The Lycan Collapse (The Flux Age Book 2) Read Free

were dormant in their genes. Skills that hadn’t been seen on Earth for hundreds of years.
    Julian carefully gained altitude in the traditional, patient aquilan way, resisting the urge to break into a steep upward climb. The winds could be tricky in the valley and today was no exception. Once Julian was high above the Rocky Mountains he settled into a slow grind to the east, back to New York. The prevailing wind was still onshore and it was hard work tacking his way against it. Despite the slow speed it was still early in the day and Julian would have plenty of time to begin his explorations of the tunnels under New York. He had a fair idea where to find the wights that were causing New Yorkers so much trouble. Aquilans weren’t well suited to confined spaces - in fact, tunnels and caves were probably their biggest weakness. The species typically needed space in which to spread their wings and use their speed. Out in the open aquilans were almost unstoppable. Julian would need his wits about him if he was going to venture underground. He consoled himself that Florence would soon be joining him down there. It would be a matter of pure survival, nothing more, but he found himself relishing her company nonetheless. It was a such a curious notion, being interested in a lycan. But then again, perhaps it wasn’t so curious after all. Julian had only awoken the aquilan within him recently - less than six months ago in fact. It hadn’t taken much time to consider other creatures - lycans, wights and even diviners - as foreign and alien. Hell, six months ago he might have been chatting Florence up in some bar!
    For that reason Julian didn’t feel so weird about being drawn to the redhead.
    The noonday sun beat down on Julian’s wings as he reached the urban sprawl of the northeast coast. Of course, launching had once again ripped apart a very good suit, one that he would need to replace. He kept his mind on such matters of personal administration as he closed the final few miles of his long journey. The comforting green glow of his company’s logo was now visible in the skyscrapers of Manhattan. The north Atlantic glowed like a huge sapphire jewel beyond the living, breathing city.
    Julian needed to shield his eyes from the sunlight reflecting off the multi-faceted upper levels of his penthouse suite. He glided onto the wide platform and made a perfect landing, already tasting that cold drink his assistant Tilly was no doubt already preparing. Sure enough, she was waiting for him in the penthouse, elegant in a black backless dress and scarlet heels. Julian received his drink, a lime and bitters on ice, with a smile as he let his wings settle into a folded position after his long flight.
    “Exquisite timing as usual, Tilly,” he said mildly as he collapsed on a chesterfield settee that overlooked the city. “What’s news?”
    “More civilians have disappeared,” Tilly said crisply, laying a fresh suit on the edge of the chesterfield.
    “Oh, I won’t be needing that,” he said. “I’m heading out into the field shortly.”
    Tilly’s eyes widened briefly. The loyal assistant perhaps had some inkling of what Julian was planning but she was too professional to mention it.
    “A field suit, then,” she said smoothly before disappearing into a wide closet under the spiral staircase. She emerged with a sky blue utility suit, lightweight but incredibly tough. There were customized slits across the shoulders for Julian’s wings. The suits were hell to climb into but once on they were supremely comfortable and, better still, wouldn’t split with wings extended.
    Julian downed his cool drink and took the suit from his assistant.
    “Wish me luck,” he said with a cheeky grin.
    “I’m hoping you don’t need it, Mr. Banes,” came the reply.
    Tilly withdrew to her front desk and Julian prepared himself for action. He would need to walk the city streets for a little while, which always made him anxious. He wasn’t