Chapter 163

Chapter 163

I covered my eyes and threw the cylinder. Even behind my arm, the resulting explosion was painfully bright, leaving a corona of pulsing violet around my vision. I sprinted out of the converted training area, leaping over training equipment and catching a glimpse of myself in the wall mirror, looking mussed and harried.

My side stung. Blood darkened my shirt, the self-inflicted wound bleeding far more heavily than expected.

The lobby was abandoned, pulsing red cast by the eerie rotating emergency lights. A few people called out to me as I ran. Foster was in plain sight, waiting by the elevator, Cook over his shoulders in a firemans carry. The elevator doors opened. Hes right behind me

White-hot pain radiated through me, as a bolt pierced my back. I staggered and nearly fell, clinging clumsily to the concierge counter for support. Id been careful to ensure the bolts didnt strike anywhere vitalthe application of was the only reason Azure was able to circumvent the summon rules and hit me at allbut it still hurt like hell.

Foster dumped Cook into the open elevator and drew his service weapon. The muzzle flashed three times as he fired, Azure darted to the side kicking off a wall and sliding along the tile ground, firing another bolt that struck me in the shoulder.

I swapped into The pain shrunk to an incessant buzz that put my teeth on edge, but it was far more manageable now.

Come on Foster yelled, his shout capitalized by another shot from the 1911. I staggered towards him.

flared. I reacted too late. Six thin, surgical looking knives, barely larger than needles, struck my chest in a semicircle. They didnt pierce deeplybarely more than a half inch, but I felt a strange buzzing that seemed to radiate between them. A familiar figure, short, in black and red armor stepped out from the shadows beside the elevator, his face covered by a chrome-mask.

The same person from the cathedral.

The person who was probably Ellison, unless my guess was wrong.

Chrome-mask charged at me, crimson energy charged in his palm.

An image flared of the dead User at the cathedral, with the gaping hole in his chest surrounded by six shallow knife wounds.

Understanding dawned. If he hit me with that, I was done.

Even as my body screamed, I let guide me, caught Chrome-masks arm and stepped in, using his momentum to throw him over the concierge desk. His back struck the counter, and he toppled over, the maneuver buying me precious seconds.

A bolt struck me in the gut. The pain overwhelmed me, and I fell to my knees.

Foster fired twice more, once at Azure, once at Chrome-mask, who ducked back down behind the desk. He pulled the trigger again and the gun jammed. God damn it. He gave up on clearing the jam and pulled a black-metal kukri out of Cooks inventory.

But he was too late. Azure stood over me, casually loading a bolt and pressing the crossbow to my head. Last chance Matt. I know either you or Kinsley have the legendary core. Tell me where it is, and Ill end her quickly.

I leaned forward and spat. The wad of saliva dripped down Azures thigh, and he stared at it in distaste. Fuck. You.

Have it your way. Azures finger tightened on the trigger.

I closed my eyes. There was an audible twang as the crossbow went off, the arrow ricocheting harmlessly off the marble.

Once Foster finished, Cook breathed out. Ill be damned. Miles got it wrong. Or right, depending on how you want to look at it. He glanced at Sae. Thanks for the assist, bug girl.

Sae bristled. Who the fuck are these people, Matt?

Before I could respond, the elevator doors opened. Waller and Hawkins were standing side by side prepared to fire, Waller with a glowing orange spell locked and loaded, Hawkins with a sighted Glock.

Foster? Waller asked, his tone laden with stress.

Theyre not a threat.

Waller let the spell go, staring at me as Sae looped my arm around her shoulder and walked out. We need to get him help.

Foster nodded grimly. Gut shot wont kill him quickly, but the longer it goes untreated, the bigger the problem becomes.

Waller stalked towards Foster and took him aside. It was Myrddin. Youre completely positive?

Myrddin and one more. Foster confirmed. Ranged-melee hybrid. Wheres Miles?

Securing our exit. Hawkins said. She looked at me warily, but some of the sympathy shed shown during the inquisition had reappeared.

In truth, I was barely paying attention to the proceedings. My mind was on Ellison. How had he known when to act? Kinsley and I had been exceedingly careful ever since the Taskforce had formed. Our planning session had taken place entirely within her domain, which was airtight. No one could enter or leave unless she allowed it. Either we had a mole or

But you dont think its weird? That the crying got worse the week before the meteor?

If Ellison knew in advance about the dome, it was possible that wasnt the extent of his knowledge. If his class gave him some sort of future-sight, it was a reasonable assumption that it reached farther than a week ahead. That would go a long way to explaining why he hadnt bothered to help fortify our region. If he already knew it would be fortified. It also explained why hed distanced himself, just before I got the ability to spy on anyone I touched. There was a chance he knew everything.

So, why was he trying to kill me?

The special class disappeared. Azures panicked voice blazed through my mind.

Where are you?

On my way up the fire escape. He was right behind me, then he just disappeared. Are you sure you dont want me to stop?

I grit my teeth, trying to make a decision. Keep going.

Wait. I see him. He scaled the wall and just carved through one of the windows of the penthouse floor

Azures warning came just in time.

I slipped from beneath Saes arm, just before one of the vacant penthouse doors exploded in a mess of wooden shrapnel. nove(l)bi(n.)com