Death's Echo (The Complex Book 0)

by Rachel M Raithby

  “I don’t understand. I believe what you are saying is true to you, but I can’t make sense of how this is connected.”

  “Maybe it isn’t,” she mumbled, slumping back. “Maybe I’ve finally lost my mind.”

  “I think,” Jaylon said, standing up and leaning over her, “that you just see more than us mere mortals.”

  Aqulla smiled halfheartedly. “How long was I out?”

  “Only an hour.” He leaned down and kissed her. “I’ve been working from here.”

  “You’re going to get in trouble,” she warned when he broke for breath.

  “I’m beginning to not care,” he whispered, taking her mouth again.

  “Dangerous words, Jay. Words that will put both of us in danger.”

  Jaylon sighed. “Back to reality then.”

  “Yes, I want to go over everything from the latest scene.”

  Jaylon straightened and held out his hand to pull Aqulla to her feet.

  “Oh, and I want to eat too. I’m starving.”

  “We’ll have something delivered to Climintra.”

  She nodded her acceptance. “Can I just shower first and change? I feel grubby.”

  “Sure, I’ll meet you there?”

  “You could wait? I won’t be long.”

  Jaylon gazed at Aqulla, taking in every inch of her beautiful face. The ache inside of him that he never seemed to quite quench longed to be satisfied. His eyes traveled to the bathroom door, its glass paneling frosted. I wonder if I’ll be able to see her outline through the door?

  “Jay?”

  “I’ll meet you at Climintra. If I stay, your shower will be anything but quick.”

  Her cheeks heated. Jaylon turned abruptly and left the apartment before he changed his mind.

  Aqulla stepped under the hot spray of water. She’d not meant anything by asking Jaylon to wait, yet her whole body hummed with need at the thought. She wished he’d stayed. She wished he was with her, naked, his skin wet and glistening for her to taste.

  “Urgh!” she groaned, turning the water colder in hopes of freezing out her desire.

  It didn’t help. Her nipples puckered under the icy spray, the cold only heightening their sensitivity. Rubbing her thighs together to ease the growing ache between her legs, Aqulla decided this shower was going to take longer than she’d first intended.

  Turning the water back to warm, she moaned, then ran her hand across her collarbone, to her breast. She grazed her nipple, biting her lip as she did, then pinched sharply.

  Heat pooled in her belly and her need for release increased. Sliding her fingers through her swollen folds, she massaged herself. Closing her eyes, Aqulla pictured Jaylon, remembering their times together. She imagined it was his hand rubbing her so urgently. She came on a rasped breath, her knees wobbling. Sliding to the floor of the shower, Aqulla bent her head under the stream of the water. It ran through her hair, plastering it to her face. Slowly her breaths evened and her mind cleared, but she wasn’t quite satisfied; it hadn’t quite been enough. Jaylon hadn’t really been there.

  “Oh hey,” Melton said as Aqulla opened the door, he was coming out of. “I was just going for coffee. Would you like something?”

  “I’ll have a peppermint tea please.”

  He nodded and moved past her. Aqulla closed the door behind her and met Jaylon’s stare.

  “You were a while,” he noted.

  Aqulla ducked her head and smiled. “I got caught up.”

  “I sent Jaz for food, ordered you a selection. Hope that’s all right?”

  “Yeah, thanks.” Aqulla took a seat opposite him.

  “Aqulla, you’re blushing.”

  “Am I?” She smirked.

  “Yes. What caught you up?”

  Aqulla glance around the room before whispering low, “Are these rooms monitored?”

  Jaylon frown and shook his head.

  “Good.” She held his gaze, her smile turning sweet, but her eyes filled with seduction. “I got a little caught up in the shower. Had certain needs that needed attending too,” she murmured quietly.

  Jaylon closed his eyes, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. “Jesus, why did I not stay for the shower,” he groaned.

  “That’s exactly what I was thinking… when I wished it was your hand and not mine.”

  He balled his hands into fists on top of the table as he opened his eyes and looked at her, “I do not need a visual.”

  “Are you sure? I’m quite good with my words.”

