Craetis smashed his fist into Janka’s face.
They were in a warehouse. Overhanging halogen bulbs illuminated boxes and pylons.
Cuffs fastened at Kinzer’s wrists, connected to chains that wrapped around support beams on either side of him. He was stark naked.
“No!” he called out. As he struggled with the chains, the muscles in his back shifted and jiggled.
It was clear that the chains weren’t going to give.
Black feathers rushed from his back. His wings fanned out instinctively, ready to attack.
Mika and Deter had grabbed either wing.
Kinzer struggled to dam the flood of memories. He didn't have time to think on that. He had to be strong, ready for the fight that was certainly about to ensue.
“Where's Veylo?” Kinzer asked.
“He had other errands to run.” Craetis stomped up to his sword, seemingly without fear. He stopped just before the tip. “We came for Dedrus and Treycore, but looks like we'll have the added bonus of finishing you off, too.”
Finishing them off?Kinzer wondered if they knew about Maggie or if they were just here for Treycore and Dedrus.
Mika and Kinzer stared each other down. Mika slipped his hands to his sides and pulled two daggers from holsters strapped at the waist of the black suit pants he wore. The daggers sparkled in the orange glow from the streetlamp. Mika twirled them about. He charged Kinzer.
Kinzer drew his sword back, preparing to strike.
“Now, now, boys,” a voice came from behind Kinzer.
Mika stopped and gripped his daggers by their hilts.
Kinzer didn't turn around. He didn't need to. “Vera,” he said. “Glad you could make it.”
“Me, too. Someone gonna turn on a light?” She must’ve flipped a light switch, because the lamps around the room illuminated. “Much better. Oh, this place looks like crap.”
She stepped around him and joined Craetis and Mika.
Next to the seven-foot Craetis, she was a midget. She had a scrawny frame with long, skinny arms that were concealed beneath a thin layer of black sheer that ran from the wrist-cuffs to the bust-level of the black dress she wore. A chrome belt glistened around her nothing of a waist, matching a diamond-studded collar around her neck. Kinzer knew that every part of her outfit had been meticulously planned, down to the nine-inch heels that, given the chance, she would no doubt use to gouge a higherling's eyes out with.
She stroked her fingers through coal-black hair that fell to her chest, indicating where breasts should have been.
“Are Treycore and Dedrus here?” While Craetis had snake-like eyes, Vera's were like those of a lizard. Her forehead was wide, and her jaw narrow, giving her eyes and features a sort of fun-house mirror effect. Her lizard eyes stared Kinzer down. “Yes. I see they are. You know, Kinzer, we've made quite a few rounds tonight, and we're very tired, so we'd appreciate it if you'd just direct us to their rooms, so we can slit all your throats and move on to our next targets.”
Targets?
He’d been right. Someone had revealed the whereabouts of all the Leader’s Allies.
“Fucking bitch.”
Vera smirked.
Kinzer scoffed. “Don't even pretend like you're going to kill your precious Treycore.”
Vera and Treycore had been lovers, as all the immortals knew. Kinzer didn’t know all the details, but from what he’d heard, it was with great strain that Treycore managed to pull himself from her twisted grip.
Vera’s smile transformed into a twitching line. She turned away. “Go ahead and kill him. He's not going to tell us. We'll find them ourselves.”
Craetis chuckled. “Can I play with him first?”
“You've done good tonight. Have fun.”
