Authors: Steven Montano
Soulrazor (10 page)
Cross had to stop for a moment. The stairs were quite steep between the second and third floor, and he felt fatigued. Normally his spirit gave him a reassuring push, but not today. She kept her distance. Maybe she was still cowed by what had infected them, by whatever it was that infused the dark fluid in the Bonespire and had caused Cross’ control over her to slip.
I need to figure out what the hell is going on. I’m not safe with her like this. No one is.
Cross had wondered if leaving his thaumaturgic implements off would help to quell her, since they both how dangerous it would be for her to manifest without proper arcane safeguards in place, but he’d decided against it. She’d channeled herself in the hospital, after all, and while the circumstances had been somewhat different, Cross had no doubt that his best bet was to keep his gauntlets on so that he could curtail her if she lost control again.
His nerves were on edge. He’d slept badly for the scant hour he’d slept, and his muscles were tense with worry.
Cross stood still, took a deep breath, and ascended the last stretch of steps to the double doors that led to the meeting hall, which was located beyond a set of doors covered in arcane runes. Those runes emitted a screeching, banshee-like wail if any undead approached. A pair of small clay homunculi – miniscule, misshapen constructs that looked like clay pots with arms and legs, some of Ash’s minor creations – hopped out of invisible holes in the floor and leapt up to grab the handles, and the doors swiveled inwards as Cross approached.
Those are the silliest damn things. I love how Ash keeps making them even though Ronan and Kane use them for target practice.
The meeting hall was large and smelled of incense, coffee and beer. The lime green carpet always made Cross think of sickness, but for some reason they never got around to changing it out.
The room was dominated by a solid oak meeting table that had been painted black and covered with runes, maps, and whatever Kane and Grissom carved when they got bored during briefings. A wooden replica of Thornn sat directly in the center of the table, and Cross, Black or Ash would sometimes highlight the model with laser pointers to give directions if the team had a mission inside the city. That had become a more regular event with the increasing number of smugglers, criminal cults and vampire-controlled spies who’d set up operations in Thornn.
A narrow strip of dingy yellow window cast the room in a gilded haze. Ash and Kane were seated at one end of the long table, while Elias Pike and Marcus Laros sat at the other. Black paced around the room.
Only Laros was dressed in full military attire. Pike, who even in uniform redefined the notion of “scruffy”, wore a pair of jeans and an armored coat over a thick shirt. Kane and Ash similarly wore civilian clothes, and Black just wore a tank top and a dark pair of cargo pants, but her casual demeanor was somewhat ruined by the Colt Python she wore in a shoulder holster.
There were three spirits in the room when Cross arrived – they belonged to Black, Ash and Laros – and they made the air volatile as they cautiously circled one another like spectral cats. The atmosphere was electric and tense, and Cross’ unstable spirit, even though she stayed in the background, only made things worse. There was enough pent-up magic energy in that room to detonate the entire house.
Whatever conversation they’d been having came to an abrupt halt when Cross entered the room.
“
Cross,” Pike said brusquely. “We were just talking about you.”
Cross,” Pike said brusquely. “We were just talking about you.”
“
That’s why my ears were ringing,” he answered. “I’m glad you decided to meet without me.”
That’s why my ears were ringing,” he answered. “I’m glad you decided to meet without me.”
“
Dude…sorry,” Kane said.
Dude…sorry,” Kane said.
“
No, seriously,” Cross said. “I’m glad.”
No, seriously,” Cross said. “I’m glad.”
“
What happened?” Black asked. The worried expression on her face was uncharacteristic. “All that they told me was that you’d somehow lost control of your spirit.”
What happened?” Black asked. The worried expression on her face was uncharacteristic. “All that they told me was that you’d somehow lost control of your spirit.”
“
A disturbing notion,” Laros said. “Especially considering how unstable your spirit is in the first place, Eric.”
A disturbing notion,” Laros said. “Especially considering how unstable your spirit is in the first place, Eric.”
“
Are we on a first name basis now?” Cross asked him scathingly. “Marcus?”
Are we on a first name basis now?” Cross asked him scathingly. “Marcus?”
Pike laughed.
