by John Corwin
"I do not know if releasing them immediately is wise." Kanaan displayed the image of a red coffin. "It is possible the prisoners will be in a weakened state. They may not be able to walk on their own."
"Or they might need medical attention," Ambria added. "But we can't possibly move so many coffins ourselves."
"We will have to physically load them onto flying carpets," Kanaan said. "I tested a levitation spell, but the material resisted my efforts."
Asha inspected the holographic image of the red coffin. "Probably warded to prevent anyone without the proper passcode from breaking them open with magic."
"That was my conclusion as well." Kanaan rotated the image to show the pedestal holding up the box. "There is nothing holding down the coffin, but it weighs two hundred pounds."
Max whistled. "I don't know how much I can lift, but I know it's not that much."
"It will take all of us to move one coffin onto a flying carpet." Kanaan looked at Natalia. "Your felycan strength will help."
"Do not forget me," Shushiel said. "I can lower webs from the ceiling and swing the coffins onto the carpets."
"I have a better idea." I flicked to an earlier image of the chamber and rotated the view to the ceiling. Though the image wasn't perfectly clear, the surface looked smooth. "Maybe we could rig a pulley up there using Shushiel's webs."
Kanaan tapped his chin. "I had not considered a non-magical approach."
"You didn't grow up in an orphanage where they treated us like slaves," Ambria said. "Conrad used to help Brickle slaughter animals. He'd come inside covered with blood after hoisting them up with pulleys."
I shuddered at the memory of those days and tried not to think about how a demon had eaten Brickle alive. "Who's going to ferry the flying carpets? How many coffins can we fit on one?"
Kanaan swiped to the image of a double-wide carpet. "This will carry three coffins and still fit through the door to the foundry." He looked at Stan. "Can you guide the carpets to the portal?"
The old man nodded. "I'll take some extra painkillers in case my leg acts up."
"That's no short hike from the foundry to the portal," Asha said. "I'd feel much better if you only had to go halfway."
"Through woods and rough terrain?" Natalia pshawed. "I don't even think he should go halfway."
Ambria switched to a wide shot of the chamber holding the coffins and stared at the pile of white boxes. "Even if Garkin's men don't wander in and interfere, how in the world can we move so many coffins?"
I tried to count, but the jumbled pile of boxes defied my efforts. Two hundred pounds each? Our task didn't just seem monumental—it seemed impossible.
Chapter 25
"We will move what we can," Kanaan said. "I suggest we leave the white coffins for last."
"Because they're ordinary people?" Ambria shook her head. "It's not fair and it's not right."
"No, it's not," Asha said. "But if the people in those red coffins are as powerful as Ivy Slade, then we need them badly."
"I know that, but—" Ambria bit her lip. "All those poor people, copied and murdered once Victus is done with them."
The tortured faces of the dead in the trench flashed before my eyes. I shivered and choked back sickness.
Max gagged and ran from the room. His retches echoed down the hallway.
Asha's troubled eyes met mine. "We should save as many as we can, but there simply aren't enough of us."
"I spoke with Percival," Kanaan said in his quiet, undisturbed voice. "He will be here to monitor the health of those we free."
I barely registered his words, so focused was I on trying not to think of the dead. I'd seen so many horrors in my short life. I'd accidentally killed a man with a shovel. Watched a demon devour Brickle. Seen the Goodleighs die after their flying car crashed. Witnessed my parents rise from the dead. It should have prepared me for all the horrors one could imagine. But it hadn't, and maybe that was a good thing.
Much as I wanted Victus dead, I didn't relish killing him. I didn't want anyone else to die, but as long as such evil existed, I had no choice. There had to be some way we could rescue the people in those white coffins. They might be unimportant to Victus—just low-level people to copy so he could throw them away afterward—but they were people! Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters—humans, all of them worthy of rescue.
We needed more people to help us, but who could we trust? There was no telling who Victus had replaced by now. If only the Glimmer was open, then Evadora could help. Galfandor was out of the picture, and I didn't know who else to ask.
