“Aw…” she feigns a pout. “Just like Rox. You were always so moody.”
“And you were always so bitchy. Nice to know nothing’s changed.”
“Lots has.”
“Yeah, you don’t have anyone’s lives to fuck up anymore,” his eyes flicker to Walker. “Or are you still doing that?”
“I do as I’m told…” she shrugs. “It’s never personal.”
“Just business?”
“That’s how it works,” she pops her hip to the side, “you should know that better than anyone.”
“I know good business,” he growls in a menacing tone. “Not betrayal.”
“It was survival.”
“It was bullshit and you know it,” he’s red with rage and spins towards Sampson to keep from losing it. Tucker and the rest of the Rogues look between each other, glancing toward Perry and an uncomfortable Walker, as though trying to decide if interfering is the best option. Maybe they should just let them hash it all out? It looks like Tucker is about to say something but Perry pushes past, not quite reaching Reid since the Rogues make it a point to create a barrier between them.
“What did you expect me to do when I played both sides? I had a system to run too, you know.”
“Yeah,” Jace shakes his head. “Way to look out for your girls.”
“I didn’t force anyone to do anything.”
“Just a gentle push?”
“Fuck off, Jace,” she snaps.
“Might it be prudent to speak of something else?” Sampson finally interjects with an authoritative tone. “With the mixed company…”
Perry rolls her eyes and retreats back to the wall. Her eyes dart from Sampson to Tucker and Able and finally back to Reid. Everything is quiet for a second until Clarence clears his voice, shifting to the center of the room.
“Well, we’re glad to know you all are alright,” he glances to Vix and the others, “but we have news of our own,” he inhales deeply, readying himself for a long explanation. “In case you haven’t figured it out—we were able to liberate Harrizel after the Vermix invasion. Everyone who was able to go home did,” he offers a fleeting glance to Reid, “and afterward, we waited to hear for word on Blovid’s location—remember he’s the one who ordered the cease-fire during the Ellae massacre. And because he exposed Reuzkimpart’s crimes on Harrizel, he’s been forced into hiding and took refuge in Mybyncia until he was discovered. There was a small Vermix invasion to bring him back to Dellapalania, but he fled again before they caught him.”
“Where is he now?” Able asks.
“We’re not sure…” Sampson says. “But Qippert knows. He’s been directed to tell us only when we’re on our way.”
“And where is Qippert?” Vix glances around.
Sampson and Clarence exchange looks, Clarence clearing his voice after a minute. “He was badly injured. We had to leave him on Mybyncia.”
“What happened?”
Clarence takes another full breath. “We went back to Harrizel in search of a Tregmint. That’s why we’re here—we need the Nazual to cure the toxin spread in Pryncbia. It’s poisoned half the city, including the chancellor and two of the princesses. We must return with it or everyone infected is going to die,” he exhales with exhaustion. “We’ve tried… several things before coming here. A diluted plant that reduces the symptoms, and then its straight source which we had to steal from the Gorgen…”
Vix is the only one that gasps, her hands flying to cover her mouth.
“And our last endeavor was a mistaken return to Harrizel. Vermix were everywhere and Qippert was struck and badly injured…”
“Will he survive?” she asks.
“We’re optimistic.”
“What about you?” Able glances between all of us. “Are you guys all okay?”
“We’re fine,” I say. “The toxin has no effect on us.”
“But if we don’t retrieve the Nazual, the Mybyncians won’t stand a chance if Reuzkimpart decides to invade again.”
“But he was just looking for Blovid?” Able glances between Clarence and Sampson who clears his throat.
“He was… but it was also a good excuse to seek his other objective.”
“You mean…” Vix starts, her face hardened at the news.
“We’re afraid so.”
“What?” Able asks.
Sampson glances around all of us, quickly deciding that it’s time we knew. He takes a deep breath and after a second, starts. “Within the Three Worlds—Dellapalania, Mybyncia and Nerwolix—there are Three Gifts, one granted to each World before the first of days. The Gifts are not to be on the same World at the same time, nor should they be possessed by anyone other than their host planet… it is a way to ensure peace is kept, as together they’re the greatest source of ultimate power.”
