Devil's Island Read online

  Kenzie shrugged. “I hated to see you struggling.”

  “You made it all easier.”

  “I guess.”

  “And then you came back.”

  “Well, I didn’t have much choice!”

  Dahl held a hand up to show he’d been overly cynical. It wasn’t fair to punish her for events outside her control. “It’s not as simple as removing temptation.” He gave her a smile. “It’s about repairing something, and you don’t know how it broke in the first place. Where do you start?”

  “Being together, I guess.” Kenzie shrugged, unsure.

  Dahl shook his head. “That’s all well and good,” he said, ducking as they negotiated a stand of trees. “But being together solves nothing.”

  “So talk,” Kenzie started to sound exasperated. “You normally don’t have that problem!”

  Dahl looked at her speculatively. “You’re right,” he said. “But with lifelong partners—it’s harder than that.”

  “Why?”

  “I have no bloody idea.”

  They slowed, aware that they had covered a good deal of ground. Dallas was slightly ahead, giving them space. They topped another rise.

  Dahl flung himself down onto his stomach.

  Ahead, hurrying along the lush lower seam of a fold in the land, was the Scavenger party. Ten men with varying weapons, all stripped to the waist and wearing an assortment of shorts, ripped pants and what appeared to be a loincloth in one example, scarred and ruthless, shouting aloud with anger and hatred, men turned into savages by their situation. In their midst, Hayden, Kinimaka and Molokai either walked or were dragged. The slightest stumble attracted heavy recompense. A let up in the pace wasn’t allowed. Hayden was bleeding from the head and Kinimaka limped.

  Dallas pointed ahead. “Their camp’s right there.”

  Dahl swore. They hadn’t caught up in time to catch their enemy in the open.

  Kenzie grunted. “It could be for the better. They’ll be less wary at camp. Might leave the prisoners alone for a bit.”

  “No,” Dallas said. “They’ll be busy packing their suitcases.”

  Dahl sighed at the weak attempt at humor. But it was true. The Scavengers would be making ready to leave the island. From what he could see though, very little seemed to be happening among the assortment of dwellings they called home.

  “Let’s get closer.”

  Fifteen cautious minutes later they were in a better position. The Scavengers’ camp hadn’t changed from what they’d seen earlier. What dwellings they could see in the wide depression were dirty and disorganized. Its inhabitants were walking to and fro or staring at the newcomers, asking questions. Some were infuriated—probably having lost friends. Some were brandishing knives and axes. Others sat around eating.

  “No sense of urgency,” Dallas said. “I wonder why.”

  “They’re staying,” Dahl said, barely able to believe his own words.

  “They’d rather stay than change their lives,” Kenzie said, “and return to the world. Or maybe they don’t believe the Devil’s announcement.”

  Dahl studied the scene. “Some of them are tooling up.” He noticed a third of the men sorting through a weapons cache. “Maybe they’re expecting an attack or . . .”

  “From us?” Dallas interrupted.

  “No, from other clans. Or maybe—they’re attacking.”

  The big Swede gritted his teeth as Hayden, Kinimaka and Molokai were dragged to the center of the camp and forced to their knees. Men surrounded them. Three tied their hands behind their backs. Others circled them with knives, snarling.

  “Are we ready?” Dahl asked.

  “Fourteen enemies, total,” Kenzie said. “We’re ready.”

  “Get as close as you can before opening fire,” Dahl said. “Don’t give them chance to exact retribution.”

  Hayden and the others were hauled to their feet, punched randomly, and then manhandled toward the thick, wooden stakes. A body still hung from the fourth, its flesh crusted with black blood and open wounds. All manner of weapons were trained on the captives, from a handgun to rifles to machetes and military knives. The more malicious among the Scavengers feigned attacks, laughing when their prisoners glared back without emotion.

  Finally, Hayden and the others were properly tied. The Scavengers made a semi-circle around them staring, glaring, all with their backs to Dahl.

