by Rick Heinz
Akira faded into the crowd at their arrival; throughout the night she had been practicing looking like other people and decided now would be a good time to disappear to the side and wait.
At first Mike thought one of the protesters was walking up to him. He was a six-foot-tall skinny man with blond hair, covered in dried blood from a night of rioting, his right leg wrapped up with bandages like it had been mangled in a car accident. He looked familiar to Mike, like he had seen his face before.
Mike noticed a second too late the cavalry sabre strapped to his back and realized it was Gabriel D’Angelo. Gabriel kicked out the soapbox from under Mike. He reached up and grabbed Mike by his coat collars and held him in the air. His face twisted with anger.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, you little shit!” Gabriel shouted.
“Doing what you bastards should have been doing, saving this city instead of killing it. Now let me go,” Mike said. He pulled back and head-butted Gabriel in the face, breaking Gabriel’s nose. Mike reserved some of his strength for now and let Gabriel reel backward. He doesn’t know who I am or what I can do. Play it cool. Hold back until you have his measure, man.
Gabriel held his face with one hand, and with the other, he gestured for the forces of the society to stay back. “Don’t engage. These are our citizens and people. I won’t stand by and let you slaughter them. I’ll handle this guy.”
Alexander DuPris and Cael looked at each other and shrugged. A handful of armored soldiers took up defensive positions outside. Inside the building, massive statues of stone inched closer to the entrance and resumed their vigilance. The gargoyles were waiting for their command to move.
Mike began to shuffle his feet like a boxer. “How noble, tough guy. How’s it feel to know that all that stands between your monsters and demons and a city full of innocent people is you. A tool, serving a demonic overlord hell-bent on destroying the world for his own personal greed. You sure you aren’t on the wrong side of this fight?” Mike darted in and led with a restrained right hook. Gabriel blocked with his left. With that opening, Mike rammed his elbow into Gabriel’s chest, adding a bit more strength, cracking a rib, and sending him flying back into the crowd.
The protesters descended on Gabriel, kicking and tearing at him with glee, as he was an easy target. Mike lost sight of him among the chaos of the crowd that swallowed him for a moment.
At least a dozen people were thrown in the air from a massive shock wave emanating from Gabriel, his spell of force freeing him. He skipped up with his sword in his hand and cracked his neck before gesturing to Mike.
CHAPTER 51
One hundred forty faces watched Delilah from behind the walls of glass. She entered her authorization code, and the walls slid down into the floor. Her prisoners—now her army— stepped forward as one. It was the last time any of them would have to be imprisoned. “Gentlemen and ladies of Amo-a-Deus, the army of the damned. The dawn of the new age is upon us. Your orders are as follows. All command of Gabriel D’Angelo has been revoked among your ranks. The only person who out-ranks me is the primus of the Society of Deus. Is this clear?”
The soldiers saluted. Each of them was equal to a small Special Forces unit. With supernatural strength, speed, and a plethora of other tricks at their disposal, Delilah also made sure they were aptly equipped for war.
“The final night is upon us. At dawn the ritual is complete. The legions of heaven and hell will descend upon this planet to claim it for their own. We will show them the will of man. This is the day that humanity will be pushed back into darkness, back into legend. Any who do not submit, you will slaughter to a pulp, water the ground with their blood, and drink your fill. This is the day that monsters will come out of the shadows to lay claim to territory. You will defile them and eat their hearts to grow your own power and claim dominion for the society.” Delilah smiled as she took their measure.
“You each know your assigned section of the districts surrounding the city. Arm and awaken your citizens, slaughter those who refuse. Now go forth, you damned armies of the night. Bring our own version of hell to this world and usher it into the final dawn of a new age.” Delilah saluted her vampiric soldiers. Their eyes glowed red with hunger. They armed themselves with weapons from caches and marched in unison out of their prison.
“Do you want us to go with them, my lady?” Symon asked.
“No. You and the Whisper will be leaving with me after you escort some prisoners to the ballroom,” she said as she watched the soldiers leave.
“Leaving, my dear? Are we not staying in the Twin Cities?” the Whisper asked in earnest. A look of confusion was impossible for a creature with no facial features.
