Edge of Time

by Susan M. MacDonald

  “Yup.”

  “You’ve lost your marbles.”

  “We have no choice. I cannot use Tyon power to bring us closer to Alec’s apartment. Rhozan will follow the energy signature and be waiting when we materialize. We can’t stay here. Eventually, the minimal power we’re using by touching the orbs will be noticed, if it hasn’t been already, and Rhozan will show up. Haven’t you heard the helicopters overhead? Any worries who might be inhabiting the pilot, hmm?”

  Riley hadn’t given a thought to the idea of Rhozan using soldiers as Emissaries, but now that she did, she shuddered. There were thousands of military personnel tramping across Southern Ontario and all of them armed. “But we have orbs and he’s afraid of them, isn’t he?”

  Darius carried his knapsack and a plastic bag with the last of the supplies into the living room. “Orbs won’t be much good if thirty soldiers show up at the door with automatic weapons, Riley. Sure, we think the Others fear the orbs and that’s why they’re so focused on destroying anyone who can use one, but we’re not a hundred percent sure.”

  Alec said nothing. He merely brushed past her and stomped into the bedroom he shared with Darius, slamming the door behind him.

  “What’s with him?” Riley stared at the closed door. Alec had been grouching all week about getting a move on and heading out to rescue his family. Now that they were, he was in a huff. And they thought girls were hard to understand.

  No one spoke as they tramped down the rutted driveway to the dirt road beyond. The sun was out and the air already warming uncomfortably. A breeze caressed the upmost branches, emitting a faint moaning sound, but didn’t blow low enough to give any respite from the humidity. Riley wiped the sweat off her brow and tried to ignore her ankle. The unpaved road was more uneven than it looked and several times she’d slipped. Though she’d not fallen, it was enough to jar her newly knitted bones.

  Before lunchtime, they found a pickup truck parked haphazardly in the front garden of an A-framed cottage with gingerbread trim. Darius crept forward to peer in through the ground floor window. He straightened up and walked back to them, a look of disgust on his face.

  “What?” Riley asked.

  “An example of why gun control is so vital to any country,” Darius replied curtly. Alec gave a considering glance at the house, but Darius stopped him before he’d taken a step. “Don’t go looking in the windows, Alec.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because this is not one of your video games. There are real people in there who have really blown each other’s heads off, and despite your belief that you’re totally cool with death in a million forms, I’m assuring you that reality is much worse than pretend.” Darius squinted at the standard gearshift with mild concern. “Can you drive this, Riley?”

  “If it has wheels and an engine, I can drive it.” Eyes carefully avoiding the house, she walked around to the driver’s side and clambered up into the dirty cab. She reached up and pulled the keys down from the visor with a little smile. Honestly, what idiots left the keys in their truck?

  “I can drive, too,” Alec muttered. He was giving the house an intent stare, as if weighing the distance to the window and Darius’ ability to stop him.

  “Unfortunately, you’re underage. Riley isn’t. She’s also a much better liar than you are and will probably be able to convince any military checkpoint we come across that this is indeed her truck and she has every right to drive it.”

  Riley startled. Twisting the truth so it would fit her needs was a lot more accurate.

  “You just like her more.” Alec turned on Darius. His cheeks were red and his eyes blazing. “That’s the reason you butter her up all the time. You want to get in her–”

  Smack.

  Darius dropped his hand and stood entirely still. Alec raised his hand, almost unbelievingly, to his cheek.

  “Don’t ever suggest that I would take advantage of Riley,” Darius said in a low and cutting voice. “I am now her Guardian and there are rules in place for any relationship between us that I could never break. If I praise her efforts, it is because, unlike you, she recognizes the utmost seriousness of our situation and has tried her best to learn what I’m teaching. You, on the other hand, still seem to think this is a game. It’s not, Alec. It’s real. Get your head out of your butt and focus. We’re all going to die unless you learn to control the power inside you. Got that?”

  Riley swallowed. What did Darius mean that their lives were dependent on Alec?

