“I get that, too.”
“The only thing that’s really annoying is… well, how other people treat you.”
Harris’ own father abandoned him, I recall. Nick told me. His mother brought him here when Luca gave up on him. Annoying is an understatement.
“Other people can be jerks,” I conclude.
He shrugs. “Sometimes it’s worse when they’re not,” he adds cryptically. “Anyway, you done for the day?”
◆◆◆
I help him pack up and go to find the chimeras for another expedition into the centre. For the better part of a week, I follow a strict routine, training myself, training them, and then tracking the guards’ movements. Finally, we have enough of a timetable to start stalking them at night and start hunting for the base. I was prepared for the tediousness of this activity; my students were not. We spend hours just sitting on top of buildings, searching for anything unusual. They complain that hidden cameras could do the job for them, but they are not making the best use of their senses.
“We aren’t just looking,” I insist, “we’re feeling. Is your building empty?”
“I don’t know,” Joni shrugs.
“Then listen. Cast your senses down. Can you hear anything? Anyone shuffling about? Press against the concrete…. any movement?”
“Um… there are tiny vibrations…”
“Good. Expand that… imagine you’re zooming in. You can do that with your eyes, right?”
“Yes?”
“Now imagine doing it with your ears.”
“There’s… there’s scuttling on the middle floor! Is that… people?”
“You tell me.”
Joni screws up his face in concentration. “Oh, no, those are just rats.”
This small victory renews his enthusiasm for the mission, at least for a short while. I have my concerns about using someone so young, but I’ve assigned him look-out duty and impressed the importance of it. Bullet and Lili are capable fighters, but I’ve also got Jack, Chuck, Blue and Scarlet on standby in a van two streets away. I don’t know how many people we can expect at these secret meetings, or if they’ll be armed or mostly civilians. I am not taking any unnecessary risks.
On the fourth day, we finally catch a nibble.
A building which has been empty every other night so far is receiving an unusual number of visitors. They appear intermittently, usually one at a time, never more than two. Some look nervous, and some, if I focus carefully enough, have elevated heart rates.
I glance across at Lili, who is watching from the roof of another building. She nods at me in the dark, agreeing that these are most likely our marks. Bullet radios in.
“Is this them?”
“It seems likely.”
“Your orders?”
Back at the Institute, I led every mission. This question was normal. I hadn’t been asked it a great deal in the last five years. I worked alone, until I joined Phoenix, and then I worked under people.
I liked it, others looking up to me. In the quiet, in the moments leading up to a fight, it was nerve-wracking. Afterwards, it could be worse. You could be riddled with guilt when something went wrong.
But my missions rarely did. And in the moment, I didn’t think of any of this. I liked being in charge.
“Hold back for now,” I instruct. “Let’s be certain. Wouldn't want to bust the local knitting club.”
If we were positive –if we’re absolutely sure these were the right people– then taking one of them captive now would likely be the most low-risk option. There would be no fighting, and a minimal struggle. But we need to be sure.
“I’m going closer,” I relay to the others. “Nobody move unless detection is imminent.”
“Roger that, Firebird.”
Light as I am on my feet, the fire escape is a rusty monstrosity that looks fit to collapse at any moment; not the best option for stealth. Inside, I make my way down inside the building, trying to get a good view of the entrance. It’s impossible from any angle, and I’m forced into the streets, hugging the shadows.
A few more people are trickling in. How many was that now? Lili was keeping count. We must be pressing thirty. I try to gauge what I can from the ones that I see, but there’s little they have in common. Some old, some young, some that look like they could put up a fight, some that look like they’d struggle to. All united in some crazy belief that the world was going to end. Again.
I won’t deny that I’m curious as to the appeal, curious to know what it is they talk about. I press closer, but there’s a guard at the door. Armed. I could take him out, but if anyone came around the corner, the mission could be blown. Stealth is key.
I still want to know what they’re up to. I head around the side of the building, until I locate a window that’s been smashed in long ago, and leap up onto the ledge. It’s an old factory, picked clean long ago, nothing left but smashed crates, broken glass, and a lot of birds’ nests.
I head down to the next floor, but the meeting must be happening in the basement. The door still guarded. Shoot.
I lower my ear to the ground, but the floor is poured concrete. I can only make out the sound of mumbling, nothing discernable. I should have brought Mi.
Giving up on learning any more about them this way, I head back up to the roof.
“How many are in there?” I ask Lili.
“I counted thirty-four, going in. The leaders might have been there already, however.”
“Any more in the last few minutes?”
“No.”
That must mean the meeting is about to begin. I’ve still not confirmed that these are the people, but their actions all point in that direction. I’m calling it. I’ll capture one on the way out. If we’re wrong, then we’re wrong. Rudy can release them with a little bit of bad PR, but he’ll deal. Busting in to confirm is the riskier move.
The meeting lasts almost an hour, and then people start shuffling back out onto the streets, in small groups this time. Some are mumbling, whispers of excitement, but they are quickly hushed by other members. They’ve been told to keep quiet. How does one even start a secret cult, I wonder? The Institute had schooled us in the psychology of them before, but recruitment was a mystery to me.
