by Peter Glenn
He didn’t appear to be conscious or have any idea that we were here.
Anger flared in Taio’s eyes as he ran over to his son and put his hand on the boy’s forehead. He spun to face Simon and growled. “What have you done to him? What have you done to my boy?”
I felt a tingling sensation in my palm as Grax’thor’s familiar metal slid up into it. My shoulders tensed. Whatever Simon’s plan was, it was going to all happen here. I didn’t know how I knew, just that I did.
Simon let out a maniacal chuckle. “Why, the same thing I intend to do to each of you, of course.”
My expression soured. My grip on my sword tightened. “What do you mean?”
“Information, remember?” Simon said. He threw his arms wide. “All around you are computers. Giant databases full to the brim with information of all kinds.”
My eyes darted about. I hadn’t seen them before, but now that he pointed it out, I could see several machines, lights blinking and whirring, set into the walls.
“Traffic patterns. Populations. Reviews. Ratings. Family make-ups. Deep, dark, inner secrets you would never tell another soul,” Simon explained. “It all comes together to form an intricate puzzle. A map of the world’s pulse, if you will.” His eyes darkened and a wicked smile formed on his lips. “And it’s all mine.”
Grax’thor practically begged to be let loose. I swore the metal was going to fly out of my hand if I didn’t wield her soon. I kept her at bay. I needed more information. “So what? What does that have to do with any of us?”
“Can you believe it when I found out I had an immortal being working for me?” Simon continued on like I hadn’t said anything. “I mean, imagine that. A real life immortal, working a menial coding job at a gaming company. What are the odds?”
Taio turned to face him. His sword was in his hands faster than I could blink. “I said, what have you done to my son?”
He raced forward, but Simon held up a hand and Taio stopped short, screeching to a halt in mid-swing. His face strained like he was fighting against some sort of invisible force.
Simon sighed. “The manners of some people. Won’t even let me get through my speech.” He tsked again. “Of course, I had to learn all I could about Bao’s innate magic. So I offered him a spot on my special team. But who would have guessed he’d have a whole family of immortals along with him?
“It didn’t take a lot of maneuvering to get the rest of you to come so I could study you, too. A little nudge here. Some falsified records there. A carving in a car door in Ravensdale.” He looked at me and laughed again. “You were so easy to lead by the head. It almost wasn’t even fun.”
I started to unsheathe my weapon, but Simon held his other hand out to me. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he cautioned.
With a glance at Taio, who was still struggling and stuck in place, I let my hand go slack just a little bit. I wasn’t going to be cowed into inaction, but clearly, rash impulses weren’t going to win me any favors, either.
“As I was saying, it was almost too easy,” Simon said. “And once I had you here, it was super easy to glean information on you in those cells. Your DNA. What makes you tick. The magic that keeps you from aging or dying of disease or injury. Why, if I could grant those same benefits to myself, or to an army of super soldiers loyal to me…
“So, naturally, I wanted it all for myself. That’s where the little machine Bao inhabits comes into play. As will its cousins.”
My face paled as I looked about the room again. Now that he mentioned it, I could see three more similar machines set about the place. All of them empty.
“You… monster,” Taio said, still straining against the force that held him at bay.
Simon nodded. “That’s what they call all people such as myself. But none of them have ever been so successful.”
I’d heard enough. In one smooth motion, I had Grax’thor out. I threw the blade right for his throat, hoping to catch him unawares. He’d be expecting a lunge, but a throw? No one threw their sword. That was too stupid.
My sword flew through the air, its aim true. For a half second, I thought I had him. Then the blade went wide.
The buzz in my ears grew louder, and I watched in horror as my blade flew past Simon and stuck to the wall behind him like some force was holding it there. No, not a force, but a magnet. A giant electromagnet.
Simon sneered at me and pressed a small button on his watch, then Taio’s weapon and LaLuna’s gemstones on top of her hands went flying as well, suffering a similar fate.
