The Duality Bridge (Singularity #2) (Singularity Series)

by Susan Kaye Quinn

  “The one you have answered,” Marcus says with a smirk. “At least for those who know of your abilities. How that answer is put to use will determine the fate of all Orion going forward.”

  I don’t know what he means by the fate of all Orion, but I know the fugue state is dangerous to humans and ascenders alike. Or it can be, in the wrong hands. “The humans had better not suffer in all this. Because that will quickly end the alignment of our interests.”

  He gives me a dead serious look. “You may think ascenders care little for humans, but that’s far from true. We consider you a resource, like many others in the world—and one that should be equally shared. Seeing Augustus’s willful co-opting of that resource… well, it pushed some key players into providing support, where before they were undecided. What that means is that now we have more leverage on our side. Augustus’s next move will have to be measured; less bold. We have the influence within Orion to take action against Augustus, if we need to—but that all depends on the exact nature of his plans.”

  This talk of humans as an equally shared resource doesn’t sit well with me at all. And the idea of working with Marcus makes me queasy, not least because I’m sure he’s figured out every angle far better than I ever could. But I’ll need his help to take on Augustus.

  “All right,” I say. “I need to find out what Augustus is really up to—and for that, I need to be in the fugue state.” I glance around the camp. It’s starting to settle in that we’re free again—people are reuniting, hugging, even breaking into a smile or two. “And we need to do that far, far away from here. I don’t want to accidentally lead Augustus right back to the Resistance again.”

  Marcus nods. “I know just the place we can go.”

  I hold up a hand. “First, Commander Astoria needs to know what we’re up to, in case things go badly. So she can move everyone away from here. Hunker down somewhere, keep everyone safe, until this thing—whatever it is—blows over. They should probably leave Oregon altogether.”

  Marcus scowls. “I told you, her command is not secure.”

  I ignore that. “I also have a couple people I want to say goodbye to.” This is pretty much a one-way ticket for me. If I fail, I’ll be lucky if I can blast myself to the void before Augustus gets hold of me. Even if I’m successful, Marcus won’t let me hang out with the humans, not when he could be using me for his own purposes.

  “We don’t have time for this,” he complains.

  “Yeah, I know. Let’s go.” I turn to stride toward the command tent without looking back.

  Cyrus and Basha are having a furtive conversation outside the command tent.

  He sends me guilty looks as Marcus and I approach, which isn’t a good sign. Then again, I’m about to say something he’s not going to like. At all.

  “I wouldn’t go in there right now, Eli,” Basha says, hooking a thumb to the command tent door. She’s dressed in black body armor, but she’s so short that it creeps up on her chin. An indistinct rumble of voices is arguing inside the tent. Great.

  “I’m not staying long.”

  Cyrus scowls at me and flicks a look at Marcus. “You mean you’re not staying long in the command tent, right?”

  I sigh. “I have to leave, Cy. There’s something I need to take care of.”

  “With shiny pants, here? Yeah… I vote no on that.”

  I put a hand on his shoulder. “I don’t have time to argue. Besides, I need your help.”

  His scowl just darkens. “How?”

  “As soon as the Commander has regrouped, make sure she packs up the Resistance and leaves. Augustus has something really bad planned. Remember those new tricks I mentioned? I’m going to use them. But the Resistance needs to clear out until it’s over. Maybe go back to France. Somewhere far from here.”

  “Without you.” Red is creeping up his neck. “No way.”

  I put both hands on his shoulders and grip hard. I want to shake some sense into him, but instead I lower my voice. “You and my mom—you’re the only family I have. If the Commander won’t leave, I need you to take my mom and get out of Oregon.”

  “What in the world are you talking about?” He’s freaked. As he should be. And I need him to be, so he might actually go.

  “I wish I could tell you. I’ve only seen the edges of it, but…” I look to Basha, who is hunched up in her battle armor. I’m freaking her out, too. To Cyrus, I say, “It’s bad. Just trust me on this, okay? Take Basha and Kamali and my mom and get out.”