“What are they?” Able asks.
“Dellapalania houses Sight, the last piece of the glass chamber which was destroyed two centuries ago. It depicts the future.”
“Whose?” Tucker asks.
“Whoever looks into it. They see the most significant occurrence in their life.”
“Like a prophecy?” I ask.
Sampson looks straight at me. “Exactly. Nerwolix houses Knowledge, the Floating Ruby. You’re able to ask anything—anything you want. Something to solve a great dilemma, perhaps? Anything you want will be answered, but only the one question.”
“And then Mybyncia,” Clarence chimes in, “houses Ability, which is contained in the Shadow Bag. Once you’ve seen the future and asked your question, you place your hand in the Shadow Bag and it will provide you with what’s needed.”
“Sight. Knowledge. Ability,” Sampson says. “The Three Gifts bestowed to the Three Worlds.”
“And Reuzkimpart is seeking the Shadow Bag on Mybyncia?” Able asks. “Why?”
Another deep exhale from Sampson, “…We believe he’s acquiring the Three Gifts to eradicate the Arizals and protect himself from the prophecy.”
“What prophecy?” Walker asks.
“The prophecy of Human conquering Dofinike. It is known throughout our people and is depicted as a great war between the two. That’s why Reuzkimpart worked with Beshib in forming a reanimating human army. So he can unleash it on the Arizals and then Earth, while he brought his forces in to finalize the end of your race. All of this is about destroying your race.”
A long minute of silence passes before Walker starts, “So this is all about a prophecy?”
Clarence nods. “Unfortunately.”
“Do you believe it?”
Clarence and Sampson look to one another, Sampson answering first, “I believe it may exist in some form, but I’m not convinced it is the end of Dellapalania, nor the Dofinikes.”
“So why is Reuzkimpart so worried?”
“He’s the one who looked in the glass,” Sampson explains. “He’s the one who saw the prophecy.”
Another long minute of silence before Vix steps towards Sampson, resting a hand on his shoulder. “But he has not located the Shadow Bag?”
“No, he hasn’t. But he will try again.”
“And here?” Reid asks. “You think he’ll come after the Floating Ruby?”
“Oh yes…” Sampson nods, “… this is just the beginning.”
“We’ve got a war coming,” Clarence says as the room grows eerily quiet. “So far Nerwolix doesn’t want any part of it. But we need Mybyncia strong and on our side,” he glances to Tucker, “we need that Nazual.”
All eyes follow Clarence’s, landing on the suddenly tense Rogue Leader. He simply nods in response, as if finally realizing the importance of the task he volunteered for.
“So…” Sampson breaks the stark silence, “we’ll get through tomorrow, stay as guests on Tucker’s behalf and head out again.”
“And Walker and I will remain here?”
“For the time being,” Clarence says, “we need to dispense the antitoxin back at Mybyncia and once well enough, Qippert will lead us to
Blovid. Then we’ll be able to come back here and strategize the next phase of this war.”
“But Hozfin wants nothing to do with it,” I look between Sampson and Clarence. “Will he allow us back?”
“He will if you stay on as our guests,” Walker nods. “I don’t see why not.”
“But if Reuzkimpart knows Blovid’s hiding out here, wouldn’t that be more reason to invade?”
“How would he know?” Clarence shrugs. “Right now he has a majority of his troops combing Harrizel and the other half monitoring Dellapalania. Until he comes after the Floating Ruby, he won’t know Blovid or Sampson are here.”
“But it is inevitable?” Reid asks.
“Oh yes… Reuzkimpart will invade,” Sampson nods, “whether Hozfin believes it or not.”
“What about Thias?” Vix asks. “Should he be warned?”
Sampson’s face hardens, his eyes instantly falling to the ground. Clarence gazes at his old friend with sadness, finally breaking the quiet by answering Vix. “He has not been notified at this time. But he’ll know once the Nerwos have become involved.”