  Alec took a step backwards. His eyes were blazing and his hands balled into fists. “Sometimes,” he growled, “I hate you.”

  “Yes, I’m very aware of it. But what you fail to realize is that that is exactly what Rhozan is looking for. You’re handing him his victory on a plate, Alec.”

  “What’re you talking about? I’m trying to fight him,” Alec yelled.

  “Are you?” Darius took a step closer. “Really? You’re in control of yourself, keeping your temper curbed, focusing on the task at hand? Or, are you so self-centred that your misery spills out of you like poison, and you burn with jealousy and hatred. Even though Anna warned you that your temper could destroy everything. Even though Logan planned to kill you because of it?” He took another step and Alec backed away. “Hatred, envy, self-pity – everything Rhozan wants and needs. How in the world will you fight him, Alec, when everything you think and feel feeds him and makes him stronger?”

  Nearly an entire minute passed in tense silence before Alec stammered, “It’s not, I mean, we won’t. It’s not up to me.”

  “It is.” Darius drew himself up to his full height. Riley couldn’t see his face, but his words had never been so hard. “It always has been. Grow up, Alec.”

  There was dead silence. Alec’s fists tightened. His jaw clenched. Several heartbeats passed. Then he turned on his heel and faced the house. Riley felt her own eyes welling up as waves of his emotions slammed into her, and she turned away to focus on the mailbox at the end of the drive. By the time her vision cleared, Alec had jumped up into the cab. Wordlessly, he fastened his seatbelt before crossing his arms and staring out the windshield.

  Darius slammed the door shut behind him and did up his own seatbelt as Riley turned over the engine and engaged first gear. Smiling slightly, she turned the truck around and headed back to the dirt road.

  The next several hours passed without incident. Darius consulted a map found in the glove compartment and encouraged Riley to stay off the main thoroughfares. Alec slumped between them, sulking and silent. They passed through several small towns but saw very few people. Whoever was still around seemed to be obeying the government’s orders to stay out of sight.

  It was Riley who forced an eventual halt. Darius suggested stopping at the side of the road, but Riley was not squatting in the bushes while Alec laughed. They’d find a donut shop with a proper bathroom. There was one every two kilometres in Canada, she argued. Sure enough, they came across one within minutes. There were several cars in the parking lot, but no one in the store. And no donuts, either.

  Riley had to move garbage out of her way to get into the ladies’ room. The water was still running but the lights were broken. Swallowing her embarrassment, she left the door open a crack so she could see.

  She was just washing her hands when she heard the noise. Her stomach dropped to her knees. Had Darius changed his mind and followed her in? As quietly as possible, she turned off the water and wiped her hands on her borrowed jeans. She peeked out.

  Dressed in worn coveralls with “Al” embroidered on the breast pocket, the man wasn’t much taller than Riley, but several times wider. Even from this distance, Riley could see his empty eyes. Prickles sprang to life all over her body. An Emissary.

  Riley’s hand plunged into her pocket for her orb. The only way out was straight past him.

  She could hear his laboured wheezes. Maybe he’ll keel over from a heart attack, she thought as she silently pulled the door closed and waited in the dark, heartbe
ats almost choking her. Nothing happened for ages. A sudden crash, somewhere near the kitchen, made her jump back from the door.

  Truck.

  The thought arrived suddenly. It took a moment to realize that Darius was sending instructions. Opening the door a crack, she peered out. The shop appeared empty. Pulling the door open wider, she tiptoed out into the tiny hall and leaned against the wall, looking around the corner as far as possible.

  No one.

  The store had two exit doors. If she headed for the more direct path to their vehicle, it meant crossing the wide expanse of the floor and being in direct view of anyone hiding in the food preparation area. If she chose the closer option, she’d have to run outside around the shop to reach the truck.

  Riley bit her lip. Both choices sucked. She chose the exit closer to the truck.

