Chapter 185: Chapter 185
Asher POV
My heart is racing, and my palms are sweating by the time I park close to Constantine. It was easy to agree and convince Mason that I can do this, but now that I am here, my confidence has faded.
Coming here alone was insane. How the fuck am I supposed to disable a guard on my own? But it is too late now for doubts. I gave my word to Mason, and his brothers have this coming. Those fuckers took Katie, and they must pay.
I get out of my truck, take a deep breath, and walk towards a group of guards.
“Stop!” One shouts when he notices me. “You’re a rogue and have no business here.”
“I know,” I hold my hands up defensively. “I have a flat tyre, and the jack broke. Can one of you lend me a hand, please?”
“Fuck off, rogue,” another one sneers. “We’re guards for the High Council. We don’t do chores.”
“I understand,” I nod, hiding my irritation. Arrogant bastard. I hope he comes to help me because I would enjoy killing him. “But the faster I get help, the faster I can be on my way.”
“Fine,” he grunts, walking towards me, and I smile, satisfied. The Goddess heard me and granted me my wish.
“It’s just over here,” I say, pointing towards my truck. “I appreciate the help.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” he scoffs. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Left back tyre,” I say when we reach my truck. “I already loosened the nuts and pulled rocks closer.”
“Rocks?” The guard frowns, looking around. “Where?”
“Right here,” I reply, picking up the tyre iron and bringing it down mercilessly on his head. He falls into the dirt with a thud, and I beat him twice more. I kneel beside him and place my fingers against his throat. His pulse is weak, and I sigh in relief. I strip him naked and put on his clothes.
I grab the silver ties from my truck and tie his hands and feet together before duct taping his mouth. The man is unexpectedly heavy, and with a tremendous amount of effort, I get him into my truck.
I get the potion from my cubbyhole and swallow it all. I shiver in disgust, close my eyes, and involuntarily pull a face.
“Holy shit, this is bad,” I mutter to myself, but when I open my eyes, I stumble backwards. I am looking at myself, but I am not the person I see. I am him.
“Oh, my Goddess,” I mutter, and the new voice catches me off guard as I touch my face in awe. It is so surreal, but I pull myself together and walk back to Constantine. I have things to do.
My heart is pounding in my chest when the other guards look at me, but they continue with their day normally, and I relax. This shit really works.
“Hey, Peter!” A guard calls, looking at me, and I stop in my tracks. This is it, I have been caught. Then I realised he did not call my Asher, and I am being stupid. “Is the rogue gone?”
“Yup,” I shout, and continue walking towards the Council.
It takes a lot of effort not to look around like a tourist. I have never been so deep into Constantine, but I must admit, it is impressive. I carefully follow Mason’s instructions until I reach the Council. The building is old and majestic, but I can swear there is a cloud of evil hovering above.
“I’m here to see Elder Gustav,” I report to the guard at the gate. Not because it is protocol, but because I have no fucking idea what Gustav looks like.
“Is he expecting you?” The guard barks.
“No,” I reply firmly. “But I have information about the alphas he’ll want to hear.”
The guard turns around and talks into a device while I impatiently wait.
“Follow me,” the guard says, and I exhale softly. I am almost done and out of here.
The halls are cold and impersonal, but I pretend that it is all normal and that I have been here countless times. The guard opens a door big enough for a giant to fit through, and I enter nervously.
“Peter,” Gustav smiles when he sees me, and my stomach drops. Shit, he knows Peter. Surely, he will figure out in no time that I am an imposter. “I hear you have news for me.”
“Yes,” I reply politely, nodding my head. For the life of me, I cannot recall how I should address him. Sir? Elder? Your Highness?
“I know where they are,” I say, pushing past my nerves.
“And you’re sure about their location?” He asks, raising his eyebrows.
“The informant is reliable,” I reply, taking out the piece of paper with coordinates and handing it to him. “Kat ... Elara has a friend in Stillwood. She was seen at a party.”
“Interesting,” Gustav replies, dragging out the word and taking the paper. “And just in time.”
“Excuse me?” I frown, my nerves pulling tight again. What does that mean?
“Our first test subjects arrived today,” he announces proudly. “And we’ll test them tonight.”
“Oh, uhm, okay,” I reply, confused. I might look like Peter, but I do not have his memories. I do not have a fucking clue what is going on.
“Ah, yes,” Gustav nods. “The pack doesn’t know about it. Can you keep a secret?”
He smiles wickedly and looks at me with a childlike excitement.
“Yes, I can,” I reply.
“Wonderful,” he replies, rubbing his hands. “I’ve been dying to show them off, and since you brought me the good news, you might as well join tonight’s team.”
“It’d be an honour,” I smile stiffly.
“Meet team Charlie,” he announces, and a giant door in the back opens.
Five people march forward, and my eyes widen as I take a step back. At first glance, they look normal, but their eyes ... it is dead with a green glow and just downright scary. It is like a glowing pit of ... nothing. Soulless nothing. They raise their hands in a salute, and I notice that all their hands are bigger or something. I do not know how to describe them. It is grotesque and animalistic. I swear, one slap and you are a painting on a wall.
“What the fuck?” I mutter, unable to control the words.
“Aren’t they magnificent?” Gustav smiles. “They obey every order, and we’ll test them tonight when we go for the alphas.”
I stand and stare like an imbecile. I do not care if Kane and Axel live, but these things? Heavens have mercy on us when these things are set loose to destroy Stillwood and other rogue towns.
