Through a Mirror, Darkly
Page 24
“We don’t have to be enemies, you know,” Laevus purred. “I think we’d make a wonderful team, you and I. Certainly, I couldn’t have inherited all of the intellect. I have a feeling that, deep down...really, really deep...you’re an intelligent guy. Just imagine what we could accomplish!”
Felix ignored him and rested his head in the crook of his elbow. He closed his eyes, but sleep evaded him.
The ship was cramped and cold. Tempers flared.
Eventually, they settled into an uncomfortable truce of silence.
As the fourth day of their journey dawned, his own feelings pushed aside, Felix resolved to diffuse the tension on board.
He began with Tobias, who sat tapping his foot, one eye twitching. “Hey, Toby.” Felix attempted to sound lighthearted. “What’s up?”
“He just stares,” said Tobias, his voice rising unnaturally high. “He stares, and sometimes he hums. He’s freaking me out.”
Felix glanced at Laevus, who met his gaze with unassuming innocence.
“You know what, ignore him. Get some rest.”
“Rest! Yes!” Tobias stood. “I swear, though, if he hums at me one more time, I’ll, I’ll...” his voice trailed off as he reached out, clasping an invisible neck, which he proceeded to throttle with gusto.
“We’ll be making landfall soon,” reported Bohai.
The Ambassador looked gaunt. Dark circles, whether from lack of sleep or an overabundance of guilt, ringed his eyes.
“Excellent!” Felix forced a smile. “All right, once we land—”
The little vessel pitched to the right as an enormous explosion rocked them. Tobias, who had still been gesticulating in the aisle, flew against the wall and crumpled to the floor.
“What was that?” Felix shouted to Bohai.
“I... I’m not sure,” Bohai admitted.
“I’d have to go with an explosion,” said Laevus lazily, unfazed by the violent rocking motion of the ship.
Penelope gasped and pointed. Tiny rivulets had formed beneath the porthole. “We’re taking on water!”
“Get us to the surface!” Felix yelled.
“Is that wise?” Ambrose asked. “Someone just tried to blow us up!”
Felix shook his head. “They either missed, or they weren’t aiming for us. It doesn’t matter. We won’t last long down here.”
He heard the sound of sand scraping their underbelly as they made contact with the shore. Another explosion rocked them, this one more powerful. Pain exploded inside his skull as his head smacked against the hull. Everything went dark.
***
A circle of bright sunlight bored through his eyelids, which protested his attempts to open them. When at last they surrendered, he peered through hazy vision up at the hatch, which stood open.
He pushed himself into a sitting position, feeling like he might be sick. He looked around. The others were either still knocked out or beginning to come to.
All, except one.
“Where is he?”
Felix felt his chest constricting in icy panic. He leapt to his feet and staggered to the hatch. Outside, the world seemed to be on fire. He pulled his sleeve over his face, choking on the acrid smell of burning.
“Where did he go?”
Somehow, Felix found himself laughing. Laughing as tears streamed down his face. It was too much.
“Where’s Laevus?”
Epilogue
THE roar of the crowd continued as Nelson approached the podium. He was now wishing that he’d spoken before Sylvia, whose heartfelt speech would be a hard act to follow.
There was a buzzing in his ear, but the crowd was too loud to make out what was being said.
Nelson looked to Sylvia, and could tell that she, too, had been contacted. He backed away from the podium, and spotted Edwin jogging up to meet them.
The silence of the lobby enveloped them as the doors snapped shut behind Edwin.
“What’s going on?” he asked. “I couldn’t hear.”
“I don’t know.” Nelson gestured for him to be quiet. “This is Nelson,” he said, addressing the comm. “What’s going on?”
“Nelson, it’s Killian. You guys need to get down to Pods right away. Something’s happening outside.”
“Outside the city?” Nelson repeated. “What’s happening out there?”
Sylvia clapped a hand over her mouth, horrified. “Ben’s out there!”