Marcus Laros was one of the senior warlocks in Thornn, Pike’s aide, and a royal pain in the ass. He didn’t approve of the use of mercenaries for Southern Claw military actions, and he especially didn’t like the fact that Cross had willingly turned his back on the service, or that Cross’ team was afforded so much access, leniency and freedom without officially being part of the military chain-of-command. Laros had made it something of a personal mission to make life difficult for them, and since he reported to the White Council – a body of warlocks and witches that communicated directly with the White Mother – there was little Cross could do aside from put up with him.
Laros was tall and handsome, with chiseled aquiline features and glittering green eyes. His armor and robes were pale blue, like frozen snow, and his hair was clean cut and short.
“
So what’s the story?” Cross asked. He walked into the room, threw his backpack onto a chair, and took a seat. One of Ash’s homunculi servants flew over to the table on tiny clay wings and offered a jug of water with its miniscule claws.
So what’s the story?” Cross asked. He walked into the room, threw his backpack onto a chair, and took a seat. One of Ash’s homunculi servants flew over to the table on tiny clay wings and offered a jug of water with its miniscule claws.
“
I think I’d rather know what happened at the hospital first,” Laros repeated. His face was always stern and serious, but with the slightest twist of a wry grin at the corner of his mouth, like he knew a joke that he intended to keep all to himself.
I think I’d rather know what happened at the hospital first,” Laros repeated. His face was always stern and serious, but with the slightest twist of a wry grin at the corner of his mouth, like he knew a joke that he intended to keep all to himself.
“
Let’s stick to business,” Pike said.
Let’s stick to business,” Pike said.
“
Determining whether Eric is up to the task of taking on this mission
is
business, Commander,” Laros said quietly. “But if you disagree, I’m sure the White Council…”
Determining whether Eric is up to the task of taking on this mission
is
business, Commander,” Laros said quietly. “But if you disagree, I’m sure the White Council…”
“
I’m fine,” Cross snapped. “There were traces of that necrotic fluid that we found in the Bonespire in my system, and it caused my control over my spirit to slip while I was asleep. I had a bad dream, and she reacted to that dream.” He held up his bandaged forearms and hands. “It looks worse than it feels.”
I’m fine,” Cross snapped. “There were traces of that necrotic fluid that we found in the Bonespire in my system, and it caused my control over my spirit to slip while I was asleep. I had a bad dream, and she reacted to that dream.” He held up his bandaged forearms and hands. “It looks worse than it feels.”
“
Jesus…” Black said.
Jesus…” Black said.
“
That hardly sounds ‘fine’ to me…” Laros started.
That hardly sounds ‘fine’ to me…” Laros started.
Kane interrupted by coughing “Ass-hole!” into his hand.
“
Excuse me?” Laros demanded.
Excuse me?” Laros demanded.
“
Kane, grow up!” Ash barked.
Kane, grow up!” Ash barked.
“
This is ridiculous,” Pike growled.
This is ridiculous,” Pike growled.
“
Enough!” Cross barked. Everyone went silent. “Look, Rikeman gave both me and my spirit a clean bill of health. He did a full workup with the oscilloscope and everything. Whatever was in my system is gone now. You can talk to the Doc, if you like.”
Enough!” Cross barked. Everyone went silent. “Look, Rikeman gave both me and my spirit a clean bill of health. He did a full workup with the oscilloscope and everything. Whatever was in my system is gone now. You can talk to the Doc, if you like.”
“
I will,” Laros said in his cool voice. “And until I do…”
I will,” Laros said in his cool voice. “And until I do…”
“
No,” Pike said firmly. “We’ve waited long enough. We need to get the details of this mission hammered out. Cross, your timing is perfect.”
No,” Pike said firmly. “We’ve waited long enough. We need to get the details of this mission hammered out. Cross, your timing is perfect.”
“
There’s a first time for everything, I guess,” Cross said. Something made his stomach twist into a knot. That was when he realized he hadn’t eaten all day. “Food,” he said to the homunculus, and it flew off with a metallic buzz.
There’s a first time for everything, I guess,” Cross said. Something made his stomach twist into a knot. That was when he realized he hadn’t eaten all day. “Food,” he said to the homunculus, and it flew off with a metallic buzz.
“
Ok,” Black said, “what have we got?”
