by J. B. Thomas
* * *
IVAN LOOKED UP as Sarah walked in. ‘Any news?’
‘If it could be proven, Jones is actually a world-class criminal who gets his lackeys to carry out his evil deeds.’
‘That doesn’t come as a surprise.’
Ivan looked between Sarah and Seth. ‘So we haven’t had any luck in tracking his whereabouts?’
Seth shook his head. ‘It’s like he’s disappeared into the Earth. We need to find a way to seek him out. Combing the city street by street, if we have to.’
‘We don’t have enough people for that,’ Ivan said.
‘Diana is going to organise some back-up from other sarsareh,’ said Sarah.
‘They may not come until we have a definite target. We need to find out where he’s hiding.’ Ivan sat back, frustrated. ‘All the plans in the world don’t count if we cannot identify his location!’ Sarah pulled out her phone and started surfing news channels.
Diana walked in. ‘Any progress?’ She sat down and looked around the group. ‘Where’s Joe?’
Sarah looked up from her phone. ‘He went to see Marcus.’
‘What? Why?’
‘Joe didn’t say.’
Diana frowned. ‘Well, Lucius is on his way up there, so we’ll find out soon.’ She glanced at Ivan. ‘The good news is he’s going to bring back some of the guards to help us with this job.’
Seth snorted. ‘Good luck with that.’ He threw down a piece of paper and sat back, arms folded.
Diana’s voice was calm. ‘What do you mean?’
He gave her a flat stare. ‘Marcus won’t let go of his guards.’
Diana sat up in her chair and gave him a hard look. ‘Yes, he will.’
‘Nope.’ Smiling, Seth shook his head. ‘Lucius won’t be able to persuade him. He doesn’t have the guts.’
‘He’s your commanding officer and you will show him respect.’
‘Diana –’
‘I mean it, Seth!’
He flinched. Diana never raised her voice. He took a sharp breath. ‘I’m sorry. It’s just . . . Ivan leads us more than Lucius does.’
‘Regardless, it is not your place to question or criticise him like that.’
‘Okay, okay! I’m sorry.’
‘Right.’ Breathing deeply, Diana pressed her palms together. ‘What are you all thinking?’
Grace raised her hand. ‘I was about to suggest that I might be able to help. I could search for Malcolm – or even the high demon himself. I don’t know if any of you can do it, except for you, Sarah. Maybe. I mean, I’ve only done it once, but I could try . . . we could practise.’ She gave Sarah an enquiring look.
‘What are you talking about?’ Diana said.
‘I think that I can leave my body.’
‘You’re kidding!’ said Sarah. She looked down at her hands. ‘Wow. I’ve never . . .’
Diana looked shocked. ‘Since when?’
‘My first day of training,’ said Grace. She glanced at Ivan. ‘When I got tasered. Like I said, I’ve only done it once. I probably would need some practise.’
Seth leaned back in his chair and stared at Grace. ‘So, you’re suggesting you leave your body and search through the spirit world for . . . what, exactly?’
‘A sign. A signal.’ She cast a look around the group, hoping for support.
Ivan shook his head. ‘No. It sounds dangerous.’
‘I agree,’ Diana said. ‘I will not allow that.’
Grace shrugged. An embarrassed blush filled her cheeks. ‘At least I’ve got an idea! What do you all suggest?’ She looked around the group; silence ensued.
Diana clasped her fingers. ‘I’ve requested back-up from another outfit. When we put our surveillance resources together, we should be able to find a way to track Jones down.’
Seth frowned. ‘You don’t sound sure about that.’
Diana put on a brave smile. ‘We will remain positive.’
* * *
‘DO YOU THINK the boy will agree to assist us?’ the Frenchman asked.
Marcus nodded – an emphatic bob of his head. ‘Yes, of course. He is aching for power; I’ve seen it in his eyes.’ He looked over to the door as it creaked open, Joe peered in.
‘Ah, here you are! Come in, come in! Thanks for taking the time to get here. I’d like to introduce you to Monsieur Chevalier.’
