Billow (38 page)

I removed the last one and Ian helped me lift the heavy metal. His hand slipped and a corner crashed onto the roof.

A sharp clang cut through the night air.

We froze.

Blood pounded in my ears.

I waited a full minute.

Nothing.

I gave a short nod. Ian's jaw clenched tight and Aubrey's mouth trembled.

We carefully placed the metal down and I climbed into the vent. Palms slick with sweat, I dropped.

Eyes searched. Senses on alert for any sign of trouble.

Breathe
.

I lifted my arms and helped Aubrey through. Her hands shook. Ian followed, his complexion stark white.

We banked on entering via the catwalk because of the most common mistake people made.

They didn't look up.

Crouching in the shadows, we took in the scene below.

Orange and florescent yellow lights illuminated the cavernous third floor of the facility. The control room was two levels beneath it.

Rows and rows of Aquidae stood. They faced away from us, their attention on a wide stage in the center of the factory floor.

It looked like a torture set-up. A huge, rusted piece of machinery acted as backdrop. Two sets of chains hung in front of it, attached to a steel beam up above. A grey stone altar was the front focal point.

One of the chains was already occupied.

Nick.

I couldn't detect any physical injury. But he appeared thinner than that day in the Trident.

Arms were lifted above his head and manacles locked tight around his wrists. Pale, boyish face was frozen in pure terror.

Nausea pitched and rolled in my stomach at the grotesque spectacle.

An Aquidae stepped on stage and Ian tensed.

So this was Callan.

My focus lasered on to Ian's father and I carefully assessed my opponent.

He had a different coloring than Ian. Tall and rangy, his blonde hair was cut short. There was a shade of resemblance to his son in the angle of his nose and cut of his chin.

Arrogance glinted in his eyes. He was handsome and he knew it.

Two Aquidae joined him.

"Welcome, friends!" Callan's voice was smooth and persuasive. "We have some wonderful offerings for you tonight."

Coldness expanded. He spoke about lives like they were objects.

"We have our first one up here." He carelessly gestured to Nick. "But we have many more selections to offer. Bring them out, please!"

A squeaking noise came first. Then two Aquidae wheeled a cage out from behind the rusted machinery. It was the type used to house lions and tigers for the circus.

The elemental children huddled together in the center, as far from the bars as possible.

Marcella's students. My arms shook.

An excited murmur raced through the rows of Aquidae.

"We'll begin with the children, then move on to the older ones," Callan continued. "I'm confident we have something for everyone."

The main staircase leading to the lower levels was on the northwest. Decrepit equipment lined the wall from here to there, providing easy cover for Ian and Aubrey.

"You guys head down," I murmured. "Wait until I make my move before crossing to the stairs."

We'd gone through the plan countless times during the past twenty-four hours. All of us knew what we had to do.

Fear shone through Aubrey's eyes, but she gave a firm nod.

Sweat glistened on Ian's forehead. His eyes remained locked onto Callan.

"Ian." I gripped his arm. "You got that?"

After a few long seconds, he managed a shaky nod.

I gestured toward the stairs at the far corner. "Stick to the shadows and stay as low as possible."

Aubrey slid her hand into his. Ian blinked and glanced at her.

His expression calmed, eyes focused. He gave a nod and this time, it was steady. They quietly made their way along the catwalk.

Fear suddenly heightened and I had to turn aside. I couldn't stand the sight of their backs moving away.

I redirected my focus to the Aquidae below.

Don't notice
.

Callan released Nick from the chains. The other Aquidae each grabbed an arm and yanked him forward.

Please. Don't notice.

The rows of Aquidae continued to watch the stage.

A tuft of red hair moved behind a piece of equipment on the factory floor. Another head of dark hair followed. They stopped and waited for my move.

I allowed a small shudder of relief.

"Our first selection is a thirteen-year-old human boy."

The Aquidae in the back craned their necks, trying to get a better look.