  Cyrus shakes his head, and I know he’s not on board, but I can feel Marcus’s impatience breathing down my neck.

  I release Cyrus. “Tell my mom I’ll come find you when it’s all over.”

  Before he can protest, I turn and pull aside the canvas flap of the command tent. The war raging inside spills out.

  “You can’t let them take him!” That’s Kamali’s voice, and if Basha’s right, she’s talking about me. It about breaks my heart.

  Tristan stands next to her. “He’s going to get us all killed.” Definitely talking about me. Tristan and Kamali are arguing in front of Commander Astoria.

  If I didn’t already have the flap open, I would just turn and walk away. Basha is right—I don’t need to be in the middle of this. As it is, the dozen or so heads in the place have already pivoted to stare at me.

  The disgust is palpable.

  Delphina is by her mother’s side, arms crossed. Kamali and Tristan have suspended their argument to gape at me. There’s an assortment of militia in the room: Grayson at a large tactical screen, Caleb at one of the comm stations, several others I don’t recognize. I’m surprised to see Leopold there as well, interfacing with one of the screens.

  I stride in like their stares don’t matter to me. The swish of the door flap says Cyrus, Basha, and Marcus are right behind me.

  “You don’t have to worry,” I say to Tristan with a cool look. “I’ll be leaving shortly.” I swing my gaze to meet Commander Astoria’s glare. “But I recommend you don’t stay, either. There’s more at play than you realize, Commander. The Resistance would be better off regrouping somewhere else.”

  She glances at Marcus behind me. “Do you have some intelligence you would like to share, Mr. Brighton?”

  Marcus keeps quiet, but I’m sure this will end quickly if I away give too much. And he’s probably right—we still don’t know who betrayed the Resistance to Augustus.

  “I really can’t do that,” I say. “You’ll just have to trust me that—”

  Tristan cuts me off. “You know what, Brighton? There’s not a lot of trust for you in this room.” He throws a pinched look to Marcus. “Why don’t you just take your ascender buddy—”

  “Tristan.” Commander Astoria’s voice makes him flinch, but he shuts up and backs off. She slowly takes the three steps necessary to bring her face-to-face with me.

  “You have something they want.” Her voice is cold, as if it’s my fault—like I stole something from the ascenders and brought grief down on everyone’s head.

  “Yes.” There’s no denying it or explaining it, so I’ll have to let her think what she thinks.

  She locks glares with Marcus. “And you’re sure that giving it to them is wise?”

  “I have to take that risk.” Also true. And no way to explain. “Please, Commander, just take everyone and find a safe place far from here.”

  She returns her piercing look to me. “We do not run from a fight, Monsieur Brighton.”

  “I’m not saying that…” I sputter out. How can I convince them to leave when I can’t even tell them what they’re escaping? When I don’t even really know? “Please just… make sure my mother is safe.”

  Her face opens in surprise, and I’m not sure what part about that shocks her, but her voice softens. “Bien sûr.” Which I take to mean yes, even though my knowledge of French is extremely limited.

  Kamali edges forward. “Mrs. Astoria, please don’t let him do this.”

  The commander frowns at her
. “You know something of this?”

  Kamali purses her lips together. It actually trickles relief through me—she may not know about Augustus’s larger plans, but she knows enough to keep quiet. And maybe, after I’m gone, she’ll explain all the details to Cyrus and my mom. Because it’s looking like I won’t have the chance.

  Marcus leans forward to speak quietly to me. “I think we’re done here, Eli.”

  “No.” Kamali throws the word out so forcefully, it grabs everyone’s attention. “Can’t you see?” She flicks her hand at me, but she’s talking to Commander Astoria. “He’s sacrificing himself to keep everyone safe. You can’t just let him go, not without a battalion or something to ensure his safe return.”

  Commander Astoria’s nose wrinkles up in disgust.

  I can’t believe she’s suggesting it, either. “Kamali, don’t—”

  She whirls on me, her face livid. “Don’t? Don’t try to stop this tremendously bad idea you have? Because you know how this is going to play out. And I know what he’s going to do, once you leave.” Her hot glare is only momentarily on Marcus, but I sense him leaning forward.

