“How did you evade detection?” Vienna asks.
With a smirk, Jax responds, “I’d like to think that my intellect is such that I can stay one step ahead of any pursuers, as needed.”
Vienna shakes her head. “The only thing bigger than your intellect is your ego. Perhaps you’d like to share how you escaped Military City?”
“Actually I wouldn’t.” He grabs my free hand with his and squeezes. He turns to me and whispers. “Trust me.” I nod.
All hell breaks loose. Everyone starts shouting, arguing and pointing fingers.
“They’ve both committed treason.”
“They can’t be trusted.”
“We can force him to talk.”
“She’ll talk if we keep her from her child.”
“We need to make an example of them.”
“Execute them.”
I start to shake, but Jax puts firm pressure on my hand, and I’m immediately comforted.
Ethan stands and slams his fist down on the table. “Stop.”
All eyes ratchet to Ethan who has a downright evil look on his face. “He’s an Arbiter. That’s how they escaped. Jax kept her in Heart and had Arbiter help in hiding her. This is all his doing. He’s the one who should be punished.”
The bastard just threw Jax under the proverbial SCI bus.
I turn to Jax to see his reaction. He looks bored by Ethan’s revelation. Certainly not nervous.
Vienna’s mouth is shaped like a giant “O.” Finally she manages to speak. “I don’t believe it. We’ve known the Christos for decades. There’s no way Jax is an Arbiter.” To Jax she asks, “Jax, is this true?”
Jax stays silent.
“Where’s your proof, Ethan?”
“I’ve seen him portal with my own eyes. In fact, he brought us here this morning.” Ethan’s tapping on the table, daring Jax to contradict him. “Just think about it. How else would they escape Military City? Or how could he get Kira to immediate medical attention after her attack without being seen? There needs to be consequences for his actions.”
A silver-haired member of the Ten speaks up. “I vote for death. Either way, he’s a danger to us.”
I gasp. “Ethan. Stop this. Now.”
He looks over at Jax’s hand atop mine and says, “No.”
I glare at him with disgust and contempt. “I would like to ask for my Cleaving to Ethan to be immediately dissolved. The Cleaving was never consummated and will never be consummated. Besides, Cleaving isn’t even practiced here in Military City. I may have to raise my son with that monster, but I will not share a bed with him.”
Vienna interjects. “I appreciate your attempt to change the subject, Kira, but we need to settle the matter of Jax first before discussing the validity of your Cleaving to Ethan. You could help speed things along by letting us know whether what Ethan said is true.”
“I don’t believe I can be of help in this matter—other than to assure you that Jax is infinitely more trustworthy than Ethan.”
The arguing continues to the point where Ethan gets up, walks around the table, and points his gun at Jax’s temple.
Suddenly the lights dim in the room.
Multiple figures fade into view.
The Arbiters are here.
I look over at Jax and he winks at me.
A touch to each guard’s shoulder sends a Taser-like shockwave through them, dropping them to the floor.
Ethan’s distracted enough that he lets his finger relax on the trigger.
Jax releases his hand from my grip and gives Ethan a similar but less debilitating shock. The gun clatters to the floor and Ethan keels over in pain.
Serves him right.
Jax touches his own restraint, which immediately unlocks. He shrugs it off and touches mine. Then he gets up and walks over to take his place.
Seven Arbiters in total circle the table, each bathed in glimmering light.
“What is the meaning of this, Samson?” Vienna asks Dr. Christo, false bravado showing in her voice. “You have no business here. This is a private council.”
Jax breaks out in wholehearted laughter. “You foolish woman. Don’t forget your place.”
Dr. Christo speaks next. “Vienna, dear. You had to know it was only a matter of time. The threats against Jackson simply accelerated the timetable. I fear that you have forgotten the natural order of things. We have left you and the SCI to your own devices long enough. You and your colleagues have simply crossed enough lines to require more oversight in your day to day activities.
“Let me introduce you to my colleagues. You know Jackson, of course. To his right and then continuing around we have Eli Demason, Freida Driscoll, Jonah Oliver, Deena Karnik and Daniel Paxton. Eli leads the Arbiter Council and wishes to address you.”
I’ve met Eli once before. He came to visit me while I was recuperating in the Cross Medical Facility in Heart. He looks ancient and frail but is sharp as a tack.
His voice booms throughout the room. “I’d like to discuss one of the most egregious of the SCI’s current activities first—and that would be the SCI’s efforts at their earthly Clean Slate Complexes to increase military personnel here.”
Vienna boldly interrupts. “We have every right to protect ourselves from the threat of the Exilers, particularly as more and more Second Chancers defect and join their ranks.”
Eli holds his hand up and physically shuts her mouth from a distance. Vienna looks like her lips are superglued together. I want to learn that trick. “Silence. Your current predicament is one of your own making. It will not be solved by upping the number of military personnel. And although we are bound to bring over those in need of a second chance from Earth, your current methods are despicable. View Exhibit A.”
The wall behind Eli disappears, and the Arbiters step aside to give us a clear view of an SCI bus pulling up to a warehouse.
Dozens of people get off the bus and are shepherded into a dark warehouse. They all look confused as to why they are there.
