Finally, I wrote chapte seven! Took me a while to write it...dunno why, it's not that long. You might be happy to know that this is the last chapter before we finally get back to Lux and Kitty, and the Flock, and start figuring out all the random mysteries! Yippee! So, here it is, enjoy!
Chapter Seven
Annaira gasped as she opened her eyes, struggling to remain conscious. Her eyes danced frantically around her in an attempt to find Noxnoctis. A thick wall of heavy shadows pressed in around her, obscuring her view. Only a small trace of her own silver essence floated within the in-between world.
Slowly she fought off the fog that had tangled in her mind, breaking free from the shadows that were suffocating her body. Taking a deep breath of dark air, she scanned the infinite span of shadows again. There was still no sign of Noxnoctis.
"Nox!" She called out with her soul. "Nox, where are you?"
A soft pulse emanated to her left. Her silver wisps, which had been lazily floating around, began to slowly drift towards the area. Annaira desperately tried to keep them there, searching, but the pulse had faded away.
"Nox, I need you to stay here. Try to call out again."
A moment later, the pulse came again, vibrating the shadows. The silver wisps gathered, surging forward. After a moment of feeling nothing, another consciousness brushed against her being. Annaira held it there, brow furrowing in concentration. Linking herself to Nox's presence, she managed to wheeze out their destination.
The white void came slowly, battling off the shadows that threatened to engulf it. Annaira barely managed to push herself forward towards it. With a surge of strength and determination, she flung herself through the void, Noxnoctis' being trailing close behind.
Minutes later, Annaira's still chest heaved with a spluttering breath. A series of coughs forced her to roll to her side as her body forced out the constricting shadows. Suddenly her entire being went rigid, relaxing slowly as the shadows left her.
Her breathing returned to normal after one last spluttering breath. Opening her eyes, she blinked as a white wall came into view, bright light glaring against it. White and grey linoleum felt cool against her fingers. Down the long hallway she could hear the hum of computers, along with muffled voices. She was definitely at the Institute.
Where's Nox?
Blinking again, she rolled onto her side. The bright light from the ceiling was suddenly obscured as a figure came into view. It took a moment before she could focus on the figure. A sigh escaped her lips as she realized who it was.
"Nox," She breathed out.
Noxnoctis was crouching at her side, dark and menacing as ever. His deep eyes were hard, face set into a scowl. Between his elegant fingers he held a mass of shadows. They tugged and writhed in his grasp, but he held them firmly.
"They followed us out. Tried to escape into you when the light hit them." His voice was low and cool.
Annaira nodded in recognition as she sat up. A dull headache reminded her of the shadow's presence, but she pushed it from her feeling. Her body ached with the strain of the transportation. Inwardly she groaned, cursing herself. Transporting two people was hard enough, but doing it with someone as emotionally heavy as Nox had been was suicide.
"Are you okay?" He only asked out of necessity, for his voice was cold as ever.
Again Annaira nodded.
"Good. We should move ahead now. I can hear Batchelder's sorry voice," Noxnoctis sneered.
Annaira blinked one last time, pushing herself into a standing position. Consciously she straightened her skirt and tugged her corset into place, running a hand through her long hair.
After taking a sigh, she said, "Let's go."
As she began to walk forward, Noxnoctis slowly stood. With a flick of his fingers he let the captive shadows free from his grasp. Another flick and he had directed the shadows safely behind them. They floated for a moment before melding with the other shadows that formed his black wings.
Light smirk flitting onto his face, Noxnoctis moved forward, dark wings drifting eerily behind him.
Jeb stood glaring at the pitiful group surrounding him. As requested, the scientists and Erasers had gathered after fifteen minutes to report back to him. It had taken another twenty before anyone was smart enough to check in Lab X for their absent leader.
The Eraser who had ventured in to look for him had been very surprised. Jeb Batchelder was spread out on the floor of the Holding Room, and the room was completely dark. The Eraser had then proceeded to poke his leader until he awoke. Needless to say, Jeb had not been happy been he finally regained consciousness.
He sneered as his eyes drifted across the unlucky Eraser, who at the moment was holding his injured arm. Jeb let his gaze drift back to the scientist who was timidly giving her status report. Her voice trembling, she concluded her non-informative report.
All was silent as the group waited for Jeb to speak. He let the silence continue, enjoying the nervousness and fear coming from the group. He fixed every one of the workers with a cold gaze, eyes flickering with cruel amusement when one of them flinched.
"Has the Supplier been notified?" He made sure to keep his voice low and harsh.
No one spoke, until an Eraser sighed and stepped forward.
"Sir, Nobs went to send a message earlier."
Jeb let his gaze land on this particular Eraser.
"And was Nobs going to say anything about A?" His voice was cruel and mocking.
