by John Corwin
"Now that you know real evil, will you please feel comfortable taking blood from me? I hate seeing you so tired. You've told me before blood packs don't taste very good."
She nodded slowly. "We'll see."
I leaned back and groaned, rubbing my face. "I can't believe we went through so much and still lost Kassus last night."
Elyssa lay her head on my chest. "He probably left the minute he saw things spin out of control."
"I'm going after him," I said. "Today. Even if I have to march down to Darkwater headquarters and take him by force."
"You'll do no such thing," Elyssa said, turning hard eyes on me. "My father now believes the Templars have jurisdiction to go after him. They'll arrest him and bring him in."
"Really?" I asked. "But won't Kassus claim it's an internal Arcane matter?"
"He and his men attacked supers who aren't Arcanes, including you," she said. "Kassus crossed the line."
"He's attacked me before. Why didn't your father arrest him then?"
"Because it wasn't in public. This time, there were plenty of witnesses. It's a slam dunk." She raised an eyebrow. "I say we sit back and relax while he does his job. You'll have Kassus's blood by this afternoon."
The anger vanished. I felt a grin split my lips. "Have I mentioned I love you?"
"Maybe once or twice." She pecked my lips with a kiss. "I'm feeling so much better." Her eyes narrowed as she looked into mine. "You're still hungry, aren't you?"
I sighed, nodded. "I'm not feeding off you. I took too much already."
"Let's go into town. Maybe you can feed off the locals without inciting an orgy."
I laughed, my mood lightening at the promise of Thomas Borathen arresting Kassus today. "Let's do it."
We had brunch in town. I chowed down pancakes while simultaneously feeding incubus-style from several nearby patrons. As ten a.m. approached, I found myself checking the time like a nervous tic.
"Any idea when your father plans to go after Kassus?" I asked.
"Should be any time now," Elyssa said. "I can't imagine why he'd wait too long." She dug in her purse. "Where's my phone?"
"When was the last time you used?" I asked.
"Last night when I talked to Dad." She huffed. "Can I use yours? I'll text him."
"Sure. Just make sure, if you act bossy, he knows the message is from you, not me."
Her lips curved into a smile. "Maybe." She tapped in a message. A moment later, my phone dinged with a reply. Elyssa glanced at it, her grin fading to concern. "We need to go right now."
I dropped some tinsel on the table to pay for the meal as my guts tightened. "What's wrong?"
"Dad sent me a message earlier, but I didn't see it because my phone is probably down in the arch room somewhere. He needs you to present the accusation." She shook her head. "That's the archaic way of doing it. I didn't think anyone did it anymore."
"I have to present the accusation?" I said. "What do I do, tell everyone what a jerk this guy is?"
"Something like that. Let's go."
We took a flying carpet up the cliff and back to the mansion, ran downstairs to the arch room. Elyssa's phone sat on a table near the arch. She snatched it, and checked it. "Yep, here's his message from this morning. Crap." She typed something on her phone. It dinged, and she held up the picture of a room. "We're going there. It's a Templar safe house in the Grotto. We can catch the trolley to Darkwater from there."
I opened the portal to a plain white room. On the wall hung a portrait of a woman dancing in a field of flowers. We ran out of the front door, and hopped aboard a passing trolley. It took us to an area near Darkwater, so we ran the rest of the way. We were unprepared for the sight awaiting us.
Thomas Borathen stood on one side of the street, about twenty Templars lined up beside him. Across the road stood another fifty or so Templars, their backs to the black iron gates guarding the Darkwater building. The three-story complex boasted panes of rippling liquid glass, and piano-black marble framing. It managed to look classic and foreboding all at the same time.
A squat two-story building sat on our side of the road, its windows boarded up, and signs posted to the side indicating its imminent renovation for some other Arcane company to take over. It didn't look nearly as impressive as the Darkwater building.
"I'm sorry, Commander," Elyssa said, snapping a salute to her father. "Why does Justin need to testify?"
"Kassus demanded it," he said.
