Ville

By Jordan Allen

A mysterious city

A cryptic leader

A deranged prisoner. Blind followers. 

A life saved. A plot thwarted. An ally gained. 

And still, Victor Wells is marked for death. 

Upon their arrival in the city to the south, Victor and team enter an environment unlike anything they've ever experienced

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jordan Allen Media
• Release date: Apr 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9781947448155

Book preview

1

He had said all we needed was a duffel bag full of clothes.

That bag was somewhere in the hallway behind me, completely forgotten. I stared at the screens, the blinking lights, and the flatline tone of the monitor. Pria stood at Kratos’s side, both hands on his chest, her arms like pistons as they moved up and down. How had this happened? She had said he was stable.

Victor!

I looked up, catching Alex’s stark white face in the background.

Victor! Victor, I need you to take over. Pria’s words were urgent. Sweat beaded around her brow, but her arms didn’t stop. Kratos’s lifeless body lay still on the makeshift medical platform.

Yeah, I…what do I do? I rushed forward, the now familiar feeling of fear rising up inside of me. It was Kratos. He couldn’t die. Not after what we had done, not now.

Pria grunted out the words in between compressions, a dark-red film beginning to coat her fingers.

Put your hands here. She motioned with her eyes. Right on his sternum.

Okay. I stepped up next to her.

Two inches of compression. She looked over at me. One hundred and twenty compressions per minute. Got it? I nodded.

Now!

She jumped out of the way, and I took her place, doing the best I could to mimic her movements.

Daphne, Augustine, and Zeno watched on in silence. Kratos’s eyes remained closed. His face lacked color, nearly resembling the mask he normally wore.

Inches below my hands, Pria worked carefully, peeling back the bandage that covered Kratos’s seeping wound.

She inhaled sharply. Pria threw the crimson-stained bandage in a pail at the foot of the bed. Deep-red liquid life began to spill onto the table. With speed honed by saber fights, she snatched a wad of gauze and pressed it to the wound with both hands.

The poison hasn’t let the wound heal at all, she breathed. And the pressure of the compressions is making him lose more blood.

Should I stop? I grunted, my arms burning as I struggled to keep pace.

No, the blood needs to get to his brain, or else there will be no hope of saving him.

In the back of my mind, I marveled at her medical knowledge, but as I looked at her, my heart only sank further. Her eyes were wide. Sweat continued to drip down her temples, her silver hair soaking it up.

She was out of her depth.

I don’t know what else to do. I can’t remove the bullet. I can’t even, I, I…. She looked around at the now useless monitors, the blood-soaked gauze in the bucket, and finally down to her crimson fingertips. She looked up. Her eyes met mine.

We were losing him.

The doors burst open, and the Chairman sprinted through them. He’d run the opposite way when Gina alerted us to Kratos’s situation.

The Chairman skidded to a halt across the table from me, gasping for breath

How long has it been, he huffed, since he flatlined? I looked to Pria, doing my best to continue the compressions.

Two minutes, she said, reaching for another wad of gauze.

Then we’re just about at the end of this drug’s capability. Do you know where the subclavian artery is?

Yes, Pria said.

Then use this, and hope on your life it’s enough. I have a medically equipped sweeper on the way. The Chairman held out a syringe containing a vibrant green suspension that almost seemed to glow. My medical team said to continue compressions for another thirty seconds after you administer it to let it spread throughout the body.

Pria snatched the syringe from his hand while keeping pressure on the wound.

Tell me what it is, she demanded.

I’m told it’s a stasis drug, he said.

Pria’s eyes widened.

Alex! Put pressure here, now!

She reached out, grabbed a fistful of his shirt, and wrenched him over, placing his hands on the gauze. Immediately, she sidestepped me and placed her hands around Kratos’s collarbone. Pinpointing a spot with her left index finger, she inserted the needle carefully into the skin, stopping only when the needle had completely disappeared.

Slowly, the effervescent green liquid emptied from the syringe.

I continued my compressions.

Everyone stood by, waiting.

Pria withdrew the needle, the vial now empty. Ten more seconds, Victor.

I nodded, my eyes on Kratos’s unnaturally pale face. I glanced up at the equally lifeless monitors. Neither man nor machine seemed to change. I continued the compressions.

I could only hope whatever the Chairman had brought was enough.

2

Kratos lay motionless on a makeshift stretcher beside us. The white lights of the incoming sweeper washed over him, making him appear paler.

