by S. S. Segran
In the backseat, Mariah pulled herself up from where she’d splayed out in frustration. “No way. How could you have known?”
The Sentry shook his head. Behind the wheel, Tegan switched lanes to pass a slow driver. “That’s a good point. I mean, who even makes keyboards that scan fingerprints? This was a blind spot that couldn’t be helped.”
Deverell’s phone rang and he answered the call on speaker. “Hey, Vic. What’s the plan now?”
“At the moment, we don’t have one.”
“Oh.” The Welshman’s voice grew sullen. “I’m sorry.”
“What happened back there, Dev?”
As the Sentries spoke, Mariah laid down across the backseat once more, palms over her eyes. We were so close, she thought. Gosh, that’s really become our motto since the summer, hasn’t it? All I want to do is sleep and have everything return to normal when I wake up.
Hesitantly, she reached out in the novasphere and rapped her metaphysical knuckles on Tegan’s presence. Her friend answered. What’s up?
Mariah turned over so she was on her side facing the backrest. Nothing.
Mmh. You’re feeling it too, huh?
Could you be more specific?
The frustration, the anger, the worry, the fear, all of it . . . it’s starting to make me numb. Like there’s a finish line and every time we get close to it, someone pushes it farther back. And don’t even get me started on the urge to slip into a coma for a while.
Mariah couldn’t gather the energy to laugh. I was just wishing for that. But that’s exactly it. I’m starting to feel numb, too. All of this, for what? I might cry myself to sleep tonight.
Can I join you? We’ll be the Dynamic Sad Duo.
I’ll bring the ice cream and tissues.
Deal. I’ll bring the blankets.
Mariah smiled slightly. You know what could also be the issue? I’m dangerously low on my hug quota.
You’re right! Tegan exclaimed. We’re doing an emergency group hug ASAP.
Yes, please.
Their conversation petered off with mutual understanding. Mariah sat up once more, resting her chin on the rear deck as she gazed out the back window at the few vehicles behind them. It was an odd sensation to be both tired and restless. Her mind and body begged to call it quits but her heart wanted to tear the world apart piece by piece until Jag was found. She suspected it was no different for the others, but no one said anything out loud.
She didn’t realize they had entered the parking zone for their motel until the sedan came to a stop. The three of them got out, stretching their limbs, and joined the others as they emerged from the second car. Mariah and Tegan pulled Aari and Kody into a tight hug. The boys immediately wrapped their arms around them and the group stood together for a while, holding onto each other as if they were the only ones left in the world.
“This is crazy,” Aari murmured. “Everything about our lives lately has been crazy.”
“No depressing talk,” Mariah mumbled. “I’m trying to recharge, here.”
Tegan was the first to step back after a minute, everyone else following suit. The Sentries, who stood off to the side to allow the friends their moment, straightened up.
“What are we doing now?” Kody asked.
Victor rubbed his closed eyelids. “I reached out to Dominique, passed the job to her. We’ll see if she can get answers out of Ajajdif.”
“But she’s already been at it for weeks,” Aari pointed out, “and he hasn’t given up anything.”
“She said she’ll be retrying a previous technique. At this point, it’s the best we can hope for.” Victor opened his eyes, suddenly looking wan. “It better work this time. The clock is ticking and if we reach the end of the countdown before finding Jag . . .”
Mariah swallowed. The Sentry didn’t have to finish his sentence. If we reach the end of the countdown before finding Jag, Reyor wins. And if we think the world is bad now, it’ll be nothing compared to what that monster will bring.
“How about we head in?” Deverell suggested hastily as the mood plummeted further.
Tegan looked up at the night sky. “The stars are out. Think I’ll stay here for a bit.”
Mariah linked arms with her. “Me too.”
“I kinda wanna practice my light bending,” Aari said. “I’m getting close to being able to direct light at something instead of dispersing it. I’m guessing the girls wouldn’t want to be test subjects if they’re gonna be stargazing, so . . . Kode-man, wanna help?”
Kody shrugged in response. Deverell looked around the empty parking lot, then nodded. “Alright. See you guys inside. Don’t go far.”
