The Guardian Lineage (19 page)

 

 

And so it was decided. The Blackrocks were destroyed, and there was no way Mom was going back to the French Grey Talons, so Mike's mom left immediately for the Redwing clan of Moscow, flying on Amadeus's back across the Atlantic and through Europe. Windham's portal had been totally destroyed, it turned out, leaving that as the quickest option. Mike thought it would've been better to go to the Brownstones of Scotland, but his mother explained that the Redwings were expert healers, and if anyone was going to be able to save Garzan, it would be them.

If he was still alive by the time she returned.

Mike was miserable to lose his mom so soon after she'd come back. He'd wanted to sit down with her and tell her everything that had happened, ask her so many questions – like,
what is that surge of power that shows up every time there's a fight
? or
how in the world do you know your way around Garzan's office so well?
But she'd insisted that time did not allow for it. Maybe a result of her newfound status as leader of the clan, or maybe because she felt a little guilty about getting captured and not being there for the fight at Windham. Whatever the case, Mike had to agree with her, but he didn't have to like it.

The Guardians rested for most of the day, with the two remaining Gargoyles staying in the boys' dormitories for the time being. They kept a rotation of two Guardians on, six off, to keep watch over Groundhog and Nukes, while Alexis bunked up in the Headmage's office. Mom had shown her how to automate her spells so that they would keep repeating themselves, and Alexis had taken full advantage of that ability to get some shut eye. When night fell, the Gargoyles went to find a quick meal, and the Guardians did likewise. Aaron found some meat in the kitchen and threw it on the grill, much to Mike's relief. He hadn't eaten real food since he had left for Blackrock Castle.

It was during dinner that things started to get complicated.

The Guardians were seated at the only Dining Hall table that hadn't been splintered, all dressed in uniform because, well, it just felt safer that way. Groundhog and Nukes had cleared the room of the dead Gargoyles, burying them in a ritual that they did not allow the Guardians to see. Mom had used a little bit of magic to clean up the place, to at least get it smelling decent, but Mike couldn't get the image of fifteen dead gargoyle bodies out of his head. He chewed his hamburger slowly, staring at the table, the food tasting like ash in his mouth.

After ten minutes of ignoring the proverbial elephant in the room, Zachariah asked the million-dollar question.

“Okay, what's the plan? We can't just walk into town and ask if anyone's seen a hundred kids dressed in leather.”

Mike eyed his fellow Guardians, hoping someone else was going to suggest it. He didn't think it was the greatest idea in the world, and even though Garzan had basically said it was a waste of time, it might be a starting point…

But nobody did, and Mike resigned himself to throw out what seemed to be the only logical starting point.

Hold on, everybody, buckle your seat belts and brace for impact…

“I think we should go to the Slayers.”

“What?” was the predictable response from more than a few mouths. But it was Zachariah's voice that rang the loudest. “That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard! Let's go against the Headmage's orders, go visit our enemies, and see what they know. How does that make sense?”

Mike ground his teeth. Most of the Guardians were looking at Zachariah. Except for Steph, Mike noticed. She kept her eyes focused on the glossy wood, eating slowly, oblivious to the whole thing. Probably thinking about her father.

“I know it doesn't actually make sense,” Mike allowed, “But if you have a better idea, do tell. We can't go to the other Guardian clans because the portal's broken. We can't ask the cops, because they're clueless. Where else do you want to start?”

Zachariah was shaking his head. “This is lunacy. There are ten of us, against all of them.”

“And two gargoyles,” Mike pointed out.

“Ooooh, two gargoyles,” Aaron muttered.

“Hey, have you
seen
those things in battle?” Mike countered.

“Yeah, I've seen them
fly
into battle. I'm sure they'll be great fighting indoors.”

“How do you know we'll be indoors?” Annabella asked.

Zachariah said, “Do you
know
how many Slayers there are? There could be hundreds. Thousands. Two gargoyles are not going to change a thing.”

“Do y'all have a better idea?” said the blond-haired girl Mike didn't know.

“Shut up, Caroline,” Zachariah said maliciously. That caused Caroline to get visibly upset, although probably not solely because of Zachariah's insult. She buried her head in her hands and began to cry.

“Great,” Aaron muttered to no one.

“It's settled, then,” Mike said aloud, hoping that would decide things. “We're all going to the Slayers. I'll tell Nukes and Groundhog.”

Zachariah shoved his chair out, sending it tumbling away. “Over my dead body.” He flicked his lighter open and brought the flame over to his open palm, elevating it ever so slightly.

Aaron rolled his eyes. “Here we go.”

