by Ciara Knight
I knew Ryder hated explaining himself, but I was glad he had. Hopefully, Penton would take his advice and wouldn’t exhaust himself when he took over again.
As we traversed the rocky pathway between the rubble of bombed-out buildings, we maintained a tight group. If a fight happened, we could form a circle, protecting Raeth in its center.
A few minutes later, the captain lifted his hand and we halted, clustered together. Brandishing his weapon, he motioned us pass a dark alleyway. “Stay in center, in the sun.”
Ryder stalled. “Can’t connect to the mist or control it like Raeth. But if those things get any closer, is it safe to drain their life force?”
Paulson shook his head. “Best not to try.”
“What? Ryder did it last night,” I said, just short of a screech.
Ryder eyed the alleyway. “I feel their life force. It isn’t normal. It’s altered, and they’re massing in the darkness.”
Captain Paulson waved us on. “You were lucky. Don’t do it again. I’ve seen lots of strange things with this mist. I’ve seen it take down a hundred men in seconds.”
I stepped over a boulder. “But you said it’s weaker now.”
Crunch.
I lifted my boot, expecting a stick, and discovered the long white bones of a hand, one finger broken into several chards. I fought the drive to cry out for this lost soul, but why? Given the fighting and death I’d witnessed and participated in, this small hand didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. Yet, in my heart, it counted.
“As I said, you were lucky last night. This toxin is unpredictable. Our scientists have spent years researching and attempting to find a cure. When any of us have gotten infected, they’ve tried their latest vaccines. All they’ve come up with is the drug they’ll administer to your sister. Infected individuals need to be quickly sedated. If the drug’s given within the first few minutes of exposure, it’s able to stop the viral elements from reproducing, and while in a coma, the victim’s systems flush toxins from the body.”
“But Raeth won’t get it for hours,” Ryder growled as Penton gasped.
As Paulson’s gaze met theirs, he looked haunted. “The theory of slowing her system down is sound. It’ll slow the rate of the cells multiplying. If we keep moving, we might make it in time.”
The captain’s words penetrated, yet I couldn’t take my eyes from the single little hand sticking out from under the boulder.
Had the child died in the original bombing, or…suffered a worse fate?
Ryder pressed his palm to the small of my back, nudging me forward, but I didn’t move. “What’s wrong?”
“We need to keep moving,” the captain ordered. “It’s important we make it to the river before the mist intensifies. There’s nothing we can do for anyone left in this city. However, we can and do make a difference at the Arc.”
Slipping his arm around my shoulder, Ryder urged me forward. My feet trudged through the rubble, but my mind remained on the small hand. Had my father imagined the death, destruction, and genetic mutation that would plague the world when he led the Neumarians in a war against the queen? If so, why had he gone forward?
Thump…thump…thump.
The death of my mother, her head rolling across the floor, echoed in my head. If I hated the queen enough to wish her dead, I could only imagine Harrison’s reaction. He might have had enough fury to risk the destruction I’d witnessed these last several months. I’d only just remembered my mother’s death, but I suspected the sound of Lanena’s murder had haunted Harrison for over ten years.
Penton held out his hands. “I can take her, now.”
“Later. You’ll need your strength when she wakes up if you’re gonna care for her.”
Penton’s scrunched-over shoulders lifted. A new energy shone in his eyes, even through his goggles. “Thank you.”
Bendar smacked Penton’s hand. “Won over. Not easy.”
“No. Not at all,” I added.
“We need to move. Now!” the captain shouted. We picked up our pace, hurrying as fast as we could over the rubble while still staying together.
After thirty minutes, Captain Paulson pivoted, his gaze searching behind us. “Two more blocks to the river,” he said, his voice low, barely above a whisper. “Time is of the essence. Don’t pause or stop. Just move. Fast.”
Relief welled within me as we marched forward, passing an alley at the end of a building. Only a few more meters and we’d be safe on the water.
A second later, the sun slipped between the dark clouds of royal blue mist, and the Wasters’ whispering torment increased.
