by Dana Gricken
As if it had punctured my very being.
I heard Jacob call my name right before the pain became too much, and I blacked out in the Grove.
7
The Ransom
When I woke up, I was still groggy and in pain. I opened my eyes, glancing around the room. I was in the medical bay of the headquarters, lying on an uncomfortable hospital bed. To my left, Wanda was still peacefully sleeping, but Lara was no longer in the bed on my right. Her injury must’ve healed already.
I looked down at my wound. It still burned, as if my skin had been stung by acid. Whatever ammunition the Guardian had was strong—stronger than anything I’d ever felt. If I were being honest, my survival surprised me.
I heard whispered voices in the corridor and strained my ears to hear them better.
“I knew we shouldn’t have let Riley go back there,” I heard Patrick say. “Once was enough. Her luck was up!”
“What’s done is done,” Caleb growled. “Will she be okay, Doctor?”
“Yes, I think so,” Violet replied, and I breathed a sigh of relief. “Though her wounds were serious and she lost a lot of blood, I managed to stabilize her. I have to say, though: It’s a deep injury, unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It’s almost as if…she was dying on the inside before I healed her.”
“I believe I can explain why,” I heard Dahlia say. “I’ll wait until Riley has recovered before I tell her the truth.”
“Good to see you’re awake,” Jacob said to me, walking out of the shadows. I hadn’t even noticed he was in the room. “Eavesdropping, are we?”
I chuckled, then winced in pain. “Maybe. What happened?”
“The Guardian did something to you,” Jacob replied. “While it was recharging, I grabbed you and ran for the exit. We barely made it out in time. That thing is still down there.”
“And Angel? Did the Darkhound make it?” I asked, sitting up.
Jacob nodded. “Don’t worry, Riley. He’s fine. King Bane is watching over him.”
“What about the Purity Crystals? Do we have enough for everyone?”
“Yes, Riley. I gave them to Dahlia already,” Jacob replied, pushing me back down on the bed. “You need to rest. Quit it with the twenty questions, okay?”
A second later, a group of people flooded the room. Mom was first, followed by Violet, the Healer, and Caleb. Dahlia and Patrick shuffled in after, shutting the door behind them.
“When I heard the news, I was so worried,” Mom said, rushing to my side. “You’ve already been in this bed once before. I wanted you to be more careful!”
“I thought I was being careful,” I replied. “I didn’t expect the Guardian to be there. I didn’t expect it to hurt so badly, either.”
“There’s a reason for that,” Dahlia said. “With Violet’s help, I have examined your wound. The Guardian’s weapons were modified with the same material used in Deathblades—the Death Crystal.”
That was why it was so painful—and had almost been fatal. A Deathblade had struck me for the first time since I had become soulless. It was a good thing it had missed my heart, or the Samaritans would be missing a General.
It was the worst pain imaginable. I couldn’t believe I had inflicted that on soulless in the past. It made me feel like a monster.
“How the hell is that possible?” Patrick asked. “We use daggers for a reason. Simple and cheap. Didn’t think the Death Crystal could be turned into bombs and other weapons.”
“Let me explain it. In every Deathblade, a Death Crystal from the Grove is present—as you know already,” Dahlia said, pulling out my dagger to show the group. “It’s deeply embedded in the blade. However, if someone were to learn how to remove it…”
“They could use it in other weapons,” I said. “Like guns or bombs, or worse. This isn’t good, guys.”
“The Deathblade used to be the only thing that could kill a soulless. Now we’ll have to be more careful,” Caleb said. “But who would do this? It couldn’t have been the Cardinal or the Dark Queen. It’d be too risky for them to come into contact with a Deathblade.”
“You don’t need to wonder,” I replied. “It was the Darkhunters, without a doubt.”
The room was silent for a moment. I ignored the throbbing in my side and waited for their questions to begin.
“The Darkhunters?” Patrick asked, crossing his arms over his chest. “You holding out on us again, kid?”