I wondered if our vampire housemates might help. "Do you think Sonia and Desmond would come if I asked?"
Max shook his head. "Desmond might, but Sonia would just yell at you for asking."
"She's so mean, I wouldn't want her coming even if she did agree," Ambria said.
I pushed my seat back from the table and stood. "We need more hands for this job. I don't want to leave anyone behind."
"It may not be possible to save everyone." Kanaan took his arcphone from the table and deactivated the holographic image. "Sometimes there is no perfect solution to a problem."
I slammed my hand on the table. "The more people we leave behind, the more souls we give to Victus!" I pounded the table again. "I'll find a way to make it happen." I left the room, grabbed my broom, and stormed out of the house, furious that magic couldn't provide an easy answer for me.
I heard footsteps running down the gravel driveway after me. I didn't have to turn around to know who it was. "Yes, Ambria?"
She got in front of me, a smirk on her lips. "How'd you know it was me?"
"Because Max can't run that fast." I looked back at the house. "I'm surprised he didn't come."
"He was too busy stuffing his face with biscuits."
I grunted. "Food over friends. It figures."
Ambria took my hands. "We can figure this out."
I shrugged. "How? We don't have much time to find people we can trust."
"What about people we don't like but can probably trust?" she asked.
I frowned. "Who would that be?"
Ambria pressed her lips together as if considering her next words, then spoke. "What about Blue?"
"Blue?" I hissed a breath between my teeth. "She's the one who told Harris my real name. She's the reason he hates me."
"But she's a lycan. We could use her strength."
"I hardly see her around campus anymore since she's taking all shifter courses." I shook my head. "I wouldn't trust her to keep her mouth shut." I climbed on my broom and flew toward campus, Ambria pacing me on hers. "Besides aren't you the one who just said you didn't want to ask Sonia?"
"Yes, but that's because I know she wouldn't help." Ambria shrugged. "We could fly to the house and ask anyway."
I nodded. "Let's go." We flew across campus and dove off the cliff. Queens Gate spread out below in the center of the valley far below. Sheep dotted the green fields like puffs of cotton and crops swayed in the breeze, a rippling sea of brown and red.
We reached the house at the corner of Dowling and Bucket and landed. A shout interrupted my march to the door. Harris, Baxter, and Lily emerged from the back yard, brooms in hand.
"Conrad." Harris spoke my name in a strained tone as his group advanced.
I took out my wand. "What are you doing here?"
"I couldn't find you on campus." He shrugged. "Figured you'd come back into the city."
Ambria stepped up beside me, wand held offensively. "What do you want?"
Lily held up a hand. "We don't want a fight."
"I know you don't," Ambria said. "You're the only decent one of the bunch."
"Hey, now," Baxter protested. "Just because we don't like evil—" Harris nudged him in the ribs and the bigger boy hushed.
"I want to…apologize." Harris's shoulders slumped as if someone had just removed a load of bricks from his back. "I'm sorry, Conrad."
His words so surprised me, that I nearly fe
ll over backward. "What?"
"I said I'm sorry." Lily nudged him and he continued. "I don't think you're the evil I'm supposed to destroy."
"That's a relief," Ambria said. "I rather like Conrad."
"As do I," Lily added.
Baxter scowled. "I don't like him."
Harris put a hand on his friend's shoulder and shook his head. "I think it's time we put the past behind us and concentrate on what's important." His shoulders straightened and he looked me in the eye. "Stopping your father."
I holstered my wand. "No matter what?"
He nodded. "No matter what."
Even if I couldn't trust Harris, I could certainly trust his desire to fulfill the prophecy. "If you're willing to risk your lives and do some heavy lifting, then you can start helping us today."
Harris's eyes brightened. "How?"
I looked around. "Let's go inside. I don't want to explain things twice." I walked straight toward Baxter who stood in my way. Apparently remembering his last two encounters with me, he jumped aside like he'd just stepped on a snake.
The front door was locked but a tap from my wand and the secret word opened it. At least the vampires hadn't changed the code just yet. I stopped in front of a thick metal door halfway down the hall and next to the stairs. It was still far too early for Desmond and Sonia to be awake. I held up a fist, hesitated.