Pria kept one hand on the bandage and checked his body temperature with the other. Our eyes met, and she gave me a small, wearied smile. Apparently, the green liquid she had given him acted like a kind of preservative. At least, that’s what she had said. His body and all of its functions were effectively paused. Supposedly, this was good, but to me, Kratos looked as he had before—lifeless.

They were quick, weren’t they?

The Chairman stood tall and smiling, arms crossed as the lights of the sweeper cut through the still, dark night. It moved ever closer, causing the hair on the back of my neck to tingle. Those terrifying moments of nearly being captured flashed briefly in my mind, but this wasn’t like that. This was helpful, something we desperately needed. But, like the purple liquid I had used before, who knew how long this stasis drug would last?

The soft metallic movements of the sweeper became louder. I shielded my eyes against the powerful beams as they swept over us. The metal beast moved more fluidly than a machine should. It almost seemed to float over the pavement. I counted six metallic arms that extended from a large round body that stood nearly a story tall. The arms moved and curled in smooth, undulating motions. The sweeper seemed more peaceful when it wasn’t scouring the streets, picking up anything in its path. It almost had the look of a large, metal octopus floating toward us through an ocean of air and concrete.

Augustine had appeared at my side. Are you sure about this?

What other choice do we have? I whispered back. He says he can save him.

I don’t trust him, Augustine said. Especially after learning that he sat idly by when this all happened.

Well... I paused. He’s here now, and he’s helping. Pria looks a lot less worried, so that stasis drug must be working. That’s something, at least.

Yes, well, even so.

I turned to look at him. We’re not backing out of this, not after all he’s done. We can’t just keep him here and let him die. We’re not equip⁠—

I never said that. Augustine met my gaze. "I agree we have no other options, but I am saying that I have my reservations about you going to Ville with the Chairman."

The sweeper towered over us as it came to a stop. The hexlet of arms fell lifelessly to its sides as a hatch opened on the body of the machine.

If there’s a chance we can out Rosewood, it’s worth the risk, I said.

Two men in blue jumpsuits emerged from the belly of the sweeper carrying a stretcher between the two of them. The Chairman walked over to us.

These two men are part of the medical team at Ville, he said. Though not nearly as, shall we say—he raised an eyebrow at me— captivating as Ms. Kane, they are incredibly knowledgeable. He gave me an oily smile and winked.

I didn’t smile back. And I certainly didn’t wink. I could almost feel Augustine’s disapproval filling the space between us.

The Chairman was a creep, and who knew how old he was. My guess was there was at least twenty years between us. Unfortunately, none of that mattered. Regardless of any misgivings Augustine had, there was only one right choice here.

We all watched as the two blue-clad men whisked Kratos away into the belly of their sweeper.

The Chairman smiled, clapped his hands, and rubbed them together.

I’ll accompany Kratos and the medical team back in their sweeper. The rest of you will follow in the sweeper I came in. My assistant, Nathaniel, is there awaiting your entrance.

I nodded and reached for the duffel bag at my side, but Augustine put a hand on my chest and stepped forward.

Is there really such a need to leave so soon? he said. It’s the middle of the night. After all we’ve been through today, we could use some rest.

We could all use some rest, but I didn’t see that changing anytime soon. The Chairman opened his mouth to respond, but I cut him off.

We don’t gain anything by waiting, I said. Aside from going to help make sure Kratos heals, Rosewood is still out there. The Left Hand is still active. I looked up at Augustine. More people could be marked any minute. I think we’ve done all we can do here.

Augustine’s face went taut.

He’s got a point, boss, Zeno said. I mean, I know Gina is about as helpful as a computer can get, but she’s tapped out here, not to mention how our neighbors are feeling about us. I don’t know if my ‘do can handle any more close encounters. He reached up and patted his perfectly sculpted, albeit shorter, hair. If we want to move forward, I’m thinking we’re due for a change of locale.

Pria stooped down and picked up her bag.

Well, I’m ready to go, she said. Honestly, it’s a fairly straightforward decision, isn’t it?

Pria, what about your father? Augustine said. Would he be okay with this?

Do you seriously think he cares?

A short, uncomfortable silence followed her words.

Besides, I can help with Kratos, she continued. What am I going to do if I stay here?

She could definitely learn much from our medical team, the Chairman chimed in.

Augustine eyed him, then looked back down at the ground.

I’m going too, Daphne said. She grabbed her bag and joined Pria. Zeno’s right, Dad. The locals don’t want us here. She paused and blew a few loose strands of dark-brown hair out of her eyes. And the longer we wait to go after Rosewood, the harder it becomes.

