Edge of Light (Armor of Magic Book 3) Page 7

  Charlotte snapped a few photos with her phone and handed it to Saul to study the design. Then we removed their robes for the men to wear.

  “What are we goin’ to do with ’em? Can’t leave them here, otherwise we’ll have duplicate seals in play,” Rocco said.

  “We’ll have to kill them and hide the bodies,” Lilith said.

  One of the men bellowed from under the gag and kicked at us.

  “We can’t do that! They’re innocent, brainwashed rubes,” Kaila argued.

  Asher came forward, carrying his baton. “I’ll take care of it. Someone fill the tub.”

  Charlotte ran to the bathroom and turned on the water. We escorted the guards down the hall and stood them next to the tub as it filled up. Asher stood among the three men, linking their arms, then put the transference rod into the water, causing flashes of lightning and crackling to buzz throughout the bathroom. The three guards and Asher disappeared.

  Saul set down Charlotte’s phone. “Who’s getting the tattoos?” he asked.

  Soraya spoke first. “I suggest the ladies go into the city first and get a feel for the place.”

  “I don’t agree,” I argued.

  “Ladies will be less suspicious,” Soraya said.

  Charlotte peeked out the window. “Someone make a decision. We don’t have much time.”

  “We’ll all eventually get in, let’s make the most logical choice here,” I said. “I think it should be Rocco, Asher and me. We don’t have any emotional ties skewing our thinking. The three of us will be more focused on getting intel.”

  “Farrow’s right,” Rocco said. “No arguing. When we get to the wall, there will be plenty of opportunities to get more seals. Trust me. There’s a daily procession of people.”

  “I agree,” Jeff said.

  Saul waved me over. “Let’s get to work then.”

  Soraya and Kaila weren’t happy about the outcome, but they didn’t want to argue with the majority. I sat in front of Saul while he held his hand over my wrist. The image of the symbols inside the pentagram and the barcode appeared on my arm.

  “This isn’t permanent, is it?” I asked, staring down at the disturbing thing.

  “Too late to be askin’ that.” Rocco chuckled under his breath as Saul added the seal to his muscular forearm.

  What did it matter anyway? I’m sure my skin could regenerate after the mission was over. We needed to get into that city without drawing attention, or setting off any alarms by using our supernatural powers. This was the best way in.

  Asher flashed back into the room and sat next to Saul to get his seal.

  “Where did you take the men?” I asked.

  “Alcatraz. Don’t worry. I left them food and water.”

  Saul finished working on Asher’s arm. “That’s it.”

  After we had gotten “supernaturally inked,” we crowded into the bathroom and stood around the tub. We looped arms, and Asher extended his transference rod into the water. Like the last time, we shot through a kaleidoscope of iridescent light, our bodies vibrating with frenetic energy until our molecules burst apart and then joined back together.

  When I opened my eyes, we stood on a grassy knoll with a lone cedar tree atop it. Off in the distance, about a mile away, encircled by a giant wall and a chrome tower jutting up from its middle, stood Neo-Babylon.

  sixteen

  Throngs of people—mostly wearing torn and tattered robes—headed toward the only entrance into Neo-Babylon. The massive archway into the city was surrounded by guards in black uniforms wielding rifles. The men looked like ex-marines, serious and deadly. Not to be trifled with on any level. There wasn’t any actual gate barricading the entrance, just red lasers similar to enormous barcode scanners. I wasn’t sure what would happen if someone didn’t clear the scanning process, but I assumed it wasn’t pretty.

  “Rocco, Asher and I will blend in with the others flocking into the city. Since Charlotte has an official seal, she’ll come with us. We need a healer, just in case. The rest of you will stay back until we have a better idea what’s going on. Sound good?”

  Jeff and Kaila gave noncommittal nods of agreement. Soraya was lost in a daydream, while Saul stared at me with disdain.

  “The more I think about it, the less I like this plan,” he said. “How long are we supposed to sit on our asses out here?”

  “Until we know the lay of the land and figure out where the Scrolls are located.”

  “We should pull some people from the crowd and let me replicate their seals so we can go in with you,” he said.

