07. Unexpected Dev-elopments, page 35
part #7 of Apocalypse Gates Series
Jarvis’ eyelid twitched. “Sir, I ask politely that you never do that again.”
Alvin laughed and started to head into the garage. “No promises, buddy!”
Moments later, the Huey was spun up and Gothy triggered them out of the garage. The slight downward shift when they appeared in the world might give people that were afraid of heights a heart attack, but it was gone in the next second.
“Map marker set,” Gothy announced. “We’re off.”
“Copy that, Gothy,” Alvin said as he watched the dark waters underneath them churn. “Keep us high until we get over the city. Something big’s in that lake.”
“You got it, Hero.”
New Orleans was mostly dark, but pockets of light broke the darkness. Settlements for the Loa and their followers, Alvin thought. Glad I’m not staying here, though Mardi Gras would certainly be different.
They came over land above a small section of homes, and then over a large golf course. In the distance, smoke was rising, and Alvin knew it had to be their destination.
“Looks like the fight is still going hard,” Desiree said.
“Men who wish to be the only one for their woman,” Mousie snorted. “After sharing her for how long?”
“Hundreds of years, at least,” Alvin said. “It’s a long time for us, though not as much for you.”
“Something that I try not to think about,” Mousie said.
“Then again, since this is a game, all they have to do is leave the servers on,” Gothy said. “We don’t know if our life spans will be Human normal. Hell, we can use Elf, Grey, or Dwarf DNA to extend them, I bet.”
“True enough,” Alvin agreed. “Okay, getting closer. Let’s focus.”
They left the golf course behind and were over the city again in moments. The buildings looked to be mostly in good condition, but as they got ever closer to the stadium, the signs of a prolonged fight were clearly visible.
“—ero, where are you?” Sammi’s voice suddenly came in over the radio. “Please, please, we need you here.”
“We’re inbound,” Alvin replied. “What happened?”
“The Stadium is falling. We’re on the roof and the others are buying us as much time as they can, but we won’t last another five minutes.”
“Good thing we’re closer than that, isn’t it?” Alvin spotted figures atop the Superdome. “Look north and high. We’re coming in hot, so warn them they need to board quickly and without fuss.”
“I’ll get them ready,” Sammi replied.
“Hero, that fight is vicious,” Desiree said as they got closer. “I’m glad we’re not on the streets.”
“Agreed,” Alvin said when he caught sight of the war going on.
Large people with scales clashed with others who had metal limbs, and others with webbed hands were attacking both of them. The occasional large flash happened, and Alvin worried some as he watched one smoke cloud turn into a laughing skull.
“Yeah... let’s not fight, if possible. There’s fucking spells happening in that mess.”
“Don’t get hit by them! I’ve seen some of them do horrible things,” Sammi warned them. “I can’t see you.”
“Because we’re high, but we’re dropping in now,” Gothy replied.
“Stay off the guns unless needed,” Alvin reminded Desiree. “We want to snatch and get out. Can’t do that if we’re in combat.”
“Roger.”
As the stadium came closer, Alvin could see Sammi and the other seven women on the roof. Sammi was wearing denim and leathers, while the others were wearing more impractical clothing. Frowning, he got the gun aimed over the heads of the women and waited for Gothy to bring them in.
As the helicopter dropped from above them, Sammi’s face lit up with a wide smile and she began waving at them. Alvin chuckled, but was ready to fire if needed, the four keys to the base in his right hand.
Gothy dropped them a foot above the top of the stadium roof, and everyone began to board. Alvin and Desiree were handing off keys, and things seemed to be going fine. Sammi was the last one on the helo, on Alvin’s side. She took the key and hugged him hard.
“Thank you!”
Alvin didn’t get a chance to reply— the roof of the stadium suddenly caved in a few feet from them. A giant white snakehead rose up from the hole, glaring at the Huey.
“My wife! Give her back, interloper!” The voice boomed out from the snake as it started to rise higher.
“GO!” Alvin shouted, shoving Sammi into the passenger seats and grabbing the gun.
“My wife!” Another deep voice roared, and a metal-encased man was suddenly on the other side of the Huey.
Gothy pushed the bird for all she was worth, shooting forward and up, before having to tip the helicopter onto its side to avoid the giant metal arm swinging at them from the left. The moment she passed over it, she stood them up on the tail. The snake’s mouth snapped at where they’d been going a moment before.
Both door guns fired, as the fight was already underway. Alvin growled under his breath and traced a line of fire across the white snake’s head. An angry shout came from the other side of the Huey, and Alvin grinned, thinking Desiree had gotten the other one.
The passengers were screaming, except for Sammi, who’d stopped the moment she realized she hadn’t been thrown out of the helicopter when it tipped. Grabbing for her seatbelt, Sammi began to buckle up while shouting at the others to do the same. She didn’t know if the strangeness of the helicopter was going to last, and she didn’t want to find out the hard way.
