Oceans of Red Volume One

by Cross, Willow

  Remy lurched forward, grabbed her sister, and drew her into a head lock. Laughing, she rubbed her knuckles across the younger girl’s head. “I got skills, kid. You should’ve known I’d be back.”

  Invisible hands locked around Remy’s wrists pulling her arms upward. Her body tingled as it slowly lifted and hovered a foot from the floor.

  Unsmiling, Shane turned and faced her sister. “You don’t have those kinds of skills, and they could have killed you. It’s not funny, Rem.”

  “Okay, okay. You two settle down,” Greg said.

  Remy’s eyes narrowed as she glared at her sister. “I get it. You can put me down now.”

  Shane smiled and Remy’s body glided gently back against the wall leaving her feet still dangling. “Do you? I’m not sure you understand the frailty of the human body, Rem. I’m not sure you’re taking this nearly as seriously as you should.”

  Greg placed a hand on Shane’s shoulder. “Enough. Let her go.” Before he could blink, he found himself secured to the same wall beside his sister. “Shane.”

  She crossed her arms and held them both captive for a moment longer. Then releasing them, she said, “I’m not on a power trip. I’m just trying to prove a point. I’m not even demonic and I can stop you that fast. We’ve been lucky so far. They don’t play with the powers vested in them and most are just stupid. If we run across one with real intelligence, we’re all dead.”

  Remy and Greg nodded. As much as they’d tried to make it so, this was not a game. And for the first time, they both realized just how lucky they’d been.

  ***

  Shane’s eyebrows drew together. “So he didn’t expand on what he meant by his ‘kind’?”

  Remy shook her head. “Weird, right? It was so strange. I felt him enter my mind in the examination room. Then the bonds were gone and I remembered everything, but right after it was back to the land of confusion.”

  “But he works for them,” Greg said.

  “I don’t think so. That was one of the weirdest things. Sharelle seemed afraid of him. Most of the time she appeared to think carefully before she spoke. It doesn’t make sense.”

  Greg moved to the window and pulled back the curtain just enough to sneak a quick look. “What was the crap about having allegiance with them? He must be on their side.”

  Shaking her head, Remy answered, “It was his tone. The way he answered was like he was talking about an allegiance to something or someone else.”

  Allowing the curtain to fall back in place, Greg turned to the girls. Remy lay sprawled on the couch with her eyes closed. Shane sat sideways in the large overstuffed chair with her feet dangling over one arm. “It’s strange, but it changes nothing. We still need to follow through with the plan.”

  Remy’s eyes snapped open as she bolted into an upright position. “You can’t be serious. They are looking for us now. If you show up mind wiped and they can’t fill you either, they’ll never let you go.”

  “She’s right. It would be stupid to send you in now,” Shane agreed.

  He took a deep breath and thought for a moment before speaking. “Maybe not. Maybe we were going about this the wrong way.”

  “Well duh, Captain Obvious,” Shane replied.

  Sitting on the matching chair across from Shane, he continued. “Think about it. They’re looking for mind wipes, right?”

  Both girls nodded.

  “So what if I show up with memories. Not a partial wipe like Rem, but a lifetime of memory.”

  “Can’t do it. It would jeopardize everyone we know,” Shane answered.

  He smiled knowingly. “I didn’t say they had to be my memories.”

  Remy’s eyes widened. Shane flipped her legs around and sitting up, leaned forward. “That could work. I mean theoretically it could, but it’ll take some time to do all of that.”

  Resting his elbows on his knees, he leaned towards her. “So just how good are you little sister? Think you can do it?”

  Remy cleared her throat. “I hate to change the subject, but you both realize we’ve been gone for three days now, don’t you?”

  “And?” Greg answered.

  “And there’s the small matter of the Admiral and his loyal army? Think maybe we should check in before people start getting killed trying to find us?”

  Shane laughed and shook her head. “I’ll have you know I’ve been checking in with Dad at least three times a day.”

