“The Dark Vessel? What the hell are you talking about?”
Neither of them said anything.
“Who is Yeth?” I asked instead.
“I’m afraid I’m forbidden to say. But if you come with us you will find out.”
“I am not going anywhere with you.”
The Incubus swallowed again. “I’m afraid you are. We have orders to bring you in.” His face broke into a menacing grin. “Nothing was said about you being conscious.”
The Imp matched the grin, baring his jagged teeth. “The SOS always fulfil their orders.”
I reacted instantly, thrusting the sword forward. Somehow the Incubus managed to roll away from the fatal blow, leaving a billowing wound on the side of his neck. His elbow hit the side of my temple, sending me careening into the wardrobe door. It collapsed inwards, and I fell into the tight space inside.
The Imp charged at me, raining blows down on my face and arms as I struggled to get back up. He grabbed me by the hair and flung my across the room. The world flipped as I went right over, landing on my back on the edge of my bed. Searing pain swept up my recovering spine. The sword landed a few feet from me.
As I leaned for it, I felt the bed sag and a tight grip on my throat as the Imp seized me into a headlock. The crook of his elbow cut into my windpipe, starving me of oxygen. I felt my face grow hot as I scrambled my fingers away from my body, desperately reaching for the Crimson Twin.
“Don’t fight it,” he hissed.
My fingers touched against the wrap of the hilt, and I dragged it towards me. The Imp realised what I’d done a split second too late. As he released his grip, I rotated the sword and thrust it over my head. It met with bone, and the creature let out a hideous squeal as the blade sank through his forehead. I stood up and removed the sword as his lifeless body sank onto the bed. He could have been sleeping, apart from the pool of blood that had spread across my sheets.
The Incubus was still recovering from the wound to his throat. He had one hand clasped around his neck, which oozed smoke, the other had pulled a gun from his weapons belt. There was a loud bang, and then I felt my leg collapse. Debilitating agony spread out from my kneecap like a shockwave. The Incubus strode over to me, aiming the gun at my chest, as I grit my teeth against the pain.
“It would be so much easier if you just surrendered and came with us.”
Inside I could feel the anger bubbling up like a volcano. The tattoo started to shift on my body, spiralling up towards my arm. I let it move. The world took on a dark taint as fury took the place of reason.
“I will die before I go with you.” My words came out in a dozen voices, only one of them mine. The Incubus’s eyes went wide, and he started to back away.
“No, don’t…”
He didn’t get to finish his sentence before I seized him by the throat. The tendrils of the tattoo poured from my arm onto his hued skin, filling the veins around his face with its dark ink. He began to seize, a thick foam of white saliva bubbling from the corners of his mouth. His eyes turned black and began to weep, leaving black trails as if he were wearing mascara. I stood up--my knee wound knitting itself back together--and hoisted him up.
With a growl, I crashed his shuddering frame into the wall, sending plaster showering onto the carpet. His body began to desiccate, as if I were a sponge soaking up all of his nutrients. Thick lines appeared all over his face as the moisture was drained from his body. He seemed to be aging decades each second. He tried to open his mouth to scream, but his jaw went lax and his teeth crumbled from his gums, dropping like tiny stones on the carpet. His head lolled forward onto my arm, and I let his dried-out corpse drop to the floor. He hit with a loud thud, and most of him crumbled to dust. The realisation of what I’d just done managed to get through.
Oh my god, what the hell did I just do?
Backing away from the horrific mess, I grabbed the elixir from the table before the darkness could stop me and poured half of it down my throat. There was an internal scream and then silence. I was left panting and petrified of myself.
Not allowing myself to look at the broken heap on the floor, I ran around the bed and pulled away the side table. On the wall behind was an unassuming silver button. I jabbed it with a thumb and a pulsing siren blared out from everywhere. The room turned a deep red, like the inside of a developing room. Turning on my heels, I sprinted through the lounge and pulled the door open. The lifeless bodies of Zeffa and Sam collapsed into the hallway. Sam’s neck had been twisted at an awkward angle, and Zeffra’s forehead had a hole surrounded by purple lines, where a deadly bullet had ended his life. I reeled backwards, covering my mouth in horror.
