by Rebecca Rode
“Do our guards know how long it takes to die of this disease?” I asked.
“No idea. Previous patients have lasted months, maybe years, in a medically induced coma. But this could be a stronger variation.” He cocked his head, seeing my implication. “If one of us ‘died,’ the guards would be forced to remove the body. They won’t leave a corpse here to rot.”
“And that person could escape and free the others.” The doubt hung heavy in my voice. The guards would be expecting a ploy like that, and I wasn’t certain we could convincingly fake a death.
“The main characters did that in a book I read once,” Travers said, trying to sound sure. “It could work.”
“I strongly doubt it,” a strong voice said from across the room.
My heart seized at the unexpected response. That voice.
A figure emerged from the hallway. He wore a guard uniform like the others and walked gingerly, as if injured. It was his battered face that caught my attention first. Bruises of every color decorated his cheeks and jaw, and both eyes were nearly swollen shut. If I hadn’t heard him speak, I wouldn’t know it was Kole at all.
“What happened?” I asked softly.
“My kind doesn’t like deserters. Are you all okay?”
My heart gave a little thrill. He’d left the Firebrands to help us. To help me. “So far. How did you get down here?”
He grinned. It didn’t have the same effect with his crooked jaw. “My kind are also lazy and tired. But we don’t have much time. Our escape won’t be easy.”
“Do you have another stunner?” Travers asked.
Kole shook his head. “I was lucky to steal this one on the way down. We’ll have to lift one or two more from a guard. Until then, my weapon protects Legacy first and foremost.” He strode to our cell door and swiped an object against it. It clicked, and the door swung open.
“I’ll have it no other way.” Travers climbed to his feet and stepped out.
“Dad,” I whispered, shaking my father’s shoulder. Then I frowned. The skin beneath his shirt was hot. Too hot. He only groaned. I rose and placed a hand against his forehead, then his cheek.
“We have a problem,” I told the others, panic rising in my voice. “Dad’s been hit hard already. He isn’t responding.”
Kole cursed. “I’ll carry him on my shoulders. Legacy, you take the stunner.” He slapped it into my hand and pointed to the switch. “Keep it on stun unless you want to kill someone. Aim for the chest or back, not the head. Easier target.”
I nodded, letting my fingers curve around the ancient device. Modern stunners were light and small. Only enforcers, security, and soldiers were allowed to handle one. This weapon felt heavy and awkward. This is the type of weapon Gram carried when she saved the country.
It was time to finish what she’d started.
Kole grunted, my father’s limp body slung over his wide shoulders. His eyes were pulled tight with pain. It wasn’t just his face that hurt.
“Thank you,” I told him, brushing my fingers along his arm. “I don’t know why you switched sides, but I appreciate that you came.”
“They took things in a direction I wasn’t willing to go. But you’re welcome. We have a long way to go yet.” He nodded to the stunner in my hand. “You’ll have to go first. Use corners and furniture to cover yourself, and don’t expose any more than you have to.”
“Got it.”
Travers placed himself at my side. “I’ll retrieve any stunners I can find and then take point. This time of night, there should be fewer guards than usual. We might have a chance.”
“None of this chance nonsense. We’re going to succeed,” I said firmly. I stared at Travers until the doubt left his eyes and he nodded. Kole looked less certain. A sheen of sweat covered Dad’s face now.
I leveled the stunner in front of me. “Let’s go.”
The first group of guards we encountered was the largest. Thankfully, most lay sprawled across whatever chair or flat surface they could find, looking more like drunk teenagers than soldiers. They’d partied a little too hard after their victory. I stunned the only two who sat up when we arrived. Travers hurried to search their pockets, then shook his head. Neither had a stunner. Maybe the Firebrands didn’t have the resources I’d assumed.
We made it to the main floor. Kole headed for the front doors, but I grabbed his elbow. “They’ll be watching that exit. We need to get to the second floor.”
