'What do you mean?' asked Emma as Eleanor waited for a moment before peering round the corner.
'I should be hearing their thoughts, but I'm not.'
'That's because they've gone,' Eleanor said.
Walking into the large tunnel, the only one lit up by several fluorescent light bulbs, she dropped her arms and sighed.
'But they've not been gone long,' Emma added. 'Look, this coffee is still warm.'
'Alert the others, Ava. If Sthenelaus is on the move, they might in danger.'
Ava nodded and immediately began communicating with the other Watchers, Mentors and Supernaturals.
In the meantime, Eleanor began to take in her surroundings, trying to find clues as to where they might have gone.
'Do you think they were on to us?' asked Diarmuid.
'Perhaps. Although I don't know how.'
'Maybe they've got some telepathic Skulls or something,' suggested Emma as she bent down to pick up a strange object on the floor.
'What is it?' asked Elliott.
'Not sure. But it looks like a claw or something.'
Eleanor rushed over and inspected it. 'You're right. It is a claw. It's probably from the Krakor.'
Emma screwed up her face and handed it over.
'You keep it.'
'So the Krakor's been here then?'
'I doubt it. That was probably just brought in by Drake or one of the others. That beast is probably too big to be let loose down here.'
'What do we do now, Eleanor?' asked Emma as she and Diarmuid locked fingers.
Standing still for a moment and looking around one more time, she replied, 'We go to the next location.'
Emma's eyebrows furrowed.
'The docks.'
Just as they were about to turn back, Declan hesitated.
'What is it?' whispered Eleanor as she looked back at him.
'There's something... someone down there.'
Pointing to a tunnel they hadn't yet investigated, Diarmuid and Emma lit themselves up and began to walk into the darkness.
'Wait, you two. We'll go first. Just keep us lit up from behind,' Declan insisted as they shoved past them.
The echo of their quiet footsteps soon became louder as Declan's urgency increased, as did their speed.
'It's Rita,' he yelled. 'She's injured.'
As he rounded a corner, he came to an abrupt stop, almost tripping over the body that had been dumped so casually beneath a hatch.
'Rita, can you hear me?' Declan whispered as he very carefully turned her over so that she lay on her back.
'She's got a pulse, but it's weak,' he said as Eleanor approached and crouched down.
Emma and Diarmuid stood just behind them, their eyes wide.
Cuts and bruises covered the woman's face, making her eyes barely visible beneath the blood and the swollen skin.
Declan quickly removed his jacket and draped it over her.
'Her heart beat's slowing down. We're losing her.'
'Stay with us, Rita. Stay with us,' Eleanor almost shouted as she pounded her chest. 'It's no use. We need hospital equipment. We need... Diarmuid!' she suddenly added. 'Shock her, Diarmuid.'
Declan nodded, 'It might work.'
Diarmuid's face dropped and he glanced at Emma before wiping sweat from his forehead.
'You can do it,' she whispered.
Nodding, he knelt on the floor beside the woman and placed his hands on her chest. Closing his eyes for a second, he then let a charge of electricity shoot through his hands. Her body reacted, lifting slightly off the floor.
Eleanor checked her heart beat. Leaning back, she shook her head.
'Again. Stronger this time,' she said, placing her hand on Diarmuid's arm.
He looked into her eyes.
'She's going to die, Diarmuid. You're her only hope.'
Something in him seemed to click and he turned back to Rita and put his hands back on her chest. Closing his eyes, he let the charge course through him, making him glow bright white.
Emma gasped. It was like he was surrounded by a beautiful bright halo, tinged with blue and red. She watched as the charge continued until the halo faded, leaving the tunnel darker than before.
Eleanor placed her ear against Rita's chest and smiled.
'You did it, Diarmuid. You saved her. Ava please communicate with Wilbur. Tell him we need him and Beau to come down and get her.'
As Ava began to instruct Wilbur as to their whereabouts, Diarmuid slowly stood up. He looked down at his shaking hands.
Emma took them in hers before pulling him into her, hugging him tight.