I sighed. I realized I hadn’t mentioned the Darkhunters, either. There was no way to talk myself out of this one—and no way to avoid their anger again.
“Okay, fine. I kept them from you,” I said, and Patrick scoffed. “But what was I supposed to say? I had no information about them, other than the fact Spencer was involved. I didn’t know if they were going to be a threat or not.”
But like everything in New York City, they were.
“Spencer…Holland? Are you sure?” Mom asked. “I’ve known that boy since he was a baby. He couldn’t hurt a fly!”
I shook my head. “Don’t you remember his surgery? When the power went out, and it left him with brain damage? He’s changed, Mom. He isn’t the same person we knew.”
And my heart ached when I said it out loud.
Violet nodded. “Add the grief of Elaina’s loss, and it would be enough to drive anyone crazy.”
“Still, there’s one thing I don’t understand,” Caleb began. “Why would they have visited the Grove? And what’s the purpose of giving the Guardian improved firepower?”
My eyes went wide as it dawned on me. “They must know about our partnership with the soulless. They probably assumed we’d return to the Grove to collect more crystals, and decided to leave a little present for us. It’s a warning—a show of what they can do.”
And just how far they’d go.
“What’s their mission?” Jacob asked. “Their motivation?”
“It’s simple—kill as many soulless as possible. That’s the impression I got from Spencer,” I replied. “I don’t know if they’re aware I’m soulless yet. If not, they could be persuaded to think I’d help them. It might work to our advantage.”
Caleb scoffed. “Work to our advantage? Why?”
“Because I want to find them—and stop whatever stupid army they’re planning.”
“Army? Isn’t it just Spencer?” Mom asked.
I shook my head. “No, there are a few others with him. Civilians, I think. I also saw Michael and Rachel Price. Something about Rachel always bothered me…”
Patrick swallowed. “Did you say…Price? Are you sure?”
“Pretty sure. Spencer introduced them to me, in fact. Why? Does the name sound familiar?”
He looked away. “No. Course not, kid.”
As I rose to my feet, Jacob tried to hold me down. I pushed him off, thankful my Sentinel implants were still strong and easy to use. Maybe it wasn’t a big deal I didn’t have a soulless power as long as I had them.
“Riley, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be up on your feet again,” Violet said. “You were just hit by a Death Crystal, and you’ve lost a lot of blood. Anyone would need time to recover from that.”
“Agreed. Want to use Health Crystals,” the Healer added. “You need rest. Sleep.”
I waved them off, pulling on my armor that sat next to my bed. “I can’t afford to be hurt. Our people need a General.”
“Speaking of that, I think we should have a second in charge, don’t you?” Patrick asked. “Not saying anything will happen to you, kid, but just in case…”
I nodded. “You’re right. If I die, Caleb will be your new General.”
Caleb stood up straighter, prouder. “It would be an honor, Riley—though I hope it never comes to that.”
I nodded again. I did too.
Patrick scoffed. “Him? Tall, dark, and soulless? Come on, Riley! No one’s going to take him seriously—especially not the scared soulful.”
“I made my decision, Patrick,” I replied, walking
toward the door. “If you’ll excuse me, there are a million things I need to do today.”
As I entered the lobby, Angel came barreling toward me. These days, he was one of the few that were actually happy to see me. After I showed him I was okay, I walked over to King Bane.
King Bane was busy placing the Purity Crystals around the necks of the Resistance and Remnant members. They glared at him but didn’t protest. Sasha stood nearby, watching closely. I could see her amber crystal glowing around her neck, which meant one less crystal we needed to use.
“They’ve been exposed to the Purity Crystal for a while now,” Bane said, once he’d noticed I had approached. “But now, they have finally agreed to wear it around their necks.”
“I’m only doing this to save my baby,” Ivy muttered, and I remembered the snake I had put in the box. I hoped it was still alive. “Don’t get any ideas.”
