by PJ Hoover
“So my family really was in danger,” Benjamin said with a sick feeling in his stomach. He thought of how helpless his brothers had been. He thought about his mother, under water behind the solid bars.
“Yes, they were,” Ananya said. “And that is why I am sorry. I was blind. And after your test was complete, I should have told you my suspicions. But I didn’t. I wanted to learn more—to be sure.”
“Would it have made any difference?” Benjamin asked. “I doubt it would have changed the future. Though something needs to.”
Ananya smiled at him. “If anyone can change the future we saw at the Necropolis, it is you. It’s why the keys were entrusted to you in the first place. The Emerald Tablet chose wisely in its champion.”
Talk about pressure. “What if I don’t do anything differently? What if that future is the only one in store for us?”
“It’s not, Benjamin,” Ananya said. “You heard what Iva said to us. She’d seen other futures. She knew it was possible to change the world. It’s why they wanted to kill her. Why Apollo was trying to protect her.”
“I hope you’re right,” Benjamin said. “I hope Iva was right.”
Once Ananya teleported away, Benjamin reached into his pockets and pulled out the two keys of Shambhala he still had, and his memories traveled ten years into the future when he, Cory, and Phoebe had been together in the dungeons of the Necropolis. The power of the keys hadn’t been used, but Benjamin had felt it just the same. It had coursed through his body, and flowed through the air between Cory, Phoebe, and him. The air had been electric—at least that’s how it had felt to Benjamin. The power had energized and strengthened him—made him feel whole. Benjamin knew it was no coincidence. The keys knew the triplets. They’d been there when the babies were born.
The fountain rippled, and Benjamin watched it, unable to think about anything else but the keys. And then he knew what had to be done: the first step to making anything different. Benjamin and Cory had to find Phoebe. They had to convince her to join their side, because deep down he knew that unless the three of them stayed together, the world would suffer its doom.
CHAPTER 27
An Engagement Benjamin Will Never Forget
When Benjamin got back to the hotel room, his friends were sitting around in the living room eating something that looked like sandwiches but needed a spoon. That is Andy, Iva, Heidi, and Cory sat around eating it.
“Where’s Gary?” Benjamin asked, scooping one of the sandwich things onto his plate. “And Aurora?”
Andy rolled his eyes. “Where else?”
“Still at GERC?” Benjamin asked.
Andy nodded. “Does that really surprise you? Gary came back here for his toothbrush and left.”
“Weird,” Benjamin said. “I’d thought he'd given up hope. But it’s not what we really need to talk about.”
“Which is what?” Andy asked.
“Which is finding our sister Phoebe,” Cory said.
Benjamin turned to look at his brother.
“I can read your mind like a clay tablet, little brother,” Cory said. “Plus, I came to the same conclusion.”
“I thought she was working for Caelus and Gaea,” Andy said.
“She is,” Benjamin said. “At least she did before Caelus sold her off to Nathan. If we want her on our side, we need to act.”
“Where is she?” Andy asked.
Benjamin looked to Cory, hoping that maybe Cory had some idea. But Cory shook his head. “I can’t find her. I’ve been scanning the earth, but wherever she is, she’s masked.”
“We need to get her away from Nathan,” Heidi said.
“Don’t you think I know that?” Benjamin snapped without thinking.
Heidi’s hair turned fiery red. She glared at Benjamin. “I’m not implying you don’t.”
Benjamin mentally slapped his forehead. Was he becoming a complete idiot around girls, just like Andy? “Sorry.”
“How do we find her?” Andy turned to Iva. “Can you scan the earth and look for her DNA?”
“I think with both Cory and Benjamin here, I should be able to get through any masking.” Iva grabbed their hands and closed her eyes. “Just give me a second.”
And sure enough, in just under a second, images of the pyramid had planted themselves in Benjamin’s mind.
“Egypt,” Cory said.
“Nathan’s probably in charge of starting the reconstruction,” Benjamin said. And so Egypt it was. They had to get Phoebe.
