by Dana Gricken
Patrick sighed before the two of us handed them over. “I don’t like this one bit, kid. Never good to trust a soulless.”
“Caleb isn’t just any soulless—he’s one of us now,” I replied. “I trust him. I know he’ll keep our things safe. Besides, it seems like Spencer and the Darkhunters are the real threat.”
“Speaking of that, do you know what they want from you?” Caleb asked. “Other than to give your father back?”
I shook my head. “No—and that’s the scary part. Whatever it is, I won’t give in to their demands. They’re terrorists now, as far as I’m concerned.”
The door to the barracks swung open. King Bane, Ruby, and Jade walked in behind us. They were dressed in dark cloaks just like Caleb, allowing them to blend in with the blackness of the night.
King Bane bowed. “We’re at your service, Miss Stark. I certainly hope you won’t require us, however.”
“What can you tell us about the Darkhunters?” Ruby asked. “Any weaknesses we should know about?”
I sighed. “I know nothing, really. One thing is obvious—they’re afraid of us. If they weren’t, they wouldn’t have to lure me out with the promise of releasing my dad. They probably know we outnumber and out power them.”
“How should we proceed?” Bane asked.
“Carefully. They’re still human, after all. Your orders are not to hurt them. I want them alive for questioning.”
Jade scoffed. “Oh, yeah? What if they try to kill us first? Are we still supposed to be pacifists?”
“Then you’ll subdue them,” I replied, firmly. “I mean it, Jade. No killing. Spencer and the Darkhunters know about the Cardinal, and they could have more information.”
“They do?” Caleb asked. “How is that possible? Soulful know nothing of our legends.”
“Funny how they knew before me,” Patrick mumbled.
“Hey—they knew before me too,” I replied. “Spencer first told me about him. I don’t know how, but they know. And that’s exactly why I want them alive—not just because Spencer was my best friend.”
“And if this all goes to Hell?” Patrick asked. “You have a backup plan, kid?”
I nodded. “Yes. Stay alive.”
Patrick snorted. “I told you that in the Depths. Don’t steal my line!”
I grinned. Making light of the situation helped to ease my nerves a little.
“But seriously,” I began, “if somehow we die or get captured, those people out there will have no one to guide them.” I looked down the hallway, gazing at the crowd in the lobby. “And peace between the soulless and soulful will never happen.”
I glanced at the clock. It was closer to 11:45 now, and time was ticking down. Each second brought us closer to the meeting. My heart was racing already.
“Your orders, Miss Stark?” King Bane asked.
“Meet us outside. We’ll take two trucks—Patrick and me in one, and everyone else in the other.”
As the four of them nodded and left the room, Caleb stayed behind, staring at me. He could obviously tell I was nervous. He had to be feeling the pressure too—the fear of not knowing what would happen. It had become normal around here, but I would never get used to it.
“You’ll be fine, Riley,” Caleb said. “I’ve got your back. But just in case…” He cupped my face in his hands and kissed me passionately. “For luck.”
“Maybe just one more?” I asked, and he chuckled. “I think I need a little more luck than that.”
He leaned in and connected his lips to mine, happy to oblige.
I drove Patrick and I to the address written on the note, trying to see through the heavy rain. Caleb drove King Bane, Ruby, and Jade in the truck behind us. I could see them in the rearview mirror behind me, and it filled my mind with fear.
What if I never saw Caleb again? What if going to see Spencer was a bad idea? What if Dad was dead already? What if, what if, what if? It was the most dangerous game to play.
“Guess you’re probably wondering what dirt I have on the Price family,” Patrick said. “I’m surprised you’re not bugging me about it already.”
“Right,” I said, pulling myself out of my thoughts. “I guess I just have a lot on my mind. What is it? And how does it relate to Spencer?”
Patrick sighed. “You see, I know the Prices better than you’d think. A lot better. Helen Price was my partner, back in the old Sentinel days. Judging by Rachel’s looks, I’m guessing Helen was her mother and Michael’s her widow.”
“What? Why didn’t you mention this before? I’m not the only one who’s been keeping secrets!”
“Hey, don’t get snappy with me. This is different,” Patrick replied. “Had no intention of bringing it up. It was painful the first time ‘round.”
