by David Petrie
“Nope.” Max pulled his half of the Shift Beads and tossed the bracelet to Corvin, who slipped it on and moved to the rear of the cabin where he touched it. Two chests dropped into the space as he vanished. A young reynard girl popped into existence along with them, gripping the handles of each. Even with the fluffy ears and tail, Nix recognized the girl from surveillance footage. Wren—or Piper as she had renamed herself. Ginger’s daughter. Nix couldn’t help but smile as the young reynard said something into her ring and vanished. Another two chests joined the others with Corvin attached.
Max ignored the operation going on behind him while he continued to gloat, “We’re fortunate Ginger has been stealing explosive items from every shop in Noctem for years. All she had to do was drop a bag of bombs down one of the stairwells near one of the crystal obelisks and,” he blew out a ridiculous fart noise with his tongue hanging out, “no more palace shield. You really only have to light one fuse; the rest will just go off by being near it.”
Nix rolled her eyes as the image of Ginger passed through her mind, walking away in slow motion as the obelisk exploded behind her. Cool women don’t look at explosions, after all.
She let her grip on her pistol go slack and closed her eyes. Then she laughed, letting it drag on until she sounded a little crazy. Guffaws reverberated through the cabin, prompting the pilot to turn around to see what was happening.
“What’s going on back there?” Luka called back. “Have you secured the book?”
This, of course, drew out even more laughter.
It was all too much. Too perfect. Even Luka was there. Max had actually roped a member of the F.B.I.’s cybercrime task-force into helping with a heist. Nix had liked house Lockheart before, but now, she practically loved them. She had a good mind to abandon her mission right there and join up. They were her kind of people through and through.
That’s what made her job so hard.
She settled down, letting her gun fall from her hand. It clanked to the metal floor. “Fine, you’ve got me.” Nix pushed herself up, unarmed.
“About time.” Max held out his hand. “Now, give me the book.”
“You know, after all this, I kind of wish I could offer you a job?” She let out a sigh, staling. “But something tells me you wouldn’t accept it.”
Another two chests hit the metal floor as Piper appeared behind Max. He didn’t turn, but his eyes flicked away for an instant. “Why’s that?”
“Mostly because of this.” She dropped the book and kicked it in his direction, sending it hurtling through the cabin.
“Mother Fisher!” Max yelled as the heavy contract item cracked him in the nose, throwing his head back. With the movement of the cabin, it was enough to knock him over on top of Piper.
“Hold it!” Kegan readied an arrow.
“Too slow!” Nix threw her hand out, clasping his bow as her other darted for his draw hand. She squeezed tight so he couldn’t release while keeping tension on the bow. Then pushing him against the wall, she stopped, face to face. “Hi, there. We haven’t met. I’m Nix.” She planted a solid kiss on his mouth in classic Bugs Bunny styling.
“What the?” he uttered as she pulled away.
Before he could recover, she kneed him in the thigh and spun him toward the cockpit, letting go of his hands. The arrow fired with an odd twang.
“Hey watch ou–” Luka started to say just as the shaft struck her in the eye.
That should do it, Nix thought as the elven agent’s body lolled out of her chair, sending the craft lurching to one side. Metal screeched as they sideswiped another ship. Max and Piper tumbled as a chest fell on top of them. Plates of hard spilled across the floor.
Kegan’s face went blank.
“Hope you know how to fly.” Nix let go of the Leaf.
He lunged to the stick and planted himself into the pilot’s seat just as the craft began to dive. Berwyn’s book slid forward along with Nix’s gun, coming to a stop at her feet as the ship leveled out.
“Well, that’s convenient.” She scooped her weapon up and tucked it back into her holster before shoving the book under her arm. Then without hesitation, she grabbed the handle of the door and slid it open. “I’d love to stay and see how all this,” she gestured to Max as he struggled with a chest, “turns out, but I gotta run. So, bye bye.”
With that, she jumped. The sound of Max yelling trailed off as she fell toward the pyramid below.