“And you do not think we should bring this to his attention?”
“No,” Sampson shakes his head, looking up again. “He won’t want anything to do with it... he won’t want anything to do with me.”
“Perhaps if Blovid…”
“Clarence is right,” Sampson refuses the possibility. “They’ll be involved when Reuzkimpart involves them. Right now, the plan is return to Mybyncia, cure the infected and once Qippert is well enough, seek out Blovid.”
Everyone nods, a new quiet settling. Tucker looks like he’s about to ask Walker something but Perry pushes her right hip out and with arms still crossed, focuses on Sampson. “So, are we coming back with you?”
Reid’s eyes flicker over her. “You look comfortable here.”
“Wasn’t talking to you, Rox.”
“Good—my prayers have been answered.”
“You need to get over it already,” she spins to him with a deep glower.
“And you need to not fucking talk to me.”
“I wasn’t!”
“This is bullshit,” he spins. “Should just leave your ass here. Have a better chance of survival without you…” he mumbles, pushing past the long red drape.
The Rogues all exchange glances, Tucker shaking his head at the others. “I’ll go,” and he quickly follows Reid outside.
Once he’s gone, Able glowers at her. “Way to go, Perry.”
“Are you kidding?” her eyes bulge as an arm shoots out to the flapping curtain. “That was all him! I asked Sampson a question and he butted in.”
“Give the guy a break,” Jace scowls, “you did kind of ruin his life for awhile,” his eyes flicker to Walker.
“No… that’d be Ansley,” she glares, folding her arms. “I never told her to spread her legs. She did that on her own.”
“And who suggested it?”
Perry scoffs, rolling her eyes with annoyance. “Ancient history.”
“Not to some.”
“Like I said,” she saunters forward, “he can get over it. I had a lot of clients and a lot of jobs. That was merely one.”
“Well… you did a number on the Rogues with it so… goal achieved.”
“I aim to please,” she smirks.
“And I’m sure Grisham was. Tell me,” Jace scratches his chin. “Was it just food? Or did he pay extra for your services?”
“Fuck you, Jace,” her eyes narrow into dark slits. “I’m not a whore.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
“Okay,” Clarence comes between them, “let’s everybody calm down. Tucker will be back in here momentarily and we need him to have as restful a night as possible. Now…Perry does make a good point. This is history and we have to move forward. We need to put whatever happened on Harrizel behind us and look to the future.”
“I didn’t start anything,” Perry rolls her eyes, arms crossed over her chest. “He just—”
“I know,” Clarence nods, “but it’s probably best if you two don’t talk. Just steer clear of him and we’ll be fine.”
“I wasn’t talking to him!”
“I know,” Clarence says, clearly annoyed, “and if he responds, just ignore him.”
Perry scoffs with another eye roll and retreats to the back of the room. All eyes follow her, including Vix who clears her throat. Perry glances to Vix but remains quiet until she realizes Vix is staring right at her, a mixture of assumption and confusion.
“What?” Perry frowns.
“You have your own dwelling.”
“So?”
A minute of silence goes by and Vix continues to stare at her, waiting for the obvious to sink in.
“You’re kicking me out?” Perry gasps.
“If you have a place to go,” Clarence shrugs, “it makes sense for the night. We don’t need any unnecessary difficulties.”
“Fine…” she pushes past. “Whatever.”
As she heads for the door, she glances up to me with a dark, accusing glare. It’d burn right through me if I wasn’t so pissed at her for what she did to Reid. At first I couldn’t remember who she was, or why her name struck such a negative chord. Now I remember. It was Perry that had Raj tail me for a chance to join the Kisses. And apparently, she’s also the one who put Ansley on the adulterous path under Grisham’s orders. No wonder all the Rogues hate her. She was the one who caused Reid to take a step back from his position out of humiliation and heartbreak.
And she’s glaring at me?
I return her scowl with my own contemptuous look, daring her to say something. Anything. She’s lucky she’s getting to walk out of here with the shit she’s pulled. With a final scan over me, she continues outside, the red curtain flapping closed behind her.
