The Dying Light (Bloodwitch #1)

They all stood frozen to the spot, straining their ears for any sound from the other side of the door. Charlie was tensed for the slightest sign of movement, hardly daring to breathe. When he listened carefully, he could make out a strange crackling noise. It seemed to be coming from somewhere just beyond the watchtower.

‘Where are you going?’ Kovalev hissed at him. ’Get back here, right now.’

Hesitantly, Charlie picked his way past the others, towards the sound. He sensed his way down the stairs as though blind, following the noise as it grew stronger and clearer. It was coming from a megaphone fixed to a wooden post beside the tower. He could hear muffled voices mingling with static as a radio clicked on and off.

’No sightings so far – move on to – no place left to hide.’

‘False alarm,’ Charlie called back to the others, breathing a sigh of relief as they came to join him at the foot of the stairs. ‘It was just a comms update over the radio.’

No sooner had he finished speaking when there came the wailing of sirens, earsplittingly loud, sounding from all directions. Instinctively, they all drew close together, shielding their ears from the onslaught as they searched in every direction for the source of the noise. As the piercing sound faded and the crackle of static replaced it, Charlie noticed them. Every few metres along the edge of the rooftop, for as far as his eyes could see, there was a wooden post. Fixed at the top of each post, there was a megaphone, and from each megaphone a message was now blaring:

’Attention, all citizens of Matya! This is an emergency announcement from the Elysian Interior Police. The heart of our nation has been attacked by political terrorists. They have kidnapped Alexandra Ignatieva, the daughter of our Great Protector, and are holding her hostage. She is sixteen years of age, five feet four inches tall, with dark brown hair, of slim build, and is known to wear a necklace of red dragonstones. We have not yet received any demands from the terrorists.’

Charlie and Seren glanced at each other, their dumbfounded expressions mirroring one another’s. Then they turned to look at Alya, who was staring at the megaphone, transfixed with horror as it went on.

’Members of the Interior Police are close to identifying the criminals responsible for this outrageous act against our beloved state. We urge all loyal citizens to be on the lookout for Charlie Carroway, a Penumbran gang member, approximately sixteen years old and five feet eight inches tall, of slim build, with brown hair worn in a distinctive style. His accomplice is a teenage witch from the Kalnelys Border Region, slightly shorter, thin, with recognisably long, curly red hair. When last sighted, Carroway was badly bruised and was not wearing his identification and protection collar.’

‘You’re not serious?’ Kovalev glanced at Charlie’s neck, and braced his head in his hands, shaking his head in utter disbelief. ‘How could you be so recklessly idiotic? They could kill you just for that!’

Charlie had no time to respond; the voice was still coming from the megaphone.

’The terrorists are being aided by the traitor Vasco Kovalev, a former Elysian Lieutenant, who is also wanted for the crime of desertion.’

Kovalev paled at this, and turned to gaze, dumbstruck, at the megaphone.

’He is eighteen years of age, six feet two inches tall, and of athletic build. Be aware that these three criminals are all highly dangerous. On no account should they be approached. If spotted, alert the nearest member of the Military Police. Information leading to the capture of any one of these individuals will be justly rewarded by the Great Protector. Know that harbouring or aiding these terrorists is an act of treason, and anyone believed to be guilty of this crime will face swift and severe punishment. I repeat, this is an emergency announcement from the Elysian Interior Police …’

‘Well, I guess I really am a criminal now,’ Charlie heard himself say. Beside him, Seren let out a nervous laugh.

‘What have I done?’ Kovalev murmured. He was still staring up at the megaphone, his eyes oddly glazed. ‘Everything … everything I’ve sacrificed … everything I worked for … I’ve lost it all.’

Alya approached him cautiously, and tried to take his hand in hers, but he flinched away from her touch. He turned to face her, looking as though he was seeing her clearly for the first time. When he spoke, it was not with anger, but with a sombre kind of resignation.

‘Why did I ever listen to you, Alexandra Ignatieva? My position, your father’s trust, the chance of gaining his respect … it’s all gone.’ He covered his face with his hands. ‘Why did I do this? He is just and – and fair. Maybe if we go back and beg for his forgiveness …’

Alya blinked slowly, her expression hardening. ‘You know better than to rely on my father’s mercy, don’t you?’

