Reluctance a serial by Martin Slusser

Janissary Project: Book IX. The awful resurrection of the late Carl Ivanovitch by a horrible creature from Hell sets the stage for the continuing misadventures of Benny Grey. The hunt continues.

The High Priest - Robed in dark red, the high priest lifted the skean-dubh in trembling hands. Under the knife was a young woman shortly before this black moment delivered of her virginity to the glory of the dark gods.

Old building on her last legs - It was rough work, climbing down twenty flights of stairs. The gurney folded into a stretcher that was strapped to one man’s back. Every three flights they switched to a fresh man. At the bottom the lights were burned out or stolen, but each carried a glow stick. At this point it wasn’t needed.

You are late for the meeting - Mike lay atop the covers in Cindy’s bed. The headboard was three feet away, and the foot board too far even for his six-foot-two frame to reach.

excessive water use - Jim slumped. He gave Kat a helpless glance and let Benny slide to the floor. Then he kicked Monte in the groin. The armor held, but the Harvester flinched, and three stiff fingers drove into his eye socket. Monte sighed, dropping to the floor and a faint shudder rippled through the muscles of his face as Death stalked his soul.

How soon they forget - Jim came to a small bridge that spanned a wide pile of rubble and trash. He leaned out of the door, whispered hard, and then drove over it into a wide space filled with brush and weeds.

How do I get out o’ here? - He came back in and closed the door. The TV was a cheap plasmodia hanging from the wall. Mike touched the screen, and it began to glow. Cindy didn’t spend a lot of money on extras for her agents, but, and he had to smile, the side bennies were tops.

The raider’s camp - After a mile, Jim stumbled. The rumbles were growing fainter, with a new sound in the damp air. The child waited till they caught up and then started, but more slowly.

Times do change - Mike waited while Creel jammed a donut in his mouth, swallowed some coffee, then the head eased back and snores came from the man’s mouth. Taking the phone from his shirt pocket, he opened the back and used a small screwdriver to unhook the homing device. First the code for North Carolina, then his mother’s phone. His father answered, and Mike forced a smile in his voice.

Damned raiders - Scowling, Mike took the phone and hit the holographic. A furry, glowing statue of Cindy sitting at her desk drifted between the men.

this whole building’s gonna be stripped - Seeing them stare at the door, Kat started chattering at Ramie. The man was retreating now, watching the door and holding something in his ear. Ramie glanced at Kat and began to speak.

Pst, señor? - Mike faced the Harvesters until the woman was on a gurney and gone. He slid forward with tiny, frantic ‘bots dodging out of his way. Mike grabbed the Harvester by the shirt and smashed the handle of the gun in the slack face. The man stumbled back and Mike let him go.

Nobody cares what a stud bull knows. - Mike and Creel sat in an armored car, a small deluxe rental from the South Philly Regal Clunkers! Auto Agency. The seats were hard, and even the heavy iron and plastic sheeting the car couldn’t account for that. Creel started squirming again until Mike cut him down with a glance.

the world melted into a red mist and smoke - Creel’s head rocked back, and Mike threatened to slap him again. The bomber outside was having trouble with the explosives. Sliding back to the car, he scowled. Tapping on the window got his attention. Mike pointed at the timer, then his watch. The man’s scowl turned to a worried frown.

HARVESTING for the BETTERMENT of MANKIND - In Benny’s hand, the rat began to squirm. He glanced at it and saw red eyes and bare teeth. With a small smile, he cast a mental wink at Heaven, then slapped the man in the face with the rat.

We got company, boy - Mike jumped into the jeep and started it. Benny grabbed a handful of frame and hung on, while a woman shouted in rage.

Hey, is somebody up there? - The floor collapsed, sending them crashing into a basement. The woman screamed, and the men thrashed to free themselves. Benny was snagged by one of the men and dragged close. A tangle of metal and trash loomed over them. The woman looked up, shrieked, and tried to throw herself away from it, but her legs were trapped.

I thought you were a dream - The toe of Benny’s foot rammed him where the equipment swung free, and a brick smashed into the other man’s face.