Defiance

by R. S. Broadhead

  “It’s bad ass.”

  Ryker smiled at my approval. “Glad you like it. Besides, I couldn’t have you rockin’ the same thing as those dicks. You’re better than them. It’s time they know that. Now, let me go take a whiz, and we can be on our way before they decide to bust down these doors. Although, I’m sure it’s going to kill them to come into such a disgusting place beneath their stature.” He disappeared into the back. “Holy shit! It looks like you killed Chewbacca in here.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said as I grabbed a glass of water.

  “Oh yeah. I forgot you were locked away. It’s this hairy ass thing from a human movie. Pretty sweet movie if you ask me,” he yelled. He started making some weird gurgling noise. For a second I thought he was choking on something and then realized he was trying to mock the character he was just talking about.

  “I guess I’ll have to take your word for it.” A small figurine of a hairy beast with something draped across his chest caught my eye. Wonder if this is the thing he was talking about? I could definitely see what he was referring to if that was the case. I put it down before thumbing through a few books. All of them looked history related, except the bottom book being How To Pick Up Chicks. That was something I wasn’t expecting. With Ryker’s looks, and open personality, I wouldn’t think he would have problems in that area.

  The sliding glass door caught my eye. Ryker was saying something else about the movie, but I was barely listening. My hands were sweating as I pulled open the door and stepped out onto the balcony. My inner demons were going crazy the more my fear escalated, practically feeding off it. Voices and laughter from below reached me like a blast to the face. The red sun blazed in the sky as it beat heat onto my arms. A gunshot sounded off somewhere, and screams erupted. Fighting the urge to turn and run back into the safety of the apartment, I jumped on the tiny rail of the balcony. Perched like a bird, I looked down at the world below.

  Nekroun Earth was a polluted, disgusting place of existence now. Not the way I remembered it. How did it get this bad? I took a deep breath, trying not to gag on its vile stench. Things would be different when I got out, I knew the world didn’t stop just because I wasn’t in it, but this… I never expected this. I knew what I needed to do. Whatever fears I possessed before had to be bottled up and swallowed into the deepest, most primitive part of myself to never see the light of day. I couldn’t let them pull me down. There was no way I was going to let that happen. I had something more important now, something I started years before, and it was taken from me. I was robbed of peace for all this time to dwell in my failures. They would pay for that. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon.

  Izzy was my mission now. I was out of that prison to save her from whoever was after her. This world and Earth had better prepare for me and what was in store. I would stop at nothing to save her.

  Death is upon us and I am Death.

  Seven

  "Whoa! You trying to jump out here?” Ryker practically screamed at my back.

  Without turning, I shook my head. We needed to get moving, time was valuable. Every hour, every minute, every second counted. Each one we lost meant someone else was closer to finding Izzy. How was I going to find her? I had no idea where to start. Obviously she was hidden well, beyond any other trackers normal methods.

  “I need to find a way get my Demoral power back. We need to be able to travel to Earth if we have to, and the only way to do that is drawing the Reaper symbol,” I said, jumping from the balcony rail and straightening my shoulders with newfound resolve.

  “Hmmm, sounds like we need to catch a Demoral. I know a place they hang out. I’ve been a few times. Of course, I don’t ever get to stay too long before one of them pricks throws me out on my face. Come on, let’s go.”

  I followed him outside. A gust of wind slapped us in the face, carrying paper, littering the streets, along with people and creatures. The air was damp and smelled of rotting flesh. After some time, we were out of the housing area and into the business district. We passed by a store with small machines in the window, each projecting different sized images of a man in a suit.

  “What’s this?” I asked, stopping in front of them.

  “Our version of the human television. That’s Ham Jenson. A warlock that thinks he’s the best investigative reporter this side of my ass. Fucking idiot is what he is.”

