Page 168 of You Only Love Twice
Malloryn moved with lethal efficiency, but Obsidian was the maestro. Smoke roiled through the cells, brightened only by gunfire. Gemma took anotherdhampirdown, and as she emerged, she realized nobody was shooting anymore.
All in all, it probably took them a minute to neutralize the cells, and the final head count was elevendhampiracolytes down and out for good.
Then they were at the end of the hallway, breathing hard.
The last cell door was reinforced heavily, with several iron bars slotted into place.
Obsidian held his finger up to his lips. "X," he mouthed.
An enormous bang suddenly vibrated the door, and Gemma reloaded her pistol, her heart hammering.
"He can't break out, can he?" Malloryn asked quietly.
"These cells can hold a vampire."
Obsidian gestured her past in a hurry, and as they scurried to the main door she could hear that furious pounding behind them. A shiver ran down her spine. Best to get as far away from here as possible.
"Training cells neutralized," Obsidian muttered into the aural communicator he wore. He glanced at the pocket watch in his pocket, and then headed for the door at the end of the hallway.
The floor suddenly shook, dust shaking off nearby shelves. Something shattered in the distance.
Munitions factory. That sounded like Herbert and the others. Right on time.
"We've lost the element of surprise!" Gemma called, as Obsidian started running.
"Time to move fast," Malloryn commanded. "We need to track down Ghost before one of the others finds him first."
* * *
The first concussiveboom echoed through the Core.
Ghost looked up from the maps he was perusing, listening intently. Gunfire echoed in distant corridors.
"They're here," Dido said, resting her hip against his desk. "They've taken the bait."
He reached for his coat and slipped it on, sliding several pistols into the holster he wore around his chest. "You know what you have to do."
Dido smiled, patting his lapels into place. "Go and be a good little distraction."
Ghost pressed a furious kiss against her lips. "They'll never see you coming, my love. Kill as many of them as you can."
"And the duke?"
"Have fun with Malloryn. Give my regards to Balfour when you see him."
"Don't get yourself killed."
A sneer curled his lip. "By this pathetic bunch? We are gods, Dido. Perfection. No mere blue blood is going to bring me down."
"I'm not worried about the blue bloods," she said.
Obsidian.
He straightened his collar, as another explosion rocked the building. "It's time I buried that rabid dog. Forever."
"Balfour won’t like it. We were meant to keep him alive at all costs."
"Unfortunately, Obsidian gave me no choice," he replied, with a tight smile. "If Balfour ever asks, my finger slipped on the trigger."