The escorts leave and the doors are locked.
I can see terror in their eyes.
A bright light fills the warehouse…and then turns a deep, fiery red.
The people are being incinerated.
Skin is melting off their bones.
I scream, and Jax steps forward to lay a hand on my shoulder to calm me.
Ethan looks surprised, but the rest know.
It’s clear that the Ten ordered this.
When all is said and done, the only thing left of all those people is dust.
A machine descends from the ceiling to wipe away even that.
I look around the table and memorize the face of each individual responsible for this act of mass murder.
Eli speaks again. “Over fifty-thousand have perished this way to date. And more face the same fate every day. While our jurisdiction on Earth is limited, we have full jurisdiction over you here. So here’s what is going to happen…” He makes sure to look each member of the Ten in the eye.
“First, the girl—Kira Donovan—will not be touched. She is under our protection.”
The silver-haired Ten interjects. “I object. Kira has nothing to do with the Arbiters. She’s one of us and thus should be subject to our rules.”
Eli zips the man’s mouth shut as he had Vienna’s. “She is under our protection. Anyone to cause her harm will have quick judgment rendered. In addition, we agree to the dissolution of her Cleaving to Ethan. Kira may continue to live under the same roof as Ethan for the sake of the child. However, Jackson will be there to protect our interests and keep her safe. Ethan isn’t trustworthy right now. When the time is right, Kira can choose who she’d like to build a life with.” Ethan shrinks into his seat which I’m not sure was by Eli’s design or because of Ethan’s guilt. It’s a bittersweet win for me. Sure, I’m free of being Cleaved to a man who hates me, but I still have to live with him. At least Jax will be there to run interference.
“Furthermore, Jackson will be o
ur liaison with the Ten. He will have access to all Ten meetings we deem necessary for him to attend. He will monitor your actions, and when the Ten’s judgment is…suspect…Jackson will arbitrate. Our Council will be called in as needed to assist in the more ‘delicate’ matters. And if all else fails, we will be quick to escalate.”
There’s groaning and fidgeting at the table, but no one dares to voice an opinion.
In a fraction of a second, the Arbiters each have a member of the Ten in a stranglehold with grips strong enough that the Ten’s faces are turning purple.
Eli says, “Never forget that you cannot run from us, hide from us, or evade us. There are consequences for your choices, and if you continue down your current path, you won’t have just us to worry about.”
The lights regain their strength.
Jax remains.
The rest of the Arbiters are gone. And they’ve got Ethan.
CHAPTER FIVE
Ethan
My father’s pacing his blood-red office at the Cross with such ferocity that I think he’ll ignite the carpet.
“You betrayed us. You threatened to kill your own brother. You’ve treated the mother of your child like a common criminal. And you’ve set in motion a string of events that will not bode well for anyone. Have I left anything out?”
I dig my teeth into my lip hard enough to draw blood. He stops pacing long enough to await my answer. “In my defense, Jax was sleeping with my Cleave. ”
He looks incredulous at my answer. “You declared war on your own kind because of petty jealousy?”
“Half my kind.” I correct.
“Have you learned nothing? Arbiter genes are dominant. You owe your loyalty to us. Particularly since Jackson did nothing wrong. He respected your relationship with Kira at all times and went to extreme measures to keep her safe. Unlike some, he puts family first.”
I snap my head around and growl. “It’s clear that he’s your favorite son. But Jax kept Kira away from me for a year and then didn’t even have the common decency to tell me that she was alive…that my son was alive. He played father to my son. I will never forgive him.”
My father picks up his tablet and starts to read from it. “The first attempt on Kira’s life happened in Farm City nine months ago. Jackson saved her from a machete-wielding assassin. The second: eight months ago in Industrial City. An electric shock device was placed in Kira’s tub. A series of incidents happened in six different cities over a six week span while she completed her Daynighter training. The last incident happened in Military City. A bullet grazed her neck just missing her carotid artery. That’s when they went on the run and ultimately ended up in hiding. But despite his attempt to keep her safe, there was still the attempt here in Heart where she was sliced open and left to die. And those are only the attempts that nearly succeeded. There are at least a dozen more that she doesn’t even know about.”
“The Ten had nothing to do with those attacks. We would have kept her safe. Jax had no right to disappear with her.”
My father sets his tablet on his desk, walks over, and puts a hand on my shoulder. “Your colleagues are not trustworthy. Surely you are not blind. I trained you better than that. Do you not see what they have in motion? The Clean Slate Complexes are just the tip of the volcano. You need to spend less time worrying about your love life and more time worrying about what the SCI plans to do—both on Thera and on Earth.”
“I don’t care about the SCI’s antics right now. Why was I kept in the dark about Kira being alive?” That’s what is really eating away at me. My own father and brother kept the truth from me. They want me to be their mole in the Ten but can’t trust me enough to share things that directly affect me.
