Page 66 of Wicked Savior
EVREN
When General Ishkova knocks on the door early the next morning, Lucifer speaks to him quietly for a few seconds, then swears loudly. A wry smile appears on his lips. “Ishkova reminded me that tonight’s the Celebrationem Peccari, or the celebration of sin. It’s the annual anniversary of the night the seven princes of hell founded the Houses of Sin. The princes needed a way to build their power base, so they created a house that most reflected one of their seven sins—sloth, pride, envy, anger, greed, gluttony, and lust.”
He runs a hand through his hair. “I’ve got a million things to do for tonight. We need a new beast for the portal. Ishkova is going to lead that effort. Once it’s in the arena, they’ll run a few practice drills. Do you want to come with me or watch the practice?”
“Do you think Ishkova can capture three beasts?” I ask him, my mind flipping to the problem with our current plan.
He grins. “It’s doable, although we might have a pissed off general on our hands later.”
“Good. I might have an idea on how to distract the beasts so the flyers can enter, but I need to build and test it out,” I inform him. “Should I meet you here later?”
“If you’re ready, I’ll take you now, then ask Cormal to escort you from the lab to the arena,” he offers, holding out his arms.
Waving a quick hand over my body, I clean and dress in seconds, then walk up and loop my arms around him. “Let’s go.”
Once in the lab, I start stripping down a few of the machines to find the parts to make a launcher big enough to hold three of the small canisters. It takes a couple of hours to get the mechanism right and strong enough to hold the three. When it’s done, I lay the short round barrel weapon on the counter and reach for one of the mini canisters.
Removing the power I added yesterday, I absorb it into my body. Then I do the same with the other two. I pull open a drawer and grab the supplies I need. Sitting down on a nearby stool, I prop my elbow on the counter and slide the needle into my vein. The plastic bag begins to fill with my blood.
Once the bag is full, I carefully fill each canister with a third of the bag. After each one has the desired amount, I burn the bag to prevent my blood from being used by anyone else.
With the open end of the barrel pointing up, I carefully load each canister into it and flip the lever to hold them inside. With several towels in hand, I pack it in a crate to take it with us.
“Did you build a gun?” Cormal murmurs quietly beside me.
My eyes dart to him. “It’s a good thing your power always precedes you, or I’d probably accidentally stab you with my knife. I built a launcher for the small canisters.”
“A gun,” he confirms with a wide smile.
I glare at him. “Guns are weapons. This will only launch objects. It cannot be used to kill anyone.” My irritated tone finally gets through to him. “Are we going?”
He holds up his hands. “Do you want to carry the launcher or should I?”
I ease the crate on its side and grasp the handle. “I’ll do it.”
He takes my elbow, and we shimmer directly into the arena.
When Ishkova sees me, he glowers at me.
I wave him and the others over to the bleachers. Ishkova practically stomps toward me, but the others approach a little more cautiously. When they get close, I lay the crate on the ground and open it.
Valerian darts a glance at Daire. Rivan says nothing, but a smile hovers at the edge of his pouty lips. Zephyra looks confused. Ishkova’s jaw slackens.
I pick it up and point the barrel over their heads to the top of the arena. “With this launcher, we can open the portal and shoot the canisters into the center of the ceiling where they will explode and rain blood down on the beasts in the middle. According to Cormal, they love my blood. Let’s see what happens when it covers their own brethren.”
I eye the general, who’s still looking stiff. “Thank you for getting the extra beasts. I know it wasn’t easy, but if this works, we will have what we need to safely get the flyers inside the portal.”
His eyes dart to his fellow flyers. “It’s worth a shot.” He moves to the center of the arena and transforms into his wyvern. Flying to the left of the circle, he stops. “With only two beasts, we need to get them in the center.”
I put the stock up to my shoulder and push my power into the chamber I designed for it. It loads smoothly, and I give the flyers a thumb’s up.
“Release two of the beasts!” Ishkova yells.
Daire and Valerian flip the latches holding the beasts in two of the iron cages.
Charging through the gate, they look around and sniff. Ishkova whistles at them, and they immediately shuffle to the center.
They circle Ishkova from below, stalking his every move.
