Smoked

by Mari Mancusi

  “So then…why are you here?” she managed to ask, grasping at straws.

  “Consider us…insurance. To make sure you and your group screw things up as royally as you always do. Though, to be fair, you never need much help. You’re pretty capable of messing things up all by yourselves.”

  Trinity swallowed hard, her stomach swimming with nausea. She thought of Connor. Of Caleb. Of her grandfather and her father and her mother and everyone else who had sacrificed so much to try to change the world. Could they really only be some part of a sick master plan?

  “But why?” she choked out. “I mean, if not a religious campaign, why on earth would you want to bring about the apocalypse? Why would anyone want the world destroyed?”

  “Because it allows us to live like kings,” he replied. “We made a deal with the Council a long time ago. They send their duff back in time, and we send ours, and together they bumble everything up so badly that it starts all over again. Each time we vary the game a bit, just for fun. Like this time we decided to send twins. That was my special added touch,” he added with a laugh. “I hope you enjoyed your little love triangle.”

  Trinity’s stomach roiled. She thought about Connor’s constant concerns, about how everything was different yet still the basically same. He had no idea how right he’d been all along. She was only glad that he wasn’t around to hear this. She imagined his devastation as he realized that his mission had been nothing more than a plot, that the Council he served was as evil and sick as his supposed enemy. She squeezed her hands into fists, the anger inside threatening to boil over. “You sick bastard,” she growled. “How can you just sit there and willingly allow the world to be destroyed?”

  “Please. It won’t be destroyed.” Darius snorted. “Well, the surface will take a beating. But we have been building beautiful cities underground for years now, ready to be sold to the highest bidder. Mankind will survive. We will profit. The world will keep spinning on its axis. All ends well.”

  “But you won’t be alive to enjoy it,” she growled. “Because this time, I’m not going to let you live. You make one move to escape, and I will gut you where you stand.”

  Darius nodded, looking unperturbed. “I’m counting on it,” he said pleasantly. “If you don’t, I’ll be forced to do the job myself. And I find that’s always far messier.”

  “You…want to die?” She hated the despair in her voice, but she couldn’t prevent it.

  “Of course!” he cried. “Do you think I want to live through the Scorch? No. I will die now, and in about a hundred and sixty years, I will be reborn in my proper time line. By then, the Council will have rewarded my efforts with a trust fund of silver and a beautiful sky house. And this time,” he added, “was my last go around. I’ve played the part of the evil Dracken leader for five cycles running. Now I get to retire. In my next life, I can enjoy the fruits of my labor until I die peacefully in my bed.” He smiled slowly. “So I suggest you go ahead and do what you came to do.”

  She stared at him, so sickened she could barely breathe. “No,” she said at last. “I’m not going to do it. Because I don’t want you to die. I want you to live so you can see for yourself that this time we’ve foiled your plan, that we’ve stopped the apocalypse and you won’t be getting your cozy little retirement plan when you respawn.”

  To her chagrin, he only chuckled. “Come, come, my girl. You know that will never happen. As long as there are dragons in the world, the apocalypse will come. It’s only a matter of time.” He shrugged. “But suit yourself. If you’re not going to kill me, then I suggest you get on with rescuing your dragon. She’s waiting for you, you know.”

  And with that, he stepped aside, giving her a gallant bow as he allowed her to pass. She did, her legs feeling as if they were made of lead as she walked across the room to where Emmy was being held. Woodenly, she pulled open the cage door, which, of course, wasn’t even locked. Because she was meant to free Emmy—just like she’d been meant to do everything else. Every choice she made, every conscious decision to try to save the world—the whole time, she’d been nothing but a puppet on a string, dancing.

  But Emmy didn’t know that. She didn’t understand. She bounded forward, covering Trinity’s face with slurpy kisses as she bounced up and down with glee. It was all Trinity could do not to throw up then and there, so sickened by the whole thing. But somehow she managed to hold herself in check. To smile at Emmy. To hug her back. It wasn’t Emmy’s fault, after all. She was as innocent a victim as the rest of them.