Ok,” Black said, “what have we got?”
“
Plenty,” Pike said. “And none of it is good. Laros.”
Plenty,” Pike said. “And none of it is good. Laros.”
The mage stood up and removed a set of parchments from a scroll case that he wore like a backpack. Each scroll seemed thicker than the last, and from a glance Cross saw that several of them were quite old.
Laros also had a small book in hand, and that was something Cross
did
recognize: it was a copy of the Tome of Scars, a summation of what the human race had learned about magic. Red had stolen the original version from Thornn a few years back. That theft had had led to Viper Squad’s final mission.
did
recognize: it was a copy of the Tome of Scars, a summation of what the human race had learned about magic. Red had stolen the original version from Thornn a few years back. That theft had had led to Viper Squad’s final mission.
“
Intelligence has reported a large excavation project going on near the southern city-state of Fane,” Laros began. It was clear that he was used to orating – he had the voice for it.
Intelligence has reported a large excavation project going on near the southern city-state of Fane,” Laros began. It was clear that he was used to orating – he had the voice for it.
Kane raised his hand.
“
I’ve never been to Fane,” he said. “Is it nice?”
I’ve never been to Fane,” he said. “Is it nice?”
“
It’s an industrial city-state,” Ash interjected in her cool voice. “It’s run by a regime of merchants called the Hammer and Fist. They’re not technically part of the Southern Claw, even though the city is.”
It’s an industrial city-state,” Ash interjected in her cool voice. “It’s run by a regime of merchants called the Hammer and Fist. They’re not technically part of the Southern Claw, even though the city is.”
“
Fane is where the Crucifix Point massacre happened a few years ago,” Laros continued. “This excavation is not of the city’s doing, but it is the work of the Ebon Cities. It’s easy to see how it has avoided notice up until now, since Fane does quite a bit of outdoor drilling and iron mining in the region.”
Fane is where the Crucifix Point massacre happened a few years ago,” Laros continued. “This excavation is not of the city’s doing, but it is the work of the Ebon Cities. It’s easy to see how it has avoided notice up until now, since Fane does quite a bit of outdoor drilling and iron mining in the region.”
“
So this excavation…what are they digging for?” Black asked.
So this excavation…what are they digging for?” Black asked.
The homunculi brought Cross a sandwich of black bread, dark ham and strips of white cheese. Mustard dripped down the side and onto the table. The construct had neglected to bring a plate, so the sandwich just sat on a collection of maps of lower Thornn. Cross shook his head, and started to eat.
“
We’re not sure,” Pike answered. “And that’s where you come in.”
We’re not sure,” Pike answered. “And that’s where you come in.”
“
Wait a second,” Cross said through a mouthful of food. He hated doing that, and he forced everyone to wait a moment while he chewed and swallowed. “What about the Bonespire? The avatars?”
Wait a second,” Cross said through a mouthful of food. He hated doing that, and he forced everyone to wait a moment while he chewed and swallowed. “What about the Bonespire? The avatars?”
“
If you’d be patient for once in your life…” Laros said bitingly. “I was getting to that.”
If you’d be patient for once in your life…” Laros said bitingly. “I was getting to that.”
Cross took another bite of his sandwich. It was surprisingly good for something made by an 8-inch tall construct that looked like a winged monkey.
“
The vessels that you discovered in the Bonespire,” Laros continued, “where replicas of the White Mother.”
The vessels that you discovered in the Bonespire,” Laros continued, “where replicas of the White Mother.”
“
And
the Woman in the Ice,” Cross added.
And
the Woman in the Ice,” Cross added.
“
And maybe others,” Pike said. “We’re still unclear as to what exactly they are…”
And maybe others,” Pike said. “We’re still unclear as to what exactly they are…”
“
And it’s not our place to make inquiries,” Laros finished. “The White Council will communicate your findings to the White Mother, and when she decides to reveal more to us, she will.”
And it’s not our place to make inquiries,” Laros finished. “The White Council will communicate your findings to the White Mother, and when she decides to reveal more to us, she will.”
Kane snorted.
“
In the meantime,” Laros continued, “more of these female vessels have been spotted.”
In the meantime,” Laros continued, “more of these female vessels have been spotted.”