Along with Andy, they teleported to the Sphinx. If luck finally decided to be on their side, Nathan wouldn’t sense them coming. Then they’d be able to sneak up on Nathan, find Phoebe, and get out quick. They wound through the excavated buildings until they reached the line of three pyramids. Crouching low, they stopped next to the first one.
“Nathan’s got to be in the big one,” Andy said.
“Why?” Cory asked.
“That guy craves power,” Andy said. “Given the choice of pyramids, he’d pick the big one every time.”
But Cory stopped listening and put his hands to his head.
“What’s wrong?” Andy asked.
“Do you feel her, too?” Benjamin asked Cory. Because now that he sensed Phoebe, her feelings seemed to explode in his head.
Cory nodded. “She’s here.”
“And scared,” Benjamin said. “If I had to put a feeling to it.”
“I’d be scared of Nathan too,” Andy said. “That guy is downright disturbing.”
“And he knows we’re here,” Benjamin said. “I can feel him in my mind.”
“Coming to visit,” Nathan’s voice rang out in their heads. “We thought you’d never make it.”
Benjamin’s blood started to boil. Just hearing Nathan’s thoughts infuriated him. He wanted nothing more than to tear our Nathan’s throat. He took a step forward and felt Cory’s hands encircle his shoulders.
“Not so fast, little brother,” Cory said.
“I want to kill him,” Benjamin said between gritted teeth.
“I know,” Cory said. “And so do I. But now isn’t the time.”
“Are you coming to pay my bride and me a visit?” Nathan asked.
Benjamin tensed and felt Cory’s grip tighten, but with great effort, he managed to keep his temper under control.
They walked to the front of the great pyramid and found the entrance restored. And magnificent. Curtains of silk hung from the entryway and the overwhelming scent of incense drifted from inside. It was an oasis in the middle of a desert of ruins.
“Humans didn’t do this,” Andy said, looking over the decadent opening.
Cory shook his head. “You’re right. This is Nathan’s work.”
They stepped inside, pushing silk curtains out of their way, and entered another world altogether. It was like someone had taken the giant pyramid, gutted it, and created a palace inside.
“Won’t you come join us?” Nathan’s voice called out.
Benjamin looked to Cory who was poised like a cat ready to pounce. Cory nodded his head, and they walked forward, following a yellow carpet stretched out on the perfect, marble floor. It led them to an inner room, straight ahead.
“Do you like what I’ve done with the place?” Nathan asked.
Benjamin looked in and saw Nathan seated on a throne, atop ten steps. A few steps down and to the left was a second throne upon which Phoebe sat, held there with telekinetic bonds.
Nathan motioned around with his hand. “It may seem a little extravagant, but you should see what Caelus has in mind for Egypt in the future. It would blow your mind.”
Benjamin gritted his teeth. He’d seen the future, and this was the seed of its beginning.
“Did you come for the wedding?” Nathan asked. “My lovely Phoebe and I have just been finalizing the plans. Weddings you know. So many details. So we’ve decided to just skip all that and make it short and sweet.”
“You better not have hurt her,” Benjamin said, managing to
lunge two steps forward before he was lifted off the ground and thrown back against the far wall. He hit the limestone like a ton of rocks.
Nathan laughed. “Such loyalty. A bit misplaced if I do say so myself. She may be your blood sister, but aside from the blood, she’s nothing. She lied to you, deceived you, and pretty much used you for her own gain.” He looked over at Phoebe, and her head snapped back as if she’d been delivered an invisible slap. “I’ll find plenty of amusement in her, but I can’t imagine what you would want with her.”
Benjamin stood up and walked back to where Cory and Andy waited. He wanted nothing more than to unleash every bit of telenergetic power he had at Nathan, but knew that would be what Nathan was hoping for. He took a deep breath and struggled to calm himself.
“Just hand Phoebe over to us and we’ll be on our way,” Cory said.
“Just hand her over?” Nathan said. “But then who would I marry?” He put his finger to his mouth and pretended to be deep in thought. “Hmmm. There’s always your friend Heidi I suppose. Or Iva.”
