Chapter Twenty
Quintus’s heart hammered in his chest as he heard Allison call out to him about the Glycon. From the moment he’d stepped in the room, he’d known there was one of those creatures there with him.
It was being cautious, careful. Moving in the shadows, slightly different from the others his friends were fighting. He wasn’t about to underestimate it.
Quintus turned to follow the sound of her voice when the hulking Glycon jumped down from a machine near the wall.
This one wasn’t just savvy, but also larger than any of the others he’d seen. Its body was nearly double the size of his own massive form.
A high-pitched wail ripped through the air in the back of the room as Agatha screamed out. He could only hope that it meant Allison had escaped her.
Quintus jumped on top of a nearby machine and leapt to another to try and get around the Glycon. His number one mission was to get Allison and keep her safe.
A tight grip landed on his foot, and he immediately found himself being yanked out of the air and slammed down against the ground.
For a moment, he saw stars from the strength of the blow.
Another scream came from Agatha, and he knew that if he didn’t hurry, things would not end well.
The powerful Glycon stared down at him. “You fight Thrax. You not run.”
Quintus stood and stared at Thrax. He had heard some of the Glycons could speak, but this went beyond basic words. This creature was thinking. It was acting on its own and not out of pure bloodlust.
Still processing what was happening, Quintus missed the quick movement from the creature. A hard punch landed on his already broken ribs.
He gritted his teeth through the pain as he skidded across the floor from the impact. A fiery pain radiated out from his chest.
It hurt like hell, and he was sure now at least a few of the bones were broken, but he’d seen worse.
This time he sprung from the floor, managing to knock the Glycon’s feet out from under him. Once the creature hit the floor, Quintus jumped on his chest, slamming his fist into the side of his head.
As if Quintus were a rag doll, the Glycon tossed him to the side.
This time the hybrid shot to his feet. His focus and adrenaline allowed him to ignore the growing pain for the moment.
They circled one another, waiting for the other to slip up. Allow an opportunity to break in.
This guy was too big though. Even if Quintus did get a chance, he might have a moment to land a hit, but the impact just wouldn’t be enough.
He needed more. To win, he needed an edge over the creature.
With all his strength, he leapt against the side of a nearby machine and used it as a spring board to launch himself at the Glycon.
Quintus slammed hard into Thrax’s side, knocking his head hard against the pipes.
The Glycon remained standing, but Quintus had heard the loud ping from the pipes. The force might have been just enough to throw the enemy off balance.
Again Quintus sprinted forward and snapped his leg up to land a solid kick to the Glycon’s head.
Thrax shook his head several times now, apparently trying to regain some sort of balance but failing to do so as he staggered around.
Nearby Quintus could hear Agatha calling out and knew that he couldn’t afford to waste more time.
He leapt to the nearest machine and looked around the room. He could just make out the blond hair of Agatha as she moved around the corner.
“Fight Thrax,” the Glycon shouted to him.
He could see that the creature was still dazed by the blows but wouldn’t be for much longer.
Quintus ignored the call to finish and made his way to the only thing that mattered at that moment.
Allison.
* * *
Ms. Anderson’s sharp heels clacked outside the hole as Allison held her breath, hoping that the smell of the coal would be enough.
She peeked through the hole as the crazed woman moved by. Only her shoes were visible.
A small patter of something hit the floor as she walked. It took her a moment to realize that it was blood.
Allison fist bumped herself for effectively nailing the other woman.
As the footsteps moved away, she let out a small sigh of relief. Now she just had to make it until Quintus could find her. She wasn’t quite sure how that was going to happen being covered in soot, but it was better than the alternative.
“Oops,” Ms. Anderson called out. “It looks like I may have turned on the machines. It’s amazing that so many of them still work.”
Suddenly, the very floor under Allison’s feet began to shake and rumble as the old mill sprang to life.
She stared at the soot around her, and the danger all came crashing down around her in the worst way. Likely her hiding spot was about to get a whole lot hotter from the looks of things.