“Oh no.” Delilah smiled. “I have other plans for our future, which I need time to set in motion. Meet me in front of the eastern walls past the third gate at dawn. Say your farewells to Lex. He will remain here. The primus will need his power more than we will. At this point, the Unification Proclamation, and all agents that swear fealty to them or any other organization are to be executed on sight. These walls will only house the members of the society from this point on,” she said.
“As you wish. I shall pack a bag and remember to bring wine and a tool kit.” Symon bowed with a flourish. The Whisper gave a slight nod, and the two of them left after the final soldiers had filed out of the room.
“I will meet you later. I need some time with them first.” Delilah nodded to the captives.
Delilah waited until she was alone. She slowly shut down each of the cells to conserve the facility’s power and because it bought her time to think. When she got to the cells of the new prisoners, she read their entry logs before swiping her tablet, which allowed her to view the people inside again.
Delilah spoke in a calm voice. “I am no fool. I can see that you do not intend to be within these walls long, and I have seen enough bravado to tell the difference between true knowledge and a cocky attitude. One of you is a fortune-teller or a psychic. If I kill you, chances are, a necromancer will revive you elsewhere. If I recruit you, it will not last. Cutting a bargain with you is futile. I will, however, not make your release any easier and ensure that you remain off my master’s chessboard as long as possible.”
Delilah made a few keystrokes and turned her tablet to them. “I’ve turned off all new oxygen going to your cells. I will cut you off from the outside world and entomb you here. I’m not sure which of you needs air to survive. Either way, all record of your imprisonment is erased from any log. Enjoy your solitude and reflect upon your crimes.” The glass faded to an opaque white again. The last thing Delilah saw was varying degrees of doubt take hold. Some even rushed the glass. All except the girl in the biker armor. That’s the fortune-teller.
Delilah walked in front of that singular cell and turned it clear again. The girl inside lay on her cot, gave her a cool look, and went back to staring at the ceiling. “Thought I was to be imprisoned in eternal darkness, stricken from all records,” she said.
“Tell me your name,” Delilah responded.
“Phoebe. And before you ask, you want answers to a few prophecies. I’ve accepted fate as what it is and let horrible things happen to people I like all for this chance to stick a fork in the road of an even worse future. Let’s have a girl chat, and when we are done, you are going to do something for me.” She sat up and rapped the oxygen vent with her knuckles.
Delilah made a keystroke to begin the flow of oxygen again and listened with intent to every riddle-like word that Phoebe spoke to her. Her eyes were white as she spoke, with no irises, a rare and powerful gift. Delilah memorized every word. Much of it an enigma, but clear enough to change with immediate action. Some of the predictions were rapidly becoming unavoidable. When Phoebe was done, she asked Delilah for a single favor.
Delilah released the Sons and Daughters from their prisons and nodded to Phoebe. “I’ll honor your request.” She brushed the dust off Daneka’s jacket. “I will arrange to escort you to the
society’s gathering.”
“Me?” he said. “I’m not leaving.”
“All of you are going,” Delilah said. “Now leave.”
Delilah waited until they boarded the elevator. She broke into a sprint, running as fast as her wounds would allow, to the ritual chamber. She was uncertain if she would make it in time, but she had to try before Gabriel brought Mike down here. It was unlike her to let enemies go, but the only way to have a chance at victory, even if it took centuries, was to put them back in play for now. I’m starting to sound like Vryce already.
CHAPTER 52
A column of fire erupted under Mike’s feet. The heat singed off his eyebrows. He used his vampiric speed and ran for his life to a nearby fountain to douse the flames. They hurt more than regular fire. Right, this guy is the deadliest of them. Maybe I should stop pulling my punches, Mike thought as the ice-cold water offered him little relief.
Before Mike could leave the fountain, the water itself came to life, forming fists attached to streams that hammered into him, slamming his body against the concrete base. Ow! Son of a bitch! Okay, relax, man. Morris is worse than this guy. You don’t need to breathe. He tried to focus as water hit like iron pistons, ramming into his back. He yanked in his legs and kicked like a mule at the fountain wall, sending bricks like missiles in Gabriel’s direction.