Exactly, and that hundred-year-old hag needs to pay, Alex said, his face determined. Since the stasis drug, he had come out of his quiet reverie. Pretty sure I’m the only real Bounty Hunter protege in existence, he continued, and we’re going to need someone who can offer some Kratos-like insights if we’re going to catch her.

Alex grabbed his bag and stepped over. I nodded and gave him a small smile and a fist bump. Augustine surveyed us all. The Chairman stood there quietly, a benign smile on his closed lips.

Mr. Chairman, Augustine started, would you mind giving us a few minutes?

I actually must be going. The Bounty Hunter needs to be transported as quickly as possible. The stasis drug has a limited effect. And by the looks of it, he turned to look at the medical sweeper, they’re just about ready to go. Take all the time you need and alert my assistant, Nathaniel, when you’re ready to proceed. He made to leave but paused.

Due to the nature of our job, he said, motioning to the sweepers, nighttime in Ville is more like your daytime here. It’s when the bulk of our living happens. Leaving here immediately would make for a smooth transition. And lastly… He took a backward step. There’s a reason I am here offering to help rather than in Dr. Rosewood’s office helping her. He gave us a meaningful look, then turned on his heels and jogged off toward the sweeper. The opening engulfed his silhouette, and almost immediately, the sweeper closed the hatch and left the way it had come.

Augustine leaned forward on his toes and then back to his heels.

He surveyed us.

It sounds like you’ve all made up your minds.

We all nodded.

Zeno patted Augustine on the shoulder. Don’t worry, boss. I’ll keep an eye on them. Augustine took a step back.

You’re going too?

Come on, you can’t expect these young hoodlums to just head off into the unknown all alone, right?

You’re only a couple of years older than us, Daphne said, rolling her eyes.

Plus, Victor’s right, Zeno continued as if she hadn’t said anything. We’ve got to look at this from a different angle. Ville could be that angle. Zeno stared hard at Augustine. If we can figure out a way to take down Rosewood, think of what that will mean. We’ll be that much closer to what we’ve always believed was possible. We have to take this chance.

Augustine held his gaze for a second longer and gave him a short nod. He looked at each of us in turn. Finally, he exhaled and shook his head.

Well, then it sounds like you all had better get going.

3

No leaving trash in the sweeper. No yelling in the sweeper.

Introductions had already been made, but the bespectacled, freckled-faced man named Nathaniel wasted no time in laying down some ground rules.

I felt a sense of urgency that Nathaniel apparently didn’t share.

We were already ten rules in.

Nathaniel counted out another finger. No eating in the sweeper. He cast a sidelong glance at Alex, who was busy smacking his lips and wiping glaze residue from his fingers. His spirits had improved dramatically. Donuts were always a good sign.

That was the last one, I swear. Alex held up his hands, his face earnest. Then, the realization of what he had said dawned on him. It was the last one. His expression turned forlorn, and he slumped into a nearby metal chair.

Nathaniel looked annoyed, but I was willing to bet he always looked annoyed. His red hair was well-manicured with a very precise part line that didn’t do anything to help the OCD vibe he was giving off. He wore an ugly brown and yellow striped tie with a silver tie clip, and the space between his eyebrows was mostly taken up by a large crease, which I guessed was a consequence of him glaring on a far too frequent basis.

It had better be, Nathaniel continued, straightening his round-framed glasses. And lastly, he said, counting out yet another finger, stay seated while the sweeper is moving. He glared around the cabin, each of us still standing with our bags in hand, with the exception of Alex. Now, take your seats and be quiet while I get us going.

Zeno and I exchanged a look. So much for a warm welcome by the Chairman’s assistant. We each took a seat as Nathaniel turned back to the multitude of screens that controlled the sweeper’s movements.

The interior of the machine was about what I had expected—dull, gray metal walls and floors and a few panels with an orange-brown hint of rust around the edges. I wasn’t exactly sure when the sweepers were first put into service, but it was clear that this one had been working in the Heights for a long time. A few scattered lights in the ceiling cast a murky yellow glow over us. The cockpit was well-lit, but that seemed to be more from the abundance of screens than the overhead lights. The metal chairs matched the gray of the rest of the sweeper, and as you would expect, they weren’t very comfortable. However, there was enough room that we weren’t too cramped.

Nathaniel sat at the front of the sweeper past Pria to my left. I could make out his face in the rear-facing mirror situated above his head. He was focused on the controls, tapping on the screens, sliding his fingers this way, and that.