Allison pulled herself back through the hole, not nearly as quiet as she had been climbing down, but with the rumble of the machines, she was masked enough. Or at least she hoped.
She looked around and was glad to not find Ms. Anderson waiting like she’d expected. Staying low, she moved between the machines, careful to watch for her stalker around every corner.
Something thumped behind her, and she nearly screamed as a hand landed on her shoulder.
“It’s me,” Quintus whispered.
Tears welled in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around him.
“I’ve got you,” he said into her ear.
“Well, isn’t this sweet,” Ms. Anderson called from nearby.
“Agatha,” he nearly shouted.
Quintus pressed her back against the machine. He stood directly in front of her as he faced off against Agatha.
“Such a sweet reunion,” the red-eyed woman mocked. Allison looked around his large form to where the other woman stood. “Too bad it has to end.”
Suddenly Quintus was on the ground, grappling with the large Glycon.
The massive creature fought with a fury it hadn’t before. Quintus groaned as a fist slammed into his side.
“Coward,” the Glycon spit out.
Never in his life did Quintus think he’d hear a Glycon use the word coward.
“I will take her,” the Glycon grunted.
Quintus looked over to where Allison stood against the wall, her face on his as Agatha made her way slowly over. Likely enjoying the show.
“Like hell you will,” he grunted.
He boosted his feet up and flipped the heavy Glycon over his head and onto its back. It landed with a howl on the pipes.
Quintus leapt up and grabbed the nearest pipe. With all his strength, he pulled it loose and slammed Agatha’s arm. The scream she let out made his ears ring.
The arm hung at an off angle, and there was no question that he’d broken it.
Quintus once again placed himself between Allison and the enemy, willing to do whatever he needed to keep her safe.
At the other end of the room, the door slammed open. Vitus and Atticus rushed in, followed by Nero and Rem.
“They ran,” Vitus shouted out. “Your fucking dogs just ran.”
Quintus watched the anger that filled the face of the large Glycon.
“Let’s go,” Agatha said to Thrax.
The Glycon looked as if he wanted to argue for a moment.
Agatha gestured with a casualness that didn’t match the obvious pain shown on her contorted face. “They’ve won, but this isn’t the prize we seek. They aren’t important. Remember the stone.”
Thrax snorted loudly as he picked up Agatha in his arms just as the other hybrids came to stand beside Quintus.
“You should have taken the deal, Rem,” Agatha called out to their leader with a smile, blood dripping down her face as she spoke. “You’ll regret it.”
Rem crossed his arms over his chest and raised a brow. “You’re not so hot these days, Agatha.”
Her face contorted in rage. “I should turn you all in to the Horatius Group,” she hissed. “They’ll make you suffer before they kill you.”
Quintus let out a growl, as did several of the other hybrids. Rem let out a snort.
“I doubt it,” he said. “Pretty sure they don’t know you’ve taken some of their property. You’re already a screw up. Call the Group, and I’m sure you’re death will be and slow and painful.” He shrugged. “Before they dissect you.”
Agatha gave one last huff before nodding to the open door. “This isn’t the end,” she hissed. “I don’t need the Group to destroy you.”
With a speed Quintus had never seen, the Glycon burst through the door into the midday sun.
“Should we go after them?” Atticus shouted.
Rem shook his head. “We’re in no shape for another battle.”
Atticus frowned. “Speak for yourself,” he mumbled.
Quintus groaned as his body slumped against the hard metal behind him. Dimly he could feel Allison as she passed a hand over his brow.
“You’re burning up,” she whispered.
He smiled as he stared at her mossy green eyes. “You look beautiful,” he mumbled.
Allison frowned down at him. “You nearly died, and that’s what you have to say?”
Quintus tried to laugh, but the world was already collapsing around him. Fighting had drained all his energy.
“Quintus?” she called out to him as he faded into the darkness.