“We don’t have much time left,” I told everyone. “They’re hungry and I’m worried—”
An engine revved on the glistening waterway up ahead. I scanned the dock for our transportation, and spotted the queen’s emblem on the side of an aircraft hovering over a boat.
“Get back and hide,” Paulson commanded in a harsh whisper, shoving us into an opening between buildings as the scout ships circled the river.
“Trap?” Ryder asked, passing Raeth back to Penton, helping him settle her over his shoulder.
Bendar peered between us. “No. Scouts. Stay.”
“Not an option,” Penton whispered.
I followed his wide-eyed stare to the darkness behind us. Dozens of shining eyes blinked.
We formed two lines. One faced the street while the other prepared to handle an attack from the rear. Penton squatted between us, shielding Raeth.
The captain aimed his weapon at the alley behind us. Ryder spun to the left and right, watching for signs of movement, his fingers arched at the creatures.
“No. It’s toxic,” I reminded Ryder. “I won’t let you.”
The captain fired one shot, illuminating the alleyway. Hundreds of flesh-eating creatures filled the large bombed-out buildings on either side of us. They hung from beams and crumbled stone, snarling and hissing. I almost stumbled into the street, but caught myself.
Suddenly, the cloaked figures charged forward.
Food! Eat!
Chapter Twenty-Two
Useless in the fight against the Wasters, I faced the queen’s scout ships. How had her iron fist reached us here? Looking between the scout ship and the Wasters she’d created, threatening all our lives, my hatred erupted. “No more.” I locked my gaze on the ship hovering over the waterway.
It had been months since I used my gift with such abandon. Fear of melting the Freedom while in the depths of the ocean kept me from practicing. Now, I faced the task of destroying the scout ship while leaving our escape boat unharmed. While we could figure out another way to the Arc if needed, it would mean Raeth’s death. And that would crush us all.
My gift whirled inside my core, heating my vertebrae one by one. A spark flicked my lowest rib, lighting the inferno of energy waiting to be released.
The implant in the back of my head fought for my attention, the sound of the Wasters’ triumphant chanting growing more incessant. I enfolded into my own world, ignoring the flashes of orange light, the faint searing and sizzling, and released my gift.
A narrow beam of energy touched and encircled the scout ship’s metal skin, ravaging it with a hunger that surpassed the Wasters. The wings collapsed into molten slag that oozed and dropped onto the surface of the water, sizzling in great plumes of steam. Then the center of the craft dissolved and, looking like bright red-orange lava, plummeted into the water.
Energy rebounded, entering me through my outstretched arms, and, in the process, quenching my thirst for metal. The one thing I’d spent my life hating, now fueled my gift and invigorated me to the point I thought I’d fly. It surged through my veins in a heated comfort I’d never experienced.
Seeking metal, it slid through my body and morphed into something entirely different. Only two thoughts consumed me―protect our craft and my friends. Energy surged to my fingers. Fisting them, I pivoted and faced the Wasters. Without thinking, I released it at the hissing, hungr
y creatures.
A strobe of yellow and orange ignited the area.
Light! No! Pain! Stop! Guttural cries filtered through my implant.
Ignoring their pleas, I forced the remaining remnants of power and laughed as snarling and rippling, the Wasters turned on one another, attacking and fighting for their own salvation.
As the last bolt of energy flew free, I sank to the ground. Every atom of my body throbbed in protest at my abuse after months of atrophy. That I saved us, even in my weakened state, awed and frightened me.
Darkness had returned to the alley, the Wasters’ cries silenced.
Grinning, Ryder wrapped his arms around me and lifted me into the air. “Amazing.”
“Wow.” Even through the breather, I could hear the awe in the captain’s muffled voice.
Surprise at what I’d accomplished finally hit me as my body warmed with the realization and knowledge that undiscovered abilities lay dormant, just waiting to be unleashed. What power, I wondered, would show itself if I practiced?
Ryder helped Penton up and placed Raeth in his arms. Then he gathered me to him and carried me in the cradle of his embrace. “Let’s go.”
