I forced myself to breathe while Max and Aelia approached stealthily from behind them, armed with a gleaming two-headed battle-axe and curved dagger I recognized from Octavia’s ancient weapon collection. Then one of the monkeys crept forward, and I caught my breath. There was an unmistakable white fleck in the first monkey’s black Mohican. It stared unflinchingly, and I was sure a malevolent sneer passed across its features. I knew in a heartbeat it was the same pack leader I’d encountered in the forest, and that it remembered me – and the apricot stone.
As though to confirm my thoughts, it curled its top lip, and arched its back. The rattling noise grew louder and more threatening. It was definitely personal.
‘Tal, move!’
Max’s warning resonated around the room as the leader sank back on its haunches, baring its fangs. There was a thirst for blood in its eyes. I tipped onto the balls of my feet and glanced rapidly around the room, looking for something, anything that might help. There were some empty shelves on the opposite wall. They would have to do.
The rattling fell suddenly silent, and I knew the moment had come. The creature pushed back and released, and I held my ground as it sprang towards me.
‘Now!’
August’s command rang out but my feet had already left the floor as Max swung his axe high, and brought it crashing down behind one of the rear monkeys. Aelia threw a Roman dagger at the second, while August crashed right into the snarling leader, sending it rolling as I grasped the light cord, and swung hard across the room.
The shelves became branches of the forest trees, which reached out and supported me as I deftly flipped a somersault back onto my feet. I pulled out my catapult as the furious creature recovered and sprinted back, screeching in fury. Max threw his axe and it clattered to the floor heavily, missing the monkey’s tail by a hair’s breadth. And then I knew for sure, the monkey wasn’t going to stop until it had what it wanted: me. Reluctantly, I raised my catapult and inhaled.
‘Three, four, five!’ I counted steadily under my breath. The last stone I’d slipped into my pocket in Aelia’s cave left my slingshot with perfect direction and energy. It flew straight and true, making full impact with the creature’s forehead only a metre from me. It collapsed in an instant heap, a tiny trickle of blood oozing down its forehead and nose. I watched as it pooled, hesitated at the tip of its nose and then dripped onto the cold hard floor. There was only a moment’s silence, and then the remaining two monkeys scurried over.
They pulled at their leader’s still body, making soft hissing noises, oblivious to the rest of us. We watched in silence until, satisfied he wasn’t moving, they turned and ran back out through the open doorway.
‘And don’t come back!’ Aelia called after them triumphantly.
For a moment we all stared at each other.
‘Are you OK, Tal? That was a close call.’
August’s proud face was unusually pale as he stepped up beside me, rubbing away a trickle of blood from the neck of his bodysuit.
‘I’m fine.’ I frowned, as Max made his way over to the monkey lying lifelessly on the floor. ‘Is it dead, Max?’
A brief nod confirmed my suspicions, and we all watched as he picked up the small body and carried it carefully to a thin blanket in the corner of the room.
‘Although as it’s vermin,’ Max commented, ‘we should really throw it in the bin!’
‘Actually, it’s a highly developed Saimiri sciureus, genetically modified with piranha gene and given an advanced prefrontal cortex,’ a glacial voice said, reverberating through the room. ‘The animal was an expensive experiment and valuable asset to the Scientific Programme. Its loss will come at a high cost to the pack, the scientific team, and its creator … won’t it, Augustus?’
For a moment no one breathed. Then, every muscle in August’s face hardened as he turned to face Octavia, framed in the open doorway.
‘Ah yes, the modified Saimiri sciureus was one of your first achievements for the Programme as I remember, wasn’t it? But then, you were always so interested in the fusion of multi-genus DNA. I can’t remember how many specimens you voided, before you developed the current model.’
August’s cheek flexed as I stared at his unflinching profile. How could he claim to be a conscientious objector while being the designer of such a hideous creature? Was this the final moment where I would see him for who he really was? A double-crossing perverter of the truth for his own egotistical gain? I dug my nails in until the flesh of my hands screamed for release. I was determined not to give either of them the satisfaction of any reaction.