Once the friends were alone, Tegan led Mariah back toward one of the cars. The vehicle was still warm from use, keeping them comfortable as they clambered onto the roof and lay side-by-side. Aari and Kody shuffled off, keeping their voices low to not disturb the peace.
The girls conversed softly, pointing out constellations as they admired the pinpricks of twinkling brightness cushioned in the dark of the sky. Occasionally a shooting star would streak across the night, delighting them.
“Teegs?” Mariah whispered after a while.
“Hm?”
“How do you think we’ll defeat Reyor?”
Tegan folded her arms, fingers drumming on her sweater. “I’ve been thinking about that a lot, too. We can’t really do anything with the lathe’ad there. Maybe we need to decouple it from Reyor? But it’s biologically linked, so that’s probably impossible. We’d have to try a different angle.” Her fingers stopped their motion. “Come to think of it, though, if the Elders are each supposed to have one, and they know how to connect the lathe’ad with the host body, then—”
“—then they might know how to disengage it,” Mariah finished, hope flaring in her chest.
“Right. Mm, wait, no. If it was that simple, they would’ve mentioned it when we learned about the lathe’ad over the summer.”
Mariah deflated. “Ugh, good point.” She turned her head, cheek pressed against the metal of the roof so she could observe the boys practicing some ways off. “It’s never so easy, is it?”
Tegan’s quiet laugh was tinged with bitterness. “Hardly ever. Even when that old journal mentioning the seeds to the Trees of Life was found, we still had to travel across four countries to find them.”
“I can’t believe this is our life now.” As Mariah watched, Kody suddenly stumbled back, hands clapped over his eyes, then gave a thumbs-up. Aari pumped his fists in the air and did a little jig. Mariah smiled. “Looks like Brainiac finally figured out that trick he wanted to learn. I think he blinded Kody with it.”
“Dumb and Dumber,” Tegan quipped.
“Who’s who?”
“Eh, they take turns.”
“Sounds about right. I kinda feel like we should be training too, though.”
“We work on combining our powers every day with the guys. If they want to put in overtime tonight, let them. I’m happy just looking at the stars to shut my mind up.”
Mariah frowned, propping herself up on her elbows to peer at Tegan. “Hey. You know you can talk to us, right? We’re all having a hard time. Just because you’re filling Jag’s shoes doesn’t mean we’re suddenly on different levels and you can’t share your struggles with us. And a leader’s role means it comes with its own ball and chain. You can talk to us about that too, not just the general stuff we all feel.”
Tegan ran her hands through her hair, using some of it to cover her face. “That isn’t . . . I didn’t mean for that to come out. We’re definitely not on different levels. I promise you, I’m not thinking that at all.”
“Then what is it?”
“I—I’m not sure. You just said it, we’re all going through stuff, and yeah, maybe taking this on in Jag’s place carries its own weight. But you don’t need to worry. I’ll be fine. I’m more concerned about all of you.”
Mariah huffed. “I know I’ve complained over the past month about Kody not op
ening up, but he could give you a run for your money because you hardly ever share.”
Tegan reached up to squish Mariah’s cheeks so her mouth puckered out. “Quiet.”
“You’re my shishter,” Mariah insisted, trying to free herself. “I don’t want you to keep everything in until it shuddenly eshploth. Tha’sh unhealthy.”
Tegan grinned and enveloped her in a bear hug. “I love you very much, and thank you for looking out for me, but I’m fine.”
“Alright, alright, make way,” Aari said, seeming to apparate right by the car. Kody trailed a few feet back.
“There’s no room!” Tegan protested. “We can’t—augh! Brainiac!”
Aari had pulled himself onto the roof and now lay horizontally across the girls, feet dangling over the edge. Kody leaned up against the car by Mariah’s head, watching on with faint amusement. Once Aari had properly settled, Mariah patted his hair. Normally he would have complained about it being mussed, but this time there was just silence.
The friends remained outside for some time, taking in the cooler air, until Kody roused himself. “Probably shouldn’t fall asleep out here,” he murmured.