'You have healing hands,' she whispered.
'No, it was just electricity.'
Eleanor turned her head upwards and shook it, 'No Diarmuid. Emma's right. It wasn't just electricity. You had a special aura about you. It was a combination of the electrical charge and your hands.
'E...E...Ellie?' croaked Rita.
'Rita?' Eleanor whispered. 'You're going to be alright. Shhhhh.'
But Rita tried to shake her head, 'N...n....n....o. They... kill....killed J....J...John,' she sobbed.
Eleanor nodded sadly. 'We know, Rita. But you're going to live. Stay strong, Rita, stay strong.'
'Rita?' Declan whispered.
She turned her head slightly and looked at him through the slits of her eyes, wincing from the pain.
'Do you know where they've gone?'
She closed her eyes and tried to nod.
'Try not to move,' Eleanor said.
'They're releasing the Krak...' she sighed before closing her eyes.
'Where? Rita, where is the Krakor?' Declan asked but it was no use. Rita's exhaustion and pain were too much. She'd slipped into a state of unconsciousness.
'I'm not leaving her here alone. We'll wait for Wilbur and Beau to arrive and then we'll head to the docks. She's been through so much,' Eleanor said sadly as she held the woman's cold hand and gently stroked it.
'I reckon they were taking her with them but something must have spooked them and they just dropped her here,' Declan said as he looked upwards at the hatch.
'They had no need for her. They probably thought she was as good as dead.'
Declan nodded.
'We'll get them, Ellie. We will.'
Eleanor looked down and adjusted Declan's jacket over Rita as they waited.
oOo
Apart from the hundreds of motionless people scattered around the area, Emma couldn't see any movement other than the gentle lapping of the Thames.
'Do you see anything?' asked Eleanor as she and Diarmuid shook their heads.
'Declan?'
Shaking his head, he closed his eyes for a moment. 'But they're close.'
'Do you think they're in the warehouse?' asked Emma.
But Declan shook his head, 'I doubt they'd be that stupid. They wouldn't go back to the one place we know about. I reckon some of them are on the ship they transported the Krakor on. But there'll be others hidden elsewhere.'
Eleanor nodded and motioned for her peers to wait for a moment.
'What if they know we're here?' Emma whispered.
'They'd already be attacking us if they did.'
'Sammy's trying to get your attention,' Diarmuid said as they turned to see Sammy waving frantically from the other side of a building where another group were awaiting instructions.
Eleanor carefully looked around and then waved her over.
Moving as quickly and as silently as possible, Sammy soon reached them. Catching her breath, she leant forward for a second before standing up.
'There's a group of Skulls in the warehouse,' she panted.
'How do you know?' asked Diarmuid.
Sammy smiled, 'Some of the plants are still alive. I managed to get a connection,' she said.
Declan grinned, 'I knew your power would increase. Well done you,' he said, patting her on the shoulder.
Preparing for a fight, the Watchers were stunned when they forced open the do
or and found ten Skulls tied up on the floor, unconscious.
'What the...?' said Declan as he and the others walked in.
'Oh,' said Eleanor. 'I... what's going on here? Sammy? Can the plants shed any light on this?'
Sammy nodded and opened a couple of the boxes, pouring some water on to the plants before she began talking to them.
Looking quizzical, she looked back at Eleanor. 'They heard a woman's voice and some fighting but then it all went quiet,' she said. 'That's all they can tell us.'
Eleanor nodded as Barber walked to her side. 'I wonder...' he muttered to himself before lifting his head up, 'I wonder if it's the same woman who rescued me.'
'Perhaps,' Eleanor replied with an odd smile, 'I just wish we knew who she was.'
'They're all out cold,' Declan said after inspecting every one.
'We'll get them transported to the Praxos Prison.'
'There's a Praxos Prison?' asked Emma with a frown.
'Of course. Whatever did you think we did to the evil people we apprehend?'
'I, erm, I guess I never really thought about it.'
