The Newgate Novels & Stories

The Return to the "Gilded Cage" They reached the gates of the Hawke Estate by midday. The "Iron Silence" here was heavy, weighted with the "Tension" of decades. The massive wrought-iron gates, once powered by a "Zero-Point" security grid, were now rusted open, choked by wild hawthorn and "Independent" ivy.

Gabriel POV We pulled through the gates of the compound at eight fifteen. The Bangria residence was nothing like the Wrenfield townhouse in Crescent Harbour. This was a walled estate on three acres in the Highfields district, surrounded by reinforced perimeter fencing, monitored by thirty-six cameras, and staffed by a security team of twelve. The house itself was a sprawling modernist structure of concrete and glass, designed by an architect who'd been told to make it look like a home and had instead produced something that looked like a very elegant bunker.

We see them coming out of their hiding spots and they climb into the lead van with me and my elite warriors. “What can you report?” I ask the Head warrior. “There is a lot of activity on site” he tells me “This is definitely the right location. There is security guards on the perimeter. They have a gate to check ID’s when cars arrive but very few people came in while we were there. A fence goes all the way around, but they clearly have become very complacent in their security after being there for so long. It’s got holes in it we could literally drive a car through, and no one would notice.”

Wal⁠l S⁠t‍reet was a ghost town at‍ 3:‌00 AM​, the towering​ g​lass-an‍d-stone monoliths o⁠f the world's ba‍nking capi⁠ta‍l standing like indifferent‌ giant‍s in the s​torm. ⁠Dami‍en navi‍gate⁠d the‌ vehicle into the dark mout⁠h of the V⁠ane Global sub​terranean parki‌ng garage, ki⁠lling th⁠e h​eadlights befor⁠e they cleared the sec‌urity gate. The m‍assive facility​ was eerily quiet, th‌e usual executive‍ ve⁠hi⁠cles conspicuou‍sly ab‍sent​.

The book was a solid block against my ribs, tucked inside my jacket. The facility was a fortress of concrete and chain-link, crowned with coils of razor wire. A tired-looking man in a small glass booth took the note I passed through the slot. He didn't look at me, just at the paper, then at a monitor, before pressing a button that buzzed the gate open. He pointed a finger down a long row of identical garage doors. "Unit 73."

He must exit via the gate to the human realm. Before him are four gates: human, supernatural, gods, and hell. Colton must choose the correct gate. I see him pause and look . Gate One has roses without thorns perfect in every way. I hear his thoughts. ‘Too perfect, my world has both beauty and pain.’ I smile. Gate two is covered in purple and gold roses with thorns. ‘Magical like the supernatural realm.’ Again I smile. Third gate burns but red roses covering it don’t. ‘Maybe but I should look at the fourth to be sure.’

he nodded toward the yard, "has dulled my sense of the Gate." "Until now." I stroked the soft fur of his head as he sighed, the heat of his breath warming my leg even through my jeans. "Until now. And, to be fair, Gates are very well guarded, for obvious reasons. They are pathways, Syd, between here and the realm. If some mortal were to stumble on one, the consequences could be catastrophic." "So what's up with this one?" I had to press my hand against my left knee to keep it from jiggling in impatience.

she said into the intercom, her voice perfectly cold, detached, and authoritative. ​The yellow lasers stopped. For three agonizing seconds, the gatehouse's automated systems processed the encrypted code against the Inner Council’s central ledger. ​Suddenly, the flashing yellow lights turned a solid, welcoming green. ​“CREDENTIALS VERIFIED. WELCOME BACK, KANE GROUP PROXY. PROCEED TO SECURITY BAY 4 FOR MANUAL VERIFICATION AND RECLAMATION STAMPING.” ​The massive, three-ton titanium pressure gate groaned upward, releasing a cloud of warm, clean air that smelled of ozone and expensive synthetic perfume—a stark contrast to the wet rust and salt of the lowlands.

This was no ordinary portal; it was a gateway fortified by the latest security measures. At first glance, it appeared seamless—a sleek surface devoid of handles or keyholes. Yet, at Landon's approach, the door seemed to awaken. A soft beep resonated a signal that triggered a response from the electronic guardian. The surface rippled with a faint blue light, revealing the hidden intricacies beneath.

Its intelligent sensors could detect the approach of vehicles, pedestrians, or any potential intruders, responding with swift precision to ensure the utmost security. The gate was normally open around the time that Rose had gotten home, but tonight it appeared to be closed on purpose, a purposeful change from that position. Rose was awestruck by the grandeur and menacing air that came from this towering structure as she stood in front of it. The fact that the gate was so securely closed not only added to the sense of misery, but it also heightened the anxiety she was already feeling.