by S. L. Wright
So that was why he didn’t want Dread to be the first demon to out himself. Vex intended to return to the helm of his church. If Dread was in a dominant position, that would be impossible for him to do. No wonder Dread was frustrated—he had tasted what it felt like at the top, and he liked it.
“I’ll doubtless survive a number of assassination attempts,” Vex said, “some of them of our own devising so proof of my immortality will be abundantly clear.”
“But people can’t become immortal. It’s a lie.”
“We’re offering hope—that’s what people need, Allay. They want to live forever, but they know they can’t. Most people can’t stand thinking that when they die, they’re snuffed out as if they never existed. So we give them hope and help lead them down a righteous path. We help them prosper and grow, so humanity prospers and grows, by encouraging people to be more independent, to fulfill their own desires. As the years go by, other demons associated with the church, such as Dread and Zeal, will come out. Even if discrediting information does emerge, we’ll be able to counter it through the groundswell of support for the church.”
“What about the demons like Pique? He’s going to end up getting caught by an ERI somewhere. That’s a nasty association for your church.”
“We can eliminate any problems in that area. I’m already working on that.”
“Does that include Shock?”
“Of course not, Allay. I trust you enough to share with you my greatest endeavor. We’ll shape civilization together. We can make advances as we did during the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and the Industrial Revolution. You’ll be instrumental in helping us take the next giant leap for mankind.”
I stared at him. Was that all I was? A cog in their master plan to control the world? “I don’t want any part in this.”
Vex was still smiling. “I’m sorry, Allay, I thought Dread explained. Glory must be behind the attacks on you. Lash left for a reason, we know that now. She discovered our plans and told Glory. They’ve decided to kill you to stop our Revelation.”
Glory. Now that was one demon I hadn’t suspected yet. “If Glory is out to get me, then why did that demon attack Shock instead of me?”
“The best way to get to you is by removing the demons around you. We’re positive that Pique is a Glory demon, operating under her command. When his frontal assault didn’t work, she sent in a covert team.”
“The stealth demon? The one who killed Malaise? Then you don’t think Dread has anything to do with it?”
“No.” Vex sounded flustered. “He may have killed one or two of our demons, though I don’t have any proof. He says he didn’t. But I know he’s not responsible for the string of recent deaths. Or the attacks on you.”
I wished I could be so sure. “Dread doesn’t want me involved in this,” I reminded him. “And neither do I.”
“You’re the key, Allay. Glory won’t let you hang around on the street now that she knows what you can do. No, you’re either dead—along with Shock—or you’re with me.”
“That sounds like an ultimatum.”
“Not one of my making.” Vex, exactly like the spoiled kid of a wealthy man, gave me an insolent smile. I got the distinct impression he also wouldn’t let me “hang around on the street” any longer. He needed me for his Revelation, but if I wouldn’t cooperate, he might just kill me himself.
“I’d like to think about this.” I put my fingers to my temples. “You’ve given me a lot to consider.”
“You’re free to do whatever you want, though I can’t guarantee your safety if you leave the complex. I’d rather not see you get murdered by Glory after you’ve come this far.” He smiled at me. “Take your time thinking about it. I’m here if you have any questions.”
Theo was on his feet the instant I opened the door. June was nowhere to be seen, and the pile of shopping bags and scattered clothing was gone, as well.
I slammed the door behind me as if I were being chased. My hands splayed back against it as if holding it to ward off intruders.
“What’s wrong?” Theo demanded, running up to join me.
“Nothing.” I moved away from the door. “I was just… spooked by something.”
“What?” As I kept on walking to the windows, he stayed with me. “Allay, what did they do to you?”
I pushed the hair off my forehead to cool it. “They didn’t do anything to me.”
“Someone frightened you,” he pressed. “They must want something from you.”
