“Tell Isla I said goodbye.”
The vehicle screeches as the tires spin out, and Malcolm steers us back along the path we just came. By some miracle, we make it to the medic truck unscathed. “I need to stay here,” Malcolm says, once Gil and Isla are loaded in the back. “But I’ll see you soon.”
I hug him fiercely. “Be safe.”
The journey back to Saoirse is fraught with danger, but we make it there in one piece. Mel has come around and she writhes in pain at every bump on the road. I hold her on my lap and try to force her to stay still. Gil is still unconscious, and the new bandages the rebel doctor applied are already soaked through. I spend the whole journey making every kind of promise imaginable to God.
Malcolm has gotten word through to Saoirse, and when the Velo arrives at the underwater compound, a team of medics is on standby on the platform. Gil and Mel are taken away immediately and I’m shooed out of the way.
Heading back to my apartment, I quickly shower and change, ignoring the aches and pains that invade my body whenever I make a sudden movement. I grab a quick bite to eat in the cafeteria and then make my way to the Medical Wing.
They won’t let me near Gil or give me any clue to his condition, and I’m on the verge of losing it like never before. The nurse has her finger on her communicator ready to call security when the only voice that can talk me down, rings out loud and clear in my mind.
“Stop, Zane,” Ari says. “You need to calm down.”
The shock of hearing from her is enough to pull me out of my violent rage. I’ve been so preoccupied that I hadn’t realized that I’d let my shields drop. And not for the first time today, I think, as the memory of her silent “slap in the face” rises to the forefront of my mind.
“Gil is going to be okay.”
“Don’t mess with me, Ari.”
“I’m not. I’ve seen it in a vision. He will be okay, as will Mel and my dad. Please calm down. This isn’t good for your heart.”
I slump to the ground and bury my face in my knees. Taking deep breaths, I try to calm myself down. I’m of no use to Gil in this state.
“It’s okay to be upset, Zane.”
“Why did you contact me?”
“Because I sensed you were in trouble. I meant what I said to you in Greece. I haven’t stopped caring, though I’ve been trying to respect your privacy. Everything is going to be okay, Zane. You are one of the strongest people I know.”
I don’t feel very strong in that moment, and my craving for her is at an all-time high. But even if I wanted to act on it, I can’t. And I can’t open myself up to her, for it will only widen the bleeding hole in my heart. “Thanks for letting me know Ari. But I’d like to be on my own now.”
“No problem, Zane. Take care.”
I feel like an empty shell the minute she disconnects. Her shields go up like sliding doors, and I’m bereft all over again.
I manage to snag a couple of hours sleep. Once I wake, I throw on some clothes and hunt Ruby down. We stake out the hospital waiting room together. When Jaden arrives a few hours later, I conveniently fall asleep, stretched out over several chairs. Ruby wakes me when they advise we can see Mel.
Mel is sitting up in the bed, her arms heavily bandaged. One side of her hair has been singed giving her an unintentional edgy look. Patches of raised, red skin dot her face in several places, but apart from that, she assures me she is fine. “Thank you so much for getting me out of there.”
“Don’t thank me,” I say, more harshly than I meant. It’s as if I’ve bathed in a tub of guilt. All I had to do was keep her by my side, and I even failed at that. The door swings open with a slam and Commander Remus storms into the room. He takes one look at me and raises his fist. The punch takes me by surprise and I stagger backward. He stalks toward me as Mel screams at him to stop. He is not going to get away with that again.
Charged with adrenaline, I spring up and shove him with force. Caught unawares, he sways unsteadily and I lunge at him. I reckon I get in three or four good punches before Jaden drags me off him. Mel is crying hysterically and Ruby is open-mouthed.
Commander Remus coughs out blood onto the sterile white-tiled floor as two soldiers bounce into the room. “Detain him,” he says, pointing to me.
“No!” Mel screams. “This is not his fault.” Her look pleads with her dad. “Please, Dad. He hasn’t done anything wrong. This is all my fault.”
