Shattered Soul (45 page)

Murky shapes carved a swath through the water in the distance, approaching c apeaming orarapidly. She didn’t have to worry, because the slipstream yanked the shuttle up and through the water, flinging them out into a cavern of sorts. The shuttle hit the ground with a bone-jarring jolt and everything went silent.

For several seconds they sat and took stock of themselves before Fredrico slid the space shield open and they climbed out to stand on the spongy surface.

“This doesn’t look anything like The Darknen’s fortress,” Rani observed. “Think we got lost?”

Veknor turned his hooded head briefly in her direction before walking around slowly, his steps dry rustling.

Fredrico examined the shuttle. “Hopefully not, because this shuttle isn’t going to last much longer.” As he spoke, the space shield shattered and broke apart. “Not at all, actually.”

“We are almost there, I can feel it.” Lifting his arms, Veknor breathed deep and murmured quietly.

Deep red ran through the air, heat filled the cavern, and the stench of sulphur burned Rani’s nostrils. Taking shallow breaths, she eyed Veknor. He might sometimes sound a little like the Veknor of old, but it would be wise to keep in mind that he wasn’t the old Veknor. He was a dark mystic and into freaky shit.

She glanced at Fredrico and caught the tight expression on his face as he watched his old friend. Closing the short distance between them in two long strides, she nudged him in the back and said softly, “Friends no matter what. Right?”

Almost instantly she felt the tension ease from him and even though he didn’t smile, she saw the fleeting warmth in his eyes when he looked over his shoulder at her. “Right.”

He looked so tempting standing there with his blonde hair caught at the nape in a leather thong and his lean body clothed in tight pants and a billowing-sleeved shirt. Rakish. Dangerous. She inhaled deeply. Enticing.

Fredrico’s eyes darkened but he merely frowned a warning at her.

Reeling in her wayward emotions and thoughts, Rani sighed and looked across at Veknor. “Are we there yet? Close? Please?”

The dark mystic turned to face them. “I never realized what an annoyance you can be, warrior.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” She grinned faintly. “Unfortunately, mystic, this is how I am when going into a fight. I can’t tell one direction from another, but I can kill the enemy with my attitude.”

“Really?” Veknor asked dryly.

“That’s what my sister warriors always said.”

“They would know.” He paused. “And now so do we.”

“Lucky us.” Fredrico’s lips twitched in amusement.

“Can I still play?”

The twin red glows of Veknor’s eyes burned bright. “The playing is going to get a little rough.”

“I can handle it.”

“Good. Here we go.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the slipstream roared through the cavern and picked them up. It lifted them high and yanked them down the tunnel, going lower and deeper. The walls passed, jagged and dangerous, and Rani would have fought to stay away from them, would have fought to remain upright, would have been tossed around like a feather in a storm, but Ethmor was there again, his hand holding her, protecting her from the walls and keepin cls tossg her upright.

Having her own demon was turning out to be quite handy.

Veknor’s demon was ahead, Fredrico’s behind. The demons flowed with the stream, their bodies merging with the rock, part flesh and part mystical, but solid where they protected their charges. The tunnel curved and went straight up, the shaft narrowing, the walls so close Rani could have reached out and touched it. Up and up, faster and faster, and then suddenly they came out and pulled to a shuddering stop.

Ethmor released her and she fell to her hands and knees on the floor. Her mind spun and she had trouble breathing for several seconds. A hand came to rest on her back and Fredrico knelt beside her.

“Easy, sweetheart,” he murmured. “Just concentrate.”

The violet glow came through his hand and seeped into her, touching her thundering heart and soothing it, slowing the frantic beats. Her breaths went from almost hyperventilating to steady breaths. Coming back to sit on her heels, she leaned against Fredrico, feeling his arm come around her waist to cradle her to him. “You came through that better than me,” she managed to say.

“I’ve travelled the slipstream before.”

“You could have warned me.”

“Sorry. It was a long time ago. I’d forgotten its affect if one isn’t prepared for it.”

“You are going to pay when we get back home.” Closing her eyes, she waited for the dizziness to pass.

“Is that a promise?” he teased.

“Oh yeah. I’m gonna suck you dry, pump you back up, and suck you dry again. I’m going to do it so many times your toes will curl and you’ll be screaming my name for a change.”