  “What will happen to Nekroun Earth? Shelar Fate has new plans to develop the city back to what it used to be. With the disappearance of Grim years ago, she has tried to manage as best as possible. Citizens, it is up to you. Grim appears to be lost forever or not care enough to come back to lead us. The power lays with you to elect Fate into the position she so rightfully deserves to bring this city up from the shambles that pollute it,” the reporter said. The screen flashed to Fate with camera crews around her. The familiar frizzed hair was higher than it was last time I saw her, but the wild makeup was the same, only different colors to match her dress. Standing behind her, ushering her through was Paradan. My fist curled inward, so tight the knuckles turned white. How could everyone in this city be so blind? These two were obviously behind this entire thing.

  She paused, taking one person’s microphone. “When the day comes…please, do what is best for this city. It breaks my heart with a heavy burden to see what Grim has left behind. Each and every one of you deserves a safe, thriving city. I can give you that, and we can pick up the pieces that Grim ruthlessly left behind together.” Her voice made my stomach churn. The words that she spoke were lies. She didn’t care about the lower stature residents. I fought putting my fist through the window. We didn’t need any unwanted attention on us.

  “So no word on Grim?” I asked, trying to ignore her annoying voice still talking on the screen.

  “Nope. Fate claims she’s been having the Demorals and even other creatures search everywhere for him, but I don’t believe that. Some of us think she killed Grim to take over with that prick,” he said, pointing at Paradan’s picture on the wall behind me. “They put them everywhere to scare people. So they know he’s the law here. So many have been put to death since Grim has been gone. A trial doesn’t really exist anymore. It’s nothing for them to execute on the streets.” His jaw clenched. A dark stain on the ground behind him caught my eye. It was old, but no doubt blood. I never thought I would see the day these streets were polluted with blood. Cold swept through me, and my vision turned red. Grim would not leave this place of his on accord. Something made him leave or worse.

  “Wouldn’t it be hard to kill him? I mean he’s Grim…” I said as my voice trailed off, thinking to myself.

  “Everyone can die. Some are just harder than others. There’s a way, I’m sure, and I bet she found it.”

  Now was not the time to go after Fate. That would come later, but it would come. I cast a glance back at her face one last time as we started to walk away. Soon.

  Cantas was a packed bar in the middle of the city. Crowds stood out front by the illuminated sign hanging down. As Ryker and I approached, I couldn’t help but notice the stares. Ryker’s back stiffened, this apparently made him uncomfortable. There was a strong possibility Ryker’s face would soon be on the most wanted list—if it wasn’t already. We had to be prepared for anything. He stopped in front of a large beast with tusks curving up from his mouth. It snarled, deep bass resonating from its chest. Ryker pulled closer to him and quietly said something, getting a nod from the beast. He moved to the side and allowed us to pass. I guess Ryker did have some friends.

  Smoke danced around the large room, lined with a balcony, and a stage in the back. A band played, screams rang from the speakers, getting head bangs from those listening. Colored lights speckled the floor, making it a blur of blues, reds, and purples. We stopped at the bar, Ryker leaning over to talk to the bartender. She was a pretty girl, short with long, dark hair. Tattoos ran down both arms, and a large one across her chest. She glanced over at me and smiled as Ryker
talked. She started messing with some bottles of glowing liquid, mixing and shaking until she stopped, poured it into a shot glass, and pushed it in my direction.

  “Allow me to give the famous Cadeus Reaper a drink. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She smiled, and I noticed her pointed canines. A vampire.

  I stared at the aqua liquid that was covered in foam second guessing whether it was safe to drink.

  “It’s just a Kinky Kome. I promise it won’t knock your dick in the dirt too bad.” She laughed. It was a soft sound that made butterflies devour my insides.

  I picked up the shot glass and downed it before I talked myself out of it. It flowed down my throat like hot lava and set my stomach ablaze. “Woo! It’s been a long time since I had something like that.”

  Ryker laughed at me and patted me on the back. “Meet Isla McVay. I’ve been telling her all about you while you were locked up. We’ve known each other for years.” He paused smiling over at her and then motioned toward the back of the bar before continuing. “She said Theo is in the back getting his tool worked. This is our shot at getting your Reaper symbol to work.”