  “Ah, shit. Are kidding me?” Greg said.

  Remy glared at her sister. “Are you crazy?”

  “As soon as I returned unscathed and supercharged, I let him know we were okay.”

  Both siblings shook their heads.

  “What? He only yelled for a minute or two. He came around rather quickly. Seriously guys, he’s our Dad. Maybe you two don’t mind worrying him sick for three days, but I’m not going to do it!”

  “What did he say?” Remy asked.

  “He said to make sure we all come back. You know Dad, I’m pretty sure he’s already making plans to supercharge the rest of them.”

  “So what do we do now?” Greg asked.

  “Get on the couch and lie down. Rem, you mind finding us some grub? This is going to take a while and I’m starving.”

  “Sure. There should still be some canned stuff in the cupboards.”

  “Hey, I want to eat too. You can wait for that,” Greg interjected.

  Shane and Remy exchanged looks and started laughing as Greg’s stomach grumbled loudly.

  Chapter Six

  Ramses extended his arms and stretched. This shell fit like a glove. Rolling his head to the side, his neck popped. Full lips slid into a smile as he faced his supervisor. “It’s about time I received something worthy of my status, Armand.”

  The tall, dark-skinned man in front of him pursed his lips. Running his hand across his chin he answered, “You’ve had a couple already. I don’t understand you warrior types. You have perfectly fitted cattle, added strength from the well built structures, and yet you can’t seem to win against mere mortals. Why is that?”

  Licking his lips, Ramses examined the man. His structure was sound, but nothing close to the shell he resided in. Supervisors weren’t well known for their strength, their intelligence set them above the rest. Once again, he flexed the muscles of this powerful vessel. His own power blended with that of the structure.

  Armand watched as Ramses preened. It was always like this with the warrior types. Too much brawn, but so little brain. Yes, they were the most powerful race on the planet, but power wasn’t everything. Ingenuity and the ability to think fast would efficiently solve problems sooner than brute strength. “If you’re finished strutting, there’s work to be done.”

  “Such as?”

  “Where did your vessel come from? How many unfilled were with him?”

  Ramses gazed into the mirror over the fireplace, seemingly uninterested in Armand’s questions.

  “Hey.”

  Acting as if he were doing the other a great service, he turned and faced Armand. “Just a few. Not far from here in an old warehouse,” he answered.

  “Well get going. Bring them in.”

  “How many do I take with me?” Ramses asked.

  Laughing, Armand answered, “Infiltration is the key, Ramses. You go alone. What’s wrong? Scared of a few humans?”

  Red faced, he muttered, “Fear isn’t one of my failings. We could crush the resistance if those in charge had any competent war strategy.”

  The smile left Armand’s face. “The Master has ordered it. Do you wish to voice a complaint?”

  Ramses nearly snarled as he left the room. The Master was a bitch that had forgotten her place. When the true Master finally decided to get involved, it would be those like Ramses who seized power. Then the others would pay.

  ***

  Hooded black-robed figures stood in a tight circle around an alter covered in red velvet. In the center lay a blade pulsating with blue light. Their voices rose and fell in uniso
n singing in a long forgotten language. Although they were in an underground cavern, a cold breeze began to rush around the alter causing the torches to flicker and dance. As the singsong chanting reached its’ crescendo, each figure raised their right hand. Green fire shot out from each outstretched palm to hover over the hilt before finally entering it. The last bit of green integrated with the glowing blue and the blade turned crimson.

  “It is done,” Daelen said, removing his hood.

  “Blessed be,” the others answered.

  He gently picked up the short sword and slid it into a sheath inside his cloak. “One more imbuing session and the spell will be complete.”

  “And you believe this girl is the one we’ve been waiting for? You’re certain?” A deep voice questioned.

  Daelen faced the speaker across from him. “I am certain. After these many years, I’d given up hope. She is the one.”

  “Blessed be,” a voice whispered.

