Havoc: Book II of The Evolution Gene, page 28
A few seconds later, the collars bite ceased, but it took a long moment for his senses to return. He lay on his back, dark spots dancing across his vision, the brilliance of the fluorescent lights drilling into his skull like sharp screws. Finally, he groaned and forced himself to sit up, though it only made the pounding in his head worse. Fire wrapped around his throat as he swallowed.
Looking up, his eyes settled on Ashley. She lay on the ground nearby, her wings splayed out around her, her scarlet hair tangled up in the white feathers. Her breath came in short gasps, and every few seconds her body spasmed, her back arcing against the concrete. A light still flashed on her collar, but as the Director walked up and tapped her watch, it clicked off. Ashley’s body relaxed with a sigh.
“I’m disappointed, Director,” the President had almost reached the exit to the prison block, but he approached again now, though he kept one cautious eye on Ashley, “I had expected your pets to be under control by now.”
The Director scowled, obviously trying to cover her fear, though Chris could see her hands were still shaking. “They’re not my pets,” she snapped, still staring down at Ashley, “They’re Halt’s. His methods made them feral.”
“Yes, well, you had best improve with the next batch. Or I will begin to question whether you’re truly the best candidate for this position.” Turning, he strode past Chris and out the open steel door, leaving him in the corridor with the Director and the unconscious Ashley.
Chris watched him go, fear twisting around his heart. Taking a breath, he forced himself to look at the Director, steeling himself for what was to come.
The woman still stood over Ashley. Looking down at his friend’s unconscious body, she slowly shook her head. “You disappoint me, Christopher,” she looked up then, her eyes catching his, “I expected more of you. After yesterday, I thought you were ready. Now, I wonder if you ever will be.”
She stared at him until Chris lowered his gaze, unable to match the power in her eyes. Huddled on the ground, he tried to find his voice, and failed. He looked around as the sound of marching boots came from the entrance to the prison block. Guards were racing towards them, having apparently been summoned back from body disposal duty.
“Take her to my room,” the Director snapped, waving at Ashley. Then she turned and looked down at Chris. “I’m done with you for the day, Christopher. The guards will escort you. I will deal with you both tonight.”
Chris glanced at Ashley, then back at the Director, hesitating.
“Go!” she snapped.
Chris went.
Fifty
Susan fell back against the gravel as Hecate’s body pressed down on her. His mouth pressed hard against hers, their tongues entwining. Wrapping her arms around his powerful shoulders, she pulled him closer, nails digging into his back like claws. For a moment their lips separated and she gasped, sucking in a fresh lungful of air. The tang of blood lingered in her nostrils, fuelling her lust.
She shuddered as Hecate’s lips moved to her neck. His long black hair hung across her face, and she could feel his power, sense his desperate desire, though it was tempered with caution now, by the need to shelter her swollen belly.
Yet the life growing inside Susan had not tempered her lust, and growling, she gripped Hecate by the waist and toppled him to the side. She straddled him before he could sit up, leaning down to nip at the soft flesh of his neck. He shivered beneath her, his arms wrapping around her, pulling her to him. She went gladly, sliding down, burning with heat, with desire…
Afterwards, they lay entwined in each other’s arms, the rush of their passion slowly fading. Closing her eyes, Susan lay her head on Hecate’s chest, and listened to the quick pounding of his heart. Her hands drifted to her stomach, and she shivered as her children kicked. Reaching up, she took Hecate’s hand and placed it on her naked belly.
A soft growl rumbled from his chest, and smiling, Susan wriggled closer to her mate.
Safe.
They had travelled through the rest of the night to reach the safety of the caverns. It had been a long journey, and for the first time since her rebirth, Susan had felt the cold touch of fear. Not for herself, but the children growing within her.
