by P. T. Hylton
He nodded sharply and told her what he’d found. “We still have two hundred of your Twisted guarding the perimeter of the city. No one else has tried to escape, since that first group.”
“Good. And how about power?”
“It’s a work in progress. Engineering has some backup generators and solar cells up, but it’s nowhere near what we need to power the city. Most of the major systems are still down. It’s going to take time and leadership to put this place back together.”
Her lips curled in a smile. “Lucky for you, we have both. I’ll tell you one thing that can’t wait, though. The public-address system. That’s the priority.”
CB couldn’t hide his annoyance at that. “Are you sure, Maryana? What about Agriculture? Or lights?”
“With the PA system, I can issue all my Twisted orders at the same time. Without it, I have to hope they’re listening on their radios. Besides, I like to remind my humans what I’m going to do to them every now and then.” She wagged a finger at CB. “You have your orders. Get to work.”
Jessica’s eyes snapped open and every muscle in her body tensed. By the time she remembered where she was, the warehouse was oddly quiet. Yet, something had startled her awake. Maybe it was someone crying out, or a door slamming as they dragged yet another captive off to wherever they were taking them.
She squeezed her eyes shut at the thought. Every hour, a Twisted selected one of them, seemingly at random, and dragged them out of the warehouse. These people never returned. What were they doing with them? Interrogation? Turning them into Twisted? Letting them go free? That last option seemed pretty farfetched, but Jessica had to at least pretend it was possible in order to keep herself sane. She couldn’t believe she’d managed even a moment of sleep in this stressful environment.
If only she could sit down with CB for five minutes. Yes, he was a Twisted now, but he was still CB. If she could just talk to him, touch him…
She pushed the thought away before it could go too far. She couldn’t think like that, hoping for the impossible, not if she wanted to survive this and give everyone else in this warehouse the best shot at survival. Needing to distract herself, she stood up and stretched, feeling her joints crackle and pop in protest at having to move after spending hours jammed in a seated position. She looked toward the door and saw Thomas standing bolt upright, observing the people, the same as he had done all night. She wandered over and stood next to him.
“Hello, Thomas,” she said as casually as possible. “How you holding up?”
He glanced at her, surprised by the question. “I’m fine. I’m a vampire now… err, a Twisted. I can stand for days on end without getting tired.”
“That’s not what I meant. Can’t be easy, holding all these innocent people captive.”
His look darkened. “I have my orders. There’s nothing easier than following your master’s orders.”
She nodded slowly. “You know who I am?”
“Of course. You’re CB’s wife.”
She chuckled at that. “That’s sort of a reductive way of putting it. I’m the Director of Engineering, too. As well as plenty of other things. But yeah, I’m also CB’s wife.” She paused. “How is he?”
Thomas stood up a bit straighter. Though he wasn’t happy about his situation, he was proud to be serving under CB. “He’s still the same old CB in most ways. He works hard as hell, fights his enemies with everything he has, and stands up for his people. And he doesn’t talk about his feelings much, so I’m not sure I have the answers you’re looking for.”
“No, that’s fine Thomas.” She paused. “What can you tell me? Do you know what’s going to happen to us?”
His face wrinkled in concern. “I don’t think Maryana would like me telling—”
“Did she order you not to?” Jessica interrupted. “If she didn’t order you, then you can tell me.”
He thought about that before answering. Then he looked her in the eye for the first time. “No one’s getting out of here alive. The lucky ones will be turned. The rest of you will just be killed.”
It was no more than she expected, but still she flinched at the words. Tony had been right the previous evening. The people here were mentally worn down and battered. But it didn’t matter. She had to unite them and get them to attempt an escape. CB would do it, if he was in her place. But he wasn’t; it was all up to her.
Suddenly the door to the warehouse burst open and a Twisted marched inside. “Time for another one,” he said to Thomas. Then he noticed her standing there. “Ah, I see you were waiting for me.”
He grabbed her arm and pulled her through the doorway and out onto the streets of New Haven. She fought hard, for all the good it did her. If she wasn’t in the warehouse, she couldn’t lead the escape. The people were doomed. But all her fighting was fruitless. The Twisted barely seemed to notice.
She opened her mouth to yell at him, to convince him to let her go back, but she didn’t get the words out before being shocked into silence.
Just outside the hull of New Haven, something exploded.
28
The windows rattled from the shockwave of the explosion. The sound was muffled in the Hub, but even there, it was clear that something was wrong. Maryana pushed herself off of her chair and dragged her limp lower body with her arms. She looked out of the window, searching the city for the source of the blast.
A few moments later, CB marched through the door.
“Things sound exciting out there. What happened?” Maryana asked.
“I sent some men to check on the cause of the explosion. They have not reported back, yet.”
She looked him over. “What do you think caused it? I’m guessing that it isn’t some kind of accident. Did Jaden make an army to come for me?” She pulled herself back to her chair with her arms.
CB wanted to lie to her, or say nothing, but he answered the question. “It’s the GMT. They know that you’re hurt, and they will attempt to kill you with a strike force. If Jaden has created more Twisted, we haven’t seen them. I’m guessing that the team will strike from two or three different points. You’ll be the target.”