  Aqulla knew she shouldn’t, considering they were in the heart of Climintra, but it made it all the more thrilling. Jaylon couldn’t act on her words, though he clearly wanted to. She bit her lip, sucking it into her mouth as she sighed softly. “I imagined it was you,” she whispered.

  His jaw clenched. Aqulla was skating a line, dancing with danger, yet she’d been playing with danger her whole life. This was different. This danger sent her heart hammering and her blood molten. This danger would have consequences far, far sweeter.

  Jaz and Melton walked in. They both dropped their gazes at the same time. Aqulla covered her laugh with a cough, then turned her smile on Jaz. “Awesome. I’m starving. Thanks Elizabeth.”

  “Just, Jaz, please.”

  Aqulla smiled and nodded.

  The four of them ate and went through pictures from the crime scene. Aqulla studied the pictures of the crowd that had gathered, and it wasn’t until she turned to the final one that she found something.

  “Look at this,” she said, standing and walking around to Jaylon. Placing the image on the table in front of him, she leaned over and pointed at the woman. “I was watching the crowd to keep my focus off the bodies, and I found it strange that they all were enjoying the view. There was no fear, yet look at this woman. She looks terrified.”

  “You’re right.” Jaylon scanned the woman’s picture and did a search. A few seconds later her profile filled the screen. Her name was Cosima. “If we leave now, we should catch her before she finishes her shift at work.”

  Aqulla read through the rest of her profile as she sat on the back of Jaylon’s flyer.

  “She’s a witch,” Aqulla shouted over the rush of wind. “No criminal past. She lives in one of the luxury apartments. Wonder why she’s working a job if she’s got money?”

  “Pass the time?” Jaylon suggested.

  They reached the upmarket boutique as it was closing.

  “Sorry, we’re closed,” the woman locking the door said as they approached.

  It wasn’t Cosima. This woman was older, with gray streaks running through her urban hair.

  “We’re not here for that,” Jaylon answered.

  The woman turned to face them fully. She looked Jaylon up and down, her eyes narrowing on the orange U on his uniform. “What do you want then?”

  “We’re looking for this woman. She works here,” Jaylon said, bringing up a hologram image of Cosima.

  “She’s not shown up for two days. Has not even bothered to ring in sick.”

  “Was she acting strangely before that?”

  “No.”

  “Okay, thanks for your time. If you see her, please give me a call.” Jaylon handed her over a card.

  “I’ll be sure to do that.”

  Aqulla and Jaylon left. Aqulla was still flicking through her file on the pad when new information popped up. “Wow, Jay, look at this. She’s filed to be removed from the program.”

  Jaylon scanned over the document. “Where does she live?”

  “Alpine.”

  “Let’s go.”

  As they traveled through Main City and into the Alpine Zone, Aqulla scanned the faces they passed. She noted how her being on a flyer with an Intra caused people to pause. It was early days within the Complex, and it was rare to see Humans and Metas mixing out in public. Maybe they stared because she was with an Intra, or maybe because she was the banshee who had screamed death for the Complex. It wasn’t something she liked. Her entire life she�
�d gone unseen, yet already she was noticed wherever she went.

  The Complex became quieter as they entered the housing dome and made their way to the outer apartments. The apartments were huge compared to Aqulla’s and they required money to get. They were mostly filled with the non-criminal population of the Complex.

  “This is it,” Aqulla said. Jaylon slowed and parked the flyer.

  There was no answer when they knocked. Aqulla tried the handle, but it was locked. “We could break in?”

  “All first lieutenants have an override to get into housing, but we need a good reason.”

  “Isn’t this reason enough?”

  “That she didn’t show up for work and was scared at the scene of a crime? No, unfortunately not.”

  “But she could know something. She’s filed to leave!” Aqulla argued.

  “That could be because she saw a murder scene and decided no money is worth risking her life.”

  Aqulla grinded her jaw with frustration. “Step away, Jay. I’ll break in and you can pretend you had no idea.”

  “Aqulla, I’m not doing that. If you’re caught, you’ll be removed from the Complex, plus anything you find will be of no use if it’s not legally attained. We’ll have to go back and speak to the captain.”

