Last Chance (DarkWorld: SkinWalker Book 3)

by Ayer, T. G.

  I lifted my chin an inch, a little unsettled at her penetrating gaze and her eagerness for information about the glow. Even I still didn’t understand its intricacies. “I inherited it from my mother actually. We have the ability to kill demons, a power beyond a normal demon hunter’s skills.”

  “And you use this skill to kill Wraiths? And demons?” There was and edge to her voice that could only be interpreted as judgmental.

  I nodded. “Of course, I do. We seem to be having a run of Wraiths infiltrating our city and since I have the ability to kill them with ease, it’s turned to me to get the job done.”

  She studied me for a moment, then leaned back against her chair. “These Wraiths, these infiltrators. What are they doing that would necessitate you dispatching them in such a… permanent manner?” I could see she was choosing her words carefully, but the answer to her question was important to her.

  “It used to be a simple case of possession, just taking over a human and draining their life force from them.” As I spoke, I noticed the strange tightening of the skin around her eyes. The dislike that emanated from her made me wonder if the Wraiths I was talking about were known to her, but I continued. “In recent months, it has escalated to something more strategic, much more planned.”

  “How so?” she asked, picking up a pen and pulling a sheet of paper toward her. She dug in a drawer in front of her and pulled out a little bottle of black ink, which was when I realized that although the pen looked like standard modern issue, it didn’t come with a pre-filled tube of ink. Seemed some technology was ignored here in the Wraith world.

  I cleared my throat. “I used to find just random people being possessed. Just normal family men, nobody significant. But slowly, recently, there have been possessions of senators, mob bosses, drug dealers, pimps, and people in various positions of power. It makes me wonder what else is going on that I don’t know about.”

  “And your investigative organizations do not have a theory as to why?”

  I shook my head, wondering again what this interrogation was all about. “They are as blind to the inner workings of these Wraiths as I am. Believe me, none of them talk when they see me.” Illyria nodded at that and didn’t seem to take my comment as offensive. “So what’s your take? What do you think are the reasons these Wraiths are using this new strategy? And who are they anyway?”

  The underlying question was if these Wraiths belonged to Illyria’s Rebel army, but again, she didn’t seem offended by my suggestion. “From our own investigations, I am confident to assume that the Wraiths coming through the Veil to your world are members of Widd’en’s Elite. They have a tactical advantage over the rest of the army because of their strength and training.”

  Her words chilled me. Strength and training? Then how had I managed to kill them with such apparent ease?

  Surely these trained killers would have stood up to my junior vigilante skills? I forced my attention back on Illyria as she spoke again.

  “Which brings me to your abilities. Widd’en’s men are similar to what your world refers to as SEALs or Special Forces? Yes?” When I nodded, she asked, “Then how is it that a lone Walker, still young, with little battle training is able to wipe out a significant portion of Widd’en’s team?”

  Although I had to admit I was a little impressed by her summary of my exploits, I kept my expression neutral and shrugged. “I told you. I inherited the power. At first I had no idea how to use it apart from the fact that I could see their trails.”

  “Trails?” She leaned forward again, picking up on what would seem an odd reference to her. “What trails are these?”

  “Wraiths leave trails, signatures of their own biological substances. I think it may be perspiration or some sort of substance that comes off their skin, but whatever they touch, they leave behind a residue. And I can see that residue. Whether it’s on people or walls or furniture. I see it and follow it. At first, I just followed the trails and watched what I saw.”

  “So you were totally green when you started this… tracking?” she asked, and again, I felt like I was being interrogated. I cast her a sharp glance, but all I saw was honest curiosity. And that pen that kept scratching away every so often.

  I nodded. “Yes. I had no training and no knowledge of how to advance. I just worked with what I had.”

  “What made you think you had to kill these Wraiths?” she asked, her pen ready.