Alex, whose eyes were already closed with fatigue, had taken the lone chair to my right at the back of the sweeper, and Daphne and Zeno had taken the two chairs opposite me.

Do you think Kratos is okay? Pria whispered from the seat next to me. Daphne looked over at us but quickly looked away. Pria’s voice was soft and uncertain, something I hadn’t heard from her before.

You’d know better than I would, but judging by this hunk of metal, I’m not sure how good their medical equipment will be. The Chairman seemed optimistic, though," I finished, trying to sound positive.

Nathaniel tapped several times, and the lights in the cabin dimmed, but the once opaque walls changed. What had appeared to be old, gray metal now turned completely transparent, offering a nearly unobstructed view of our surroundings, blocked intermittently by the undulating motion of the sweeper’s arms. Even the floor was see-through. I looked up to see Zeno nodding in surprised appreciation.

On the other hand, I said, nudging Pria, maybe their medical equipment is great.

The ground rolled underneath us at a moderate pace, the visual as clear as if nothing impeded my view. Dilapidated buildings rushed by on either side, appearing somehow more detailed than they should have been. It was almost as if the internal panels of the sweeper improved our ability to see, even in the dim light of night.

Uh, Nathaniel? Zeno paused as Nathaniel slowly turned his neck. His eyes never completely left the monitors.

Yes? he said, his response slightly delayed, but still sharp.

Bro—this is incredible. Is it an electrically charged glass that changes in opacity, or did you guys use a graphene-aluminum compound with wide-angle cameras on the exterior? I mean, either way, nice work.

That, I do not know, he said, turning back to the screens. You’d have to ask Ivy.

Ivy? Zeno said.

Zeno’s question was met with silence. After a full thirty seconds, Zeno looked over at me and shrugged.

Daphne broke the quiet.

What’s Ville like, Nathaniel?

Nathaniel’s head tilted slightly back and to one side, like he was contemplating how to best respond. His eyes flitted from the controls to the mirror and back again. Finally, he spoke.

It will be unlike anything you’ve experienced. Ville is largely devoid of problems—little to no crime. Everyone has a purpose. And unlike the Heights, with its lack of guidance, and the Flats, where no one can agree, Ville is united behind a kind and benevolent leader. A man filled with wisdom, a man⁠—

Wait, Pria said, cutting him off, you’re not seriously talking about the Chairman, are you? Nathaniel’s eyes narrowed.

Of course, I’m talking about the Chairman! As one of his closest confidants and advisors, I know him better than most, so trust me when I tell you⁠—

I thought you were his assistant, Alex said with a yawn. He rubbed his eyes and sat up a little straighter. And holy crap! Look at everything! Have you guys seen this? He motioned around at the now see-through floors and walls. Awesome!

Bro, you were the only one asleep, Zeno said with a wink. I wasn’t asleep, Alex said indignantly, I was just meditating. I gave him a look. I’d never known him to meditate.

He shrugged. It’s a Bounty Hunter thing. Anyways, Nathaniel, the Chairman’s assistant, wh⁠—

I’m not his assistant, Nathaniel said, emphasizing each word. I am one of his closest advi⁠—

Nope, Alex said, stifling another yawn and stretching his arms. Pretty sure that’s what he said.

Nathaniel opened his mouth to retort, but like an Innerbelt train, Alex kept on going.

See, I was trained by the Bounty Hunter. This mind— he tapped a finger on his temple— "doesn’t forget a thing. The Chairman said, and I quote, ‘Take all the time you need and tell my assistant, Nathaniel, when you’re ready to go.’ Alex looked around at the rest of us, nodding as he did so. See, doesn’t forget a thing." He tapped his head once more, leaned back in his chair, and let his eyes close, apparently for more meditation.

Nathaniel’s pale, freckled complexion had turned red, and his eyebrows were knit so closely together they almost became one. He started to open his mouth, but instead, he turned back around in his seat and began tapping on his many monitors. After a few seconds, an audible exhale sounded from the cockpit.

Silence fell over us. I could only hope the Chairman didn’t stick us with Nathaniel often. If he did, our time in Ville would not be pleasant.

In the back, Alex began to snore. Zeno and I shared a grin. However, as my eyes met Daphne’s, she quickly looked away. Our decision of no distractions was still in effect, but I was beginning to wonder if something else was at play.

Alex let loose another snore. I was pretty sure I heard Nathaniel scowl.

I nudged Pria’s arm, about to comment on Alex’s snoring, but as she turned toward me, her eyes were blank, as if she were somewhere else.