  “It’s now or never,” the Swede said. “Let’s roll.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

  Drake and Alicia took a few minutes to get their bearings and then ran toward the base of the high mountain where Mai would emerge. They were still some way off, but it was imperative they reached it first, and not just to lend their aid. The clock was ticking, and Mai might not be aware. An unknown species of genetically modified animals roamed the top of it. The mercenaries that lived at the castle were gearing up to go.

  They ran among trees, at first paying little heed to their surroundings until Drake heard a loud commotion to the right. They stopped and fell into the underbrush.

  “The Creepers,” Alicia whispered. “Remember—they live in the forest.”

  Drake cursed in silence. After leaving the rolling hills he’d been focused on the mountain and Mai. The sudden beginnings of a forest hadn’t registered properly.

  Luckily, the Creepers were busy.

  Drake saw a large vehicle parked to the right, a black truck with an open-bed trailer. It was running, belching fumes, its diesel engine loud and probably why the Creepers remained unaware of his existence.

  “Where the hell do they find diesel?” Alicia asked.

  “Probably barter for it,” Drake suggested. “They’re the closest clan to the castle. Maybe they don’t attack in return for fuel.”

  The truck was kitted out for war. Drake saw wicked spears fastened to the top of the cab, their deadly blades sticking out beyond the engine cover. He saw an archer strapped to the back of the cabin, quivers of arrows to left and right. He saw men arrayed in the back, weapons at the ready and several more crammed into the cab.

  “They’re going to war,” Alicia said. “I wonder why.”

  “Could be protecting themselves on a journey to the shore,” Drake shrugged, “looking for a boat.”

  “What’s your count?”

  “Fifteen.”

  “That leaves three elsewhere, if Tolley’s count is right.”

  Drake glared at the surrounding trees as if they might reveal a face. “We can’t hang around here, love. C’mon.”

  The Creepers were a tough-looking bunch. Strong and fit with rangy arms and legs covered by some type of hide. They appeared to have an abundance of weapons, though this included many made of wood and string, or possibly animal parts. Drake hadn’t seen animals other than the islanders so far, but assumed there must be some. How else could all these people subsist? Not on fish alone, for sure.

  He made ready to move. Alicia was staring behind them.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Just hoping Hayden and the others are okay.”

  “They will be. Dahl’s on the case. We have to help Mai.”

  Alicia shook her head wistfully. “Fucking Sprite. Always in trouble.”

  Drake recalled everything they’d seen through the mile-high eyes of the drone. “There’s a huge mobilization happening right now all across this island,” he said. “Including the castle and the docks. Our plane might not have time. It might be too dangerous. Alicia, we have to move and get Mai, and then think about how the hell we’re gonna escape this place before the nuke goes off.”

  “Sure, you’re the one spouting all the bollocks.”

  He shook his head wearily and started to sneak from one trunk to another. Together, they kept an eye on the sun-dappled branches above, watching for foes but seeing nothing. The Creepers, it seemed, were focused on their withdrawal. And who could blame them?

  “Hell of a history here,” Drake said as they crept along. “This island, I me
an. Founded by the Devil, intentionally populated by the worst of the worst. I wonder if he originally meant to use them in some way?”

  “You mean to impregnate each other?” Alicia looked horrified. “Shit, I hope not.”

  Drake scanned the horizon before sending her an annoyed glance. “Shit, not everything’s about sex, Alicia.”

  “Stop talking like that. You’re starting to sound mad-dog crazy.”

  Drake gave up. Clearly, she wasn’t in the mood for chatter. “They turned on the Devil,” he said. “He won’t make that mistake twice. I wonder where he’s going next?”

  He saw interest creep across her face. “You know, that’s a good point. This bloody Devil character has a shitload to answer for. We’d best not lose him too.”

  “And Kovalenko,” Drake added, pausing behind a broad, coarse trunk.

  “Just a rabid dog that needs putting down,” Alicia said. “We’ll catch up to him.”

  Ahead, the trees thinned out. Drake risked picking up the speed and soon they were leaving the forest behind, staring across a wide brown plain that led straight to the base of the mountain.

