“Call him, Charlotte!” Josephine yelled over his protests.
Gideon’s knees buckled before Henry could lift a finger. “I think I may need to go to the medical facility.”
The corners of Josephine’s lips pulled upward. “Certainly. Raphael will escort you.”
“Raphael, you know me! I’ve been targeted,” Gideon pleaded.
Raphael grabbed his arm so roughly, Gideon stumbled forward.
Josephine hitched Nora’s arm and pulled her close to speak in her ear. “It should take about half an hour to locate Gideon’s second implant. After that, I’ll lift the lockdown, and you can do what you need to do.”
Thirty minutes.
She glanced down the hall for Henry. They would need to be ready.
Chapter 36
Annabel paced her room. After killing the Niotian governing body, all of Octavius should have been on red alert. There should have been guards posted and patrols ready for any type of retaliation. Yet everything was silent, and it had been that way for hours. No security checks. No messages.
No updates on Jasper.
She opened the message application on her implant. Maybe she had missed something. A blank screen greeted her. Not even old messages appeared. No new messages was one thing, but no access to any messages at all?
Cyrus.
Her stomach roiled. He was impulsive and uncontrollable; he was also the only person who could shut down her messaging system. She pressed her fingers into her temples. Had he figured out she was a Seer? Maybe they’d found evidence linking her to Leonora’s escape. She’d always known her actions might get her killed, but things were different now. Jasper was trapped, and he didn’t deserve any of this.
It didn’t matter what Cyrus’s reasons were. If he detained her, Jasper could be killed. She pressed her fingernails into her palms.
Cyrus would pay.
If Jasper died, she’d find a way to stay alive just to lock Cyrus in his own dungeon. She’d starve him for days and use his own tools against him. She’d have him strung up in the chains and… Her thoughts trailed off. Even if her plan worked, even if Cyrus died and she took the seat of power, would any of it be worth it if Jasper died?
What am I doing?
Every second Jasper stayed in the dungeon was another when he could be killed, and there wasn’t any way she could make Cyrus pay the full price for that. As much as she wanted Cyrus dead, she wanted to be with Jasper more.
She leaned on her bed. Jasper had been right. She’d been so focused on Cyrus that she’d nearly lost the only person she’d ever loved, and if she didn’t act quick she might lose him forever.
She clutched her arms to her chest—as if that would restrain her desire to kill. The calls for vengeance inside her couldn’t be quieted—they might never be silent.
But Jasper’s more important.
She strode to the door to do what she should have done right away. She was a Seer now. She could See a different way to kill Cyrus later, but for now she’d retrieve the box from Jasper’s quarters and get back to the dungeon as fast as she could. They’d escape together.
When she crept into the hallway, Inarus, who was leaning on the wall next to Cyrus’s door, barely made any movement at all. Good. He would have stopped her if Cyrus was ready to detain her. Hopefully she’d have enough time to release Jasper before they discovered she was gone.
Cyrus’s doors opened and nearly sent her fleeing to her hiding spot behind the curtains in her bedroom. She spun to face his suite, but he didn’t emerge. Those massive, square shoulders in a black tactical uniform could only belong to Brock.
He sped up when he saw her. “Ma’am, I think it would be best if you stayed in your room for the time being. Is there something you need? I’ll see to it that you get it.”
Cyrus might be ready to detain her, after all. Brock’s giant frame completely blocked the hallway behind him. Running from him would be out of the question, and fighting him? She’d never stand a chance even with a surprise attack. Her only hope was to play along—pretend she had no idea her brother was planning something. She needed an excuse, something believable, something urgent. “My messages.”
He nodded. “The entire system is down. We’re working on it.”
The whole messaging system? Cyrus wouldn’t have done that. Maybe this wasn’t about her at all. Maybe it had been too rash to give up on her plans.
She rubbed her arms as her skin tingled. It was almost as if the atmosphere around her was charged. Something was pulling at her. Something she’d missed. Her gaze wandered down the hall to Cyrus’s suite. If it wasn’t him, who could shut down the whole messaging system? Who would do that?
Her hands dropped to her sides. Remington Sacarro.
Jasper had warned her he was ready to make a move. She’d feared this from the moment Tiberius had told her that her parents had been murdered. Now the other Elite Families would come and finish the job. Everything seemed quiet, but she knew better than to trust the silence. She braced herself, ready for a wave of visions to hit her, but they never came. The tingling remained, brushing against her skin like a feather, calling to her. Beckoning to look for something else.
Brock straightened for a moment, then his eyes swept back and forth as he read a message. She’d seen Jasper do that same thing a million times. The Sacarros wouldn’t take down the whole messaging system to overthrow Cyrus; they’d need it to coordinate the attack. Whoever did this wanted all Tavians blind and deaf.
That was it. Almost as if electricity shot through her, sheer energy surged inside her, and she was transported to a memory. She was in Jasper’s quarters for the first time. They were arguing. Her arms were folded in front of her, she could feel all the tension of her anger in that moment. Jasper insisted Tobin was coming, but she wouldn’t be swayed by him anymore.
Tobin will go to the ends of the earth for her, and he has help.