The bricks were stopped in midair by some sort of telekinesis, but it also stopped the water from animating. Mike did not wait for another opening. He used his speed to close the gap and grabbed Gabriel by the back of his head, throwing him at a column in front of the building.
One of the statues came to life. A hulking winged creature of solid black flew up and caught Gabriel. The force of the throw sent them both crashing into the column, but Gabriel took none of the impact. Huh. The fucking giant stone statues can fly. Great.
Mike cleared the courtyard in the blink of an eye, maintaining the momentum of his assault. He was about to smash the statue’s skull when the creature made eye contact with him.
Sad stone-gray eyes drooped and looked ready for the release of death. They had the same shape of worry that Winters displayed when he arrested Mike for the first time. That single look stopped Mike from throwing his punch.
Gabriel finished a spell and repelled Mike away with a force that sent him tumbling back into the courtyard. Mike regained his balance, eventually skidding to a stop on his feet.
“Yes, that’s your friend Winters. We call him Onyx now. You are here to save them? Maybe if you were not so ignorant of your cause, you would see that you are on the wrong side of this fight,” Gabriel said as he hurled a streak of fire in Mike’s direction.
Mike used his speed to sidestep the fire this time. The flames shot into the crowd behind him, and Mike noticed how Gabriel got pissed that he hit someone else. The protesters backed off after one of their own screamed in agony as he burned. Jesus, I can’t dodge his fire here. I’ll kill the people I’m trying to protect. Mike gave Gabriel a taunting sign. “Over here, buddy. Keep your focus on me. I’ll fucking kill you for what you did to my friend. I’ve always wanted to see if I can punch someone through a ceiling.”
“You sure you wanna do that, tough guy? You can’t dodge my spells now. The difference between you and me is I’m willing to kill for my cause.” Gabriel sliced his finger along the sword’s edge and summoned up two elementals of living rock from the ground. He sent them lumbering over to Mike. “I already know who you are and what you are after. It’s plain as day. You have no chance here. What is one man and a mob of peasants going to do against our armies? You lead your flock to slaughter, Auburn.”
“Don’t patronize me.” Mike smashed the two elementals with the ease of a child squishing a Play-Doh creation. “You are not going to kill these people any more than I am. You have a terrible poker face. You are just as pinned in this as I am. Bollard told me all about how to goad you.” Mike ripped out his own chunk of earth and sent it flying to Gabriel, only to have Onyx dive in front of it again and take the blow himself. “You know I would beat you if it was just you and me. I’m too fast for your spells. I should have just crushed your skull with my head butt,” Mike said.
Gabriel laughed. He was about to say something before Mike closed the distance and smashed Onyx, sending the creature shattering through the glass walls on the first floor of the tower. “Sorry, man” was all Mike said before picking Onyx up and smashing him headfirst through the marble floor. Onyx stopped moving, and Mike took only a second, hoping he would live. Well, he is made of stone now.
Mike’s body stopped moving. An invisible force yanked him back into the courtyard and slammed him into the ground. The impact was so hard it even caused blood to bubble up in the vampire’s mouth.
“Over here, buddy. Keep your focus on me,” Gabriel said. “Now stand still so I can tell you why you are barking up the wrong tree. Imbeciles. What’s wrong with you people? Just pay attention.”
“You don’t know me at all if you think I’m going to stand still. Let’s dance.”
Mike used strength and speed to close the gap and find openings for left hooks, right hooks, elbows, and knees. Gabriel was on the defensive, using every spell at his disposal to summon objects to block blows. He placed walls of flames to shape the battlefield and give him space. He threw telekinetic attacks to keep Mike at bay or try to deaden the impact of fists that could crush cars. Neither had room for words as the courtyard exploded in fury while both forces of the society and crowds of angry rioters watched in awe.
The doors lining the lobby inside Walsh Tower exploded in a cascade of crystal glass as Gabriel and Mike thrashed through them. Gabriel could not get a word in despite his best efforts. It took everything he had to keep the relentless vampire at bay, and he was losing ground with every second. Even with all the sorcery at Gabriel’s disposal, Mike could throw a brick at him with enough force to punch a hole through the side of a Sherman tank. Throwing fireballs seemed like throwing water balloons in comparison.