Fredrico went dead still. Feeling the dark change in him, she looked up to see his eyes burning hotly. His jaw line was tight, his voice harsh with dark desire. “I’ll hold you to that promise.”

“Sorry.” Glancing across at Veknor, she could almost see the disapproval pouring off him. “I’m sorry, okay? The words popped out before I thought. Mind you...” she grinned up at Fredrico. “It’s a goal to keep in mind. Fight, win, and go home to be—”

“If you’re quite finished,” Veknor rasped, “we have work to do.”

Fredrico helped her stand, not releasing his hold on her until she was able to stop her knees shaking. Once she was able to walk without her legs threatening to give way, she took notice of where they stood.

The hole in the floor they’d come through opened into a dungeon. The doors on the cells were nothing but iron bars. Rotting corpses in various stages lined the walls, the chains still anchored around the wrists. Nothing alive was in the stinking dungeon.

“Delightful,” she said. “Reminds me of some parts of home.”

Veknor ignored her and started down the dank corridor.

Laser in hand, Fredrico followed with Rani by his side. “I had no idea you were like this during battle.”

“Karana, the Reeka leader, always threatened to gag me.” Rani ignored the little twinge at the memory. “I guess it’s my survival mode. It didn’t always work, though.”

“Oh?”

“I wasn’t laughing when my throat got slit. I certainly wasn’t laughing when Phemar brought me back from the dead. That I’m l c Tht aughing now is a little ironic.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. I thought all the mystic shit had burned it out of me.”

There was a small curve of amusement on Fredrico’s lips. “I’m glad to see it didn’t. I find you quite entertaining.”

“You won’t by the end of the fight,” she assured him. “By the end of the fight, most of my sister warriors were ready to run me through with a sword.”

“I’m not your sister warriors.” His gaze captured hers. “I’m your lover.”

Oh boy, that held a lot of insinuation, but mostly it just made her feel warm. “That’s what makes you more interesting.”

Halting, Veknor hissed, “Something’s coming.”

Immediately alert, Rani stepped back against the wall and scanned the surroundings. At first she could feel nothing, but then a slight shiver went down her spine. A roar sounded from behind her and she sprang forward just in time to dodge the dislodged stone from the wall as a huge figure broke through it.

Fredrico shoved her behind him, but being taller she was able to lift her arm and level her laser at the monstrosity they faced, using Fredrico’s shoulder to steady her arm.

The monstrosity was one new to her. Stocky, four arms and two legs bulging with muscle and corded veins, it had great, curving talons in place of nails. Around its neck was a thin thread holding an array of ears, still with bits of rotting skin attached. Its face was wide, jagged teeth with bits of flesh between them too big for the mouth.

“Ugh.” She grimaced. “Now he’s ugly.”

It roared, the stench of rotting flesh strong on its breath.

“And angry,” Fredrico added. “Shoot it.”

The laser blasted, the monster roared and lunged for them.

Fredrico flung up his hand and a dark swath cut through the air, neatly slicing off the head. The body staggered and kept coming blindly. Another gesture of his hand and it split in two, effectively stopping its advancement. It stood there, then slowly split, each side falling in opposite directions.

“I think I’ll hold off on lunch for a while,” Rani commented, eyeing the bits of recognizable body bits that spilled out of the stomach.

Veknor was already moving, his hooded head tipped upwards as he eyed the ceiling. He had good cause to, for part of it suddenly exploded inwards and three more monsters fell through the opening, each of them coming straight for Rani, Fredrico and Veknor.

All three acted without thought, their arms swinging up. Black, orange and red combined in a powerful blast that cut through the monsters in a powerful surge that just didn’t slice them, but effectively ashed them on the spot.

Stunned, Rani stared from the smouldering piles to the orange swirls trailing from her fingertips. Glancing up, she saw Fredrico and Veknor talking, neither apparently surprised by what they’d accomplished.

Well hell, this freaky shit was still new to her, but she wasn’t going to show how idiotically triumphant she felt right then by doing what she wanted, which was to jump in the air, pump her fist and shout ‘whoo hoo!’

Schooling her features, she moved to stand beside Fredrico but when he glanced up at her, she couldn’t stop the very wide grin from crossing her face. “Whoo hoo! c s, she mov”

Veknor let out a gusty sigh that held the hint of dry deserts in it, and Fredrico just shook his head and patted her back.