  “Apart from the fact that they were abusing people, you mean?” She gave me a tight smile and I could see a sense of pride there that wouldn’t allow her to apologize for the question. I let it go. “To be honest, at the beginning, all it was about was saving the humans the Wraiths left in the wake of their destruction. They would possess an individual, take over their lives, and while they bided their time, live on their life force and abuse the person’s family members. Things began to change when I noticed oddities.”

  “Oddities?”

  “Like the Wraith would possess a parent, but the child is paranormal. Or the possessed man is a mayor or a senator or an important businessman. Soon there were no longer random possessions. They all seemed planned somehow.”

  “Strategic.” Illyria was nodding. “I know what you mean, Kailin. We have solid intel that Widd’en had formed a plan to infiltrate government and business organizations and the underworld within your realm. Their plan had always been to act as sleeper agents, take possession, and wait it out until the right moment. Until they met you, that is. We had been getting information for a while now on the assassin that seems to be targeting Widd’en’s men. They were of the opinion that this assassin was one of mine, sent to decimate their forces in your world. Sadly, they overestimated my knowledge and my reach. Although, I will not relieve them of that suspicion as yet.”

  I nodded. “How very strategic of you,” I said with a grin. I was beginning to like this woman. She was strong and smart, but she did have a ruthless streak that made her trustworthiness a little questionable. In any event, I didn’t plan to stick around to get mixed up in her machinations. “So is that all you wanted to know?” I asked leaning forward as if I were about to rise. I was done with the interview, if that was what it was, and I really wanted to get on with finding Mom.

  “As a matter of fact, there is one more thing.” I sat back, schooling my features and hoping my irritation was well hidden. “I want to know a little more about your golden glow. I’ll be perfectly honest from the start. My intention is to find out what causes this emanation from your body and how we can replicate that to aid us in out fight against Widd’en’s army.”

  I cleared my throat and this time didn’t bother to hide my shock. “You want to experiment on me to create a weapon against your enemies?” I was tempted to glance frantically around me, looking out for members of Illyria’s army ready to grab me and drag me off to the nearest lab. But I controlled the urge and remained still.

  Illyria was sitting forward again, waving her hand in front of her, a look of apology on her face. “No, no. I’m sorry if I gave you that impression. You are right in one sense. We want to find a way to make this fight easier, but we would never harm you in the process. In a way, you have been on our side all along. Enemy of my enemy, right?” She nodded with a slight smile.

  I shook my head, “Don’t you have weapons?”

  “Yes. But our weapons are old and outdated. Both sides were using similar weapons until recently. We have wondered how it was that such a small band of Wraiths could be so successful in the defense of their company, but we found out recently that a few Earth world weapons have been brought to Wrythiin and modified with our ammunition. These weapons are faster, shoot more ammunition, and seem far more deadly than our Rebel army’s.”

  I held up a hand. “Okay, so this does make sense. Widd’en’s men are in the Earth world to find more efficient weapons.” Then I paused and thought of Tara. “What about your ammo?”

  She frowned. “Standard royal army issue, reproduced by our men of course.
Black stone ball ammunition like we’ve been using for centuries.”

  I cleared my throat. “Well, maybe you should start with advancing the type of ammunition.”

  “In what way?” she asked. She seemed curious, but her brow was twisted in confusion too.

  “Has it not occurred to you to put some attention to your ammunition? It’s what will make you stronger in the long run. Weapons and ammunition, that’s where I would start.”

  She had a faraway look in her eye, as if she was turning the idea over and over in her head. Then she snapped her gaze to me. “Do you have any suggestions in terms of ammo? I’m afraid I’m more skilled in hand-to-hand combat.” Then she looked at my face, a little startled, and laughed. “Well, when I am fighting anyone else but you, that is.”

  I laughed, coloring a little. “You can’t be blamed if I have an advantage.”

  “That is one hell of an advantage, Kailin.” She laughed again, and I admired her more for her ability to laugh at herself even when the topic should be deeply embarrassing.