Maryana choked back a laugh. “You think a team of less than ten is going to take on my army, in my city?”
“I know the GMT. I think they have a decent chance of succeeding.”
Maryana smiled. “Maybe they would have had a chance, but you sure hurt their odds.”
CB balled his fist hard enough to make blood drip from his hands. “Screw you.”
“I told you, my body isn’t ready for that yet, but I’ll remember it for later.” She smiled and winked at him. “What strategies would you suggest for killing the GMT?”
“We need to use our numbers. We know that they’ll be attacking from the area of the explosion, and we know that they will be coming for you here. Send half of the Twisted after the point they are attacking and have half stay here to defend you when the strike comes. There may be other ways that would probably risk less Twisted, but that should give you the best chance at victory.”
“I like having you around, CB. You are useful. I think you overestimate the skills of your team. They are annoying, but I doubt they will take out too much of my army before each and every one of them is dead. My only concern is Jaden. He is our number one priority. Make sure that we find and kill him.”
“It wasn’t Jaden who put that hole in your back. It wasn’t even Alex. I still think there’s a good chance I’ll be looking down at your corpse by the end of the day.” CB couldn’t help himself. He wanted to hurt her in any way he could.
Maryana glared at him. “Bend down and put your face next to mine.” CB did as he was told. The two were eye to eye and inches apart. Maryana stretched out her index finger and buried a sharp claw into CB’s cheek. A drop of blood escaped and ran down his jawline. Then she dragged her nail across his cheek toward his eye. The path left a deep cut. Blood dripped down his face like warpaint. The nail reached the corner of CB’s eye socket a
nd he felt the claw against his bone. She stopped there.
“Remind me to take out that eye when the battle is over. That will help you remember to mind your manners around me.” She pulled the nail out of his cheek and gave him a light slap.
CB straightened up. His mind raced, trying to think of ways to break the hold that she had on him. He needed to help the GMT in any way he could.
“Gather the Twisted. I want them all working on killing Jaden and the GMT.”
There was another explosion. The windows rattled once more.
He stood up straight and gave her a long look. “So, killing Jaden and the GMT is our number one priority right now?”
Maryana glared at him; he was an imbecile. “Obviously. Repairing the ship can wait until we are no longer under attack. Stop wasting time and make it happen.”
The first explosion gave Jessica a sliver of hope. She knew that the Twisted dragging her by the arm was taking her to die. She thought that he might put her back in the holding area when the explosion happened, but he kept marching toward the Hub. He barely reacted to the second explosion.
“Didn’t you hear that explosion? Those are not accidents. We are under attack. Aren't you supposed to protect the city?” She hoped that he could choose which set of orders to obey.
“I was ordered to get a prisoner and bring her back to Maryana. I couldn’t do anything else if the city was burning down around me. You don’t understand. There is no option.” The tone in his voice told Jessica that he had completely given up.
As they reached the base of the City Council building, Jessica realized that she was not going to get out of this. She hoped that her death would be quick. Most of all, she hoped that she would not be turned.
The door to the Council building opened and a Twisted walked out. Jessica’s knees went weak and she trembled as CB stepped in front of her. His face was deformed and his back rounded, but Jessica instantly recognized her husband. She tried to speak, but the words caught in her throat. Tears began to stream down her face.
CB looked at the Twisted holding her. “We have new orders. They take priority over everything else.”
The Twisted stopped and waited for instructions.
“Maryana needs the army to defend her and the city. All other tasks are on hold until we neutralize the attacking force. Help me gather the army, so that we can prepare the defenses. I need you to find all the Twisted you can and tell them to meet here.”
The Twisted let go of Jessica and ran back toward the holding cell. Jessica ran over and threw her arms around CB. He gave her a quick hug, then pushed her back.
“I’m sorry. I have to follow my orders.” He was already moving away from her.
She trotted along next to him. “CB, stay with me. I’m scared. I need your help.” Tears continued running down her cheeks as she spoke.
He turned toward her, his eyes fierce. “Run and hide. Don’t tell me where you are going. She may send me to find you, and I will not be able to disobey her. This is your chance. The Twisted will be focused on the attack.”
Jessica shook her head. “CB, you can beat her. I know you can. Fight against her control.”
Tears sprang to his eyes. “I wish you were right, Jessica. I love you so much. I’m sorry.” He turned and ran at full speed, leaving her alone in the street.
Jessica stood for a moment, unable to move. Seeing CB like that, knowing that he was Maryana’s puppet, crushed her soul. She wanted to lie down and give up. Then she thought of the people in the holding cell. There was still hope for them. CB had given her a chance to get them to safety. She started running toward the holding cells.
She tried to stay in the shadows next to the buildings, but there was no one else on the streets. Three groups of Twisted passed her on the way to the building. None of them even glanced in her direction. She reached the makeshift holding cell in time to see the Twisted file out and head toward the Hub.
Once they left, she went inside. The people were still huddling on the floor. The light from outside filled the room and glowed around Jessica. “Come on, people. This is our chance. Time to go.”