No. Oh god, no. This is my fault. They were stationed here because of me.
I took a second to let the grief of my friends’ deaths wash over me, and then I swallowed it down. The Rogues had said there were a lot of them, and they were dressed like us. They could be anywhere. Crouching down, I peered out into the hallway.
Empty.
The corridor was a deep red. The screens that lined the walls had turned neon blue. The words Threat Alert were pulsing at the top and below was the schematic of the Warren. My room was highlighted and blinking. The loud wail of the siren continued on in the corridor, coming from dozens of hidden speakers. Clutching the Crimson Twin in both hands, I made my way along the hallway and out onto the balcony.
The portrait of Sage Faru had been defaced with a large SOS painted in blood at the bottom. Agent Hills was lying beneath it, her blonde hair fanned around her like an eerie halo. Agent Green was cowering at the bottom of the stairs. One of his arms was broken and hung uselessly at his side. The other held a shaking gun aimed at an advancing Bloodling, who was approaching with a curved dagger.
Vaulting over the balcony, I slashed down with the sword and sliced through the Bloodling. He made no sound as he collapsed. I held out a hand and helped the wounded agent to his feet.
“Thank god you’re here, sir,” he said breathlessly.
“What happened?”
“I don’t know. They got in somehow without setting off any of the perimeter alarms. Do you know what they want?”
Yeah, me for some reason. I shook my head.
“Agent Hills and I took out a few, but this bastard jumped us.”
“I’m really sorry, Paul. But listen, I need to know where the rest are.”
“Everywhere. Alexander, they’re not dressed like the SOS.”
“I know. Shit. I know.”
“What should we do?”
I looked around at the red light, accompanied by the piercing siren. “We wait.”
We didn’t have to wait long. The front doors burst open. I jerked to attention, but quickly recognised the droves of Guardians pouring into the hallway. Larik was at the front and was joined shortly by Gabriella and the rest of Orion, as well as three recruits, including Danny. Gabriella covered her mouth when she saw the lifeless Agent Hills.
“Alex, what’s going on?”
I breathlessly told the Guardians what had happened, missing out the part where they had come specifically for me.
Larik turned to face the anxious crowd. “The base is under attack from the SOS. Everyone get yourselves prepared for battle. Be careful, our enemies are dressed like us. If you see someone you don’t recognise, make them show you our hidden symbol. If they can’t, then you know what to do. Spread the word.”
The Guardians scattered, disappearing into every corner of the base. Gabriella pulled out her Biomote and dialled somebody. She spoke loudly, pressing one finger into her ear to drown out the squeal of the siren.
“Hi, yes it’s me, where are you?” She paused. “Okay good. No, it’s not a false alarm. We’re under attack. I need you to take Sophia back to Mirror’s Edge straight away. No, don’t come here. Use the outside Nexus entrance. Okay, thanks, Claudine.” She hung up.
I turned to Agent Green. “Paul, take the Nexus to Mirror’s Edge and stay with the Witches. They’ll p
rotect you.”
“But sir—”
“This is too dangerous,” I interrupted. “Look at what happened to Agent Hills. Please don’t argue. Just go.”
Paul looked pissed off but he conceded. He vanished into one of the elevators.
“What now, boss?” asked Delagio.
“We need weapons and lots of them. So let’s go to the Armoury. Then we work over every inch of this base until those bastards are gone.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“What about Mikey?” I said. “He’s vulnerable.” I turned to Scarlett. She looked warily at Gabriella, who nodded.
“Go protect him.”
The Bloodling sprinted away into the depths of the base. Please keep him safe.
“Let’s go,” said Gabriella.
“Where’s Grey?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” she replied. “He was calling for us to follow him, but then I lost him in the confusion.”
“Shit, I hope he’s okay.”
“Anyway, no time for this, let’s get going!”
The girl recruit stepped forward. “Huntmaster, we want to help.”
Gabriella looked set to refuse and then decided against it. “What the hell, you guys were set to be Guardians this evening anyway. Keep close to us and follow my orders at all times, clear?”
