Aetherial Annihilation (31 page)

"Mega-bots?" I asked.

"Yes, they stand several stories high and are equipped with all manner of weaponry." Victus pressed his lips together and shook his head. "I'm afraid he's amassed quite an arsenal."

"Christ Almighty," Shelton said. "He's got a full-fledged robot army."

Chapter 26

The room went deathly quiet.

Kassallandra ended the silence. "I will rally the other houses." Her eyes flashed red. "They will submit, and we will defeat Frankenberg's army."

Thomas nodded and braced a hand on his chin. "Is there any way we can take control of the battle-bots or mega-bots?"

"Yes, but it requires infiltrating the fortress and finding the command and control center," Victus replied. "It's unlikely we'll discover the secret base before it discovers us. With his defenses online, we'll have to fight through his main force."

"Not if we act quickly," Bella said. "Once Frankenberg activates his defenses, the battle-bots will have to emerge from wherever they are. This would give an infiltration team the ideal opportunity to slip inside."

"I'm putting you in charge of that operation," Thomas told her. "Gather a team and meet with me after this meeting."

Shelton gave Bella a wide-eyed look and opened his mouth to speak. She tapped a finger on his lips and shook her head. He frowned.

Thomas pointed to Victus and flicked his finger toward Bella. "Chancellor Edison, please speak with Bella and give her all the intel she'll need for success."

A smug smile appeared on Victus's lips. "Yes, sir."

Despite Victus's helpful attitude, I still couldn't make myself like him. His usefulness obviously played right into his political ambitions. Judging from the downcast look on Evan's face, it was obvious he felt a bit useless.

I didn't want Victus to feel too comfortable. "Councilor Farnsworth, do you know three Arcanes by the names of Pixie, Boris, and Tasha? They were assigned to the North Dakota crystoid. I'm afraid the Skywraiths are a bit shorthanded and they expressed interest in helping us."

Evan's face brightened. "Absolutely. I know the people in question."

Victus's gaze darted my way, and just as quickly flicked away.

"I see what you did there," Shelton whispered, an evil grin on his face. "Better watch out, or you'll be endorsing candidates next."

I matched his grin. "Yeah, maybe I'll endorse you as a write-in candidate."

His eyes flared. "I swear on my grandfather's three-legged porcupine that I'd beat your ass if you did."

"How may the Red Syndicate serve?" Komad asked. He'd remained quiet until now, and I had to wonder if he really wanted a part in this battle, or was simply playing along.

"How many vampires will fight?" Thomas asked.

"Three-hundred Red Cell soldiers are standing by."

I was a bit surprised to hear him volunteer the troop of elite vampire warriors to the cause, but chose to accept it as a positive development.

"They can help bolster our front lines," Thomas said. "Please report to the hangar for a portal assignment."

Komad bowed. "It shall be done."

"Any questions?" Thomas asked. When there were none, he dismissed the meeting.

Elyssa took my hand and pulled me to the side while the others filed out of the room. "As your commander, I'm ordering you to use common sense and not over-engage the airships."

I tucked a lock of dark hair behind her ear and kissed her soft, wonderful lips. "You're so beautiful when you're bossy."

She raised an eyebrow. "I'm not being bossy, Justin."

"I know." I looked at her and sighed. "I never get tired of looking at you. Spending every single day with you during our travels was the most fun I've ever had in my life."

She blushed and looked away. "How do you make me feel so giggly inside when I'm trying to be stern?"

I nuzzled my nose against hers. "I think it's called being hopelessly in love."

Her violet eyes gazed deep into mine. "I never want it to end."

"Neither do I."

She kissed me. "Then be careful so we can have our forever."

I squeezed her tight, savoring the feel of her soft cheek pressed to mine. "I will, babe." I pulled back. "I assume you'll be on the command platform with your father?"

"Yep." She bounced on her toes. "He really listens to my suggestions now. Did you see how he changed the approach patterns on the map?"

I chuckled. "I think you live for planning."

She giggled. "I was a little controlling on our vacation, wasn't I?"

"You plotted out everything, woman." I sighed contentedly. "I loved every minute of it."