  Basha edges around me, flitting looks between Kamali and Marcus.

  I don’t like it either.

  I throw up my hands to stop Kamali from saying anything more. “Okay, okay.” I’m afraid this is all about to go sideways. And I don’t understand why she’s fighting me so hard. “Can I speak with you privately?” I give her a pointed look, so she doesn’t blow everything, and gesture to the side of the command tent. It’s small—there’s really no place to go—but she strides off to the farthest corner, and I quickly follow after.

  Everyone watches us go. Tristan looks like he’s ready to come after us, but Commander Astoria throws out an arm to stop him. All eyes are on us.

  I ignore them.

  Once we’re in the darkened corner, I duck my head close to hers and whisper, “Why are you doing this?”

  “Why are you doing this?” She’s shaking, like the intensity of her rage reaches down to her dancer feet and rocks the ground she’s standing on. “I am not going to stand by and let you…” She stops herself, the anger apparently too much for words.

  I don’t know what else to do but put my hands on her shoulders. “I need you to not fight me on this.” The whole thing is killing me. Delphina is frowning but also staring at us with the same piercing glare that’s on her mother’s face. Cyrus and Basha are conferring with one another in silent gestures and head shakes. Even Leopold limps over to join our group of onlookers. The sight of his dragging leg squeezes my chest even tighter, but I don’t have time to worry about that. Marcus’s arched eyebrow says I have about two more seconds to wrap this up.

  Kamali stares at me with her wide brown eyes. “I just…” She hesitates, then that familiar determination steels her expression. “We both know there’s more at risk here than one slightly-stupid painter-boy’s life.”

  A huff of laughter forces its way out of my chest. “Okay,” I say, fighting the smile. “Agreed. But I’m doing what I can. I just can’t do it here.”

  She frowns and glances at Marcus, who seems to be glowering at the entire room. Then she breaks away from my loose hold on her shoulders and strides over to him.

  Staring boldly up into his face, she says, “I can help him do what you want. I’m coming with you.”

  My mouth falls open, but my heart lurches like I’m having a legit heart attack. “What?” I stagger over to her. “No. Absolutely not. No way.”

  She ignores me. Worse, Marcus looks like he’s considering it.

  “Kamali, what are you doing?” It’s Tristan, with a horrified look on his face.

  For once, I couldn’t agree more.

  She ignores him, too. To Marcus she says, “You know what I’m talking about.”

  “Technically,” he says with mild amusement, “I don’t need your assistance.”

  “You’ve missed out on a few steps,” she says, challenging him with a lifted chin. “Our time with Lenora was very productive.”

  He raises both eyebrows. Cyrus alternates angry looks between Tristan and Marcus. Delphina edges forward, her short body tense. Leopold limps toward us.

  This is spinning away from me.

  “Do you know where Lenora is?” Leopold asks, his voice halting in a glitchy kind of way.

  Marcus glares at him. “Stay out of this, Leopold.”

  He twitches, blinking too much, and my stomach coils up inside me. What’s wrong with him?

  “I’m sure you can tell I’m in no condition to stop you from whatever your plans might be,” Leopold says to Marcus. “But if this in any way involves Lenora, I could be of assistance to you.”

  They exchange a look, and I’m dead certain they’re transmitting something back and forth—an ascender conversation we’re not privy to. After a moment, Marcus inclines his head: an acceptance.

  Kamali notices as well, and the relief is plain in her body, which relaxes from her rigid challenge-pose for Marcus. She turns to Commander Astoria. “We could use a few militia and a transport.”

  “My ship will suffice,” Marcus says, coolly. “And I have plenty of sentries.”

  “I’m talking about the return trip,” Kamali says, back to her full height again.

  Commander Astoria shakes her head, slowly, which is the only thing that gives me hope. “I do not understand what you are attempting here, but Lenora is suspected of betraying the Resistance and delivering us into the hands of this ascender, Augustus. I will not commit resources to her rescue if she has managed to run afoul of him.”