  Oh, Fire Kissed, Emmy cried joyously. I knew you’d come for me. I never doubted it for a second.

  “Of course I’d come for you,” Trin managed to say. “After all, we’re destined, right?”

  And it was true, she suddenly realized, but not in the way she had ever dreamed.

  Chapter Fifty

  The after-party back at the airfield was looking as if it would last all night. Dragons and humans together, dancing, eating, celebrating their victory. Some of the dragons were injured, and their new guardians were tending their wounds with great care. Some of the Potentials had also suffered, and the dragons freely gave their blood to help them heal. The bonds were growing between them. It should have been a beautiful thing.

  But as Trinity watched from the sidelines, a slow dread rose up inside of her, and her heart felt as if it weighed a ton. Was Darius right? Was this only the calm before the storm? Would the world ever accept dragons—or would it force the dragons to turn on the world, as Darius had predicted?

  She had to admit, it wasn’t looking good so far. The rest of them didn’t know it yet, but the video Darius had shown her had been released, just as he’d promised. In response, the president had gone on record, vowing to protect the country by any means necessary. Now, government soldiers were likely on their way. It was only a matter of time before they were tracked down here. And then what would they do? Would she allow their dragons to be slaughtered? Or should she let them fight for their lives, knowing full well how it would end?

  She watched as Caleb and Scarlet worked together by the fire to clean Zoe’s scales. Gone was the fierce dragon they’d seen on the battlefield; now she was only a defeated shell of her former self.

  When she’d learned of her brother’s death, she’d been so distraught that, for a moment, Trinity had feared she would turn violent, as Zavier had done. But then Emmy had come over. She’d taken Zoe under her wing and soothed her. They’d cried together, mourning the brother and son they’d lost. Trinity’s heart warmed to see the mother-daughter bond growing between them. But it also made her want to sob like a baby, imagining all the horrors they would be forced to face so soon.

  Because in the end, the world was not ready for dragons.

  “For someone who just saved the world, you don’t look too happy about it.”

  She whirled around at the voice, realizing her father had come up behind her. He gave her a sympathetic smile. “What’s wrong, honey?” he asked. “Why aren’t you out there celebrating with the others?”

  She sighed deeply. “Because there isn’t anything to celebrate,” she said, the whole story spilling from her lips.

  When she had finished, her father reached out, pulling her into a warm hug. She sobbed into his shoulder.

  “My Trinity,” he whispered. “The bravest girl in the world.”

  “No,” she said. “I’m the biggest coward. I let my love for Emmy destroy the world. And evidently I’ve been doing the same thing, life after life, countless times over. And because I never know it until it’s too late, I never make the right choices.”

  Her father pulled away from the hug, meeting her eyes with his own. “What if you did know the next time around? What if you were in control of the reload instead of them?”

  Trinity cocked her head in question. “What do you…?” She trailed off, then her eyes widened and her heart pounded in her c
hest. “Did you fix it?” she asked in a whisper. “Oh my God, did you actually fix the time machine?”

  He nodded, regarding her with serious eyes. “It’s fixed,” he told her. “And if you want to go back and do this all again like we talked about before? Well, I think I can make that happen.”

  Chapter Fifty-One

  “Emmy? Are you in here?”

  Trinity peeked through the doorway of the hangar, looking for her dragon. She hadn’t seen her outside at the party and assumed she must have retreated to her lair. Sure enough, the red curtain had been pulled aside, and Emmy had plopped down in front of the TV, a couple of her children curled up beside her. She looked up at Trinity, then gave her a sheepish grin.

  Sorry, she said. I just wanted to show them the first episode of Merlin. I’ve been telling them all about it and—

  Trinity waved her off. “It’s fine,” she assured the dragon. “But can I talk to you for a moment?”

