At First Sight (Persephonii Waters Book 1)

by Melanie Brown

  Pulling the grenade out and examining it in the light, he knew that he’d have to get up close and personal with the Lamia if he intended to use it. The charges they had thrown earlier had distracted her but did no damage. The flash produced by the stun grenades could start small fires by producing some intense but brief heat. He felt a little better with something in hand and turned his attention back to Percy, who continued to shift her weight from foot to foot, a sure sign she was getting antsy as well. He cleared his throat to try and bring her back to the present and his question.

  “The infrared satellite was due to make another pass an hour ago..” She looked up meeting his eyes.

  “It would have mapped the cave system through to the Nesting cave, the scan should be around a half hour old.” They shared a smile for a moment and Persephonii looked back down at the screen as she talked.

  “The thermals from the underground hot spring and additional tiered cave system explain the weird readings we were getting from the previous pass....three minutes....and should be where the Lamia is likely to stay, close to the eggs.” She paused looking down the tunnel, “we should be able to see the damage the explosions did to the cave system.”

  “And a way out of here if the tunnels are open.” He said with obvious relief in his voice, though somewhat premature he was sure that Percy's plan would work, they usually did. Though he would never admit out loud to missing her, there had been a moment with the explosions were raining rocks on his head and the very good possibility that he had walked into his grave crossed his mind that he had let himself feel a bit of sorrow for not being able to see his partner and friend ever again. He was unsure if he liked the fact that because of his backing the Captain’s plan she was now as trapped as he was, but one truth he had learned throughout their decade working together, Percy’s mere presence increased the odds of survival... for everyone involved. Now was not a time to be pondering the probabilities of fate, instead he needed to focus on his job, watching Percy’s back and using his skills to make sure they got out of there.

  “And a way out,” she agreed, though preoccupied Persephonii was sure with three sets of eyes watching the cave they would alert her to movement from further down the tunnels. “One minute...” Percy’s gasp alerted Chase that something was up. The tablet screen began to flicker in her hand, a sure sign that the Lamia was coming.

  “Come on, Percy!” Chase pulled the flash-bang from his pocket, as the boys stepped back from the entrance, he couldn’t blame them. Deciding he would have to use his only weapon now it if meant giving Percy more time, he pulled the pin. Holding down the lever with one hand and motioning for the boys to move further back, switching to a sweep trying to get Percy inside the cave with the other, ready to pull them both in at the first opportunity.

  “A few more seconds,” she watched as the interference became worse. A strange noise echoed down the cave, a hiss and scrape that combined into an eerie melody. It was the distinct sound of scales against stone, one none of them would be likely to forget. Wrapping the tablet in a few wards, nothing to strong, just enough to shield it from the Lamia for a few more seconds. The increase in protection was just enough to finish the download and upload the images, she moved farther back, clipping the case around the tablet and turning before the Lamia’s presence short circuited the device. Already stepping back toward the mouth of the cave and Chase’s reach, Persephonii quickly glanced down and saw that the images of the cave system were on the tablet, but the information for the base and their fellow rescuers was still there, the connection lost before it could be sent.

  With a grab and a quick jerk, Chase clutched the back of Percy’s utility jacket, flinging both of them back as the Lamia charged the cave entrance. The case’s straps were firmly wrapped around her wrists, and she cradled the tablet to her as they both crashed to the cave floor nearly on top of the two boys. As they fell back through the ‘teeth’ Chase yelled for them to cover their heads as he threw the flash-bang at the Lamia’s face, wrapping his other hand protectively around Percy and turning their fall into a roll toward the back of the cave, the tablet wedged between them.

  The shriek from the she-creature combined with the grenade reverberated around the small cavern like a bullet, until it became so intense they cringed in pain until it suddenly quieted, leaving their ears ringing. Persephonii was up and moving to the back of the cave, dodging spindly legs, already studying the images on the tablet with an intensity that excluded the mad Lamia, her attempts to enter into the cave, the boys clutching each other in the back corner and Chase flinging some pretty inventive insults at the creature. Focusing on the maps, first the overall scan and then zeroing in on the front caves, Persephonii saw that the charges had blocked off the main tunnel and path ways back to the entrance. Looking closer, she could see that the feeder tunnels coming off of the main tunnel were also in bad shape, many too small or now clogged. They would not be able to remove the rubble in a short time, but the closed off tunnels would also mean that the Lamia would not be able to go that way either.

  With the soldiers and wounded men camped out in the smaller cave off of the main tunnel, they would need to back track to them and lead them further into the cave system. If she remembered correctly, and she usually did, the local villagers had used a few of the forward facing caves as a kind of temple. Carving out the caves to create a sanctuary, one that had been unused since the Lamia’s first kills decades ago. From the images flickering on the screen she could see that the walls between the back cave tunnels and the temple caves were thin. So thin perhaps a small detonation would punch through, giving them a way back to the entrance and safety. Even with the rest of the explosives focused on the Knot, the blasts should be far enough away from the temple caves to stop any chance for a cave in. So near to the Lamia and her magic, the tablet soon sputtered out, nearly catching fire in her hand. It didn’t matter though as she had taken a good look at the scans and now had a firm map of their path in her mind.

