Within seconds the others joined him. They peered into the room closest to them. Several Nephilim wandered in and out of the room. Nervousness and adrenaline vibrated off of the guards. A few did not wear the protective gear, but several of them did.
Justin signaled towards the Nephilim who talked to a Dolum in the center of the room. As the two conversed, the Dolum continued to peer out the window. Darkness shrouded Nick and his group, but Justin sensed the Dolum’s concern. Somehow he sensed trouble.
Gabriella nodded. She’d noticed the wandering black opal eyes of the Dolum too. She nocked an arrow and waited for the right time.
The glowing white body of the Dolum approached the window, followed by his companion. He flicked on the patio lights and stepped out the door onto the stone pavers. Nick focused on the markings that covered the Dolum. He didn’t recognize this one.
The Dolum studied the yard through the darkness, his eyes searching for trouble. Then suddenly pain shot through his throat, and the Dolum clutched at the arrow. As he pulled the arrow free, Nick lodged a hatchet deep within his skull.
Everything exploded in a mass of movement. The Asteri descended on the occupants of the room, killing them quickly.
Li looked around. Dead bodies lay all around him. Their blood seeped into the ornate Persian rugs that lined the marble floor. “Where to now?” he whispered. Li knew killing the monsters was the right thing to do, but it still wracked his nerves. Fear of their attack failing scared him. He didn’t think he’d survive if he were captured. He knew what Daevas and Kahan were capable of, and he wanted no part of it.
Nick contemplated their next move. Where would Kahan hide Hayden? A fortress like this was sure to have a dungeon. Where would that be? In the basement, or in one of the outbuildings? He needed to find Hayden and Kahan. His desire to free Hayden warred with his desire to shed Kahan’s blood. Kahan would satisfy his need for blood, but Hayden would mend his heart. He’d lost sight of love and hope when she was taken from him. He wholly intended to cradle her in his arms and let her breath revive his shriveled life as he helped her piece hers together again.
A noise on the other side of the door alerted them. Everyone darted for cover. Gabriella hid behind the door.
The guard entered the room, and in a split second he processed the dead bodies that littered the floor. He moved to summon help, but instantly his throat was in the vise of Nick’s hand. The door clicked shut behind him.
The guard stared into Nick’s face. It would’ve been impossible not to. Nick’s breath heated his cheeks. Inhaling air was impossible. His jaw flapped as he struggled for air and he clawed at Nick.
Nick felt the guard’s solid throat beneath the soft flesh on his neck. The guard’s erratic pulse beat against his fingers. He could crumple this monster’s throat with the strength of his hand, but he didn’t. He had plans. He needed information.
“Hand me that belt,” Nick said as he forced the intruder towards the sofa. The Nephilim struggled and tried to fight back, but without air, his strength was fading fast.
Li ripped a belt from one of the dead and brought it to Nick.
“Wrap it around his neck,” Nick said. Li did as he was told, wrapping the belt around the monster’s neck and pulling it taut through the buckle. Nick stared hard into the Nephilim’s red pupils. Fear overflowed from the beast and fed Nick’s bloodlust. “I have some questions for you,” Nick said, his voice low and menacing. “Know that I will snap your neck if you call for help.”
The intruder nodded while he tried to peel the leather belt from his neck. He managed to catch a quick breath of air.
Nick tugged on the end of the belt. He pulled the leather tight as he asked his question, cutting off the Nephilim’s air supply again. “Where is the Asteri named Hayden?”
Nick loosened the belt, and the Nephilim gasped for air. He panted and his shoulders shook at the intake of oxygen. “Kahan has her,” his voice cracked as he spoke.
“Where exactly is Kahan?”
The monster glared at Nick. Hatred poured from his eyes. “Why should I tell you? You’re going to kill me anyway.”
Nick nodded in confirmation and pulled the belt so tight that the buckle ate into the guard’s flesh. The Nephilim helplessly gripped at the leather strap. Nick put his face down by the Nephilim’s ear and whispered, “True, but I can do it quick and fast or slow and painful. The choice is yours.”
