SHARD: Book One of The Shard Trilogy (A YA Sci-fi Teens with Powers Series)

by A. M. Pierre

  “Copper makes the blue fireworks blue,” Dice said. “Copper chloride, to be exact. Normally, I wouldn’t be able to touch it, but with these babies—” He gestured to his gloves, but before he could get any further he winced in pain and grabbed his ear. So did everyone else.

  “What is it?” Kaia asked. “What’s happening?”

  Dice held his hands up for silence. “Slow down, Alizée, what’s wrong? . . . Understood. We’ll be right there.” He looked like he’d just been kicked in the gut. “Sorry, Kaia, it looks like the party’s over.” He pointed to his ear. “Two-way communication earbuds. We all wear them. Alizée activated hers to call us back downstairs—she and Ezio are waiting for us in medical.”

  Kaia immediately had a sick feeling in her stomach. “Is anything wrong?”

  “Yeah, you could say that.” Dice’s face was grim. “Ezio’s been shot.”

  Great. Just great. Everything had been going so well for a change. No catastrophes, no misunderstandings, just a nice evening hanging out—all ruined in a heartbeat.

  Connor felt his conscience kick him. Wow. That’s a really nice attitude. A friend is in hospital, suffering from a gunshot wound, and you’re worried about a picnic. He caught a glimpse of himself in a mirror hanging on the opposite wall. You’re a real piece of work, you know that? Kaia’s right to avoid you. You’re a selfish little punk.

  He tried to focus on what Alizée was saying instead of his self-loathing. She sat perched on the edge of one of the wooden benches by the med center door, while everyone else stood in a circle around her, offering silent support. Gabby looked to be the only one who felt comfortable with more—she was holding Alizée’s hands.

  “It all happened too fast,” Alizée said. Her hair was tangled and frizzy, and rips and tears decorated her mud-streaked clothes. One pants leg had even been completely hacked or torn off at about mid-thigh. “It was supposed to be a simple in and out. We finished our recon ahead of schedule and were returning to the extraction point through a narrow alleyway when Ezio stopped. Before I could ask him what was wrong, he threw me to the ground.” Her eyes welled up. “Then the shooting started, but I didn’t know how many of them there were or even how they’d found us. I turned to ask Ezio, but he” —her voice cracked— “he was sitting with his back against the alley wall, and his face—it was so pale. Then I saw the blood. They’d hit him when he was protecting me.” The words came between little shuddering breaths. “I cut my pants leg into strips to make a bandage. The firing stopped, but they never charged. It was like they wanted to make absolutely sure we were dead before they dared come any closer. There was a vending machine nearby so I created a distraction and helped Ezio out through the building next to the alleyway. Fortunately, our ride was already at the extraction point.”

  Connor saw Kaia’s questioning look at the vending machine comment and was about to explain, but, before he could, the doors swung open and Lab Coat Lady came out.

  “How’s he doing?” Dice asked.

  The older woman tried to smile. “Surprisingly well. The bullet passed through his calf muscle, and all initial indications are it missed the bone completely. After we finish cleaning the wound and stitching him up, we’ll be ready for you two.” She nodded to indicate Connor and Gabby. Connor felt a familiar queasiness in his stomach. There was always something unsettling about Elemental Therapy.

  Gabby raised her hand. “Can I come help right now, Ms. Williams?” (Williams! That was her name!) “I’ve never had any experience cleaning out a bullet wound before.” She cast a quick, worried glance at Alizée. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound insensitive, but it’s something I need to practice—not that I’m wanting to use Ezio as a guinea pig or anything, that’s not what I meant! I meant—oh, what do I mean? I mean, in case it ever happens again and no one else is here to help, I think it’s something I should know. Seriously, I would never—”

  Alizée took hold of Gabriela’s shoulders. “Calm down, you silly thing,” she said with a smile. “Get in there and help Ezio.”

  Gabby nodded and followed Ms. Williams. Alizée’s smile faded. “Why didn’t he use his head for once? I saw metal garbage cans in that alley. I’m willing to bet they were made of steel. He could have used those as shields or even weapons. No, he uses his own body instead.” She buried her head in her hands. “That idiot.”

