Immortal Stonekeeper (2022) Chapter 17: Chapter 17: All By Ourselves

Read chapter 17 of Immortal Stonekeeper (2022) by Mercynarie on NovelPedia.

“What do you mean, I don’t have enough credits to request backup, chief? I’m being hunted for goodness sake! My life is in danger!” “Oliver Harred committed suicide in his cell? But I…” Anya’s eyes widened in shock. “What? Are we afraid of the mafia now? We’re the goddamn police! Clara Harred’s turning this city upside down. We need to take her head on; there’s no more time for—” A loud click sounded in her ears before she could plead further. The detective sank to the floor in defeat, burying her face in her hands. “Help me…” Anya flicked her head upwards, looking around at the stone-cold walls around her. Her surroundings were dim, and the mediaeval architecture was not making the place look any cosier. A chill ran down her spine as her shaking legs propped her up. “Is… someone there…? Help me…” the ghostly voice repeated itself. “Hello?” Anya’s voice rang out louder than intended, coated by more nervousness than she had hoped to let on. She drew her gun and walked towards the scratching sound against the door at the end of the hall. This place is so creepy… Why’d you leave me here alone, Jon… Anya drew a deep breath and pushed the door open slightly. She peeked in and flinched as a hoarse cry greeted her. “Mind the water, girl!” Anya flinched at the sight of the woman strung up by silver strings in the middle of the room. Small containers of water surrounded a pentagram drawn on the floor with some kind of glowing substance. The woman dangled above the demonic symbol had her head hung downwards. Her black hair covered her face partially, but Anya recognised her anyway. “Lucy, am I right?” Anya asked the woman. “Who did this to you?” Lucy craned her neck to look at the inspector as her lips curved into a slightly terrifying smile. “Ah, Jonathan’s roommate. Pray help me shift all those containers out of the room. Oh, and don’t let the water touch the ground.” “Why?” Anya bent down to pick up two containers. “Because if they do, I’ll be frozen in my place for twenty-four hours just like Jonathan last night.” A look of realisation dawned on Anya’s face. ~ ~ ~ Moving the containers of water away was the easy part. Getting Lucy down? Not so much. The strings that held her up seemed unbreakable, and the knots that held them together were complicated and numerous. It took the ladies a solid hour to finally free Lucy from her bindings. “Thank you so much, my dear.” Lucy rubbed her wrists tenderly. “So Jonathan has finally decided to show you his workplace. I knew something was up between both of you.” “What, no!” Anya exclaimed. “He’s hiding me here because I’m being hunted by the mafia.” “How very clever of him.” Lucy grinned. “I suppose he was expecting that a vampire could scare them away.” “A… what?” “Oh, you don’t know?” “Know what?” Anya blinked in confusion. “This is a personal security agency, isn’t it?” “No, it isn’t. Sorry, I’m late, Anya. I fell asleep for an hour.” The ladies turned behind to the sound of Jonathan’s voice. He walked slowly to them, his clothes still damp from the rain. Anya ran to him and hugged him tightly. “You aren’t hurt… Oh thank god…” she cried out. “Where did you go? Harred’s gang is still out there and the police won’t help. What were you thinking, going out like that? They could have hurt you!” Jonathan gave her a wry smile. “Trust me, they couldn’t even if they tried. The bulk of her men are dead. I suppose there are still a few scattered around, but the gang has mostly been dismantled.” “What? How?” Anya asked in surprise. “You went after them, didn’t you?” Lucy folded her arms with a disapproving look on her face. “Let me guess, they tried to hurt Anya and you hunted all of them down. We talked about this, Jonathan. Revenge isn’t—” “I’m sorry for being human, alright!” Jonathan retorted. “They killed Oscar! They killed my only family left in this world! They deserved every bit of what I did to them.” “But you don’t deserve any bit of what’s coming for you,” Lucy said grimly. “We immortals are