I look at her incredulously. How she can come to that conclusion is beyond me. It appears there is no end to the surprises. “Fine,” Commander Remus grits out. “Leave us.” He swats the men away with a backhanded gesture. Jaden releases me and helps his father up. “Explain yourself, Melandra.”
Ruby fists a hand in my shirt and pulls me into the seat beside her. “It was my decision to go with Zane above ground in the first place. He tried to dissuade me, but I’m so fed up being stuck down here doing nothing.” Her dad shoots her a thunderous look and she falters. Clasping her hands in her lap, she continues in a shaky voice. “He took good care of me, Dad.”
Commander Remus snorts and glares at me. “I’d hate to see him neglecting you.”
“Dad. That’s not what I meant. He insisted I stay by his side, but I was the one who ran off into the midst of the battle. I thought I could help save some of those in the medic tent. But I was too late …” Her eyes well up and the mood is grave in the room.
Commander Remus moves alongside the bed. He reaches across Mel and hugs her awkwardly. “It’s okay. There was nothing you could do.” He straightens up and coughs, totally unsure of himself. Jaden gawps at him as if he’s a stranger. Mel’s face shines with happiness. Sweet Jesus. Has she been deprived of so much that such a clumsy hug can bring her so much joy?
“Don’t expect an apology,” he grunts, staring me in the eye. “But it appears I was in the wrong. However, she’s not going anywhere with you again.” He pins me with a look.
“I think that’s up to Mel.”
He glowers at me. “Keep your grabby hands off her! And the same goes for my son’s fiancée.”
“I’m not discussing Ari with you. In fact,” I say, rising, “I can’t stand to be in your presence a minute longer.” Ignoring him, I look only at Mel. “I’ll drop by later when it’s less crowded.” She gulps and nods. I walk out before Commander Remus spontaneously combusts on the spot.
I’m summoned to an Inner Council meeting that evening. Having to suffer Commander Remus twice in one day is almost intolerable. A late attendee arrives just as I’m taking my seat, and I’m relieved to see Malcolm. It appears that Ari’s vision was spot on. Now, all I need to confirm is Gil’s wellbeing. Considering the hospital still won’t tell me anything, I’m glad Malcolm is back. He should be able to throw his weight behind my request. I smile at him and he acknowledges me with a nod of his head.
“Tell us the latest,” Calista says as he sits down.
“We’ve suffered massive casualties. It’s like they crept up on us out of thin air. Our early warning detection signals didn’t respond as they should have so we were like sitting ducks.” He pounds his hands on the table.
“Any idea why?” Calista asks.
“Not a clue.” He scrubs a hand over his stubbly jaw.
“I’ll investigate,” I offer immediately.
Calista nods and turns to face me. “The government has stepped up these targeted attacks and we need to stop them. Our global partners also report similar attacks. If we could take out their monitoring drones, we might stand a chance. As it is, we are being annihilated in the field. As soon as we are signing up new soldier recruits, we are losing as many to these attacks. At this rate it’ll be over before it’s begun.”
“I’ll get one of the team onto it straightaway.”
“There is still opportunity,” Commander Remus says, looking around the table. He purposefully ignores me. “Their fleet must be stretched thin. They can’t watch everyone all of the time. If we can figure out where they are focused, then we can identify
the gaps and use that to our advantage.”
Several heads nod and they start discussing options. Calista chooses that moment to dismiss me.
I’ve just stepped into the corridor when Malcolm runs to catch up with me. I fix him with a quizzical gaze. “There’s a surprise waiting for you at your apartment.” He grins. “I’ve got to get back. I’ll drop down after we’re done.”
I run all the way to my apartment, hoping my instinct is right but afraid to acknowledge the feeling in case I’m wrong.
As I round the corner, I stumble. My feet won’t budge, as if the engulfing emotion saturating every cell and nerve ending in my body has affected my ability to walk.
“My darling boy,” Mom says, walking toward me with her arms outstretched.
CHAPTER 13
Mom is like a celestial vision: a radiant being glowing with iridescent light shining from every crevice of her form. Or at least that’s how it seems to me. I blink twice, desperate to confirm she’s real. Snapping out of my trance-like state, I throw myself into her arms. A familiar floral smell wafts around me and I hug her fiercely. After a couple of minutes, she tries to break our embrace, but I cling on even tighter, afraid to let go in case she returns to heaven.