I suddenly felt very vulnerable. What if the crazy battle mage planned to assassinate me while I stood on the sidewalk and shouted at him? At least Thomas had brought a lot of Templars. I looked across the road at the other complement, and did a double-take when I recognized a tall man with a long red cape flowing behind him.
"Isn't that—"
"Artemis Coronus," Thomas finished. "Seneschal to the Grand Master of the Templar Synod."
"Oh, no," Elyssa said.
"Why is he here?" I asked.
"Maulin Kassus requested them. Artemis is the one demanding a testimony from the accuser." Thomas raised an eyebrow. "I don't expect it will make a difference one way or the other."
Artemis had also demanded my arrest during the Maximus incident. He'd tried to remove Thomas from command of his Templar legion and demanded they stand down instead of attacking the vampire compound. Thankfully, nobody had followed his orders.
"Who do I present testimony to?" I asked.
"You'll need to announce it to everyone present," Thomas said. "Check your phone. I sent a list of accusations." He then stepped into the street. "By the rule of Overworld law, I hereby call the accused, Maulin Kassus to stand forth and hear the voice of the accuser, such that he may declare yea or nay to the charges, such that we, the designated enforcers of the law may determine if such charges warrant his arrest and trial."
"Hear, hear!" shouted the Templars assembled near Thomas.
Artemis regarded me with narrowed eyes as I stepped into the street. He spat on the ground. "With such a witness as this, perhaps you're best calling this a day, Borathen." Some of the men behind the Templar knight laughed, as if it was the best joke they'd heard in ages.
Maulin Kassus walked from the front of this building, his body phasing through the liquid glass. He held eye contact with me, smirking, as he walked outside the gate and to the sidewalk. "I am here," he said, lip curling into a sneer as he looked me up and down.
I glanced at the text from Thomas. Short, concise, to the point. No surprise there. Stepping into the street, I read the text in a loud voice. "I, Justin Slade, hereby present accusations against one Maulin Kassus for injuries suffered against me and persons under my care. Principally, I accuse him of demonic summons, attempted murder, destruction of property, and trespass. I swear by my blood, my kith and kin that this statement is true."
"The accused may state his case," Thomas said.
"The accused has no case against me," Kassus shouted. He held up a scroll of parchment, and unrolled it. "This document is a signed order for demolition for an abandoned house on Greek Row on property owned by Arcane University. The house was determined empty by a team of Arcane engineers, and subcontracted to Darkwater for demolition." He jabbed a finger at me. "Little did we know this demon spawn and his comrades had taken over the house, illegally squatting inside. Little did we know he used his infernal abilities to plant demonic traps outside the building. My men were attacked by his demons. Had we not been so experienced, and taken control of the beasts, they might have killed us."
"You're lying!" I shouted.
Kassus grinned. "This spawn is the liar. He is the one illegally summoning demons and destroying property. I demand his arrest and execution for attempted murder by demonic summons."
"I have witnesses," I said.
"Oh, you mean the other squatters? A felycan? A dhampyr?" He strutted before Artemis and the Synod Templars, hands spread as though regaling them with wondrous tales. "This spawn's 'friends'"—he formed air quotes, giving me
a dubious look—"killed my men. The felycan used moggies to murder people I knew and cared about." His face turned sad. "They were hard-working men and women with families." He stabbed his finger at me. "This spawn and his vagabond trash should be rounded up and executed."
"We believe the stronger case lies with this man," Artemis said, placing a hand on Kassus's shoulder. "Spawn are well-known for manipulating the facts to suit their own needs. It is also true that felycans are anti-social, murderous folk who care nothing for the rule of law." The Templar knight pointed at me. "By the authority of the Templar Synod, you, Justin Slade, are under arrest."
"He's a liar," I said, backing away as Synod Templars encroached on me.
Kassus flicked my accusation away and smiled. "I'm an upstanding Overworld citizen, spawn. Maybe they'll let you say goodbye to your mommy before they take you in."
Rage exploded, and the world flashed red. I lunged at the man. "You filthy, lying piece of trash!"
Strong hands gripped my shoulders. Another set of arms tightened around my arms. I struggled to free myself. All I had to do was scratch the asshole. Maybe nick his jugular in the process. A drop of blood. That was all I needed!