But they had found no more soldiers waiting for them, no more explosions or bullets to tear away their lives. They had slipped into the outer tunnels as the first light of morning lit the sky, travelling the final miles in the darkness, following scent and sound and touch rather than sight. Talisa and her people knew the way, but even Susan could have followed the scent home. The cloying sweetness of the Chead grew stronger with every passing mile, until finally the tunnels had opened out, revealing the great expanse of a limestone cavern.
Here, Talisa’s Chead had made their nest. Those who had remained behind gathered around their returning brethren, offering food and water, while Hecate led Susan across the cavern to where a crack in the wall led to the antechamber he had made his home.
Now, as Susan lay in Hecate’s arms, she finally allowed herself to look around. The Chead must have been raiding nearby settlements for some time, as Hecate had lit several candles when they’d first entered. The chamber was maybe ten-feet-wide, with smooth limestone walls and a gravel floor. Water trickled down the far wall and made its way through a narrow groove in the rock, before disappearing beneath the gravel. A pile of rags in the corner served as a bed, although in their haste they had ignored it.
Home.
She frowned at the thought. Her hand drifted to her stomach once more. It would not be long now before her children took their first steps into the world. Would they truly be safe here, deep beneath the earth, while humanity roamed above? Could they truly prosper here, in a world where they were despised, where they would be hunted and killed on sight?
“My children…” Susan flinched as a voice spoke from the entrance to their chamber.
Sitting up, she watched as Talisa wandered across the cave, the gravel crunching beneath her bare feet.
“Talisa,” Hecate said as he climbed to his feet, “What brings you…here?”
Silently, Talisa wandered over and took a seat on an outcropping of rock. It was the only place in the cavern to sit. Lying on the ground, Susan’s cheeks flushed as the old woman’s milky eyes settled on her naked body. She still wasn’t sure whether the elder Chead was blind or not—Talisa certainly didn’t show it. Either way, Hecate seemed unconcerned by her inspection of their naked bodies.
As though reading her thoughts, Talisa chuckled. “You forget, my child,” her voice whispered through the cave, “You are Chead. Your body holds no shame for us. Especially not with the precious gift you carry.” She held out a wrinkled arm towards Susan.
Shivering, Susan hesitated before taking the outstretched hand. Talisa pulled her to her feet, her strength belying her age. Susan shivered as the old Chead placed a cold hand on her swelling stomach.
“You are progressing well,” a smile cracked her ancient face, “Soon your children will join with mine.”
Susan grinned, joy washing away her fears, and nodded.
Removing her hand, Talisa returned to her seat. Closing her eyes, she swayed wearily, and for a second it seemed she might fall.
“Talisa,” Hecate moved to her side and placed a steadying hand on her shoulder, “What is...wrong?”
“I am old, my child,” Talisa shook her head and looked up at them, “My time approaches. Soon I will be gone. It is the price we pay, for our existence.”
Susan’s heart quickened as she looked at the woman, wondering suddenly how long it would be until she faced the same fate. Talisa had been nearing fifty when she’d changed, but in just a couple of years, she had aged decades. Susan was only thirty. Her best years should have been ahead of her. Now, she might be lucky to live another decade. Her stomach clenched at the thought.
Sensing her distress, Hecate returned to her. Bending down, he stroked her cheek. “My mate…” he breathed.
Susan closed her eyes at his touch, his scent stilling her racing heart. Taking a breath, she resolved to embrace her fate. At least as Chead, she could truly live. She might only have ten years, but they would be spent free of the shackles of humanity. Gone were her days locked in grey-walled rooms, far from the thrill of life.
“There is still time,” Talisa continued, her voice strengthening, “Before I go, I intend to see my purpose fulfilled.”
“Your purpose?” Susan pressed.
Talisa nodded. “Humanity have proven time and again they will not tolerate us. They will hunt us to extinction, stop at nothing to destroy us. I will not die while my children still face the threat of extinction.”
“But how, Talisa?” Susan asked, thinking of the life growing inside her, “How can we defeat them? Our numbers have swelled, but the humans are legion. In just one battle we lost a tenth of our fighters.”
