Reality Falling (The Book Wielder Saga 2) (19 page)

“I am a massive fan of the greedy son of a bitch that set us up,” Brooke said sarcastically. “Look lady, what is it you want from me? You seemed clued up without my input, thanks to Alexander.”

Alice changed the subject. “I looked at your military file. You did Imperia a great service during the Great War and Tropican resistance days, and it would seem that you’re one hell of a sniper.”

Brooke said nothing again.

“Okay, you win Brooke Sienna, let’s just cut to it,” Alice said, loosening up and relaxing a bit. “I need your help.”

“I’m not betraying my colleagues and that’s the end of it,” Brooke said bluntly.

“I’m not asking you to betray your friends. To be perfectly honest, I’ve wanted to discuss something with Winston Reynolds for quite some time now, Book Wielder to Book Wielder,” Alice said pointing to her strange white eyes. “I want you to help me fight the real bad guys. I want you to stick a bullet in the Archmage’s head.”

“It would take more than a bullet to put down that lying masked prick,” Brooke interrupted.

Alice reached into her trench coat and slid a single .50 calibre round across the table, and Brooke placed a hand over it to stop it from falling off onto the floor. Brooke picked it up and looked at with wide eyes. The round had four transparent lines, spaced at even intervals, running down the sides of the very tip of the bullet. A glowing blue liquid was within that pulsed with immense arcane power.

“Is this what I think it is?” Brooke gasped.

“Sanctium,” Alice said proudly. “The real deal too, not that imitation crap that the Trinity’s been peddling.”

Brooke continued staring at the round in amazement. “I’m sure you have snipers yourself, so why do you need me to do it?”

“I do, and they too will soon be armed with Sanctium,” Alice said. “But like I said: I read your file, and I want the best.”

“What’s your plan then?” Brooke asked.

“Eventually the Archmage is going to pop up in or near Tropica, or his defences in the Capital will wane with the inevitable reallocation of his forces to the Tropican front. When that happens, I want you and a group of my snipers to riddle him full of Sanctium, ending the tyrant’s life once and for all.” Alice shrugged. “We’re still working out all of the details, but that’s roughly it.”

“I can take care of Archmage Omniosis,” Brooke began. “Lewis too, and any Alts that get in the way-”

“Alts?” Alice asked.

“Alts, Alternatives; it’s what we call the
civilised
Freaks from the Gloom.” Brooke got back to her point. “I’ve got no problem killing them, but I’m not pulling the trigger on anyone else.”

“That’s fine,” Alice nodded. “So do we have a deal?”

“Depends.”

“Depends on what?” Alice had been waiting for the haggling to start.

“What’s in it for me?”

“Revenge, firstly. Secondly, we’ll sort you out a place to stay on the Isle, a decent house for you and Alexander, with certain
restrictions
in place
of course.”

“Of course,” Brooke agreed.

“And thirdly, your freedom. After the Archmage is out of the way, you’re free to go, as long as you can put in a good word and get me an audience with Winston. Archmage or not, I still need him to undo this Gloom merging insanity before it’s too late.”

“I can work with that,” Brooke said, sliding the .50 calibre round back to Alice. “You know, I could talk to him right now if you let me use a radio?” She wanted to see if he was still alright, and the same with Veronica and the others, and to warn them about Lewis and the Archmage. But Brooke didn’t want to let the Lord Inquisitor know just how much she cared. She hoped that her loyalty seemed more revolved around professionalism rather than love, just in case it could be exploited as a weakness at a later date. It was bad enough they knew about her relationship with Alexander, and Brooke could only fathom what he had told them up to this point.

“I had considered that,” Alice said wistfully, “but I doubt Winston will believe you. He’ll think that we’re forcing you to speak out against the Archmage. I also think that it works better with the Archmage believing you to be dead; he won’t see you coming.”

“Good point,” Brooke said, trying not to sound too disappointed.

The security door opened and a normal Inquisitor guard walked in. “Ma’am, I have an urgent message-”

“It can wait,” Alice replied. “Now if you don’t mind.”