  “Can’t you just ring him?”

  “No. This needs to be done in person.”

  “Fine. I’ll wait here until you return in case she leaves or comes back.”

  He eyed her wearily.

  Aqulla sighed heavily. “I won’t do anything illegal, I promise.”

  “Okay. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  Aqulla paced the halls when Jaylon drove out of sight, but that soon became tiresome, and she slid to the floor, her back against the wall. She wanted desperately to get inside the apartment. It felt as if an answer was waiting on the horizon, so close she could almost touch it.

  Groaning angrily, she leaned her head on her knees and massaged her temples when the snick of a lock made her freeze. Slowly, she raised her head as Cosima slipped out of her apartment. Her eyes widened when she spotted Aqulla across from her. A startled squeak left her throat, and she rushed back into the apartment.

  Aqulla was on her feet in a split second, shifting as she dashed across the corridor and stuck her foot out to stop the door from shutting.

  “I just wanna talk.”

  “Sure looks that way, Death Bringer,” Cosima hissed, using her weight against the door.

  “I don’t bring death. I’m merely its messenger. Now let me in.”

  “No!” Cosima leaned against the door as she began to chant words Aqulla didn’t understand, but she knew their intentions.

  Growling, she used her full strength and shoved the door. It opened, hitting Cosima in the head, causing her to stumble back. Aqulla was on her a breath later, one hand closing over Cosima’s mouth, the other resting against Cosima’s exposed delicate throat.

  “Now, I don’t normally hurt those who’ve not been tainted by death, but if it’s a choice between my life and yours, I’ll choose my own every time.”

  She struggled against Aqulla in response.

  “Uh-uh… remember what I said. I’d rather not ruin your pretty throat.” She dug her claws just that little bit further in warning.

  Jaylon walked in. “Christ, Aqulla,” he ground out.

  “She was going to use magic on me. I had no choice.”

  “You promised you wouldn’t go inside.” He groaned, rubbing his face.

  “I promised nothing illegal. This is self-defense.” He glared, so she continued, “She was leaving so I went to talk to her, but she rushed back inside. I simply stopped her from closing the door and said I wanted to talk when she started chanting witch mojo at me. All I’ve done is shut her up.”

  “Couldn’t you have done that without the claws and menacing face? The captain is going to kill me.”

  “Natural instinct, and the captain ain’t gonna know. Is he, Cosima?” Aqulla slowly peeled her hand back, then released her when she made no move to speak. “Because Cosima wants to get off this rock and if she blabs, we’ll ruin that for her. Isn’t that right, Lieutenant Rowe?”

  Aqulla met Jaylon’s gaze, her eyes begging him to go along. “That’s correct.”

  “What do you want?” Cosima huffed, folding her arms.

  Aqulla smiled, but before she could answer, Jaylon spoke, “Would you mind giving us a minute. We’ll just be outside, then we’ll talk?”

  “Sure, whatever,” Cosima answered with a dismissive wave.

  “Aqulla,” Jaylon instructed, inclining his head at the door.

  Walking out, Aqulla whirled around, hands on her hips. “What’s the problem?”

  “I got the go ahead. You didn’t need to do that.”

  “She was leaving. When she saw me sitting across from her apartment, she freaked. She knows something, Jay. Quit moaning and let’s go find out what she knows.”

  “I’m pretty sure you could have handled that better?”

  “Fine, maybe, but it’s too late now.”

  “Okay, put the claws away and we’ll go do our job.”

  “You know these are as much a part of me as everything else. This face, it’s still my face.”

  “We don’t need weapons to interrogate.”

  “They are only weapons”—she reached up and ran a claw along his jaw—“if used as such.”

  “You look intimidating, and we need her to talk. She’ll tell us more if she’s not frightened.”

  “Do I frighten you?”

  “Honestly… a little, but not in the way you are thinking. Mostly I find you extremely sexy.”

  “How do I frighten you?” she asked, keeping her words soft.

  “That’s a conversation for another time.”

  “Without teeth and claws?”