He took my hand and I soaked up his concern and his burning desire to help. I clung to him, trembling. Vex had planned this all along. He would use me to legitimize his religion, then use the truth-speakers to undermine governmental authority, ensuring their allegiance lay solely with the Fellowship of Truth.
By comparison, Dread was merely vain and greedy, wanting to boost his own power with the church. Vex wanted to change the world. He wanted to take control of people’s hearts and minds again, as he had controlled them for centuries through his influence on the Catholic Church and the various rulers of the feudal nations.
Lop off my head, and everything would change. Mysticism would be reborn with a vengeance as people reached for the impossible for themselves.
“It’s too big,” I finally whispered.
Theo put his arm around me. I felt as if I were standing on the edge of a precipice. All of my fear crystallized into my gasping words. “Maybe he means well.… Maybe it would help. But it’s a lie. I hate lies. They’re toxic. They ruin everything.”
His head drew back, as if I had hit him. “Let’s get out of here, Allay. You don’t have to stay. You don’t have to do whatever it is they want.”
“You don’t understand. I’m trapped. There’s no way out. They’ll use me and twist me around until they get what they need. I have no choice.”
“Can’t you negotiate with them, mitigate your involvement somehow? Give them a little and get what you need in return?”
“Believe me, this is a one-way street—to hell, if I’m any judge. Once you burn someone on a cross, there’s no going back.”
His arms tightened around me. “Allay! What are you talking about?”
I pushed against his chest, wrenching away from him. “Enough with the questions. You never ask me questions. That’s one of the things I like about you.”
Theo was standing there with his arms open, desperately wanting to hold me again. The pain in his gray eyes made them nearly black. “You don’t have to do what they say, Allay.”
I stared at him, realizing that everything was over. There was no way I could go back to the bar and my cherished routine. That life now looked like a sham, a semblance of normalcy that had hidden the corruption beneath. It was gone, gone because Vex had always intended to use me this way.
“Allay… talk to me. Let me help you figure this out.”
I couldn’t. There was no way I could explain it to him. I padded over to the front door and pressed the button on the intercom. When June answered, I said, “I’ve changed my mind. I want to go up to the gardens.”
“Of course, Ms. Meyers. I’ll come and get you,” June replied.
“No, don’t bother. Just tell security to let me through the doors.”
“Certainly. Hold a moment, please.”
I glanced over at Theo. “I need some time to think.”
Theo nodded silently, as if he didn’t want to drive me farther away.
June came back online and said, “Ms. Meyers? You’re authorized to go anywhere in the complex. Will there be anything else?”
“No, thanks.”
I took my finger off the button, staring at the intercom. “It appears they trust me.”
Theo nodded again without speaking; he looked upset.
“I’ll be back soon,” I promised as I walked out the door.
12
I could sense Vex on the floor above, at the opposite end of the long building, but there were no other demons in the Prophet’s Center. Dread must have go
ne off somewhere to sulk.
Instead of using the elevator, I went to the stairwell. The door opened automatically when I looked up at the camera. I had to go up two flights to reach the roof; as I passed the locked door leading to Vex and Dread’s floor, it gave me the shivers.
When I stepped onto the roof, I felt much better. The open sky and evening breeze scattered the cobwebs from my brain.
Time to blow this place. I had come up to weigh my options, but there were no others. I had to fetch Shock and get the hell out of the city for a while, as far away from Vex as I could get; otherwise he would ensnare me in his megalomaniac schemes.
With one last look at the view from Brooklyn, I knew it was time to test Vex’s word and see whether he would let me walk out of here.
I ran down the stairs, back to the VIP suite, calling out for Theo as I entered. But he wasn’t there. I gave a quick search of the place, noticing that someone had put the clothes away in the closet and drawers in the loft. Where could he be?
I doubted he tried to follow me to the roof; Theo wouldn’t be that intrusive. And he wouldn’t leave without saying good-bye. He couldn’t go anywhere else in the building because of the automated security cameras.
Vex. It had to be Vex. That meant Theo was in danger.