  A noise from deep within the caves echoed back toward the raging Lamia, drawing her attention from the cave and its inhabitants. Strangers where in her home and her instincts were wild to dispose of the threat and protect her unhatched eggs. But she could not do both with so many new dangers throughout the tunnels. Feeling the earth shake around her, she scented the air and knew that something had moved closer to her nest. A final swipe of her tale against the rock barring her entrance to the mate-foods and the strange smelling creature, did nothing to provide her entrance. So she turned from them, rushing back to the nest to watch over her eggs.

  "The Flash-bangs didn't seem to do anything but piss her off," Chase’s tone said that he was very put out that his last line of defense had worked about as well as if they had thrown rocks. Once again running through the tunnels, Chase carrying Iseul, they relied on Persephonii’s skill and photographic memory to maneuver them through the tunnels.

  "Chase….snakes aren't light sensitive, they use light like the sun for heat to keep warm. She likes the cave system due to the thermal pockets around it…that's why it's so hot in the Knot cave. It’s like a giant incubator." Her voice was strained with the effort of running and talking at the same time. Slowing, she paused to think about their next steps and which direction they needed to head. Pausing at an intersection, she headed right, coming up beside the tunnel that would lead to the caves where the Captain and his remaining men were.

  "She might posses enough human anatomy to make the sound of the explosion frighten her, at 170–180 decibels, but it would be more detrimental to us than to her, something with more sound pressure rather than level might be better." Searching through her pockets only to come up empty, Persephonii remembered that she had put the low frequency sirens in her tactical hard case, which was currently in the hotel by the base. "We'll need something close to triple the pascals of the stun grenades in order to truly stupefy her. But it will have to be localized, an explosion of 60,000 pascals near any of us would do immeasur
able internal damage." Calculating the current pool of items, if they set off a few of the flash grenades, in a localized area, somewhere small enough to contain and amplify the sound, with the Lamia perhaps tasered inside, it could very well knock her out for good. At least long enough to set the charges and make it out of the area toward the front of the caves. The small caves off of the Knot nest would work perfectly, but they would have to move backward, setting the charges as they went. While Persephonii thought she might be able to wing the placement of the dynamite, she knew they would have to ask one of the demolition specialists, to come with them. Of the three, three man teams assigned to the demolition and collapse of the cave system, one viable team remained. Of those three only one was in any shape to move with the speed and skill needed to help Percy and Chase plant the explosives and make it out in time.

  The three of them would need to stay behind while the others made their way back through the tunnels to the caves behind the temple area, where they could punch through the thin layers of rock. Moving the wounded men through the tunnels could mean they would become a bigger target for the Lamia. Jin and his friend would now be added to the wounded, hopefully medic Cooper had something that could be used as a brace for Iseul so he wouldn’t have to be carried. They would need to split up and use diversionary tactics in order to distract the Lamia when she got too close. Luckily, from what Chase had told her, it seemed that she had an aversion to the men dosed in snake repellant, something they might be able to use to their advantage.

  Hashing out the plan with Chase as they arrived at the larger cavern in front of the hideout, she felt that they were as prepared as they were going to get. A drumming like sound reverberating from within the cave stopped the four of them, the pressure of the beats seemed to echo back along the cave floor. This was not good. Exchanging a ‘what now’ look, Persephonii pulled her taser from its holster, checking it to see if it had recharged. Though not fully charged, the taser would make the Lamia rethink a full frontal attack.

  Chase took the lead, allowing Jin to take Isuel’s weight as they backed into a small alcove, he pulled Percy’s crovel from the loop at the side of her pack. Extended crovel in hand, serrated edge at the ready he moved slowly forward. Percy, mimicked his stance, motioning for the boys to watch behind them. Taser in hand she moved to the right, flanking him as they made their way toward the hideout cave.

  Slowly they checked the surrounding area, listening for the Lamia and the other men. But there were no screams, no shouting just an erratic banging coming from within the cave. Stepping inside the larger outer cave, they came across a number of the men, illuminated by their glow sticks, banging on the stalagmites and cave walls. If either of them had to guess they would assign this as another one of Captain Daniels’ smart ideas. And they’d be right, asking the men what in the world they thought they were doing, Percy was astounded to hear that the captain had decided to try and scare off the Lamia, by making a big show of noise. She reminded the men that she had told them snakes are attracted to vibrations and once again Daniel’s latest plan had backfired.

  Persephonii took off her glasses cleaning them as Chase and Daniels argued. She had gone back for the boys who were glad to see her and watched Cooper examine Iseul’s leg, not paying either of them much attention. Though she was half listening to Chase’s insults, which had gone from trying to make sense of the poorly thought out plan to questioning the young captain’s intelligence. It was getting a bit personal, which was never a good thing in close tension filled situations, especially when insulting someone of rank. So Persephonii turned back toward the two men, just in time to see something interesting. Stepping closer she focused her sight on Daniels, whose argument had now turned into blaming, mostly about Chase deserting them and some wild gestures that seemed to include herself.

