Damn it. Sheathing his sword, he pulled out his alchemical weapon. As he started firing, screams reached him from across the garden, and he hoped that Shadow and Gabe were okay. The distraction cost him. A bullet grazed his arm, searing his skin, and he dived out of the way, rolling behind some bushes before taking aim. The noise would carry across the island. If they didn’t get this finished quickly, the police could turn up, or curious neighbours.
He focussed his mind. Kill, survive, and get out of there.
Gabe killed three men before they even realised that they were in danger. Shadow struck quickly, killing another three. Both used their swords, despite the risk of gunfire. Swords were quieter.
The screams were not.
Gabe grabbed Beneventi, arms wrapped around him, and holding him close to his chest, he soared upwards, leaving Shadow to kill the others. There was little resistance—at least from the group in the cloisters. Despite the fact that six men had already died that day, they clearly were arrogant enough to believe themselves safe. Gunfire, however, was ringing out across the grounds, and there was only a matter of time before they reached the cloisters.
Gabe kept well out of range and hovered above the lagoon.
Beneventi hadn’t said a word after the initial yell of shock. Now he was as stiff as a board, and mute with terror. Gabe gripped him under the armpits like a toddler, and held him at arm’s length. He looked into his eyes, seeing a spark of cunning in them as his terror subsided.
“So,” Gabe said, “you are a descendant of the man who found Belial’s jewels.” He was older than Gabe had first thought. Late sixties, perhaps. Maybe older. But he was tanned and slim, with an air only the very wealthy could cultivate. Arrogant prick. He decided to goad him. “You look smaller than I expected. Insignificant. I can only presume your ancestor was more worthy.”
“You know nothing about me or the power I wield.”
“Not your power. Belial’s. Without him, you would just be a mean little man who likes money. I knew Belial. I imagine he must despair of you. No wonder he brought Jiri in to manage you all.”
“How dare you! We serve him and he pays us well! We do not need Jiri! Besides, Jiri arrived before my time.”
“Yes, so I gather. Your other ancestors must have been weak and pathetic, too.” Beneventi tried to kick Gabe, and swung his arms wildly, but his kicks were weak, and Gabe crushed his ribs even tighter. “Like I said. Weak.”
“Even now my men are searching for your friends. You need to leave us alone, or they will die.”
Gabe smiled. “I don’t think you’ve done your homework, little man. My friends are Nephilim and witches. Powerful witches. Oh, and maybe an alchemist too, for good measure. You have no sway with me.”
“Even if he sends Jiri after you?” Beneventi’s eyes narrowed with cunning. “With Belial’s jewels, he is unstoppable.”
“You forget that I have his jewels, too. That’s how Belial knows of us. It didn’t save Amato, did it?”
“Amato was one of the most faithful. Belial is displeased.”
“I couldn’t give a shit. I hope he’s fucking furious.” Gabe adjusted his grip as if he might loosen Beneventi, and he gasped, clutching Gabe’s arms.
“We can come to an agreement. We have money—a lot of money!”
“So do I. I don’t need his money or influence. You see, many Nephilim, me and my brothers included, cast off the influence of our angel fathers millennia ago. I will not be yoked again. Now, where is Jiri?”
“You may as well kill me. I’ll tell you nothing!”
“Oh, I’ll kill you, there’s no fear of that. The question is, will I kill you swiftly or slowly? It’s your choice.” Gabe had no intention of torturing him; it was abhorrent. Killing was brutal enough, but he didn’t have to tell Beneventi that. Gabe squeezed the man’s ribs even tighter, and discomfort flashed across his face.
He continued to plead, trying to catch his breath. “You don’t understand, which surprises me. You are a Nephilim, with angel blood coursing through your veins. How can you settle for so little?”
“So little? You have no idea how I live. Instead, you listen to Belial’s whispers. His jibes and taunts, and you think you know so much. But you are the one who knows so little.”
“This world,” Beneventi said, spitting saliva with frustration and pain, “is corrupt. We are cleansing it of the unbelievers.”
“You are the corrupt one, you fool! Belial is the Angel of Death and Destruction. He didn’t pick and choose his victims. He was indiscriminate, and so are you. You spread his jewels and his influence, causing arguments, violence, and confusion all around. But I care not to debate with a madman. Tell me where Jiri is.”
“He has a stronghold that you will not penetrate.”
“I’ve destroyed a Cathar castle. I can handle Jiri, and even his few supporters.”
“I hardly call twenty of the House of Belial few. They are the equivalent of a hundred.”
Twenty? So many? Or was he bluffing? Or even under-reporting? Twenty Nephilim could easily overpower his two brothers in Cornwall, and maybe even the witches in White Haven. And the Moonfell witches, too. His human friends would stand no chance.
“Where is he?”
“You will never find him. He will find you when you least expect it. When we have Belial’s horn, then the world will quake.”
“His horn?” Gabe feigned ignorance. “That is dust now. It will never be found. You’re pinning your hopes on a dream.”
“It’s here. Belial knows it wasn’t destroyed, and my ancestor had it for one moment before it was lost. It’s just a matter of time before we possess it.”
Beneventi’s bluster and arrogance had returned. Gabe flipped him upside down, ignoring his screams, and took a moment to check his house. A sudden explosion ripped out half the building, and another blast destroyed the statue. Gabe winced. He had intended to read the plinth first. He hoped Shadow had thought to do so, too.
The bright plume of flames illuminated Gabe and Beneventi, and out of seemingly nowhere, a bolt from a crossbow whizzed past him. Gabe dived further over the lagoon, and Beneventi smacked into the water before he lifted him up again. Gabe scoured the sky, but there was no sign of a Nephilim. There must be a soldier on the ground that his team hadn’t found yet. Already, he could see lights and sirens on the island from whatever small police force there was, and boats were mobilising in Venice. They had to leave.
Beneventi was screaming and flailing again. Gabe dipped lower, immersing him into the water for several long seconds. When he lifted the man clear again, he was spluttering and shivering. “Jiri?”
Beneventi gave Gabe a ragged grin, and open his clenched fist to reveal a ring. A bright light flashed out with a wave of Belial’s power, almost blinding Gabe. He must have been waiting for when he was closer to the ground. Gabe dropped Beneventi in shock, and he plunged into the lagoon once more.
The man’s eyes were glowing now, as Belial awoke within him. Gabe wrestled the alchemical weapon from his pocket and shot him, the weapon virtually eviscerating him. Then Gabe fled to find Shadow and Niel.
Shadow ran into Niel in the depths of the garden, both bloodied and bruised from their fights, and Niel’s hand was pressed to his side, blood pouring from it.