The Nephilim believed Nick. There was no kindness in Nick’s eyes, just a craving for justice. He decided that he preferred dying quickly to the slow, painful death promised by Nick. “They’re in the great room,” the Nephilim sputtered. “Down the hall and to the left. It isn’t far.”
Nick assessed the intruder’s eyes as he tightened the belt. Fear overwhelmed the Nephilim as his neck threatened to crumble under the pressure of the belt. “Does he know we’re coming?” Nick asked.
When the belt loosened, relief swept over the Nephilim as air filled his lungs. “You promised a quick death. You’re not supposed to lie,” he grumbled. Anger at Nick’s continued abuse pulsed through him.
Nick chuckled and quickly tightened the belt, cutting off the monster’s air, and then he released it. “I’m a lot of things, but a liar is not one of them.” Nick’s voice was steady and laced with danger. “I give you my word that you’ll die quickly. Now answer the question. Does Kahan know we’re coming?”
“Yes, that is why she is with him. There’s no way you can win. Daevas has Vires.”
Nick’s lip curved into a menacing smile. “Let me worry about Vires.” Nick snapped the monster’s neck and let the lifeless body drop to the floor.
~ ~ ~
Alex maneuvered through the woods and snuck into the shrubs that lined a wooded area for camouflage. Kate and Michael followed along, ever-ready for action. Kate’s controlled breathing kept her focused and calm. She could see why Avengers liked this stuff. The power was intoxicating. The rush of destroying evil and preventing the future onslaught of misery and suffering was exhilarating. Kate didn’t see herself as a killer, but more of a protector of the weak and defenseless.
Michael tried to calm his nerves. Every once in a while he sensed Alex trying to soothe him, but the relief Alex provided didn’t last long. Maybe he was too damaged? He hadn’t fought for so long that he feared he’d fail. He hadn’t even lived with his powers for very long before he was taken hostage either. In many ways he was still a novice. It didn’t help that the fear of being captured again ate away at him. He did his best to pretend to be brave, but after everything he’d been through he couldn’t snuff out the flame of fear that simmered within him.
Alex’s main goal was to search the outbuilding for Hayden. As they cleared the building, they were to destroy whoever they came in contact with. The plan sounded simple enough, but when your enemy is well protected and poison is involved, the situation becomes more complex. They had no idea how many hostiles they’d come across. They knew they were outnumbered. They just hoped they could keep the advantage of surprise.
Alex held up a hand to signal stop. The three hunched together at the edge of the forest. The building stood before them. Beautiful granite stones comprised the walls, but large windows looked out at the backyard. Through the well-lit windows they watched the occupants of the various rooms in the building. Nephilim and Dolum strode past the windows. Some wore protective clothing while others did not.
“What do you want to do?” Kate asked after observing the monsters going about their lives.
Alex felt the weight of his teammates’ stares on him. He kept his calm. That was what a leader did, even when he knew the danger involved. They were grossly outnumbered, and they had zero intel. This was a massive fortress, and they didn’t even know which building Hayden was in, let alone what floor or room. They’d have to clear room by room without losing the advantage so they could stay ahead of the hostiles.
A door creaked open and a Nephilim stepped onto the patio that overlooked the bac
kyard. He wore protective clothing and carried a gun. Kate knew exactly what she wanted to do with that gun. If he aimed at them, she’d squeeze the barrel closed. He may be able to keep her out of his mind, but the gun was putty in her hands.
With a loud growl, a cerberus sprinted out the door behind the Nephilim and bounded towards them. He howled and raged as he closed the distance between them. His thick mane stood out around his head while his cheetah-like body darted towards them.
“What do you see?” the Nephilim called out. He squinted through the darkness, hoping to see something. “What do you smell?” his gruff voice called out.
The trio scooted farther into the woods and split up. They made an awkward triangle and waited for the cerberus to invade their hiding space.
The cerberus stopped at the edge of the woods. He sniffed the air and knew that Asteri were close. His mouth watered at the scent of their sweet flesh. He bared his teeth as he snarled at the woods.