  “Don’t get into trouble back there, Ryker. Your face is already making its rounds all over the city.” His eyes widened, causing her to grin. “No worries, BFF. You know anyone who rats you out in this place will have to answer to me.” Her sweet voice made the deadly threat sound even hotter. She giggled at our reactions, obviously chasing any worries from Ryker’s mind.

  “I’ll see you later,” he told her after a few seconds of giving her the eye. She nodded and winked at me. “I’d give anything to bang her. Just one minute, fuck even thirty seconds, and I’d be the happiest man in the world.” He closed his eyes as if visualizing what it would be like before letting out a deep grunt like an animal in heat. “Just give me some oil, a couple of feathers, no, a shit ton of feathers, like I just mauled an animal for her.”

  I paused, letting him walk a few feet in front of me before he realized I wasn’t with him. “What?”

  My brows rose. “Dude, you got some seriously messed up shit going on with all that.” He threw a hand toward the ground dismissing my statement and turned, ducking into the heart of the crowd. I followed him as best as I could. It was so packed I kept getting pushed farther and farther behind until I could no longer see him in front of me. Suddenly, the shot of alcohol overtook my equilibrium, and the room started swaying. I stumbled into a girl with leathery skin, and she shoved me back into a booth, causing the hood to fall away from my head.

  “Well, hey there,” a voice near me said. I turned and focused on a guy with short black hair. One eye look straight at me while the other moved excitedly around the room.

  “Ummm, sorry,” I slurred a little too loudly at him. I started to get up, but he grabbed my hand.

  “Don’t I know you? About thirty years ago, you came to see me.” The alcohol had done some work on me, but I was sure I didn’t know this guy. I snatched my hand away from him, still feeling its clamminess on my skin. He looked out of place here, almost terrified at every small noise near him. “Sorry. I don’t usually come to places like this. I like being at home, where it’s safe. I don’t like things out of my normal routine. It freaks me out.” I sympathized with him and eased up.

  “Why would you think you know me?” I asked.

  He cocked his head and studied me with the one eye. His stare burned into me, unblinking.

  “You look different, but I’ll never forget the purple ey…” he stopped short as if something clicked. “I’m sorry. I must have confused you with someone else. I probably should be heading home.” He started to slide out of the seat, but it was my turn to catch his hand this time.

  “What are you?” I asked. I was completely baffled by this odd man in front of me.

  He looked down at the table and locked his fingers together. “I’m a Seer.”

  “What the hell is a Seer?” I asked. In all my years, before prison, I had never heard of such a thing.

  “I can find things for people that are lost to others. Objects…not people.”

  My heart sank at his last two words. If only he could find Izzy. That would have made things so much easier.

  “I take it you’re missing someone?”

  I nodded.

  “Give me your hand. I’ll see if there is anything I can tell you that might help. It’s a long shot, but we might get lucky.”

  Hesitating, I gave him my hand. Why should I trust this guy? I didn’t even know him, and he acted really weird. But what other option did I have? I wasn’t giving him any information. He was going to give it to me if anything came out of this.

  He clasped his hand around mine, and once again, I could feel the clamminess. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. He closed both eyes, and rubbed his thumb across my palm. After several minutes, I wanted to jerk my hand away thinking this guy was trying to get fresh. But before I could, he finally spoke again. “It’s a girl you haven’t seen in many years.”

  “Yes!” I said my voice rising slightly. “Do you know where she is?”

  “No.”

  I let out a frustrated sigh and sank back into the booth.

  “But you do.”

  I tilted my head and narrowed my eyes. He had obviously lost his mind because I had no idea where Izzy was or even where to start looking for her. “Umm, no, I don’t. If I did, I wouldn’t be asking you.”

  A low chuckle escaped his throat, making his shoulders bounce as he twirled his straw. He stared into the hot pink liquid for a few seconds before he spoke again. “Usually when something traumatic happens to two people, they’re bound together. Despite, your resistance to this bond, recently something changed. Am I right?”

  I thought back to Sophia telling me she was still alive and nodded.

  “What happened right after this change? Anything out of the ordinary?”