Beside her, Hecate growled. Standing, she took his hand, feeling the tension radiating from him, the wild heat of his anger. All his life he had been imprisoned, tormented by the creatures she had once worked alongside.
“We must destroy…them all,” he rumbled.
Susan shivered as the grey in Hecate’s eyes darkened. Still fresh from the passion of battle, she could see him teetering on the brink. Standing on her toes, she kissed him on the soft fluff of his beard. Her hands went around his waist as she pressed her body against him. He blinked, looking down at her. Smiling demurely, she watched the darkness fade from his eyes, replaced with hunger.
On her makeshift chair, Talisa laughed. “You are right, my child.” Standing, she wandered around the cave, her fingers trailing over the smooth rock. In the corner, a candle flickered as a slight breeze passed through the cave, its flame burning low.
“But we must not be reckless,” Talisa went on, “As you say, our enemy is legion. Our people must have a chance to grow, before we face them in open battle.”
“We will not…fight them?” Hecate hissed.
Turning, Talisa stared him down, her eyes seeming to glow in the darkness. After a long moment, Hecate lowered his head in deference, and she went on.
“Until now, they have been ignorant to our presence, but that is changing. If they come for us in strength, our people will be wiped away.”
“What can…we do?” Susan asked softly.
Talisa turned to watch her, a smile on her lips. “You did well, my child, capturing the woman.”
“The woman?” Hecate’s head whipped up, “She has…accepted the change?”
“No…” Talisa replied, “She refuses.”
“Then she has joined her fellow humans?” Hecate questioned.
Talisa had finished her loop around the cavern and now stood in front of them again. “Patience, my child,” she said, “The girl may yet prove…valuable. She is the first of their warriors we have captured.”
“All the more…dangerous,” Hecate growled and shook his head, “You do not know…the things they are…capable of.”
Talisa stilled. Face impassive, she stepped towards Hecate. Before he could move, her hand flashed out and caught him by the throat. He yelped as she lifted him into the air, and Susan stumbled back as Hecate’s legs kicked uselessly at empty space.
“Do not question me,” Talisa snarled.
With a flick of her wrist, she sent Hecate tumbling across the cave. He landed with a crunch of gravel near the entrance. Talisa did not move as he slowly climbed back to his feet, his lips drawn back in a snarl. His eyes darkened, but before he could speak, Susan stepped between them. Reaching out, she placed a hand on Hecate’s naked chest.
“Enough,” she said softly, her eyes drilling into his.
He stared back at her, and she saw the madness flickering there. She pressed back against his chest, holding him in place, and waited until the madness died. When he finally sighed and nodded, Susan stepped aside.
Bowing his head, Hecate approached Talisa. “Forgive me, Talisa,” he murmured. “This is your…domain. You are…master here.”
“Yes…” Talisa murmured, wandering across to them, “When I first came here, we were nothing. Only my strength has brought us together, has saved us from the hunters,” she stared off into space, as though seeking out each of the Chead she had gathered here beneath the earth, “Soon I shall die, and the fate of my children will pass to another. But not before I have carved them a nation from the bones of this earth.”
“How?” Susan asked.
“With fire and fury,” Talisa replied.
Fifty-One
Chris slumped against the wall and watched as the guards marched back out the door, leaving Ashley and himself alone in the icy room. Looking across at her, he watched the slow rise and fall of her chest, relieved to see she was still alive. Her face had softened, losing the tightness of pain, and she seemed to be sleeping now.
What were you thinking, Ash?
He shivered, recalling the look in Ashley’s eyes as she stalked towards the Director. In that moment, she had seemed unstoppable, as though no force on earth could stop her from tearing out the woman’s throat. He wondered what it had taken, how much electricity had coursed through her body to finally bring her down.
He still didn’t understand what had happened. Her eyes had not turned grey, and when she’d spoken, it had still been Ashley. Yet there was no denying there had been a change, a shift that had allowed her to resist the collar’s bite like none of them ever had before.