“Oh, come on,” she said. “That was fantastic!”

“I hope you’re as enthusiastic when we face more,” Veknor said.

“We’ll just ash them, right? Should be home by dinner time.” She winked at Fredrico. “Pump time.”

The red flash that went through her was like a bucket of cold water.

“Uncalled for,” she growled at Veknor.

“I can see where a gag would be handy.” He turned away. “Let’s move.”

Fredrico was shaking with silent laughter, so she shoved him.

“I’ve never been in a dangerous situation that was so entertaining.” He gestured to her to go ahead of him.

“You just want to watch my bum.”

“And you want another flash,” Veknor warned her.

“This is just like having a father riding herd on me.”

This time it was Veknor who shook his head.

As much as she liked a little fun to relieve tension, Rani was more than aware that dangers abounded in this grim place, and she was alert as they moved down the corridor. Nothing more came at them from the walls, but high overhead she noted vaporous trails, and reaching out, she tugged the back of Veknor’s robe. Her knuckles brushed his body, and it was harder than a normal body, more like touching a tree trunk…ungiving.

Pushing that thought away, she murmured, “Above us.”

“I know. Keep walking.”

The vapour came lower as they walked and she felt the cold coming with them. Then the vapour let loose dozens of screams, deafening and piercing, and the vapour broke apart to show dozens of wraiths.

These wraiths had holes where their eyes should be as well, but yellow glows pin-pricked the depths. The wraiths dove down toward them.

Instinctively Rani dropped to one knee, Fredrico’s hand on her shoulder an indication he’d done the same. Only Veknor continued to stand, and he grated out a guttural sound. Immediately more wraiths flowed up through the stone floor, but these had bleeding holes for eyes.

“Hey,” Rani said. “Friends.”

Moving fast, the wraiths flowed at each other, their combined screams reaching deafening proportions. Bits of mortar crumbled from the walls.

It was nothing compared to when the wraiths collided.

Screaming, they tore at each other, ripping chunks of spectral flesh from each other, hazy blood filling the air to disappear as fast as it appeared. The wraiths fought savagely with claws and teeth, the whole time their screams resounding in the corridor.

There was no time to watch as Veknor was already running down the corridor to the door beyond. Rani and Fredrico followed fast, halting only when they came to the door.

Placing his hand upon it, Veknor listened before opening it. The sounds of battle were dimly heard now, lasers flaring, men yelling, beasts roaring, and explosions that rocked the fortress.

Soldiers raced past, not even noticing the open door in the wall.

Rani raised her hand, but cherg, men y Fredrico grabbed her wrist and shook his head.

“We can kill them,” she hissed.

“And draw attention to ourselves. We need to get to the high chamber.”

“Your impatience shows,” Veknor said. “Let’s go.”

“I don’t know why we can’t just ash them,” she insisted as they slipped out through the doorway.

“Not everything here is as it seems, that’s why,” Fredrico replied. “If we fight too many, it could give away our position.”

“I rather think killing monsters might have already done that.”

Veknor glared at her over his shoulder.

“Fine.” She held up her hand. “Sorry.”

“Next time,” Veknor rasped, “we bring a gag.”

Fredrico’s face was grim but his eyes twinkled briefly.

They moved stealthily through the corridor. Rani had no idea where they were other than in the bowels of the fortress. As they moved further up the sounds of battle became clearer.

Most of the fighters were outside or in laser turrets, leaving the inside of the fortress free of solid people. Unfortunately, the inside wasn’t free of mystical creatures, for they floated in the halls and soared upward, obviously on the lookout for intruders. It seemed The Darknen wasn’t such a fool.

At first sight of the ghostly scouts, Rani stiffened but before she could draw on her power, Veknor swung around and pointed at her.

Unable to say anything, she spread her hands in a ‘what?’ gesture and scowled.

He placed his hand to his lips and shook his head.

She felt it then, the presence of darkness, but it was a familiar darkness. Comforting. Looking up she saw the faint black shimmer that surrounded them. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Fredrico with both hands held out to his sides and from them rose the black shield that thinned to surround them, effectively cloaking them from the ghostly sentries.