  It guided me to make a decision I normally wouldn’t have done so quickly. “I can help you. If I gave you one bullet, would you be able to reproduce it?”

  “It depends on the type of material required,” she answered. “We are at the mercy of what Wrythiin offers.”

  I thought of my bullets, specifically designed for me by Tara, with poison obtained from mysterious places. I sighed. “Unless you have the ability to reproduce a specific poison, I’m not sure how to help you. You will have to figure out what your weaknesses are as a species and use that to your advantage.”

  Illyria frowned, tapping the pen on the paper. She hadn’t written anything on her sheet in a while now.

  “Is there a substance in Wrythiin that is deadly to any Wraith? A mushroom or a viper’s poison maybe?”

  She pushed her seat back, and I winced at the sharp screech of wood on stone. Illyria seemed unaffected by the noise. She rose and paced. “There are a handful of deadly plants that I know of and a viper and something like a scorpion. Also a cuttlefish that is quite deadly.”

  “Right, get them all into your labs. I can give you my bullet so you can study the housing and the method used by my weapons person. I’m not sure how else I can help you beyond that.”

  She clapped her hands together softly. “No. No. You have been an amazing help.” Then she came toward me. “Thank you, Kailin. I apologize for being a little curt with you earlier. It isn’t every day I get my butt kicked.”

  I laughed. “Not at all. I know how it feels. But it’s refreshing to be reminded of one’s own mortality.”

  “Right. We are waiting on the next batch of intel to come in. I am sure with that information, we will have a location on your mother. You are welcome to sit in on any of our meetings, and if you wish, you may contribute your thoughts on strategy.”

  “Thank you, Illyria. I appreciate that.”

  “Not at all. We need all the help we can get.” She grinned as she headed for the door. I followed and found Anjelo waiting outside.

  “Anjelo. Make sure your friends are fed and allowed to rest. And come and get me as soon as you have the next batch of intel.”

  Anjelo nodded. “Will you be in the training hall?”

  When Illyria nodded, I asked, “Would you mind if I trained with you?” The idea of loosening all those tight muscles was very appealing right now.

  Illyria laughed. “Of course. Why didn’t I think of that? Let us spar and you can teach me a few of your special moves.”

  We left Anjelo staring after us, and when I looked over my shoulder, he had one eyebrow raised as if to say, Really?

  ***

  Chapter 13

  I followed Illyria down the tunnel to a room about twenty yards along. It had a wide entrance and no door. Inside, the stone-walled practice room was alternately lined with banners and weapons. Along the back wall, I could see large shelves that held hundreds of different weapons. Some of the axes and spears looked similar to what we used in the Earth world. In fact, it seemed the Wraiths had borrowed some weaponry design from human technology. Not surprising considering in the old days they were regulars in our world.

  As Illyria swept into the room and threw off her cloak, I prompted, “So you never said exactly what side you’re on.” I kept my voice deceptively light but concentrated on her answer.

  “Side?” she asked as she hung her cloak on a hook beside the entrance. Was she hedging for time to fashion a suitable response? Or was she just distracted?

  “Yeah, what’s your take on the banishment of Wraiths from the Earth world?”

  She tilted her head as if a different angle would help her come up with an answer I would like. Stalling. Definitely. Then she walked to the middle of the stone floor, then turned to look at me. “I don’t agree with the banishment, but I’m not about to go and overrule a law. The only way we can bring about change is through our actions. The right kind of actions. What Widd’en’s men are doing is wrong. It will only make the council stand stronger against us.”

  Good answer. I wasn’t buying it though. I planned to keep my eye on the Wraith leader. “Is that the reason you’re set on destroying his army?”

  She nodded. “Yes. They need to be stopped before they destroy any hope we have of putting our petition to the council to allow us to regain our access.” Then she began to roll up the sleeves of her white silk shirt. She too wore the same fitted leather waistcoat as Anjelo, but she had chosen to wear a blouse beneath it. It was a good look, the soft leather blending well with the silk, offset by her long white hair.

