by David Aries
“There they are!” echoed from the open shaft.
There wasn’t time to sulk. I rushed into the sewer. Days earlier, it’d been crawling with demons. They’d been replaced by guards.
Titania shielded Dessa from the oncoming soldiers. She wasn’t equipped for an ambush.
“Hey, assholes,” I yelled. “Your fight’s with me.” I emphasized my point with an instigating punch.
That got their attention.
The warriors put up their shields and blocked the passage. There wasn’t room to navigate around them. The tunnel was too thin, rendering my demon jump useless. I had to go through.
If they believed that handed them the advantage, they were fools.
I tapped into my demonic strength and surged forward, smashing into the wall of metal.
The front guards slammed back into their allies, sending them all off balance.
That was where they’d fucked up. In theory, the sewers were a great ambush spot. Caught me off guard, for sure. However, closed spaces neutralized their numerical edge. They lost the ability to flank or setup the impenetrable defensive line they used on the main road. Their formation was closer to a stack of human dominoes.
I overwhelmed the queue with an onslaught of charged-up punches, toppling the armed playthings. It was revenge for what’d happened earlier.
“Not so tough anymore, are you?” I said to the KO’d goons.
“Is now really the time for egotism, darling?” Dessa said, showcasing her usual enthusiasm for sewer scouring. “Guards aren’t supposed to wander these parts. This level of commitment is unprecedented. We should get as far from here as we can.”
“True,” I growled. Esther and the others were still up there but it was us they were looking for. Or, to be more precise, me. “We’re heading to Sophie’s. Titania, can you get us there?”
No response. Titania was busy looking off into the distance.
“Earth to Titania,” I said, shaking her shoulder.
She jumped, swinging her red gaze to me. “Jake… I need your help. Let’s get Blair back.”
“What?”
“They’re playing dirty, so we should too. Diarmuid was right. The fuck we giving up for? She’s still in the city. We can still reach her.”
“Can we? The nobles have her.”
“And? We gonna let a few gates stop us? No way. I won’t accept that. I’m gonna get Blair back. I’m gonna save her before it’s too late.” She spun around and stared down the dark tunnel. “Everyone calls me a traitor, but she never did. Blair was always on my side. I can’t abandon her when she needs me the most. I have to do this. Even if it’s dangerous, even if it’s impossible, I’ve gotta try. But I don’t know if I can do it alone. I’m not strong enough.” Titania turned back. Tears flooded her red eyes. “Please, Jake. I need you. I can’t do this without you. Or Boss. Or Dessa. Please, help me save Blair. I’m begging you.”
I sighed, stepping in to ruffle her blonde hair. “Tears, seriously? That’s so unfair. You know I’m weak against crying girls.”
“You’ll help?” Titania sniffled.
“Of course. Was it ever in doubt?” I mopped a thumb along her cheek. “Dry away those tears. We’ll get Blair back. I promise.”
Titania pounced, hugging me. “Thank you, Jake! Thank you.”
“Whoa. Calm it,” I said while wearing the goofiest smile imaginable.
“My, oh my,” Dessa giggled. “I didn’t know you were capable of such underhanded seduction, my little green friend.”
Titania’s cheeks boiled red. She pushed away from me. “Shut up.”
“How cruel. Did I mishear my name in your call to assistance?”
She puffed out her glowing cheeks. “Please, Dessa.”
“Was that supposed to convince me? You know I dislike confrontation. I require a little extra persuasion than our easily-swayed companion.”
“Hey!” I protested.
“Like?” Tina queried.
“A kiss,” Dessa responded
“What?!”
“A big one. Ten seconds, minimum. Full tongue. Lots of saliva. And I get to squeeze your delectable posterior the entire time.”
Titania huffed, after a few seconds of squirming contemplation. “Fine! If that’s what it takes.”
Dessa snorted. “You silly girl. I was only joking. Of course I’ll help.”
“You bitch,” Titania growled, transferring to a cross-armed grumble. “Thanks.”
“Anything for my precious green pal.”
“Only Esther remains,” I said. “That’s not gonna be easy.”