“Keep counting,” I tell Lili. “Let me know when we’re at thirty.”
“Understood.”
I gather the boys back on my rooftop. “I’d like to grab two,” I tell them. Time for a short lesson. “Can anyone tell me why?”
Bullet claps his hands, taking care to be quiet. “Oh! So you can check their stories align?”
“Point to Bullet. So, how do you think we should do this?”
“Split into two teams, each take out one.”
“Very good. Who do we pick?”
Joni answers this one. “The ones travelling alone, heading away from built-up areas, if possible.”
“Good. Bullet– you have your tranquiliser gun?”
He proudly shows it off.
“Go with Lili. Joni, you’re with me.”
“Aye-aye!”
A few minutes later, Lili alerts me. Another two people have just left the building. They nod curtly, and split off in different directions. Wordlessly, I indicate to the other team; follow the first one. Joni and I leap across to the next building, tracking our mark.
I hand Joni my dart gun. “You ready?” I ask him.
He nods, a little nervously for my liking, but I don’t have time to indulge him. I leap soundlessly onto the ground, run up behind my target, and clamp my hand over his mouth. He’s strong, and smells oddly familiar, like cheap whiskey and tobacco.
Wait… Abe?
Abe was my old… boss, I suppose you could say, back when I used to be a casual thief-for-hire. I hadn’t taken on a job since I revealed myself to the public. He was, by all reports, furious. He is the last person who needs to see me alive.
He struggles, trying to twist, but I fasten my grip, turning him to face Joni, who is running up
behind.
Joni aims the gun, standing too far away, his hands shaking. I try to call out, but the dart is faster. It lodges in my forearm.
“Oh, really?”
Fun fact about chimeras: we are not immune to tranquilisers. At best, we have a mild resistance. I’ve got a few minutes before I pass out, but already my knees don’t feel as strong as they did.
“I’m sorry!” Joni rushes.
Abe starts to struggle again, only this time, his movements seem a lot stronger. He pulls away, going wide-eyed as he wheels around and catches a glimpse of my face.
“You!”
Joni, trying to make up for his mistake, runs forward and punches him in the gut, leaving me with enough time to grab hold of him again and slide my fingers to the vagus nerve in his neck. I apply as much pressure as I can. He starts to sag in seconds. So, unfortunately, do I.
“Load another dart,” I instruct Joni. “Shoot him again. Quickly now!”
Rendering someone unconscious using pressure to nerves isn’t a reliable way of keeping them out cold. I can’t have him coming to when Joni is alone. I prop myself up against a wall and fumble for my comms. “Lili, how’s it going?”
“One unconscious member, as requested.”
“Good. Please bring him around the corner to our location.”
I switch frequencies. My head is spinning, vision blurring. “Red Queen, this is Firebird speaking.”
“Well, hi there, Firebird, what can we help you with?”
“Please bring the van around. We have what we need.”
Chapter 37
I lose consciousness shortly afterwards, and wake up in Julia’s infirmary. I glance at the clock on her wall; I haven’t been out long. Darts never work long on us.
“Evening,” she says cheerily.
I shift up in bed, my head splitting. Julia hands me a glass of water. “Is everything OK?” I ask her.
“Two members successfully escorted into custody, no other injuries to report.”
“Good. Joni OK?”
“Very upset about shooting you, but otherwise fine.” She conducts the usual checks as she talks, checking my pulse, blood pressure, eyes for concussion. I pass them all.
“He wasn’t ready. I shouldn’t have taken him out.”
Julia shrugs. “Do you want to stay here tonight? It’s late. I got word to Mi, let him know you were safe.”
I shake my head. I can’t stay here. Staying at Phoenix and not staying with Nick is all kinds of wrong. I just want to be back in my own bed. My own, cold, empty bed.
The sound of hurried footsteps hurtles down the corridor. Gabe arrives in the doorway, accompanied by a very flustered looking sentry.
“He-he doesn’t have clearance!” the sentry rushes breathlessly. “He barged in–”
“It’s all right, he’s with me.”
The sentry looks to Julia for approval. She nods, but numbly. Her face is stark white.
“Ashe,” Gabe rushes to my side, his eyes casting over every feature, every spot of exposed skin.
“I’m fine,” I tell him. “It was only a tranquiliser.”
“Gabriel,” whispers Julia.
Gabe turns to her, as if only just noticing another person was in the room at all. He frowns. “I’m sorry, do… do you know me?”
“I, er… I’m Dr Thorne. Julia. I… I work with your brother.”
“Yes. He told me about you.” His gaze intensifies. “You–”
“I’m so happy you’ve returned. Your family must be thrilled.”
“For the most part, yes.”
He turns back to me. Something about Julia has unnerved him, but he clearly decides I’m a higher priority. The intensity of his gaze is matched only by the weight of his crushing desire to take me away from this place. Oh, oh, I get it now. He feels the same way about infirmaries as I do. He had no way of knowing that Julia’s place was… not like the Institute. Not at all.
“You sure you’re all right?” he asks.
