Cruel and Unusual - serialised novel EXCLUSIVE to Steemit Part 79

Here are the links to catch-up, read again or start from the beginning

Episode List From 1 – 52
Then: 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78

Images below from Google, Getty Images, and Pixabay

Please read the start of the story using the link above. I promise, it’s well-worth the time to check it all out. At least then, this excerpt will make more sense

“And if it should die on the operating table?”

“It will not, but if it did, then it would have been in agony and to assure me, the corpse will be kept for me to examine.”

“Are we to be allowed to question Anton on what he will be doing?”

Hazel was about to answer but was interrupted by Anton’s voice.

“I shall always be available for any Sentinel to ask questions. I only ask one condition; that this is a matter for those here present right now and that it never is spoken of amongst other Sentinels, or other Wolves, not even Ancients.”

The answering buzz from the Sentinels had altered in tone; it was now that of scorn, for Anton’s condition had not needed to be voiced.

Hazel smiled and folded her arms. Anton caught her gesture and understood that her command was not one born of fear but born from ultimate respect and it was because she allowed her Sentinels leave to question her that she held that respect utterly.

“One more thing, Anton,” Hazel said.

“There are no other Sentinels to be told of this matter. This is every active sentinel that we have. I called for their help and all answered that call.”

“Oh,” Anton said and was at a loss for words for a moment. “That is unprecedented.”

“Yes, but it was important that we catch this Throwback, it needed to be caught alive and I could not have done that with minimal forces.”

“All Sentinels answered your call? But how did you contact them?”

“We have a network now. The days of Sentinels working in isolation are long outdated and long-gone. There have been drastic changes to our structure; I doubt that you would recognise it now. We have evolved, which is the reason that I am not worried about adding to our numbers without permission from the Council of Elders.”

“You are on dangerous ground there, assuming that you are above the Council is warrant for your summons to answer to them.”

“Yes, I know and I also know that none of my Sentinels will let that information find its way to the Council’s ears.”

“You are that sure of their loyalty?”

Hazel held Anton’s gaze for a moment and nodded. “Unto death.”

Anton realised that she was issuing a challenge to his own loyalty but he did not rise to it. “I understand.”

“So, we make arrangements for travel,” Hazel changed the subject. “To where?”

“I shall take the Throwback to Rome. I should prefer at least some of your Sentinels to accompany me, for their peace of mind as well as yours.”

Hazel nodded again and realised the concession that Anton made – as a peace-offering perhaps, or as assurance that he would not betray her work ethic to the Council of Elders? “May I ask a question?”

“Of course you may my dear.”

“Will you please introduce me to your father?”

Anton was shocked into silence for a moment. “My father, what for?”

“Curiosity.” Hazel smiled at the reaction she had induced.

Anton snorted in an amused manner. “You know what happened to that cat…”

It was Hazel’s turn to laugh then. “I would still like to take my chances, Anton.”

The following evening saw a private charter ship being loaded with a covered cage – the smallest of the pair that had been purchased by Jack. Inside was a smaller crate with the Throwback inside it.

He knew that the wooden crate was the only protection he had from the silver-coated bars of the cage and if he had any sense, he would not attempt to break out. If he did manage to break out of the cage, the only thing that awaited him was a painful and lingering death, for Hazel had instructed the sentinels guarding the cage that if the Throwback escaped, they were to have free rein on removing limbs before calling for any intervention from her.

She announced the instruction within full hearing of Jack and he quaked in the crate, long into the voyage.

On arrival at Ostia de Lido on the Italian coast, the cage was loaded onto a carriage and transported to Rome. By that time it was beginning to stink for limited care was given to the occupant’s comfort, the only consideration was that he did not die from hunger or thirst.

Close to Rome, after an uncomfortable journey, they arrived at Anton’s home. Hazel had been before, but not for decades and she marvelled at how little it had changed.

The dungeon below the property was cool in comparison to the warmth of the day above ground and was furnished both with laboratory equipment and with paraphernalia of a more diabolical kind – for the purpose of torture and coercion – Anton would get his answers, she knew for certain.

The Sentinels that had accompanied them – Mark included – were satisfied with the laboratory and the dungeon and after witnessing the Throwback’s emergence from the cage and crate and his interment in one of the cells, they accepted Anton’s offer of hospitality for as long as they wished to remain in Rome.

Hazel and Anton both knew that the Sentinels would send word through the network that everything was as had been promised - so ensuring their continued loyalty to their Exemplar.

‘Jack the Ripper’ as he had come to be known and would be known in legend and horror stories for longer than anyone could foretell had come to his final resting place, far from human justice and a world away from misguided human mercy.

There he would languish in the untold and immeasurable agonies that could be inflicted upon his body and mind for as long as he survived – unable to escape either physically or mentally – to be tortured and experimented on not as punishment for the untold horrors he had wrought upon human prostitutes, but for the killing and brutalising of at least six of the Wolf number – one of which was unique and therefore invaluable.

Until Hazel received the message calling her to the execution of the Throwback-turned-Wolf, he remained there still, observed by as many or as few as wanted to see.

NOT The End…

To be continued… tomorrow.