“We need Security,” Killian insisted. “Edwin had them all fall back to manage the crowds; there’s no one left down here. There are Elves outside. They’re fighting. Please, just hurry.”
Nelson stared at Edwin without seeing. “There are Elves outside.”
“Sweet Evenmire.” Edwin pivoted sharply, racing out the door. “Denton! Get your men in here, now!”
Sylvia’s face had taken on a sickly hue.
“Come on,” Nelson told her, making for the lift.
Killian was waiting for them.
“We were using the big viewer,” he explained without being asked. “And all of a sudden, people—Elves—started coming through the Gate. More than a dozen. I tried to get ahold of you, but when I couldn’t, I sent some guys up ahead—”
Sylvia pushed past him and Nelson followed at a sprint. They raced up the long tunnel, feeling the gradual chill growing stronger as they neared the exit. Up ahead they saw a small crowd stooped over someone lying on the ground.
“Ben!” Sylvia cried, dropping to her knees beside her brother. “Ben, you’re hurt!”
It took Nelson a moment to react. He instructed two of the men to go back for aid, then, remembering his comm, tapped it.
“Killian, we need a stretcher. Hurry.”
Denton’s men came thundering down the hall, passing the group huddled around Ben as they headed for the exit without pausing.
Nelson approached Sylvia and knelt beside her.
“Hey buddy,” he said. “What happened out there?”
Ben’s wound had been crudely bound, but he was coated in blood. His face was a pale mask of pain and anger.
“I need...to talk...to Edwin.” he panted. “We need...the pods.”
Sylvia nodded, tears streaming down her face. “Of course we’ll use the pods, Ben. You’re going to be fine. I’ll take care of you. Oh, I’m so sorry...”
Nelson wrapped an awkward arm around her as Ben shook his head.
“Not for me.”
“Ben, just save your strength. You can talk to Edwin when you’re healed.”
“I’m fine,” Ben insisted in a hiss, gritting his teeth. “There’s no time. We need to start now. Right now. There’s...” He cringed. “We need to...use the pods. Build an army. Before...they come. They’re coming, Syl.”
“Build an army...you mean the clones?”
Ben nodded, looking relieved at her understanding.
Two of the men had returned, a stretcher between them.
“What’s he talking about?” Nelson demanded of Sylvia.
Her reply was tired, worried. “It’s what the Elves were trying to do,” she explained. “They were trying to make clones, Nelson. That’s what the pods were really for. And Ben thinks he’s figured out how we can use them instead.”
Nelson watched as they carried Ben away, his friend’s words echoing eerily in his mind.
“They’re coming.”
About the Author
In the amount of time it takes you to read this, R.F. Hurteau will have finished yet another cup of coffee. More caffeine than human, she harnesses the powers of this magical bean juice to create stories that explore worlds unknown through the lens of that age old curiosity that drives all creatives: the human condition. She lives in New England with her husband, five kids, and an impressive array of animal friends. Her ultimate mission is to craft light, character-driven science fiction that is accessible to all, and by doing so slowly turn everyone into nerds. Is it working?
Connect at rfhurteau.com or on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram!
> Sneak Preview: Book Three
Antiquity’s Gate: Strands of Fate
“HURRY up! You’re going to make us late!”
Eli’s hand was poised over his left foot, a white sock dangling innocently as he sat frozen, staring in wonder at a large bird on his windowsill. It was a rare sight, and he’d been afraid any sudden movement might startle it.
His sister’s voice rang out again from the intercom. “What’s taking you so long?”
Eli shifted his gaze to the green light on the speaker near his bedroom door, scowling at it.
“You’re going to scare it,” Eli hissed under his breath, knowing the stupid machine wouldn’t pick up such a faint whisper.
When he turned back, the bird was gone.
Eli tried to sear the sight into his memory. Black feathers, reflecting purple and blue like the oil slicked ponds of the dead zones. The way it cocked its head and gave him a knowing look.