Ambria pounded on the door, ringing it like a bell. She grinned. "I'll be sure to tell Sonia you're the one who knocked."
I pounded again until an unholy screech rose from below. Harris and Baxter nearly fell over themselves backing up while Lily and Ambria cackled with laughter. I swallowed the apprehension coiling around my throat and hoped Desmond kept Sonia from ripping off my head.
"The house had better be on fire or I'm going to tear your arms off, you little wankers!" Sonia screamed.
I jumped backward as locks clicked. The door swung inward and slammed into the stone wall at the top of the basement stairs. Fingernails bared like claws, fangs flashing, Sonia leapt through the doorway still wearing silky pajamas riddled with images of cats.
"I need your help!" I shouted before she ripped into me.
Sonia backed me up against the wall, pressing her body to mine, face an inch away. "What is the meaning of this?" she asked in a dangerously quiet hiss. "Who are these strangers in my house?"
"Hello, Conrad." Desmond appeared over Sonia's shoulder and put a restraining hand on his sister's arm. "I'm sure he has a good reason."
"Yes," I squeaked. Out of the corner of my eye I saw that Lily and Ambria were no longer smiling.
"Good reason or not, he woke me up." Sonia flicked a fingernail across my cheek hard enough to make me wince. She considered a drop of my blood and licked it. "The house is not on fire. I am not in imminent danger of dying. Therefore, he owes me more than this little drop of crimson."
Ambria took out her wand. Before she could aim it, Sonia blurred down the hallway and ripped it from her grasp. "And so do you, little girl." She poked Ambria in the chest. "You will give me a pint."
Anger boiled in my chest. Before I could stop myself, I drew my wand. Sonia spun, but a spell erupted, crashing into her chest and slamming her against the wall. I concentrated on her cheek and flicked my wand. A red streak formed on her pale skin.
Sonia gasped and touched her cheek. She pulled back her hand and looked at the blood. A slow smile spread across her lips. "So, the little dog has teeth after all."
"Enough!" Desmond shouted loudly enough to send everyone jumping back. He turned to me. "Conrad, what's the meaning of waking us up in the middle of the afternoon?"
"I'm very sorry to disturb you, but lives are on the line and I need all the help I can get." I looked over at Sonia. "Even yours."
She reared back her head and laughed. "Why should I help you?"
I holstered my wand. "Sonia, you're one of the most unpleasant people I know and we'd probably get more done without you, but we could really use both of you."
Sonia smirked. "Well, since you asked politely, I'll consider it. Now, tell me what this is about."
"You're just curious, aren't you?" Ambria said.
"Of course." Sonia sauntered down the hall, pausing long enough to run a finger under Baxter's chin. The big boy blanched, remaining still as a mouse in a cat's paw. "Aren't these the children who used to play next door?"
"I used to live next door," Harris said, unable to keep the tremor from his voice. "These are my friends."
Sonia pursed her lips, shrugged, and released Baxter's chin. "I'm having blood tea. Anyone else like some?"
Lily grimaced. "I'll take my tea black, please."
Sonia laughed.
After everyone settled around the small table, tea in hand, I told them about the infernus, the foundry, and our plans to rescue the prisoners. At the first mention of Victus, Sonia's eyes glowed red.
"Your bleeding father doesn't give up, does he?" Her fangs extended from beneath her plump lips. "If we kill him, will you bugger off and leave us alone?"
"I'll help," Desmond said. "Things are bad enough right now without the Overlord coming back into power."
Harris smacked the table with the flat of his hand. "I'm in."
"Me too," Baxter said.
"I'll help." Lily smiled. "Though, I certainly won't be much help lifting those heavy coffins."
"My aunt and uncle have a pair of worker golems that can lift heavy loads," Harris said. "I can bring them along."
"Every little bit helps." I looked at Sonia. "Well?"
"Hmm." She stood and stretched, her pajamas tightening against her curves.
Ambria cleared her throat. "This isn't a peep show."