  Gathering her courage, she sprinted across the floor and dove at the door, jamming the unlocking bar down with both hands and pressing hard. It didn’t move. She pressed again and again, but the door refused to open. Someone, and no need to guess who, had broken the locking mechanism.

  Riley whirled around just as the Emissary approached the serving counter.

  “Get away from me!” she shouted, yanking as hard as she could at the door. Shaking, she pulled out her orb and held it up so he could see it.

  “I have a message for you,” Al said.

  “I have nothing to say to you,” she panted. Hurry up, Darius.

  “Rhozan wishes the suffering of this people to end.” The monotone voice was incongruous with the little man and Riley wasn’t sure if she was hearing his voice or Rhozan’s. Did alien field marshals speak of themselves in the third person?

  “Really? He’s caused all this grief, you ass. He’s enjoying it.”

  Al cocked his head to one side, as if listening to a voice far away. “Yes. The time for pretense is over.”

  Riley’s heart hammered and doubled its speed. That was Rhozan. “So, what do you really want?” She had to find out the plan before Darius turned up and killed the little weasel. What did Rhozan want with Alec?

  “The one who gave me access to this world,” Al continued.

  “And that would be who, exactly?”

  “This one.”

  The sensation hit her broadside. Disoriented, she let go of the door handle. Clutching her head in her hands, she fought to repel the overwhelming sensation of Alec from her mind. Without realizing what she was doing, she tightened her grip on her orb and mentally pushed the Emissary away. There was a shuffling noise. Riley struggled to open her eyes. The Emissary had backed behind the counter.

  “Drop the orb, Potential,” Al croaked. “You do not have the power to fight me.”

  Riley held the orb out in front of her like a shield. Hurry up, Darius. “And what about the rest of us?” she croaked.

  “Suffering. Hatred. Death.”

  “Oh, like that’s a great choice.”

  “Give me Alec and I will spare your life.”

  “Sure you will,” Riley said, leaning back against the door. “I bet you’ll even promise.”

  There was a pause. Riley could almost sense Rhozan searching for the meaning of her words.

  “I promise. Your life for Alec’s.”

  She was about to make a scathing reply when Darius bounded into the room from behind the kitchen and knocked the Emissary to the ground in a flying tackle that would have won him awards in the CFL. Al hit the filthy ground with a pathetic grunt and was unconscious by the time Darius had landed the second blow. Riley ran over and grabbed at his arm to stop him from killing the man.

  “He’s out already,” she shouted.

  Heaving with exertion, Darius yanked his arm out of her hands and climbed off the Emissary’s body. He brushed himself off. “Making bargains?” he snarled.

  “Are you mental?” she shouted back. “As if.”

  “I heard,” Darius began, pointing at the Emissary and uncharacteristically struggling for words, “what you said.”

  Anger flooded her. Without pause she stepped forward and grabbed hold of his shirt collar, pulling him almost off balance. “You absolute, total, insufferable creep,” she exploded. “I’d never bargain for Alec’s life. Ever. I was getting our enemy’s plans, numbskull.”

  For a taut moment, she stared at him, anger and hurt pounding beneath her skin and mirrored in his eyes. She literally felt the rage drain from his body. “Sorry,” he said. He reached up and covered her smaller hands with his. “I’m not thinking straight. Guess I’m not as regenerated as I thought. Forgive me?” He pulled her into his embrace and rested his lips against her forehead.

  Alec ran into the kitchen and skidded to a halt. “I got rid of the woman but there are more,” he gasped.

  Riley abruptly wrenched her hands out of Darius’. She stepped back, avoiding Alec’s narrowing eyes.

  “Front or back?” Darius asked as he let her go.

  “Back.”

  They spilled into the parking lot. Darius came to a screeching halt within a couple of steps and Riley barrelled into him. She looked around in horror. There were at least six of them at first glance, vacant-eyed, slack-jawed and armed with sticks and bottles. Alec shoved her between himself and Darius. Alec kept his back against her. She could feel him panting.

  “Use your orb,” Riley instructed. “Knock them out.”