They all nodded.
The five of us sprinted into the Nexus. I pressed the button with a sword resting in a stone. The Elevator stayed neon red and the destination voice was silent as we rushed through the underground network. Rather than a siren, the cab made slow clicking sounds and the same words, Threat Alert, pulsed behind the mirrored walls.
The doors rolled open and we all jogged into a cavernous workshop. The floors were made of rough stone tiles, and a colossal furnace stood at one end, spewing flames. Anvils and benches were scattered about, some with weapons that were still glowing red from the fire. A myriad of tools and weapons hung on hooks around the vast space. Some were old and medieval-looking and some were futuristic, such as guns and sleek knives, and there were also many empty canisters of boosters which sat on tubes around a vat bubbling with blue blood.
Dozens of Dwarves were working away, their beards tucked into their blue overalls and goggles over their large faces, protecting them from the sparks as they forged weapons, seemingly unaware of the chaos happening so close by. It was easy to understand: the red glow of the room camouflaged the glow of the warning, and the siren could barely be heard over the clattering of hammers on metal.
Gabriella marched ahead and we all followed. One by one the Dwarves stopped their work, lifting up their goggles in intrigue and momentarily forgetting their work. She led us to the back near the furnace, where a low metal desk held a series of folders stuffed with an array of weapon request forms. Some were pinned up to a notice board on the nearby wall. Many had ticks next to them, others were circled. The heat from the furnace was almost intolerable in this part of the armoury, but the black-haired dwarf who sat on a stool, busy ticking off sheets, seemed oblivious to the oppressive heat. When he saw us, he took off his half moon spectacles, setting them on the desk, and started up at us, hairy eyebrows arched upwards.
“Eldore,” said Gabriella, wiping a sheen of sweat from her forehead.
“Five of you at once; this can’t be good news.”
“We’re under attack.”
The Dwarf nodded. “Say no more.” He put his fingers in his mouth and whistled. The sharp sound cut through my ears like a blade. Instantly all the workers abandoned their work and instead set about arming themselves for battle.
“You need help, dear?” he asked, stepping off the stool.
“No thank you, Eldore. We just need weapons.”
The Dwarf gestured around him. “Take whatever you need.”
“Thank you.” Gabriella turned to us. “Tool up guys. Whatever you think you can use. Be quick.”
I picked up a Kapre belt off a metal table and filled it with an array of guns. The others started grabbing weapons. I leaned towards the Dwarf. “Eldore, that request I sent in. Is there any chance it’s done yet?”
The Dwarf nodded and scanned the sheets on the pinboard. He stopped near one with a large tick on it. “You’re in luck.” He whistled again. “Sansforg, get item nineteen three seven.”
A Dwarf with a long grey beard ran over to a locker and pulled it open. He retrieved a long item wrapped in black cloth and brought it over. Eldore gestured towards me, and I took it from him. “Danny!” I shouted. He turned and ran over.
“We were going to give this to you at the joining ceremony, but I figure it’ll be of more use now.” I handed the clothed item to him.
Danny pulled off the material and his eyes lit up when he saw the adamantine bo staff underneath. I pointed towards the ends. “Buttons here release wooden and iron blades. Other side is diamond and silver.” Danny pressed a button near the end and a six-inch silver blade snapped out. “Oh my god, this is sick!” He bumped his knuckles against mine. “Thanks so much, man.”
“That’s for saving my ass. Now let’s get on with it.”
“Is that up for grabs?” The big guy was staring at a set of hooks on the wall. Resting on them was an adamantine hammer that had a label marked ‘confiscated’ on it. His face spread into a smile. “It has me written all over it.”
“Gabriella?” asked Eldore.
“Let him have it.”
“Okay. Name please?”
“Troy Williams.”
“Okay, Troy, be careful with it.”
Eldore lifted the heavy weapon off its holster, struggling under its weight. He handed it to the recruit, who lifted it as easily as if it were made of Styrofoam. He slung it across his broad shoulders. “Hell yeah, that’s what I’m talking about.”
“Everyone got weapons and boosters?” yelled Gabriella.