'Come on, let's head to the ship. But be careful, everyone. Just because someone has assisted us here, certainly doesn't mean the ship will be equally safe. If the Krakor is waiting for us, we must proceed with extreme caution. Remember, if he whips you with his tail, you will likely perish. We certainly don't want that to happen. Stay safe,' she said as she exited the warehouse, leaving a handful of people to watch over the unconscious Skulls.
The sound of an engine roaring into action echoed around them as they approached a huge ship that was docked just a few miles down from the warehouse.
Several Skulls were rushing around on board the ship. It was clear they were in a hurry to leave. Declan was the first to board, knocking out two of the Skulls before Eleanor joined him.
Emma and the other Watchers followed. One by one, the Skulls were incapacitated and tied up. It was just too easy.
'What's going on?' asked Emma as she tiptoed behind Diarmuid.
He shrugged, 'They're dropping like flies. It's weird. Something's not quite right.'
'Yeah, I know what you mean.'
'Something has spooked them, that's for sure.'
As they pushed open a door below deck, they were faced with two Skulls. Emma immediately became defensive, kicking her leg out to trip the first one up as he rushed towards them. Diarmuid managed an elbow to his back as he went down. Before he had the chance to get back up again, Emma threw herself on top of him and they wrestled on the floor as Diarmuid fought the larger of the two, punching him square in the jaw.
The fight ensued until the first Skull succumbed to the beating and crumpled into a heap, allowing Emma to help Diarmuid subdue the other one. Within minutes, both were unconscious. Emma grinned as her boyfriend high-fived her.
'What a team,' he laughed as they slammed the door shut and locked it from the outside.
With adrenaline pulsing through them, the two ran along the ship looking for more Skulls, but it was soon evident that this short fight was over. Thirty-four Skulls had been captured from every part of the ship and were dragged off to the dock where a number of Mentors were gathering them and loading them onto a large coach they'd managed to find nearby.
Elated at the results, Emma and Diarmuid couldn't stop grinning at each other. Until they saw Eleanor's face.
'What? What is it, Eleanor?'
'This was far too easy. And we haven't found the Krakor yet. Or Sthenelaus, Drake, Grycan and his cronies.'
'But we've managed to capture thirty-four Skulls,' Emma exclaimed.
'Yes, a wonderful result, of course. But I believe these Skulls were a set up.'
Emma's expression dropped and she swallowed loudly.
'We need to get back to Praxos,' Declan said solemnly. 'And work out what to do next.'
CHAPTER 37
Regardless of Eleanor's concerns, the young Watchers were elated and continued to show it as they arrived back at Praxos, following a long walk through the tunnels below the city. They regaled each other about the fights they'd had and the Skulls they'd captured.
More than anything else, Emma wanted to tell Lana about the fight and what she'd missed. So she released Diarmuid's hand and rushed into the HQ towards the nursing station. When she saw she wasn't there, she ran towards the Academy where she shared a room with her sister and a couple of other girls.
Pushing open the door to their dorm room, she gasped when she realised Lana wasn't there either and their belongings were scattered all over the place. Immediately sensing something was wrong, Emma ran out of the room shouting for Eleanor and Declan. The crowds of students all went quiet as she pushed through them, yelling.
'Emma?' Declan rushed towards her. 'She's gone hasn't she?' he said.
Emma nodded.
'Who's gone?' Eleanor asked.
'Lana. Lana's been taken.'
Rushing back through the HQ, they pushed open the door to the Academy and down the corridor towards the sleeping quarters. When they reached their room, Declan pushed open the door and inspected it. Nodding, he turned to Eleanor.
'There was a struggle here. Lana was probably too weak to fight back properly.'
Emma gasped as tears began to fall down her cheeks.
'Daisy! Daisy?' shouted a voice from behind them.
'Has anyone seen Daisy?' asked Beau.
They shook their heads.
'Maybe she's been taken too,' Emma whispered.
'Taken?' Beau asked alarmed.
Eleanor nodded.
'I'm afraid they've taken Lana.'
'Oh God,' Daisy's father muttered as he stumbled backwards.
'Don't worry, Beau. We'll get them back,' Eleanor said gently.