I ran back to the nearest stairwell and dashed up to the next floor. As I burst through the door, I saw two men struggling in the farthest end of the hallway. They disappeared, stumbling into a room.
I gave a piercing scream at the sight of Vex attacking Theo.
They both popped back out into the hall, looking wide-eyed down at me. Theo took advantage of Vex’s surprise, shoving him away so hard that the demon fell back into the room.
I ran toward them, so furious that my sight was tinted red by my aura. Vex was feeding on Theo. How dare he—Theo was mine. But the flaring energy as it flowed out of him was as distinctive as the northern lights.
He had lured Theo up here to get his hooks into him, probably to try to manipulate him so he would help Vex get his slimy mitts on me.
“How stupid are you?” I said to Vex, reaching Theo’s side. Fortunately, he was okay. He stood up, a little shaky on his legs. He put one hand to his head as he glared at Vex. He made a move toward the demon, but I stopped him.
“Hey, I didn’t do nothing. This dude threatened me,” Vex protested hastily, clinging to his persona of a skater.
Theo shifted as if to go for him again. “You better leave her alone.”
I gave Vex a hard look as I tugged on Theo. “Save your energy. It’s not worth it,” I told Theo.
I took his hand, and without a word Theo accompanied me to the elevator. When I pressed the down button, he asked, “We’re leaving?”
“Yes. I shouldn’t have come here.” I still held on to his hand, my fingers digging in tightly. He was more angry than hurt, but he didn’t know how close he had come to being the main course.
“Good.” He briefly stroked my arm, clearly hoping it would be that easy.
I could offer no reassurances. We were silent as the elevator dropped down to the first floor. But we bypassed the lobby and continued on down to the basement. Theo hit the red button for the emergency stop, but the elevator kept sinking. It was being remotely operated. We couldn’t control where it went.
“I should have known it.”
“Somebody doesn’t want us to leave,” Theo said.
We hardly had time to react. His arm went around me as the door slid open.
A group of security guards were waiting for us in the underground garage. Montagna stood in front, more than six feet of solid woman breathing hard. It looked like they had arrived at a dead sprint.
Montagna was holding her truncheon in her black leather gloves, ready for action. “Let her go! Now!”
With a jerk of her head, the guards rushed the elevator, forcibly separating us. I felt the first hands on me, and lost it, fighting back much harder than Theo. Using Aikido moves, I toppled them, even though they were all bigger than I was. I wasn’t gentle about it. One of the guards screamed when I twisted his arm, the snap ringing out. I waited for the next attack, but none came and I spun, seeking action. The rest of Montagna’s gang were converging on Theo.
That was when I realized they were after Theo, not me. I quickly sidestepped the next guard, shoving him hard into the back of the elevator. These were fragile humans, but even fighting full-out, I didn’t have the skills to take on so many trained guards.
The guards pulled Theo from the elevator and wrestled him to the ground. Montagna and a big bear of a man stood between me and them, holding out their arms to stop me from going around. The guard with the broken arm backed toward a wall; white with pain, he was making a wheezing sound.
“Stop it!” I shouted, shoving Montagna aside. My strength surprised her, making her spin away. I reached the bald guy who was leaning over Theo, one knee in his back. “Let him go!”
I pushed him hard, and he fell forward, still on top of Theo. Montagna caught my waist from behind, pulling me off them. “Stand back, Ms. Meyers!” To the bald- headed dude, she ordered, “Cuff him.”
I broke her grasp even though it tore at my flesh, and would cost me some serious bruises. “I said, let him go! You can’t do this.”
Montagna reluctantly stepped back, palms up as if under orders not to harm me. “He assaulted Tim Anderson, and made threats against the prophet. We have it on tape.”
It was a lie, or maybe she believed the story Vex had concocted against Theo. I ignored her, trying to shove the bald guy off Theo’s back. “He’s not fighting you. Get off him!”