  Jaylon chuckled. “Without an audience. Show me your teeth and claws later.”

  “Oh, I intend too,” Aqulla whispered. With effort, she reined in her inner wildness, and her teeth returned to normal, as did her hands and eyes. “Better?”

  “Let’s see what Cosima knows.”

  Cosima was perched on the edge of her sofa when they walked back in. She stood as they entered.

  “We’re here about the murders in Desert Zone. We have a picture of you at the scene.”

  “So? There were plenty of other people stood watching.”

  “Yet you were the only one afraid,” Aqulla added.

  “Isn’t that a normal reaction to murder?” Cosima asked.

  “Normally, but this time I feel it isn’t. You know something,” Aqulla said.

  “I’ve met banshees before, but never one like you.”

  “What’s that mean?” Aqulla asked.

  “I can read auras, as well as wield witchcraft, and yours is very different from theirs, brighter somehow, yet surrounded by darkness. At your core you are light, but the weight of your gift is drowning it out. You won’t survive here.”

  “You’d be surprised what I can survive,” Aqulla hissed, her claws were back out, but she didn’t care. There was something about Cosima that put her on edge.

  Jaylon stepped forward slightly. “Threats won’t be tolerated.”

  “I wasn’t threatening her, simply stating a fact. No one is going to leave the Complex alive. Your banshee’s seen it, her call has rung. As she said, she’s death’s messenger.”

  “And whose message was I screaming?”

  “Don’t you know?”

  “If we knew, we wouldn’t be questioning you,” stated Jaylon.

  “I’d have thought you would have felt it on their echoes,” Cosima replied.

  “I’ve felt something, but I don’t know what.”

  “Shadow walker.”

  “Shadow walker?” Jaylon said.

  “I’ve heard that name before,” Aqulla mumbled, thinking back.

  “I can see the auras it’s already marked. There is no stopping it. That’s why I’m
leaving before it’s too late.”

  “It could take a week for your request to go through. Why not help us?” Jaylon suggested.

  “Don’t you get it? There is no help. It’s only a matter of time before more kill.”

  “Tainted. That’s how the echoes felt, every one of them tainted with darkness.”

  “Shadow walkers feed off negative emotions, the darker the better. They infect those around them, twisting people’s mind until chaos breaks out.”

  “What’s it look like?”

  “Its true form is a shadowy four-legged creature. It looks as if it’s made up of endless smoke, twisting and turning upon itself. It blends into the dark. That’s why it works at night, as it can only take on a human form for a few hours.”

  “So it possesses its victims, makes them kill, and feeds off the act,” said Aqulla.

  “Yes, and it will only get hungrier.”

  “How do we stop it?” Jaylon asked.

  Cosima laughed darkly. “There is no stopping it. You can’t lock it in a cell like other criminals. This thing passes through walls, traveling in the shadows.”

  “How did it even get on here?” Jaylon mused.

  “In a vessel I suspect. Once it arrived, it moved on.”

  “There must be a way to kill it,” Aqulla debated. “Everything has a weakness.”

  “There might be a way.”

  “Yes?” Aqulla urged.

  “If the host dies while being possessed, then it dies too.”

  “That doesn’t make sense. It would have died when it made the first victim commit suicide,” Jaylon stated.

  “That’s the hard part. You’ve got to catch it off guard. It leaves its host the second before they die.”

  “Wonderful,” Aqulla muttered.

  “Can you tell us anything else?” Jaylon asked.

  “That’s all I know.”

  “Well, if you think of anything, give me a call.” Jaylon handed over a card and indicated for Aqulla to follow him out.

  Aqulla was silent as they left. She couldn’t shake the feeling she’d heard of a shadow walker before. As Cosima’s words played through her head, describing how it had tainted people, Aqulla recalled the echoes she’d read. The human had seen shadows, which must have been the shadow walker. She’d felt how it had liked it when he’d given in and allowed it full control of his body. A shiver rippled down her spine; this thing was twisted. She’d felt evil before, met some sadistic killers, but the shadow walker looked as if it was going to be in a whole other ballpark compared to those.