“Always so predictable,” Simon said, shaking his head. “I had really hoped one of you would have put on a good show for me. But I suppose that was too much to ask.”
He paused for a moment, hand on his chin. Then he turned to face the exit. “Now, I really must be going. I’m sure you won’t mind if I let my underlings take care of the rest of this for me?”
Simon waved to someone behind him, and three burly guards appeared, Luke at the head. “Take care of these three for me, will you?”
Luke nodded, then Simon started to leave.
“I’ll get you, Simon!” Taio screamed.
Simon turned and grinned at Taio. “Yes, I’m sure you will. Guards? Take care of them already. I have deadlines to meet.”
Without so much as another glance or a breath, Simon left the room.
Luke and the guards moved in on us a second later. My mind raced, wondering how I could fight them without Grax’thor. I was only so-so with my fists, and with Taio trapped and LaLuna without her magic, I couldn’t count on them to help.
The guard to my right walked over to where Taio was and calmly grabbed his wrists, while the one to my left went toward LaLuna. That left only one guard and Luke for me.
I could handle those odds.
Third Guard advanced. He was holding one of those spear prods, and the tip was sparking in the air. He lunged for me, coming in high.
At the last moment, I ducked. Or at least, that’s what I wanted to do. But instead, I stayed put, trapped by the same invisible force that had disabled my friends.
“No!” I shouted. But the sound was hollow. I was caught.
Third Guard’s spear slammed into my chest, and my body was rocked by waves of electricity. Everything hurt, and my vision started to darken. Then it was over.
Somehow, I was still standing, although I kind of wished I wasn’t.
My eyes darted to Grax’thor. She was still stuck to the wall. I reached out to her with my mind, trying to will her into my hands again. It had worked twice now. I needed it to work once more.
Come on, sweetie. Come to papa.
Nothing happened.
Third Guard stuck me again, and again, I felt pain radiate everywhere. I thought my insides were going to boil for a moment as the shockwaves coursed through me. I stayed that way for several seconds, then the spear retracted, and it stopped.
My knees buckled, but I couldn’t fall over. I was positive I’d be a gibbering ball of flesh on the floor if it weren’t for the fact that something held me in place. I looked down at my chest and saw a wisp of smoke rise from the points of impact. I wondered just how awful I must have looked in that moment.
Vanity is a crazy thing, kids.
In my moment of freedom, I took stock of the room. First Guard was already loading Taio into one of those machines. LaLuna would be next, and I presumed I would follow suit. If Third Guard ever tired of playing with me, that is.
I reached out for Grax’thor once more, beckoning for her to come to me. I swore I saw her shake just a little, but nothing happened. The magnets held her fast.
Come on, sweetie. Come on. Just a little bit of movement. That’s all I’m asking.
Third Guard’s spear rammed me once more, and once more, I thought I was going to die. When he was done, I stumbled, falling to my knees and hitting the ground hard. There’d be bruises there for sure.
But that meant the force holding me in place must have dissipated. I h
ad a shot. A slim one, but it was something.
Now I just needed that damn sword to come and help me.
“Time to die, Damian,” Luke said, grinning down at me.
I cocked my head to the side. Even that small motion hurt. “But I thought I was a prisoner?”
Luke waved a hand dismissively. “Simon already has two immortals and a fae. He won’t mind if I play with one of you a little more. Besides, mistakes happen.”
Holy hell, I wanted to kill him.
I stared up into his eyes, defiant, and spit in his direction. “Go to hell.”
Luke crouched down until he was almost on top of me. “After you.” He backed up and motioned for Third Guard to stick me with the spear again.
Third Guard gave him a wicked grin and a nod, then came forward. The tip of his spear prod sparking brighter than it had the last time. This would be it for me. I could tell. Third Guard lunged forward.