  Vladimir reached a big arm around her narrow shoulders. “We all know Ezio. He is great protector. When bad things happen, he is not thinking like operative—he is thinking like man who needs to protect those near him. He will be all right. Is promise.” He gave her one last pat on the shoulder and stood up. “Stay a moment. You like hot chocolate? I make best there is.” He headed off toward the kitchen.

  Dice had been very quiet, standing off to the side. “Don’t worry about filling out any reports, okay, Alizée? Get some rest and try not to worry about Ezio anymore. He’s in good hands. I’m going to go over all the mission data, and I should have my preliminary findings together by lunchtime tomorrow.” He grimaced. “And hopefully I’ll be able to explain to Ms. Smith why an ultra-simple recon mission ended with our leader in the hospital.”

  * * *

  Kaia squirmed as Dice gave his report over the dining room table. She understood Ms. Smith needed to know what had happened, but her lunch of cornbread and beef stew didn’t seem quite as appetizing once Dice began detailing Ezio’s injury in all of its bullet-ripping glory.

  When she had first thought about going out and using her newfound abilities to help people, it had sounded kind of fun, but she honestly hadn’t considered the possibility of serious pain or death. Because evil masterminds are usually so kind to the people trying to stop them.

  Dice finished, and Ms. Smith spoke. “Thank you for that summation, Mr. Yamamoto. Have you had a chance to interpret any of the recon info gathered before things went a bit wrong?”

  “‘Went a bit wrong’?” Connor’s voice shook. “Are you having a laugh? One of us was shot. I think that qualifies as slightly more important than any snapshots they took.”

  “I beg to differ, Mr. Rhys. Mr. Rossi received his wound during his efforts to bring these ‘snapshots’ home. Were I not to act in an efficient manner on the intel he recovered, I would be belittling his sacrifice. Do you disagree?”

  “No,” Connor mumbled under his breath.

  “Very well. Mr. Yamamoto, what did you discover?”

  Dice shifted his weight back and forth in his seat. “It’s not good, ma’am. All of the components appear to be on site, and the contractor they hired to assemble the device can be seen in several of the photographs. I would guess they’re less than two weeks from completion.”

  “Device? What do you mean?” Kaia asked.

  Vladimir looked very tired. “Device is word for bomb, Kaia.”

  “A bomb?” The word didn’t compute somehow. “Like a bomb, bomb?”

  “No, not at all,” Connor said. “It’s actually filled with rose petals and explodes in a cheerful spray of happiness to bring delight to everyone around it.”

  “Stop being that way, Connor,” Vladimir said. “It is not Kaia’s fault you are cranky. I am thinking you did not get enough sleep last night. Or perhaps you are needing Vitamin C?”

  “I slept fine. I don’t need any vitamins. And I’m not cranky!”

  “Children!” Ms. Smith’s voice cut through the squabble. “Please continue, Mr. Yamamoto.”

  “As I was saying, all evidence points to them being operational within the next two weeks.” Dice rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s not the worst of it, though.” He coughed lightly. “The data supports only one conclusion: their target is a school. A primary school in South London, to be exact.”

  Everyone sat perfectly still, shocked into immobility by that single phrase. Everyone except Gabriela. “No. It can’t be.” She smacked her hands on the
table in rhythm with her words. “No, no, no. They can’t do that. There’s rules—everyone knows that! No schools, no kids, no babies—nowhere with little ones. I don’t care how evil you are or how mad you are at whatever government or company or whatever—you don’t hurt kids. Who doesn’t know that? Even really bad guys in jail know that. Except for the ones who are in jail because they hurt kids. And then other bad guys in jail hurt them sometimes. Why? Because they know you don’t hurt kids! We’re gonna stop them—right, Connor?” She got out of her chair and ran around the table to his seat, throwing her arms around him like a child wanting comfort after scraping her knee.

  Connor rocked her from side to side. “We’re going to stop them, Gabby. I promise. No kids are going to get hurt on our watch.”

  Kaia almost felt jealous. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had comforted her like that.