It’s quiet after she leaves until Clarence props his hands on his hips with a deep inhale. “Well that went well.”
“She’ll get over it,” Able shrugs. “And if not… who cares? It’s only Perry.”
“How’s this going to work?” Jace glances to the others. “You know the Boss can’t stand her. He’ll freak out if we bring her back.”
“Items to discuss at a later time,” Sampson says. “Right now we have to worry about tomorrow.”
“Tucker can do it. He just needs to have his head in the game,” Clarence glances to the flapping red curtain, “probably shouldn’t be worrying about Reid, though.”
“I’ll grab him,” Jace sprints outside.
Sampson moves toward the back of the room and stops over a sleeping Mae. He exhales, crossing his arms. “And this one still needs to wake up.”
Clarence follows him over. “Not much we can do about it. She’ll be out for awhile.”
“Can someone stay with her?”
“Are you going somewhere?” I frown.
“I thought the three of us,” he gestures to Vix and Clarence, “might excuse ourselves for a bit. Do a little…catching up.”
“We’re not going anywhere,” Able shakes his head, following them to stand over Mae. “Who’s this?”
“Another five percent,” I hobble across the space to join them. “She came right before the Vermix invaded.”
He nods approvingly. “Cute.”
“So,” Sampson glances to all of us, “you won’t mind if we adjourn for a bit?”
“Are you staying in Vix’s dwelling?”
“No. I think it’s best if we all stay here tonight. Stick together,” Sampson heads for the curtain, “we won’t be gone long.” Clarence and Vix follow him out, just as Tucker and Jace head back in, forlorn and defeated.
Tucker does a double take over his shoulder, glancing back to make sure he saw correctly. “Where’re they going?”
“Needed a minute to themselves,” I watch the red curtain sway with their departure. “Where’s Reid?”
“Same,” Jace plops down on one of the red cushions and stretches out. He crosses his arms behind hi
s head. “What a day.”
“You said it,” Werzo follows suit, sinking into the plush seats. “Could go for some Hunnis right about now.”
“Hunnis?” Able raises a brow.
I know Jace said Reid needs a minute, but we have to talk. We haven’t spoken since arriving on Nerwolix and now, with running into Walker and the others, I can’t put it aside any longer. Despite their callings for me to stay, I push past the red curtain and head outside.
Chapter Twenty-Two: Confrontation
Reid paces a few feet away, arms crossed with the tip of his thumb wedged between his teeth. He stares at the ground, lost in concentration until he looks up and sees me. His expression relaxes, but only slightly, and he doesn’t smile. He doesn’t even make an attempt to move closer.
“Are you okay?”
With a hardened face, he continues pacing, still gnawing on this thumb. He makes three laps around the side of the trunk before I try again.
“Reid?”
“As if Walker wasn’t enough,” he shakes his head, his eyes lit up. “But Perry? That bitch can stay here for all I care.”
His tone throws me back. I haven’t seen him this upset since the Kings, and that was after Mantis attacked me. I’m not used to seeing Reid like this, so I’m not sure what I should do. He paces like a wild-cat on his side of the trunk, feral and caged, ready to strike as soon as he’s set free. I force a step closer, and it’s mostly driven out of need to comfort him. “Hey...”
“And then Tucker volunteers,” he stops with a look at me. “I was supposed to do it.”
“Why?”
A small lump rolls down his throat. “How can I let one of my men go for me?”
“Because you have other responsibilities. Sampson needs you. The Mybyncians need you…” I gulp, “…I need you…”
This seems to break through his wall, his eyes finally softening. He inhales, but then retreats back into his guilt in seconds. Pacing again, Reid runs his hands through his hair. “What if something happens? What if… what if he doesn’t make it? How am I supposed to live with that?”
“You have that little faith in him?”
“I’ve seen several good men go.”
“He volunteered for it,” I venture a hobbling step closer. “You need to respect that.”
Plague of Mybyncia Page 31