Bloodline Read online

  Contents

  Title page

  Copyright

  Disclaimer

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Thank you

  BLOODLINE

  The Cog Chronicles Book 2

  by

  P.M. Cole

  Copyright © 2019 by Philip Maxey

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  First Printing, 2019.

  http://www.pmcoleauthor.com/

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales, is purely coincidental.

  CHAPTER ONE

  In the basement room of Wraith manor, the fire burned brightly. Several people, including me, sat around the reading table. Outside, night had already fallen, bringing with it a covering of snow.

  “I have taken precautions. We are now quite safe in my home and the surrounding grounds from Hades' soldiers, cohorts, or whatever you want to call them,” said Lucas. He looked down momentarily. “It has been a while since I have had to cast such a powerful spell. It’s quite draining.” He looked at me. “So, do we call you Corine or Cog?”

  “Umm… whatever you wish.” I wasn’t sure myself.

  He smiled. “I’ll stick with Cog. Firstly, let me give you my condolences on the passing of Mr… well Chronus.”

  I nodded.

  “If only he had informed us of his true identity. There is so much we could have learned,” said Bernard.

  “He was trying to protect me, protect all of us…He saved us all…”

  Lucas continued. “Indeed. If what you have told us is true, then we owe all of our lives to a primordial—” He could see the word was lost on me. “A primordial is one of the original gods, immensely powerful. They are also known as Titans… and to think one of them was running a clock repair shop in Holborn…”

  “And Hades still defeated him and took his power…” said Bernard.

  “That is what Mr Gladwell told me,” I said. To me, the old man that pulled me from the hell that was the streets of London and gave me a chance of a good life was just Mr Gladwell. Not a Titan, or Chronus, or whatever else was mentioned in dusty volumes, but my personal guardian. And now, like my original parents, he was gone, and I had returned to my natural state. Alone.

  The events of Byron's birthday ball and what transpired felt like a dream, but I knew them to be true. My life, and the lives of those around the table depended upon us believing they were.

  Hate was obvious on Colin's face. “I never trusted Ashmore…next time I lay eyes on him…”

  “He’s not human,” said Olivia sitting next to Colin. She immediately looked at me. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

  I shook my head. “It’s fine.” She was right. I wasn’t, or at least not fully. I was something else, and I was fine with that.

  “Olivia is right Colin. If you see him? You run or hide,” said Lucas.

  “I’m not useless! The Ratters can take care of ourselves!”

  I sighed. “Colin, we know that, it's just Byron… he has abilities. Different to mine, but I think he can move really fast; so quick that we cannot even see him.”

  Lucas turned, then pulled back a sheet he had covering a chalk board. On it were the names of those I had been introduced to at the ball.

  “Yes. I have noted down here what Cog has told us of the six, and from what she could remember of their actions at the… battle in the grounds, what their abilities are, and from that—”

  “What godly power they inherited,” said Bernard.

  “Exactly,” said Lucas. “It might at least help us in finding out what might work against them.”

  I looked at each of the names.

  ‘Byron – Speed: Hermes. Grace – Strength and fighting skill: Ares. Cassandra - Ability to control nature: Demeter? Danielle - unknown. Heather - unknown. Alexander - unknown.’ I skipped past the monsters Lucas thought Hades had also brought to his cause.

  “So, it’s easy. We find a way to slow down Byron, defeat Grace without physically fighting her, and maybe use fire to defeat Cassandra,” I said.

  Lucas’s eyes widened and he waved his fist. “That’s the spirit! Chr…Mr Gladwell gave us all a second chance, we owe it to him to make good on it.”

  “Do you still want Finlay dead?” said Bernard.

  I wanted to answer ‘yes’, but after the events of the night I had come to realise, even if I had killed Finlay, there would still be Hades pulling the strings in the background. He was my true enemy. “Hades needs to be stopped.”

  Lucas looked back at his board, then sat on the edge of the table. “Why did he give you seven godly powers…” he said more to himself than those of us nearby. “What’s his larger plan…”

  “Nothing good…” said Olivia.

  Lucas nodded. “No doubt…” He looked at me. “Mr Gladwell told you Hades was trapped in this realm?”

  I nodded.

  “He couldn’t have liked that,” said Bernard, smirking.

  “What if he wants to leave?” I said. “To go back to where he came from, and he needs the seven of us to create some kind of grand spell?”

  “Then why would he need to force anyone to do that? I’m sure most would be happy to help the god of the underworld return to where he came from,” said Lucas.

  He had a point.

  We all sat in silence, looking at the black slate and white chalk trying to see what was hidden from us. The ‘why’ to everything.

  A memory returned to me, one that I hadn’t mentioned yet to the others. “I have just remembered something else. Hades mentioned a ‘council?’”

