Page 57 of Dark Revolution

Chapter 20

Jaxxon

Blind fury drives me forward,Langston lagging behind. I reach out through the bond, but she’s not responding. She’s alive. That much I can ascertain, but nothing beyond that. We shove past people, not caring if we knock them over or not. My mate is in danger, and I will kill anyone that gets in our way.

The gathering hall is deathly silent as we tear through, a solemn hush filling the crowd. In the middle, on a wooden dais, is Gemhardt, his throat slashed and with two puncture wounds to his chest. “Who did this?”

My hoarse whisper is loud in the silence, drawing all eyes on me. “Who do you think? Your stupid omega went outside, and Father went after her. He was mad, muttering about his daughter. If he’s dead, and she’s gone, it doesn’t take much to guess who did it.”

Fury fills me as Caulder’s face flits into my mind. “They will die. All of them. Every last fucking cunt that sits in power will feel my wrath.” The betas and Alphas step back, giving me a wide berth. Most of them look at me, skepticism in their eyes.

“Truly? You refused to fight with us before, and now that your omega is gone -.” I reach out, grabbing the nameless beta by the throat. I’ve heard enough of his heckling to last me several lifetimes.

“Does it matter why the fuck I’m joining?”

“No, my Lord Alpha,” another beta mutters, dropping to his knees. One by one, they all follow suit, betas and Alphas alike kneeling until Langston smirks up at me before kneeling as well.

“Looks like you’re the new Father, Jaxxon. What’s the plan?”

“Bury Gemhardt. We will mourn once Stanlion falls. Right now, I need this place ready for battle.” Without question, everyone moves at once, some taking the fallen body outside while the others pull up tables and organize weapons. I look over them all, shocked by the efficiency. Normally betas are not built for war, but with these by our side, we might actually have a chance.

Pulling down the map of the various sectors, I motion Langston over and point out a few landmarks. “How accurate is this?”

“There are a few things not added. Hidden things that many wouldn’t know about.” He pulls some small sticks over and starts lining them on the parchment. “These are secret entrances. We only know about them because of the Alphas that risked their lives to tell us. A few can get you in anywhere. Their clearances are high enough. Inside Stanlion, count on them to get you into sacred chambers. Trust only the men you see here.”

Rubbing my chin, I pause and stare at Langston. “Are you under the impression that you’re not going to be right by my side? Right now, you’re the only Alpha I trust. Those that you feel like are honest and true, I’ll defer to you, but don’t assume that since I’m now considered in charge that they will blindly follow me. I need you as a buffer. They know you. They trust you.”

He nods and motions over a few of the Alphas directing the betas with the weaponry. “Leon and Altris are the two that I trust with my life. They are High Guardian Alphas, allowed even into the High Echelon rooms. They cannot access the Inner Sanctum or the Antechamber, but they can get you anywhere else. You tell us your plan, and we will make it happen.”

Looking back down at the map, I stare at the rooms and buildings, thoughts and plans circling my brain. Deep in my soul, I can feel Annora. Her emotions are faint, but she’s still there. Taking a cleansing breath, I shut down my side of things, shielding her from what I’m about to do. If I die, I want her last moments to be as peaceful as possible. It’s the least I can do for the other half of my soul, my chosen mate.

* * *

Darkness fallsas True Night descends on Stanlion. Based on the intel I’ve received, the entirety of the High Echelon Alphas are meeting tonight, holding their secret rendezvous where they plan out their strategies and alliances. Creeping through the darkness, we approach the main courtyard, eyes darting back and forth.

I hold up my hand, stopping everyone in their tracks. When I was still a Guardian Alpha, we had this courtyard locked down. The fact that it’s a ghost town gives me pause. Perhaps we’ve been ferreted out? Scenting the air, I detect no one but the army I came with. If they’re holding the door open for us, then they’re more stupid and inbred than I imagined.

