The Blood Dawn

Chapter 5

Nicholas tapped his knee impatiently.

He leaned back in his chair and huffed, he looked around the glorious walls of the Skyline Council lobby.

The gold Roman style pillars glinted and shone as the glorious sunlight streamed through the big glass windows, the smooth marble tile was polished till it was as shiny as a mirror, the walls made of the finest white granite. And giant framed photos of the Skyline Council, all wearing the same sly menacing look and extravagantly tall ruffled maroon collars.

Nicholas rolled his eyes as his colleagues chattered away as if they weren't in the Council Headquarters but their own den in the meeting room.

"They better give us our full pay this time" said Blake with his congested voice.

"Last time it was barely half," complained Bethany as she rummaged through the expensive shelves with drawers full of random objects, she grabbed a golden object that resembled a fork. She placed it in her purse silently as she went through more drawers.

"Stop being so stupid Bethany, we had lost almost half of our targets, thanks to the Shell Bounty Management" said Ember with annoyance laced in her disgusted voice.

Garold scoffed "Bethany stop stealing stuff for once"

Bethany looked up from the big dresser that she was searching, gold necklace in hand. She rolled her eyes "well if we don't get our full pay we'll need to make some money" she said as she placed the necklace in her purse.

Ember walked over to Nicholas and sat in the chair next to him, she looked at him for a split second before saying "I'm pretty sure we'll get our full pay, don't listen to Bethany she's just-" she paused and looked at Bethany and scowled "Bethany"

Nicholas shook his head "I'm not worried about that I'm just- tired"

Ember placed her hands on her lap.

"Bethany, we are Drainers not thieves!" yelled Garold.

"Drainer. Thief. They are all the same. But does it look like I care?" screeched Bethany "I can be whatever I want to be. Actress, Model, thief... you cannot tell me what I can or can't be"

Blake scoffed and crossed his arms.

Nicholas snapped his gaze towards the clouded glass door as it slid open smoothly, a tall woman with her black hair in a high ponytail and framed glasses stood by the door with a holopad in hand.

"The Council is ready for you" she said blankly "come with me" she said as she walked down a long hallway with many framed portraits of the Council past and present.

Nicholas rose from his chair and looked at his team expectantly, Bethany cleared her throat and walked out the door and followed the woman, Blake went after and Garold limped behind him.

Nicholas followed them as Ember slid through the door, the glass door slid shut behind them.

Nicholas walked down the very long hallway ahead of him, glancing at the occasional portrait of the Council members.

He looked ahead as Bethany eyed down a very shiny sapphire brooch that someone had left in the hallway, she snatched it off the desk and shoved it in her purse.

Nicholas looked at the guide who led them through the hallways, eventually she stopped at grand white double doors that were lined with gold. She gave them a look that very much said that she had no patience whatsoever.

Nicholas brushed the dirt off his pants as she opened the doors.

The court room was huge.

Glittering gold pillars stood proudly and the floor reflected the pillars on its shimmering surface.

There was a big gold pendulum that swung slowly from side to side and made a quiet whooshing sound as it passed. In front of the giant pendulum was the council sitting behind a towering desk, all eight members were bedecked in gold.

The council members smirked down at them as they filed behind a podium that was lined with gold, the woman who had led them into the room had stood by the council members and began furiously tapping on her holopad.

"My dearest Drainers, we are proud of your recent achievements, I mean collecting 4.1 thousand souls in the past year? That's impressive." said the one in the middle of the desk, that was the leader of the Council, Sir Matthews.

Nicholas shrugged "eh, we've done better"

"Yes and we haven't called you here for praises" said Madam Rivers at the end of the court, she angled her head down at them but only slightly, for if she moved anymore her big gold headdress would fall off her head.

"Then, why are we here? It better be to get paid" complained Bethany.

"Don't worry my children, you will get your pay as promised but I am afraid to say that the Shell Bounty Management has been growing larger and more powerful lately. Meaning you haven't been getting your full amount of Shells and Energy" said Sir Matthews with a smooth voice.

Garold grumbled under his breath.

Nicholas looked up at the towering Council members.

"So we have come up with a new mission for you" said Sir Rivers as he placed his head on his hands and gazed at them like they were the most confusing yet adorable creatures he has ever seen.

Nicholas wrinkled his brow and watched as the Council grew slightly more cheerful.

"We are assigning you all to spy on The Shell Bounty Management for us" said Madam Rivers.

Nicholas blinked. "Is there a specific reason why?" said Bethany snottily.

"That is none of your concern child, we just merely need information" chirped Sir Matthews, "But if we sent all of you at once it would be suspicious, so we have come to the decision that Nicholas and Ember can go and collect information, and maybe even get closer to some of the members and you know do your Drainer thing"

Nicholas froze. Why do they want to send me of all people?

He cleared his throat uncertainly "so is there something in particular that we are looking for?" he glanced at Ember who was nervously curling a coil of reddish hair around her fingers.

"Like I've said before, just anything that could be useful to us" said Sir Matthews calmly.

"Won't they need background information about us?" asked Ember.

"Of course dear, that is why we have altered your ID's, but not to worry its nothing too extravagant"

Ember nodded but she still looked frazzled.

"You all start your work on Monday, and we look forward to what you'll bring," said Madam Rivers.

Bethany raised her hand slowly and smiled serenely.

"Yes, child?"

"When do we get paid?"

"Soon"

Bethany scowled.

"You are all dismissed" said Sir Matthews with a small smile.

Nicholas turned towards the door where the woman from earlier waited as she held the door, Nicholas looked back at the Council, they were chattering quietly amongst themselves. Madam Rivers caught his eye and smiled cheerfully his way.

Nicholas watched them until he made it out the door, the giant pendulum making the faint whoosh as he left.