’ll always be connected to master Ivan.” I heard Zarlach’s sharp intake-of-air and realised this was a problem. If there was anyone I was supposed to be bound to, it was Zarlach. So, how was I going to get out of this one?
“No!” I groaned, the pain became too much it felt like I was burning all over. “Never!” My head hammered and my vision blurred.
TWENTY-ONE
Marked
“You can feel it can’t you? His presence is near. We’ve already alerted him of your escape.” he taunted and I focused on his words. Bit by bit the pain began to subside and the burning sensation of my muscles ceased. “It’s only a matter of time before he—” The human flew across the room by Zarlach’s hand and the men beside him were quick to fire rounds of plasma rifles at Zarlach who bought up his shield. The energetic bullets flew out of their barrels. I jumped a nearby soldier knowing I didn’t have any experience, I attempted to disarm him by surprise—surprisingly it worked but I thanked my vigorous training for that.
“Cecelia! Get to the teleportor pad!” Zarlach yelled.
“Where?” I spied the square elevated flooring further on ahead. White lights phased from beneath while the sound of battles surrounded us. I sensed someone near and I glanced over my shoulder only to be surprised by that human man who flew across the room. He was bruised and cut as he sauntered towards me with the butt of his rifle ready to strike. I backed away and was saved by none other than Zarlach.
“There!” he pointed where my eyes had landed. I made a break for the teleportor pad. Kristian I felt who was behind me, was followed by Zarlach. Steel swords clashed, rifles and pistols were fired and fists were thrown. It was a miniature battlefield. I knew I had to get out before it got any worse. So, I sprinted towards the teleportor pad and slipped between the legs of an ogre. He was an Outlander—just like the rest of us—a term created by the humans a long time ago to describe those of inhuman nature. His large metal mace smashed upon the ground where I was. Behind him, I crouched and watched as he pulled the mace from the ground and chugged it on his shoulder ready to strike once again.
The ogre logged down his mace and I rolled to the side. “Hold still.” he grumbled and I sensed someone behind me, I rolled forward. I had to keep moving—it was the only way I knew I’d survive. I felt my skin burn but it was a comforting burn, energy overflowed throughout my system and I felt the air around me whisk and whip. My hair shifted and moved, everyone around me stepped back and I watched as a Faction of air surrounded me. I smiled. So this is what they meant when we had some control of our energy once awakened. I thought feeling my lips curl. I knew they wouldn’t be as strong as I would be should I transition into my secondary form.
“Bring forth storm!” I called and everyone around me were strung up into a whirlwind and flung away from me. I felt the energy cease and the power that flooded through my veins was no more. I had room to break through their line of defence and I did. Kristian followed, so did Zarlach. I slipped passed the other Outlanders all of mystical, mythical and alien descent. To my surprise, eventually we all made it to the teleportor pad. However, nothing happened. The enemy continued to chase after us and I wanted to know what was going on until, out of the blue, the gravity dropped and we lifted off the ground. It wasn’t everyone just us and I was surprised. How could this possibly happen? “Princess!” Bella’s voice rang out, glancing up at the u
pper level I saw she cradled Kal in a sling. She stood on the ground, the effect of zero gravity didn’t bother her just where we were. I followed her gaze and watched as Ivan entered the room. The Codex of Innocence hovered above his hand as he sauntered towards us. Everyone around him was lifted off the ground but it seemed to be by his hand that zero gravity initiated.
“Glad you could join us lady Bella—Princess Kalverya.” he declared as he nodded his head in their general direction. His attention turned to me. My muscles throbbed and my neck ached in pain. My heart rate began to increase. The gravity increased once again and I fell on the floor, my chest ached after the impact. “I wonder where did the empress run off to?” he voiced somewhat we all wanted to know.
“Right here!” she rang and I was surprised by her speed but was even more surprised by her strength, she smashed the metal beneath the ground where Ivan once was, Ivan evaded in time, to my disappointment. The empress spun and strung a series of punches, kicks and blocks. Ivan obviously had some training so their fight was something that caught my attention—just by watching I learnt a lot. The empress flipped out of the way and threw a few spinning air kicks. I was pulled from the mesmerising scene when Bella flew over to us in her Vampieruz form.
“Princess! Ivan’s planning to destroy the human race.” she said.
“I know.” I announced. I ran over to the keyboard and found nothing worked. The teleportor pad didn’t power up. I glanced at the screen—it didn’t turn on. “But why isn’t this working?” I growled and pounded the panel.
Crimson Knight (Crimson Series Book 0) Page 33