Everyone waited a moment. A dirigible engine scratched through the air outside.
“
Let me guess,” Black said. “They were seen near Fane.”
Let me guess,” Black said. “They were seen near Fane.”
“
Are they part of the excavation team?” Ash asked.
Are they part of the excavation team?” Ash asked.
“
Yes,” Laros nodded. “In fact, we have reason to believe that this dig is actually
why
they were created.”
Yes,” Laros nodded. “In fact, we have reason to believe that this dig is actually
why
they were created.”
“
For what?” Kane asked. “They needed avatars of some dead ice goddess…to dig? What in the hell kind of sense does that make?”
For what?” Kane asked. “They needed avatars of some dead ice goddess…to dig? What in the hell kind of sense does that make?”
“
Were you able to do any analysis on that cylinder?” Cross asked.
Were you able to do any analysis on that cylinder?” Cross asked.
“
They are the schematics for these living vessels, or ‘avatars’, as you insist on calling them,” Laros said. “These women are not alive. They are flesh automatons: not undead, not golems…but something similar to both. And they were made to be stronger and more durable that any creature ever encountered by the Southern Claw. They also bear some sort of bio-arcane signature that we’ve never seen before.”
They are the schematics for these living vessels, or ‘avatars’, as you insist on calling them,” Laros said. “These women are not alive. They are flesh automatons: not undead, not golems…but something similar to both. And they were made to be stronger and more durable that any creature ever encountered by the Southern Claw. They also bear some sort of bio-arcane signature that we’ve never seen before.”
Every living creature carried a unique bio-arcane signature, a combination of living cells and spirit energies that could be used to determine their identity. Reading those currents was how spirits scouted unknown areas and relayed information back about the creatures they found. Some creatures – like the undead – bore no signature, but they could be located and identified by their
lack
of a signature aura.
lack
of a signature aura.
“
That makes no sense,” Ash said. She always spoke like she was deep in thought. The runes cast on her ebony scalp seemed to grow darker whenever she was agitated or distressed, as they did now. She stepped close to the table and leaned in next to Cross. Her pale shirt and dark denim jeans made her look like she should have been working as a barista instead of helping to fight a war. “They can’t have a signature if they’re not alive.”
That makes no sense,” Ash said. She always spoke like she was deep in thought. The runes cast on her ebony scalp seemed to grow darker whenever she was agitated or distressed, as they did now. She stepped close to the table and leaned in next to Cross. Her pale shirt and dark denim jeans made her look like she should have been working as a barista instead of helping to fight a war. “They can’t have a signature if they’re not alive.”
“
That’s the thing,” Pike said. “They
are
alive. But they have no minds of their own.”
That’s the thing,” Pike said. “They
are
alive. But they have no minds of their own.”
“
You can’t be alive without a mind,” Cross said.
You can’t be alive without a mind,” Cross said.
“
Thank you for your expert opinion,” Laros said with a mocking smile.
Thank you for your expert opinion,” Laros said with a mocking smile.
God, he’s an ass
, Cross though.
, Cross though.
“
But, case in point, you
can
,” Laros continued, “and the Ebon Cities’ scientists have devised a means of doing so. The results of their labor are these women.”
But, case in point, you
can
,” Laros continued, “and the Ebon Cities’ scientists have devised a means of doing so. The results of their labor are these women.”
“
Huh?” Kane said.
Huh?” Kane said.
“
They are controlled by captive arcane spirits extracted from the same necrotic engines that power the Bonespire defenses. Normally, the vampires can only utilize those energies when they are tied to large and immobile power stations that can handle that much energy…”
They are controlled by captive arcane spirits extracted from the same necrotic engines that power the Bonespire defenses. Normally, the vampires can only utilize those energies when they are tied to large and immobile power stations that can handle that much energy…”
“
We all know how it works, Laros,” Black said impatiently.
We all know how it works, Laros,” Black said impatiently.
“
I
don’t…” Kane said.
I
don’t…” Kane said.
“
Shut up,” she snapped.
Shut up,” she snapped.
“…
but now the vampires have somehow devised a way to use that captured spiritual energy in a
mobile
machination.”
but now the vampires have somehow devised a way to use that captured spiritual energy in a
mobile
machination.”
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