"Well, that's good." She pecked a kiss on my nose. "I'd better go." She glanced toward the door. "I think the Skywraiths are anxiously awaiting their glorious leader."

I walked her out the door and met my illustrious crew. "I hope you all remember how to fly a boomstick."

"I could use a little practice," Nightliss said.

Mom nodded. "Me too."

"Okay, we'll grab boomsticks, Nightingale armor, and go back to Queens Gate for a quick refresher course." I motioned toward the levitator at the end of the hallway.

Evan Farnsworth approached. "I have the requested personnel for your Skywraiths."

"Excellent," I told him.

He nodded. "They're all expert fliers and excellent spell casters."

"You can add another to them," Victus said. "Delectra would like to join your crew."

A strangled growl rose in Evan's throat. "You'd really risk your wife?"

"She was the reigning boomstick champion for four years running." Victus's lip nearly rose into a sneer, but he pressed his lips tight together. "Delectra is also a powerful caster. After all, she's descended from the first Arcane himself, Moses."

Somehow, Evan maintained a firm upper lip, though it was evident he wanted to either murder Victus where he stood, or burst into tears. "My people will meet you in the hangar," he said at last. "They already have their equipment."

"They'll need Nightingale armor to combat the cold," I said.

He nodded. "As I said, they have everything they'll need."

"Sounds good." I turned to Victus. "Will Delectra meet us in the hangar?"

Victus observed Evan for a split second, then turned to me. "Yes, she's already on her way."

"Why wasn't she at the meeting?" Evan asked.

"She's been busy helping an orphanage built for war orphans," Victus replied. "The Second Seraphim War destroyed many families, and it's our responsibility to help the suffering children."

Evan's jaw went so tight I thought his muscles might burst through the skin. "How very kind, Victus." He offered me a curt bow. "I must be going to organize the other Arcane forces. Good luck, Justin."

"Same to you." I turned to Victus. "Are you certain your wife has the temperament to take orders?"

He stiffened, but nodded. "She is a proud woman, Justin, but she will be a great asset in the battle."

"You realize that she'll be in real danger, I hope." I folded my arms across my chest. "She could die."

He swallowed hard and nodded. "She is willing to risk everything as we both did during the war." Victus mirrored my stance. "I was a bystander during your speech to the Science Council. I was furious when Frankenberg refused to enter the war."

"I don't remember seeing you there."

"I was there." He dropped his arms. "When Underborn was looking for a solution to the hostage crisis, I gave him valuable information and helped him free the students." Victus sighed. "I know this will sound like more bragging, Justin, but I played a major role in the Science Academy forces coming to your aid at the last battle. I'm just as firmly committed now as I was then."

I hadn't spoken to Underborn since the last battle, but I planned to ask him if what Victus told me was true. Until then, I needed to concentrate on this battle. "I'm glad." I nodded toward the levitator. "I need to get my people ready."

"Of course." He stepped back. "Best of luck, Justin."

"Same to you." I took the levitator down to the armory level just in time to meet my team returning with brooms and armor.

Mom handed me my armor and broom. "I assumed you might be a while with Evan and Victus so eager to speak with you."

"As usual, you were right." I lifted my shirt and fastened the strip of cloth around my waist, then pinched the hems and tugged on them until the armor grew to cover my body beneath my clothes.

"Whatever happened to Lanaeia?" Ivy asked. "She was a Skywraith too."

"She went with Ketiss to Pjurna," Nightliss said.

Mom nodded. "We're all that's left of the originals. I hope the Arcanes Justin asked for can perform."

I grunted. "Delectra will join us as well."

Ivy made a face. "Eww. She's a bitch."

Mom groaned. "Dear, I would really appreciate it if you'd wait a decade before cursing like that."

Ivy shrugged. "The truth's the truth, Mom."

"They grow up so fast," Nightliss mused.

"I might be a kid, but I've been in more battles than most adults," Ivy said. "I should be allowed to smoke, drink, and vote too."

Mom looked ready to cry.

"Voting, totally," I said. "Just please don't ever smoke. It's gross."

Ivy nodded. "I totes agree." She hugged Mom. "It's okay, Mommy. I'll always be your little girl."