“I don’t care. I’ll make her say yes. We can’t do this without Boss,” Titania responded.
Splashing echoed down the tunnels.
“We’ll handle that later. Get us to Sophie’s, quick.”
Titania led the way. The melancholy was gone from her expression. Burning red hope filled her determined eyes.
She wasn’t the only one who’d experienced a change in spirits. I didn’t know how difficult it was going to be and I didn’t care. I chose to believe. We would save Blair. For once, the nobles wouldn’t win.
Chapter 16
“Absolutely not,” Esther said.
What a shocking response.
We’d all gathered at Sophie’s hideout. My group arrived first with the others not far behind. They’d somehow escaped the raid with minimal injuries. Gall’s right arm had been broken but everyone else was unscathed. She’d taken one for the team. More proof that the old girl couldn’t be underestimated.
Before we had a chance to celebrate our narrow getaway, Titania dropped her bombshell.
“But, Boss,” Titania whined. “We need you.”
“You need your heads examined,” Esther countered. “It’s too dangerous.”
I shrugged. “Can’t be worse than the usual.”
“They’re completely different. You should know this. You too,” Esther said, switching targets.
Dessa giggled. “What can I say? I’ll go along with any crazy scheme.”
“Not on my watch. This is suicide; idiocy of the highest order.”
“Please, Boss,” Titania begged, tugging Esther’s black vest. “The party’s gonna end soon. We can’t do this without you.”
“You’re not doing it at all. I’m not letting you dig your own graves. Someone, please back me up.”
There were only seven of us inside the ill-lit basement. We’d had Sophie’s smugglers escort Gall’s shaken girls elsewhere, leaving behind a choice few. Our hunter foursome, the two oldies, and the master of the secret domain.
“You mad, lassie?” Diarmuid said. “I’m with Tina.”
“Have you listened to a thing I’ve said?” Esther groaned.
“Aye. Tina too. I like what she’s selling.”
“It’s madness. Pure lunacy. The trade made more sense than this.”
“Maybe in your eyes. Socking it to those pricks and getting my baby back? That makes sense to me.” Diarmuid pumped his fist. “I’m with you, Tina.”
“See, Boss? You should join too,” Titania said.
Esther grumbled and looked to her next ally. “Gall, please. Talk some sense into your niece.”
The old aunt rubbed her chin. “It’s dangerous. No doubt about it.”
“Thank you!”
“But I ain’t gonna stop her.”
“What?!” the wide-eyed Esther gasped, in contrast to our cheers. “You’re siding with their stupidity?”
“Sorry. Can’t help it. Seeing my little Tina so sad is heartbreaking.”
“She’s gonna get herself killed!”
“Maybe. Maybe not. If I was the overprotective type, I’d never let her run around hunting demons. My Tina’s a tough little cookie. I believe in her.”
“You really mean that?” Titania said.
“Of course I do,” Gall snorted. “You’re my precious little niece.”
“Which is why you should stop this,” Esther sai
d. “Am I the only one here with a lick of common sense?”
“Seems like it,” I regretfully informed her. “We wanna save Blair. It’s as simple as that.”
“So do I but this is too risky. Fighting demons is one thing. Opposing an entire city? It’s too much.”
“Not when it comes to my baby it ain’t,” Diarmuid said.
Esther went to say something, but the words never came. She sighed and slumped onto one of the crates which doubled as chairs. “You’re all crazy. You won’t listen to reason.”
“Are you really surprised?” I said. “You’d come for us. I know you would.”
“I certainly would,” Gall said. “If Tina was in Blair’s shoes, I’d tear those nobles a new one.”
“You’d have to beat Esther to it,” Dessa giggled. “She’d be up there as we speak, flipping all over; blasting up the place.”
“She almost did it to The Oath,” I reminded everyone.
“Okay! I get the picture,” Esther snapped, puffing her cheeks like a sulking brat. It was kinda cute.
Titania scooped up Esther’s hands. “Boss, please. Blair’s my best friend. I can’t just abandon her.”