  “No sense in risking everyone’s lives.”

  “We’re Protectors of Light,” he said.

  I shook my head. “No way. We’ve already discussed not using any supernatural powers until we have a better understanding of the situation. Cagliostro will most definitely be tracking that sort of activity, and we want to catch him off guard.”

  “This is bullshit,” Saul shouted.

  Kaila took Saul’s hands into hers and used a soothing voice to calm him down. “I understand, Saul, trust me. We want to get to Julian as much as you want to get to Hayden. But we must be practical and strategic.”

  Soraya came out of her daze and addressed the group. “How about we make a compromise?”

  “Like what?” Rocco asked, reaching for his matchsticks only to find his supply depleted.

  “Perhaps I go in with you using Lilith’s seal? She’s not going in anyway.” Soraya smiled sweetly to her husband.

  Lilith nodded vigorously. “I love that idea. Cagliostro might not be looking for me anymore, but that doesn’t mean he won’t change his mind.”

  “I’m not sure about this, Lil. That means you can never enter the city.”

  “Good,” Lilith said, smiling.

  “She’ll be safer out here anyway,” I said.

  “Are you sure?” Charlotte asked her sister.

  “A thousand percent.” She pushed up the sleeve of her robe, revealing her seal to Saul.

  He studied her arm, then he got to work, duplicating the seal onto Soraya.

  ***

  The five of us covered our heads with our robes and parted ways with Jeff, Kaila, Saul and Lilith. They were to wait by the brook among the cedar trees south of the entrance and not to make any moves until at least one of us returned with more information.

  We joined the procession of robed zombies ambling toward the entrance of Neo-Babylon. We remained quiet so as not to arouse any suspicion. Rocco and Asher padded behind the three women, keeping an eye out for any dubious activity. Like random demon guards seeking out supernatural parties, vampires on the hunt or devices that might pick up on our true identities. We had no idea if the guards would be able to detect our Armor or Charlotte’s healing aura. Or more importantly, the Sacred Scroll secured inside a titanium tube case and tucked under my magical breastplate.

  My heart pulsed loudly in my throat, but I stayed calm. I didn’t want to trigger a chain reaction of doubt among our group. It was most definitely a crapshoot. But if anything went wrong, we had agreed that we’d employ our Armor, then get to the others at the brook so Asher could transport us to safety.

  As we got closer to the line of armed guards, Soraya began to drift away from us. She walked at a quicker pace, glancing over her shoulder. I sped up and tugged the sleeve of her robe.

  “Easy, Soraya. We don’t want to draw attention,” I whispered.

  “Sorry. My nerves are getting the better of me,” she replied.

  Just then, the scent of rotting vegetables hit my nose. Something wasn’t right. I glanced around, looking for any sign of eyes on us, but all I could see was the stream of robes heading into the city. Miles of them. When I turned back, Soraya was gone; lost amidst the crowd. Asher kept a steady gaze on me, as did Rocco, both silently urging me to keep moving forward.

  Charlotte and I approached the first row of guards, pulling back our long sleeves to show our seals. Each of the guards held scanner devices
and waved them over our seals, waiting for the clearance ding to sound. All four of us got past the first checkpoint. We continued to the next line of guards. Once again, we held up our wrists and went through another round of scanning. All clear. By that point, my heart had dislodged from my throat and I was feeling a bit more confident.

  Until we broached the final checkpoint.

  I noticed Soraya passing through the full-body scanner and then being pulled aside by one of the guards. My stomach dropped and nausea sprang forth. Had the barcode alerted the guards because it was Lilith’s seal? Or had the seal not been replicated properly? I tried to see where the guard was taking Soraya, but I lost her in the sea of robes.

  Charlotte nudged me forward. There was no turning back. We had to go through the final scanner. I wanted to whisper the Logos, or call on my sword for protection, but I knew that would only call attention to us. I had to trust that whatever happened next, the four of us would stick to our plan.

  seventeen

  I stepped into the full-body scanner before the others, thinking if anything were to go wrong, I’d be the test monkey. We needed to make sure Charlotte stayed safe for her healing abilities. And if something were to go wrong, Asher and Rocco would move in.