She expected a mad rush of people to head for the door, but no one moved. Finally, a woman spoke in a soft voice. “They said they would track us down and kill us if we leave this room.”
“They are going to kill you, no matter what. Each person that has been dragged from this room is dead. You can either run and take a chance at survival, or you can stay here and face certain death. Anyone who wants to roll over and die, stay here. Everyone else, come with me.”
Tony stood up. “I’m with you Jessica.” He walked over and stood by her side.
A few seconds later the entire room was standing. Jessica led them out of the building and through the streets as quickly as she could. They pried open an access hatch in the street and headed down to the mechanical level. Once they were all below street level, they heard gunfire in the distance.
“What do we do now?” Tony asked.
“That sound is the GMT putting it on the line to save us. We are going to do whatever we can to help them.”
29
Five hundred yards west of New Haven, Owl lay prone on a small hill, sniper rifle at the ready. Her vampire eyes allowed her to see the Twisted gathered in the area where the explosion had taken place very clearly. She put her eye to the scope and dialed it in, getting a much clearer look at her enemies.
There were at least three dozen of them, and most were milling about aimlessly, their eyes occasionally scanning the distant hills. It was clear that they were nervous, and that made Owl smile. She hoped that they were whispering to each other, wondering when the GMT would attack. Maryana may not understand what the GMT could do, but her Twisted surely did. They’d grown up hearing tales of the brave exploits of the toughest men and women New Haven had to offer. She hoped they’d be able to use that legendary status to their advantage. It might not mean a lot, but every little bit helped when you were fighting an army of super-vampires. She was about to find out how much leeway their reputation bought them; it was time to begin.
She drew a breath and spoke softly into her whisper mic. “We’re set, Felix. Fire charges one through six.”
“Roger that,” he replied, his voice calm and steady. “Get ready, team. Firing charges one through six in ten seconds.”
Owl started the mental countdown and adjusted her position one more time, preparing for what was about to happen. She didn’t love the role she’d been assigned; her larger Twisted fingers had caused her accuracy problems in the past. She’d much rather be with Alex and Jaden. It wasn’t like they didn’t need the help. At the same time, she understood why it had to be her at the sniper rifle. She was faster than Felix, and Frank had zero training with the sniper rifle. And Ed had another task to perform.
Owl believed she was comfortable enough with her new hands that she could do what was needed. Whether or not that was hubris remained to be seen, but one thing was certain—her mind was ready. It was time to take Maryana down.
The countdown in her head reached zero, and for a moment nothing happened. Then all hell broke loose.
Six charges went off in quick succession, each detonating near where the group of Twisted was standing. Bodies flew into the air, along with dirt and rock. As the sounds of the explosions faded, they were replaced with shouts of confusion and surprise, and more than a few cries of pain. At the edge of the dust cloud, a Twisted staggered forward, his left arm missing.
Owl resisted the urge to put a bullet through his brain. Not yet. Soon, but not yet.
As the dust began to settle, the chaos continued. The Twisted weren’t exactly reacting to the attack in a disciplined fashion. Maybe this was going to be easier than she thought.
Then, as if in response to her thoughts, the Twisted fell silent. The ones she could see through the dust stood up a bit straighter. Owl knew why, but she still needed to confirm it. Then she saw him.
CB had arrived.
“It’s time, boys,” Owl said, into her mic. “Get ready.”
It was very likely that CB would have found her out quickly, whether by sensing her presence or noticing a glint of sunlight off her scope. But she didn’t have a lot of time, and she wasn’t about to leave anything to chance. She needed to draw his attention. She selected her target and looked through her scope.
The Twisted directly to CB’s right suddenly collapsed, his brains lying on the dirt behind him.
CB’s head whipped around. For a human, it might have been impossible to locate a sniper that far away from a single shot, but CB was no longer human. “There!” he shouted, pointing at Owl’s position. “We have our orders! Get the GMT!”
In an instant, CB and his Twisted army were in motion, sprinting toward her. It wasn’t exactly the elegant battle strategy CB was known for, but Alex and Jaden had predicted this would be his reaction. CB’s instinct to protect his soldiers would be overridden by his all-driving need to obey his master.
How right they’d been.
CB and the Twisted ran with no formation, no order to their ranks. They charged like a herd of animals. Owl had been counting on this, too.
She selected her next target and fired. A woman near the front of the pack fell backward, as if yanked by an invisible rope. Owl took aim and fired again, dropping an older man on the north side of the horde. Then again, and a young man fell.
While her Twisted hands had taken some getting used to, she had to admit that being a Twisted marksman did have some advantages. Firing accurately at a distance required stillness. Human snipers had to account for their breath, firing only after they’d exhaled and their respiration wouldn’t throw off their shots. Even their heartbeats could affect their accuracy. Owl had to worry about neither breathing, nor a heartbeat. She was the picture of stillness. As the enemies charged, loping toward her at top speed, kicking up dirt and dust in their wake, she lay unmoving, dealing out death in carefully measured doses, one squeeze of the trigger at a time.