  “Blessed be,” the others responded.

  ***

  Perched atop an abandoned warehouse in the business district, Shane and Remy waited for Greg’s return. Shane had worked for hours bending Greg’s mind. His memories were full of starvation and a small group of humans still hiding out in this district. His prime objective was to return to these imaginary people. Shane had taken great care to insure that anyone reading his mind would know that if he showed up with others, they would be shot on sight. There was nothing left to do except wait and hope their plan would work.

  Shane’s body shuddered as she covered her mouth attempting to stifle a yawn. Remy glanced at her holding an index finger to her lips.

  Shane linked to her older sister. “I’m trying! I’m so tired. One of us should sleep. We could literally be here for days.”

  Remy nodded her head and made hand movements telling her to lie down behind a large cooling unit behind them.

  “I can wait if you want to go first,” she offered.

  The older girl answered with one quick shake of her head. Shane shrugged and crawled across the roof top behind the rusty air conditioner.

  Taking another peek over the side of the building and seeing nothing, Remy slid her back against the brick abutment, stretching her legs out in front of her. She was exhausted too, but they’d have time to sleep when this was over. The sound of a tin can rolling across pavement echoed off the walls of the surrounding buildings. She turned with lightning speed and raised just enough of her head over the wall to search the area.

  A loud thunk drew her eyes to a dumpster sitting at the left corner of the opposing building as a small shadow slipped around the side. Raccoon? Of all the things that have disappeared you’d think they could have gotten rid of those. She squinted. Scanning the darkness for any sign of movement, she held her breath and waited.

  Another small shadow skittered across the front of the building and slid around the side. Certain that they were indeed rodents searching for food, she turned and relaxed against the wall. This plan was strategically sound. As long as he could be filled, and no questions arose, Greg should return to them as ordered. The demons wouldn’t leave a group of unfilled humans on their own. Why couldn’t she be filled? Not that she was upset about it, but she’d never heard of anyone else having that issue.

  Daelen made reference to her being one of them. But one of what? What was he? And how was it her siblings didn’t have the same condition? Remy had always been good at reading people, and he certainly hadn’t seemed like someone she should be afraid of. However, she hadn’t been afraid of her mother either, until she saw her eyes.

  A loud screech, followed directly by another, startled her. Peering over the edge, she searched the shadows around the dumpster. No movement. An unearthly quiet settled throughout the buildings. Even the insects stopped buzzing.

  Remy’s eyes darted back and forth. She felt the presence of something, but couldn’t see anything out of place. She jumped as a hand grabbed her ankle.

  “Shhh. He’s here. I can feel him. The one he carries is very strong. This may be a little more difficult than I thought,” Shane whispered in her mind as she crawled up beside her.

  Remy’s hands moved quickly miming: Can he feel you?

  Shane’s head cocked to the side for a moment before she answered, “I don’t think so. I think this is a one way kinda deal.”

  Giving her sister a quick nod, she moved along the side of the abutment keeping her eyes locked on the pavement below. Taking her lead, Shane moved in the opposite direction to the other corner and waited.

  Below, nestled deep within the shadows, a darker silhouette moved with a speed that only a demon infested human could attain. Within seconds they heard the squeak of the heavy metal door as it opened.

  Hoping she wouldn’t need to use it, Remy’s hands trembled as she pulled her sword from its sheath. A loud bang resounded through the building as if a door had been thrown open. “He’s coming up the stairs. Stay back until I give you the go ahead,” Shane said.

  Pulling a syringe from her jacket pocket, she popped the plastic cover off the needle and held it ready in her free hand. She kept her eyes on the only entrance to the rooftop and waited. Her ears nearly twitched as she strained to hear any sound that would give away his location. She leaned forward in anticipation. Shane might not be able to hold him for more than a few seconds. She’d have to be fast.

  Muffled footfalls echoed up the stairs before coming to a complete stop.