“But your escort from the Trinity of Old is here,” the woman stammered. “He said he needs to talk to you now. It’s about…” The guard looked towards Brooke and stopped herself before divulging too much.

Alice sighed with frustration and got up. “This had better be good,” she muttered to herself before turning to the guard. “Sort Miss Sienna and her partner out with some nicer, secure accommodation on the Isle.” Alice looked at Brooke. “I’ll catch up with you later.”

Brooke saluted half mockingly as Alice left the room.

Before leaving the facility, Alice went to the guards’ changing room within the detention centre and got back into her power armour. She unlocked her private locker and took out her submachine gun and her war hammer, just to be on the safe side.

She hitched a ride on the back of a troop truck to the outskirts of the amphitheatre ruins where the secret Catacomb entrance was located. The weather on the Isle was calm and peaceful, the sky was cloudless, but the sun was warm and not too hot. The pleasant breeze smelled faintly of the sea and gulls cawed cheerfully overhead. Alice hoped that whatever news the Trinity had for her wouldn’t dampen her spirits, especially considering they had only just risen with the recent tide of good events. She made her way through the guard outpost to where Jonathan was waiting for her; he seemed rather fidgety, like he couldn’t stand still for some reason.

“What is it?” Alice asked, almost dreading the reply.

“More good news,” Jonathan blurted out excitedly. “Well, potentially. We have to go now.”

Alice walked quickly with him down the old stone steps to the portal. She felt a wave of relief wash over her, but her curiosity was spiking dramatically. “Are you going to tell me or is it a surprise?”

“It’s Kaine from the Dogs of War gang, one of the Shadow Circle’s close allies,” Jonathan explained. “He wants to defect to our side!”

They moved through the portal and into the Catacombs. “For real?” Alice asked surprised.

Jonathan nodded rapidly. “Yeah, he even killed one of the other big gang leaders from the Desem side of things. I came to get you as soon as I could. The Trinity want you there when they speak to him more thoroughly.”

Alice smiled. She was glad they got in contact with her so soon. Maybe after getting them the Sanctium formula they regarded her with respect.

They quickly made their way through the network of tunnels and portals until they arrived at the Trinity’s sanctum. Cherriesa, Silvario and the gruff grey haired Werewolf Kaine were waiting around in awkward silence.

“Ah, Alice.” Silvario began putting even more diplomatic flourish on his words than normal for their guest. “Thank you for your prompt arrival. This is Kaine of the Dogs of War,” he said gesturing to the defector.

“So you’re the leader of the Inquisition, huh?” Kaine said eyeing her up. “You’re a Book Wielder too? You’ve got to be shitting me.”

Alice looked at the long haired, scruffy dressed, muscular man. It was strange to see a Supernatural dressed so casually, especially considering his powerful position, after the amount of formally dressed or half naked Supernaturals that she had seen.

“I get that a lot,” Alice replied dryly. “Let’s just say I didn’t realise until after I took the job.”

Kaine chuckled. “Well you’ve got balls lady, I’ll give you that.”

“Can we get to the point?” Cherriesa snapped.

“Sure thing, cheery,” Kaine said back snidely.

“Why don’t you explain your recent actions for Lord Inquisitor Alice’s sake, before we decide on what will happen next, Kaine?” Silvario asked politely.

Kaine shrugged. “Sure, if you want. I didn’t like where things were going under the Archmage’s leadership. He only cares for his own position, and he has no respect for all those who help him get it. I don’t like how he treats the humans either. I have far more honour than those whack-job Anarchy’s Ascendants and I can’t stay on the same side as people who condone such cowardly murderous actions. Ripping Kitaria Catawowski’s pretty little head off her angry shoulders was just an added bonus of my change of heart.”

“So you and your gang will fight for us?” Alice asked eagerly.

“Maybe,” Kaine grizzled. “I’m not here lightly. Me and these two don’t have the best of histories, do we?”