As the captain approached the boat, a door slid along the brushed metallic hull, exposing the dim interior. Once aboard, we removed our masks. Penton settled Raeth on a long, gold cushioned bench as Ryder took the other end, sitting with me on his lap. Wooden shelves rested on brass supports, flanking two large, gold lined windows.
Captain Paulson grinned. “We best get moving. We don’t want to run into any more of the queen’s scouts.”
Bendar patted my knee. “Proud.” Before I could say a word, he joined the captain at the front windshield and focused his attention on the controls.
As I relaxed against Ryder’s chest, he tipped my chin up and kissed me, first on my forehead, then the tip of my nose, and finally, my lips. Each touch of his lips soothed my nerves, left me in a puddle of longing, and the creatures’ mantra finally faded into oblivion.
I looked over at Penton and took in his increasingly worried expression. “How is she?”
“I’m not sure. I thought when her fever broke, it meant she was getting better. But now it’s back.”
I scooted off Ryder’s lap, slid down the sofa-bench, and brushed Raeth’s hair from her forehead. “She’ll be fine.”
“I’m scared,” Penton choked, wiping away gushing tears with the back of his hand.
I rubbed his arm. “We all are. But Captain Paulson said they’ll administer the antidote as soon as we get to the Arc. For now, she’s sedated. That will slow the toxins.”
“I know. But I won’t stop worrying until she wakes and I see her smile back at me.” Penton scooted under Raeth, rested her head on his lap, and lightly traced her finely arched eyebrows. “I’m a man. I’m supposed to protect her. I hate being helpless, unable to do anything for her. I’ve lost everyone from when I was young. I’ve seen family and friends executed, marched to the center of the square and gunned down. Never has my chest been so tight I thought my heart would break.” He gasped. “I can’t lose her.”
“You won’t. She’s strong. And your being with her is all she needs. Trust me. She knows you love her. That’s giving her the strength to fight this. And, Penton, that’s all she wants.”
He squeezed my hand, but never moved his gaze from her face. Sniffling, he dipped his chin to his chest to hide his tear-streaked cheeks.
“Things are different now. She’s strong, part of the Triune. This toxin won’t take her down. I’ve seen her face much worse. Trust me. I know in my heart she’ll be okay.”
He nodded, but pulled her tight to his chest.
I returned to Ryder, curled up on his lap, and nuzzled his neck. “You all right?” I murmured.
“Believe it or not, I am. I know she’s gonna be fine. That sister of mine is one tough girl. Like you.”
“Really? You think I’m strong?”
“More than anyone I know.” Ryder stroked my hair.
The boat roared to life and shot forward, skipping along the surface of the water. Ryder grabbed me and clamped me to him to prevent us from flying about the cabin as the boat barreled down the open waterway toward the Arc.
“What do you think he’ll be like?” I asked.
“Your father?” At my nod, Ryder kissed and hugged me to him. “He’ll be awesome.”
“Why do you think that?”
Ryder stroked his thumb up and down my shoulder. “Because he’s your dad. That alone makes him amazing.”
I smacked his chest. “You’re impossible.”
“So I’ve been told.”
I turned and straddled him, resting my hands against his chest. “I’m scared. Most of my life, I’ve thought he was dead. Now, in the past few months I’ve learned my father’s alive and all my childhood memories were implanted. Except for Bendar’s love, nothing before I met you and Raeth was true.”
Ryder brushed my hair from my face. “I’d do anything to see my parents again…just once, and you get to.”
“I understand how you feel, I really do. But imagine if you discovered today that they were alive, and then you learned everything you thought about your childhood was a lie.”
Ryder patted my knee. “That isn’t possible. I saw them beheaded. There’s no chance they’re alive now.”
“I know, but just imagine it was possible. How would you feel?”
His brow furrowed and he scrubbed his chin. “Confused, I guess. But, I’d still take one or both of my parents any way I could get them.”
It was easy for him to say that. His parents’ hadn’t implanted false memories, led a rebellion, and abandoned him into the hands of a wicked aunt. Ryder loved me, and I knew he’d be at my side regardless of what happened with Harrison. But he hadn’t lived my life and didn’t understand my emotional turmoil.