Waving my fingers, I listen as the Alphas and betas fan out, just as I instructed. Gemhardt did well training them. I barely had to do any work; they were already primed and ready to go. Several small groups break away, dispersing through the city to rally allies they know are hidden in the houses there. So many betas hate the High Echelon and most of the Guardian Alphas. Hopefully, they’ll jump at the chance to bring them down.

All they had to do was leave me in peace. I just wanted a quiet life with Annora and a brood of children, but no. They did the stupidest thing of all and threatened my mate. The violent end they’ll meet with will still be too merciful. Slinking through the shadows, we get near the doors. I peek inside, seeing one or two Alphas, their backs turned as they play a game involving dice.

The lack of security is sickening, but at least it will make things easier for us. Walking through the doors, I smell danger before I see it. An overwhelming stench of Alphas reaches my nose. “Trap,” I cry out. “Retreat!” But it’s too late. Alphas pour inside, blocking off any possible exit. Pulling out my neuron blaster and Gemhardt’s knife, I turn, going in for the kill.

Annora stirs about some more, our bond rankling with her fear. Though I’m thrilled that she’s awake and alive, the knowledge that she may undergo torture while I’m unable to stop it freezes me to the core. From that fear, an unholy rage fills my body. If Caulder was the one to take her, then I know where they’re at. To get to her, though, I’ll need to cut through this sea of Alphas and defeat the High Echelon.

It’s a daunting task for even a small army, but I don’t have an army. I have me. I’m the only one that can save Annora. Deep in my gut, I know this. If I don’t make it to her in time, we both will die. My vision narrows, zeroing in on the Alphas. Before leaving, I had everyone under my command dress in the same thing: dull, muted colors that will stand out from the shiny, garish uniforms the Guardian Alphas parade in.

That decision pays off. I no longer have to worry about where my knife is going. The contrast is so great that my eyes dance from one victim to the next with hardly a pause. Blood pumps through my veins, and I hack, slash, and blast my way through the Guardians. Howls of pain and screeches of agony reach my ears, but none of it matters. My mind and soul reside in the bond, noting every shift, every flash of pain, every tremor of fear.

For each incident I count, I will revisit on Caulder double until he’s a wriggling mass of flesh, blood, and bone. The betas that fight beside me begin to fall but still manage to hold their own. Finally, a flash of fear sparks in the opposing Alpha’s eyes as they realize we’re not so easily defeated. No doubt their minds couldn’t even fathom the idea of a beta uprise, much less have them be successful. That’s where they fucked up. Never underestimate the underdog. A battle cry rings out from behind them, deep in the courtyard. The Alphas freeze, their eyes widening.

The cavalry. They storm forward, some with weapons, some with tools from their trade, all deadly in their intent. Langston’s arm nudges me, pulling me from my blood rage for a brief moment. With a jerk of his head, he motions behind him, turning my direction to the blood-red steps that lead to the Antechamber. Fitting. Once I’m done, they won’t be able to tell the difference between gore and decor.

Taking the steps two at a time, I drive my knife deep into the gut of the Alpha charging towards me. I don’t even pause. I kick his corpse down the steps and keep going. A faint alarm rings in my ears, and I know I have to hurry. If they make it to their highly guarded Inner Sanctum, I will never get in. Sure, I’ll be able to starve them to death, but that’s not what my beast craves.

As long as Annora isn't locked away with them in there, which if she’s with Caulder, she shouldn’t be, then I’d just have to wait them out. My beast howls in rage in my brain as I even contemplate that course of action. The problem is until I get in there, I won’t know for certain. If High Echelon Alpha Varnack took a fancy to Annora, she could very well be in there with him.

I saw the way he looked at her at the auction - as if he owned her. She never outright said he did anything to her, but I could feel her terror ripple across the bond when I brought him up. It was on par with Caulder, making Varnack the next to the last to die. I want the fear of seeing his comrades fall to fuck with his brain, filling him with added terror. I want him to know that I’m coming for him, and not even the gods will save him from my wrath.