Julius Brutus said, “Come on, gentlemen, this is unnecessary.”

Mike pushed away from the table and stood. He felt the heat from Zachariah's weapon, but it did little to intimidate him. “Don't make me embarrass you, Zachariah. Stockton's not going to ring the timer and save your butt.”

Zachariah glowered. “I'll be making the decisions for the Guardians from here on in.”

“So what's your great plan, oh wondrous leader?”

“Working on it,” Zachariah said, eyes cold and hostile. The flame in his palm grew bigger.

Mike threw up a shield just in case. If Zachariah was going to challenge him for Guardian leadership, he had no problem with that. He was the most powerful one here, and he would protect the clan at all costs, even from idiots inside the guild. “That's what I thought. Slayers it is.”

“Stop it, both of you!”

Both boys' heads snapped around to find the source of the words. Mike was shocked to see it was Annabella.

“You're both insane! Our friends are all gone, probably dead.” She rubbed her nose and fought back tears. “We have no way of protecting ourselves from another attack. The Brethren could be at our door right now and we'd have no idea. And you two want to fight amongst yourselves? How does that help matters at all? You're both arrogant jerks!”

Zachariah stared at his girlfriend. It was plain to Mike that Annabella had never spoken to Zachariah in that way before. But it seemed to have an effect. Zachariah lowered his weapon and drooped his head. He nodded ever so slightly, then went to pick up his chair.

Mike folded his shield and went back to his seat as well. His cheeks felt hot. He didn't want to admit it, but Annabella was right. If they fought amongst themselves, they'd be even easier to pick apart.

“I agree with Mike,” Annabella said softly, her words more composed. “If it looks like things are going bad, we'll get out of there. The Gargoyles will help, right Mike?” Mike nodded from across the table. “Now, the only problem is, how do we find them?”

“Mike, you want to call your ex?” Zachariah said.

“Maybe if I had a phone,” Mike muttered. Plus, he didn't think that was a great idea. For some reason, he didn't want to include Laura in this.
Because if this goes to hell, she'll be right in the middle of it, with no place to turn for help.

Steph coughed, and muttered something Mike couldn't hear.

“What's that?” Aaron said.

Steph cleared her throat and looked up. “I know how to find them,” she said, her voice low, almost embarrassed.

“And how do you know that?” Aaron said with eyebrows raised.

But instead of answering, Steph climbed off her seat and headed towards the door. She paused only for a moment to motion for them to follow her.

“Okaaaay,” Mike breathed. He was relieved to see that all the Guardians were getting up, as well.

The Guardians followed Steph to the garage. She grabbed two keys off of a keyring fashioned to the wall near the entrance, then tossed a key each to Mike and Zachariah.

“So much for finishing my hamburger,” Mike muttered.

Steph headed for a motorcycle in the front corner. It was red, not black like the other cars. Without saying a word, she put on the helmet and slipped her legs over the bike.

“That is
super
hot,” Aaron commented.

Mike looked at Zachariah, who had the same puzzled expression on his face.

“Are we trusting her on this?” Mike asked.

Zachariah shrugged. “It was your idea, it's your call. If it goes to hell, it's your fault.”

Mike said, “She
is
the Headmage's daughter.”

Zachariah scoffed. “Well, that clears everything up.”

“I'm not sure, man,” Aaron whispered. “That girl gets crazier by the minute. How do we know she's not the Brethren spy Garzan talked about?”

Mike didn't want to mention that he'd thought about it. In his mind, they had no choice but to trust her. The entire clan was gone, most of the Gargoyles had been murdered, the Headmage lay dying… and once Dementae found out a handful of them had escaped, he'd surely send another force to finish the job. Mike didn't see any other way.

Besides, maybe she was just acting off because her father was in a coma. Steph would've been perfectly in her rights to be acting sad, depressed, reclusive. And it wasn't right for him to be upset at her for it, either.

I want to trust her… I have to trust her.

“We follow,” Mike announced, and headed for one of the cars.

 

 

Julius Brutus stayed back to work on the videotape, and Caroline stayed back to help Alexis with the Headmage, so Mike ended up with Aaron in his car. Zachariah took Annabella and Kiva, the other Espionage major.

The ride took over three hours, ending once the group reached the west side of Manhattan. Mike had figured the Slayers were somewhere in New York; after all, Laura and her crew had ambushed them in Central Park.

That thought got Mike's blood flowing. He really didn't want Laura involved in this, but there was more than a slight chance she would be, anyway…

The two cars followed Steph as she motored down the West Side Highway, past Chelsea Piers and the Intrepid. Finally she pulled into a parking lot that led to an old warehouse right on the pier.