"Yes, I will help." Sonia walked around the table, tracing her fingernails across Baxter's scalp. He shivered, whether from fear or pleasure, I couldn't tell, and slumped in his seat after she'd gone.
Desmond smiled sheepishly. "I know she seems unpleasant, but my sister has been through a lot."
"So have we," Ambria said. "And yet we manage to act civil."
"When you're ready, message me on my phone," I told Desmond. "We can open a portal and bring you to us."
"Of course." Desmond ran a hand through his thick hair. "I'll be ready within the hour." He got up and left.
Lily sighed. "He's so charming and handsome."
"I suppose," Ambria said. "He's certainly nice compared to most vampires I've met."
"I'll go get those golems." Harris took out an arcphone. "Can I message you for a portal too?"
I bumped my phone against his to transfer my contact symbols. "Yes." I looked at the trio, still processing how we'd moved from enemies to uneasy allies. "This mission will be extremely dangerous. You do understand that we could end up fighting against battle mages, right?"
Baxter gulped. "Yeah, you made that clear earlier."
Harris didn't seem the least dissuaded. "I know it's dangerous, but we can't let the Overlord rise again."
"Agreed." Lily patted my arm. "I'm glad we can be on the same side again, Conrad."
Baxter pshawed. I ignored him and smiled. "Yeah, me too."
Ambria and I hopped on our brooms and flew into Queens Gate feeling much better about our chances. Our numbers had doubled, and two vampires would make a tremendous difference with the physical labor. I stopped by a magical hardware shop and purchased several self-sticking pulleys along with other items that might make our task easier.
"I can't stop thinking about Ansel's house," Ambria said as we left the store. "Why were Victus's men searching it?"
"I don't know, but we don't have time to go there now."
Ambria pursed her lips. "Probably not, but maybe Percival had some success healing Ansel. Maybe he could answer our questions."
I used the communication pendant to request a portal. Kanaan opened one in the alley behind the shop. We stepped through into the omniarch room where an anxious Max waited with Kanaan.
Max glared at us. "Where'd you guys
go?"
Ambria smirked. "Oh, you're going to love this, Max."
He narrowed his eyes. "Love what?"
"Harris, Baxter, and Lily are going to help," I said.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Max's mouth dropped open. "That's awful!"
"Sonia and Desmond are coming too," Ambria added.
Max groaned. "I'd trust Sonia before letting Harris guard my back."
"Don't worry, Max." Ambria patted his back. "We'll keep an eye on you."
I handed the materials from the hardware store to Kanaan and hurried down to the gauntlet room, now Percival's makeshift healing ward.
The healer was bent over a beaker of purple liquid but straightened when he heard me come in. "You'll be happy to know that giving your cousin his allergy medicines has helped immensely. His soul is in dire straits, but now that his body is in nominal condition, it's starting to heal."
"Is there any way he can answer questions?" I asked.
"He's been in and out of consciousness, but not particularly lucid." Percival sorted through a small crate and removed a strip of red cloth. "This will wake him for a moment, but I don't know if he'll be in any condition to answer questions."
Ambria came up behind me. "What's the news?"
Percival ignored her and walked to the bed where Ansel lay. His skin was pale, but had a healthy color to it instead of sickly green. Percival laid the red strip on his patient's forehead. Ansel moaned. Jerked. His eyes flicked open and a scream tore from his throat.
Ambria and I jumped a foot. Percival snapped his fingers until Ansel stopped screaming. "What's your name?"
Ansel's head turned toward us. "Victus. Cumberbatch."
"No, your name," Percival said.
I leaned over my cousin. "We know about the foundry. What's in your house that Victus wants?"
"Golem spark spells," Ansel whispered. "Perfect copies. I said no. Wouldn't help."
"You have spells that would have helped him make perfect copies with his infernus?" Ambria asked.
"Yes. Before I knew you." He sucked in a breath. "Helped him and Delectra with original." Ansel's eyelids fluttered. "Demon creatures. Dark and so hot." Sweat broke out on his forehead. "So hot!" His body convulsed. Foam speckled his mouth.