I needed strength and control.

Eyes zeroed in on Callan. Rage bloomed.

"He's not much to look at." Callan derisively pointed out Nick's skinny arms and legs. Several Aquidae laughed.

I shifted, edging along the catwalk to the central set of stairs leading down to the floor.

Images continuously cycled.

My mother. Marcella. Gabe. Chloe. Ryder.

"But he may be valuable to those looking for a teenager. Turns out this boy has quick hands. Might be a handy skill when he's turned."

A small, wet stain spread across the front of Nick's pants.

Icy fury settled like a second skin.

"Let's start the bidding at one thousand," Callan called out. "Any offers?"

I moved onto the top step.

The sea of Aquidae lay before me, swarming with inhumanity.

"Here's an offer. Let him go and I won't kill you."

THIRTY

The hard words sliced through the air.

All eyes turned as one. Several Aquidae near the stairs snarled and moved forward.

I resisted the urge to flinch.

"Wait!"

A calculating smile spread on Callan's face.

"I don't believe it. What an honor." He made a dramatic gesture. "Everyone, this is the
sondaleur
."

No one moved. The grinding clank of machinery echoed.

"Please." His tone turned cordial. "Why don't you join us?"

I walked slowly, giving Aubrey and Ian as much time as possible to slip by unnoticed.

Arms hung loose. Right hand gripped my dagger.

One foot in front of the other.

"To what do we owe this pleasure?"

"Did you really think you could get away with this?" My voice kept steady.

He feigned an innocent look. "Is this about your little children?"

"They'll be coming home with me."

The Aquidae parted, creating a space for me to walk through. Eyes followed my every movement.

Creepy stillness hid the natural homicidal instinct within. There wasn't a single one in here that didn't want to kill me.

Callan laughed. "I'm sorry,
sondaleur
. But look at you. Auraless and alone. You look more like a little human girl than anything else."

One step. Another.

I reached the foot of the stage and deliberately didn't look at Nick.

I only had eyes for my opponent.

"Please." Callan stepped away from the edge. "Join us."

I pulled myself up onto the elevated platform.

Come on, Aubrey. Ian
.

They should be in the control room by now and starting the shut-down process.

Ten, fifteen more minutes.

Up close, Callan was indeed handsome. He had a rugged, masculine face and lines around his mouth as if he laughed a lot. Or used to.

"You have the
sondaleur
. I'm sure my presence means more than the rest of them combined. Let them go."

His eyes widened and he turned to the assembled audience. "I believe this little girl is trying to do business with me."

This was my revised strategy of distraction. Callan may be an Aquidae now, but he was originally a nix. And from what Ian told me, he was a successful one.

Working a deal would be strong bait. I had no intention of following through, but negotiating would buy some time.

"You've been presented with an excellent opportunity, Callan." My tone was icy. "I'd take it."

Callan approached and I remained still.

Come on, Aubrey. Hurry.

I needed to move. Needed power to gut him from head to toe.

"If your appearance was unexpected, I might've taken you up on it,
sondaleur
."

Fear rose.

"But I've been expecting you tonight. So I'm not entirely without options." His mouth opened in a cruel semblance of a smile. "Gilroy is a snake. My boss had no problem figuring out you'd make your way here."

Panic joined the fear.

Was that why the magic barrier didn't work against ondines? Why they used nix magic to block my Virtue?

Callan walked to the edge of the stage. "Tonight's show has gotten a lot more interesting."

The Aquidae cheered. Demonic sound sliced through my innards and I hardened my body to keep from wincing.

Sweat dripped down my temple.

"First things first, though." He shot a pointed look at the dagger. "You're going to have to play fair,
sondaleur
."

Since I had no magic, my dagger wasn't deadly. But it still provided some measure of defense. The silver blade could at least hurt them.

I didn't want it out of my hand, but I needed more time. I flipped the dagger and passed it to him handle first.