Tobin had been working with a Niotian hacker.
Nios was responding.
If they breached the borders of Octavius, the full weight of the Tavian Guard would respond. Both she and Cyrus would be placed on lockdown, and nothing would get past their security details, which would leave Tobin Kalos open to be rescued. Who knew what they’d do with Jasper in the next cell? If she was about to abandon her plan to kill Cyrus to keep Jasper safe, she certainly wasn’t about to let Nios get a hold of him.
“Ma’am, are you all right?” Brock asked. “Your eyes…”
He couldn’t know what she’d Seen. She twisted her hands together. “Thank you for the update. Please keep me informed.”
“Of course, ma’am.” He paused. “I spoke with Jasper, and—”
“There you are, sir,” Adrian said, hurrying down the hall.
Brock’s eyes nearly ignited. He stepped closer to her, ushering her back into her suite. “I’m under orders to keep you safe. With everything else going on, the best thing you can do is to stay in your suite.”
She pulled her arm away and stared at him. Did he know?
“Commander Bishop wants it that way,” he said, smirking.
He knew. Annabel drew in a tight breath. “If you know, then you know I can’t stay up here. I can help.”
Brock shook his head. “I told him I’d protect you. Cyrus has ordered Kalos strung up in restraints, but with Jasper down there, too, there’s no guarantee he won’t see him and demand he’s strung up too.”
Her eyes fell shut. With her brother, that was entirely possible. She leaned on her door frame. How stupid she’d been to think she could take on Cyrus and win.
“I can’t watch out for him and keep my promise to protect you if you’re not in your suite.”
Then I’ll need to help him escape.
He spun to Adrian, who had finally reached them.
“Remy’s downstairs,” Adrian said.
Remington? She tensed. He might not have shut down the messaging system, but he would still be looking to capitalize on Tobin’s r
aid.
“I cannot wait until this isn’t my job anymore!” Brock grumbled as he strode away. “Order Valle’s unit to secure the corridor. No one gets up here, understand.”
“Yes, sir,” Adrian said, scurrying alongside him.
Her head fell back on the door.
Your hatred has literally brought down your world! Jasper’s words seared her. It had.
Nios. Remington. Cyrus. She had no idea who would win, but it wouldn’t matter. Octavius would never be the same—scorched by her wildfire. She’d have to live with that, but there was still hope. She could still save Jasper.
She crept down the stairs after them, peering around the corner of the landing.
“I won’t wait forever,” Remington snarled.
Brock leaned over him. “Commander Bishop is in our custody,” Brock replied in a menacing tone. “Only authorized personnel are allowed access right now.”
“Did you tell him I want to talk with him?” Remington asked. “You need to talk some sense into him, Moret. We’ve had our differences, but he’s smart. He has to know what’s going to happen. I can make all his problems go away if he helps me.”
Annabel covered her mouth with an unsteady hand. Remington wanted to work with Jasper, and his plan almost certainly included killing her.
Brock shrugged. “He’s not interested.”
“Why?” Remington’s voice thundered through the corridor.
Brock glanced one way then the other before taking a step forward, forcing Remington to step back. “Maybe Commander Bishop doesn’t want to form an alliance with someone who would brazenly yell about a coup on the ruling family’s estate.”
Remington straightened his shirt and lowered his voice. “There’s not a single person who supports the Renauds after that attack. I can say whatever I want, wherever I want. Their rule is over, and I won’t wait for Bishop forever. This could benefit you, too, you know. If you work with us—”
“I stand with Commander Bishop, and if you make that kind of a threat again, I’ll have you arrested.”
Remington scowled. “You wouldn’t dare unless you want to join your commander in that dungeon.”
Brock stretched his neck. “Try me.”
They stared at each other for a moment before Remington backed away. “I have other things to attend to, but when I get back, I’d better be able to talk with Bishop.”
He stormed away, and she shut her eyes and balled the fabric of her dress in her hands. Jasper had chosen her over the freedom offered by Remington. He’d allowed himself to be imprisoned to keep her safe. Brock was doing his best, but it was time she protected Jasper.
She peered around the corner. Brock wrenched the open door to the dungeon and disappeared. Remington had stalked off toward the gardens.
She slipped into the main corridor, hugging the wall and picking up speed toward the barracks.
Captain Valle stepped into her path. His dull eyes and round face were twisted into a frown. “What are you doing down here? Commander Moret wanted the entire corridor secured and the ruling family to stay in their suites.”
She straightened her dress. “I-I’m looking for Commander Moret. Cyrus wants an update on the messaging system.”
“He’s busy.”
She knew that. She also knew he’d be unreachable in the dungeon. She rolled her eyes. “Of course he’s busy. The incompetence of the Guard never ceases to amaze me.”
Valle sucked on his teeth. “You should be in your suite.”
Intimidation wasn’t working, but she wasn’t about to be ordered around by the likes of Valle. Time for a different tactic. She relaxed her posture and glanced back at the staircase. “Cyrus is angry. The cyber engineers aren’t moving fast enough. He wants a guard unit to report to the mainframe to help convince them to move faster.”
He folded his arms. “I will let Commander Moret know as soon as he’s available.”
