Ley Lines and Rabbit Holes (A Rogue Destiny Novel Book 2) by Paul Tallman

Author:Paul Tallman [Tallman, Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oliver Heber Books
Published: 2024-08-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Down the Rabbit-hole

Ren walked between Addison and MacGregor with his hands tied behind his back, still in the guise of Doggs Borland. The night air was frigid. Crystalized ice hung in the fog under the gas lamps lining the street. The leader of the soldiers, Silium Cinque Niner, led them out onto the dark boulevard in tight lockstep, ready to respond to any threat that might arise. Behind them, Mordecai followed with Tomas at his side. The Grimm Jester floated at their shoulders. Claymore and Dark Angus brought up the rear. The cowboy’s heavy stride echoed off the cobblestones.

Ren’s group was the last to leave the bookseller’s shop. Smaller groups had left before them, spaced apart at fifteen minutes intervals so as not to draw attention to themselves. An armed soldier escorted each group to prevent any further desertions.

Under normal circumstances, self-preservation was paramount to the trickster. In any other situation, he would morph into anything, large or small, that would get him out of this predicament. But as it stood, he could not shape-shift in front of witnesses without ripping his mission apart at the seams.

The group walked along the empty streets past a wide canal. Ren was careful to stay on his feet, despite the occasional shove from behind.

“This is as good a place as any,” Mannford Addison said. “We’ll catch up with you in the subway.” He and MacGregor grabbed Ren by the arms and led him up the incline to the bridge. Mordecai’s group continued on through the dark streets.

Ren watched the rest of the group disappear into the fog. Claymore didn’t glance back. Halfway across the stone bridge, Addison peered over the side. He pushed Ren back against the bridge’s stone railing and raised a revolver to his face. “This is what happens to traitors,” he growled. MacGregor stood behind them, looking up and down the bridge for any possible witnesses to the execution about to take place.

The real Doggs Borland was a great slug of a man, overweight with sloth-like movements. The person currently impersonating Doggs Borland was not. Ren dislocated his thumbs and let the ropes slip from his wrists. He grabbed the gun with both hands, twisting it away from his face. Addison was a big, muscular individual who didn’t expect any resistance from his bound prisoner. Ren disarmed Addison in one fluid movement. He flipped the pistol around and shot Addison in the left boot. The sound echoed into the still night air mixed with Addison’s scream.

Ren spun to the surprised MacGregor and pointed Addison’s gun at him. The man raised his hands. Ren relieved him of his firearm and tossed it into the river. He motioned for MacGregor to stand next to Addison. Ren smiled savagely before giving Addison a hard kick in the chest. The bodyguard flipped backward over the stone parapet of the bridge and landed with a splash in the water below.

“Remove your coat,” Ren instructed. “Along with the shirt, boots, and pants.” MacGregor slumped against the stone support and began undressing as Ren studied his facial details.

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