  “You’re absolutely right, Mr. Rhys,” Ms. Smith broke in. “We will not let these men complete their plans. I’ll be sending out the next team tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?” Dice’s jaw had dropped. “I’m sorry, but I don’t see how I can plan a whole new operation in 24 hours. I agree we need to move quickly, but it’s simply not possible.”

  “Not to worry, Mr. Yamamoto. I’ve already arranged for some of The Company’s best non-powered field agents to assist you in the planning process. As for which powered operatives will be going, Ms. Laurent is the obvious first choice.”

  Alizée’s head jerked up. “Me? I just got out of there alive, and you want me to go back? You’re crazy.”

  “No, Ms. Laurent, I’m smart. You are the only one with firsthand knowledge of the location. With stakes as high as they are, we need every possible advantage. Mr. Yamamoto will be on site as technical support.”

  “So Dice stays in the van and I go in alone? I don’t think so.”

  “Send you in alone? I wouldn’t dream of it. Ms. Davis will be going with you.”

  It took a second for the meaning to register. Kaia’s eyes widened. “Wait, what?”

  * * *

  No way. Sending Kaia out after less than a week? “That’s insane,” Connor managed to sputter. He glanced over at Kaia, who looked paralyzed.

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Rhys, do you have something to add?” Ms. Smith asked.

  She always knew exactly what to say to annoy him—exactly the right tone to rile him up. “You bet I do. Sending her into the field like this? What are you thinking? She could get hurt!”

  “So could Ms. Laurent. Why aren’t you worried about her?”

  Alizée glared at him. “Yes, Connor, why aren’t you?”

  “That’s not what I meant, Alley Cat, and you know it. You have a lot more experience than Kaia does. I know you can handle yourself.”

  “And Ms. Davis can’t?” Ms. Smith’s snide voice interjected.

  “No, she can’t!” No sooner were the words out of his mouth than he realized his mistake. “Wait, Kaia, that didn’t come out right. I meant—”

  “That you think I’m weak.”

  “No, I didn’t—”

  “That I’m slow.”

  “No—”

  “That I need someone holding my hand if I ever want to do anything on this team.”

  “Would you shut up for a second and listen? I didn’t say any of that. I didn’t think any of that. You are all putting words in my mouth and making it sound like I’m a reckless endangerer of women and yet also a controlling oppressor of women—at the same time! Do you realize how absurd that sounds? I’m only trying to point out it’s too soon for Kaia to be in the field,” Connor pointed a finger at Ms. Smith’s projected face, “and you know it.”

  She ignored him completely. “So, girls, do you think you’re up for the challenge?”

  They answered in unison. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Connor rolled his eyes. “Yeah, this is good. Going on a possibly lethal mission because I slightly injured your pride. Very intelligent.”

  “You do not have to worry about the girls, Connor,” a voice said from behind him. A voice belonging to someone who was supposed to still be recuperating. “I have decided I will be accompanying them myself. After all, I would not be much of a leader if I stayed behind while everyone else did the dangerous work, would I?”

  Connor saw both of the girls’ eyes light up as Ezio rolled his wheelchair into the room. Their looks said, He’s so cool. He’s so sweet. And Isn’t he so amazing when he gets all protective like that? Connor crossed his arms and sulked. This kept getting better and better.

  Ezio maneuvered his way down to the head of the table. “I was listening in through my earpiece and decided to join you.”

  Alizée’s initial happy reaction had faded a bit. “But, Ezio, what about your leg? You know you can’t be walking around on it so soon. Let Connor go instead of you.” She gave Connor her best fake-happy smile. “Not that I want you along. It’s just the thought of you getting horribly injured doesn’t bother me for some reason. No offense.”

  Connor fake-smiled back. “No worries. For me, the thought of you getting attacked by rampaging baboons makes me want to dance with glee. No offense.”

  Ezio sighed. “Can you two ever manage to go 24 hours without fighting? Is it even possible?”

  Connor grinned. “Don’t get so cross, Z. I’m British. She’s French. We have to fight. It’s required by law.”

  “Fine,” Ezio said. “It is getting old trying to stop you every time anyway. As for my leg, Alizée, I have decided to attempt an extended and more intensive second session of Elemental Therapy this evening. While trying to run might be pushing it, I should be able to walk without too much difficulty.”