After a moment, they were well above the stadium and flying north. The two giant beasts left behind forgot about them and clashed with each other, destroying the stadium completely.
Alvin looked back in time to see the snake squeezing the metal-clad man, while he had the snake’s mouth firmly shut with one hand and punched it with his other. Petty gods and their feuds, Alvin snorted.
It took them getting over the far side of Lake Pontchartrain before Gothy was able to summon the base portal. The women had gone quiet as they had fled, but Alvin ignored them while he waited for something else horrible to pop up.
The moment they were in the base, Alvin exhaled. “Fucking shit, that was messy.”
“You owe us for that, Sammi,” Gothy said as she pulled the pilot’s helmet off and opened her door.
“Where are we?” one of the women in the back said. The voice had a husky, deeply sexual quality to it, and was heavily Haitian. “I can no longer feel any of them...”
“My base,” Alvin said as he turned to the guests. “You’ll behave as a guest should or I’ll pitch your ass right back out. And last I checked, we were up a good distance.”
The woman gave him a long look while the other six all glared at him. “You have my thanks, Alvin. I will abide by your rules while within your walls.”
Alvin’s lips thinned. “Sammi, did you tell her my name, or is she doing that wise god bullshit?”
“I told her,” Sammi said. “I told her about all of you.”
“And that your family doesn’t fight like mine has decided to do,” Erzulie sighed. “Being fully corporeal made them a little too eager for all the pleasures of the flesh.”
Alvin’s eyelid twitched. The Loa in front of him was giving off enough sex appeal to rival Gothy, if not even pull ahead some. “Can you tone that sexy-woman thing down?”
Erzulie gave a deep, throaty laugh. “I can try to contain my nature as much as possible.” Closing her eyes for a moment, the ebony-skinned woman exhaled slowly, and Alvin sighed along with her when her sheer presence faded some. “Better?”
“Much.”
“No putting the mojo on Hero without my approval,” Gothy said from the far door, “or I’ll toss a bitch out.”
Erzulie glanced to Gothy before she rose to her feet with an eerie grace. “A woman who might truly embody my core? I had not thought to find one such as you outside of my influence. Would you like to know more of me?”
Gothy’s face froze and she suddenly had a gun in her hand. “Put that ‘come-hither’ shit away. I’m immune to mind-fuckery, but I can tell when it’s being directed at me.”
Erzulie froze in place and her servants surrounded her, facing out toward all of them. “I didn’t mean to press. I have erred, badly, and twice, in a span of moments. How might I make amends and keep in your good graces?”
“First, turn that off completely,” Gothy said flatly. “You better be as plain jane as possible.”
Erzulie bowed her head and her appearance changed, becoming a hunched over, grandmotherly woman. “This is the best I can do.”
Gothy nodded. “You’re to stay like that while you’re with us. Your priestesses or whatever had better calm the fuck down, too. We didn’t come for you. We came for her, and you’re only here because Sammi asked us to help you. You should ask her what happens to the people who piss us off.”
“They end up dead or wishing they were,” Sammi added, having moved to stand behind Alvin. “I told you that they weren’t to be messed with.”
“Yes... I failed to understand the depth of your meaning,” Erzulie said, her voice old and dry. “Children, calm yourselves. They freed us from the worst, and if we are kind, they might take us someplace where we can prepare for my husbands.”
“Maybe,” Alvin grunted. “As you’re all already on a bad foot, you’ll be getting the bare minimum until you earn enough good grace to change our opinion.”
“We’ll abide, Alvin. Tell us what we may and may not do. My children will do as you instruct.”
All six women bowed their heads, saying in unison, “We will do as instructed by Alvin.”
“Creepy...” Alvin said. “Okay, let’s go meet the staff. If either of them feels threatened or upset by any of you, the door is right there and the first step is a doozy.” Alvin stepped out of the Huey and made his way to the kiosk room. “And don’t go into any rooms that we don’t show you.”
Chapter Forty-three
Jarvis was waiting to greet them when they entered the main room. “Welcome to Alvin’s home. I am Jarvis, the butler, and behind me is Nohel, the maid. We have drinks and snacks to help you refresh some, but we do ask that you wash your hands first.” He motioned to the guest bathroom. “Just through there, please.”
All of the new people started to make their way to the guest bathroom, but Gothy snagged Sammi’s arm.
“Not you, Sammi,” Gothy said. “You get to use our bathroom. Follow me.”
Sammi hesitated a moment before nodding. “Okay, Gothy.”
Alvin watched Sammi go, getting a good look at her as she went, and was a little surprised. Sammi was equal in height to Gothy, but didn’t look the same as she had before. Her hair had gone from shoulder length and unremarkable to short, spiky, and neon pink. The conservative outfit she always wore had been replaced with denim and leathers that clung to her figure in all the right ways. She was slimmer than Gothy, but more robust than Mousie, giving her a nice niche to herself.