"Justin, no!" Elyssa said.
The red faded, and I realized she was the one holding me from behind. "He's going to get away with it," I said.
"Right now, we have no choice," Thomas said, his face set in grim lines. "You're a disgrace to the Templars, Coronus," he said, eyeing the Templar Knight with disdain. "If you continue to interfere, you'll start a war."
"A war you can't hope to win," Artemis said. "With the Divinity and sheer numbers on our side, there's little you can do but accept the inevitable."
"I am anything but accepting of idiocy," Thomas said, his voice still calm. "You were once a good man. A hero. But power has corrupted you. Blinded you to the truth."
"Cease your heresy, Borathen; I will hear no more of it." Artemis motioned with his hand. "Take the boy."
Thomas motioned, and his people stepped forward, forming a barrier between me and the larger force of Templars. "Not today, Coronus."
"If you wish a battle, I think you'll find we are more than ready," the Templar knight said. "Templars, engage anyone who does not immediately lay down their arms."
Swords sang as they slid from the sheaths of the Synod Templars. I noticed none of the Templars under Thomas's command so much as moved for their sword, still standing in a neat orderly row, hands crossed behind their backs. I felt my stomach drop at the impending battle. I saw Kassus back away through the black-clad soldiers, and make his way back into the Darkwater building. Anger seethed in my chest. I wanted to race after him, but knew it would be pointless with so many soldiers in the way.
Elyssa seemed to notice the lack of action on Thomas's people, but gave nothing away with her expression, instead, assuming a position similar to the others.
"I have video proof of the demon summoning," Thomas said. "The entire area was observed by ASEs." He flicked a silvery sphere to Artemis.
The other man caught it. "I'm sure this is fabricated."
"You can't fake Templar ASE footage, Coronus, and you know it."
The Templar knight scoffed, and threw the all-seeing eye into the gutter along the road. "I won't believe your lies, spawn lover."
Thomas sighed. "I had to be sure we couldn't reason with you before I slaughtered you and your men," he said.
"In case you hadn't noticed, we have you outnumbered two to one," Artemis said. "The only slaughter today will be yours."
Thomas turned his head, and nodded to his people.
The Templars under his command slid red bands on their biceps. Since both sides wore identical nightingale armor, it made sense to differentiate themselves. As one, they slid swords from sheaths, and assumed a uniform fighting stance, perfect in order and alignment.
Thomas looked back to Artemis. "Numbers mean nothing without discipline," he said in a calm voice. "You told me that long ago when I first joined the Templars. I looked up to you then as a friend and a mentor." He shook his head, his stony expression saddening for an instant. "I regret what centuries of power have turned you into, Artemis. I regret what you are about to make me do."
"You're stalling, Borathen," Coronus said. "And it is you who have lost your way."
Thomas sighed. "You chose your men for blind, unreasoning loyalty. I can tell from their reactions, they care nothing for the rule of law. Let us see if they at least care for their own lives."
Some of the as-yet unmasked people in the Synod squad looked uneasily at each other. I wondered if they'd thought Thomas would back down, considering the odds. Now that he seemed determined, I could tell they didn't relish the idea of battle.
Artemis Coronus's face turned scarlet, his lips peeled back with rage. "To arms, men! Kill anyone who does not surrender." He looked at the hesitant line of his soldiers. Jabbed a finger toward us. "Attack!"
The enemy line surged across the road.
The Templars were at war.
Chapter 38
I wore no sword, though I'd had foresight enough to put on nightingale armor before leaving the house. For me, the apparel was becoming as necessary as underwear. I felt useless. How many of Thomas's people would die? How could I have prevented this?"
Thomas roared a command.
The first wave of opponents attacked.
Swords clanged. Thomas's sword blurred in a silvery arc, taking off one man's sword arm. He ducked beneath a swing from another attacker and plunged his sword through the man's chest. The Nightingale armor was apparently no protection against Templar steel. Thomas kicked the dead man away, sliding his sword free, and met another attacker's down-stroke. Elyssa's sai swords caught an incoming katana inches from cleaving her face.