  The dream! How could I be so stupid? The girl in the dream, it had to be her. She was blurry, and I couldn’t make out much, but I was sure it had to be her.

  “Holy shit. How can I ever thank you?” I asked.

  He stood from the table, casting a few wide-eyed glances over his shoulders before downing the rest of his drink. He slammed the glass on the table and stared at it a few seconds before he answered. “Stop what’s coming. Otherwise, we’re doomed.” He turned to walk away, leaving me staring after him.

  “What do you mean?” I yelled, hoping my voice would carry through the raging metal. He stopped and turned to look at me, only giving me a half smile. Suddenly, he stepped forward and disappeared. I leaned back, rubbing my chin.

  “Cade! Where the hell have you been? I thought you were right behind me.” Ryker looked flushed, and he was out of breath. He had another drink in his hand and was now swaying unconsciously to the music. The drink I had taken clouded my mind, but we were here for a reason. I stood and pushed Ryker gently, urging him to lead the way.

  “I lost you in the crowd and got hung up talking to someone. I think I know where we need to go, but we need to get to Theo.” Ryker nodded and started in front of me again. This time I managed to keep up. Repeatedly, I had to nudge him along, due to him stopping to dance with every girl that pulled him to her. The drinks had definitely worked their magic on him.

  A guy cut in front of Ryker, placing his hands on his chest, stopping him. “Whoa…” The liquor was stout on his breath. “You’re that guy,” he continued. He looked in my direction, his mouth hanging open. “And you’re that other guy.”

  Ryker clasped him on the back. “Congratulations. You graduated in the course of knowing the difference between a guy and a girl, now move the hell out of the way,” Ryker said. He tried to push forward, but the guy wouldn’t move.

  “Nah. You’re the dude on the tube everyone’s after, which means you’re Cadeus Reaper.” He jumped up and down, pointing in my direction. “I’ve heard stories about you. Hell yeah… I’m partying with Cadeus Reaper!” The crowd around us stared and erupt
ed into a roar.

  “Move your ass.” Ryker shoved him to the side. At that point, he didn’t care. He bounced into the crowd acting on a newfound high from me being there. I didn’t know how to take the mention of there being stories about me. There was no telling what they had morphed into—what they had made me into. It kind of made me feel good to know I wasn’t completely forgotten while I was locked away. People remembered me. Now if they remembered the real me or the real reason I was locked away was a different story.

  On the side of the stage, I could barely think clearly. It seemed the music was so loud I couldn’t even hear my own thoughts. A few of the backstage workers cut us sideways glances, watching us disappear into a back hallway. The red carpet aided our steps as we passed, each shear curtain hung with curved, ivory bones. Inside, the moans from male customers were enough to make me choke back stomach bile. What was happening to our kind? Before I was locked into that cell, things like this were utterly unheard of. This place would have been shut down immediately.

  Grim, what did you leave this place to become? I couldn’t help but replay the stranger’s words. Maybe the doom was already here. What more could be in store for us?

  We were silent as cats stalking prey, and Theo was our prey. At the end of the hall, we paused at the curtain. Theo’s voice was low, but there was no denying it was him. Each muscle in my body tightened, and it took every bit of self-control I possessed not to rush into the room and tear him apart. I wanted him dead as much as he wanted me dead the day he ruthlessly beat me. The curtain tickled the tips of my fingers as I pushed it to the side enough to peek through. He was alone other than a short, overweight girl dressed in nothing but a G-string and black stockings reaching her thighs. Hair covered most of her back, which ran up to the dreaded mane on top of her head.

  “Nasty ass werewolves,” Ryker mouthed. His body shuddered as he looked back into the room. After fully assessing our surroundings, I knew we were good to go in. Without taking my eyes off Theo, I pulled out the curved piece of metal bed frame I had hidden under my suit. Checking over my shoulder one last time, I step into the room. The red fluorescent lighting hummed and flickered, and the room smelled of something strong enough to make my eyes water instantly. The female wolf was dancing nonchalantly as I stepped closer.