  “And have Rhozan know exactly where we are and what we’re up to? No thanks.” Darius squared his shoulders. “I’ve managed to keep the power signal low enough to stay under the radar for the last two weeks. I’m not blowing that now, if I can help it.”

  “I think Rhozan knows we’re–”

  Darius interrupted. “How many do you think you could take, Alec?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Riley hissed. “He’ll be killed.”

  “I’ll take the goon with the Metallica shirt and the little one with the Mohawk. You keep the others busy until I’ve knocked them out.” Alec flexed his muscles.

  “No,” Riley almost shouted.

  “Head for the truck, Riley,” Darius whispered. “We’ll hold them off. Get it started and pick us up.”

  Riley caught sight of the half smile on his face and realized it was too late. She twisted around to see the same smile mirrored on Alec. “Oh for Pete’s sake.”

  It was over in minutes. Darius bowled over three women in one flying tackle while Alec rushed the pot-bellied, heavy metal aficionado and knocked him out with a spinning hook kick to the temple that was close to poetry in motion. Riley mentally picked her jaw up off the ground as Alec parried, punched and kicked two more into submission. Where on earth had he learned that?

  The truck. Riley gave herself a little shake and ran. She quickly shimmied into the driver’s seat. The engine roared to life. Both Alec and Darius bolted from the melee and dove for the front seat. The instant the door slammed, Riley put the pickup into reverse and backed out of the parking spot, tires burning against asphalt. She ignored the high fives and whoops of bravado as she watched the last two Emissaries stumble out of the parking lot after them and disappear in a cloud of dust.

  “Rhozan knows where we are now,” she said once the other two had stopped congratulating each other.

  Darius instantly sobered. “Keep your hands off your orbs from now on. He’ll guess where we’re heading but if we stay under his radar, we’ve got a chance of getting there without him knowing.”

  “He can’t follow us without the orb signal?” Alec asked. He was rubbing the red and rapidly swelling knuckles of his right hand.

  Darius gave a shrug. “I hope so.”

  There didn’t seem to be anything to say to that. Riley bit the inside of her lip and concentrated on her driving.

  It took several hours to get to the outskirts of Toronto. Abandoned cars and debris of all sorts littered the roadways. There wasn’t a soul for miles. Nothing moved. As she slowed to steer around the carcass of a transport truck, Riley asked, “What are we going to do w
hen we get to Alec’s place? What if they don’t want to come with us?”

  “They will,” Alec said. “I’ll make them.”

  “You won’t,” Darius interrupted.

  Alec twisted around in his seat. “Whaddya mean? We’re going to save my parents. That’s why we’re going back to my place.”

  “Alec, you don’t seem to understand this,” Darius said slowly, enunciating each word as if it pained him. “We can’t just grab your parents and run. Where would we go? Rhozan is invading this world. He’s turning the people against each other and they’re doing the job for him. Look around you. This city is almost dead. Soon the entire country will be affected. Then the continent. Eventually, there will be no place to run.”

  “So, what are you saying? We’re leaving my mom to die in some riot? Forget it, Darius. No way.”

  “Standing idly by while someone you love is in danger isn’t in your DNA.” Darius turned to give Riley a quick glance as he spoke. “We have two choices.”

  There was silence as the truck again slowed down to avoid a burned-out mail truck.

  “So?” Alec challenged. “What are they?”

  “One,” Darius said, raising a finger into the air, “we keep running and hope we can hold out for as long as possible. Make for some uninhabited South Seas island and wait for Rhozan to come for us. Because he will. Riley and I both know it.” He paused.

  “Or two,” Alec prompted.

  “Or two, you take on Rhozan and close the rips.”

  34

  For several seconds, Alec couldn’t believe his ears. Was he kidding?

  Riley reached over and shoved her hand under his chin, pushing his jaw back into place. “Flycatcher,” she laughed, turning on the indicator light to change lanes, despite the complete lack of traffic.

  Alec twisted around in his seat until the seatbelt was nearly strangling him. “I can’t take on Rhozan.”