Tegan and Aari slid off the car and led the way into the two-story motel. Kody lingered at the rear. Mariah turned, hand outstretched, waiting for him to take it. Sadness flickered across his face even as he offered her the smallest and briefest of smiles. She dropped her hand and, instead, hugged him fiercely. They exchanged no words, then followed the others up to the group’s shared suite.
Inside an empty school gymnasium in London, England, two men surveyed their surroundings. The shorter of the pair, a slim fellow in his late twenties holding an aluminum briefcase, clicked his tongue. “I know it pays to be early, but I’m not staying inside this creepy place.”
He strode toward the open exit—the only source of light—and leaned against the doorframe. His heavily tattooed hulk of a companion tried to squeeze in beside him and ended up shoving him out with a beefy arm.
“Oops,” the giant smirked.
Tony Cross pushed away the tousled blond curls that had fallen against his forehead, glaring up at the former mercenary. “I can’t believe I’m stuck with you of all people.”
“Trust me, the feeling’s mutual.”
“I’m not the one being petty, Elias. And could you take a few steps back? You reek of nicotine.”
The giant coolly stared the other man down without moving. Elias Hajjar’s eyes were black holes; Tony was certain they would be able to suck him into the deepest corner of hell. A messy scar ran from Hajjar’s wide forehead to his partially blind left eye, ending at his chin. Tony sneered, making it abundantly clear what he was staring at.
Hajjar’s expression collapsed into a scowl. He tilted his face away to conceal it in the shadows, hoisting two rolling suitcases, one in each hand. Tony’s gaze trailed after the bags. Soon, he thought. Soon.
He returned his attention to the sight outside the gym. People stood around fires lit in garbage bins, warming themselves in the cold, mid-December night. Smoke rose out of a few buildings farther away and sirens wailed from somewhere to the east.
“Look at this,” Tony purred. “The effect of the Boss’s work. Nearly one-third of London taken down in eight months. Now there’s only six million of the population left.”
“It was a team effort,” Hajjar grumbled. “One that neither you nor I were a part of.”
Tony held up his index finger, shaking it from side to side. “That’s not the point. The famine and the virus were created by people in our circle. Being part of something bigger than our separate missions means we get to celebrate everyone’s achievements as ours.”
Overhead, a crop duster flew past their quarter of the city. Violet mist trailed behind the plane, barely discernable against the darkening sky. Hajjar clicked his tongue up at it. “I’m surprised the Boss didn’t ax me when I got back from Africa. Imagine turning up without Mr. Ajajdif or the box of seeds. That’s the cure they’re spraying right there.”
“It’s two minutes to midnight,” Tony said. “We need all hands on deck, so there’s no time for punishments.”
“Still wish I could’ve at least saved Mr. Ajajdif from those elephant-riding lunatics.”
“We’ve got more important work to do than worry about one member being lost. The cause doesn’t stop for anyone. It didn’t for me, so why would it for Vladimir?”
Hajjar turned a glare on him but didn’t seem to have much fire left to quarrel, which was fine by Tony. They had been working together for the past four weeks, placing critical pieces on Phoenix’s global chessboard. Their initial constant bickering had worn him of his wit, and Hajjar seemed to be less enthusiastic about it himself. They’d started to settle for stink-eyes instead.
A sound rolled in from the distance. If Tony hadn’t known better, he would have thought a stadium full of people were roaring in celebration, but he recognized what it was instantly—a full-fledged riot, perhaps a couple of miles away. He felt a pinch of sympathy for the authorities; London was doing its best to enforce curfew, but with the severe blow the virus had dealt, it simply didn’t have enough resources.
Something jabbed his shoulder. He grunted. “What, Elias?”
Hajjar indicated with his chin. “Looks like another bit of real estate just opened up.”
Tony took a few steps forward to peer past the wall of the school. Across the street, three figures in hazmat suits slid a couple of corpses into the back of a government vehicle parked in front of a small house. Shuddering, Tony returned to the doorway. He was fine with violence, but the idea of dealing with deceased, possibly rotting bodies made his skin prickle.