Theo was cuffed now, so at Montagna’s nod, they finally moved back. I knelt on the floor at Theo’s head.
Montagna reported into her walkie-talkie. “We’ve got the perp.”
Through the static, I heard, “Take him to—”
I touched Theo’s hair, and he turned his head to look up at me. There was a scrape down his cheek, and it was streaked with dirt from the cement floor.
“Don’t,” Theo croaked.
I looked up at the goons, my hands splayed protectively against Theo’s back. “Call the police. We’ll deal with this the right way. But first you’re taking off these handcuffs.”
“That’s for the prophet to say.” Montagna was unmoved. She stood at Theo’s feet, ready to leap into action at the first sign of resistance. “This isn’t about you, Ms. Meyers. I’d stay out of it, if I were you.”
I had the sinking feeling that Montagna was used to getting her own way. I couldn’t fight all of them. Vex had sent so many because he knew I would try.
Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I reached out with my senses. I could no longer feel Vex in the building. He had cut and run, leaving me at the mercy of his goons. But Dread had returned. It felt like he was just entering the Prophet’s Center.
Montagna nodded to the guards, who lifted Theo under the arms. He staggered on his feet, as if they had knocked the wind out of him. His face was scraped raw and the sleeve of his T-shirt was nearly torn off.
I helped support him with one hand against his chest, feeling his harsh breathing. This is my fault. I should have escorted him out last night. Instead, I used him like a gigolo.
It had been selfish and cruel to expose him to this. But having him around made me feel… safe. I had wallowed in that beautiful illusion, even though it had done nothing but hurt him. Every day I had known him was written on him in blood.
“No, Allay—,” Theo started to say.
“Stop talking. Get moving!” snapped Montagna, cutting him off.
“Where are you going?” I demanded, as they dragged him away from me, closing ranks around him. One of the guards helped the perspiring man who was gingerly supporting his broken arm. “Where are you taking him?”
“Detention until we get further orders.” Montagna’s mouth hardly moved. She apparently wasn’t used to this much trouble. “You can’t come with us, Ms. Meyers.”
>
They dragged Theo around the corner and into a smaller elevator. He was struggling with them now. He opened his mouth to say something, but one of the goons jabbed him expertly in the solar plexus. Theo bent over, choking.
I grabbed the door of the elevator, but they were packed in, with no room left for me to shove my way inside. Montagna grit her teeth and carefully hit my fingers with her truncheon. I felt something crunch, and the pain spasmed in my fingers, making me let go.
“If you don’t take me with you,” I threatened, “I’ll go find the nearest policeman and report you for kidnapping.”
“Better ask the prophet about that, Ms. Meyers,” Montagna said as the door slid closed.
Theo lifted his head at the last moment. He twitched his head as if warning me about something. Then I was standing alone in the basement.
This was very bad. I knew it from the second I saw Vex feeding on Theo. The truth was—Theo was just another casualty in Vex’s pursuit of power.
I was doomed. I’d been caught when I came to live in the city under Vex’s protection, and the trap had finally sprung.
Vex probably thought he would be able to pressure me into cooperating with him. Boy, was he wrong. I dialed his private number.
He answered on the first ring. “Allay, I’m glad you called. I want you to see the security tapes of what happened—when your friend Theo showed up at my door and started shoving me around.”
“Likely story!” I snapped. “How could he get through the security cameras unless you let him? I bet you taunted him about me. Did you tell June to tell him we were lovers? Some nasty story about how I’m involved with the prophet’s nephew? Then you invited him up so you could finish him off.”
“Allay! I swear I didn’t start this. I thought you loosed him on me. I never intended to hurt him.”
“Your goons just beat him up and dragged him off!”
“All of this can be solved right now, Allay. We’ll figure this out. We can work together and then you won’t ever have to lie again. You can tell everyone you’re different and stop pretending to live like a human. You would never have to change that persona that is uniquely you. Forever.”