The Eraser flinched under his gaze, fidgeting for a moment. He was about to answer when a voice rang from behind the group.
"Nobs did indeed inform me of A's escape." The dark voice sent chills through the groups' bodies, ringing cold and cruel, rivaling even Jeb.
Slowly they all turned, eyes widening slightly at the sight.
Standing ten feet away was a tall, slender man. He could not have been a day over twenty and yet he spoke with such power, held himself with a regal might. His eyes were a deep, rich blue, filled with hard wisdom and cold command. With elegant facial features and flawless skin, his beauty surpassed that of the highest Erasers.
Equally as beautiful was the woman standing at his side. She wielded the same dark might, yet somehow seemed softer. Perhaps it was the fact that, even with high-heels, she only reached the mans shoulders. More likely, it was her eyes. They were wide and perfect in shape, a glimmering swirl of purest silver and grey.
Jeb was left staring only for a moment. The surprise and awe fled from his face, replaced with an irritated look.
"And who exactly are you?"
To his dismay, the man chuckled darkly. Amusement flashed in his eyes. The woman next to him smirked slightly, tilting her head to fix Jeb with a cat-like gaze.
"Why, Jebediah, I know we've never properly met, but surely you realize who I am?" The man too tilted his head.
Jeb let his eyes narrow in suspicion. The man met his own cold gaze with mocking eyes, smirk widening. Jeb was the only one who did not cringe as the smirk grew to reveal a pointed fang.
Breaking eye contact with the stranger, Jeb turned towards his group. He had to clear his throat before anyone tore their gaze from the mysterious strangers.
"Well, that concludes our meeting. I want trackers sent out immediately, round up anything you can find. The Flock can be attended to later. Here I want security tightened, and all computers scanned for intruders. Do I make myself clear?" His group nodded. "You may go."
The group slowly went to their tasks, muttering as they left the hallway. Almost all of them chanced one last look behind them before they rounded the corner, trying one last time to figure out if the man had wings on his back. They certainly appeared to be wings.
Jeb glared as the last Eraser lingered at the corner. When he had disappeared, Jeb turned his attention once more to the strangers. Neither man, or woman, said anything for a long moment.
"Are you not going to invite us to your office?" The man's voice was mocking.
Inside Jeb was furious. How dare this man mock him! Still, he knew he had to comply. Without a word he turned around, marching down the hallway. There was no sound of footsteps following. Turning his head to glance behind, he found that the two were walking steadily. The woman's heels didn't even make a sound.
They continued like that, in utter silence, for quite a time. After traveling further underground, where the lighting was sparse and shadows prevalent, Jeb stopped before a wooden door. He smirked to himself as he slipped an antique key into the brass keyhole, eyes dancing over the dark wood. Surely the two strangers would be in awe of the beautiful door, and even gasp at the study beyond. As he walked through the door and across the small study, he wished that he could see the strangers' faces.
Fortunately he didn't see that the Annaira and Noxnoctis walked through the 'small' doorway without so much as glancing at the door. Noxnoctis almost sneered in disgust at the sight of the study. Small, very light, and quite plain.
Jeb seated himself behind a neat wooden desk, motioning for the others to sit down. With looks of distaste, they settled into the faux-leather armchairs. Still they managed to keep their air of elegance.
"So. Who are you, and what do you want?" Jeb fixed the man, who was clearly in charge, with a hard gaze.
Once more he was disgruntled to find the man smirking, eyes dancing with the cruel amusement.
"Jeb, I really thought you would have figured this out by now. Tsk, tsk, very disappointing."
Jeb's pride flared up inside him, eyes practically flaming with rage. He opened his mouth to speak, but was beaten to it by the man.
"Well, if you don't recognize me, then perhaps my partner will be of more familiarity. She's the inspector often sent to the Higher Living facilities."
Once more Jeb let his eyes narrow as he studied the slight woman. Whenever inspections were done, he usually let his lead scientists give the reports. He himself had only met with the inspector once. She had indeed been a woman, but she had always worn a hooded cloak. The scientists had once told him that her eyes were silver.
His narrowed eyes widened slightly. The inspector was sent, not by the government, or even the Director, but by the most important person to the Higher Living's survival; the Supplier.
Jeb turned his gaze from the woman to the man. He was now leaning back in the chair, legs crossed, gazing unblinkingly at Jeb. His eyes were cold.
"You have some explaining to do, Jebediah."
Jeb found himself flinching at the words. Jeb Batchelder, of the Life Team, Lead Director for the Higher Living, emotionless leader of a horrible attempt to twist life, found himself suddenly afraid under the gaze of the Supplier.
"Sir, I assure you that everything is under control. The experiments will soon be located, they can't have gotten far, and…" Jeb found himself stopping as Noxnoctis leaned forward, gaze silencing him.