“Sir?” Jarvis asked a little frostily.
“She asked for our help and was interested before, Jarvis,” Alvin replied. “If she wants in, I’m not going to tell her no. You know Gothy already has ideas. Or are you taking the daughter thing a bit too far?”
Jarvis hesitated. “I don’t know. I feel protective of her, even though she isn’t really a child, not that I think you or the others would do anything to harm her. How interesting.”
Alvin chuckled. “You know we’ll take care of her better than anyone else would.”
“I am aware, sir. I’m not opposed, as I know how you treat those you truly care about.”
“I am who I am,” Alvin shrugged.
“Sir, should I set out the refreshments?” Nohel asked softly.
“Go ahead, Nohel. Thank you for your hard work. I’ll go clean up a little, too,” Alvin said, heading for the bedroom.
The sound of voices came from the bathroom, and Alvin slowed his pace to eavesdrop a little.
“Really did do a full makeover... I like it. A little punk rock and spunky,” Gothy said. “Never would have pegged you for pink hair, but does the carpet match the drapes?”
“No,” Sammi laughed. “It’s more hardwood flooring.”
“Oh, smooth? Nice,” Gothy said.
“Sammi, do you plan to join us?” Desiree asked.
“Well, uh... I mean... I’m not opposed to it. Gothy did kind of hint that it’d be okay. If it’s not, that’s fine. I can go with—”
“Fuck that,” Gothy cut her off.
“I was merely asking,” Desiree said. “We were never sure if it was something that interested you, and Hero made it very clear that everyone must be willing. Gothy might get a little carried away at times, but it’s best to have it stated flatly.”
“Hero said only one of each race, too,” Mousie added. “Do you think he’ll change his mind on that?”
“She’s a player,” Gothy hedged, but she was clearly worried.
An evil smile touched Alvin’s lips before he smoothed his features and stepped into the bathroom. “You all done? I need to use the facilities before we go speak with our guests.”
Gothy looked over to him, at Sammi, and then back. “Hero, about Sammi—?”
“Yeah, it was a close one,” Alvin said, overriding her. “Might’ve gone really bad. We’re glad you’re safe, Sammi. Jarvis, too. He was saying he sees you like a daughter.”
Sammi blinked, clearly not having expected the conversation to go the way it was. “Really?”
“Yeah. Surprised him, too,” Alvin said as he had crossed the bathroom to the toilet. “I’ll catch up to you all in a moment.”
His wives gave him puzzled looks, but Sammi nodded and went for the exit. Desiree and Mousie were right behind her, but Gothy stayed behind.
“Hero?”
“Yes, gothic succubus?”
“I need to know something.”
“Does Sammi qualify as a Human or something different?” Alvin asked.
“Yes.”
“I’m not sure,” Alvin said. “Honestly, I don’t know. We need to talk to her about this whole thing. I know you loved to tease her, but do you really want her as part of the family?”
“She’s cute... well, sexy with the look she has going on right now, smart, and did do the best she could before. I’m not going to say no if she wants a tumble, and I’d be willing to give her a chance for more.”
“Even if it meant no Nohel?”
Gothy nodded. “I don’t intend for Nohel to join us that way. Maybe she will in time, but I honestly just want to help her.”
Stepping away from the toilet, Alvin went to the sink. “Okay. Let’s talk with Sammi after we deal with these people. We can see if she’s willing or if we were just her Hail Mary.”
Gothy groaned. “Football puns?”
“Got to get them extra points where I can,” Alvin laughed as he washed his hands.
“Hero, those are awful.”
Turning around with a towel in his hand, Alvin grinned at her. “You’re welcome.”
Gothy’s smile softened and she went up to him. “Thank you for bringing me home a dev of my very own.”
“Not a dev anymore,” Alvin corrected her as he dropped the towel and took her into his arms. “She’s an alpha tester, but my previous statement stands. You’re welcome, my dear, lovable, gothic succubus.”
The kiss was soft and tender, a rare thing between them, but all the more powerful because of that. Gothy let out a soft happy sound as she pressed into him, her hands lightly rubbing his back as his hands slipped down to rest on her hips.
“I bet they got distracted,” Desiree’s voice floated to the kissing couple.
“If she’s on her knees, I’m going to join her,” Mousie added.
“Just as long as you share,” Desiree said before two heads appeared in the doorway. “Oh…” The sound of someone seeing something sweet was loud.
Alvin sighed as he broke the kiss. “Sorry, ladies. We’re coming.”
“No, you were kissing,” Mousie said. “When you’re cumming, your eyelid twitches.”
Gothy broke out laughing, still leaning into Alvin. “She’s right. It does.”
“And your toes curl,” Mousie finished, directing it at Gothy.
“Do they ever,” Desiree giggled.
“You two,” Alvin snickered. “Kisses for both of you, then we need to talk with our guests.”