“Sweetie,” Esther mumbled. “Even if I agree, it doesn’t matter. It can’t be done.”
“Says who?” I said. “We’re already aiming for the impossible. Why not start now? Saving one girl’s gotta be easier than wiping out demonkind.”
“Being able to kill demons won’t get us through two walls. The Noble District’s the best defended location in all of Grabadon. Perhaps Terix. Am I wrong, Titania?”
Titania shook her sinking head. “It’s pretty hard to get in. And there’s a ton of guards.”
“Exactly. This isn’t New Hoffen. They aren’t gonna invite us in. We’d need to do what nobody else has achieved and all we’ve got is a few hours. It can’t be done.”
I grimaced. Cold hard logic. The mortal enemy of the muscle-head.
The plan’s other biggest backers suffered the same dejection. It’d sounded so promising but we’d never gotten past blind hope.
“So, you’d back the plan if you could get inside?” Gall said, remaining cool.
“I’m not saying that,” Esther replied. “But I’m certainly not agreeing to the impossible.”
“Such a shame, because I know a way in.”
There was a slight pause as we soaked in that information. “What?!” four of us answered in unison.
Gall smirked. “Surprised? Don’t be. Nowhere’s impenetrable. Even that toffee-nosed sanctuary. Ain’t that right, Soph?”
Sophie had done nothing but watch, with her arms folded tight, since the subject was raised. She answered with a nod.
“Seriously? No fooling,” Titania said.
“If you’re joking, spinster, I’ll never forgive you,” Diarmuid warned.
“Cool it, coffin dodger,” Gall said. “I’m the best-connected woman in the whole district. I know what I’m talking about.”
“You’re amazing, Gall,” I said.
“I know. Hurry and fall for me already.”
“Wait. Time out,” Esther said. “Why does nobody else know about this? Surely, somebody should have used it.”
“It’s not that it’s unknown, but nobody would consider it a way in. Well, outside of a bunch of talented idiots.” Gall grinned. “You’re one of the few who could pull this off, Esther. With your help, Tina can get her friend back.”
Esther’s well-crafted defense had been shot to pieces. She hesitated, mouth hanging open.
“How’s about that, Tina?” Gall said. “Ain’t your old aunt the best?”
Titania should have been jumping for joy. Instead, she looked bemused. “Why are you doing all this for me?”
“You take a bump to the noodle?” Gall asked, knocking her own temple.
“I’m serious. Why are you going so far to help me?”
Gall exploded with laughter. She pulled her niece into a headlock. “We’re family. Of course I’m gonna help. Honestly, I’m still on the fence about joining the raid. Talk about a lousy time to break an arm.”
“Old woman…”
“This is really it,” Diarmuid said, shaking. “My baby. We can get her back before that damn slob dirties her.”
I patted Esther’s shoulder. “Come on. We need you. Will you help us?”
She hummed, lips pursed.
“Boss, please,” Titania said. “You’re the bestest fighter there is. With you, there’s no way we can fail.”
Esther sighed. “If I refuse will you go ahead with it anyway?”
Titania nodded. “Duh.”
“How could we not?” I added.
Esther groaned, pinching her nose. “You’re so unfair. Do I even have a choice? Somebody has to keep you safe.”
“Thank you!” Titania squeaked, pouncing Esther.
Esther caught the energetic orc and cracked a small smile. Against the plan or not, how could she resist a gleeful Titania?
With that, the final hurdle had been overcome. We’d gotten everyone on board.
“Are you all absolutely insane?” Sophie said, cutting through our frivolities. “I was sure you’d handle this, Esther. And you, Gall. I’m disappointed in you.”
“Anything to help my Tina,” Gall responded.
“You got a clue what you’re chatting? This ain’t some inconsequential raid. It’s an attack on the nobles; a rebellion. You’re waging war on Grabadon’s rulers.”
“It can’t be helped,” I said. “Blair needs our help.”
“So? How does that affect me? I hardly know the girl. Don’t think we’ve ever spoken. Pretty sure we’ve never met.”
“What are you saying?” Diarmuid snapped. “She’s my daughter.”