Octavia looked me up and down slowly. To me, she looked exactly the same way she always looked: immaculately groomed, and wearing a tight-fitting black tunic that had a tiny neat row of diagonal buttons across her chest. Her tone was metallic and her eyes an aqueous, translucent blue. I repressed a shudder, she was the most lifeless person I’d ever set eyes on. She was also flanked by Cassius, and a half-dozen armed guards barely restraining the same number of powerful molossers. No wonder the remaining monkeys had beat a hasty retreat.
‘Where is my grandfather?’
The words were out before I could check them, and to my relief, they sounded remarkably cool.
‘Ah yes, finally! The granddaughter I’ve wanted to get better acquainted with,’ Octavia crooned, walking forward.
‘Your grandfather was so … eloquent in fighting your case. I am left in no doubt as to the regard he bears for both you and your brother. But you see, Talia, I have to work practically.’
I stared at her woodenly.
‘In Pantheon, space is a valuable commodity and every man, woman, or creature needs to prove their worth, or value, if they are to occupy it. Now I consider myself a fair woman, and I’ve racked my brains for evidence to the contrary but no … I remain sadly disappointed as I’ve found absolutely no reason to justify your space whatsoever.’
‘Fine, give me my family and I’ll leave,’ I fired back.
Images of Octavia interrogating my feeble grandfather filled my mind, and I struggled to contain my rage.
‘Oh, I’d like nothing better, but it’s not quite as simple as that,’ she glittered, walking directly up to August. He had to tower at least a foot and a half over her, but he still paled as she approached. ‘Is it, Augustus Aquila?’
She smiled like she was baring her teeth, her head tipped to one side. I squirmed. She was overfamiliar, and terrifying.
‘Leave the girl out of this, Octavia. I’ve done everything you asked in bringing them here. But they can’t tell us anything. Let them go and deal with me. I’m the one who’s broken oath.’
I took a swift step back from August’s ashen profile. What did he mean ‘brought us here’? We’d come of our own accord, or at least I thought we had. I shot a quick look at Max who was staring at August with a murderous look. Even though I’d suspected August of dubious loyalty, it felt like a stinging blow. I’d been such a fool.
‘Well, that would just be a little too easy wouldn’t it? You were my prize student, Augustus, always full of such bright ideas …’
‘They were your ideas! You threatened to use the Prolets if I didn’t comply!’ August suddenly roared, eyes blazing. ‘I was too young! You made me believe it was all for the good of Pantheon, that the gene research would lead to medical breakthroughs … not … not what you wanted! Not this!’
He twisted his gaze to me with a jerk, his face was stormy and his eyes burned with an intensity I didn’t recognize. I remained detached, behind a new wall.
‘Oh, Augustus, you always were so passionate, so prone to dramatics. I’d say, I’d earned a little entertainment with our new specimens here?’ Octavia drawled. Her upper lip curled contemptuously. ‘I know you must want that; after all, you’ve caused quite a bit of disappointment, my sworn Equite.’
‘She’s remembered the cipher, all you need to do is find the Book and you’ll have the key,’ Aelia interjected, anxiety etched all over her usu
ally impassive face.
‘No, Aelia!’ Max cursed, grabbing her wrist. She shook his arm off as Octavia regarded them in cold amusement.
‘And why would I trust anything a Prolet girl said, even one educated at the generosity of the Programme?’ Her sly eyes travelled from Aelia to August, and back again.
‘I am ambitious, Director,’ Aelia continued. ‘I too have studied the Voynich and, as a doctor, I have great interest in its translation. When it became apparent Talia knew of the Voynich cipher, I paid attention. From what she told us I believe we could be the closest we’ve ever been to possessing the full cipher.’
I went white with fury. First August and now Aelia. Didn’t anyone in here understand the meaning of the word loyalty? I clenched my fists though every fibre of my being wanted to scratch out her yellow-bellied eyes for once and for all. I eyeballed her furiously. Her face was emotionless, and her voice detached, like she couldn’t have cared less if she tried.
But, as she claimed indifference, a barely perceptible nerve jumped oddly at the base of her neck. I watched it with the oddest tendril of doubt unfurling in my head. Aelia might not feel any loyalty to me, but I couldn’t believe she really wanted to risk Max’s neck, or August’s if it came to it. I’d watched how she was with them, how she looked at them. She might be able to turn me in, but could she really betray them?