  I noticed Lucas and Bernard exchange a look.

  “What? Do you know what that means?” I said.

  Bernard averted his eyes. “It’s not real.”

  “What exactly did he say about the council?” said Lucas.

  I tried to force the memory into the light, but it remained in the shadows. “I just remember him talking about the council… What happened that night is fading from me.”

  “What is the council?” said Olivia.

  “There have been rumours and comments better ignored, that there is a council made up of gods from all mythology,” said Lucas.

  “What’s their purpose?” I said.

  “Even amongst magic users and beings, it’s seen as an old wife tale!” said Bernard.

  “Hades wouldn’t have said it if it was,” said Lucas. He looked back to me. “They are asked to pass judgement. Think of it as justice for gods. A god can go to the council and ask for help.”

  “Ah! I remember. Hades remarked that the council have been looking for Mr
Gladwell…”

  Lucas looked perplexed. “Why would they be looking for him…you said he went away for a few days?”

  I nodded.

  “But he did not say where he went?”

  “He said he went to meet some old acquaintances…could he have gone to see this ‘council’?”

  Lucas raised his eyebrows. “If anyone would know where the council resided, it would be a Titan.” He looked at Bernard. “What if it were true?”

  Bernard frowned, then sighed. “Then… why would he have gone to them? What did he need help with?”

  He and Lucas both looked at me. “What?” I said.

  Lucas suddenly got up from the table. “He went to the council for you Cog! He must have asked for their help in protecting you—”

  “From Hades!” said Bernard.

  “Yes!” said Lucas.

  “If this council was looking for Mr Gladwell…” said Olivia.

  “Hmm…yes, it would seem his request did not go too well.” Lucas’s shoulders slouched. “There is so much we do not know.”

  “We are also greatly outnumbered,” said Bernard.

  “And outpowered,” said Lucas. “But Hades couldn’t have corrupted all those that come from other realms, that now walk in ours. We need to find those that are still pure of heart and will fight with us.”

  “How will we find them?” I said.

  “There is a group I was connected with many years ago. One of them used to reside at a particular place—”

  “Ugh, not there…” said Bernard.

  “They might be willing to help…”

  Those of us that were not steeped in magical London looked at each other, confused.

  “It’s a vipers pit, full of magical miscreants!” continued Bernard.

  “I want to go,” said Colin.

  Olivia rolled her eyes.

  “It also means another river ride…” said Lucas.

  “Oh…”

  “You are welcome to come,” said Lucas. “And, Cog, it may be useful if you accompany us, if you want to?”

  “Make sure you wear that suit of yours,” grumbled Bernard.

  “Is it like the Euston Bazaar?” I asked.

  “Yes. But with magic,” said Lucas.

  “Won’t Finlay’s people be there?”

  “More than likely, although unlike in non-magic circles Hades doesn’t have control of the Factory, it’s hallowed ground. No magic may be used against other magic users.”

  “Hmm…but against us human’s it’s fine!” said Bernard.

  “You sound like you had a bad time there, old friend?”

  Bernard sighed. “Don’t ask.”

  Lucas looked directly at me, as did most around the table. “Will you come with us?”

  I nodded. “When do we leave?”

  CHAPTER TWO

  I chose a different bedroom to sleep in than before. This one faced east directly into the woods, which acted as a natural barrier around the estate. I looked at my pocket watch. 1:20 a.m.

  Agh… can’t sleep.

  It had been a week since the confrontation with Hades and the others, and each time night came, despite the tiredness which weighed on me, I was only sleeping when dawn appeared. The dark held too many dangers.

  As I lay, I thought about the shop, which, despite bearing my name, I had only managed to open for a few days, taking care of prior orders without allowing any new customers to bring their clocks in for repair. Mr Gladwell would not approve, but Hades knew of the location, and being there just gave him an easy target. I longed for the day when I could just be ‘Cog: Clock seller and repairer’ and perhaps expand into some other devices, but that day would not be anytime soon.

  My mind switched to Colin. My affection for him had crept up on me, distracted as I was by Byron. But I remained concerned that his feelings would end up getting him killed… as they did. So, for the last few days I had tried to remain more resolute against how I felt. It pained me to do so, but it was for his own good, even if he did not understand.

  I sat up, pushing my pillow behind me to prop myself up, and opened one of Lucas’s many volumes. “Bellcroft’s Greek and Roman Myths and Gods. Vol 1,” I said under my breath. He had dumped this and many other heavy books in my arms when we all rose for bed, telling me I needed to be educated.

  I leaned to my side to light my oil lamp when my attention was caught by a sparkle within the darkness of distant trees. At first, I thought it was a reflection of some kind, but standing near the window just confirmed it was real and hovering just beyond the tree line.