She could see the doubt in his eyes, but he wouldn’t let her past, and he’d probably shoot her before he’d let her get through the door to the dungeon. He needed to leave.
She heaved a resigned sigh. “I’m trying to do you a favor. Cyrus is angrier than I’ve ever seen him. He thinks the messaging system is an inside job, and he blames the Guard. If it isn’t resolved soon, he might come down here and start arresting more guards.”
Valle glanced around the corridor. “That’s ridiculous. The Guard isn’t responsible for this.”
“He arrested Commander Bishop, didn’t he?”
She watched his thoughts run through his dimwitted eyes. She’d planted the fear, and it was taking root, but he didn’t move out of her way.
“I can’t just reassign a unit, ma’am. We’ve got multiple threats to monitor.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re a captain. You’ve done it for me in the past, so we both know you can do it. And if Commander Moret is really unavailable, you have to use your own judgment.”
He searched the floor between them, and she fought a smile. He was almost there.
“I have my orders,” he said. “I’ll make sure Commander Moret is alerted immediately.”
Not good enough.
She shrugged. “I had been hoping to tell Cyrus you were taking your unit to respond personally to his request. We’ve been attacked. When this is all over, he’ll remember who helped him and who didn’t. But I understand. Orders are orders. You’re a good guard, Valle. I’d hate to see anything happen to you so let’s just hope you can find Moret before Cyrus loses his temper. No one will be able to negotiate your release after that.”
She spun on her toes, hoping her bait had been enough. One step, then another.
“Wait! No.”
She turned, and he motioned to the rest of the unit.
“Tell Cyrus that I’ll take care of it.”
“I’ll do that.” She smiled as Valle led his unit outside toward the mainframe before she broke into a full sprint. No more time for Niotian hackers, guards with orders, or greedy Sacarros. It was time for her and Jasper to leave.
Chapter 37
Nora drummed her fingers on the counter while Henry stared at the green gibberish on the large screen projected in front of him as intently as he had when he’d started twenty minutes ago.
“Are you getting close?” she asked.
Henry’s gaze darted to her, his eyes narrowing.
“It’s just that I need to be ready when Josephine lifts the lockdown,” she said. “If the Tavians figure out that Gideon’s been arrested, they’ll be expecting something. The longer it takes for me to get there, the more time they have to prepare.”
Henry groaned. “I’m never going to finish if I have to explain everything. I already created a bunch of security anomalies and crashed their messaging system, remember?”
She hadn’t.
“Even if they get an alert about Gideon’s implant, they won’t know what to make of it because they’re already dealing with too many false alarms.”
Now he was making sense. “How did you know to do that?”
“Everything that has happened has shown me that we depend on automation way too much—and the Tavians do, too. The more distraction, the better your chances will be when you go.”
Henry was brilliant. She was bound to make mistakes, and she’d get a lot farther if they were chasing a bunch of false alarms.
He returned his focus to the screen, and Nora continued to wait, feeling every tick of the clock, but the wait seemed a little more bearable now.
After a flourish of keystrokes, he sat back. “That’s it.”
Henry had come through. She leaned over his shoulder. So much rested in those tiny gleaming, green characters.
“What happens now?”
He sighed, rubbing his eyes. “It’s loading onto the implant right now, which means all that’s left is to get you a headset.”
The screen remained hovering in place while he wandered down a couple of rows. When he returned, he was holding a bl
ack, flimsy piece of plastic.
“Try this on. You’ll want to hide this as much as possible.” Henry said, fixing it on her ear. “No one uses these things anymore, so it will attract attention if people see it. Keep your hair over it.”
She traced the skinny bar that ran from her forehead to her ear. How would she hide that?
Henry’s eyes locked on her forehead, and he cleared his throat. “Just keep your head down. Maybe keep your hair in your eyes…”
She glowered at him. He had developed intricate cyber-crash distractions, but his suggestion for hiding the headset was to keep her hair in her eyes?
“Anyway.” Henry reached forward and clicked a tiny button above her ear.
A menu appeared along the wall. Suddenly her whole field of vision felt more like a computer screen. As she turned her head from one side to the other, the menu stayed in her periphery. She staggered backward.
“Kind of annoying, isn’t it? Now you know why I like to project my screen instead,” Henry said, raising his eyebrows. “Anyway, you can navigate through the files with eye movements. Blink to select, swipe laterally to move to the next option. I’ve programmed the security overwrite to automatically upload as soon as you’re in range of their mainframe, so the most important applications you’ll need to use are for map overlay and teleportation.”
He pecked at his hovering screen, and a maze-like map, resembling a blueprint, appeared in front of her, clear enough to study but transparent enough to still see Henry and his hovering screen in the background.
“This is the closest teleportation zone to the central headquarters,” he said as the screen zoomed to a single spot on the map. “You’ll need to make your way down this avenue, take a left, and then cross the square.”
Nora’s simulated surroundings sped by until a dark obelisk loomed in front of her, made entirely of black marble. It didn’t even have windows.
Something crackled behind her and her surroundings flashed blue.
“Commander Batra.” Henry’s voice ascended a full octave.
The Seers Page 29