Hey, you okay? I said, lowering my voice.

Um, yes, of course, she said, blinking a few times and brushing a handful of hair out of her face. Why wouldn’t I be?

I searched her face. Pria had surprised me over the last few days, but she wasn’t what you’d call an open book. One thing I did know was that she was tough and probably didn’t take kindly to pity or worry. She had been furious when Printh showed up to help her defeat Daphne in the underground saber fight. Probably best to take a different track.

No reason, I said offhandedly, keeping my voice low. But I am curious about Ville, and I don’t think our good friend, Nathaniel, is going to give us any details. I paused. What do you know about Ville?

Nothing more than you, I’m sure. I assume your education in the Flats was better than the rumors I was raised on.

She raised an eyebrow, her look accusatory. I ignored it. Being the daughter of Tyrann Kane had most likely made her one of the most privileged people in the Heights.

Not concerning Ville, I said. We didn’t even have rumors to go on. I paused. But maybe… I glanced at Alex. Come with me.

I pushed myself up and immediately heard Nathaniel’s voice.

No moving while the sweeper is in transit!

If I fall, I promise I won’t sue you, I said, continuing my way over to Alex.

Nathaniel let out a huff but didn’t retort. Just a few minutes with this guy and he was already getting on my nerves. I didn’t think much of the Chairman, but I was struggling to see how anyone could get along with Nathaniel. Maybe there was more than one reason the Chairman had gone in the other sweeper.

Upon arriving next to Alex’s slumbering form, I knelt down and gave him a nudge.

He started mid-snore, the sound turning into more of a snort. One eye cracked open, and he let out a sigh.

I was this close, he yawned, holding up his thumb and forefinger, to falling asleep. He let his eyes fall shut again. What’s up?

What do you know about Ville? I said.

Alex sat up straighter in his chair and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.

"What do I know about Ville, or what have I heard about Ville?" His eyes shifted to Nathaniel up front.

Both, Pria said.

Alex allowed himself a smile. It was the smile of someone who was about to indulge in a guilty pleasure. In Alex’s case, that guilty pleasure was dealing in the realm of conspiracy theories and rumors. He rubbed his hands together, his eyes now completely alert.

I have some info, but before I get started, I have to say this: Pria, I feel like we haven’t really gotten to know each other, you know? All the running for our lives and trying to expose the truth and all. He shrugged. I blame Rosewood. And your dad. And your sister—she’s terrifying. Alex closed his eyes and shuddered.

Pria smiled.

She’s not as tough as she looks.

If you say so. He leaned in close, his voice dropping to an almost inaudible whisper. So, you want to know about Ville. We both nodded. Alex smiled slowly.

Well, as you know, we don’t have much to work with, he started. Limited communication, no precise location charted on GPS, and their leader is a virtual unknown. He gave us a sly look. "But not to us. And I happen to have a couple of friends who have talked to Villians."

Villains? Pria said.

No, Villians. He paused and said it slower, enunciating each syllable. Vill-y-ans. You know, the people of Ville?

Alex had a tendency to assume things like that were common knowledge, even if they were completely made up, which may or may not have been true in this situation.

So, anyways, he continued, the word on the net is that Ville is protected somehow. You can’t get in unless you’re already in, you know, like born in, and if you were to try and break in… Alex paused and leaned in closer, his eyes becoming wide. You’d die.

You’re saying they’d kill you if you tried to get in? Pria said.

No, Alex said, they don’t kill you. You just die. I don’t know how, but that’s what they say.

Pria’s eyes narrowed. And who is this ‘they’?

Obviously, ‘they’ is anonymous on purpose.

Okay, so it’s hard to get into Ville unless you’re from Ville, I said, but what about the city itself?

Here’s where it gets crazy. Alex leaned in even closer than before. I also leaned in closer, in spite of my skepticism.

Alex locked eyes with both of us in turn. There are no women in Ville.

His words hung in the air for a moment before their ridiculousness registered.

Come on, I said. No women? Pria did nothing to suppress a laugh.

Nathaniel glared at us through his rear-view mirror. Daphne cast a glance our way as well.

Surely, you’re not serious, she said. How long has Ville been in existence? You realize what would happen without women, right?

No, no, I’m serious! Alex held up a hand. Hear me out—Ville is super advanced. I mean, look at this sweeper.

And what does that have to do with no women? Pria said.

Nothing, Alex said, looking perplexed. There aren’t any women there.

Pria sighed and shook her head.

But, Alex continued, "if