He knew Mike’s thoughts. That was the saving grace that was keeping Gabriel alive. Telegraphed attacks allowed Gabriel to erect defenses, summoning earth golems to pop out of the ground and take a punch or conjuring a telekinetic blast to push Mike away.
The courtyard was filled with walls of fire, melting snow on rooftops across the street with their heat. When Gabriel had a brief second to go on the offensive, he tried to isolate a section of the battlefield to cut down Mike’s mobility. Once Mike could no longer dodge, he would rain down fire from the sky and end this battle.
Gabriel was not sure of his ability to finish it in time. He already had a mangled leg and a few broken ribs. Each time he felt he had a second to breathe, Mike was already on top of him. At one point, Mike even pulled off his boot and threw it at Gabriel to stop a spell. Years of training to counter magical spells, and all you need is a boot to the head. Genius. That’s what I get for trying to levitate.
Gabriel summoned a water golem from the smashed fountain and commanded it to attack Mike before throwing himself onto shards of broken glass to duck a reception desk that Mike hurled back at him. A security monitor fell off the desk as it flew over his head and landed with a cracking noise on the arch of his nose. “Ow! Fucker!” he exclaimed as he pulled his bloody hand away from his face. His vision was blurry from the impact, and he hesitated too long.
He felt Mike’s hand grab him by the throat before they were both drenched in the water from the dismantled golem behind Mike.
“Got you, you son of a bitch,” Mike said as he raised his fist. Mike stood still for a single second.
“JJ sold you to us!” he shouted. His didn’t blink as he looked Mike right in the eyes. Gabriel’s voice quivered, and his hands were clenched into fists so tight that his knuckles turned white. It was all Gabriel had been trying to say for the entire battle that had destroyed the whole lobby and courtyard.
When the explosion hit, Gabriel checked to make sure he was still alive and that
it was not Mike’s fist coming down. Relieved, he noticed Mike’s attention had turned outside as well, and Gabriel’s gaze followed. His soldiers had opened fire on the crowd of rioters, and new reinforcements were running out of the elevator.
One of them was on his knees after firing a rocket into the crowd. He was reloading. The rioters lunged at the soldiers that had already been standing outside. Among the flames, Gabriel saw Alexander Lex DuPris change into his hideous dracul war form and scream as he charged into battle.
“Get the fuck off me, Mike, if you want them to live.” Gabriel didn’t ask as he forced Mike off. Mike seemed stunned, either from Gabriel’s words or the slaughter that was about to take place. Gabriel didn’t care. He cast a spell to grab Lex with his mind. He yanked Lex across the broken glass into the lobby proper. “I told you to stand the fuck down. You are disobeying a direct order,” Gabriel snarled as he put his foot on Lex’s throat.
Gabriel felt a thought come into his mind from Mike.
If I can beat the shit out of Gabriel, I should be able to make mincemeat out of these soldiers . . . I count . . . twenty? Thirty?
“And don’t you think about running out there yet either. You’ve beaten me, fine. Good for fucking you. If you would have just shut up and stopped trying to hit me, I would have told you sooner.” Gabriel pointed at Mike. He knew being between two vampires was a risk.
Phoebe did mention being invited in. By some pyramid? Gabriel heard. “I’ll get to that in a sec—”
“I don’t serve you any longer,” Lex said as he shifted back into his ragged human form and rolled out from under Gabriel’s foot before standing up and looking him in the eye. Lex’s golden wolf eyes glimmered in the dim light. “The command of the army has been transferred to the primus. The Unification is sending in real forces soon, and we have been given authority to recruit who we wish and slay anyone who is against us. Looks like you took too long with your little fight.” Lex looked over to Mike. “I’ve been ordered to kill all of you. Nothing personal. I have enjoyed watching a vampire of your kind battle the golden child.” He gestured to Gabriel. “Was a treat to watch. You, Auburn, might have risen to even greater heights in nights to come. You’re someone who earned what he has rather than this shithead who was born with his daddy’s silver spoon in his mouth.” Lex’s hands started to crack as the fingers formed into three massive claws.