  The guard ushered me forward and instructed me to keep my wrist exposed and stand still. He had a distinct scent of lemons or oranges, something citrus, with a hint of sugar. He was definitely supernatural, I just didn’t know which faction.

  I smiled and bowed. “Yes, brother. And thank you for your service.” I used my most accommodating tone.

  His brow softened a bit, then he began the scan. Meanwhile, every nerve in my body braced itself for a shock of pain or possibly death on the spot. I lowered my head to conceal any worry decorating my face. Closing my eyes, I waited for the final verdict.

  “All clear,” he shouted.

  I released a gust of air and smiled at the guard, which he mistook as flirting because he then slipped me his business card. The card had an emblem of the gigantic tower, his name and a four-digit number: 1018.

  I forced myself to remain cordial. “Thanks, Thomas.” I tucked the card into my robe, bowed graciously, then moved into the mouth of Neo-Babylon.

  I kept walking, not looking over my shoulder to the others. When I caught a glimpse of a wall of electronic billboards, I slowed down. The face on the multiple screens addressed the new entrants, welcoming them into the glorious city. A face I knew very well. One I hadn’t thought about in a while.

  Somer Barrett.

  My former editor-in-chief from Lifting the Fog; a woman of the utmost integrity who headed up the most influential news blog dedicated to exposing and taking down corruption. What was she doing working for Cagliostro? Had he threatened her so greatly that she had no choice but to join his forces of Darkness? Or had she always been a part of the Shadow Order? Maybe she had fallen under Cagliostro’s magical spell. I didn’t know what to believe or who to trust. Like Ezra had always warned: trust no one.

  Somer spewed off reports of volcanic eruptions taking place in the Pacific Northwest. “Yet another strike on humanity by the evil Monarchy. It’s clear that they are continuing to afflict our nation with their furious vengeance. The only place that remains a safe haven from this outright destruction is Neo-Babylon. Welcome, all of you. Please continue to the meeting hall to get your housing assignments …”

  She went on to share more news about earthquakes hitting San Francisco along the San Andreas fault line. But I tuned her out and waited for the others to join me by the wall of monitors.

  “Come on,” Asher whispered, brushing past me.

  Rocco followed behind him. But Charlotte wasn’t with them. I flipped around and searched the crowd. Where was Charlotte? The drumming of blood in my ears blocked out all other sounds. My vision darkened around the edges and created a tunnel around me. But I couldn’t let myself slip into a state of panic. Otherwise, I’d be taken into custody and eventually found out.

  I wasn’t supposed to be loitering at the main entrance to the city, but I didn’t want to leave without Charlotte. Just as I caught a glimpse of her walking through security and giving me an assuring nod, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I swayed around quickly—probably too quickly—and almost knocked over the security guard. It was the same guard who had slipped me his card. Thomas, from the supernatural faction I couldn’t discern.

  “Whoa, heads up—” he said, straightening me out.

  “Sorry, didn’t see you there behind this hood.” I peered over his shoulder to watch which direction Charlotte was heading.

  “You’ll need to keep moving, get to the main hall to get a housing assignment.”

  I smiled at the young man and said, “My family was in California. I’m just shocked over this horrible news. It’s appalling what’s happening everywhere.”

  “I understand,” he said, kindly.

  “That despicable Monarchy. Who do they think they are? Can you believe they’re doing this to us?” I feigned a sob and rested my head against his chest to buy a few moments so I could see where Charlotte was going.

  She headed down a cobblestone path with a group of women who looked to be about her age. All of them were in their early twenties, slender and attractive. I didn’t want to think what they’d be used for in Cagliostro’s new city. As she moved along, she kept displaying a series of numbers using her fingers. After a few repeats I finally got the sequence: 3626. I figured it was a room number. Maybe an ID? Either way, I committed it to memory.