  “I can assure you that Lenora did not betray the Resistance.” Marcus eyes the collection of humans in the room. “However, I cannot speak for the remaining members of your crew.”

  Commander Astoria stiffens and waves to Grayson. “Clear the room.” As most of the militia in the room hustle out of the command center, she continues, “We also suspect Kallias as the mole. She has not made contact after her resurrection. What do you know of this?”

  “If she’s working for Augustus, I’m sure you won’t see her again.” Marcus shrugs, as if this doesn’t concern him.

  Grayson secures the tent flap, leaving just a handful of us still in the tent. Caleb stands next to him, arms folded, along with two other militia I don’t know. Kamali and Delphina remain near Commander Astoria, Tristan is busy glaring at me, and Basha’s small frame is on high alert next to Cyrus.

  Commander Astoria gestures around the nearly empty command tent. “I can now personally vouch for the people here. So tell me, Mr. Brighton, what is the nature of this threat you would have me fleeing the state to avoid?”

  I grit my teeth and glance at Marcus. He shakes his head no, but I need to do something to get her to move the Resistance. And to keep Kamali from following after me. “Augustus is planning something that will endanger everyone. That’s all I know right now. I’m going to do what I can, but I need you to move your people away from here, to someplace safe.”

  The commander gives me a pinched look. “In case you do not succeed.”

  “Yes.” Relief washes through me.

  She looks to Kamali. “You are one of the faces of the Resistance. Eli has already been… compromised. I do not wish to lose another symbol of what we are fighting for.”

  Kamali faces her full-on. “You can’t hold me here.”

  Commander Astoria looks genuinely pained at that. “Nor would I wish to, child.”

  Delphina edges in front of her mother. She’s kept quiet until now, but when she steps up to Kamali, I can see her weaken. If Delphina tells her to stay, she will. I hope. I hold in all the protests raging on the tip of my tongue, hoping Delphina will make my case for me.

  She has to reach up to touch Kamali’s cheek. “You know something you cannot share.”

  It’s not a question, but Kamali nods, just once.

  Delphina’s face softens. “You feel so strongly about this thing that you’re willing t
o risk your life for it?” She throws a quick glance at me, her fingertips still on Kamali’s cheek. “For him?”

  The room is holding its breath, as am I. No, no, no, is echoing through my head.

  “Some things require faith,” Kamali says, her lips trembling.

  Delphina’s eyes widen slightly. Then she uses both hands to pull Kamali’s face down to hers—she kisses one of Kamali’s cheeks, then the other.

  Delphina’s eyes are shining when she pulls back. “I expect you to survive and come back to us.”

  Kamali smiles through her rapid blinks. “I’ll do my best.”

  What in the— “No,” I shout, rapidly shaking my head and lurching toward them.

  Kamali and Delphina ignore me. Delphina turns to her mother. “A small group, only those with our greatest trust, and just volunteers.”

  To my horror, Commander Astoria nods in agreement. “We can spare a transport and arms, but whoever agrees to go should know the risk is high.”

  Tristan’s face is bright red, like he’s about to explode with a hundred things he wants to say. All that comes out is a terse, “I’m coming with you.” He says it to Kamali.

  She nods but drops her gaze to the floor.

  My mouth just hangs open. How is this happening?

  I whirl to face Marcus. His smug amusement makes me want to punch him, even if it would break my hand. “They don’t need to come,” I practically hiss at him. “That was not our deal.”

  He smirks. “Ms. LeClair appears to have intriguing information she wants to share.”

  I gape at him, but my stomach hollows out. He wants this.

  Grayson looks to Caleb and the other two militia by his side. They all give him quick nods, and he says to Commander Astoria, “Four isn’t much for an assault, but it’s enough to bring them all home.”

  She lets out a deep sigh and turns to her daughter. “I would prefer it if you stayed, Delphina.”

  “One of us needs to,” she says with a glance to Kamali.

  Leopold dips his head to Commander Astoria. “I promise to keep watch over Ms. LeClair, to the extent I can.”

  Kamali. Tristan. Leopold. Grayson. Caleb.