Benjamin felt Andy tense next to him. Or maybe he just felt himself tense; he couldn’t be sure. But whoever it was, Benjamin didn’t trust himself to speak.
“I will repeat this one time and one time only,” Cory said. “Give us Phoebe, and we will be going.”
“And what will you do if I don’t?” Nathan said.
“I’ll kill you,” Cory said.
Nathan threw back his head and laughed. “Kill me!” He laughed all the harder. “But don’t you see. I am the one who is going to kill you.”
Benjamin pushed images of his death out of his mind and reached his thoughts out for Phoebe, trying to shield his mind and hoping Cory’s conversation would keep Nathan occupied. “Can you hear me?” he asked.
Her eyes flickered up, and she looked right at him. “What are you doing here?” she asked. “Nathan is right. I lied to you and used you. Why are you here?”
“We have you outnumbered,” Cory said. “There are three of us and only one of you.”
“But I was hoping the three of you would remain as guests for my wedding,” Nathan said. “My lovely Phoebe has been waiting long enough. She is so anxious.” Nathan looked over at Phoebe, and Benjamin tensed, hoping Nathan wouldn’t detect their private conversation.
Luck was with Benjamin. Or arrogance. Nathan looked back to Cory.
“To save you,” Benjamin said. “We can argue about the details later.” Using his mind, he probed around the telekinetic bonds which held her. They were the same kind that had been used on him.
Given the situation they were in, Benjamin didn’t even think twice about asking Andy for help. “Andy, can you get rid of the bonds around Phoebe?”
Andy didn’t hesitate. He got to work immediately, and, before Benjamin knew it, he felt the first layer of telekinesis drop away from Phoebe’s imprisonment. And for once he was happy Andy was so good at telekinesis.
Cory must’ve sensed what Benjamin and Andy were up to; he kept the conversation with Nathan going. “You can’t kill us,” Cory said. “I thought Caelus wanted us delivered alive.”
Nathan snarled. “I’m well aware of our dear father’s request. The fool. Doesn’t he realize you’re as much of a danger to him as you are to me?”
Benjamin felt the second layer of the telekinetic bonds drop away from Phoebe. Only one more layer to go. Where had Andy learned to do this?
“Why does he want us alive then?” Cory asked.
Nathan laughed with no humor. “To be made an example. He has some grand public execution planned. With a parade and a festival and everything. I do see his point. He wants to execute you as the anti-government conspirators that you are, but he’s wrong.” Nathan slammed his fist down. “We should do away with all of you now.”
Benjamin’s mind flew to the public execution Iva had talked about. The purges. Caelus and Gaea had purged the world of those they considered enemies to the state, and Benjamin, Cory, and Andy had been at the top of the list. His stomach twisted as he thought about it. Walking into this pyramid may have been what started the whole thing. They might be captured here and taken to Caelus.
“Hurry, Andy.” Benjamin knew they didn’t have any time to waste. No matter what, they could not let themselves be taken prisoner here by Nathan. Benjamin knew it as sure as he knew Cory was his brother.
“I’m working as fast as I can,” Andy said.
Benjamin felt the final bond break away. Phoebe visibly loosened her muscles; the bonds had been holding her tight. But she didn’t get up off the chair. Her hands moved behind her back, and he sensed a telenergetic release coming from her. But then it was gone.
“I really can’t believe we’re blood related,” Cory said to Nathan. “I’ve gone over it time and time again in my head. There must be some kind of mistake.”
“I’ll tell you the mistake,” Nathan said. “That tramp who called herself your mother. She gave birth to nothing but three abominations. If she hadn’t died in childbirth, I’d have killed her myself.”
Benjamin couldn’t help himself. He severed every single chandelier from the ceiling and flung them at Nathan.
Nathan stopped them in midair and looked at Benjamin. “Is that the best you can do?” The chandeliers dropped to the floor, shattering glass everywhere, but leaving Nathan untouched.
Cory put his hand on Benjamin’s arm. “Not now, little brother. He can pay for that comment later.”