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Kira burst into the hall in a cloud of sparkling pixie dust, without bothering to land or even close the door of the suite she had just teleported to. It wasn’t like she’d be going back there. The room wouldn’t be her home point for much longer anyway. She flipped in the air and streaked toward the stairs, only to plant her feet, skidding to a stop as she ran into Ginger.
The Coin caught her with both arms, nearly falling over. “In a hurry?”
Kira hopped back up into the air and hovered. “Sorry. I was looking for Farn. She wasn’t in the suite when I teleported in.”
“Damn, something must have held her up. We’ll have to find her.” Ginger spun back to the stairs, her coat fanning out behind her. Then she stopped cold.
“Oh, thank god.” Dartmouth appeared from the floor below. “Lord Berwyn has been worried sick. He’s waiting to lock down the pyramid until you get there.” He beckoned her with a hand, clearly suspecting nothing. “Come along so we can get you to safety.”
Kira’s chest tightened as Aawil came into view behind him. The silent faunus didn’t skip a beat as she impaled the Serpent’s Archmage with her dagger.
“Hurk!” Dartmouth gurgled as she stabbed him four more times. The gloves had come off, and she wasn’t taking any chances. He didn’t even have time to see who had killed him. The body fell at Aawil’s feet just before dissipating into the air around her.
She flicked her eyes up at Kira, blocking her path down. Not even Kegan and Corvin could beat her, and judging from the lethal stare on her face, their alliance wasn’t doing so well.
“I’ve got this,” Ginger used one hand to gently push Kira away. “Go find Farn. Make sure you both escape.”
“But…” Kira hovered closer as Aawil stalked up the stairs.
“It’s okay.” Ginger shook her head. “I still have an ace or two up my sleeve. I’ll be fine.”
“Good luck.” Kira nodded, understanding her place. As much as she hated to admit it, there wasn’t much she could’ve done. “You better not die,” she added before pulling away and darting back through the hall toward the next stairwell. The sound of daggers clashing echoed behind her as she left the Lady of House Lockheart alone to fight one of the most dangerous players in Noctem.
She better not die, Kira though as she pushed forward.
Racing down one flight of stairs after another, Kira finally found Farn near the first-floor landing. She slowed to a stop a few feet away.
“Come quick, we have to–”
“Thank god we found you,” the Shield interrupted before Kira had a chance to tell her about Ginger. That was when she noticed the worried expression on Farn’s face.
We? Kira question the word. Who’s we?
That was when Ripper stepped up the stairs behind her friend. “Finally, we need to get back to the pyramid. Berwyn sent me to bring you to him.”
“I ran into Ripper on my way to find you.” Farn gave a weak smile. She must not have been able to shake him.
Kira froze, not wanting to go with the horrible man. Despite that, she nodded. There wasn’t a choice. They couldn’t afford to raise anyone’s suspicions now. They were too close.
“Come on, Berwyn’s going to lock down the pyramid.” Ripper beckoned to them both.
“But we’ll be trapped in there. We should teleport out of here instead,” Kira argued as she swiped open her spell menu.
“No.” He reached out and grabbed her arm, almost dragging her down the stairs. “Lord Berwyn was clear. I’m not to return without you.�
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“Okay, fine. Just let go.” She struggled on instinct, not liking how his grip felt.
“The pyramid will be plenty safe once it’s locked down. As long as we get there now!” He gave her a firm yank as if making a point before releasing her wrist.
“There’s no need to get rough.” Farn stepped between them, letting Kira duck behind her.
Ripper said nothing but shot her an irritated stare.
“It’s fine.” Kira rubbed at her forearm, looking up at him submissively. She hated herself for it. “Lead the way.” At least Farn was with her. That was enough.
Ripper gave her a grunt that suggested agreement before turning away. Following him down to the first floor, he led them through the nearest entrance to the pyramid where Berwyn waited. The Lord of Serpents rushed to her as soon as they entered.
“Thank god you’re safe,” Berwyn breathed the words into Kira’s ear during an embrace that went on a little too long. She couldn’t help but notice Farn tighten her grip on the handle of her sword. It made her feel a little safer.