“Stop wasting our time,” Cherriesa said angrily. “If you are not with us then you can face Omniosis on your own, or go and hide in the trees like your kind used to.”

Kaine growled loudly at the Supernatural equivalent of a racist remark.

“Cherriesa!” Silvario chided. “I’m sure we can work something out Kaine, please calm down.”

Kaine shook his shoulders as if he was physically shaking the aggression off of his back. “Fine.”

“What’s the situation with your people?” Silvario asked.

“We’ve cleared out of Industria City. Some people have dispersed but most of us are back at our HQ in Rigorton. We won’t be able to stay there long though. Word of my actions will spread fast.”

“So you will need access to the Catacombs?” Silvario hedged.

Kaine looked slightly ashamed. “Yes, we will.”

“Think of the security risk!” Cherriesa hissed at her Mage colleague. “How do we know that they are truly with us?”

“Do I need to get you another severed head?” Kaine asked sarcastically. “Your Bloodmage abilities must be getting rusty in your old age if you can’t discern my intentions.”

Alice laughed inside her mind. She was glad to see someone else clashing with Cherriesa as much as she did.

“Let’s just say for now that we do let you and your people into the Catacombs, despite the obvious security risk,” Silvario continued. “What will you do for us?”

Kaine pondered the point. “We’re not fighting the Shadow Circle,” he said bluntly. “We’ll fight the others, but not them. I’ll give you all the tactical information you want though. Use it however you wish.”

Silvario looked at Cherriesa, and the two seemed to engage in a brief silent conversation. After living together for so long the two would be able to read each other very well, and Cherriesa would be able read some of the Mage’s thoughts.

“It would rally more support to your cause having me and my people here too,” Kaine added. “If they see that the Dogs of War are pulling out of the Archmage’s cause, more are bound to follow.”

“So apart from safety in the Catacombs, what else would you want in return?” Silvario asked coyly, knowing that there would be more.

Kaine looked towards the yellow portal within the sanctum. “You’re still a member down.”

“Not a chance,” Cherriesa said softly in her sweet voice.

“Kaine’s bringing a lot of benefits to the table,” Alice began. “Surely he could have some part of the Trinity?” She’d only just met the Werewolf, but he did have a likable quality. It was hard to put her finger on precisely, but she just had a good feeling about him.

“He is talking about one of the three leadership positions,” Cherriesa spoke back in a know-it-all manner. “Not just some ‘part’.”

“With the amount I’d be adding to your organisation it’s the least you could do for me,” Kaine said back. “You could use some fresher blood around here.”

Silvario said nothing; instead he racked his brain thinking of all the possibilities and outcomes. Eventually he looked up. “Would there be any other terms?”

Cherriesa’s jaw dropped and she stared wide eyed at Silvario.

“We can consider the request at the least,” Silvario said to her.

“I don’t want any harm coming to the boy,” Kaine firmly. “Winston, he’s a good lad, and it’s not his fault they’re filling his head with bullshit. I also want to speak to him before anything is final. I owe him an explanation, and I want to try and sway him as far away from Omniosis as possible. I doubt the Archmage has anything good lined up for Winston once he’s outlived his usefulness.”

Alice’s eyes went wide and her brows rose. “When were you planning on talking to him?” she asked quickly.

“Today,” Kaine said, confused by the Lord Inquisitor’s eagerness.

“I want to go with you. I need to speak to Winston urgently,” Alice said.

“Why?” Kaine asked guardedly.

“She has a
divine mission
,” Cherriesa explained mockingly.

Kaine looked at Alice confused, waiting for the Inquisitor to explain.

“Long story short,” Alice began, “when I first learnt that I was a Book Wielder, the Twin Goddesses dragged me far above the Gloom sky. It turns out they were Archmages that opposed Omniosis when they lived in our world. The Twins are responsible for draining the magic from the world and they accidently created the Gloom in the process. Omniosis was trapped there and now he’s talked Winston into merging the two plains back into one, but all he really wants is the source of magic all to himself so that he can rule the world like a god.”