Joe slid into the chair opposite Marcus. A small man with thin hair was sitting in the other visitor’s chair. The man leaned over with a broad smile. Joe couldn’t help but stare at the coffee stains on his teeth. ‘It is a great honour to meet you, Joe.’
Joe reached over and shook his hand. ‘Hi.’
‘Please, call me Jacques.’
Joe peered around the room – a guard stood in each corner. Even in here they were armed. ‘What’s this about?’
Marcus gave Joe a calculating stare. ‘It’s time for you to start using your gift properly, Joe. You’re a mercenary now.’
‘Congratulations,’ added Jacques.
Joe shrugged. ‘I’ve already been on a mission.’
‘Well, we have something far more important for you to consider. An opportunity for you to achieve greatness.’
Joe gave him a suspicious look. ‘What are you talking about?’
Marcus looked at him. ‘How would you like to see the whole demon population wiped out in a matter of days?’
Joe blinked. ‘How are you going to do that?’
‘We have some friends waiting on the other side. Good people who want to bring peace to the Earth. With your help, they will.’
Joe pressed his face into his hands, stifling a laugh. Deja vu. ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’ he groaned.
‘No,’ Marcus said. ‘I’m very serious.’
‘This is why you wanted me to come and see you?’ Joe looked up and sighed. ‘So you could ask me to open a rift? Who exactly do you want to bring through?’
Jacques sat forward. ‘Higher beings,’ he said. ‘Superior beings who will teach us how to live in peace and unity.’
Marcus nodded.
‘Unity, huh? Look, you’re not the first person to ask me to do this. Mammon promised me a magical peace, too.’
Marcus stared at him. ‘This is completely different, Joe.’
‘I’ll bet you have a very particular idea of how the world should be, right?’ Joe stood up. ‘Everyone thinking the same way, following the same rules.’
Marcus stood. ‘Would that be so bad? It would be for the good of humanity, Joe!’
‘Yeah,’ Joe scoffed. ‘Your definition of good.’ He turned and walked towards the door.
‘Joe,’ Marcus called after him. ‘You’ll regret this.’
‘No, I won’t.’ Without looking back, Joe closed the door behind him. As he stalked towards the entrance, he caught sight of Lucius walking towards him.
‘What are you doing here, Joe?’
Joe glared. ‘If you think you can try and talk me into it, don’t waste your breath.’
Lucius frowned. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘You don’t know?’ Joe said. He nodded in the direction of Marcus’s office. ‘Ask your brother and his friend.’ He headed towards the door.
* * *
LUCIUS PUSHED THE door open. Marcus was leaning over his desk, speaking in a quiet voice to his visitor. Lucius cleared his throat. ‘I need to talk to you.’ He glanced around the room and frowned. There were four guards inside. His gaze dropped to the firearms. This wasn’t right.
Marcus looked up. ‘Not now.’
Lucius closed the door. ‘I’m afraid it will have to be now.’ He shot Marcus’s visitor a suspicious look. ‘What is going on here? I just saw Joe in the entrance hall.�
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Marcus sat back in his chair. ‘Sit down.’
‘No, I’ll stand.’ Lucius pressed his hands into the back of the guest chair.
The Frenchman stood up. ‘Hello, Lucius. I’m Jacques Chevalier.’
Lucius nodded. ‘Good afternoon.’
Marcus’s eyes were pinned on Lucius’s face. ‘Jacques represents our benefactors.’
‘Oh. Well, thank you. Marcus has never revealed your identity.’ Lucius scratched his head.
Jacques stepped closer and smiled. ‘Well, now my em- ployers wish to take the next step in our agreement.’ He clasped his hands and waited with a patient smile.
Lucius looked at him. ‘And?’
Jacques lifted his hand in a dramatic flourish. ‘They will bring peace to the Earth.’
Lucius stared at the Frenchman. ‘Who are they?’
Marcus stood up. ‘Our friends will come through our own rift. No demon will be able to compete with them.’ He began a slow walk around the table, eventually stopping in front of his brother. ‘We’re talking about a solution for peace. A final, permanent end to the conflict on this planet.’ He placed his hands on Lucius’s shoulders.
