Coyle and Fang: Curse of Shadows (Coyle and Fang Adventure Series Book 1) by Robert III (best books for 7th graders .txt) 📕

windows. His breathing apparatus made quiet chugging sounds as he looked at the passing landscape below. A tour guide explained the ship’s capabilities and provisions to an exclusive group of investors. Moreci wasn’t interested in what the Dawn’s Edge could provide to its guests. He was more interested in the smaller escape ship, the Dawn’s Point.

“I say,” Moreci said, “how safe is the ship, and do we have a lifeboat of sorts?”

“Actually, we do, sir,” the tour guide answered. “It’s a lovely, twin-engine flying craft that can comfortably fit all of our passengers and crew.”

“What’s a twin engine?” a gentleman asked. “Flying craft?”

“Mr. Treece has the finest engineers from across the globe and the nether-realm working with him exclusively,” the tour guide explained. “Under his direction, they produce inventions for the modern world, pushing past the limitations of known scientific achievements to provide new wonders for humanity.

“The Dawn’s Point acts as a lifeboat of sorts.” He nodded at Moreci. “And she will carry us to safety when called upon.”

A light round of applause from the guests made the tour guide blush. The people were bereft of the coming changes to their scheduled flight. And of their own state of being.

“Can you go over the particulars of the Dawn’s Point?” Moreci asked.

“Of course.” The guide offered his extensive knowledge of the craft. All of it made Moreci smile. “And the most exciting feature are the propellers. Each blade is edged with a titanium-aurorium alloy. They are completely unbreakable—unless, of course, you were to hurl a gigantic mass of aurorium into them. But such a thing doesn’t exist.” He laughed, and the crowd laughed with him.

The imbeciles.

They had no idea what was coming. He nodded to one of his men, who was disguised as a guest. The soldier removed a sidearm and pointed it at the guide’s head.

“What’s this all about?” the guide asked, a tremor rising in his voice.

“I’m taking over the ship,” Moreci said, and he pushed a small device in his hand. Shouting and gunfire ensued. “Thank you for sharing the information on the escape ship. She will suffice for my own people when the time comes.”

The soldier pulled the trigger. The guide dropped in a blood-soaked heap. Screams erupted, and more soldiers poured in, weapons drawn. Veiul arrived behind them.

“Take them to the grand ballroom, and hold them until we’re ready,” he said to his officer. The soldiers escorted out the assembled passengers, leaving Moreci with Veiul and two of his personal guards. He went back to the window and scanned the valleys below.

“What happened?” Moreci asked.

“I was ambushed by one of them,” Veiul explained. “Poes was his name.”

“And?”

“All of them are alive,” she said. “But our operative destroyed Treece’s Tesla-Vine Gate. They can’t follow us.”

He watched her reflection. She glanced at one of his two guards, who glanced back.

“All of us are soldiers, all of us are expendable. If I wanted you dead for not meeting your objective, so be it.”

Veiul said nothing, but her shoulders tensed. He knew she wouldn’t be put down easily.

“We’ve been together ever since I created you,” he said, turning to her. “We shared many pleasant memories, didn’t we?”

Veiul’s face flushed deep pink. He stepped closer, reaching his hand to her face.

“I always thought you were better than her,” Moreci lied.

Veiul’s hands tightened into fists.

“Even though Fang appears to be more powerful, she isn’t. She has her inner demons. Fang isn’t fully vamperion. Her spirit isn’t as sullied or torn as the rest of her ilk. But her mind was affected, just enough, for me to push her. That’s why I created a psychological toy.”

“The small music box?”

He nodded. “It helped control her. Put her in a more... agreeable mood. ”

“Nice of you. I remember the tune, though I’m not familiar with the composer.” Her pose relaxed—just a bit.

“Christ Lag Todesbande by Heinrich Bach. It’s German for ‘Christ lay in the bonds of death.’ I thought it was fitting, you know? Her people, the vamperion, were the saviors of the nether-realm, but now they are helpless vampires wearing the bonds of death. Interestingly, she had seen Heinrich in concert and remembered her sister liked it.”

He could see Veiul’s mind spinning, trying to work the math. It was never one of her stronger points. Not like Fang.

“When was this?” Veiul asked.

“The concert was in 1658. One year before she killed her younger sister, Embeth.” He turned to Veiul. “Did I ever tell you their tragic story?”

“No, but why would I need to know?”

“I hope I’m wrong, but I have a feeling you may see her again soon, and if you do, you need to know their story. Just in case you need to hurt her in here.” He tapped his chest.

“Tell me what happened.”

Chapter 14

Southern Pacific Depot

San Francisco

If I am not right, set me right, keep me right; that I may at last come to thy house in peace.

Amen.

The Pegasus, a cross-continental locomotive train, was the epitome of luxurious travel. Treece hired the best engineers and craftsmen, resulting in extraordinary innovation and the finest technology available. Passengers rode from coast to coast in comfort and grand style. No other machine in the world had its equal.

Treece’s team was given double-decker suites with magnificent views of the rolling countryside. They were spacious enough to hold four people comfortably. Servants were assigned to each of the rooms, providing any amenities available. Expensive liquors, rare chocolates, and imported water were theirs with a ring of the bell.

Coyle sat on her bed upstairs with a cold rag on her head, watching the green hills of northern California roll by. The cold, blue, mountains of the Sierra Nevada jutted into the morning sky far in the distance, with the blue Pacific Ocean behind them.

She closed her eyes, wincing at the events of the previous night. Her bright idea to impress them with her skills may not have worked out. They’d asked for a detective, and she’d wanted to give them a show. And just like the training