The more I thought about it the more conviction I felt – Aelia was acting, but why?
‘Lia!’ August’s low voice vibrated with a feeling I didn’t recognize.
I shook my head. The only thing I should be concentrating on was rescuing Grandpa and Eli, and escaping. Luckily, Aelia wasn’t the only one who could think on her feet.
I scoffed with as much irony as I could muster, and a dozen pairs of eyes swung my way. Stepping forward, I closed the gap between myself and Octavia, and a half-dozen guards stiffened instantly. Two of the largest molossers snarled, their harnesses straining as I levelled my own Siberian stare at Octavia.
‘Your hunt for the Book of Arafel is a waste of time. My grandfather told the truth. It was destroyed long ago, and Aelia and August were bought with nothing more than a fairy tale. All everyone has cared about since I arrived is the Voynich, the Book of Arafel, and how Thomas’s fabled research unravels it all. It was logical to play along, to indulge the fantasy and put a high cost on my own neck – too high to warrant anyone breaking it.’
I turned and flashed a bright, false smile firstly at Aelia, and then at August. The former regarded me furiously, aware I was undermining whatever plan she was hatching, while the latter remained stony-faced, giving nothing away. It didn’t matter, he was nothing more than Octavia’s pawn anyway, no better than the hybrid monsters she created. At least there was no hiding what they were.
‘But I was a better actress than I thought,’ I went on, ignoring Max’s frantic head-shaking. ‘You believe Arafel is the guardian of the Voynich cipher, when the truth is Thomas discovered absolutely nothing at all. There is a cipher but it’s pure nonsense, like the Voynich itself. Thomas was little more than a mad rebel with a dream, and he created the Myth Code to cover his defection from the Lifedomes.
‘When my grandfather found none of Thomas’s research made any sense, he destroyed the Book of Arafel and let the myth live on. After all, he didn’t want to be the one to blacken the name of a forefather of Arafel. So, you see it has been a deception from the start,’ I directed at August before turning to face Octavia. ‘Arafel is hiding nothing of any worth to you. But if you let me take my grandfather and Eli home I give you my word … I’ll return in their place.’
There was silence, while Octavia stared back at me, giving nothing away. For a moment, I wondered if she’d even heard me at all. Then she raised her right arm and swiped her open palm hard across Aelia’s cheek.
Aelia gasped, her ear scorched red from the impact. She recoiled, cradling her cheek as August started forward, his face stormy and protective. He seemed to remember himself at the last minute, but the damage had been done. Octavia’s expression darkened in fury.
‘It seems we haven’t isolated the gene for stupidity in Pantheon yet. I do hope we don’t need to add cross-bordering to your growing list of misdemeanours, Augustus?’
I’d never heard of cross-bordering, but knew exactly what she meant. I’d had my own suspicions about August and Aelia, but hearing Octavia speak them aloud was different. My skin prickled oddly, and I eyed August with cold resentment. The tiny muscle beside his mouth was twitching so fast I wanted to reach out and slap it. Why did he have such an effect on me? I’d only known him for a couple of days.
‘No! I’d never met Augustus before he was brought to me as a casualty,’ Aelia protested in fury, the left side of her face smarting with a scarlet stain.
‘Silence!’ Octavia roared, her fury exciting the molossers who snarled and strained against their sweating guards. I scanned the dog’s ugly, bloodthirsty faces and wondered how long before she gave the command for attack. We had few weapons between us, and could offer no match for them in this small, enclosed room with nowhere to hide. I’d never needed Eli so much in my life.
Octavia turned back to me with a look of malevolent satisfaction. ‘If it is as you say, and don’t think I’m taken in by your little … charade … then there is no reason for anyone to speak of Arafel again, let alone go there. All this time, I’ve put up with your pathetic little forest home and its paltry samples. I played along with the truce because it suited me, believing it might prove useful one day. But if you’ve no use, you’ve no point. Consider your grandfather taken care of, as all your friends will be.