"Interesting. You don't even bring a
kouperet
. You're a confident one, aren't you?"

My hands felt empty. He tossed the dagger to the floor beside him as if it were a useless toy.

"Now." His tone grew bored and he paced in front of me. "What are you offering?"

"You can have me," I said. "I'm sure the Shadow would be pleased with that. Let him go. Let the rest of them go."

Callan inspected me as if I were a curious insect. "I heard about your little hero routine. The size of your ego is rather astonishing."

The Aquidae laughed and I forced myself not to react.

"But I don't find it very interesting. Do you think you're so important that turning you would have more value than all this?"

"Come on, Callan. Don't be stupid." The tic in his jaw pleased me. "The Shadow has wanted the
sondaleur
for a long time."

I turned and spread my arms. "Here I am. In the flesh. Without magic and weaponless. Alone. And you're not going to take it?"

Murmurs shifted through the crowd.

Callan's eyes narrowed. He was losing his audience. "
Sondaleur
, I don't think you understand what we do."

He walked over to the altar. Hands caressed the stone in an almost loving gesture. "Becoming one of us is a great honor. A privilege. When you become one of us, you have His blood running through you."

Callan's eyes shut in ecstatic fervor and he lifted his arms toward the ceiling.

The audience watched, transfixed. I had to give him credit. The guy really knew how to milk it.

"Empowering you. Making you something more than you ever were in your pathetic mortal life." He turned to face me. "He frees us."

I gave a harsh laugh. "You sure all that blood isn't screwing with your brain?"

Cold eyes fastened on to me and he made a tsking sound.

"You really are mistaken," he said woefully. "He knows all. And He even planned a special show for you tonight."

He moved in the span of a heartbeat. Iron fingers dug into my arms, each digit shooting forward a current of sharp pain.

Every muscle strained. But without my Virtue, I was the same as any ondine or human.

Powerless.

No. Not yet.

I needed more time. Unbridled panic and fear burst to life.

Aubrey. Ian. Hurry.

Audience roared in approval, noise driving the whirling mess of desperation inside me.

Callan jerked my arms up. Shackles clamped on wrists. Metal scraped, chafing against skin.

The chains were high and I balanced on the tips of my toes to keep arms from being yanked out of their sockets.

Dangling, I watched helplessly as they dragged Nick to the altar.

"Does that young boy remind you of someone,
sondaleur
?" Callan whispered.

I'd avoided looking at Nick. Told myself it was because I needed to focus. Keep my eye on the end goal.

But I knew that wasn't really it.

It was because Nick reminded me of someone.

All of them. Every child, every victim reminded me of someone.

And I couldn't escape it any longer.

"Another boy. I believe his name was Ryder?"

They shoved Nick onto the altar and locked his arms and legs down with additional chains.

The sound of restraints clicking shut cracked something inside.

Everything bled into a haze of impotent rage.

I struggled. Fought and pulled with everything I had. Something dripped down my arms. Pain distantly radiated from shoulders.

And still I lunged. Over and over. Like an animal.

Callan calmly removed an old, ceremonial blade from a crevice at the bottom of the altar.

The same dark energy that came from nix magic surrounded it.

"Watch the beauty, the power of His blood," Callan said with reverence.

He handed the dagger to one of the Aquidae. With a quick jerk, it slashed its left palm and thick, black liquid oozed out.

Black blood stretched into the air, separating into two ribbons. Then four.

Glossy onyx tentacles elongated, intertwining and undulating against each other like living cobras.

I now sensed the base darkness in the blood. But it was perverted, the natural dark roots manipulated into something unnatural.

Nick's skin went white with terror. The blood reached for his neck, to the pulsing carotid artery. Caressed his skin and brushed it with adoration.

Tips sharpened to razor points and formed the shape of an X.

With the swiftness of a cobra bite, it plunged into his neck.

A thin, high-pitched scream escaped his lips. The sound a small animal makes when it dies.