Mom laughs lightly and the sound delves deep into my soul, spreading nurturing warmth. I open my eyes and spot my little brother Eli hovering in the background, except he’s not so little now. The last time I visited my family in New York was just before Clementia was forced to blow up my house to protect me from the government. Eli was still a kid then, not so much anymore. Stepping out of Mom’s embrace, I walk toward my brother and grab him to me. Wow, he’s really stretched up, his shoulders almost level with mine.
Turning around, I arch a brow at Mom, my gaze flitting between the two of them. “What the hell have you been feeding him?” I gesture with my hands. “Has it only been six months?” I don’t say “only” lightly though. Those six months have felt like six years.
“He’s a teenager now. And don’t I know it,” Mom teases. She strides over and grabs both of us into a group hug. “I’m so happy to have both my boys at my side,” Mom says softly, her voice trembling with emotion.
I kiss her forehead and muss Eli’s hair. “You’re still annoying,” Eli mutters, shirking out of the embrace.
I laugh and for the first time in forever, I feel carefree. “I’ve missed you both so much.” My voice breaks and I’m fighting tears. God, man, get a grip!
“We’ve missed you too. Grieved for you,” Mom admits, crying unashamedly. Crunching pain whips through my skull as I contemplate all they’ve had to endure: Thinking I was dead when the truth was that I had gone underground to work for Clementia.
“Oh, God, Mom. I’m so sorry.” I pull her into my arms again, and at this rate, I’d challenge anyone to pry us apart.
“It’s okay, son. Malcolm explained everything to me on the way here. You did what had to be done. And I’m so, so proud of you. Your father would be too.”
I press my forehead to hers. “I’m so glad you’re both here.” Never a truer word was spoken. I don’t think you ever lose that innate unquenchable need for the woman who brought you into the world. I may be pushing twenty, but I still need my Mom as much as ever. Maybe more.
Eli’s stomach growls and we all laugh. “Hungry, little bro?”
Eli scowls and the familiarity drowns me in a pleasant haze of happiness. “Less of the little, geek.”
Eli shoves me and I shove him back. “You’d better play nice if you want me to show you the way to the cafeteria,” I tease.
Mom snorts. “That nose of his would lead him the right way. If there’s food anywhere in the vicinity, trust me, that boy will sniff it out.”
We chat casually as we walk to the cafeteria, Mom’s arm looped through mine. Eli trails alongside us, far too cool to link arms with his dorky older brother and his mom. But I let him off. I’m so pleased they are both here that he could ask me for just about anything at this moment, and I wouldn’t be able to refuse him a damn thing. Mom gasps every time we turn a corner and she spots something new. I’ve grown so accustomed to this underwater home that I don’t see things in the same light anymore. But I do recall how mesmerized I was the first couple of weeks here.
“I’ll bring you up to the observation deck later. The view is spectacular.”
“I’d like that,” Mom says, squeezing my arm.
We sit at a table with Ruby and Jaden, Ben, Deacon, and Lily, and I’m struck by how tight our tight-knit group has become. With Cal, Isla, and Xander out in the field, Ari in Greece, Raina and Riga gone, and Gil and Mel in the hospital, our little group has dwindled considerably. The thought makes me sad.
Mom rushes over to hug Lily and Deacon, and Lily cries for at least five minutes. I know she’s happy to see my mom, but it also reminds her of her own loss. Mom tucks her in under her arm, and I’m so damn pleased that she’s here.
Deacon shunts over beside Eli and they converse awkwardly. There was a time when they were quite close, but now the age gap has formed an invisible line between them. Eli isn’t a kid anymore though he’s not yet an adult. And while Deacon is mature for a ten-year old, he still has that babyish outlook. I hope they can overcome it. It would be nice for both of them to resume their friendship. There aren’t many kids around this place, and I don’t want it to get lonely for either of them.
