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Castiel
Light pools in from the hallways as Gerard and two of his men storm into the same room where I have spent the last five years of my agonizing existence. I briefly acknowledge his presence, slanting my eyes slightly as I gaze up at him. His red hair seems as if it hasn’t seen a comb in days. Though he’s presentable to a degree, dressed finely in an expensive suit, the dark circles around his eyes reveal sleepless nights and a deep level of concern that prevents him from making peace with the demons that haunt him.
“Seldom do I find myself in such predicaments, Castiel. Rarer still are the times when I’m outsmarted by a being bred and created for such a specific purpose as Tiger was. However, I’m not only sure he has had help, but am certain that my past is finally catching up with me.”
“Did you honestly believe it never would?” I snort. Though I am aware that this momentary show of defiance, as small as it is, will cost me later, I’m in too much blinding pain to care. How much more can he put me through?
“Are you mocking me?” There’s venom in his eyes. He’s a poison, himself. Toxicity pours through his veins.
“Not in the least. But I believe there is a lesson to be learned here, Gerard. Things are bound to go sour when you deal with such powerful forces. Tiger is and will always be your one true weakness. Your greed has become your obsession and this will cost you if you continue down this path.”
He spears me with a glare. “What are you really saying?”
“I cannot be any clearer.”
Rage contorts Gerard’s features. “Is he my end, then?”
Two men carrying semi-automatic rifles step on either side of me. I pay them no mind. They are nothing but nuisances to me. Mere cattle to feast on, if it were not for the device I’m connected to, which sucks up my blood every day, and with it, my strength.
“He is a means to an end,” I clarify.
The warning does not faze the man at all. In his self-righteous mind, he has already won, even if Tiger is yet to be caught.
Gerard scratches the slight stubble on his chin. “His insubordination will cost him greatly when I find him. Because make no mistake, Castiel, I will find him.”
Gerard is sparing no expense and has even expanded his resources to ensure Tiger is found as soon as possible, but so far he and the girl have eluded capture.
“And what will you do afterward? He has had a taste of freedom. He knows this world has something else to offer, other than living his immortal days stuck in a twenty-by-twenty room where he is forced to do nothing but stare at the reflection gaping at him through the glass. He is young, restless. Do you honestly believe you will be able to contain him from this day forth? Do you think he will follow rules? Do as you command?”
“He will have no choice.” His thin lips pull up into a sadistic smile. “I’m sure you are aware of the girl he’s with. You have made no mention of her but I’m no idiot, Castiel. You have seen her. Or are you going to deny it?”
“I will not,” I say with a sigh of resignation.
“Though I’m unsure as to where they are going or why, it matters very little. I will uncover their intent soon enough.” The look of triumph on his face says he knows something I have not foreseen.
“This girl’s grandmother is the one responsible for the movement that’s leading the Survivors against me.” He stands up straight with his hands hidden behind him. “Surely you’ve heard of them—the Legion, I believe they are being called now. Those who have escaped my grasp.”
Gerard gazes out to the hallway, signaling with a dip of his head for a guard to enter the room. A third man storms inside, dragging a bleeding, half-dead man of advanced age. I fail to recognize the individual right away, but instincts tell me his presence is somehow important.
“In the past three days, I’ve managed to successfully track down and get rid of half a dozen Legion members and two of my crew are hard on the trail of another handful. I should have done this years before, but it hardly matters as long as I take action as quickly as possible. They aim to destroy what I have worked so hard to accomplish so it is in my best interest to ensure my legacy. It’s nothing personal, really.” Gerard saunters over to where the guard dropped the old man and places his right foot on his chest. “Look at this sad, pathetic old fool, thinking he could join forces with the leader of the Legion and not get caught. Wyatt used to be on my payroll years ago. He left the company without notice and vanished into thin air. Much later, I came to find out he had been harboring Survivors, taking them to safety. You and I know, Castiel, that I hate betrayal more than anything in this world.”
The older gentleman referred to as Wyatt opens his eyes and turns his head to the left so he can gaze directly at me. My memory of him is vague at best.
“The leader escaped, but it’s only a matter of time before my men catch up to her. And once I have her in my hands, finding her granddaughter will be one easy task.”
This is an unprecedented event, something I did not see coming. My visions failed to show me how close Gerard has come to unraveling the Legion’s leadership.
“As you can clearly see, I don’t need to know where Tiger and his little helper are heading. I’m one leader away from getting my answers.”
For the first time since Tiger escaped, I’m beginning to wonder whether or not he will make it to Nyall, as I encouraged him to do. Gerard is far more astute than I gave him credit for.
Time is running out on Tiger and the girl.