“You might want to move to a safe distance, Miss Stark,” King Bane said, stepping back.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because the process of becoming a half-soul can be…physical.”
As soon as I took a step back, the others began to convulse and mumble incoherently. It was like a demon had possessed them. I tried to move forward to help them, but Bane held me back.
“No,” Bane whispered. “This must happen. It did with all of us.”
Had it? I hadn’t been awake to see my transition. I wondered what I’d looked like, and if it had terrified the people around me. Maybe that was why they hadn’t mentioned it.
When they stopped convulsing, they fell to the floor, unmoving. Bane smiled. “It is complete. They are now half-souls.”
“Ivy? Mercer? Alexandria?” I asked. “Can any of you hear me?”
A crowd had formed now, mostly of curious soulful eager to see what had happened. The Resistance members slowly rose to their feet, looking tired and confused.
“I feel…” Captain Mercer began before he frowned. “I can’t quite explain it.”
“Like a blind man able to see for the first time?” Bane asked. “As if colors you never knew existed surround you?”
“How did you know?” Alexandria asked, wide-eyed.
Bane chuckled. “I, just like you, was reluctant to take the Purity Crystal once. But when I did, I realized emotions weren’t a terrible thing. In fact, they are one of the few soulful advantages I admire the most.”
Ivy sighed. “While it pains me terribly to admit it…perhaps the Purity Crystal isn’t such a bad idea. The Primal’s voice is quieter, and my thoughts are clearer. I don’t feel as awful as I thought I would.”
Dahlia walked over, nodding in approval. “While it will take some time for the full effects to sink in, they are well on their way to making progress. Congratulations, Riley. We should let them rest now.”
I smiled. I knew the Purity Crystal could help them. They would see I was right one day, and realize this was the best thing for them—and the best thing for the civilians who were helpless to their powers.
I had to wonder: Would the Dark Queen benefit from the Purity Crystal? What about the Cardinal? If we could give them a conscience, maybe this war would stop.
“Think I’ll keep an eye on them,” Patrick whispered, walking closer. “I don’t trust them, Riley. Take away the crystal, and bam! Back to square one. All evil and immoral.”
“Then you must think the same about me,” I replied, pointing at the Purity Crystal around my neck. “If I stop wearing this, I won’t have a conscience. I’ll be just as immoral as the Dark Queen.”
Patrick scoffed. “Hey, that’s not what I meant. You’re different, kid—and you know it.”
“Am I?” I whispered, looking back at the Resistance members. “If Caleb hadn’t knocked me out, I would’ve been in their position—a slave to the Primal’s voice. The crystal freed me, Patrick. It gave me a sense of right and wrong again. I know it can do the same for all the soulless.”
Patrick grumbled under his breath, but stopped arguing with me. It blew my mind that he was willing to accept me, but not other soulless. We were practically the same now.
As the Resistance members rested and everyone else returned to their work, I took some time to think. I needed to lure the Darkhunters to us somehow, but what could I do? I had no idea where they were or how to get in contact with them.
I groaned. Why couldn’t anything be easy?
Lara walked over, carrying a note in her hands. She looked much better than the last time I’d seen her. “Sorry to interrupt, but I have something you’ll totally want to see.”
As I took the letter from her, my eyebrows furrowed. “What is it?”
“It just arrived. Our guards say people in black uniforms dropped it off, but they left before we could catch them. Go ahead, open it. I want to see it too.”
As I tore the envelope open, I saw a small piece of paper inside. It contained an address on it that led to a back alley several streets over. It was close, but still far enough away that we’d have to drive.
Jacob walked over, his cell phone in hand. “I’ve got something.”
“Is it the Dark Queen? Did you finally track her down?”
Jacob shook his head. “Sadly, no. That one’s tough to crack, but this one was easy—it’s a message sent straight to my voicemail. I’m sure you’ll recognize the voice.”
A voice bellowed from Jacob’s phone. It belonged to Spencer, but his voice had deepened. It was angrier, darker.