He would cherish every detail, only regretting that the experience had been so fleeting.
He finished shoving his foot into his sock and stood, marching to the door, which slid away at his approach. He glared accusingly at the place where it disappeared into the wall before shouting down the stairs.
“I was busy! And why do you insist on using that stupid thing all the time? I can hear you just fine without it, it’s not like this place is so enormous or anything.”
Eli and his sister had been placed in corporate orphan housing almost two years ago, but it still didn’t feel like home. The automatic doors, as well as many other amenities, had been touted by their parents as a wonderful upgrade when compared to their old home in Gables.
But he would have given almost anything to go back to their “low tech” home in the suburbs.
At least they’d been together there. At least they’d been a real family.
“Maybe I just don’t want to shout, unlike some people!” Mabel retorted, appearing at the base of the stairs.
She had one hand planted on her hip, the other holding up a somewhat floppy-looking sandwich with harried expectancy. Her sleek curls bobbed as they brushed against her shoulders, mirroring her impatience and reminding him of the shimmering bird with the way they caught the light.
Eli deliberately took his time coming down the stairs, bringing his foot down hard on each step to underscore his displeasure. Childish, perhaps. But he was irritated, and he wanted her to know it. He snatched the sandwich from her waiting hand and took a bite, glaring at her all the while. Large brown eyes stared back at him, unwavering, until at last his will to argue drained away.
Mabel had an uncanny ability to rile him up and calm him down again whenever she pleased. It seemed almost a game to her, sometimes.
“Saw a bird,” Eli told her through a mouthful of what tasted like mostly bread, brushing past her as he hunted for his shoes. “On my windowsill.”
“Oh yeah?” Mabel tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to where the toe of one sneaker stuck out from beneath the white sofa. Her voice sounded distracted, but with a hint of genuine interest. “What kind?”
“Crow, I think.” Eli turned the sandwich over in his hand, looking for a good place to take a bite. “Raven maybe. Anything on this, or did you just put two pieces of bread together and call it a day?”
Mabel gave an insulted sniffle and stuck her lip out in a pout.
“You’re welcome.” Her tone was haughty as she grabbed the back of his head with one hand and forced him bodily in the direction of the shoes he’d been continuing to ignore. “And it’s got cheese. We have to make everything last till the stipend comes in on Thursday, so just try to be grateful.”
Eli shrugged. “I’m trying,” he insisted, eyes widening in an expression of feigned innocence. “You just don’t make it very easy, that’s all.”
You can find out more about how Eli & Mabel fit into this tale by checking out Antiquity’s Gate: Strands of Fate here.
A Note from the Author
I was hoping you’d be back! You’ve drifted farther into my world with Through a Mirror, Darkly, the second installment in my Antiquity’s Gate series. I’m sure for every question I’ve answered, I’ve given you two new ones to think about. I’m sure because that was my intention! I hope you can forgive me. It’ll be worth it in the end.
I loved sharing this story with you. It feels like Felix has had to grow up very quickly in a short amount of time, and he’s certainly had to deal with a lot of heartbreak. But I think he’s doing well. Would you agree?
If you enjoyed reading this book, I would greatly appreciate if you would take a few moments to leave a review. Indie authors depend on the honest reviews of readers like you to help spread awareness of their works! It would mean a lot to me.
I love talking to my readers! Feel free to contact me directly at r.hurteau@outlook.com or connect with me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, where I’m @rfhurteau.
Sincerely,
R.F
More Books in this Series: Book 1
Antiquity’s Gate: Three Days Till Dawn
History would not remember Ripley Prior.
More in this Series: Book 3
Antiquity’s Gate: Strands of Fate
Even the sky has boundaries.
More in this Series: Book 4
Coming November 26, 2019!
Antiquity's Gate: Memoirs of the Forgotten
Even the sky has boundaries.