Arachna

Chapter 5: Survive

The force of the explosion sent Derek and Lance to the ground. Splinters shot through the room, and heat ran along Lance's arms.

Armed men in dark, armored outfits stormed the room and pinned Derek down. Kaela stood with her hands up as two men pointed their guns at her. Lance was thrown down onto the table and pinned. His face stung where it hit the wood, and his ribs screamed. His arms burned where their hands touched.

More men charged at Eric, guns pointed. Eric was still sitting patiently in his chair, his smile gone but his demeanor calm and unbothered. He didn't even raise his hands. When the flood of men stopped, another man walked in, wearing a matching outfit. He sipped from a flask and slipped it into his shirt as he marched toward Eric. Confidence carried his steps.

"You," said the armored man.

Eric smiled pleasantly at him.

"I'm afraid you can only see me by appointment." Eric looked around. "This isn't usually how you book one."

Lance rolled his eyes and winced with every breath of air. Of course Eric would be this calm.

"Bastard!" The man yelled and smacked Eric across the face with the back of his hand.

Eric's face barely even moved, his expression unreadable. "If it's information you want, I'll have to raise the price to pay for a new door."

"You killed my brother, you son of a bitch!"

"Ah, I see." Eric smiled up at him devilishly. "I thought you looked familiar. You must be dear Malcolm's brother. Daniel, right? I've seen you in the papers... Funnily enough, your brother also made the papers, didn't he?"

Daniel seemed taken aback, but then he raised his hand, and one of his men smacked Eric with the butt of his gun. This time, Eric almost fell out of the chair.

Lance blinked, and Daniel was suddenly wrapped in Eric's arm with a cane blade against his throat.

"If I hear so much as one gunshot, his head comes off!" Eric yelled.

Lance flinched at the force of his voice. He never thought he'd be grateful to see this side of Eric again.

"Now," Eric continued, his eyes so wild he looked almost feral. "What you all are going to do is let these three go. They're just clients; they have nothing to do with me. After that, I'll let your boss go, and you can do whatever you want with me."

Lance's heart dropped to his stomach.

"Mr. Samuel, was it?" Eric asked, glancing at Derek. "You should probably go home."

"Do it," Daniel said with a growl. "It's him I want."

Kaela bared her teeth at the two men aiming their weapons at her. They backed away, guns still trained on her. Derek was forced to his feet, and Lance was pulled away from the table. His ribs were sore, but at least breathing was easier. Kaela carefully backed toward the entrance, followed by Derek and Lance.

Lance held his breath. At any moment, a bullet could find his heart. His eyes darted to each gun in the room. Just one pull of a trigger, and that would be the end. As soon as they were out the door, they ran. Lance paused as they rounded the corner, stealing one fleeting look at the building snugly fit into the alley. One of the soldiers stood at the door, staring him down. Rain was falling in a sprinkle.

"Lance!" Kaela shouted, knocking him out of his trance.

Still out of breath, he ran, ignoring the looks he and the others were getting.

* * *

Eric smiled as the trio left. Every gun turned toward him, a dozen men staring at him down their barrels. He slipped the cylinder out of his coat, pushed Daniel toward his men, and held it up for them to see.