Lucius frowned. ‘That’s why you wanted to see Joe.’
‘Correct.’
‘And he turned you down.’
‘To his detriment. I was hoping you would be able to talk him around.’
Lucius took a step back; Marcus’s hands dropped away. ‘You realise that you and the high demon have virtually the same goal in mind.’
‘Yes, except ours is noble and pure and divine! Damn you and your comparisons!’
‘It’s not going to happen, Marcus.’ Lucius turned to the Frenchman. ‘I’m sorry, Monsieur Chevalier – but we cannot assist your employers in this matter.’
Squaring his shoulders, Lucius looked back at Marcus. ‘I need you to return twenty-five men from your guard for active duty.’
The Frenchman coughed and gave Marcus a meaning- ful look.
Marcus stared at Lucius for several seconds. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet but laced with anger. ‘You forget yourself. I am the one who keeps this facility running. Our benefactors have expectations and I need Joe to help fulfil them. So, you are going to persuade him.’
Lucius eyed him. ‘I think you forget yourself, Marcus. I’m in command of this facility. Those mercenaries answer to me. Even these guards that you’ve commandeered for your own use.’
Marcus smiled. ‘Don’t put this to the test, little brother. You won’t like the outcome.’
Lucius narrowed his eyes. ‘Just what do you mean by that?’ He took a step forward.
Two guards moved to Marcus’s side – swift and silent.
‘Stand down!’ Lucius demanded furiously. The guards did not move.
Lucius’s heart was pounding. ‘Stand down!’
With a very slight movement of his chin, Marcus signalled for the guards to back off.
He nodded at Lucius. Yes, the guards were moving back. And yes – it was because Marcus told them to. ‘You see, little brother? They are loyal to me and me alone.’ He turned and walked back to his chair with slow, luxurious steps. ‘You will convince Joe to help us. You will do this today. You will call off the mission that you are planning and assign all of your resources to helping us.’
‘Otherwise,’ the Frenchman added, ‘my employers will no longer fund your operation.’
A guard swung the door open. Lucius stopped at the door and stared at the impenetrable face. ‘I don’t know who you are, but if I trained you, then you should remember where your real loyalty lies.’
* * *
THE MEETING ROOM was quiet. Diana sat on the phone; every face at the table watched the conversation with tense eyes.
‘Outstanding,’ Diana finally said. ‘Thank you!’ She put down the phone and smiled. ‘My old friend Jorge is sending his entire battalion across.’ She looked at her watch. ‘They’re based in the East, so they’ll be here by sunset. Now, Ivan – I want you to assume command of the combined forces – theirs and ours.’
Ivan nodded; Grace snuck him a proud grin.
‘Great,’ said Seth. ‘Now, if we can just find the high demon, we’ll be set.’ He shook his head as it slumped into his hands.
Diana patted his arm. ‘Don’t be negative, Seth. I’m sure you and Sarah can work with Jorge’s people to find out where Jones is hiding.’
‘Any updates?’ said a voice from the doorway.
Lucius walked in, closely followed by Joe.
Diana stood up. ‘Sir.’
Ivan followed suit, then Grace and Sarah.
‘At last,’ said Seth with a relieved smile.
‘Thank you.’ Lucius took a seat. ‘I don’t expect immediate, undying loyalty – but I do appreciate the gesture.’
Joe slid into a seat next to Sarah. ‘Hi,’ he whispered.
She smiled. ‘Hi.’
Lucius looked at Diana. ‘Progress?’
‘Jorge’s people are coming, but they won’t be here until this evening.’
‘Fine. We have enough on our plate in the meantime. We need to be prepared to move at short notice. We have a job, very close to home. I never dreamed that I would have to do this.’ He looked at Ivan. ‘I’m going to need you to lead a team into the asylum and take control.’
Ivan nodded.
Lucius looked at Sarah. ‘Sanderson, will you start some coffee? It’s going to be a long night.’
‘Sure.’ Sarah wandered over to the sideboard and flicked on the urn. She sat back down and listened as Lucius and Joe began unfolding the true story about Marcus.