Ruby asks after Gil and I explain that I still haven’t been permitted to see him. I tell her that Ari contacted me and confirmed that he’d be okay. Mom’s head lifts up at the mention of Ari’s name. She opens her mouth to say something, but I shake my head, mouthing “later.” Mom nods as worry lines crease her brow.
After dinner, Eli goes off with Lily and Deacon to the games room, and Mom and I travel in the elevator to the top floor. Mom gasps loudly as she steps out onto the observation deck. We follow the curve of the window as we walk, Mom pointing out each fish as it swims by. I’d forgotten how much she loved nature, and since she was an avid diver in the past, it’s not surprising that she’s so well informed. We stop at the first bench we come to and take a seat.
“How have you both been?” My foot taps up and down.
“We’ve been fine. Eli was in school and I’ve been working in the textiles factory. It wasn’t much of a life, but we’ve survived.” She looks pensive. “I thought I’d lost you.” The look on her face is an indication of the pain she’s suffered and I’m consumed with guilt.
“I’m sorry for putting you through that.”
“I know you are, sweetie.” She sweeps hair off my forehead. “But none of that matters now. You are alive.” She pinches my cheek. “We are all here together. And according to Malcolm, there’s a strong chance that this revolution will give us back our freedom, and our world. That’s what’s important.”
“I couldn’t have found you at a better time,” I say truthfully, though I’m embarrassed to admit to any weakness. She looks intently at me as if she’s capable of looking inside me and understanding it all.
“What’s going on with you?”
Drawing a large breath, I start to fill her in. I tell her everything that’s happened over the last six months, but I’m deliberately vague on the subject of Ari, only mentioning her when it’s absolutely necessary. She cries when I tell her of my coma and subsequent heart-transplant, and I crush her to me as huge sobs wrack her slim body. Eventually the emotion runs its course and she stares up at me. “I could have lost you for real.” Her eyes well up again.
“But you didn’t. I’m here, and I feel better than I have in ages.” And it’s not really a lie. Physically, I’m in peak condition. It’s only my emotional and mental state that is at an all-time low.
She straightens up. “Tell me about Ari? Is she okay?” Mom always had a real soft spot for my baby, and I know she loved her like a daughter. Though it hurts to relive it all, I tell her everything, not holding back this time.
Mom’s hand clamps over her mou
th when she hears of Ari’s engagement and pregnancy. It’s a mirror reaction of Gil’s.
Neither of us speaks for an eternity after I’ve finished talking. I know Mom is trying to wrap her head around it. I also know that talk of Ari leads to memories of Anneka, and I understand how difficult it must be for Mom to accept the loss of one of her dear friends, especially considering the circumstances.
When she finally looks up at me, all I see is love in her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Zane. That this should happen to you, to you both, is indescribable. I thought you two would be together forever.” She strokes my face gently.
“So did I.”
“You’re strong. You’ll get through this.” I appreciate that she accepts the situation and doesn’t try to fill my head with useless false hope. Mom has always been like that: No sugarcoating.
“I’m broken-up deep inside,” I admit, peeking up at her. “She was a huge part of me. Everything always felt so right when we were together. Now, all that’s left of me is who I pretend to be, because without her, I don’t know who I am.”
She clasps my arm. “I know how that feels; right now you can’t contemplate going on without her. But time does heal.” I knew she would understand. In a way, it’s as if Ari has died, because she’s gone from my life and I will never again get to hold her, or tell her that I love her, or see the adoring look in her eyes as she tells me she loves me in return. Suddenly, the enormity of all I’ve lost hits me like a freight train, and I double over, acute pain riding me savagely, gutting my insides and tossing them to the wind. A loud wail rises up my throat, and I bury my head in her shoulder.
Mom holds me through it all, smoothing my hair and whispering comforting words in my ear. When the sobs subside, I feel a sense of release. I needed to get all that off my chest. “You are going to be fine, Zane,” she says. “And I’m here with you now, every step of the way.”
Waking the next morning to the soft sound of Eli’s snores warms me to the core. Sharing living space with my Mom and brother for the first time in years is more than comforting. It feels like home.
Destiny Rising Page 18