“I’m sorry. We needed you to finish up school and take your place on the Ten. The SCI is out of control and needs to be reined in. I knew that Kira’s plight would be a…distraction…for you. It’s not like your mother would have allowed you to come to Kira’s defense. It was for the best even if you can’t see it now. Plus, I think you fail to understand Kira’s state of mind throughout all of this. In the last year, she has spent time both in inpatient psychiatric care and extensive outpatient care. She lost it after leaving Garden City. The deaths of her parents and friends all caught up with her. Add pregnancy hormones on top of it, and she couldn’t handle it.”
I jerk away from his hand on my shoulder. “I should have been there for her. She needed me.”
“No. She needed Jackson. Still needs him. He has the calming touch—an ability you don’t have.”
“I loved her and Jax took that from me.”
My father drops his head and shakes it. “If you don’t love her any more, it surely has nothing to do with Jackson. Kira stayed faithful to you—and had been excited to see you again, until you waltzed in with a giant chip on your hypocritical shoulder and then threw Jackson to the wolves. I don’t know if the two of you can be fixed. Certainly not if you continue to treat her the way you have been.”
I need to get out of here. I’m so angry and frustrated that I can’t see straight. I need time to process everything that has happened. Everyone acts like this is all no big deal because there were extenuating circumstances. That I shouldn’t be the least bit bothered that I missed out on the first three months of my son’s life. That I should forgive Jax and Kira for letting me think she was dead, that the only thing I should care about is what the SCI has done and will do. Well, sorry, it just isn’t that simple. They can’t just screw me over and expect me to look the other way. People need to be held accountable for their actions.
“Is your lecture finished? Am I free to leave? I have some thinking to do.” I square my jaw, lean back, and fold my arms across my chest. I’m done here.
“You are dismissed. But not trusted. You’re going to have to earn that back. Keep tabs on what the Blacks and your Uncle Henry are up to. That would be a good start.”
I concentrate on my apartment—not the one with my new “roomies,” Kira and Jax—but the one back on Earth. I empty everything else from my mind but where I want to go.
And then I go.
One Month Ago: Los Angeles, California
I stood in the front row and watched as my Uncle Henry took the stage at the US Democratic National Convention. Alexa flanked my left and Joshua hers—she knew to separate the two of us. Excitement surged through the air as Henry stood to accept the nomination as the Democratic Presidential candidate. The crowd—a sea of red, white, and blue—chanted, “We want more. We want King.”
The polls showed that Henry had this thing sewed up months ago. This was a formality, an exuberant tribute to the man who obliterated the competition and stood to annihilate the Republican incumbent on Election Day. Henry’s platform was unbeatable and seemingly substantive, unlike so many politicians. Former Chairman of the Board of The Second Chance Institute and current senator of California, he had an impeccable track record.
If they only knew how true the statement, “The devil’s in the details,” is.
Henry stood with my aunt Elizabeth and their two daughters—my cousins Anne and Mary. They basked in the spotlight, waving to their constituency with smiles as fake as their promises.
Finally, Henry stepped forward to the podium and waited for the crowd to settle. There were a few shouts of “We love you Henry!” that made it through before he was allowed to speak. His thank-you’s were interspersed with boisterous applause. And then he cut to the chase—lies wrapped in promises so beautiful that even staunch Republicans had a hard time looking the other way.
“This great nation needs a reboot. A fresh start. A Clean Slate…”
“We want more. We want King.” The crowd chanted.
“Our freedom is threatened daily. Terrorist incidents are on the rise. We need more security, more safeguards for our citizens.”
“We want more. We want King.” Signs were waved furiously and the decibel level was stifling.
“Our educational standards have fallen to
sub-standard levels. We need more focus on education and greater consistency across our schools. Why should a child in a rich neighborhood get a better education than one in a poor neighborhood? I have repeatedly told you of the great success The Second Chance Institute has had with their pilot educational programs. Now is the time to give our children more opportunity.”
“We want more. We want King.” Red, white, and blue confetti crowns rained down from the ceiling.
“Our health care systems are a train wreck. The people of this great nation deserve better medical care and more of it. As it happens, I have a bit of an inside connection to some of the best doctors and scientists in the universe…”
Laughter.
“I’m pleased to announce that our private sector partner, The Second Chance Institute, has developed a universal blood test that can screen for cancers, chronic ailments, and autoimmune disorders. Under my leadership, every citizen will be offered this test, free of charge, on an annual basis.”
Deafening cheers. Five men and women joined Henry on stage.
“Paul was screened and a marker was found for colorectal cancer. He just finished a successful preemptive treatment and is expected to live a long life.”
“We want more. We want King.” Flags waved and feet stomped.
“Diana had been plagued with poor health for a decade. The new screen detected a rare autoimmune disorder. With proper treatment Diana’s quality of life will increase exponentially.”
The introductions and cheers continued.
“Let’s move on to a tough topic. Our nation is plagued with high unemployment numbers. Our people need more jobs. Places to live. Food on the table. The SCI Clean Slate Complexes prove that it is possible to give the poor and downtrodden a fresh lease on life without raising taxes and with complete self-sufficiency. No one should have to sleep on the streets or go hungry. A vote for King is a vote for more hope for every citizen’s future.”
“We want more. We want King.” Balloons were unleashed rising into the air triumphantly—just like Henry’s ascent to political stardom.
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