Suddenly, Eleanor put her hand to her chest and closed her eyes.
'No, not now,' she muttered under her breath.
'Is it time, Ellie?' asked Declan.
Eleanor nodded as he helped her down onto the bed.
'Do you want me to get Wilbur?' Emma whispered as she wiped away the tears.
'No thank you. He's busy with... oooh.'
She cried out in pain as her hair began to turn white and the skin on her face wrinkled. Soon, she was transformed. Looking up, she brushed her hair off her face with elderly fingers and forced herself to stand up. Declan and Beau both came to her assistance and she smiled gratefully.
'Thank you. I'm so sorry. I can't help when I'm like this. Declan, you'll have to take over. Find them, find the girls, Declan.'
He nodded.
'Go now, I'll be okay. Beau can help me back to headquarters. Take the Watchers and find the girls.'
oOo
Once word had reached the rest of the students, Barber was the first to make his way to find Emma.
'Emma, what's happened?' he asked as she led him away from everybody by the elbow.
'It's Lana, she's been taken.'
Barber's eyes widened and he clenched his jaw. Emma noticed him clench his fists too.
'When do we leave?'
'Five minutes.'
Barber nodded. He was just about to turn from her when he stopped and looked deep into her eyes, 'We'll get her back, Emma. I'll make sure of it.'
Tears welled in her eyes again and she nodded. Barber's face softened and he hugged her for a moment before leaving her and rushing out of the hall towards where Declan was organising the search party.
She roughly rubbed the tears from her cheeks before noticing she was the focus of attention from many of the other students. They stared at her before she turned away from them and followed Barber.
oOo
Reaching the rooftop, Declan cursed under his breath when he realised his mode of transport had been taken.
Not only had the helicopter been stolen, but its pilot was also missing.
'Amber,' he said loudly.
'D...D...Declan,' called a weak voice in the distance.
'Over there,' shouted Emma
as she turned to see a foot sticking out from behind a chimney stack.
As they approached, Emma nearly heaved when she saw Amber lying in a pool of blood, barely alive.
'D...D...Dec...'
'Shhhh, love. Don't say a word. Help is on its way. I've just called them. Don't worry, you're gonna be fine.'
But Amber shook her matted brown hair. 'N...no, I'm not,' she said, trying to smile at him. 'Sthen...Sthen...'
'Sthenelaus?' asked Emma.
Amber nodded, wincing.
'He took the helicopter?'
She nodded again.
'Did he do this to you?'
'Y...yes.'
Wilbur appeared, followed by Barber whose eyes changed colour at the sight of all the blood.
'Barber, get out of here, man. Don't be tempted by this,' Declan ordered.
'No, I can handle it,' he said. 'It's just my eyes that change. Don't worry. Fresh blood does nothing for me... not anymore.'
Declan eyed him for a moment before he let the vampire pick Amber up.
'You sure?' he asked.
'Sure. Let me take her down. I'm faster than you.'
Declan nodded as Barber and Amber were gone before they could even blink.
'Is she going to make it?' Emma whispered.
'I don't know, Em. I really don't know.'
'How are we going to find Lana and Daisy now? Without the helicopter?' she whispered as Diarmuid put a protective arm over her shoulders.
'We'll go on foot. Don't worry, Em. We'll find them.'
oOo
The streets of London were eerie and silent. The only sounds Declan could hear were the distracting thoughts of the other Watchers and so he concentrated hard to dismiss them from his mind. Instead focussing on anything out of the ordinary.
It didn't take long for the silence to end when a high pitched scream echoed throughout the tall buildings surrounding them.
Declan started to run towards it, with the Watchers running not far behind. Rounding a bend, they were soon faced with something so terrifying it stopped them all like a slap in the face.
There, in the middle of Trafalgar Square was the Krakor. And tied to Nelson's Column, right beside the creature, were Lana and Daisy.
Daisy was screaming while Lana's head hung unnaturally low.
'Lana!' screeched Emma as she saw the terrifying sight unfold in front of her, before she started to run towards them.