He hesitated only a moment before following me into the lift. Travers hurried in just before the doors closed.
As I’d suspected, nobody was on the office floor this time of night. The hallways remained empty and brightly lit. No mandatory blackouts here.
“In there,” I whispered, pushing open the last door. Alex clearly didn’t miss his old office. Old bottles and a plate of rotting food sat on top of the desk. The office chair was missing a leg. There was no other furniture.
“Um,” Kole said. “How is this supposed to help us?”
I hurried to the window and looked down. A large shadow was visible a few meters below. “There’s a dumpster right below the window. Alex and I discovered the window was broken when we were younger. We used to come in and out this way to surprise Dad.” I swallowed back the memory and shoved at the window, which slid open with little resistance.
“I hate dumpsters,” Kole muttered.
“I’ll go first.” I handed Travers the stunner, sat on the frame, and swung out.
My stomach lurched as I hovered in the air. A second later, my feet hit the lid, and it gave way beneath my weight. As I’d hoped, the resistance of the thin plastic combined with the dumpster’s contents was just enough to break my fall without making too much noise. I tried not to think about the stains I’d find on my trousers.
Travers followed and groaned at the smell. It took all three of us and a couple of precious minutes to lower Dad down safely. Kole landed soundlessly, wrinkling his nose, already looking around for danger.
Once we had Dad safely secured on Kole’s shoulders again, Travers looked up at the window. “I did not believe that would work.”
“It is impressive,” Kole agreed, giving me a genuine smile. “Good call, Legacy.”
I beamed before the reality of the situation hit once more. Gram was alone, and we couldn’t contact her. Dad was in desperate need of treatment, Alex was a traitor, and the Firebrands would soon discover our absence. Not to mention that most of Dad’s supporters most likely to help us could be among Virgil’s targets. If they weren’t sick yet, they would be before long.
“There will be time for celebrating later,” I said. “Let’s get Dad back to the cavern.”
Twenty-Eight
Kole
Legacy’s driver, Travers, stole a transport from a nearby parking lot. Minutes later we were speeding along the road toward the coast. After we’d exchanged what we knew about Virgil and Dane, Legacy fell silent, her dad’s head in her lap. She stared out the window with a worried expression. The hospital was out of the question. The Firebrands would find them in minutes.
Since Legacy’s communications were tracked and Travers had been compromised, I did a quick search for on-duty physicians and managed to convince one to help after his shift. Travers would meet him by the coast and bring him to the cavern later. It wasn’t a perfect solution since we weren’t sure who to trust, but definitely worth the risk. We couldn’t just let Legacy’s dad die.
We climbed into a hidden boat and navigated the choppy water toward a small bay. Legacy flinched every time we hit a wave, securing her father’s head in her lap so it wouldn’t flop around. It was hard to tell, but by the flush in his face, his fever was growing worse.
An old woman greeted us when we arrived. I knew her immediately. This was the legendary Treena Hawking, the woman who’d defeated two armies at the Battle of NORA and led her people to safety halfway across a continent. She barely gave me a glance, her gaze settling on her son being carried between me and Travers.
“Malachite,” she gasped and hurried over to clear the bed. We’d scarcely set him down before she waved us away and began covering him in blankets. I counted five of them. The emotion on her face made me feel like I was intruding on a very private moment.
Travers immediately left to fetch the physician. My shoulders and arms ached from carrying His Honor’s unconscious body, and my ribs were on fire. There was nothing I wanted more than a moment of rest. But one look at Legacy’s face as she stood in the corner with arms folded, and I made my way over. “I’m sorry about your Dad. Are you doing okay?”
To my surprise, she slipped immediately into my arms. Now that the danger of being recaptured was past, it looked like the full meaning of tonight’s events had hit her. There was a weariness in her face that transcended a lack of sleep. “I’m not sure it’s possible to be okay right now.”
I put one hand on her back and stroked it back and forth. She’d described my feelings perfectly. “Nobody said you had to be.”