Before he could make a comment about it, Hajjar straightened. “I think they’re here.”
The pair ducked back inside the gym and waited in the middle of the basketball court. A minute later, two sharp-dressed forms slunk through the open doors. Tony and Hajjar exchanged raised eyebrows.
“Mr. Roberts?” one of the newcomers asked as they approached. He sported a gray suit and gold Rolex, was probably in his late thirties, and wore oversized shades.
Tony snorted to himself. Who wears sunglasses at night, indoors, in a dark place? Pretentious douchebags, that’s who. He plastered on a smile and held out his hand. “Indeed. Pleasure to finally meet you face-to-face, Gregory. This is my associate, Mr. Bubbles.”
Beside him, Hajjar barely managed to quell a growl. Tony knew he would most likely end up paying for his words later, but he was going to savor the moment while it lasted.
The man in the sunglasses motioned to the woman beside him. She, too, wore a tailored gray outfit with an added scarf over her head. “This is my wife, Marisol.”
Snobbery permeated the air around the woman as much as her overpowering perfume. Tony could hardly take the couple seriously. I’ve seen better gangsters in Broadway shows. But I suppose beggars can’t be choosers at this stage of the game. He handed the briefcase over. “As per our agreement, you get half now, half later.”
Gregory held the briefcase flat in his arms. His wife opened the cover with dainty, manicured fingers and smiled deliciously at what she saw inside. Lifting a gold bar from its foam compartment, she assessed its weight before producing a piece of metal from her purse. She tapped it against the bar. A resounding ping answered her. She returned the bar to its place and turned her attention to a black satchel, checking each gemstone it held. Finally, she closed the briefcase and nodded at her husband.
“Wonderful.” Gregory tipped his sunglasses down the bridge of his nose to peer at Tony directly. “You guarantee we’ll have full control of London after we do this?”
Tony laughed. Oh, these poor fools. He crooked a finger, and Hajjar placed the two rolling suitcases in front of the couple. “As long as the cargo is at the exact place and time it’s supposed to be, you’ll get what was promised. Until then, keep these safe. If anything happens to them, I will personally come for your head.” He bea
med at them with a predator’s smile.
Marisol snatched the briefcase from her husband so he would be forced to lug the suitcases. “You needn’t worry about that,” she sniffed. “A deal is a deal.”
“Then that’s all there is to it,” Tony said, his smile never wavering. “Pleasure doing business with you.”
“Likewise, Mr. Roberts.” Gregory nodded at Hajjar. “Mr. Bubbles.”
Once the couple left, Hajjar slammed his meaty hand against Tony’s back. Tony stumbled forward with an outraged cry but managed to regain his balance with an easy somersault.
“We’re even,” Hajjar said, striding out of the gym. “Also, no one likes a showoff.”
Tony hurried to keep pace with the bigger man. “I think that went well.”
“Those were the last two that needed to be delivered, right?”
“Yes. Now all five hundred are in place. Along with our little sky-bound gifts, these are going to make things more interesting. All that’s left to do is to wait ’til D-day.”
They said nothing more as they made their way to a car parked on the street, but when they got in, Hajjar grabbed a flask from the backseat and took a swig before passing it to Tony. Tony had given up on alcohol the past couple of years since moving up the ladder of the Boss’s Inner Circle, but he allowed himself to indulge for this moment.
“To the Boss,” Hajjar said, starting up the car.
Tony raised the flask, grinning from ear to ear. “To the Boss, and to a brand-new world.”
Nageau opened his eyes, exhaling his frustration. Meditation was not helping at all.
Our opportunities keep growing slimmer and slimmer. Jag, my boy, I am so sorry. This was not what I thought would happen. He rose from the mat. Might as well deal with the next issue.
He headed out of his neyra into the cold afternoon, his entire body wrapped firmly in his cloak. Four other abodes peeked through a stand of pine trees, spread out in a circle. He crossed over to the one directly ahead and knocked on the door. A few seconds later, he was greeted by a flame-haired man with a matching beard and white tunic. The man, startled, tried for a smile. “Nageau! How can I help you?”