Part 43 (1/2)
We don't have time to argue now.
Illy?
Now, Daedalus. I love you.
”Daddy Dearest? No argument? You coward.” She pushed the syringe into my skin, pressed the plunger down.
The drug was like liquid fire in my veins.
Now!
Instead of a burning that permeated every inch of my body, a burning that warmed my insides swept away the acidity in my veins. Ilida shone like an angel glowing form within. She held me. I felt the insidious acid leave my body.
How stupid I'd been all this time. I could have joined with her, become one with her weeks ago. I knew then that I loved Ilida. Her patience and her bravery set me free despite my hesitancy.
We're almost there Daedalus. I have to disconnect.
No, wait!
Oh G.o.d!
Ilida?
Chapter Thirty-seven
The Queen, King and acolyte found themselves in the lion's den. Zombies, some of them in various stages of decay, advanced on them like spiders on flies.
”This is our welcoming committee,” Ilida said.
”You two need to get behind me,” Alec said.
Ilida wasn't going to move. She wanted to see this through to the end for herself and for Daedalus. ”I'm staying where I am,” Ilida said.
Tania nodded at Ilida.
”Me, too,” Tania said.
”Here they come.” Ilida dumbstruck stared ahead at the advancing zombies.
They came at them crawling on the ceiling, on the walls running towards them on the floor. Tania aimed then pulled the trigger. The milk-filled bullets. .h.i.t their targets. Thumps on the ceiling made them all look up. Three zombies crashed through the ceiling, landed in front of her.
She put her self-defense training to good use- punching and kicking, fending them off. If she drew first blood, it would burn her skin straight down to the bone.
”We need to find Daedalus and get out of here.”
”Duck!”
Tania fired off four rounds, hitting the zombies in the head and chest. More jumped through the hole in the ceiling.
”Come on, Tania.”
Ilida saw Alec standing over four zombies. Their heads cut off. The smell of blood luring her. Then she saw the blood wasn't from the dead zombies but from Alec's arm.
”You're hurt.”
He waved it off as he flicked his jagged-edged blade in the air ridding it of the toxic blood. It was some sword. Ilida realized these people played for keeps and she was now one of them.
”Let's find my brother,” Alec commanded.
She ran ahead with Alec and Tania covering her. Hearing behind her the sounds of battle, Daedalus became her homing beacon. She could find him; she would find him alive.
She felt stronger, faster. She ran down the hall, every object a blur. She fought a giddy excitement. She had to concentrate on finding Daedalus. She came upon a closed door, his thoughts the strongest through it. She heard Tania and Alec behind her; she was grateful they were still alive.
”It's steel.”
Ilida moved back as Tania and Alec punched a hole in the door. It was thick. Tania joined in punching, making dents, but it wasn't enough. At that rate they would lose precious time and more of those Red Queen zombies might be on the loose.
”Let me try to open it.”
”How? You're strong but not strong enough.”
”I'm also telekinetic.”
I focused on Terra. She cowered against the wall. The last of the drug leaked from my pores. A power sung in my veins; nerve endings rippled with pain, bones grew realigned. The restraints fell apart like cheap string and landed on the floor. Fur broke through my pores. I dropped on all fours then charged.
”I never partic.i.p.ated in the Breeding Circle, Terra. Ma.n.u.s' concubines freed me from my imprisonment for one night.” My voice sounded gravely like I'd swallowed rocks-foreign to my ears. ”She showed me I wasn't a piece of filth. Two years later, after I killed Ma.n.u.s, she gave me my daughter to raise. The daughter you killed!”
”You would say anything to save yourself.” Then she raised her hand to me. Heat then pain coursed through my body. Sweat wetted my fur making my skin itch.
”Terra you're... already dead.”
”Then who is my father?”
”He was...the former leader of the Vrykolakas... Clan.”
”Where is he?”
A primitive growl ripped out of me. ”I killed him!”