“Hello, Riley,” Spencer said. “I’ve been waiting patiently to see you again.”
As the voice played, a crowd formed behind us. Everyone wanted to hear the mysterious message left for me.
“I want us to meet up. I know you’re desperate to find us after we reprogrammed the Guardian. That’s right—we know you were there,” Spencer continued. “Follow the address in the letter at midnight. If you want to see your dad again, you’ll take Patrick with you and no one and nothing else—not even weapons. Your dad will die if you don’t. See you soon.”
The message cut out, fading into static. Jacob turned off his cell phone. “I gave him my cell number when he became a Sentinel. You know, just in case he needed my help. I never thought he’d use it for this…”
Caleb rushed over, concern written on his face. “It’s an obvious trap, Riley. You can’t meet them without backup or weapons. If they could reprogram the Guardian, what else can they do?”
Caleb was right. It did sound dangerous, especially when we knew how crazy the Darkhunters were. But given the circumstances, I had already made up my mind.
“They have my dad,” I replied. “And that means I have no choice.”
Patrick scoffed. “And you believe them? It could be a lie—a trick to lure and kill you. You can’t trust them, kid!”
“And what if you’re wrong? What if they have Dad and they kill him because I didn’t go?” I asked, raising my voice.
The silence was sharp. They knew how important Dad was to me and the Samaritans. We couldn’t leave one of our own behind, and everyone knew that deep down.
I wished I could punch Dad right now for leaving in the first place.
“I can see you want to go,” Caleb began. “Maybe I would too if the tables were turned. Let’s take a moment to plan this out, instead of your usual way of rushing into things without thinking.”
“Rushing without thinking? I don’t do that!”
Patrick sighed. “You do, kid. Hate to break it to you.”
“Well, fine,” I mumbled. “Let’s hear your bright idea, then.”
“You and Patrick will head to the address, as promised,” Caleb began. “A small group of soulless will trail you on the rooftops, hidden from street level. I’m very good at staying in the shadows, if you remember.”
I did. Caleb had saved me from a group of Remnant when they had cornered me in a back alley. He reminded me of Batman, swooping in to save a person in need. I had no doubt he could stay hidden, but I still had concerns.
/> “What if they find you?” I asked. “What if it jeopardizes our mission? Or what if you get hurt?”
Caleb sighed. “When it comes to your safety, Riley, we’ll have to take that chance.”
“And my safety too, thank you very much,” Patrick mumbled. “Why do they want me, anyway? I’m nothing special.”
Patrick was right. He was a Vanguard and a good soldier, but compared to everyone else here, he seemed less relevant. Spencer had a grudge against Caleb. Why didn’t he want him to come, or one of the soulless? Why Patrick in particular?
Then it hit me. “You were acting weird when I mentioned the name Price. Do you think that could be the reason they want to see you?”
Patrick’s face fell. “I hope not, but damn it…I think you’re right.”
“Will you finally tell me what you know about the Prices?” I asked. When Patrick was silent, I moved closer. “Look, these people are with Spencer, and they seem to be influencing him. If there’s something that could help me, I need to know—not just for our sake, but for my best friend’s too.”
Patrick sighed. “You drive a hard bargain, kid. Fine, I’ll tell you everything. But can we do it on the way? Time’s ticking, and I like the idea less the more we stand around.”
8
The Darkhunters
We waited until 11:30 p.m. before we mobilized. Waiting felt like agony, as I was desperate to see Dad again and finally confront Spencer. Combine that with my exhaustion, and I had no idea how I was still standing.
Patrick avoided me like the plague all evening, staying tight-lipped on the whole Price situation. Whatever he wanted to tell me seemed important, and I was hoping it would give me an edge against Spencer and his new friends.
I wanted Spencer back—whether he was different or not—and I was ready to do anything to make it happen.
“Give me your armor and daggers,” Caleb told Patrick and I in the barracks. “We’ll keep them with us. If you need them, we’ll be a roof or two away to give them to you.”