Misfortune Market: A HASEA CHRONICLES STORY (BOOK 1.5) by Stuart Meczes Page A

behaviour you will be revealed and shamed. And then you will be severely punished.” Before Gabriella could say or do anything, he wrenched off her mask. Her raven hair spilled down over her surprised face. The Overseer narrowed his eyes and stared in confusion. “What is this…I can’t…”
    Two rows left.
    “Wait…I know this…”
    As Gabriella struggled against Zaris, the Overseer ripped at her overall, exposing the Kapre belt. With a snap of his hand, he pressed the camouflage button and a silvery wave rushed down Gabriella’s skin. The Overseer’s eyes went wide. “YOU!” he roared. “I…no he knew you! He turned and yelled out to the crowd at the top of his lungs.
    Alliance!”
    There was a moment of silence and then a warbling siren started to blare from the speakers and the market plunged into a dark red light. 
    Everything gave way to chaos. Shouts and screams came from the crowd and people started to rush away from the stage. I grit my teeth as I forced my way forward. It was almost impossible, like trying to wade through a stream of waves at high tide.
    “Kill the bitch!” the Overseer screamed at Zaris.
    The Devil released one of his hands to draw a bone sword. At the same time, Gabriella coiled up both legs and stamped her feet into Overseer’s chest. He careened across the stage, rolling several times and losing his mask in the process. Gabriella then kicked up, breaking the devil’s weakened hold and flipping right over onto his shoulders. Clamping her knees against his neck, she withdrew her Blood Brother.
    Yes!
    Gabriella stabbed the blade towards the Devil’s ear. There was a pranging sound and hiss of smoke as she hit the edge of the Devil’s own blade. He seized Gabriella by the hair and threw her off his back. She flipped and landed on her feet…but off balance.  The Devil rushed forward, raising his hefty blade above his head.
    NO!
    We burst through the last of the panicking crowd, scattering them like bowling pins. I vaulted onto the stage, ramming myself against Gabriella. We flew to the floor and the Devil’s sword smashed down into the stage. Wood splintered and showered up right next to us. As we scrambled to get back to our feet, Zaris whirled his sword around and motioned to attack again, bloodlust gleaming in his black eyes.
    CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
    A series of marbles thudded into the side of the Devil’s head, making his neck crick loudly. He stumbled to the side and made an odd bleating sound as dark blood trickled from his pointed ear. Delagio sprinted towards him and sprang into the air, spinning and slamming a boot into his side. The Devil flew backwards into the curtains, getting tangled and pulling down the whole setup – rails and all – with a resounding crash. The stunned Andrea cowered motionless and terrified, her shackles preventing her from doing much.
    “Secure the target!” commanded Gabriella throwing the key to Scarlett.
    The Vampire unlocked the shackles and pulled the terrified Andrea to her feet.
    “Protective stance!” shouted Gabriella.
    A second later we had all formed a protective circle around the confused Andrea – weapons drawn and ready for a fight.
    “Who-who are you?” she gasped.
    Gabriella tore off her mask and the others did the same. “We’re Guardians from that Alliance that man was just badmouthing. We’re here to help you. Just stay still,” she shouted over her shoulder.
    “I hope you’re better than he made you sound.”
    “We’re the best,” said Grey.
    Guards from all over the market rushed towards the stage, weapons drawn. I glanced behind me to see the Overseer climb back to his feet. He turned to face us and recognition flooded my brain.
    What the hell…
    I had seen this man before – on my very first week as a Guardian.
    Malachi.
    The Bloodling Vampire who had once owned the Black Tap and orchestrated the attempted murder of three innocent human girls. That makes no sense; he was deported to White