Ryder pulled my head to his chest. “Don’t think so much. It’ll all be fine. Rest. Soon, we’ll be in safe hands.”
Would we?
I stared out the window over his shoulder, studying the carnage lining the banks of the river. Over turned ships with rusted hulls, crumbled buildings, their large blocks littering the shore.
Kilometer after kilometer, everything I saw was barren, lifeless land. No plants, no life of any kind. What had happened here? I couldn’t absorb what I was seeing. I’d grown up surrounded by destruction due to the queen’s actions, but at least her citizens attempted to rebuild. So, why hadn’t these people?
“We’re getting close,” Paulson shouted out.
Bendar’s stool wobbled left then right as he hopped off it and trotted over to Raeth. “Little one. Strong.”
“Yes, she is,” I said, leaning forward. Raeth’s dented, weathered metal leg caught my attention. The leg the queen had implanted on her.
The world had attacked Raeth with claws of hatred and ignorance. She was a Neumarian who had survived a Slag implant. As a result, she’d suffered more in life due to her heritage and that shiny, metal leg than I ever had at the queen’s hand.
Paulson yelled over his shoulder, “Don’t be alarmed by the guards who’ll board and search you.”
“Search us?” I asked.
“Yes. Eight months ago, a suicide bomber took out a dozen of our friends. Tight security has been enforced since and outsiders aren't trusted until they’ve proven themselves.”
Ryder cocked his head to the side. “Even the daughter of the rebellion’s leader?”
The captain raised an eyebrow. “If you were the queen, what weapon would you send to take out the ENR?”
“Weapon? Me?” Could it be true? It was something the queen would do. It was perverted enough to appeal to her. And if she’d turned me into a weapon, Harrison’s murderer, she would accomplish three things without personal risk. Exact her revenge on Harrison, destroy the resistance, and get rid of me.
Spotting Ryder’s mounting anger at this perceived insult, I raised a hand, silencing him. “Ca
ptain Paulson’s right. Knowing my aunt and her actions, we can only assume she’s capable of this. While I believe I’m exactly who we think I am, it’s prudent to take these precautions.”
Ryder cradled my cheek. “No, Baby. Not possible. I see your soul, your love. It’s pure and that witch couldn’t have altered you to the point where you’d kill your own father.”
“No? Then why have we survived every attempt made on our lives? How, over these last few months, have we avoided being caught or noticed by one of her scout ships? Couldn’t she be tracking us, waiting for us to lead her straight to the ENR? Even when we arrived at Captain Paulson’s ship there were scout ships present. How did they locate us?”
Ryder’s eyes widened and I saw the glint of belief that what I said was true. “No. It’s not possible.”
“I see it in your eyes. You’re wondering, too.”
The captain halted in front of me. “Semara, if you think this is a possibility, I’ll need to separate you from the others. We can’t risk bringing you into the Arc. There’s a secure location outside, but I warn you, it is a make shift prison and interrogation facility.”
Ryder pushed himself between us. “This is unacceptable. We did not escape the Tower only to be imprisoned in Middle Europe. Is this how the ENR works? Trading sides and torturing your own?”
Paulson’s jaw hardened. “There is no need to be alarmed. We are not the Upper European Council. Semara will not be interrogated. Her treatment will be that due royalty. Her stay in the secure location will last only until you are cleared. The rest of you will remain at the Arc while we sort this out.”
Ryder’s glare confirmed his rejection of Paulson’s peace offering. “I refuse to leave Semara’s side. I swore on my honor and my love that I’d never desert her and I’m not starting now.”
“It’s okay, Ryder.” I slid between the two angry men. “I’ll be fine. And it’s temporary, correct?” I asked the captain.
“Yes. Your father won’t accept anything less. Once we’ve proven you don’t have an implanted tracker and your brain hasn’t been altered, you’ll be cleared and can enter the Arc. Also, it’s critical we get Raeth to the doctors and cured. Then the Triune can be reunited as prophesied.”