She pulled back to study my face, having read something in my voice. “You didn’t just defect. Something else happened, didn’t it?”
I looked away.
She placed a hand on my cheek and softly turned my head so I was facing her again. “Tell me. Please.” Her voice was gentle and pleading.
“My uncle didn’t appreciate my helping you. He. . . took someone dear to me.”
She looked as if I’d slapped her. “Kole. I—I don’t know what to say. I’m so sorry.”
I pulled her in again, barely noticing the pressure of her body against my sore ribs. She just felt right. “Sometimes there’s nothing to say. I’m glad you and the driver haven’t gotten sick.”
She went rigid against my chest.
“What?” I asked as she pulled away.
“Fates,” she exclaimed in wonder. “It’s the blood.”
“I don’t follow.”
“Our public blood and DNA records are taken at birth. Virgil said the system calibrates the virus to each individual. But my birth records belong to someone else.” She grew more excited by the second. “Don’t you see? That means the virus can’t take hold. I’m immune.”
I still didn’t understand. “Someone else?”
She flushed. “I was adopted at birth. The real Hawking twin was stillborn. It must be her blood they recorded.”
My mouth formed an O as I took it in. I’d given her such a hard time about her family, and she had no more Hawking blood in her than I did. “Is that why Virgil wanted everyone’s blood taken again? To make sure?”
“Maybe.” She bit her lip thoughtfully. “Gram said her spies reported a line of Firebrands at the hospital giving blood yesterday. But didn’t Virgil make them an exception?”
I wasn’t sick, so it had to be true. I refused to think about my uncle’s promise of “something special,” whatever that meant. “I bet Neuromen employees were spared too. He must have needed the blood samples to prevent the virus from taking effect.”
“Mom’s project involved healing people. That means it can be reversed. I’m sure of it. I need to get back into that lab.”
My body ached with weariness at the very thought. “You want to break into Neuromen? You know that Virgil will have the lab under heavier security than the Block tonight, right?”
“I think Millian can help us. Will you send her a message?”
“I’ll try. But Legacy, breaking in won’t be as easy as you think.”
“He’ll be expecting soldiers. Enforcers. Military. Groups of people with weapons, not Legacy Hawking. He’ll expect me to be sick, like Dad.”
“Then I’m coming too. Virgil won’t be expecting me either.” Those guards had likely reported my escape already. They’d expect me to be halfway to Malrain by now. “Are you sure you can leave your dad and grandmother like this?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Treena snapped from the bedside across the room. “Of course she can.”
We exchanged an amused look. Legacy ducked her head in a rare moment of embarrassment. “Gram, this is Kole Mason.”
“I like you, Kole Mason, for the simple reason that you’re helping us. This is where you assure me you’ll take care of my granddaughter and help her accomplish this big, impossible mission without a scratch.”
“I’ll certainly try, Honored Madame Hawking.”
“Oh, stop it with the honor stuff. Call me Treena. Does that stunner in your pocket work?”
I patted it. “Yep.”
“Good. You’ll need it. Now, you two get some rest before Travers returns with the physician. Something tell me you’ll need that even more.”
Twenty-Nine
Legacy
After Travers delivered the physician, he gave us a ride as far north up the coast as we dared. I snuck a peek at a few broadcasting stations and watched in horror at the scenes unfolding. The update was only a few hours old, yet the nation was already unraveling. Frantic people were lined up outside hospital doors, demanding treatment for their feverish loved ones. Storefronts were being broken into and essential items cleaned out. A group, faces covered, even broke into a pharmacy and stole every bottle on the shelves.
I knew what came next. Desperate people did desperate things.
Dismissing the broadcasts, I stared at the moon instead. It was past full, with a tiny sliver shaved off one side. In the choppy waves, its reflection looked broken. I liked that version even better. While daylight belonged to everyone else, night was mine. Sitting next to Kole with his arm around me, I somehow felt closer to Mom than ever.