‘That was –’

‘You may regret the choices you’ve made, Vasco, but I don’t,’ Alya said. ‘I’m tired of obeying my father’s laws and living my life as a prisoner, no matter how gilded my cage may have been.’ She stepped away from Kovalev, and regarded him fiercely, her face set. ‘I refuse to go back. I need to find the place where I belong. I need to protect my people.’

‘I won’t let anyone take us back to Elysia by force,’ Seren said, moving to stand beside Alya. ‘They can try, but I don’t like their chances,’ she added, looking pointedly at Kovalev, who scowled back at her, but did not move.

‘You have a choice to make, Vasco,’ Alya said, her arms folded across her body. ‘I want you on my side, but if your rank and your reputation mean that much to you, you know what you need to do.’

Kovalev was frowning at her. ’Have you forgotten who – what I am, Alexandra?’

Alya took a deep breath. ‘Then you’re going to turn me in to my father as well?’

A humourless smile tugged at the corners of Kovalev’s mouth as he shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. He seemed to be looking everywhere but at Alya. ‘Of course not. I could never do that. I …’ He sighed. ‘I just want to protect you.’

‘I need answers,’ Alya said. ’Not just about who I am – what I am – but about what’s happening here, and in Penumbra. My father must know something, but he won’t tell me anything about it. So, I’ve decided to find the answers out for myself. I know where we need to go.’

‘I can’t believe that there are children involved in this,’ Kovalev muttered, his expression darkening as his eyes met Charlie’s. ‘The only people imprisoned here are our enemies, people who pose a real threat to our country …’

‘I don’t understand why you see us as a threat to you,’ Seren said, her voice soft.

Kovalev frowned at her. ‘Well, you wouldn’t, would you? You’re one of them.’

‘Does anyone else hear that?’ Charlie said, suddenly becoming aware of a noise in the distance. ‘Sounds like they’re already on the stairwell.’

‘It’s Dragomir,’ Kovalev said grimly. ‘He’s coming.’

‘We need to find a place to hide,’ Alya said, looking around desperately, as though hoping a hiding place would reveal itself helpfully at that very moment. The thump of boots on metal was growing louder, along with the noise of indistinct shouting.

‘No, we need to get out of here,’ Charlie said. ‘Come on, which of these helicopters are those keys for? We don’t have any more time to waste.’

‘It’s this one,’ Alya said, unlocking the door to the cockpit of the helicopter closest to them. She threw a nervous glance at Kovalev. ‘Do we have our pilot on board?’

Kovalev looked from Alya to Charlie and Seren and back again, frowning, and said nothing. Alya pressed the keys into his hand. With a groan, he climbed into the pilot’s seat, his fingers skimming over the controls. ‘Everyone in – quickly. They’re almost on us.’

Charlie followed Seren into the back seats of the helicopter, and Alya went around the front to clamber into the seat beside Kovalev. From the white edges poking out of the black notebook in her hand, Charlie realised Alya had collected all of the papers and documents from the lab and slotted them into the research journal. They would be leaving no sign that they had been in the watchtower at all.

Once Kovalev had checked that all the doors were closed, he started busying himself with the switches, valves and displays that surrounded him. As the soldier looked back, Charlie caught sight of an expression on his face that he had never seen there before. He almost looked lost.

Finally, there came the unmistakable crunching of jackboots on uneven, gravelled ground. Charlie caught the sharp snap of orders and updates as they were barked across the roof by the soldiers.

‘No one here!’

‘Check the tower!’

‘No sign of them so far!’

‘No one make a sound,’ Kovalev breathed, his fingers clenched around the stock and action of his rifle. His eyes were fixed on the door that led out onto the roof of the Facility. ’Dragomir will try to goad us into revealing our position. He’s not stupid. No matter what he says, do not retaliate.’

Inside the helicopter, everyone was holding their breath. Charlie saw Kovalev’s eyes narrow as a figure came into view in front of them. Charlie followed his eyeline, and recognised Arron Dragomir immediately. He was striding leisurely to and fro in a wide figure of eight around the space in front of the helicopters, supporting a rifle over his shoulders with one hand. A bandage was wrapped around one of his biceps. His head turned from side to side lazily as he observed the progress of his men. Then, he cleared his throat, and addressed the area at large.