  ‘Huh,’ was the first thing to come to mind, the second was an ‘I knew it.’ Followed closely by the need to interrupt, the two whose voices were getting loud enough to rival the banging and attract the attention of their slithery friend. The more Daniels talked the more she could see his aura expanded outward, as waves of color seemed to emanate from his mouth. The waves tried to sink into Chase, but he was too upset for them to take hold. Captain Daniels was Gifted, by the looks of it he had a healthy amount of Influence, the ability to subtly bend someone to their will. Which better explained Chase getting on board with everything the Captain had said. Generally a number of Paras used Persuasion or Mesmerized their target, which was a type of subtle telepathy or mind control. Daniels had a rather strong Voice, which used words and tones to Influence others. She would even go so far to make a guess that a great or great-great grandmother had been a Syren.

  “Chase.” One word was really all she had to say to him in order to get him to step away. In moments like these she often congratulated herself on training him so well, but also had to remind herself that other areas were still a work in progress, even after over a decade of working together.

  He made his way over to her, giving Daniels the stink eye and wondering how much time they had before things got hairy again. Leaning toward him, Percy’s expression was one of interest, with a slight turn around the mouth that he had come to associate with her ‘I know something you don’t know.’

  “What? What is that look for?” She seemed to smile more, which was a little unsettling since her eyes didn’t contain much humor, more a sort of victory.

  “He’s more than likely part Syren,” was definitely said in an ‘I told you so’ sort of manner. Which didn’t lessen the fact that he now felt equal parts like an ass, and justified in his confusion over Daniels. From the information he’d gathered, Daniels had risen to the rank of Captain quickly, through promotions, with little to show for the journey. It now made sense, with the ability to subtly influence others, to have them follow him when he gave orders. It was a gift well suited to the military, but could be dangerous in the wrong hands, Daniel was proving that he was definitely the wrong hands. However, now was not the time to try and question the ambitious captain to determine whether he knowingly used his gifts or thought it just charisma.

  Luckily for Chase, forewarned was forearmed, awareness of the influence often limited it effects. So for the time being, they would have to limit Daniels interaction with the others. Percy’s bracelet would protect him from outright influence, but often let slide the more subtle forms, the protection and wards based on intent rather than impact. Chase looked down at Percy’s holster.

  “We’re not going to taser him...” she could read his expression rather well, looking back over his shoulder towards the still mumbling captain, “no matter how much we feel he deserves it.” She quickly changed subjects, looking back toward the more able bodied men. Turning the captain against them would prove more troublesome, especially with his ability to influence others.

  “With so much noise we don’t have much time to set things in motion before the Lamia makes another appearance.” Making sure she had everyone's attention, she laid out the plan. While surveying the supplies, Persephonii noticed that each pack held a small collapsible shovel like her crovel, the extendable handles could be locked in place, and used to form bars for a makeshift litter. She also noticed that at few of the S.A.R team members used external frame rescue packs which could be detached from the pack bag and used as a sturdy litter for the severely wounded men. Sadly, Chase had been right and it appeared that they had lost, Carson and Davies while he had scouted the caves.

  “Chase has filled me in on the wounded. We will use the handles of your crovels, and the frames of your packs to make litters for the two men,” grabbing the nearest outer framed pack she pulled out the crovel and unhooked the bag. Flipping the frame over, she used the duct tape wrapped around the frame and extended handle to fasten the two together, making one end of the first litter. Already the other men where unhooking their packs and pulling out their crovel handles. The closest private handed her the frame first, but she shook her head, reac
hing for the handle, she used the tape to secure the two frames to the handle making a middle bar then attached the final bar to the end.

  “More handles means better maneuverability... We’ll need four men to carry Walker but Craig might be drug behind only two.” Tossing the duct tape to the men who started assembling the other litter, she dug into her supplies, pulling out the rescue blankets.

  “Move quickly but as quietly as possible in the caves, she may not be able to hear as well as we can but she can sense vibrations in the air and walls.” As she said this her gaze landed on Daniels, who was receiving a number of looks from the others as well.

  “We will use the blankets to block out the majority of our body heat. The Lamia uses a sort of heat vision and scent to navigate the tunnels. With luck we can throw her off long enough to make it out.” She tossed one blanket to the boys and Chase, stuck one in her pocket and handed the rest out to the two wounded men and Daniels’ Team. S.A.R. packs had their own blankets, so the men pulled them out and started tying them like capes around their necks, tucking them into their vests and fatigues.

  “We’re going to have to move fast,” she ripped the hard plastic backing from one of the bags and shoved it toward Cooper. Pulling her last roll of duct tape from the back of her belt, she handed it over as well. Now that Iseul’s leg was splinted he could move more freely about the caves, it was the other men she worried about.

  “Doc, you’ll have to secure Walker to the plastic as a brace, then the plastic to the litter. The duct tape will provide a tighter more even hold than strapping him down. We can use the rest of my rigging to secure Craig.” She held up what was left of the climbing gear, then passed it over to Cooper as she turned to the others.