Kate watched the cerberus. Between his menacing snarl and thick black mane, he looked huge. His sleek body moved with precision as he stalked the perimeter of the woods. “Come here, baby,” Kate whispered, willing the beast in her direction.
“Tane! Tane!” yelled the Nephilim as he followed the cerberus towards the woods. “Do your business and get back here.”
Tane growled, looking back at Argo, angered by the Nephilim’s arrogance to give him orders. Argo wasn’t his master, so he defied Argo’s request and slipped into the woods. His large padded feet walked noiselessly across the ground. His snake tail rose above his haunches and a forked-tongue tasted the air.
Michael doubted that the arrow would suffice on such a large beast, so he readied his bow after double-checking his knife. Concerned that the arrow would get lodged in the bushy mane of the cerberus, he aimed at the beast’s heart.
Michael’s scent lured the cerberus closer. The beast recognized this particular scent. Some of the Nephilim smelled like this after a visit to Daevas’s castle. Now he wanted to bury his nose in the sweet flesh and lap up the blood as it pulsed from the Asteri’s veins. He followed the scent until he spotted the Asteri.
Michael stared at the cerberus, their eyes locked on each other. It seemed as if time stopped as they sized each other up. Then with a low, rumbling snarl the beast leapt through the air.
Michael released the arrow. It lodged in the cerberus’s belly as the beast flew towards him. He dodged the wounded cerberus as it tumbled to the ground. He slipped his poisoned knife from its sheath as he darted towards the beast. The blade hit bone first and then eased into the soft tissue of its brain. Michael waited a moment, studying the motionless cerberus before he removed the knife.
The Nephilim cursed when Tane rushed into the woods. He didn’t want to waste his night scouring the woods for a cerberus who couldn’t follow orders. They were on alert. Tane knew that. Whispers of an imminent Asteri attack had circulated through the fortress all day, but Argo didn’t put much stock in gossip. There would frequently be rumors of attack, but they never amounted to anything. There was just no way a tiny group of Asteri would come at them. Argo didn’t believe that even arrogant Avengers would take on Kahan with his countless minions. They were just too well defended and too powerful.
Argo cupped his hands around his mouth and called, “Tane! Tane!” He listened for a reply or sign. Cerberi made lots of noise when they killed, and Tane had a reputation for killing anything he came in contact with. Tane’s kills would often be found in the woods, the skin and meat picked clean off the bones.
Argo stepped into the woods and scanned the area. There was no sign of Tane. He called again and was given no reply.
He pulled the leafy branches aside as he stepped deeper into the woods. Something seemed off. The smell of sulfuric blood scented the air, yet there was no reply from Tane. As he continued farther into the woods, he noticed a dark wet spot on the leaf-covered ground. Argo knelt and touched the tip of his finger to the sticky wetness. He lifted his finger and saw the unmistakable iridescent blood.
Alex knew what was coming as Argo knelt beside him. The unicorn leather and bushes that he hid among provided the perfect camouflage for him, but Alex heard the Nephilim’s hitch in his breath as understanding removed the dulled thinking from Argo.
Disbelief zipped through Argo and was quickly replaced with reality. They were under attack!
Argo jumped up, ready to sound the alarm, but strong hands gripped him.
Alex held Argo, one arm around his chest and one hand around his head. With a quick twist, Alex snapped Argo’s neck and dropped him to the ground. Then, for precaution, Alex jabbed his knife into Argo’s heart.
“You good?” Kate asked, moving to stand behind Alex.
Alex pulled the knife from Argo’s chest. “Yeah, he’s the first of many.” He wiped the blood from the knife blade. “I guess now we take the building.”
~ ~ ~
Netra slipped her backpack from her shoulders and set it on the ground before her. The gold filigree on the ancient knife’s sheath glittered in the full moon. She continued to eye Telum as she dug through the pack for her powders. Her fingers deftly removed several bags of herbs and powders, and she set them on the ground beside the knife.
“I need a small fire,” she said, sorting through her wares. “Would you gather the wood?” She glanced up at Evan and Zoe.