In the same instant, Grax’thor finally flew free of the magnetic wall, landing with her hilt squarely in my palm. I wasted no time, slicing upward at the guard’s mass, not caring what I hit. Enchanted metal connected with that of the spear, cleaving through both the shaft and the fingers holding it.
Third Guard howled as he staggered backward, staring at the blood spurting out from his new wound. I rose shakily to my feet and swung again, taking off the guy’s head in one fell swoop.
At least he stopped screaming after that. The guy had been insufferable.
Luke’s eyes darted about, visibly stunned. “Guards! He shouted. Kill–”
But he never got to finish that sentence. I struck out with Grax’thor, slicing deep into his throat and scoring a nasty blow. Blood flew everywhere as Luke sputtered and grabbed at his throat. He stood there for another moment, staring at me and struggling to breathe, then he collapsed to the ground.
Finally. I’d been wanting to do that for a while now.
The other two guards fell a second later as Taio and LaLuna, both suddenly freed as well, took the initiative, taking out their handlers before they could mount an offensive.
I searched around on Luke’s body for a moment and found a device that looked much like the one on Simon’s arm. I pressed a button on the side, and the electromagnet wall finally shut off. LaLuna grabbed her gemstones and Taio grabbed his sword. Now it was time to turn the tables.
“Go!” Taio shouted at me. “Go get Simon! I’ll take care of Bao!”
“You sure?”
Taio nodded. “I trust you.”
A real compliment. Wow. Wasn’t that a nice change of pace? This would take some getting used to.
My eyes stayed on Taio for another second, then finally I turned my attention to my other companion. “Come on, LaLuna.” My lips curled into a wicked grin. “We’ve got a CEO to replace.”
LaLuna smiled after me, and we left Taio behind. The last I saw of him, he was hacking apart the machine that held Bao with his katana. Good luck, brother.
I flung open Simon’s door and plunged into the jungle beyond, LaLuna fast on my heels. The buzzing noise in my head grew louder again, and I felt like Simon was close. He had still to be in here somewhere.
I turned to LaLuna and pointed down one of the paths. She nodded her understanding and headed down that way. I took the other one.
Creeping along, I advanced down the path, trying not to make any noise. But I was injured, so I probably did a poor job of it. I kept Grax’thor out and ready. There was no telling when I’d come across Simon. There wouldn’t be any more chances after this.
“You did well in there,” Simon’s voice echoed throughout the atrium. I couldn’t tell what direction his voice was coming from. “I told Luke he was in over his head, but he didn’t listen to me. I guess he won’t have that problem any longer, though.”
“Come out, Simon!” I called. “So we can discuss this like gentlemen!”
A strange laugh reverberated through the room. “Like you’ve ever been a gentleman.”
Heh. He had me there.
“Just come on out,” I told him. “I don’t want to kill you!”
I did, of course, but lines like that always worked in the movies…
“Now, now, there’s no point in lying to one another.”
Shoot. I should have figured. The movie tricks never did fare as well in real life. “Fair enough. Come out so I can kill your sorry ass, then!”
A fork in the road sprawled out in front of me. I approached it slowly, then shot into the intersection, quick as thought, swinging my sword wildly in both directions. But I met no resistance. No one was there.
I wasn’t sure where in the jungle I was, so I picked the path I thought wouldn’t lead me to LaLuna and went down it. “Fancy little place you’ve got here,” I said as I walked. “I think I’ll get one of my own when I get home.”
“Pfft. With what money?”
Damn. This guy was on point with the insults.
“Yours, of course. After I kill you, I’ll rob you for good measure.” It was an empty threat, but I wasn’t all that great at making up insults on the fly.
Up ahead was another turn in the path, so once more, I swung my sword before rounding it, but again, it was empty. I crept forward a few more steps. All the while, the buzzing noise grew louder and louder in my skull. I was getting closer to Simon, I just knew it.
A strange light flashed behind me, and I spun to face it. A massive orange fireball bore down on me, headed straight for my head.
I threw myself to the ground so hard I bounced off it, but I managed to dodge the blast just in time.