  That stopped all of them in their tracks. All except Kaia, of course, who had no way of knowing what he was talking about. She was looking around the table, probably wondering why everyone looked so serious. “What do you mean, ‘Elemental Therapy?’”

  Ezio smiled reassuringly. “It is something we can use to help speed up the healing process. Between Connor, Gabriela, and myself, we control oxygen, carbon, and iron. When we run our powers through the E.T. Machine, it stimulates blood flow, accelerates protein formation—in short, it helps the body repair itself at an accelerated rate. We are not even consciously controlling it—we are merely the power outlets, as it were.”

  He was neglecting to mention one tiny detail, however. It was incredibly painful. Usually, they’d give the patient a lot of heavy-duty painkillers, but it’s pretty hard to focus on controlling the building blocks of nature when you’re happy on pain meds. And since Ezio was one of those whose powers were required . . . Connor had been part of the low-level session the night before, and even that had been difficult to watch. “You don’t need to do this, Z. I’ll go with them. You rest.”

  “I cannot do that, Connor.” It wasn’t the voice of someone trying to prove something. It was sad, almost defeated. “It is my own fault I am in this position. I know the layout. I know the setup. It needs to be me.”

  “Indeed,” Ms. Smith said. “I’m sure you will all do a fine job. I recommend you get some good practice time in this evening and then turn in early.” She looked straight at Kaia with her blood-red smile. “And you’ll be seeing the outside world for the first time, won’t you? Also a major event.”

  Kaia didn’t look her in the eye. “Yes, ma’am.”

  There was a quick flash of emotion in Ms. Smith’s eyes—Connor would’ve sworn it was anger. Did she know? Had she been spying on them? Maybe she had security cameras on the roof, or maybe . . . Stop it, he told himself. You’re starting to sound like Dice. Ms. Smith was being Ms. Smith. Cold, sarcastic Ms. Smith. He tuned back in to what she was saying.

  “I mean it, boys. No late-night gaming sessions tonight.” She was still smiling. “You all need your rest. You’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

  * *
*

  “Yo, look who’s back again.”

  Don’t look at them. Don’t acknowledge them in any way.

  “I bet they caught her wetting the bed.”

  “Nah, I think they caught her stealing.”

  “Yeah, that’s it. She’s a klepto.”

  Don’t . . .

  “I am not!”

  Great. Now you’ve done it.

  “Yeah, Klepto Kaia. How many homes is that now? Four? Five? When you gonna realize there ain’t no one out there who wants you?”

  Walk away. Please. And whatever you do, don’t . . .

  “Shut up! You’re just mad ’cuz I keep getting to go live with families and you’re stuck here!”

  A bold move. Stupid, but bold.

  “Nah, Kaia, see I ain’t mad at you. You ain’t worth it. You wanna know why? ’Cuz you’re a loser. We all orphans, but that don’t mean ain’t nobody wants us. It just means ain’t nobody found us yet. See, you’re pathetic ’cuz you’ve had five families that found you. And not one of them wanted you.”

  Please let me wake up. Please. I don’t want to hear it. Not again.

  “Not one. Just like all the other losers out there. No one wants them. No one loves them. And no one ever will.”

  Wake up!

  Kaia jolted upright in her bed, sweat pouring down her face and stinging her eyes. She hadn’t had that particular dream in months. It was easy enough to guess why it had returned. She tended to have nightmares when she was stressed, and going on a dangerous mission to stop some psychopaths from bombing a school definitely qualified as stressful. She had spent the afternoon practicing the basic techniques she had learned, but she doubted she would feel confident anytime soon. As much as she hated to admit it, Connor had been right. She had initially agreed to the mission only because of what he said. It had all made sense at the time but got lamer with every passing hour.

  I could still back out—admit I was wrong and see if someone else would take my place. And then I could see Connor’s smug grin as he says, “I told you so.” She made a face in the dark. Lame or not, she wasn’t going to let that happen. She glanced at the clock on the wall. Just after midnight. She closed her eyes and rolled over.