Night Slayer: Midnight War Page 16

  But first this asshole would have to cross the threshold.

  Blood gushing from the hole the parasite had torn through my body, I staggered to my feet, weapon leveled, and stumbled forward while I kept blasting away at Brogan like a maniac.

  He had almost reached the elevator when Brogan tore the screeching parasite into two bloody, ragged halves. The severed parts of the dead creature hit the hallway’s faded carpet. Brogan stood at the edge at the elevator, eyes squirming with mad rage, his face streaked with blood from the bites of the parasite. At the same time, my sub gun stopped firing, the mag empty now. And there was no time to reload.

  With a primal war cry, I launched myself at the fiend, the twin blades of my gauntlet out. I barreled into Brogan’s shield, which felt like hitting a brick wall. And even though the shell of energy had stopped me cold, Brogan had instinctively backed away from the gore-streaked berserker determined to kill him. He stumbled back and…

  Crossed the elevator’s threshold.

  Gotcha!

  With savage glee, I dove into the elevator after my enemy.

  I arrived inside the Sanctuary’s observation chamber.

  Home sweet home.

  A stunned, incredulous Brogan took in his transformed surroundings, clearly not quite sure what had happened and where he was.

  Behind me, I saw a stunned Keira staring back at me from the hallway before the elevator door transformed into a stained-glass window, reducing her to a frozen, painted image on the sparkling glass.

  I pivoted back to Brogan. He glared at me and lobbed a fearsome ball of energy at me. The impact sent me flying, and I landed right on top of the display stand that held the succubus’ skull. The trophy went flying as I crashed to the ground.

  I tried to get back to my feet, but my muscles refused to respond. There was only so much punishment I could take.

  I was out for the count. Time for Octurna to make her move—but where the hell was the sorceress?

  Brogan stalked toward me, eyes alight with unbridled hatred. He looked insane, his once-handsome face a bloody, ruined mask. One thing was for sure, the professor wouldn’t be seducing young coeds any time soon. He took in his alien surroundings, studied in the wall of stained-glass, the black throne that jutted from the ground like a broken tooth, the displays cases full of ominous monster skulls.

  “Where the fuck am I?”

  Octurna’s icy voice answered from the chamber’s shadows. “This is your last stop on the way to Hell, Brogan. Enjoy the sights while you can.”

  The sorceress’ disembodied presence made Brogan whirl around.

  “Show yourself. You think this smoke and mirror bullshit scares me? Do you know who I am? What I’m capable of?”

  “Of course. You are the first mage to fall in the coming war. Your head will make a lovely addition to my collection.”

  Brogan regarded the skulls and traded a terrified look with me.

  Octurna’s laugh echoed through the shadows. “You wanted to learn magic, master the mysteries of the universe, be part of the coming darkness. Everything comes at a price.”

  “Shut the fuck up!”

  “How many innocents perished in your mad, selfish quest for power? How many will get to live once you’re gone from this world?”

  “You can’t scare me! I serve the Seven!”

  “No, you serve me!”

  Octurna’s voice hummed with fierce intensity. Fuck, a shiver was even spiking up my spine.

  And as if to prove her point, the skin on Brogan’s face and body began to bubble and grow waxy. Horror rippled over his features as they started to melt like a human candle.

  “No, no, no…”

  His heaving voice echoed through the observation chamber as his legs collapsed in a puddle and his torso liquefied into a bloody mess before my eyes. Skin streamed down his face in sheets. He deserved on every level what was happening to him, but I couldn’t help but feel terror as I bore witness to his gruesome fate.

  “Help. Me,” he said in a gurgling voice. To my horror, Brogan was still alive, more than half of his body reduced to viscous, sticky goo. Octurna’s fearsome magic was drawing out the fiend’s exit from this planet.

  “You are the first of my enemies to fall, Brogan,” Octurna said. “Your dark masters and their monstrous servants will soon follow.”

  “They will…destroy…,” he stammered weakly. The words died on his lips as his mouth collapsed like a block of melting cheese.

  Octurna peeled from the shadows. She stood like an avenging angel of death over the expanding puddle of red at her feet. Her beautiful face severe, her jet-black hair framing her features like a dark halo, red dress billowing seductively around her tall frame. I saw the delicate network of her tattoos ignite as she absorbed Brogan’s magical energy. There was something both chilling and seductive about the joy she took in vanquishing her enemy.

  Our gazes met across the chamber, and a smile lit up those mysterious, otherworldly features. The sorceress offered me her hand and lifted me back to my feet. The wound in my chest closed and my tats shimmered as Octurna shared some of her newly absorbed power with me. My strength returned.

  Octurna leaned closer, and before I knew what was happening, she planted a quick kiss on my cheek. “You did well, Slayer.”