I nod, slipping off the bed. “See? Right as rain. Did you… come to escort me home? Should I play the part of the damsel? Would you like me to swoon?”
This, at least, tugs a fragment of a smile from him. “I’d prefer not to have to carry you all the way home, if it’s all the same to you.”
“Are you saying I’m fat?”
Julia makes a small squeak, an awkward splutter of laughter.
“Thanks for the check-up, Jules. I’ll probably see you tomorrow.”
“Do. Rudy will want to speak to you.”
I’ll want to speak to him. I need to know what he plans to do with Abe, who’s always known more about me than I’d like. What is he doing with The Chosen? When did he join? Is he smuggling for them? It seems the most likely link…
But I’ll have no answers for this until morning.
I nod my head instead and duck out of the room, heading out of the base with my arm tucked into Gabe’s. I feel like he may bolt away at the sound of movement, like a frightened dog. It is a relief to be free of the place and out in the open again, but I still don’t let him go.
“You didn’t have to come and get me,” I tell him. “You should have been told I was fine.”
“They said you were unconscious. I didn’t want to leave you… unguarded, in that place.” His muscles tense.
“I know… I know it might be hard for you to understand, but that place… those people… they’re our friends. They aren’t like the Institute.”
“You’re too trusting.”
“No,” I feel my anger rising, “I’m just trusting enough.” I stop in the street, waiting for the challenge.
“That doctor,” Gabe starts, “there’s something… off, about her. I can’t really explain what.”
“Julia cares about us!”
“She does,” he agrees, although how he could tell this from their short interaction, I don’t know. “But she’s keeping something from you.”
“Everyone keeps things from people.”
“Everyone except you and I.”
“Yes,” I reply, “but only because we can’t.”
I feel the sting of my own words echoed back to me.
“You mean that, don’t you?” he says. “You’d keep things from me, if you could.”
“I wouldn’t… I wouldn’t let you be hurt by what I feel for others.”
“Nick, you mean?”
His name icicles through me. It sounds so wrong coming from Gabe. “Yes.”
“I’d shoulder anything, for your sake,” Gabe replies, with an earnesty just as sharp as Nick’s name. It pierces me to the core. Gabe sighs. “It isn’t easy, being around you right now. You’re hurting, and I don’t think I can help, and then you feel guilt over my pain as well, and we’re rather stuck in a loop, I fear.”
“Not forever, I hope.”
Gabe takes my hand, and slides his fingers through it. It still surprises me, how large he has become. “There is only one thing in life I am certain about,” he says, “and it isn’t that. What was it you used to say? Unstoppable–”
“Together.”
“We’ll get through this, Ashe. We always do.”
Our hands are not a perfect fit, but I do not want to untangle them. We walk home this way, clutching the very first fingers we ever reached for in the dark.
Chapter 38
I go back bright and early to Phoenix HQ the next day, uncertain but unconcerned about Rudy’s reaction. After all, we got the job done stealthily, and no one was hurt. Abe’s presence is the only unknown.
“You brought me two,” Rudy says as I enter his study. His eyebrow arches suspiciously, as if waiting for a trap.
“To check the intel was correct. How else do you determine fact from fiction?”
“Smart.”
“You always act surprised. I am highly trained.”
“Your plans don’t often run smoothly.”
“Last night was fine.”
“You got shot.”
I snort. “With a dart gun. You see any bleeding?”
“You’re fully clothed.”
“Want me to undress?”
“Please, please don’t.”
“You wouldn’t say that if I was Mi.”
The ghost of a smile. “Mi wouldn’t offer.”
I could tease him more, but the game is losing its appeal. “You get anything out of them yet?”
“Our best interrogators are working on it. I don’t think it will be long. They don’t seem very hardened.”
“Need any help? I’m an excellent interrogator.”
“By ‘excellent interrogator’ do you mean ‘threaten to set them on fire until they confess’?”
I place my hand on my heart. “You know me so well!”
Rudy sighs. “We’re good, thank you.”
“Right, so…” This next part is harder. “One of the captives is my old employer. Abe.”
“I had noticed. Did he recognise you?”
“Yes.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
“I think so, too.” I pause. “I’d like to talk to him.”
Rudy sighs. “I suppose I owe you one. Please refrain from setting him on fire.”
“I promise nothing.”
He glares at me. “Fine. Speak to Harris. He’ll give you clearance. We’re keeping them on site at the moment; our previous holding cells were compromised when the police moved in.”
They don’t like to keep prisoners at the base; too risky if they escape. They’d been using another building in the slums. It wasn’t particularly secret.
“Vixen?” I ask, remembering the chimera that was being held there. “Foxtrot-5?”
“We released her back to the appropriate authorities, but I don’t know what happened to her after then.”
All faint hopes I had of her being won over by Mi and Julia’s innate goodness are finally quashed. “I see,” is all I can say.
“Harris,” he reminds me, “before I change my mind. Then go find your trainees and reassure the little one you’re not mad at him.”
I follow his instructions and before long am heading to lower levels, to the old holding cells Harris designed in the early days of Project Phoenix. Chuck is on guard duty. He grins as I approach.
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