Page 25 of Soulmarked
Skye's fingers flew across the keyboard. “Someone's done their homework. Look at this, the tunnels they're using? They're not on any official plans. Not even in the original construction documents.”
“Because they were there first,” I said slowly, pieces clicking into place. “The building wasn't built over them, it was built to access them.”
Sean cursed under his breath. “Phoenix didn't just pick that location randomly. They knew what was down there.”
Skye leaned back in their chair, “What exactly are they accessing? And why kill their own people to keep it quiet?”
The screens flickered with new data as Skye pulled up more files. Their setup was impressive. This wasn't just a hunter's base of operations; this was a full-scale intelligence center.
“You've got quite an operation here,” I said, unable to keep the admiration completely out of my voice.
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” Skye winked. “But save it for after we figure out why a pharmaceutical company is running midnight operations in prehistoric tunnels and using vampires as clean-up crews.”
Looking at the evidence spreading across the screens, at the mysterious tunnels and the dead scientists, I had a feeling we were about to step into something much bigger than a simple corporate conspiracy.
And judging by the tension in Sean's shoulders as he studied the thermal imaging, he knew it too.
“Those tunnels aren't the only thing Phoenix has been interested in,” Skye said, their fingers dancing across the keyboard. The holographic display shifted, zooming out to show a map of Manhattan. “Let me show you something that'll really ruin your day.”
Sean groaned. “Last time you said that, I ended up needing stitches.”
“You were being dramatic.”
“It was acid-laced demon blood, Skye.”
“Which I warned you about. Eventually.”
I exhaled slowly, watching them bicker. “Are they always like this?”
“Unfortunately,” Sean deadpanned.
Skye's grin was sharp enough to cut. “Welcome to the team, fed. Now pay attention, this is where it gets interesting.”
The map flickered as new data points appeared, spreading across the city like a viral infection. Red markers clustered around seemingly random locations, old churches, abandonedsubway stations, forgotten buildings that time and gentrification had passed by.
“These are all properties Phoenix Pharmaceuticals has acquired in the last two years,” Skye explained, zooming in on specific clusters. “But here's the kicker.” They overlaid another data set, and my blood ran cold.
The new markers perfectly aligned with the tunnel system we'd discovered, creating a web of interconnected points throughout the city. But it wasn't random. Each location sat at the intersection of what looked like energy currents flowing beneath Manhattan's streets.
“Ley lines,” I muttered, recognizing the pattern from my own case files. “They're not just buying property. They're controlling sites of power.”
“Bingo.” Skye's expression turned serious. “And those tunnels we found? They're part of an ancient network. Someone built them specifically to access these power points. Phoenix didn't discover them by accident.”
Sean moved closer to the display, his earlier skepticism replaced by focused intensity. “The vampire kills. They weren't just about silencing whistleblowers, were they?”
“Nope.” Skye pulled up another file. “Each victim accessed files related to different ley line intersections. And look at the timing.” They highlighted specific dates. “Each death corresponded with a surge of supernatural disturbances at these locations.”
“They're not just gathering data,” I said slowly, pieces clicking into place. “They're activating something. Using the deaths to power... what?”
“That's the million-dollar question.” Skye tapped a few more keys, bringing up security footage from various Phoenix properties. “Whatever they're doing, they're being careful. Multiple shell companies, compartmentalized information, andenough legal paperwork to make any investigation look like a wild goose chase.”
“But they slipped up with Dr. Chen,” Sean mused. “She saw something she wasn't supposed to.”
“More than something.” Skye pulled up Chen's personnel file. “Two days before her death, she accessed files from every single one of these locations. Then she started the transfer request.”
I studied the map, mind racing. “The vampire that killed her, it's not just cleaning up loose ends. It's part of whatever ritual they're performing.”
“Ritual sacrifices at places of power?” Sean's voice carried an edge of old anger. “Sounds familiar.”