  Of course. Emmy rose to her feet, giving her children a fond look then following Trinity to the opposite end of the hangar. When they stopped, the dragon leaned down to nuzzle Trinity with her snout. Trinity smiled, kissing her nose, then reaching up and scratching her behind the ear.

  “Oh, Emmy,” she said to the dragon, “I’ve got the best news ever.” Excitedly, she related to the dragon what her father had told her. Emmy listened quietly, without interruption.

  “Isn’t that amazing?” Trinity asked once she’d finished. “We can fix everything, and the Dracken can’t do a thing about it! I can go back in time to when you were still an egg. And I can make sure everything happens right this time around. I can defeat the Dracken. I can protect you from the government. You won’t be taken captive this time. You won’t be impregnated against your will.” She beamed. “It’ll be happily ever after, Emmy. Just like we always dreamed about.”

  She looked up at the dragon, then furrowed her brow. Instead of the excited, happy expression she expected on Emmy’s face, the dragon looked concerned. Trin watched, puzzled, as Emmy glanced back to where her children were watching TV. Then she turned back to Trinity, a guilty expression on her face.

  “What’s wrong?” Trinity asked, her pulse kicking up in concern. “I thought you’d be thrilled. This is what you wanted, right? What we talked about? This was what we’ve been working toward all this time.”

  I know. But… Emmy gave her a tortured look.

  “What, Emmy…?” Trinity started to say. Then she closed her mouth, realization washing over her. She glanced up at the dragon, then over at her children. “Oh,” she said. “Right.”

  If you turn back the clocks, they will never be born, Emmy said slowly. They risked their lives to save me. How can I turn around and take theirs away?

  Trinity nodded slowly, realizing what the dragon was saying. “I know, Ems,” she said. “But what other option is there? We can’t hide you all forever. The government is going to close in on us. If we stay, the apocalypse is going to begin again, no matter what we do. We can’t just sit back and let Darius win!”

  Emmy considered this for a moment. What about the place with all the dragons?

  Trinity stared at her. In her excitement about the opportunity of the do-over, she’d forgotten the original purpose of the time machine: her father could send all the dragons back in time a million years—and they would all be safe.

  But still…

  She felt tears well in the corners of her eyes. It took everything inside of her not to scream, “What about me?” She and Emmy were supposed to be destined. And now Emmy was ready to walk away forever.

  She drew in a breath. She couldn’t be selfish here. Emmy had tried everything to make it work and had suffered so much by doing it. Now she just wanted to be a mother. To save her children.

  She had a life now. A life beyond Trinity. And Trinity had to finally learn to let her go.

  “Okay,” she said. “I think we can do that.” Her voice broke on the last bit, and Emmy peered at her, looking concerned.

  Will you be okay? she asked. I won’t go if you need me to stay. I made a promise to you. I would never let you fall.

  Trinity forced herself to smile, even as her heart broke in her chest. “I will be fine,” she assured the dragon. “Not that I won’t miss you like crazy. But I’ll be fine.”

  And, she realized as she said the words, she would be. She had lost so much over the last year—her mother, her grandfather, Connor. Now her dragon. But through it all, she had stood strong. And she would continue to stand strong in whatever was to come. Even if that meant a very un-epic, unexciting existence from this point on.

  She watched, swiping away the tears, as Emmy bounded over to her children to share the news. This wasn’t a sad thing, she reminded herself. The dragons were going home. To a place where they would be top of the food chain. She tried to imagine them skimming the surface of the world, unfettered and free. Her only regret was she couldn’t watch it for herself.

  But Emmy’s world was not hers. And hers was not her dragon’s. They would part. But they would both stand strong. Alone but always, deep down, together.

  They were destined after all…

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Trinity kept her promise, informing the group the next morning what the dragons had decided to do. The team was sad; they loved Emmy, and in the short time they’d gotten to know the other dragons, they’d grown to love them too. But at the same time, they understood the reasons behind the decision. How could they not want them to be safe?