“And? Since when are we friends?”
“What’s wrong with you?” Titania growled.
“Nothing. I’m completely sane. You’re the weird ones. All this because of one girl. Her life isn’t even in danger. She has to satisfy the urges of some creepy guy. So what? She has all the security and food she’ll ever need. If you ask me, she lucked out.”
Titania and Diarmuid both lunged toward Sophie.
I restrained the dwarf while Esther held back our teammate.
“You bitch!” Titania snapped.
“What’d I say wrong? I’ve wallowed in filth for years to survive. I’d trade it all for a swank manor and some nice clothes. Nobody’s coming saving me. Rather, you’re trying to sign me up for some suicide mission. In your wildest dreams.”
“We helped you,” I reminded Sophie.
“And? You did your job. Congrats. I paid you. I’ve even repaid some non-existent favor. If anything, you guys owe me.” Sophie hopped to her feet. “Get outta my damn base and stop this madness, before it’s too late.”
“And go where?” Gall asked.
“Anywhere that’s not here. I don’t care.”
“Aren’t we friends?”
“Sorry, Gall. I’m a born survivor. I’ve spent my life under the radar and ain’t jeopardizing that for anyone.”
“How can you be so cold?” I said. Releasing Diarmuid grew more tempting.
Sophie snorted. “That what you call it? I’d say I’m the only one here who ain’t a selfish idiot. None of you care about dragging me into this mess. And you don’t give a shit about the chaos you’re about to trigger. You even given a lick of thought into how the nobles might respond?”
I had not. The pained expressions around me suggested some wiser people had.
“Anybody think they’re the type to let a revolt slide?” Sophie continued. “It’s easy for you four. You ain’t sticking around. Soon as you get the chance, you’re cutting town. I can’t do that. If I push the wrong buttons, they’ll never let me rest. Same for you, Gall. Think you’re getting that club back?”
Gall’s irritable expression said it all.
“What about you, dwarf? Say bye to your garage and goodnight to your life.”
&
nbsp; “Think I don’t know that?” Diarmuid growled, flexing in my grip. “I’m no fool. It’s a small price to pay for my baby’s freedom. I’ve lived a long life and lost many dear to me. My parents died before my eyes. The love of my life perished in my arms. My old heart withered for a century before Blair fell into my life. For the last few years, she’s been my world. It’s time I repay her. I’m not letting you stop me!”
“Dooming the entire district is fine with you? You know they’ll come. They’ll punish us all because of you and your freaky little child.”
“Shut the fuck up!” Titania snapped.
Sophie clicked her tongue. “I haven’t said a thing wrong. You’re the bad guys here. We’re struggling to survive as is. What gives you the right to rock the damn boat?”
We were firmly against Sophie’s viewpoint yet there was a collective hesitation to answer.
“Maybe the boat’s due a rocking?” I suggested. “Why settle for struggling when you can fight for something more?”
“You… out of everything I said that’s what you take away? I’m starting to feel sorry for Esther,” Sophie sighed. “I’ve told you before. Need a reminder? This time, drill it into your thick skull.” She tapped her head. “The nobles always win. We can’t beat them. Nobody can.”
“We’ll never know until we try.”
“Stop being a moron. They’ve got an entire army. You’re just a man.”
“No, I’m not,” I said.
“Oh, sorry. You’re a male demon hunter. So impressive. Am I supposed to bow to the might of your dong?”
I clenched my fists. Sophie had it all wrong but she couldn’t know that. Gall and Diarmuid were in the same position. I’d thanked them for their faith with lies. That couldn’t go on.
“I’ve got something to show you all,” I announced.
“Jake,” Esther said.
“It’s time. We’re asking a lot of everyone. I have to come clean.”
She sighed and reluctantly agreed.
I released Diarmuid and summoned my demon spirit. Blue fire engulfed my fists and burst from my glowing eyes.
Those not privy to my nature stumbled back, staring.
“What the fuck is that?!” Sophie said, tumbling onto her ass.
“I’m not a human. Not quite. I’m a half-breed.”