“Oh how touching,” Nathan said. “Loyalty for your mother. Let me tell you something about loyalty. The only person worth being loyal to is oneself. Nobody else is deserving.”
“You know nothing about loyalty,” Benjamin said. “Or love.”
“Love!” Nathan said. “Speaking of love, we must get on with the ceremony.” Nathan looked over at Phoebe and again her head snapped back from an invisible slap.
But this time she looked back at him and smiled.
“Getting excited for our wedding?” he asked her.
“Of course,” she said. “But what about these three?” She motioned to Benjamin, Cory, and Andy. “Shouldn’t we confine them first so they don’t ruin everything?”
Benjamin felt his face start burning; he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Phoebe had used him again. This time to get out of her bonds.
Nathan smiled. “Now that is the bride-to-be that I know.”
And before Benjamin could do or say anything else, telekinetic bonds wrapped around the three of them, cinching them together. He struggled but couldn’t move.
“Good job, Benjamin,” Andy said. “We got her out, and this is the thanks we get.”
Benjamin didn’t know what to say. He felt like nothing short of a total idiot. They should have waited until after they’d killed Nathan to free Phoebe—and only then if she’d been cooperative. He should have been smarter, and he knew it. She’d been raised around Caelus and Nathan her whole life.
“I thought we could trust her,” Benjamin said.
“Yeah, well you thought wrong,” Andy said.
Nathan walked over to Phoebe and smiled. “Dear Phoebe, I’ll release you once we are married.”
Nathan didn’t know she was already free.
Benjamin opened his mouth to say something but stopped when Cory thought, “Shut up!”
Nathan leaned over the throne where Phoebe still sat, imprisoned as far as Nathan knew. He grabbed her and jammed his mouth on hers, kissing her so hard, Benjamin cringed as he watched. And if he hadn’t known better, he would have sworn Phoebe was actually kissing him back.
And then Nathan fell to the floor. Dead. Benjamin was sure of it since the bonds around the three of them fell apart as soon as Nathan hit the ground.
And Phoebe fell to the ground beside him.
CHAPTER 28
The Wedding Is Off
Benjamin didn’t stop to think. He rushed over to Phoebe, sure she was dead. But when he reached her and squatted down, he realized she was sobbing. Wit
hout thinking, he put his arms around her and pulled her close.
“He’s horrible,” she cried. “I can’t stand him. He’s a monster.”
“He’s dead now,” Benjamin said. “He was a monster, and now he’s dead. It’s going to be okay.”
“What happened?” Andy walked over to join them.
“I killed him,” Phoebe said. “I killed him like I’ve wanted to do for fifteen years. I hate him.” Her tear-streaked eyes looked over to the body of Nathan Nyx, which lay on the ground, and she shuddered.
“But how did you kill him?” Andy asked.
“I teleported blood burrows into his heart,” Phoebe said. “It’s an old family secret. Our assassins use them all the time.”
“Nice family,” Andy said. “But a pretty handy trick; I have to admit.”
Cory walked over and prodded Nathan’s body with his foot.
“He’s dead,” Phoebe said. “It’s foolproof.”
“Where did you get the blood burrows?” Benjamin asked. “Not that I even know what they are. I can’t believe Nathan would have let you just carry them around.”
Phoebe shrugged, wiping her eyes. “After you guys got rid of those telekinetic bonds around me, I was able to teleport them here from Atlantis.”
“It’s a good thing you had some handy,” Andy said.
“I didn’t,” Phoebe replied. “I got them from Nathan’s rooms. He’s been collecting all sorts of killing implements these last few months.” Her face darkened. “I never knew why until you told me about his death quest.”
Benjamin let out what kind of sounded like a laugh. “Well, I for one am glad that’s over. At least that’s one less person I have to worry about killing me.” He noticed Phoebe looked away when he spoke.
“Phoebe,” he said. “Caelus wants to kill me.”
She looked back at him. “I know.”
“He’s going to try to kill all of us,” Benjamin continued. “You, too.”