  Drake unhooked his field glasses. “Nothing moving out there,” he said. To the far right, at the edge of his field of vision, he could see the high castle walls. Ahead, the mountain dominated everything.

  “Three p.m.” Alicia checked her watch. “The daylight’s running out.”

  Drake agreed and started off at pace. “Let’s hope Mai, Luther and the others are there to greet us.”

  “Yeah,” Alicia responded, but he knew by the tone of her voice that she expected much the opposite. Something might be there to greet us, Drake thought.

  But it might not be human.

  Shrugging it off, he put his head down and made a beeline for the mountain and all the horrors it harbored.

  CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

  Mai knew by the steep descent, by the way the tunnel was opening out, and by the fresh draft on her face, that they were nearing the top of the mountain. Even if she hadn’t realized she’d have guessed from the increasingly angry shouts arising from their pursuers, that the end was coming.

  They’d prepared something big for a terrible finale.

  Mai was convinced of it, and told Luther, Karin and Dino. They hadn’t come this far to fall at the last hurdle. To her count, there were eight mercs, Valance and the four trophy hunters left alive. The others agreed. With those numbers Mai expected the hunters to get in the way of the professionals. And she expected them to be nervous.

  Luther still had the grenade he’d appropriated earlier. They all had their knives and the backpack. They moved at pace, still checking for traps but prioritizing speed. First Luther, then Dino, Mai and Karin led the way, taking their turns. It helped. At one bend in the tunnel they managed to heap several piles of rocks behind them. At another they rigged something that looked like a trap. It all bought them extra minutes.

  The air grew sweeter. Luther, ahead, glanced back. “We still on for finishing that first date, Kitano?”

  Mai shrugged off the tiredness. “Why? Is there a Denny’s ahead?”

  “You wanna date in a Denny’s?”

  “Not really, but you are an American.”

  “I can get hash browns and pancakes at Cooper’s Hawk too.”

  She ignored the punishment her thighs and calves were receiving, just pushed on along the hard rock surface. “You’ve lost me there.”

  “I guess you’d call it a more upmarket diner. Me, I don’t care either way.”

  “Me neither. Are we there yet?”

  “Denny’s? Yeah, it’s just around the corner.”

  They plowed on, never slowing, hating the uphill run but happy to leave the underground tunnel system behind. Twice, they heard the rumbling mountain. Once more they saw a distant lava tube, its molten contents painting their surroundings a fiery red.

  Karin and Dino ran at the back.

  “You keeping up okay?” the Englishwoman asked her friend.

  “Always at your heels, Blakey.”

  “Right where you belong.”

  “Ah, funny. Led me right into that one, didn’t you?”

  “It’s always been easy.”

  They’d been bantering heavily for the last half hour. Mai saw it as a sign of nerves, of tiredness, but it was also part of their burgeoning affection. Clearly, there were certain disputes that needed resolving. Mai could think of only one way to solve them properly.

  “When we get out of here,” she shouted back. “You two should get a room.”

  “Yeah,” Dino called back. “It’ll be right beside Luther’s and yours.”

  Mai grinned but didn’t look back. Luther said nothing. In hardship, certain bonds were forged. It was hard to know if those bonds would survive once the action was over. Still . . . they could all have fun trying.

  “Not far now,” Luther breathed.

  “I’m sure there will be one last trap at the very least,” Mai said. “Get ready for it.”

  “Can’t wait,” Luther said, “ because then, we’re free.”

  “Don’t forget the nuke.”

  The tunnel meandered up and up, the ceiling sometimes scraping their heads and, at others, vanishing into unknown heights. The fresh breeze petered out and then swept by in gusts. Their limbs ached. The pursuit continued and grew closer.

  Mai wondered about Drake, about what had happened back in Paris and if the SPEAR team were on their tracks or maybe even decimated. The last she’d seen them had been on the slopes of a Parisian train track after they saved the President and let Luka Kovalenko walk free.

  Seemed an awful long time ago now.

  But she knew, if he was alive, Drake would be risking everything to save them.