"I don't care about the experiments. I don't care, because if they're discovered, then that's your problem. What I care about is the Flock, and Luxlucious." He spoke with a low hiss, so dark that a shudder ran down Jeb's spine. He didn't notice as one of the lights flickered out.
"I realize where your priorities lie, but you must have some care about the other experiments. After all, if they're found, the authorities will be able to trace all our funding back to you." Jeb felt his pride come back for a moment. He was right, after all.
Noxnoctis chuckled darkly.
"No, Jebediah, that will fall squarely on your shoulders. Your are the Head, after all." The amusement faded from his eyes, face suddenly shadowed with seriousness.
"Now, back to my point. The Flock and Luxlucious are, from this moment on, our main concerns. We already know the Flock's potential, and surely by now you've realized Luxlucious' importance," Nox paused only for a moment before continuing, "I know how the Flock managed to escape, considering they always do. What about Luxlucious? How on Earth did you manage to let him escape!"
Noxnoctis was leaning over the desk now, one fist inches from Jeb's hand where it had slammed down. His eyes flickered with fury. This time Jeb took notice as three lights went out, partially shrouding the room in darkness.
"I don't know how it happened…"
"Of course you don't know! But it did happen. That's the problem. He escaped."
Jeb watched in fright as the man paced back and forth before his desk, hands flailing wildly with each word. His eyes were wide, dancing with insanity, and fixed on Jeb.
This guy's a lunatic…
Jeb jumped as Noxnoctis leaned himself over the desk again. This time his arms swept over the surface, knocking everything off it. His face was inches from Jeb's.
"He escaped, and there's no possible way he could have. I put barriers around that cage myself!" Jeb could feel his breath against his face, cold and heavy.
"That was thirteen years ago. Perhaps they've broken…"
"My barriers don't break." Each word came in a growl, his face suddenly turning dark.
Jeb let himself nod. He let himself relax as Noxnoctis pushed himself off the desk, settling back into the armchair. Still, he prepared himself for another outburst.
"Now, what exactly happened before Luxlucious escaped?" Jeb's eyes narrowed slightly at the calmness of his voice. What was this man playing out?
Nevertheless, he recounted what had happened. He spoke of how Luxlucious had known something, of his disrespectful behavior. As he began to tell of the odd light, Nox flinched. When he described how Luxlucious had seemed to change, Nox's eyes widened. Then, very much immersed in his own story, Jeb recounted what Luxlucious had said and the impact it had had on him.
When his story was finished, the room fell silent. Jeb could not see Noxnoctis' expression, for his head was bent. The woman was leaning over the side of her chair, whispering silently in his ear. She jumped back when the man snapped at her, fixing her with a cold stare. Slightly hurt, she settled back into her chair.
Noxnoctis turned the hard gaze slowly to Jeb, glaring at him through half lidded eyes. Slowly he stood, keeping his gaze on Jeb.
"I trust that you're looking for Luxlucious?"
Jeb blinked. "Yes, of course. But how did he escape?"
By now the woman had stood too. Both dark figures were making their way towards the door. Nox stopped in mid step, turning around to answer darkly.
"Luxlucious has power, Jeb, power far surpassing that of the Flock at the moment. How do you think they've attained their power?" Giving him a questioning look, he turned around, reaching for the door.
"Wait!" Jeb stood up behind his desk, expression frantic. His head was swimming with questions he intended to have answered.
Nox stopped, though he did not turn around. "We'll be meeting again soon. We have a new mission, Jeb. A far greater mission."
Before he could protest, both figures had walked gracefully out of the study, closing the door behind them.
Outside of the study, both Annaira and Noxnoctis had stopped. Noxnoctis stood with his head bent, fists clenched at his sides. When Annaira touched his arm, he snapped his head up to look at her.
"Nox, try to calm yourself, okay? I don't want a repeat of the last transport." Her voice was half commanding, half pleading. Her eyes danced with worry.
She grew more and more concerned about him these days. He seemed to be having uncharacteristic outbursts more often each day. Now, with this…
Annaira quickly pushed the thought from her mind. It had to be done. He had to escape. It had to happen, for things to be set right. She had to do it.
"He's awake, Annaira. Do you know what that means?"
She sighed as his eyes grew frantic. "I know. Please, Nox, calm down."
She was relieved as his eyes softened, body relaxing as he shook himself out. Even the shadowy wings on his back seemed to relax. Closing his eyes, he nodded at her. Annaira breathed a sigh of relief as she took his arm, quietly muttering the words of departure.
Still a bit confusing? Anything I need to improve on? Please tell me, even if it's a tiny little thing! I always want to improve my writing...you guys can help!
