(eng) M. R. Forbes - The Divine 07 by Extinction

Author:Extinction [Extinction]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Nine

"Landon," Alichino said as Obi and I made our way into the control room of the underground lair. "Where have you been?"

The room was filled with former slaves of Espanto, Turned men and women who had chosen to remain with Alyx when she took control of the place. They monitored different data sources, tapping into phone calls, hacking computer systems, and otherwise working almost nonstop to keep the information flowing.

That was the true currency for the Divine on Earth. The difference between being master or slave. How much more you knew than anyone else, and what you could do with that knowledge. Espanto had gained the position he did more because of his ability to capture and parse information than anything else.

Of course, having Alyx to do his dirty work hadn't hurt.

"Heaven," I replied. "Have you heard from Dante recently?"

The demon ignored the first part as if I went to Heaven every day. "Yeah, he's been stopping by every few hours to see if you're back. I forgot where you told me you went last time I talked to you, but he knew. He made me write it all down." He took a piece of paper from his pocket and scanned it. "Oh yeah, now I remember. He sent you to find a way to Heaven. I guess you did?"

"I did."

"He'll be happy to hear that. We've got trouble, Landon. Big trouble."

I already knew that. Just because I had the sword didn't mean we were on the verge of victory. Far from it.

"Sarah?"

"Among other things."

"I felt the balance shift."

"Yeah. You need to see this."

He wandered over to one of the workstations. The Turned woman in front of it swiveled her chair to face us. She was young and attractive. All of Espanto's former servants were.

"Show him what you showed me," the demon said.

"Yes, my Lord," the woman said.

I glared at Alichino, whose leathery snout flushed. "I didn't tell her to call me that," he complained. "Did I?"

"You suggested that when Mistress Alyx is not present, we should refer to you as-"

"Well, it doesn't matter, does it?" Alichino said, interrupting nervously.

I continued staring at him. All of the Turned here had been abused by Espanto in one way or another, and subservient monikers weren't going to help them get past it. Alichino could be helpful most of the time, but he was still a demon.

"Fine," he said. "I just wanted to know what it was like for someone to call me Master."

"Now you know," I said. "If I hear someone call you that again-"

"Okay, okay. I get it. No need to get huffy about it." He pointed at the screen. "Let's stay focused, huh?"

I looked over at the screen. There were two satellite images displaying on it, side by side. The left side showed what looked like an old military bunker somewhere in the middle of a forest. The right side showed the same bunker, but the forest looked as if it had been burned away from it.

"I take it that isn't from a forest fire?"

"It's what's left of a demon army," he said.

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