  “But why do you feel such a strong need to be granted access? You have lived for centuries without us. Surely you’ve managed to survive well enough so far?”

  Illyria was already in a fighting stance, her knees soft and bent. At my question, she stood and looked straight at me. “It is not something we are proud of, but Wraiths are a naturally parasitic race. We need the human life force to have a healthy life. This…” She waved both her hands at her body. “This is not what we truly are. We are meant to be stronger, healthier, meant to have offspring that live longer than a month after birthing. We are meant to have long lives too, but the lack of the human life force weakens us, increases our mortality. It has damaged our race in ways you cannot understand.”

  I nodded. “I actually do understand. You need humans to be healthy, and the council banished your people so you’re suffering as a species. I understand that, but what assurance can you possibly give the council that will allow them to even consider your petition? They would need to see what measures you have in place to ensure the whole thing doesn’t happen again.”

  She considered my words, her head tilting to one side. “We do have measures in place. We have laws against killing humans.” Then she sighed. “But I know those laws weren’t enough to control the rebellious few who thought they were entitled to all of a human’s life.”

  I didn’t intend to pull any punches. Wraiths in our world wasn’t a small issue. “I can tell you that you will find it hard to convince humans, and the other species on the council, that they should allow you to feed on people’s life forces again.”

  She was nodding, but not as if the movement was a mark of defeat. “I know it won’t be easy, but once people understand we aren’t a deadly or a dangerous species, I am sure they will allow us access.”

  “And what if they don’t?” I asked, still holding her gaze. Now she looked away, confused, perplexed. “Have you prepared yourselves for a refusal from the council? Humans have spent centuries free from the Wraiths. In the old days, it was a natural enough thing to accept Wraiths will feed on you and you may never know it, but these days, people are far more attuned to their rights. The general public may not be comfortable about setting loose an entire species of people who are likely to begin feeding on them. Never mind that what you take is so little nobody would feel any different afterward.”

  “Yes, I understand.
It’s what you refer to as ‘the principle of it,’ right? Anjelo has mentioned it in such terms before.” She sighed again, but her jaw was tight and her spine stiff. She hadn’t liked what I had to say, but tough. She studied the floor for a while, then said, “Thank you for speaking your mind with me, Kailin. Truthfully, it isn’t easy to hear those words, but reality is something we do need to be prepared for. Should I put myself in the position of your humans, I would feel the same way.”

  I cleared my throat. “Humans aren’t the only ones being fed on by Widd’en’s men.” My words brought her head snapping up so fast I was sure I would hear her neck crack.

  “What do you mean?” Her question was sharp and her voice high with consternation. “Who else have they been feeding on?”

  “Before he died, Widd’en collaborated with a scientist to create a drug that would allow a Wraith to possess a Walker. The possession lasts only for a small amount of time, but while within the Walker’s form, the Wraith is immeasurably strong and powerful.”

  “What?” Her eyes were wide, so wide that even the tiniest bit of white at the far corners was visible. “Are you sure about this?”

  “More sure than I’d like. I’ve seen the drug in action. Niko used it on Anjelo. Then, not long after the drug was administered, the Wraith possessed Anjelo’s body.”

  She gasped. “Our Anjelo?”

  I wanted to smile at the way she referred to him as “our Anjelo,” but I concentrated on the conversation. “Yes. He may not have told you because I think he can’t remember the possession. I know Niko was looking for stronger Walkers, alphas to test. Widd’en was getting ambitious.”

  “Until you killed him.” She said the words, but I didn’t miss the iron in her tone. Odd.

  I snorted. “Only because I had my mom’s help. He was so very, very strong.”

  “Stronger than you?” she asked softly, tipping her head to the side, watching me.

  “In my human form, I think so. I was slowed down by poison, so that may have counted in his favor. But he was no match for my panther form.”