In a blur, she swung the enemy steel away. The tips of her sais plunged into the man's neck. Blood gouted, and he went down with a gurgling scream. A sickened look crossed my girlfriend's face, quickly replaced by resolve as another enemy appeared.
I felt useless, having brought no weapons with me. I found a sword in a puddle of blood, a dismembered hand still clinging to it. With a shudder, I pried the lukewarm, dead fingers away and gripped the blood-slicked handle. I looked over the scene. Pure chaos reigned from the Synod men while Thomas's men maintained a neat line and methodically cut down their enemies.
Twitching corpses and body parts littered the street. Elyssa ducked beneath a stroke aimed at taking off her head. She sliced the enemy's hamstring. Another man came from behind her, sword raised. Thomas caught the killing blow on his sword, gripped the attacker's wrist, and broke his arm. Instead of killing him, he slammed the butt of his sword on the crown of the man's head. Elyssa dispatched her assailant and met her father's eyes. He nodded.
I saw Artemis's apoplectic face as he roared commands, all but impossible to hear over the fray. Thomas strode toward the Templar Knight. Elyssa intercepted a Synod Templar before he could reach her father. She caught his sword on the prong of her sai, twisted hard, and flung the sword from his grasp, sending it plunging through the back of his comrade. She flipped backward, her foot slamming so hard against the man's chin I heard the crack and saw teeth jettison from his mouth. Elyssa landed lightly on her feet, swords at the ready. Her opponent hit the ground and didn't move.
The sounds of battle dwindled. I looked around and saw why. Scores of dead and wounded Synod Templars littered the street. Only a couple of Thomas's men even seemed wounded.
Purple infused Artemis's face.
"How dare you!" he shouted. "We will slaughter you in your homes, Borathen! We will hunt you to the ends of the earth!" He flung back his cape and rushed Thomas.
Commander Borathen's sword flicked aside the first thrust. Artemis's long, straight sword blurred. Thomas ducked, feinted a strike. The Templar Knight spun away from the feint and caught Thomas's true attack just before it removed his head. Their attacks became so quick they were blurs to my supernatural vision.
Artemis blocked a blow, slammed his shoulder against Thomas's chest, and drove a dagger toward his heart. Thomas flinched, taking a deep cut on his sword arm. Blood sprayed through the cut in the Nightingale armor. I gasped and moved to help.
Elyssa's arm barred the way. "This is his battle to win or lose."
"He's your father," I said.
Her jaw tightened. "I know."
Artemis backed off, a smile curling his face. "You can't win, Borathen. In case you've forgotten, I never once lost the Templar Sword Tourney."
"That's because I never competed in it," Thomas said, a rare grin touching the corners of his lips.
"Brave words from a man who's about to die," Artemis said. "You can't hope to win, traitor. Especially with an injured sword arm."
A steady rain of blood trickled from the long slice in Thomas's arm. He snorted. "I suppose it's a good thing I'm left handed." He tossed the sword to his other hand.
A laugh burst from Artemis's lips. "I've never liked you, Borathen. You were stiff and frightened as a pig being led to slaughter when I first met you. How you rose from being a peasant to commander boggles my mind even to this day."
"I once respected you, Coronus. I used to think you embodied all that it meant to be a Templar Knight." Thomas's eyes went hard. "But now I think it will be a pleasure to end the miserable creature you've become."
Artemis blurred forward, a sword in one hand, dagger in the other. Thomas ducked beneath Artemis's sword arm, pivoted, and sliced the man's arm off at the elbow. The Templar Knight screamed as blood spurted from the stump. Despite the wound, his other arm flicked forward. Thomas's back foot slipped in a puddle of blood, and the dagger caught him in the chest. He went down hard, scarlet fluid splashing.
Elyssa cried out. One of Thomas's men grabbed her before she could rush to her father's aid.
Sensing a victory, Artemis bent down, grabbed the sword from his severed hand, and strode to where Thomas lay gasping. He raised the sword high. I looked at the grim faces of the Templars on our side. Was nobody going to stop this madness?
You're not a Templar.