  Thomas lightly cleared his throat, getting my attention. The scent of lemons and sugar, or maybe it was custard, wafted around me. He patted my shoulder, sending a current of shockwaves down my arm and up my spine. If I could sense that he was supernatural, could he sense my Armor? I needed to get away from him as soon as possible.

  “Let’s get you to the meeting hall, miss,” the guard said.

  He tried escorting me in the opposite direction of Asher and Rocco. They stood underneath the giant screens portraying the infuriating news reports. From the looks of their furrowed brows, I could tell they were fuming. Cagliostro was out of control. We had to get those Scrolls before there was nothing left to protect. I couldn’t let Thomas take me to the meeting hall. I needed to start digging for information. And now the best lead to follow would be Somer Barrett.

  “I was supposed to report to the media department. Would you mind escorting me?” I smiled sweetly, rubbing his strong bicep.

  Thomas squinted his dark brown eyes, and I looked up at him the way a damsel in distress might. A slight grin formed on his full lips and he nodded.

  “Sure, but we need to hurry so I can get back to my station.”

  I planted a kiss on his cheek, impressed with my acting skills. “You’re so kind! Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, my brother. Thank you.”

  “I hope you’ll stop calling me brother and consider me more as a friend.”

  He took my hand and escorted me to what he called The Spire Media Tower—the massive chrome skyscraper in the middle of the city. At least one of the tower’s functions had now been confirmed. It was a communications device—one that could probably reach other dimensions.

  As Thomas and I walked toward the monument of glistening chrome, I kept my gaze straight forward. I didn’t glance over my shoulder to see if Rocco and Asher were trailing me. I trusted they were close behind.

  eighteen

  Thomas stopped short of the main entrance of the tower and waved his seal over the scanner, opening the doors. Up close, the building vibrated with energy that pulsated through my body and tickled my nose. Heavy activity was going on inside; both supernatural and otherwise. I imagined Cagliostro’s news reports were reaching what was left of the country, if not overseas. His goal was world domination.

  “Well, I must get back to my station,” Thomas said. “Don’t forget, I gave you my card with my number, 1018. Perhaps we can have lunch sometime.” He saluted me and dashed away.<
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  I stood in the entrance, holding open the door with my foot. Sparks flickered around the edges, but I remained in the threshold, hoping Asher and Rocco would hurry and catch up.

  “Excuse me, miss,” a woman from the security desk shouted. “You can’t do that!”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. My robe is snagged on something,” I yelled back, stalling for more time.

  “Well, fix it before your foot gets sliced off!”

  I muffled a laugh. If she only knew how impossible that would be. She started to approach, and I sensed she was human. She didn’t have a supernatural odor and her eyes were glazed over like most of the others in the city. If she got too close, she’d know something wasn’t right with me, so I released my foot. Right before the door closed off the outside world, a breeze rushed past me. Asher and Rocco had made it into the lobby just in time. They continued directly to the elevators, acting as though they belonged there.

  “I’m good,” I told the security woman, but that didn’t stop her from scanning my wrist.

  “Who are you here to see?” she asked.

  “Somer Barrett. She’s expecting me,” I lied.

  The guard lifted her pointy chin and narrowed her glassy eyes. “Do you have clearance?”

  I dug into my robe and pulled out Thomas’s card. “You better believe I do. Wasn’t easy to come by if you know what I mean.”

  She read the card and pursed her lips. “Oh, I know exactly what you mean.”

  Sympathetically, she patted me on the shoulder and escorted me to the elevator where she keyed in a code and pressed the button for the 267th floor, then walked away. A beeping sound started up, and as she whipped around to scold me about keeping the elevator door open, the guys entered.

  The ride up to Somer’s floor was quiet. The three of us kept our heads lowered. We were merely strangers on an elevator. The surveillance cameras wouldn’t be able to glean any information if we could help it.

  Stepping out onto the 267th floor, I felt lightheaded. It took a few moments to adjust to being that high above ground. I could feel the building swaying. Fortunately, oxygen pumped through the vents, and after I regained my equilibrium, I headed around the circular floor in search of Somer’s office. No numbers on the doors, so I just kept walking in a circle, hoping for some sudden inspiration.