  I strained my eyes to better see, but all I could gather was something was moving around within the trunks and branches. I listened to the house around me for any sign that someone else had seen the light, but not even a creak of timbers could I hear. I unlatched the window, pulling it open. A rush of icy cold air made me inhale. I leaned forward, but still couldn’t see what it was. I wondered if it was someone from the nearby farm, or possibly a poacher? Or perhaps it was someone or thing sent from Hades, and they were watching from as close as they could get.

  I had to know.

  I quickly climbed into my suit, placing the helmet upon my head then hurried back to the window. Sliding the eye lenses down upon my right eye extended my vision into the night.

  I expected to see a figure in the shadows but, instead, I still only saw the hovering light. Although, now added to it was a yellow hue which lit the trunks of the trees around it. My instincts were telling me I was seeing some form of magic.

  If it had been sent from Hades, it couldn’t hurt me even if I were standing a few feet in front of it as I would still be on Wraith land. At least that’s what Lucas told me earlier.

  I leaned out and looked down the side of the building. The ground, being bathed in heavy shadow, seemed impossibly far away, but moving through the house would alert the others and I wanted to investigate this alone. Only Lucas amongst the rest in the house could handle himself where magic was concerned, but I needed to stop relying upon him and others of his ilk. I had done that for the past six years without realising it, and it had to stop. But how to get down?

  I remembered the thin but strong twine across my wrist. I untied some of it and tied it around the post of the bed, then ran it out. I looked at how much was left on the band, then back outside to the ground. I wasn’t sure I had enough, but I presumed it would get me most of the way, and I would just have to jump the rest.

  I carefully climbed out onto the ledge, twisting my hand to unravel the twine. A gust of wind blew, making me grab the frame. I looked out at the grounds of Wraith manor, bathed in moonlight. It seemed peaceful, almost as if I was looking upon one of the other realms that had been talked about. I looked back to the trees to make sure the light was still there. It was. The words ‘Will-o'-the-Wisp’ jumped into my mind, although I wasn’t sure where I had heard that before.

  I sat on the ledge, making sure the twine was connected, then lowered myself as quickly as I could while trying to use my other hand to grab hold of any ledges I could find. After about ten feet, I saw the impression of flower beds and the gravel path which ran around the edge of the building.

  Not far…

  I went to unravel more twine when found I couldn’t. I was all out.

  “Hell…”

  The ground was still at least six feet away, but I was going to have to drop. Letting one of the blades extend from my arm, I prepared myself then slid it across the twine. The fall wasn’t a long one, but I still landed in a rather prickly bush. Jumping out of that as quickly as possible, I looked up. Going back that way wasn’t going to be possible. But that was a problem for later.

  I looked into the gloom. The peculiar light was now much clearer, despite the darkness, and was completely disconnected from any living being around it.

  Definitely magical.

  I ran forward across the short distance to the tree line, being ready at any moment to fire crossbow bolts, then st
opped only a few yards from the sparkle lighting the trees around it. That was when I heard the voice. At first, I thought it was the wind rustling amongst the leaves, but I recognised words and then… my name.

  “Cog…”

  I stepped closer, raising my arm in case the thing suddenly grew fangs and wings, but instead it just bobbed and weaved, left and right.

  “What are you!” I demanded.

  “I cannot come to you… you have to follow…”

  “Who sent you? Hades?”

  A strong gust of wind almost pushed me onto my rear and the trunks around me creaked and moaned.

  “Follow…”

  The yellow light moved off into the dark, illuminating a narrow path below it.

  I looked down at where the Wraith property ended and the wilderness began, then stepped over the line.

  Things moved in the darkness.

  “Follow…” said the voice again. The light was now a good ten yards away.

  I looked back at the manor, shook my head, then jogged across the undergrowth, trying not to be caught on twigs or branches.

  The light had now thankfully stopped. I quickly made my way to it, emerging into a clearing. Just as I took another step, the light shone brilliantly and, in a radiant burst, expanded into a person.

  Athena stood in front of me, just as I saw her before.

  She smiled. “The magic that protects you at the house and grounds also prevents me from coming closer.”

  “I don’t think that’s what Lucas intended…”

  “Be that as it may. I wanted to talk to you. We do not have long, for the minions of Hades lurk in these old woods…”

  We both looked into the absolute wall of black which was pressing against the light that Athena was casting.

  “I know Chronus sacrificed his earthly presence to save you and your friends.”

  “Earthly?”

  Athena smiled. “His essence, as with all godly beings, is eternal, regardless of what vessel it takes physical form in.”

  “So… he’s not dead? Mr Gladwell—”