Mike smirked. It couldn't have been more out of a Buffy episode than this.

He parked the sedan as close as he could to the wharf, then slipped the keys in his pants pocket. There were other cars in the parking lot, mostly nondescript ones like the Guardians had. Mike felt a salty breeze hit his face. He stuffed his hands inside his trench coat and headed towards the entrance.

As the six Guardians stalked towards the depot in full leather, Mike felt the slightest urge for theme music.

Born to be Wild? Enter Sandman?
Mike smirked.
Nah… it's got to be Hells Bells.

The warehouse was made out of brick, with a ton of glass windows that were all dark. Several light bulbs hung around an unmarked metal door. Security cameras were noticeable all around the building, even though it didn't seem as if they were protecting anything important.

We are here, waiting for your signal.

Mike looked upwards and saw Groundhog and Nukes floating overhead.

Any word from Sepulchra?

Mike touched his neckpiece.
No. Stay alert, we may need you in a hurry.

As they neared the door, Steph motioned for them to get off to the left. The Guardians hugged the brick wall and waited further instructions. Steph pointed at two cameras attached to the wall and removed the electricity from both of them. She did the same with three light bulbs that hung from a small overhang. Finally, she walked up to a metal door and banged on it with her fist.

Mike heard something that sounded like an eye-slit opening. Then there was a voice from behind the door. “Yeah, who is it?”

“It's Steph, open up.”

Aaron tapped Mike on the back and raised his hands as if to say,
What the hell?
Mike shook his head, thinking the same thing.

The metal door creaked open. Steph stepped inside, and Mike lost sight of her.

“Why are the lights out?” a voice said, the same that had asked Steph's identity.

Steph said, “Tell Cassandra I'm here with company.”

So much for a surprise entrance,
Mike thought. He heard the guard scurry away. Steph poked her head out called them with her finger.

“Let's go,” she said tersely.

The Guardians entered the warehouse, eyes alert and weapons at the ready. Zachariah had already flicked on his lighter. Annabella had brought small water bottles, which were open inside of her pants pockets. Mike saw Aaron looking around for electricity to grab.

The warehouse was spacious but dimly lit. A few pieces of machinery were piled off to the right, but aside for that, there wasn't much there. The glass windows let in some moonlight. Several shipping crates were scattered around the room. In terms of people, the place was deserted.

“Where is everybody?” Aaron asked aloud.

Steph gestured at the open warehouse. “If you were fighting a never-ending war against vampires, would this really be your base of operations?”

As if to reinforce the point, one of the crates slid open to reveal an elevator chassis of some kind. A doorman was already in it, probably the guy who had let them in. He motioned for the Guardians to join him.

There was room enough for everyone to fit, and then some. It must've been an elevator shaft for machinery, Mike figured, because it could've held at least fifty people.

We are screwed if there's an ambush.

It was Zachariah's voice inside Mike's head. Mike turned his head ever so slightly and caught Zachariah's eye. Mike nodded imperceptibly, then touched his Amp.
If I knew how this would go down, I never would have brought it up.

Uh, huh. Just don't get us all killed, okay?

Mike didn't respond, but he knew Zachariah was right. If there was trouble, the Gargoyles would never be able to help them, nor would there be an easy way to escape.

And it would be his fault.

Mike braced himself as the elevator doors finally opened, assuming there would be some sort of ambush. But his fears were for naught. As the Guardians stepped out of the shaft, Mike saw they were in a room very unlike the warehouse.

It was a reception hall, done nicely and illuminated quite well. The walls were painted a tint of beige, with fluorescent lights drawing out the color from overhead. Two rows of square pillars, also cream colored, supported the room's ceiling, just like in the basement of the manor. The floor featured a tiled mosaic, depicting a Slayer clutching a knife next to a fallen Vampire.

Straight ahead there was a gathering of people. Every single person was focused on the elevator shaft. Mike took a quick count: ten, twenty thirty… Mike swore. At least a hundred. Maybe more. He combed the crowd for Laura, but couldn't spot her.

An elaborate silver chair jutted from the wall, placed evenly between two pairs of swinging doors. Seated in the chair was a woman about Mike's age, legs crossed and arms placed on the armrests, head tilted as if she were royalty. A charcoal cat was buried in her lap, its grey eyes staring at them.

“Hi, Steph,” the woman said. “I see you've brought your friends.”

Steph bit her lip. She looked at Mike, then back to the woman sitting in the silver throne.

“Hello, Mom.”