She would approve of what I was about to do. I was certain of it. That fire inside me still burned bright, but it wasn’t anger now. It was determination. I refused to leave that lab until the update was reversed.
When Kole and I got out of the boat, Travers tied it up and moved to follow. “Making sure you two get inside safely. I’m afraid to face your grandmother otherwise.”
Hiking through the forest was even harder in the dark. My eyes drooped and my ankle throbbed, but I focused my thoughts on our mission. Fates willing, Virgil would be in bed now. We would slip in, reverse the update’s effects, and escape before he even knew we were there.
“Millian just responded,” Kole said as the white bridge came into sight. “Said she’ll wait by the delivery station on the east side. Guess there’s some kind of ramp there.” He paused. “And then she said, ‘watch that social anxiety.’ What exactly does that mean?”
Grinning, I took his hand. “It means it’s really her.”
I knew the place the moment we arrived. I’d discovered it while wandering that first night before the blackout, when Kole had walked me back to my room. Situated by the kitchens, it also served as the location for trash pickup. I wrinkled my nose in the night air. Pickup was long overdue. I’d desperately need a shower before this night was done.
I turned to Travers. For the first time, I noticed a sheen of sweat on his face. He was positively swaying despite the still air. “Are you feeling all right?”
“Fine. Just tired.” Even his voice sounded weak.
I placed my hand on his cheek and drew it back with a sharp intake of breath. Not Travers too.
Kole noted the worry on my face and pursed his lips. “Can you make it back to the boat by yourself, Travers?”
“Of course. I told you I’m fine.”
A string of swear words entered my head, but I was too concerned to voice them. “Maybe you should get back to the cavern before you’re unable to drive at all. The physician can help you.”
“And leave you both stranded here? Not a chance. Now get in there before I have to do it myself.” He winked at me. “I’ll be waiting in the trees.”
I felt my throat squeeze as I turned my back on him and headed for the ramp.
Kole jogged to catch up. “He really cares about you.”
“It’s mutual. Travers is more than my driver. He’s my timekeeper and bodyguard, and he listens to me.” I smile
d sadly. “He was there for me when the rest of my family wasn’t.”
Kole gave my hand a squeeze. “Then let’s be quick and make sure he’s still with us when morning comes.”
Millian was right. A short climb up the ramp, followed by a crawl down a long dark garbage chute, and we were inside. By this time, my clothing was more old food than uniform.
My roommate covered her mouth and nose as we approached, her eyes laughing. “This won’t do. They’ll know you’re coming six rooms away.”
“Unless you know of some other clothes, you’re stuck with us.” I peered down the aisle of shelving, all in deep shadow.
“Oh! I know.” Millian scampered away. A moment later, she returned with two kitchen uniforms. They were white and more easily seen in the dark, but at least they were clean.
I grinned and swiped the smaller one. “For a nerd, you’re pretty smart.”
“For a princess, you’re pretty stubborn. Now put that on and let’s get out of here. The entire building is on lockdown. Virgil ordered everyone to their rooms early. I’ve already scouted the route with the fewest cameras.” She turned to give us privacy, gaze fixed resolutely on the door.
I changed quickly, all too aware of Kole doing the same right next to me. I tossed my food-covered clothing aside and pulled the uniform over my chilled skin. The blackness served as a cloak of privacy, but I snuck a peek at Kole anyway. In this light, I could barely make out the network of bruises on his chest. The outline of his hardened shoulders stole my breath. Those shoulders had carried my dad just a few hours before. Those shoulders had borne burdens he wouldn’t discuss and responsibilities that weren’t truly his.
Then his gaze locked on mine, and I was captured. A girl could fall right into those eyes.
“Can you guys stop staring at each other and come on already?” Millian muttered, still facing the door.
I slipped my shoes back on and followed her, fighting the deep warmth in my cheeks. Kole looked unaffected as he headed for the door, pulling the crisp white shirt over his head.