With a great look of relief, Mom kissed the top of her daughter's head, completely missing the mischievous grin Ivy directed toward me.

I chuckled. Ivy might be a little messed up in the head, but she was still a good kid.

We piled into the levitator and took it up to the main hangar. The place was already empty of other troops. Our new squad mates, eager smiles on their faces, stood near the portal along with someone I didn't recognize. Delectra stood apart from the others, wrapping her long black hair into a tight bun.

The person I didn't know, a woman with a jagged scar running from her forehead to her upper lip approached me and held out her hand. "Hello Justin, I'm Pri."

"This is awesome, Justin," Boris said. "We thought it'd be okay if we asked another expert flier to join us."

"Nice to meet you," I said to Pri, trying hard not to notice the scar and failing. Even with the scar, she was an attractive woman. "Did you get that during the war?" I asked.

"She got it saving me," said Tasha. "You can count on her in battle."

Pixie waved. "It's an honor to be a part of the skywraiths." She giggled. "I can't believe it's really happening!"

Pri chuckled. "We've all competed in boomstick racing or at the Arcane Tourney, so we know each other as opponents, colleagues, and after the war, as friends. All we could talk about after the war was how amazing the Skywraiths were."

"Well, we're glad to have you with us," Ivy said. "Blasting baddies from a boomstick is my specialty."

"This banter is a waste of time," Delectra said. "I suggest we—"

I marched right up to her and got in her face. "Getting to know the people you're about to enter a battle with is not a waste of time." I narrowed my eyes. "If that's what you think, then maybe you need to stop wasting our time and leave."

Her eyes flared, and for a moment, I glimpsed something far more vulnerable than the ice queen. This close to her, the unmistakable odor of brimstone prickled my nose.

Her eyes blinked rapidly and she backed up a step. "Please, no—" She shook her head, and the cold façade slammed back into place. "I will do as you ask."

I switched to demon vision and looked at her aura. Though it wasn't the brightest I'd ever seen, it bore a slight yellowish tint. She didn't seem to be possessed.

I returned to the subject at hand. "Please introduce yourself to the others."

Her chin rose a notch as she faced the group. "I am Delectra Moore, wife of Victus Edison."

The others waved and said, "Hello, Delectra."

I caught an approving look from Mom and repressed a smug smile.
Delectra is going to follow orders or I'll send her packing.

"I'm Alysea," Mom said.

My sister jabbed a thumb to her chest. "And I'm Ivy! Great to meet you."

"Great to meet you too," Pri said.

The others echoed her reply.

I turned to the portal scheduler. "Templar, please schedule an omniarch portal for Queens Gate."

He saluted and made a phone call. A moment later, a portal to the Queens Gate way station opened and I led the group through it. Once everyone was in the room, I closed the portal and opened one straight to the large grassy meadow behind Arcane University, and led everyone through. Since we'd need to return soon, I left the portal open.

I turned to the Arcanes. "We use several squadron formations, depending on our attack pattern." I demonstrated the signs for each formation, and described them. "Let's hover in place and practice."

Delectra sighed.

I ignored her passive-aggressive outburst and climbed onto the broom. It took a few seconds to reacquaint myself with the controls, and Nightliss actually rolled over once before regaining control. The Arcanes had no issues at all.

I held up two fingers, and we shifted into a V formation with me at the lead. I twirled the two fingers in a circle and we spread out into a reverse V. Nightliss and Mom took a bit longer to get into position, while the Arcanes and Ivy easily glided into place. I went through the other formations, each one going more smoothly than the last, then said, "Let's practice staying in formation while moving."

Delectra grimaced, but said nothing.

We swooped over the Dark Forest, and looped around Colossus Stadium while switching through formations. The stadium still looked like a warzone from a previous battle against Daelissa's forces. Boulders from destroyed goliaths littered the ground, and parts of the seating areas lay in ruins. I decided to have our people do target practice on the boulders below.

"Just tag the targets with light," I said. "Conserve your strength for the battle."

Delectra's first attack annihilated a boulder, turning it to dust.

My hand tightened on the boomstick handle, but I held my tongue. After an hour of practice, I felt we were good enough to report for duty, and called Thomas.