Berwyn let her go and took her by the hand, leading her down the stone walkway that cut through the waves to where the throne stood. “Have a seat.”
“Is that allowed?” Kira took a step back.
“It is if I say it is.” He gave her an encouraging push forward.
“Oh, okay.” She hoisted herself up, feeling self-conscious as she sat down. Fortunately, she remembered to keep her legs crossed since her elevated position would give pretty much everyone a free show if she didn’t.
That was when Berwyn directed her attention to a small, round button on one of the armrests. It was gold and surrounded with decorative carvings. He smiled up at her.
“Would you mind doing the honors?”
“Sure.” Kira shrugged and punched it down without hesitation. Pressing buttons was fun, after all.
Suddenly, the massive doors of the main entrance closed on their own, as did the rest the doors to the other exits. The waterfalls that lined the rear of the space ran dry. Then a low whine came from all around as sheets of polished crystal rose out of the water, sand, and stone on all sides. They stretched all the way to the angled ceiling, cutting off any chance of escape. A tomb of shining glass shared only with Farn, Ripper, and the Lord of Serpents.
Kira swallowed hard as Farn shot her a worried look. A teleport would be the only way out, provided she could cast one without being interrupted.
“That should do it.” Berwyn leaned against the throne, sounding quite proud. “The Winter Moon’s might get in the palace, but they’ll never get in here. The crystal around us is much stronger than the obelisks that run the shield. It would take nothing short of a battering ram to get in here. By then our reinforcements will be here to put a stop to this. I’ve already sent out a mass message to my imperial army.” He scratched at the back of his neck. “I’m just glad that we received our yearly budget from Checkpoint tonight. I might not have been able to pay the army without it. They don’t exactly take IOUs, you know.”
“Yeah, that’s lucky.” Kira gave an awkward laugh before falling silent and raising her head to the upper floors.
I hope Ginger’s okay.
Aawil leaped forward, kicking off a pillar as her dagger caught the cheek of Lockheart’s leader. She dug in, feeling the weapon's edge scrape bone. It was strange how real it felt. How familiar.
The irritating woman leaped back, her hand covering her face. A crimson glow faded underneath. Aawil wasn’t sure what Ginger was up to, but her orders were clear. Nix didn’t want any interferences.
Fortunately, Ginger wasn’t much of a fighter. At least, not compared to Aawil. She had studied recordings of each member of House Lockheart, and really, none of them were much to worry about on their own. It was only when they got together that they became more dangerous.
According to the files that Nix’s inside man had compiled, Ginger, in particular, was the least dangerous of the group. The only title she’d carried prior to becoming the Lady of her house was ‘Purse Taker’. Aawil hadn’t bothered getting that one. She didn’t even remember what it required. It was something about stealing things.
Whatever. It didn’t matter. Aawil would always be stronger.
She pressed forward, striking the wall near Ginger’s head. The impact cracked the stone like a pickaxe. Her hand blurred, continuing with a cluster of rapid attacks aimed at whatever parts of the woman were closest. Hand, head, stomach, thigh. Chips of stone flew as she missed.
Hold still, damn it!
Aawil swung through empty air as Ginger seemed to bend out of the way like water. It annoyed her. The woman might not have been much of a fighter, but she was slippery.
Enough of this.
Grabbing the loose fabric that hung from Ginger’s coat to cover the woman’s bare arm, Aawil yanked her off balance and thrust forward with her dagger. Ginger let out a desperate cry as the blade’s edge sought out her throat.
Then she laughed.
What? Aawil thought as the fabric she held firm simply tore away, leaving Ginger free to slip to the side, the dagger catching nothing but a lock of hair. With a quick breath, the slippery Coin blew the loose strands in Aawil’s face.
She flinched, not expecting something so random, almost leaving herself open. She recovered, blocking the strike she knew was coming. Except it didn’t. Instead, Ginger slinked around her somehow, grabbing the fabric that had been torn from her coat and throwing it up. Aawil swung wildly as the small cape covered her face. She ripped it away, finding the irritating woman gone.