* * *
A GENTLE KNOCK sounded, and a girl poked her head around the door. ‘I’m sorry to interrupt you, Diana, but there’s a package for you outside.’
‘Right. I’ll be there in a minute.’
‘Hey! Listen to this!’ Sarah scrolled down the page on her phone. ‘It says here that lots of high-profile people have been flying in. From all over the world! Celebrities, politicians, merchants. It came to the media’s attention when Emile DeMarco, an infamous Colombian businessman, was questioned thoroughly by airport customs police.’
‘Drug lord,’ said Seth.
‘They had to let him go, but his arrival sparked an interest in the media when the airport public relations mentioned that he was one of many rich, powerful guests flying in this week. And the society pages can’t pin it down to any particular event. There’s no great horse race, or ball, or anything at the moment to attract that many five-star travellers.’
‘Mammon,’ said Joe. ‘He’s going to use those people for their bodies. Kind of like possessing them.’
‘Hosts,’ said Sarah. She grimaced. ‘How hideous.’
‘We have got to find out where he is!’ Diana sighed. ‘Sanderson, contact the airport and see if you can find out where these people are staying. Oh, and while you’re at it, can you have a quick look at that package?’
‘Sure.’ Sarah slipped out of the room. Lucius looked at Ivan. ‘So, Captain, what are your thoughts?’
Grace sat back and watched the conversation between Diana, Lucius and Ivan. Something was different now. A new air of security, authority and confidence.
Sarah poked her head inside the door. ‘Er, Lucius? Sorry . . . Colonel?’
Lucius looked up. ‘What is it, Sanderson?’
‘You need to see this.’
* * *
THE PACKAGE WAS a large lump wrapped in calico. Ivan took a pair of scissors and began to cut the fabric.
‘Wait!’ Grace stepped forward. ‘It might be contaminated or something!’
Diana raised a calming hand. ‘It’s okay. Seth already scanned it.’
With precise, long cuts, Ivan opened the sack.
Joe’s hand flew to his mouth. ‘Phew!’
They all covered their mouths; Grace backed away as her stomach began to convulse. ‘Smells like it’s dying.’
Sarah grimaced. ‘I think it’s safe to say it’s already dead. Poor bugger. Where the hell did it come from?’
‘It’s obviously not human.’ Grace looked at Joe. ‘Do you think it came through a rift?’
Joe shrugged. ‘Couldn’t have. The Reavers would have torn it apart.’ He scratched the stubble on his chin. ‘Unless it was already dead.’
On top of the corpse lay a small white card.
Lucius reached into his pocket and pulled out his glasses to read the card. ‘It’s an invitation for tomorrow night. To a 9 pm gathering at 100 Belgravia Lane, Chesterville. Black tie.’ He looked at Seth. ‘Did you see who delivered it?’
‘A guy in a suit and hat. Couldn’t make out the face. We’ve traced the car to a hire company.’
Ivan’s eyes narrowed. ‘Hang on.’
Underneath the leg of the creature, a small patch of white material stuck out. Beneath: the image of a spear.
Ivan lifted the patch and held it in the air. ‘Malcolm.’
THE ROSY GLOW of dusk set off the rosebushes and limestone brick of the Residence, creating a calm, soothing atmosphere. Grace stood in the courtyard, watching the fountain’s misty spray.
Mercenaries from the east were flooding the Residence with new faces. They all stared at her – and Joe, of course – and that old sense of isolation had kicked in again.
Her stomach was clenching with nervousness. Once again, she cast a look towards the asylum. Ivan was in there right now, backed up by the best, most experienced mercenaries available. She closed her eyes, trying to blot out the image of him, fighting to the death with one of those guards . . .
‘You all right?’ With a smile, Sarah handed Grace a mug of hot chocolate.
‘Thanks.’ Grace cupped her hands around the mug, letting its warmth spread through her fingers.
‘Don’t worry. Ivan should be back soon. They’ve taken the asylum.’
Grace felt a flood of relief. ‘How do you know?’
‘Diana just told me.’