by L R Deney
“We dare,” Melanie’s voice answered.
Staci turned her head to view the scene and was heartened to see the large group of diverse people standing in the chamber with them. She climbed to her feet while the man stood there in bafflement beside her. Then the crowd came surging forward, leaping on top of him in a massive dogpile of angry fists and feet.
“Must feel really tough, beating on a woman like that,” one person said.
“Nazis get stomped, motherfucker,” said another.
His cries and pleas were not listened to, no one was going to grant him any mercy, for he showed no one else any. He tried his best to fight back, but there were far too many bodies hammering into him. Dunkelstein couldn’t even get a single spell in, unable to concentrate on summoning his power. The Fuehrer was powerless before the righteous onslaught of those he had imprisoned and tortured.
Then finally they held him still, numerous arms restraining him and presenting him for Staci. She walked up toward him, wiping the blood from her lip. Her green eyes glared daggers into his soul.
“Go on, girl, take a swing,” said someone.
“This one’s for you,” assured another.
“Go on, do it,” encouraged Melanie.
“Well, motherfucker,” Staci said barely an inch from Karl Dunkelstein’s face. “I guess you’re mortal after all, too.”
Then, without a single, further thought, she swung her fist right into his face, keeping the angle of her wrist straight and throwing all of her weight into the strike. She instantly felt the man’s nose shatter, heard the sickening crack of bones breaking. Then he went limp and she stepped back, everyone looking at the scene in delight.
“Holy shit, he’s not breathing!” said one of the people holding him.
“Damn, he is fucking dead,” agreed someone else.
“Then I guess it’s done,” Staci announced with a shrug, taking in a few deep breaths.
The entire chamber was full of cheers. Staci had to smile at the sound, but then grimaced as she looked down. Oh God! Her hand hurt like Hell!
Chapter 30
With the Nazis defeated, the former captives could finally return to their lives. They were quickly led out of the sanctum. Quite a few were shocked at how the front gates exited out into the alley beside Club Sepulcher. Nevertheless, they were glad to be free and one by one they gradually wandered off from the alley, eager to return to their homes and loved ones.
Meanwhile, Staci had a promise to keep despite how unlikely it was to be found. Still, she didn’t want to invoke Kadmon’s or Mr. DeVos’ wrath more than she had already. She had to check to see if the Nazis actually had any information on the Crown of Lucifer. The Order of the Black Sun was naturally interested in any and all magical artifacts that came to their attention. Perhaps there was a chance….
The sanctum was thoroughly searched for a library but there were actually barely any physical books. In what passed as their library was a small computer lab. Staci was partially impressed, like technomancers, the Nazis had moved their study of magic into the twenty-first century.
“Are you able to hack it, Theo?” Staci asked, looking to them.
“Of course I am,” they replied. “There isn’t a single system that I can’t hack into.”
Staci nodded as Theo sat down at one of the computers and laid their hands on the keyboard and went into a trance. The witch was so focused on observing Theo that she didn’t notice Mr. DeVos stroll in, looking rather expectant.
“For your sake, I certainly hope you find something in there,” he said.
Staci spun around and her eyes narrowed. She hadn’t forgotten what he did in Azramoas. “What are you doing here?”
“Collecting on a promise you made to my master. You better have not deceived us to carry out your own, personal vendettas.”
“Ohhh fucking shit, I think I found it,” Theo announced, leaning in to read the screen.
“Wait, really?” Staci asked, turning around.
“Lucky,” muttered Mr. DeVos.
There was in fact a file open on the computer titled “Project Morningstar.” After a few moments of reading, it became apparent that it was really a document detailing a quest for the mysterious Crown of Lucifer. The Nazis didn’t appear to have many leads, but there were a few that might be useful in Kadmon’s dark crusade.
“Well, well, well,” mused Mr. DeVos. “Honestly, I didn’t think you were telling the truth but it seems these Nazis had another piece of the puzzle after all. Well done, Staci.”
“Fine, whatever,” growled the witch. “You have what you want. I’m done.”
“Wait!” cried Theo. “Where are you going?”
“I don’t know….” And she walked out of the chamber. It would be a few years before anyone ever saw her again.
◆◆◆
Jacob Andersson sat in the chair, wiping his knife clean of blood with a rag. “Ahh, Lacosse, I’m afraid I can’t raise your payroll.”
He eyed the body of the councilman on the floor, shaking his head to himself. The French-man had the nerve to ask him for more money to maintain his loyalty. Not that it mattered now, his protégé Friedrich Fromm was now in total control of Azramoas. The unexpected demon attack had played even further to their advantage. He, Fromm, and Vasiliev now had the entire city in the palms of their hands. Lacosse was unnecessary baggage.
Besides, three councilors is a perfect number, he thought. “Long live the Fourth Reich.”
About the Author
Laura Ruby Deney is a reclusive, vampiric witch that shuns the light and thinks kitties make good company. Having gone through her fair share of trials and tribulations in the all too cruel and unforgiving world, she has embraced her wretched existence and seeks to rule the world someday. But for now, writing. Lots and lots of writing.
You can follow her on Twitter @LRDeney and Wordpress at lrdeney.wordpress.com
Also follow her on Patreon at patreon.com/LRDeney