“Of course,” Evan replied, and he set about finding the tinder in the woods. He scooped up dry leaves, mushrooms, and dry bark while Zoe focused on collecting small twigs and branches. She dropped her collection beside Netra and went back to collect thicker branches to add to the pile.
Evan laid a pile of dry leaves and mushrooms in a bundle and formed a teepee around it with the small twigs and branches. Then he dispersed more tinder around the stick teepee and then created a larger teepee with the thicker branches that Zoe handed him.
“That’s good,” Netra said, looking up from her work. “It doesn’t need to be very big.” She went to Onyx and lifted the oversized bag off of the unicorn. She pulled out a steel rod, grill, and a cast-iron bowl along with her mortar and pestle.
Zoe started the fire. The tinder crackled as the fire caught. The wispy flames spread quickly as the tinder burned and ignited the kindling. Within seconds the fire licked at the thicker branches and grew.
Netra staked the metal rod beside the fire and attached the travel-sized grill. She set the bowl on the ground by her powders. “I don’t know for certain that this will work,” she said, glancing at Zoe and Evan. “If my first spell doesn’t work, we’ll go simpler. But with Telum, we have a chance. The knife pulses with the energy of life. I’m going to harness that life in the spell.”
Zoe watched as Netra dropped herbs into the mortar and worked the pestle. The herbs quickly crumbled. She dumped the crumbs into the bowl. Then Netra measured out a red powder and added it to the herbs. She lifted a thick cloth that was rolled like a cigar and placed it beside her. She unrolled the thick cloth and revealed little, leather bags. She opened one of the bags and exposed different types of dried leather. They resembled jerky, but their colors varied since they came from different animals. Netra lifted a dark red piece of leather from the jerky stack and looked at it. With the fire in the background, the leather appeared to glow red. She placed the leather on a flat rock at her side and took Telum in her hand.
The knife warmed at Netra’s touch. Magic and life flowed within Telum’s blade. The Oracles of old had infused their powers into the metal of the knife. It served as a protective vessel for their powers and allowed them to share each other’s strengths. She embraced the heat of the knife and mumbled a chant as she sliced a thin strip from the leather.
Evan had never seen an Oracle at work. As Netra began, he was mesmerized by her smooth movements and the fluidity at which she spoke the ancient language.
Netra added different powders to the bowl as her chant continued. She looked through her bag and pulled out a vile. The red liquid
shimmered in the firelight. She’d worked with this powerful liquid before. Tonight she needed to combine it with the other ingredients. If this worked, their chance of success would greatly increase.
Netra added three drops of the liquid to the mixture. The powders and herbs sizzled for a moment as the dark liquid splattered over the ingredients. She returned to her backpack and pulled out a metal measuring cup. “Would you please fill this with water from Hade’s Well?”
Zoe nodded and studied the cup as she walked to the water. She couldn’t read the inscriptions etched into the metal, but she recognized some of the words. The cold water raised goose bumps on her arm as she dipped the cup into the red liquid. As she walked back to Netra, she couldn’t help but compare the water to a deep red wine. “Here you go,” Zoe said as she handed the cup to Netra.
“Thank you,” Netra said with a head bow. She tilted the cup and let the water slowly drip into the mixture within the bowl. On contact, the water bubbled and threatened to overflow the edges and cover the ground, but Netra moved quickly and set the bowl on the grill over the fire.
Netra started her chant and dipped the blade of Telum into the bowl and mixed the ingredients together. The blade burned white-hot. She sat on her knees with her feet tucked under her and slowly rocked back-and-forth as she chanted.
Zoe was hypnotized by Netra’s steady rocking and the beauty of the words she spoke. As she stared into the bowl, the ingredients morphed into a thick, churning paste.
Excitement filled Netra as she realized the spell was working. The paste pulsed and grew. Even though the fire burned bright, it appeared dim compared to the light emanating from the bowl. Netra chanted louder and spread her hands up to heaven. With her head thrown back, a bright red paste slid over the side of the bowl and oozed into the fire. The paste thickened and grew, crawling out of the flickering heat.
Synchronicity (Scintillate Series Book 3) Page 26