‘I’m speaking to you now, Charlie Carroway,’ he began. He did not need to shout; his voice thundered effortlessly, and there was malice dripping from every word he spoke. ‘You have stolen valuable Elysian property. Believe me, we are going to have a lot of fun together when I find you, and then I will put you down like the mongrel dog you are.’

Seren had shuffled over so that she was sitting right next to Charlie.

’I will find you,’ Dragomir continued. ‘I can promise you that. I know you’re close by. The Great Protector is enraged. To have stolen his daughter, and his prototype …’ He shook his head, an unnerving smile of relish spreading across his face. ‘It won’t be quick, that’s for sure. I know how to make a death drawn-out. I know how to make you suffer ...’

‘I’ve had enough of listening to this cretin.’ Seren was seething. ‘Get us in the air.’

‘Got it.’ Kovalev’s knuckles were white. ‘Everyone, make sure you’re strapped in.’

Kovalev’s finger reached for a switch, but he stopped dead at Dragomir’s next words.

‘I suppose you’re out there too, Vaska, you traitorous rat.’

In front of him, Charlie saw Alya glance fretfully at Kovalev, but Kovalev did not seem to notice. His eyes were fixed on Dragomir, his face devoid of all emotion.

‘I bet you never even considered the possibility that I might outrank you someday,’ Dragomir went on, his boastful drawl clear for all those present to hear. ‘Well, the day has come, brother. To think that you were weak enough to betray Elysia, to become a traitor to your own country, your commander, your men.’

‘Vasco,’ Alya whispered, but he silenced her with a shake of his head.

Dragomir’s voice took on a cold fury as he continued. ‘You are a coward and a deserter. If it were up to me, I would shoot you on sight, right between the eyes, like the common criminal you are …’ He exhaled deeply. ‘But I need to set an example to my men. I will enjoy seeing the punishment that is coming to you, Vasco Kovalev. I intend to be the one standing before you at dawn as you face the firing squad.’

Alya’s hand had found Kovalev’s, and she was gripping it tightly. A small smile lifted the corner of Kovalev’s mouth, and Alya nodded wordlessly, as though reassured.

Dragomir was still speaking. He seemed to be warming to his theme. ‘I swear to you now, Kovalev, when they tie you to the post and place the target over your heart, I won’t turn my back on you for a second. I will look you straight in the eyes as I see you damned to the frozen depths of the ninth hell. It seems that in the end you can’t outrun bad blood, doesn’t it?’

‘Is anyone else starting to get bored?’ Kovalev asked, still perfectly calm.

’What d’you mean, starting?’ Charlie muttered, and Kovalev flashed him a smile.

’And once he’s out of the way,’ Dragomir continued, adopting a silky tone that made Charlie shudder, ‘I’ll be able to take care of you properly, Miss Alexandra, just as I always promised you I would …’

Charlie noticed that Alya had drawn herself closer to Kovalev at Dragomir’s words. She was gripping his arm so tightly her knuckles had gone white, her whole body visibly shaking as she buried her face in his shoulder. Kovalev was grinding his teeth. The look of pure loathing on his face as he watched Dragomir’s amusement was like nothing Charlie had ever seen before. Kovalev made a sudden movement towards the cockpit door, but Charlie seized his arm to stop him.

‘What are you doing?’ Kovalev demanded in a furious whisper.

‘Following your orders. Maybe even saving your life.’

‘I can handle him. You stay here and –’ He broke off, as a whirring sound started up from all around them. ‘What in the nine hells did you just do?’

‘You’re going to want to stay where you are,’ Charlie said, drawing his index finger away from the switch Kovalev had been about to press. ‘Get us out of here in one piece, flyboy.’

Through the glass in front of him, he watched the soldiers massing around the helicopter, drawn by the commotion, their rifles raised. Dragomir stood before them, staring right at him. Charlie glared back, refusing to let himself look away.

‘What’s happening?’ Alya shrieked over the noise, her voice high-pitched.