‘And yes, I accept your offer of … you. While I think about it, we could do with a fresh … What might you call it in Arafel? Harvest?’
‘Octavia.’ August’s voice glittered as a volatile air suddenly filled the room. Octavia smiled; it was a bitter, caustic smile.
‘But it’s your key project, August,’ she cajoled, running a finger down his face and letting the sharp edge of her nail make a faint impression, ‘one of your undoubted successes. Without regular harvesting, Pantheon would never have been able to boost its own population and control the Prolets. And, it’s your heritage too. She’s young with so much to give …’
She paused to look from him to me, her spiteful face twisted into a deadly smile, and I knew in a heartbeat she saw something. Between us.
‘Just think of all the new Equite knights you could create – your very own battalion. In fact, I think you should perform the honour yourself, Augustus. Guards!’
All of August’s warnings suddenly clamoured for attention in my head, as though they’d been submerged in the tunnel water all along and just powered to the surface. He’d always referred to me as precious, and the story he told me about his own Prolet mother stirred. I’d scarcely believed him at the time, but now it seemed the entire Pantheonite population started life as Prolet embryos. One look at his ashen face told me I was right, and a new feeling ripped through my muscles. Disgust. Did Octavia really think she could help herself to my ovaries as well as my family?
‘You will not touch her! You have manipulated me since the day I was created, Octavia, but on this I will not keep my sworn oath,’ August threw fiercely. ‘Isca Pantheon has a right to know she and the others exist. They represent hope, a new world for us all. Wasn’t that one of the founding principles of the Lifedome: to provide life support until the world outside could do the same?’
Octavia’s face was no longer contorted with a twisted smile; instead, her eyes blazed with maniacal fury. She brought her arm down sharply to signal the release of the molossers. Talking was at an end.
‘Tal!’ Max yelled as he threw a curved machete in my direction. I leapt and caught the handle deftly, just as he dived at the nearest guards, and I found myself looking up at a face I’d come to despise.
‘Cassius!’ I scorned with as much loathing as I could muster. ‘I see you’ve left your nobler half
behind.’
My satisfaction was short-lived as a cruel smile spread across his face. ‘Brutus is undergoing a little … behavioural modification,’ he enunciated carefully, leaving me in no doubt Brutus was paying the price for defying him in the laboratories. ‘It isn’t unusual for primary phase species to need realignment. No doubt, you will find this out for yourself soon,’ he crooned, as hot bile rose in my throat.
Within an instant, I’d whipped the machete out from behind my back and forced the tip into the skin of his neck. To my satisfaction, the pressure released a trickle of blood. He inhaled sharply and stepped back while I followed, maintaining the pressure until he was flat against a wall.
‘Right after you,’ I spat, threatening to sink the knife further into his flesh. There was a sudden cry from Aelia and, while I was momentarily distracted, Cassius brought his arm up and knocked the knife from my grasp, sending it spinning across the floor. He wasted no time in forcing me round, and pushing my arms up the middle of my back until I thought they might break.
‘Nice try,’ he whispered maliciously in my ear. ‘Now say goodbye to your friends. Tomorrow you will watch them die slowly in the Flavium, while you enjoy a little modification at the hands of your knight in not so shining armour. Of course, you still have tonight to look forward to, your last night as an original Outsider. Would seem a shame not to mark it in some way.’
His tone left me in no doubt as to his meaning, and my skin crawled with horror. I kicked back wildly, though his callous laughter told me my efforts were futile, and he lifted me easily. There was a voice and it was screaming. It didn’t sound like my own but several faces turned my way as I was hauled, kicking and writhing from the room.
The last thing I registered was August’s eyes as he struggled beneath two snarling molossers, only for once they weren’t mocking or veiled – they were full of fear.
Chapter Fifteen
‘Honour, Valour, Allegiance.’
The ornate lettering shimmered and danced on the white wall opposite me as I struggled to focus. My wrists felt heavy and I tried to lift a hand to rub my groggy eyes. Nothing happened and I cursed under my breath, twisting around to look upwards at my unresponsive hands. Both were tied tightly to the bed on which I was lying.
Book of Fire Page 19