“Tsk tsk,” Simon said. He appeared on the path in front of me a second later. “I told you, you never really stood a chance.” He pulled on his cufflinks to straighten his sleeves. “You should have listened.”
I pushed myself back up to my knees, and Simon pressed a button on his watch. I felt the air close in around me. I was held fast once more.
Simon turned his other hand over, showing me his palm. A large orange gemstone sat there, similar to the ones LaLuna owned. “Nifty things, aren’t they?” he said, eyeing it. “These fae guardian stones. They grant you all sorts of powers. Naturally, I had to craft myself a pair once I saw them.”
I strained against my bonds, but he held me fast. There was no way out.
“It’s just a shame you’re all alone out here,” Simon said. “Never been much for having friends, right Damian? They just get in the way and remind you of why you hate being immortal.”
“Heh,” I replied. “You got me there.”
So he didn’t know LaLuna was out there. Either that, or he’d already killed her. I couldn’t rule that out. I decided to try and stall.
“At least I’m not a crappy game developer.”
Simon’s eyes grew wide for a half second, then his calm demeanor returned. “Now, now, Damian. I know our games are a favorite of yours.”
“Were a favorite. I think I’m going to sell them all when I get home.”
Simon sighed. “If you make it out of here, which you won’t, you’ll fall back into your bad habits. You’re too predictable to do anything else.”
“Heh. That’s me. Mister Predictable. You know everything, don’t you? Every little thing about everyone.”
“You’re finally starting to get it.” Simon’s eerie smile turned sour, and he glared down at me. “Too bad you’re not going to live long enough to do anything about it.”
I shrugged. Or I wanted to. I was still held fast. “We’ll just have to see about that.”
Simon shook his head. His hand started to glow a bright orange. “Goodbye, Damian. I’d like to say it was nice knowing you, but it really wasn’t.”
I tried to look away from the orange glow, but I didn’t even get to do that. I gritted my teeth and waited for the blow to come.
Finally, I heard the tell-tale sign of the fire blast coming as the buzzing noise in my skull reached its crescendo. Then, blue fire slammed into Simon’s back, knocking h
im to his knees. He spun to face the new threat, a look of abject terror on his face.
The air lifted. My arms felt free. I could move again. I raced forward, Grax’thor in my hands, swinging wildly. I rammed the blade right into Simon’s chest before he could ready another spell.
Simon looked down at the blade protruding from his heart, then back up at me. “Heh,” he said. “Fancy that.”
“Screw you, too.”
I wrested my sword free, and Simon slumped over, falling face first into the dirt, and breathed his last.
“Damian! LaLuna! You okay?” A voice called from off in the distance. It was Bao’s voice.
“Bao! Taio! We’re over here!” I replied.
A moment later, the two came into view, and I rushed over, embracing both of them. I motioned for LaLuna to join us, and we all embraced together for a full minute before letting go.
“You’re safe! You’re all safe!” I said, looking at each of them in turn.
“I’m just glad I got to you in time,” LaLuna said. There was a gleam in her eyes that spoke of joy. And a bit more besides.
“Me too, LaLuna. Me too.” My eyes lingered on her a little longer than they probably should have. What can I say? I have needs.
I embraced Bao once more. “Now, what do you say we all get out of this crazy place before someone notices we killed their CEO?”
Taio let out a sharp laugh. “Lead the way, Damian.”
What was that? Did he really just call me Damian? It was one too many miracles for one afternoon. My heart was a puddle of sappy mush.
Grinning back at him, I did as I was bade.
16
“Did you enjoy the flight?” My brother Taio asked me as we piled into the car. Sevin had come to pick us all up from the airport. His car door still had that nasty scratch in it. I’d have to figure out a way to make that up to him.
I nodded as I sat down in the front passenger seat and buckled my seat belt. “Very much so, yes.” Taio, Bao, and LaLuna all piled into the back.