  They spent all morning saying their good-byes. The dragons looked almost as sad as their guardians when at last they shuffled toward the time-travel gate. But Emmy gently urged them forward, nuzzling them and encouraging them as they went. And the way they looked at her—well, it made Trinity’s heart melt with pride. She didn’t have a single doubt that Emmy was going to take good care of her brood. Be the best dragon mother ever.

  Once the dragons were all lined up and the time machine had powered up, Emmy turned to Trinity, giving her a sheepish look.

  I don’t know what to say. I don’t know how to say good-bye.

  Trinity bit back her tears. “I’ve never been good at it,” she confessed. “It’s hard to let go. But I’m excited for you, Emmy! I’m so excited. You’re going to have an amazing life. And your children will be strong and happy and free. That’s all that matters in the end.”

  For a moment, Emmy seemed to smile at this. Then she sobered. Are you sure you’re going to be okay? I hate leaving you alone.

  “I’m not alone,” Trinity reminded her, gesturing to the group of people behind her: her father, her teammates, Caleb. Even Scarlet, who stood there with tears streaming down her cheeks as she clutched Caleb’s hands. “I’ll never be alone, Emmy. And even if I were? Well, I’d be okay.”

  I know you would, Fire Kissed. That is why I am able to go. But before I do…

  The dragon stopped in front of her. She held out her paw. The beautiful, sparkly necklace dazzled at her wrist. Trin looked up at Emmy. The dragon grinned.

  To remember me by.

  Trin took the necklace with trembling hands, slipping it back over her head. Then she grabbed Emmy and hugged her with a fierceness that took both their breath away. Finally, they parted, and Trin bowed her head to the dragon, forcing back a fresh round of tears. There was nothing to be sad about now, she told herself. This was a joyous moment.

  Good-bye, Emberlyn, she whispered in the dragon’s head, not trusting herself to speak.

  Good-bye, Fire Kissed.

  Emmy turned then, breaking their gaze and stepping toward the time machine. Trin watched as she sucked in a breath, then stepped inside. There was a flash of light. Then, just like that, Emmy disappeared.

  Everyone gasped. The other dragons whined and pawed the ground nervously. But Burgess stepped up to the gate next, nodding at the
others. He was a born leader, Trinity realized. They all looked up to him. So when he stepped through the gate and disappeared like their mother had, they all eagerly clamored to follow suit, one by one by one.

  Trinity glanced over at her father. He was counting the dragons as they went, keeping the machine powered and ready. And as the last dragon walked through the gate, Trinity let out a breath. She turned to the others.

  “Well,” she said. “I guess that’s it.” A lump formed in her throat.

  “Wait,” her father said. “I think we’re missing one.” He ran over his calculations then compared them to the tally on the machine. “One dragon did not go through the gate.”

  Trinity’s heart stuttered. Had one of the dragons changed its mind? None of this would work if they didn’t all go through. She looked around wildly as the others did the same. “Who was it?” she demanded. “Did anyone see? Whose dragon did not go through the gate?”

  “It was Zoe.”

  Trinity whirled around, heart in her throat as none other than Connor himself stepped into the hangar. He was white-faced and trembling, looking more like his brother than himself. But he was here. He was alive. He was back on Earth.

  “Connor,” she whispered, feeling as if she was seeing a ghost. She supposed, in a way, she was. “What…?”

  He stepped forward, pulling her into his arms, pressing his whole body against her as he hugged her fiercely. She could feel his heartbeat driving against her chest as he held her close, the slight tremor in his hands. Her heart soared, and the tears began to flow freely all over again.

  “What are you doing here?” she whispered in his ear.

  “Zoe had a change of heart,” he told her. “Without Zavier, she had no desire to stay in this world. She wanted to go back to the Nether and join him and her grandmother. They belonged together, she told me. Just like you and I belong together.”

  Trinity shook her head, scarcely able to believe it all. But what did it matter anyway? The end was the same. Connor was back. And for the first time ever, there was nothing to keep them apart.