‘Hold on!’ Kovalev yelled back, his hands on the cyclic control between his knees.

Charlie’s stomach lurched sickeningly as – slowly, steadily – they began to rise up into the air. It felt so unnatural that he had to shut his eyes just to stay calm. Alya was screaming, and Kovalev was shouting something that sounded like a frantic prayer. Seren was laughing gleefully. Over the sound of their voices and the whirring of blades above their heads, Charlie could hear the panicked clamour of the soldiers on the rooftop below.

Peeling one eye open at a time, Charlie strained to see what was going on. From his position just behind the cockpit, he had a clear view of the scene on the rooftop. Some of the soldiers had dropped their weapons and were pointing and staring up at the helicopter with open-mouthed astonishment. Others were fleeing to a safe distance, yelling incoherently. Dragomir alone remained where he was, his hands at his hips, his head cocked slightly to one side, his eyes narrowed.

‘Bring them out.’

Dragomir shouted the order to his men, but his eyes were fixed on Charlie. Charlie frowned, his eyes drawn to a flurry of movement by the door leading to the roof. A group of soldiers had appeared, each of them guarding a single prisoner. As the small figures drew closer, Charlie recognised them, and a terrible scream started building inside his head.

Dragomir laughed. ‘I even brought the old woman here just for you, Charlie …’

The soldiers led Charlie’s family out onto the roof, lining them up and forcing them all down onto their knees. Their hands had been tied behind their backs. With a nod from Dragomir, each of the soldiers pointed a gun to their prisoner’s head. Even from this distance, Charlie could hear the frightened cries and whimpers of the children as they cowered at the feet of the soldiers.

‘Look away,’ Kovalev told him, his eyes shuttered. ‘You don’t want to see this.’

They were still rising. Charlie’s whole body had gone rigid. ‘I have to save them.’

’He can’t – he can’t.’ Seren was gripping her head, her eyes wide, her body shaking.

‘Vasya, just go – get us out of here!’ Alya urged. ‘There’s nothing we can do for them!’

The helicopter began to hover higher, drifting over towards the edge of the building. Charlie released the buckles and straps securing him to his seat. He stood up. One of his hands was on the roof of the helicopter, while the other had found the handle of the passenger side door.

’What the hell d’you think you’re –?’

Kovalev had turned right around in his seat, his face softening from anger to fear as he looked at Charlie. Whatever he had been about to say seemed to die on his lips as Charlie met his gaze. They continued to stare into each other’s eyes for a few moments, as something unspoken passed between them.

‘Get Seren out of here,’ Charlie said, opening the door, ‘and don’t come back for me.’

‘Wait!’ Horrified understanding dawned on Vasco’s face. ‘What are you –?’

‘Give yourself up and they won’t be harmed, Carroway,’ Dragomir drawled.

‘Charlie, don’t jump!’ Vasco shouted, steering them away. ‘Alya, don’t let him do it!’

Alya stretched as far as she could, grabbing Charlie’s t-shirt. ’Vasco, go – now!’

Charlie tore himself out of her reach. ‘Get off me! I don’t need your help!’

’Charlie, no!’ Vasco’s voice cracked as he reached out a hand. ’What are you doing?’

Steeling himself, Charlie leapt from the helicopter, his bent knees cushioning his fall as he hit the roof and rolled over, again and again. Dizzy and shaken, but seemingly without any broken bones, Charlie got to his feet. The world was spinning around him. He winced, breathing hard. His skin felt like it was on fire. His wrist was bleeding.

He heard the whir of the helicopter behind him but refused to look back. The sun was beginning to set, dying the sky over the mountains orange and red. Ruby, Leo and Dima were crying out for him. Cold rage blazed inside him, right down to the bones, as the breeze lifted his hair. He took a step forward, his legs trembling, and pulled the gun from his waistband.

‘You’ve got me,’ he said, pointing it at Dragomir. ‘Now let them go.’

‘Drop the gun,’ Dragomir shot back, ‘and don’t try anything stupid.’

