Mark of Odin: The Awakening

Chapter 12: State of Siege

37º 24' 54" North, 5º 59' 37" West
Los Viajeros, Alameda de Hércules, Seville
21:00 GMT+1

At first, they didn't even notice. Everyone was busy drinking, chatting and tucking into the first dishes to be served. Then someone had asked if there was some special event on that night, why were such big fireworks being let off? But it wasn't until a few minutes later, when an explosion rattled the restaurant's windows, when all doubt vanished. Something serious was afoot. Each explosion was swiftly followed by another, and another. Some were further away, others so close that everything shook from the blast. The restaurant customers jumped to their feet but before they could run outside to see what was happening for themselves, the restaurant owner closed the main door and blocked the way. He was adamant. Everyone had to calm down and stay put. Nonetheless, one man insisted on leaving the building and began to tussle with the owner while the owner's wife desperately tried to pull them apart. Her voice stood out above the clamour as she yelled that they ought to check the television.

Luis and his friends had hesitantly got to their feet, unsure what to do. What was happening? Eva rushed over to Luis's side; she needed to feel him close to her. Meanwhile, the owner's wife was still shouting hysterically; no one could work out what she was saying. Finally, disentangling himself from the belligerent customer, her husband changed the television channel and put on the news. At that moment a reporter was speaking from Triana Bridge but it was hard to make out what she was saying.

"Turn up it!" Roberto shouted.

"Yes, we can't hear!" Jorge joined in.

The owner turned up the volume and at last they could hear the news report. The presenter had just started talking about the Triana area and the centre of Seville. Luis recognised the attractive presenter; she was the same one who had spent two days hassling him while he was hospitalised after his skydiving accident.

What happened next left the restaurant customers speechless. They watched the report and heard shouts and people crying out, with one sceptical onlooker claiming that must be a set-up to promote a new film. No one could believe their eyes when the screen turned to static and the 'connection lost' message appeared. Luis glanced at Eva. He had taken her hand in his without even realising and was squeezing it hard.

"It's just a PR stunt," Santiago said, witheringly. "Don't fall for it. It wouldn't be the first time they've done something like this."

"Shut up and keep listening," one of the waiters ordered.

Santiago fell silent and turned back to the television screen. Now the reporter who presented the late edition of the news appeared.

"As we've just explained, these are the only images we currently have of the disaster unfolding in Seville tonight. Since the connection was lost with our colleague, María Luces, we've had no further contact from her or her cameraman, Carlos Domínguez. We're trying to gather as much information as possible about the situation in Seville right now. If you've just joined us, here's a summary of recent events. During the live broadcast of our early evening show, one of our reporters witnessed two air force fighter jets flying at low altitude over the city. Immediately afterwards, we heard several explosions and saw the remains of these jets falling from the sky. Moments later, several more powerful blasts struck bridges across the city, including Isabel II Bridge where our team was located. Since then, we've received messages via social media informing us that the city is under a massive attack by unknown forces. We've heard unconfirmed reports that La Giralda, the city's famous bell tower, has just been destroyed. At present, there has been no statement by the government confirming whether this attack is being perpetrated by terrorists or another country... Nor do we yet know what measures are being taken in retaliation. However, President Manuel Alonso has called a press conference that will begin in five minutes' time. We'll keep you up to date with all the latest developments about the disaster in Seville..."