  It gave her an uplift, a new surge of hope. It didn’t matter what had happened to their relationship—their friendship would always be as strong as mountains.

  She stopped in mid-stride, horrified.

  Stunned.

  “This is it,” she could barely form the whispered words. “The final trap. Oh, it’s so much worse than I imagined.”

  Clearly, it was the last cavern. They could even see their exit. Luther joined her and then Karin and Dino stopped short to her left. Not a word passed among them as they took it all in.

  Ahead, a wide, high cavern opened out. It was well-lit by many flickering torches set into the walls at varying heights. Ledges and outcroppings ran all the way to the top, maybe a hundred feet—where a wide hole showed a patch of sky, sunlight, and their way to freedom.

  Between them and the walls lay hundreds and hundreds of bodies. Some in a state of decay. Some reduced to skeletons. Some fresh, as if just thrown down here yesterday. It was a mass grave, a body pit, and it stank of decomposition, death and blood. Flies buzzed over moldering corpses. Mai held her hand up to her nose and mouth as she stepped forward. The daylight up top was such a beautiful sight, marred by so much corruption.

  “What is all this?” Karin asked, shaken and upset.

  “Looks like they don’t use graves,” Luther said. “Probably mercs that die on the island. And there was some chatter of genetic experiments using the top of this mountain.” He looked up. “I think this is where they dump their prey.”

  “What makes you say that?” Dino asked.

  Luther pointed to several bodies. Mai stared then wished she hadn’t. Large chunks had been taken from their arms, legs and stomachs.

  “Are those . . . teeth marks?” Dino stared from the bodies to the hole in the roof. “What the hell is up there?”

  “If we’re lucky . . .” Luther nodded back down the passageway. “We’ll find out. They’re almost upon us.”

  “We can’t climb,” Karin said. “They’ll pick us off easily. What do we do?”

  Mai surveyed the sickening floor and set her face hard. “We fight.”

  It was thirty feet to the nearest rock wall. Mai fought down the revulsion and ran ahead, making an example. She man
aged to close her mind off and then pulled two comparatively fresh bodies over her own. She wriggled around to get the best view of the cavern’s entrance, saw Luther and the others copying her.

  She waited, knife in hand, ready to spring up when the best chance presented itself.

  Three minutes passed. She fought down revulsion, closed her mind to the putrefying stench. The pursuit came closer and closer, the mercs as vocal as if they were taking a stroll through town. Mai waited patiently, clearing her mind. The next few minutes would decide if they left this place alive or joined the unlucky corpses on the floor.

  A gentle breeze blew. She could even hear the calming noises of birds drifting down from above. A figure crossed her vision and then another. Four wary mercs entered the large cavern, betraying no surprise at the grisly sight that encountered their eyes. Carefully, they spread out. Valance came next and then the trophy hunters, closely followed by four more mercs. First, they scanned the walls and the darker corners and then looked all the way up to the top of the cavern.

  “They got out?” one said incredulously. “Shit.”

  “You gotta be kidding me!” one of the trophy hunters snapped, wiping runnels of sweat from his brow. “All this frickin’ way and the bastards escape? I want my fucking money back.”

  The other trophy hunters looked equally annoyed. Valance was staring with an odd expression on his face . . . almost as if he didn’t quite believe what he was seeing. Mai knew that he’d soon make the inevitable connection.

  She waited as long as she dared for the nearest merc to drift closer.

  One, two . . .

  Mai sprang to her feet, bringing the body with her. The merc flinched away. She took advantage, hurling the body in his direction and following it. She reached him at the same time as it did, springing around with her knife and slashing at his gun arm. The blade cut through his bicep, making him scream and stagger back. She grabbed his upper body, still holding the knife, and kept it between her and the other mercs.

  It was an art, this kind of fighting.

  Causing further distraction, the other three rose and attacked. The trophy hunters raised their guns and fired without aiming. Bullets flew in all directions, narrowly missing the fighting mercenaries. Luther hurled a corpse onto an opponent, bearing him to the ground, and then tackled another. Karin and Dino engaged others.