Secrets of the Crown Assassins

30

DAMIEN

I wanted to kill someone. I wanted to make something. I wanted to get some goddamned sleep.

And, most of all, I wanted to hang Phoenix upside down over a pit of fire until she explained how she opened the doors to the combined throne room.

But, I could only do one of those things for the time being. And, while I would normally complain, I was quite looking forward to spilling Raven blood on the streets of Indianapolis.

We stayed close to the back wall of the apartment building. Just inside was the residence of James Cobwell, Sophia's older brother and my mother's killer. Xavier warned his father not to send out any warning, but he was positive that his father did so anyway. So, either James ran by now, or there were Ravens waiting inside. Maybe both.

Arielle led us around the corner of the building. There was no one else in the back streets, though I could hear the bustling crowds and vehicles from the main road. The apartment building cast a dark shadow over us from the sun.

"The perimeter's all clear," Phoenix whispered right behind me. I nearly jumped as she rejoined us. "But I could see some movement above through the shades."

"So, what's the plan?" Arielle asked, turning to Xavier.

Xavier looked up, eyes watchful, until he finally said, "We need to back up. As far as possible."

I took a few steps away from the building as Phoenix asked, "Why?"

Xavier turned and took brisk steps to the other side of the street. "Was there any movement in the lower floors?"

"No."

Xavier didn't respond only raised an eyebrow, indicating that we were supposed to connect the dots. And sure enough, it dawned on me.

"We're chasing a bomber," I explained as I picked up the pace. "And the bomber just cleared out the first floor even after knowing the most dangerous people in the nation are after him."

"They set a bomb," Arielle realized and ran after us.

"As soon as they realize we're running away, they would detonate it so that it still has some imp-"

The building exploded. I flew off my feet and crashed hard into the asphalt, gravel biting my hands and face. Fiery plumes flew out and up into the air. I covered my ears on instinct from the loud blast of the explosion.

My head spun as I turned onto my back and looked up. All three floors of the building were shattered and broken, fire dancing out of the windows, glass cascading down.

But the people above...

My thoughts were quickly cut off when I realized that Phoenix said she saw them moving through the shades. They may as well have been life-sized models. And anyone who may have still been there probably wasn't a Raven.

Struggling, I sat up, my head swimming, stomach lurching. Arielle was laying a good distance. She was closest to the building when it exploded. She was barely moving, only lifting her head. Our greatest fighter was rendered useless.

Phoenix struggled to her knees a few feet away. She took out a gun and cocked it while looking around.

"Where are the Ravens?" she shouted.

Finally, I managed to stand, leaning against a wall, as Xavier walked towards Arielle and helped her up.

"Where the hell are the Ravens?" Phoenix repeated.

Xavier met my eyes and I nodded before taking out an electric grenade and flinging it up.

The grenade detonated, electric tendrils slicing through the air, sending a blast of heat as the roofs of neighboring buildings charred. The hair on my arms stood up. A man and a gun fell to the ground. A sniper waiting for the dust to clear.