  She turned back to the puddle of melted flesh and bone and held up her hand. The puddle stirred, and a round object shot from remains and landed in the palm of her right hand. She proudly held the blood-covered object up at me. It was Brogan’s skull, the last bits of melted skin evaporating from the bone in a scarlet puff. With an air of grave ceremony, she placed our dead enemy’s skull on the nearest display case, adding Brogan to her rapidly expanding macabre collection.

  “At this rate, you may need a bigger trophy room,” I deadpanned.

  A devilish grin flickered over her stunning features. “I certainly hope so.”

  I smiled despite myself. The sorceress was a piece of work. But so was I.

  I walked up to the stained-glass windows, watched as the colored glass became glimpses of reality as I drew closer. I searched the tapestry of windows, looking for the woman I left behind on Earth. I spotted Keira within seconds. She was inside the elevator. It had long ceased to be a doorway to another world. Incomprehension and concern filled her face. I wanted to tell her she shouldn’t worry, that everything was okay.

  Octurna appeared next to me. “She made an impression on both of us. Brave, beautiful and smart. Plus, her ties to the press could prove useful. Why don’t you go to her now?”

  I held Octurna’s gaze, surprised by her generous gesture. I cherished the moments I’d shared with Keira, but every time I looked at Octurna, I couldn’t help but think about our first heated encounter. Would there ever be a repeat performance? Did I even want one, knowing what I did about the ageless, bloodthirsty warrior-queen beside me?

  Hell if I know.

  “Okay,” I finally said. “And…thanks.”

  The window showing Keira expanded, turning into a doorway to Earth.

  “Go. Spent the night in her warm embrace. Tomorrow we continue your training.”

  I nodded, knowing that many challenges lay ahead. My gaze lingered on Octurna, and I took a step toward her, emboldened by her earlier kiss. Recognizing the desire in my eyes, she shook her head and placed a hand on my chest, gently pushing me away.

  I pulled back, disappointed. The sorceress regarded me, her features turning severe.

  “Believe me, Jason, we make better partners than lovers.

  I sighed. “I know.”

  Was I being honest with myself? Not according to the lingering memory of our first—and only—time together.

  I took a step toward the window. Toward a woman who was brave and kind, and a hell of a good shot. Keira was nothing like Octurna. But maybe that’s exactly what I needed right now.

  “Hey, whatever happens in the next few hours, don’t spy on us,” I said.

  “You ask a
lot, Slayer.” Octurna said with a playful twinkle in her eye.

  I smiled back at her.

  I stepped through the window and appeared in the apartment hallway. Keira had almost reached her door, her back turned to me. I stole a final glance at the elevator where Octurna stood. There was a trace of longing in those beautiful eyes. It struck me how incredibly lonely Octurna must be. I felt torn. Part of me wanted to return to the Sanctuary. But she’d made it clear that I wouldn’t be welcome in her bed, in her heart.

  At least not yet.

  And then the elevator door closed, erasing the sorceress from view. Up ahead, Keira responded to the sound, her eyes going wide when she spotted me. She rushed toward me, face glowing with relief. The feel of her arms around me pushed all other thoughts aside.

  I scooped Keira into my arms.

  I was no fool. Life would not be the same after what had happened in Malibu. I had fired the first shot in a new war. Dark days lay ahead, but tonight I would cast all fears of the uncertain future aside and remind myself why men fight wars in the first place.

  The world was a beautiful place. It was worth dying for—but it was worth living for, too.

  And with this thought, I crossed the threshold of Keira’s apartment, lost in her warm embrace.

  THE END

  Jason Night will return soon.

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  Also by WILLIAM MASSA

  THE SHADOW DETECTIVE SERIES

  Cursed City

  Soul Catcher

  Blood Rain

  Demon Dawn

  Skull Master

  Ghoul Night

  Witch Wars

  Crimson Circle

  Hell Breaker

  THE OCCULT ASSASSIN SERIES

  Damnation Code

  Apocalypse Soldier

  Spirit Breaker

  Soul Jacker

  THE GARGOYLE KNIGHT SERIES

  Gargoyle Knight

  Gargoyle Quest

  STAND ALONES

  Fear the Light

  About the Author

  William Massa is a produced screenwriter and bestselling Amazon author. His film credits include Return to House on Haunted Hill and he has sold pitches and scripts to Warner, USA TV, Silver Pictures, Dark Castle, Maverick and Sony.

  William has lived in New York, Florida, Europe and now resides in Venice Beach surrounded by skaters and surfers. He writes science fiction and dark fantasy/urban fantasy horror with an action-adventure flavor.

  Writing can be a solitary pursuit but rewriting can be a group effort. I strive to make each book better than the last and feedback is incredibly helpful. If you have notes, thoughts or comments about this book or want to contact me, feel free to contact me at:

  williammassabooks@gmail.com

  Hope to hear from you soon!