A moan from across the room pulled Chris from his thoughts, and he watched as Ashley rolled onto her side and sat up. The thick chain rattled, pulling her up short as she tried to stand. Blinking, she looked around, taking stock of their surroundings.
“What? Were we grounded?” she croaked, her throat sounding raw.
Chris scowled. “This is hardly the time for jokes.”
Ignoring him, Ashley crossed her legs and lay back against the wall. Her eyes closed as her forehead creased, her lips drawing back in a grimace. “Ahhh… That hurts.”
Reaching up, she touched her throat. The skin beneath her collar was inflamed, and she flinched as her fingers made contact.
“Are you okay?” Chris asked, his voice softening.
Ashley shrugged and took her hand away. “Better than those kids.”
Chris bit his lip and quickly looked away, unable to face the accusation behind her words.
“I’m glad you’re alive,” he said softly.
“For now,” he looked up at her words, and she shrugged, “I doubt she’ll want me around after that.”
Chris started to argue, but she spoke over him. “I’m glad, really,” she murmured, glancing at the door, as if expecting death to come marching through at any moment, “I don’t know how much longer I could have lasted, screaming in the darkness, alone. Days, weeks, it doesn’t matter, she would have broken me in the end,” she looked at him as she finished, her eyes sad.
“It doesn’t have to end like this, Ash,” Chris choked out the words.
To his surprise, Ashley smiled. “It does, Chris,” tears shimmered in her eyes, “Don’t you see? Death is my only way out now.”
“But it’s not,” Chris cried, his voice growing loud. He gestured at the door. “Aren’t you tired of putting everyone else first, Ash? Of sacrificing everything for others?”
He stared at her, waiting for her to reply, but her eyes remained fixed on the ground, her scarlet hair hanging in greasy tangles across her face. He shook his head and continued.
“What does defying her achieve, Ash? When has anything we’ve ever done changed things, for that matter? Every sacrifice we’ve made, everything we’ve given up, it’s all been for nothing. Those students still died, the President is still in control, our parents, our families, they’re still gone. Yet here we sit, in chains, suffering every night, not even allowed a bed to sleep in.”
As he spoke, Chris felt a weight lifting from his shoulders, his guilt and regret falling away. He looked across at Ashley, at her haggard face and her sallow skin, her red-stained eyes and moulting feathers, and shook his head.
“Look at what you’ve done to yourself, Ash, and for what?” he whispered.
Ashley stared back at him, pity in her eyes. “The Chris I knew would understand.”
Chris stared right back at her. “That Chris died with those kids at the university.”
She closed her eyes at that, and he watched as a tear dripped down her cheek. Regret twisted in his stomach, but he couldn’t take back the words. After all, they were the truth. Ever since they’d escaped, he’d been punished again and again for helping others. He couldn’t do it any longer.
A long silence stretched out then, as they both sat and stared into space, stewing in their own private misery.
“You know what comes next, don’t you, Chris?” Ashley asked softly.
Before he could respond, the door clicked and swung open. They looked up as the Director entered, her face a carefully blank mask. Her eyes travelled around the room, lingering on Chris, then Ashley, before she let the door swing closed behind her. Her long legs carried her across the room until she stood over Ashley. Arms folded, she looked down at her prisoner and slowly shook her head.
“I cannot forgive this,” she murmured.
Ashley stared back, lips pursed, eyes defiant. She didn’t budge an inch. Chris watched, heart pounding, as the Director uncrossed her arms.
“That’s it then? No excuses?” she whispered, then paused, as though still waiting for a response. When Ashley’s lips remained sealed, she nodded. “Very well. You have written your own fate. Guards!”
Chris flinched as her shout echoed through the room. The door opened, and two men stepped inside. They strode across and came to a stop behind the Director.
“I’ve made my decision,” she waved at the doorway. “Take her back to the cells. She can spend the night with her precious experiments. I’m tired of looking at her. In the morning I’ll oversee her euthanization.”