Pop.
The sound of a grappling line drew her attention back to the stairs where Ginger winked and held up one hand. She swung her fingers back and forth with a health vial dangling between each.
Aawil screwed up her eyes, not really sure what she was looking at. It dawned on her just as a trial of smoke wafted up from her item bag along with a quiet sizzling. She thrust her hand into her item bag where she kept her health vials, pulling out a small, round bomb. Its wick sparked in her palm.
“Purse Taker,” Aawil said under her breath before tossing the explosive item away and diving to the side. It detonated with a wave of heat and an ear-splitting crack. Bracing, her arm lit up with streaks of crimson. She let out a growl as she looked back to the stairs.
Ginger blew her a kiss and downed the vial in her hand. Then she clenched her fist and zipped up the stairwell out of sight.
“Arghhhhh!” Aawil screamed, her cry shifting into a snarl as she lunged up the stairs after the woman. She burst into the hallway an instant later and darted between the pillars before slowing to a stop. Her eyes scanned the empty space, a row of suites lining the wall; Lockheart’s door was still open. She stalked toward the room, her vision tunneling in on it.
Reaching the entrance to the suite, she tightened her grip on her dagger and gave a low, intimidating growl. Suddenly, the pop of a wrist launcher echoed down through the hall as a grappling bolt streaked toward her head. Aawil, bent back as it slit through the air, scratching her throat.
Ginger flew out from behind a pillar, propelled by the retracting line. She held her dagger ready to strike.
Aawil couldn’t dodge, opting to turn her head to block with her horns. Ginger’s blade impacted with a grinding sound that reverberated through her skull. The palace spun as she fell back against the wall, her stat-sleeve erupting with a barrage of status effects.
- 300 HP
- 300 HP
Seconds ticked by like an eternity as some kind of poison drained her health in massive chunks. She tried to get up, but pins and needles filled her legs, paralysis taking over.
Move! she screamed internally as her body flopped to the floor, unable to control her limbs. All she could do was watch Ginger run back toward the stairs from where she came. The woman slowed for a moment, then tossed a cluster of four bombs tied together over her shoulder. It landed off to the side next to one of the massive, potted
plants a dozen feet away.
Another -300 HP fell away. Then in an instant, sensation returned to her body, and the debuff icons covering her arm vanished. Only a few hundred points of health remained.
Ginger continued to run for the stairs, leaving the cluster of bombs behind. Aawil pushed herself up and watched the wick sparkle. It was longer than a standard explosive’s, like it had been crafted that way intentionally. Not to mention, the woman had dropped it far enough away from where Aawil lay so that it wasn’t even a threat.
She was safe.
But why?
Ginger had her dead to rights. So why hadn’t she finished her? She might have been trying to cover her escape, but that didn’t make sense either.
Then her gaze shifted to from the bomb to the potted plant beside it. The potted plant that didn’t reset every hour along with the rest of the palace thanks to Dartmouth’s customizations. The potted plant that House Lockheart has had access to all week. The potted plant that was large enough to hold any number of bombs.
Aawil leaped to the nearest plant and thrust her hand into the soil. Her whole body froze. She didn’t even have to dig before feeling the familiar round shapes. There must have been hundreds.
Ginger picked up her pace and raised her house ring to shout, “Get ready for the fireworks!”
Then she dove down the stairwell.
There wasn’t a point in pursuing. Aawil just let herself slump back against the wall, her hand still resting in the soil.
“Well, shit–”
Chapter Fifty-Eight
The wind whipped through Max’s hair as he hung out the door of the Cloudbreaker to search for Nix below. She hit the roof and rolled, landing in an uncoordinated tumble of arms. Berwyn’s book skittered a few feet away from her. The mercenary stood back up, rubbing her ass and downing a health vial before scampering over to the book and scooping it back up.
Max shouted to the cockpit, “Kegan! Take us in near the pyramid.“ He turned back to Piper. “Finish the job and get out of here. I’ll get the book.”