Charlie’s eyes darted to his family, each of them held at gunpoint by a soldier. He saw the fear in their faces. The whole world seemed to have stilled in front of his eyes. His hands shaking, he found his thoughts returning to the story he had told the children, only a few nights before. The memory of his own words replayed inside his head, drowning out everything else.

’Luckily for these three kids, though, there was a brave knight who lived nearby called Charlie, and he saw how frightened they were by the monsters, and it made him sad. He knew he wanted to help the three children somehow. So, one day, he went out with his sword and he fought for them. Then the monsters were gone, forever, and the three kids were happy …’

‘What happened to Charlie?’

‘He was happy too,’ Charlie murmured, ‘because he knew he had saved the children.’

He threw the gun along the ground towards Dragomir.

Moving leisurely, Dragomir picked it up. His eyes remained on the helicopter as it drifted higher into the sky, pulling swiftly away from the building. ‘No way out now,’ he purred, his face alive with a savage hunger. ‘Still sure you made the right choice, Carroway?’

‘I surrender,’ Charlie said, fighting to keep his voice steady. ‘Let them go.’

‘What are those brats whining about?’ Dragomir snapped at one of the soldiers as he returned to stand beside the children. Charlie could not hear the soldier’s reply, but Dragomir threw back his head and burst out laughing.

Charlie’s hands curled into fists. ‘What’s so funny?’ he asked, his voice low, his teeth gritted.

‘These little brats think you’re going to save them,’ Dragomir cried, shaking his head with a malevolent grin. ‘Go on, indulge me – how are you going to save them, Charlie?’

Three gunshots rang out in quick succession, echoing across the rooftop before Charlie had even opened his mouth to reply. June, Leo and Dima’s bodies sagged in the hands of their captors, then slumped to the ground. Charlie blinked, totally numb, watching as their blood pooled around them over the gravel.

‘You said you wouldn’t hurt them …’

‘Did I?’ Dragomir’s eyes gleamed. ‘I don’t remember saying anything about that …’

Towering above her, he aimed his gun between Ruby’s eyes and pulled the trigger. But nothing happened. He had run out of bullets. Charlie watched, frozen to the spot, his throat too dry to speak, as Dragomir tutted to himself. He checked the magazine of the gun Charlie had thrown to him, then placed the muzzle against Ruby’s temple. His eyes remained on Charlie’s face, his grin widening.

‘Charlie …’ Ruby whispered, staring at him with huge, terrified eyes. ‘Please …’

‘I’ll do whatever you want!’ Charlie screamed. ’Please! Please, just let her go!’

He felt his legs give way as Dragomir fired the last shot and flung Ruby’s twitching body to the ground. As Charlie fell to his knees, a hollow sensation began to spread through his heart. He blinked through tears, his knife somehow in his hands, his arms shaking as he held it out towards Dragomir.

As Dragomir strode towards him, Charlie turned the point of the blade towards himself. The next moment, he felt agonising pain lance through his arm as Dragomir lashed out, his boot connecting with Charlie’s hand. The knife flew from his fingers and skidded away. Charlie cradled his hand to his chest, his head bent as uncontrollable sobs wracked his entire body.

‘Did you think I’d let you have it so easy?’ Dragomir hissed into his ear. ‘I already told you – there’s no way out for you now.’

He straightened up, his fingers digging into Charlie’s scarred shoulder so hard it made him yelp with pain. Charlie struggled, fighting to get free, but Dragomir only tightened his grip.

‘Give him something to make sure he behaves himself,’ Dragomir ordered, his voice hard and cold. ‘I have big plans for him later.’

Before Charlie had time to react, one of the soldiers had crouched down beside him and stuck a needle into the crook of his arm. Charlie felt hands across his body. Something told him he should resist, but his limbs were too heavy. He could barely lift his fingers. As the world grew dim around him, he slumped to his side on the ground, a deep fog clouding his mind.

Blinking slowly, his gaze settled on the dead faces of his family, their eyes open but unseeing. He fought to stay awake, but his eyelids felt like lead.

The sun was about to dip behind the horizon. The last rays of the sunset burnt everything before him away into shimmering golden light.

A single tear tracked its way across his nose and down his cheek.

‘That’s right. I like you better this way.’ The same menacing voice. ‘Take him away.’