Chapter 42
Kieran
The compound was under attack.
But Dev was still inside the house with Dominic Lightwood.
“Fuck!” I scowled. I looked at Elliot. He had his eyes closed.
“We need to get back, right now.”
“We can’t leave Dev and Sable,” Elliot said.
Where the hell are you, Sable?
The back door opened and I heard someone slip inside. I spun around, watching Sable reappear like magic.
“What the hell took you so long, Phantom?” I growled.
“I’m sorry, why don’t you try turning invisible and watch your mother throw herself all over Dev and see how you like it?”
“What?” Elliot demanded.
“Exactly what I said. God, I hate her.”
“Where is Dev?” Elliot demanded.
“Dev. We have Sable. Time to leave.”
Dev cleared his throat over the comm. “ You’ve certainly given me a lot to think about Father. Why don’t I get back to you?”
“Where do you think you are going? You will stay here tonight, of course. I need you to start early in the morning.”
“I can’t. I have people I have to meet.”
“What people?” Dominic asked.
“This is not a discussion, son. This is an opportunity. One you won’t squander. Tom, Eddie, ensure my son’s room is to his liking. He will be moving in for the near future.”
I looked at Elliot. “What do you want to do? I have to get back – what if Seph – “ I couldn’t finish my sentence.
“What about Seph? What happened?” Sable demanded.
“The compound has been attacked by Libertarians. We have to get back there now.”
I was already starting the car.
“Go. Secure Seph and Gideon.” Elliot said, jumping out. “I’ll stay with the team and see how we can help Dev.”
Sable jumped into the front seat. She shoved the thumb drive in Elliot’s hand. “The info you wanted.”
“Nice work, Phantom,” Elliot said. “Call me as soon as you get there. I want to know what’s happening.”
I had never driven so fast. Sable’s knuckles were white on the arm rest. “Are you trying to kill us?”
“You could have stayed with Elliot,” I snapped.
When we got closer to Mt Vellen, I saw the smoke.
The compound was on fire.
We were exposed.
“Pull over. Now!” Sable hissed.
I yanked the car to the side and followed her gaze. Fire trucks, police and soldiers of Light, all bearing the crest of the sun were pouring down the road towards the compound.
The entire compound was surrounded.
We jumped out of the car and ran for the entrance. I could see Equinox soldiers being handcuffed and dragged outside to the waiting police vans. Several Soldiers of Light held APAs, checking each person as they passed.
From the grins reflected on their faces, this was a good day for the Light.
The only benefit I could see was the numbers of arrests seemed low. Which meant a lot of people got out.
But where was Seph?
“Let me go in. I’ll see if I can find her.” Sable said. “I need a distraction.”
“You got it. Move fast.”
I snuck around the side, through the shadows. Rain was still pounding the ground hard. I focussed on a tree that overhung one of the police vans. I flicked my fingers.
The tree exploded in a bolt of lightning.
I watched the Soldiers dive for cover, assuming the storm had lashed out. Beside me, Sable vanished. I crept through the woods towards the secret tunnel entrance. Maybe I could find a way inside.
The entrance was hidden under the overgrown grass. I found it with ease. As I climbed through the narrow tunnel, I heard the light clang of the metal grate hit stone.
If any soldiers noticed they didn’t react.
As I descended the interior ladder, water streamed down in a steady drip to the ground below. These tunnels were prone to flooding, so I had to be careful.
I waded through the ankle-deep water in the dark, until I heard a noise.
I paused.
It sounded like a scuffle. I pulled my gun.
I moved through the darkness.
Then I heard it. Something hit the ground with a sharp metallic clink.
I crouched and picked it up.
A small metal vial. Shiny. Empty.
Then a growl.
I knew that growl.
Two bodies were hunched on the ground ahead of me. Dave and Felix — long-time supporters of Equinox.
Dave was already dead. I could see that instantly. He was too still.
Warm, dark fluid bled into the water around my boots.
And something was happening to Felix.
His skin rippled beneath his clothes, shifting like something alive was moving under it. Felix was a big man, his skin black as pitch, but when he rose it was like watching a shadow swell with grotesque power.
“Felix?” I said quietly.
He turned slowly.
For a moment his eyes focused on me — like he recognised me.
Then his hands clawed at his clothes as if he needed to tear free of them. Blood streamed from his eyes. Black veins twisted across his face.
Feral.
I stepped back. He stood between me and the tunnel ahead.
If I used my power, someone would hear.
His jaw stretched wider, teeth lengthening as blood from Dave’s body dripped down his chin.
Then he lunged.
The tunnel filled with inhuman snarls.
I moved fast, driving a punch into his chest and kicking him hard enough to knock him down.
His hands were claws.
I pulled a blade, slicing through the air.
Three fingers fell to the ground, but it didn’t even slow him.
Instead, he barrelled into me. His jaws snapped for my neck, trying to latch on.
I kicked him off and he splashed back into the water. He swung wildly, catching my cheek and drawing blood.
The sight of it seemed to drive him into a frenzy.
He went wild.
I struck again, cutting across his chest and arms.
Blood poured from the wounds into the water at our feet, but it was like he was more beast than man now.
Then he lunged one final time.
I raised my blade and drove it straight through his eye.
His hands clawed at the sudden intrusion before he fell backward, his head plunging beneath the water.
As he thrashed, I pressed down on his neck and skull, forcing him under.
I gritted my teeth.
“I’m sorry, Felix.”
After what felt like an eternity, he went still.
I pulled back, shaking, and wiped the blood from my face.
Then I ran.
I forced myself down the tunnel toward Gideon’s cell.
But the door was already open.
He was gone.