Del was helping the female recruit attach a belt. She’d chosen a futuristic-looking bow. A quiver filled with apatrope arrows was slung over her shoulders. On her belt, she carried a single dagger. She shrugged when she saw me staring. “I’m good at archery.”
“We’re ready,” shouted Del.
“What’s that one’s name?” asked Eldore.
“Hollie White,” replied Danny.
“And you must be Daniel Jackson. Okay.” He repeated the names to himself as he jotted down what we had taken. Then he looked up at Gabriella. “We’ll hold down the fort here. No SOS scum will get within twenty feet of a weapon. Go kick some ass, love. Tell ‘em Eldore sends his regards.”
“Thanks, Eldore.”
We all sprinted from the armoury, leaving the Dwarves, who were now pressed into a formidable line, armed to the teeth with weapons. Back in the Nexus, Gabriella pressed for the far wing of the base. “Start on one side and work our way through,” she said. The doors opened and a hidden panel in the wall was revealed, leading into a room with a swimming pool. The water was still, and it looked like blood in the red glow. The siren had fallen silent now that the alert was out, but the colour meant that the threat was still very present. It wouldn’t change until someone in Crow’s Nest pressed the all-clear button.
We moved forward, weapons raised. From one of the connecting rooms, we heard the unmistakable sound of voices. Gabriella pressed a finger to her lips, and we all stalked towards the door. It burst open and four figures stepped out. Hollie lifted her bow and aimed at the front man. He was a Yokai, which was similar to an Oni but smaller, with paler skin and long black hair. They were also much smarter than their brethren. He was wearing a tatty t-shirt and shorts so big I could have fit my entire body into one leg. He lowered the club he was carrying and raised both hands in a defensive stance. The two Bloodlings and the Pixie behind him copied the action.
“Whoa,” he said in a gruff voice. “We’re Guardians like you.”
“What kills them?” whispered Hollie.
“Iron,” I whispered back. Hollie responded by pulling an iron-tipped ar
row out of her quiver and loading it into the bow. She pulled back the string and aimed again.
Gabriella stepped forward. “Who are you?”
“I’m Veneth, Huntmaster of these guys behind me.”
“Why haven’t we seen you before?”
“We’re from Festung Base in Germany. I have two recruits taking part in the Trials tomorrow.”
“Show us your Alliance markings.”
The Yokai stepped forward. “We don’t have time for this. Have you noticed this base is under attack?”
“Show your markings!” she repeated.
He grinned. “Only if you show me yours first.”
Gabriella lifted her arm, and after a few seconds, the hidden mark made from the blood of Leviathan bloomed into view. As soon as she dropped her arm, the Yokai lifted his own arm, but instead of showing us a marking, he dipped his other hand, grabbed his club, and launched it towards us. It hit Troy in the arm, and he lurched backwards, knocking into Del and Danny. Veneth charged forward, yelling in fury, followed by the others. “Don’t hurt the Dark—”
Thwack.
I didn’t see the arrow until it had buried into the forehead of the Yokai. Veneth let out a low moan and collapsed sideways, splashing into the pool and sending waves of water splashing onto the sides. In an instant, the Bloodlings were on us, filled with bloodlust. The first swung a blade at me, which I deflected with my own and then kicked away with my boot. Next to me, Gabriella and Del were scrambling with the Pixie, whilst Hollie and Danny struggled to defend themselves from the second Bloodling.
My opponent recovered and sprang for me. I saw a flash of black and then a hammer connected with the side of his head, sending him crashing into the wall. Blood sprayed up the tiles, and he sank down onto his knees. Troy lifted the hammer above his head, and I turned away as I heard him bring it down with the force of a Greek warrior.
Hollie was scrambling to get away from the Bloodling, who was repeatedly punching her anywhere it could connect. She didn’t have time to get another arrow out. I went to help her, but Danny took care of her instead. He clicked the button on his bo staff, and a wooden blade sprang out; he sank it into the chest of the SOS, and it slowly dissolved into burning ash.
The Veil: Corruption (HASEA CHRONICLES BOOK 2) Page 29