  Remy’s chest tightened as breath she hadn’t realized she was holding clamored for escape. She exhaled with great care. The slightest noise could give them away.

  “No!” Shane screamed. “Behind you!”

  A powerful hand grabbed her neck and threw her body across the roof like a rag doll. Her body slid as she landed before finally slamming against a cooling unit. Immediately leaping to her feet, too late she realized both of her hands were now empty.

  Several feet away from her, Greg stood maliciously grinning at Shane. His arms flinched as he tried to escape her telekinetic grasp. Shane remained unmoving, her eyes locked on her brother. Remy scanned the rooftop in an effort to find her missing sword and the much needed injection.

  A voice that sounded like her brother’s, but was somehow different, asked, “You looking for this?”

  Glancing in his direction, she noticed the glint of metal extending from his right hand.

  “You got him?” she asked her sister.

  “For now. Hurry up!”

  Remy moved slowly. Her eyes darted back and forth trying not to miss a single inch of the roof. Greg let out a hiss and threw his entire body against the invisible shield holding him.

  Shane’s voice shook as she called out, “Rem?”

  “Hang in there. You can do this.” Dropping to her hands and knees, she felt around the cooling unit. Sliding her hands across the rough surface her fingers finally landed on the syringe as Greg burst through the binding force field.

  He launched his body across the short distance between them. Landing on top of her, he pinned her to ground. She clutched the injection in her right hand and tried to turn over.

  He laughed at her attempt and grabbed her head, pulling it towards his chest.

  Remy gasped. Pain shot through her neck down into her shoulders and back.

  “The pain will end soon, monkey. The Master will be pleased to have one with your talents,” he said as he yanked her to her feet.

  Remy glanced from the corner of her eye towards her sister. Shane’s body lie crumpled on the roof.

  In the split second Greg took to reposition his body, she twisted beneath him. Both of his hands encircled her neck. “If she didn’t need one like you, I’d crush your throat.”

  Remy smiled.

  “You think it’s funny? The Master doesn’t even need to know I’ve found you two. It would be easy to make you disappear.”

  She locked eyes with him and waited.

  Too late, he felt the pain and looked down. An empty
syringe bobbed where it stuck into his gut. His massive hands closed tighter around her throat cutting off any hope of breathing. The last thing she saw before losing consciousness was her brother’s head thrown back as darkness erupted from his mouth.

  ***

  She felt the two bodies hovering over her before she saw them. Her eyes opened and immediately closed tight. The brightness of the room blinded her. “Rem, you okay?” her brother’s voice greeted her.

  She groaned and eyes still closed, reached out to shove him away.

  “Now don’t be like that. I’m just trying to take care of you,” he laughed.

  Remy took a deep breath and squinting, pushed up. “Can you turn down the lights a little? My head is pounding.”

  Cool hands came from behind and wrapped around the sides of her head. Shane’s soft voice answered, “I can do better than that. Hold still.”

  Warmth replaced the coolness and the pain receded. “There. That should be better. Open your eyes.”

  She opened one eye first, and after feeling no pain, the other eyelid raised. The white walls and fluorescent lights of an observation room were still daunting, but no longer elicited the sharp pain in her head. “We’re back?”

  Shane slid around to her side and wrapped her arms around her. “Yes. We weren’t sure what kind of damage demon-Greg had done.”

  “Ramses. Quit calling him demon-Greg. I feel bad enough as it is,” her brother protested.

  Remy’s head moved from side to side as she looked at both of them. A smile crept across her lips. “So it worked. We did it?”

  The siblings smiled in return. “Oh man, did we ever,” Greg answered.

  A voice boomed through the squawk box on the wall, “Is she awake yet?”

  “Yes, Dad,” they answered.

  “Well, what are you waiting for? Report!”

  Greg and Shane stifled a laugh while Remy shook her head. One eyebrow rose as she looked at her partners in crime. “Just so you know, I’m not taking the heat for this one.”

  Chapter Seven