I nodded. I could understand why he wouldn’t be eager to speak of it. I had no intention of mentioning Elaina’s name again. Some pain was better left in the past.
“You said Helen was your partner. Did she die?”
Patrick sighed. “Yeah, in the most brutal way. You remember the Sewer Crisis of ‘98? How the soulless invaded the sewers and almost conquered us?”
I nodded. I hadn’t been born yet to see it on television, but everyone had talked about it for decades. It had been the biggest soulless story at the time, way before the Dark Queen had attacked New York City and Doctor Zero had risen.
“Hel died protecting me. What a stubborn woman,” Patrick replied, shaking his head. “She was the real hero. Since I was the only survivor, I became the poster boy for the Sentinels. Lucky me.”
“I see. You know, after Spencer’s surgery, Rachel said something strange to me,” I replied. “She told me the soulless will take everything I love. Do you think she was speaking from experience about her mother?”
Patrick nodded. “Had to be. Loss like that leaves a deep wound. It’s easy to blame the soulless, but they ain’t all like that. I don’t trust Caleb completely, but I know he cares about you. He tries to do good, which shows me some soulless are different.”
“So that’s why Rachel and her father were happy to join the Darkhunters. Pain is a good motivator for people to do bad things.” I sighed. “Is there anything else I should know about them?”
“Well, I don’t know if it’s important, but…me and Helen were close. Real close, as in lovers. While she was still married to Michael.”
My mouth opened in shock. “Patrick, that’s terrible!”
“Do you think I don’t know that?” Patrick snapped. “I’m not proud of it, kid—so spare me the lecture. Still have regrets and guilt. But I loved that woman, and when she died, a part of me died too. It hurt worse when the Sentinels thought of me as some hero. I’m not. I’m just a lucky bastard who survived against the odds.”
“Did Michael know about your affair?”
Patrick shrugged. “Who knows? Helen worked a lot. Michael might’ve just assumed she was doing her duty instead of spending time with me. I have to admit, I don’t know Michael and Rachel all that well. Can’t say if they’d have the gall to kill soulless, but I do know grief can blur the lines between right and wrong.”
When I pulled up to the back alley, Caleb’s truck veered off down the adjacent side street. Just as we had planned, they would hide their truck, climb the roof, and stay hidden while they watched over us. What could go wrong?
When it came to us, everything.
Our truck came to a halt with a loud screech, and I turned on the headlights to see through the rain and darkness. I made sure to put my green contacts in, hiding my black irises just in case. I nodded at Patrick, signaling to step out of the truck.
“Do you see anything?” I asked.
“In the darkness? No,” Patrick replied. “Why is it always at midnight that crazy people want to meet? You sure they’re even going to show?”
I nodded. “Of course. Give it some time. I’m sure there’s a good explanation for—”
Behind us, an engine roared. I turned around, seeing Spencer
step out of the driver’s seat of a large truck. It was the same one he had used to escape with a few weeks ago, leaving with Michael and Rachel. I didn’t see anyone else with him.
“Spencer…” I whispered, walking closer. “Is it really you?”
Spencer nodded, a grin tugging at his lips. “Hey, Riley. I’m glad you got my message.”
Without thinking, I rushed to his side. I threw my arms around him, holding him tight, and he hugged me back after a few seconds. He seemed shocked. Had he expected me to fight him? To kill him?
I blinked back tears, pulling away from him. I had to keep it together. This was Spencer, but it wasn’t at the same time. His Sentinel surgery had been a success, but it had left him with brain damage—which meant he was unpredictable. Although he felt like my best friend when I touched him, looks were deceiving.
Spencer cleared his throat. I could tell he was trying to hold back his emotions too. I knew he still cared about me, deep down inside. Maybe I could use that to my advantage. Maybe it was my best weapon.
Patrick crossed his arms over his chest. “All right, Holland. We’re here. Where the hell is Jeffrey Stark? You mind telling us why you brought us here?”
Spencer shook his head. “This isn’t where Mr. Stark is, silly. No, this is only our meeting spot.”
My face wrinkled in confusion. “Meeting spot? What are you talking about, Spencer?”
He sighed. “I’m sorry to do this to you, Riley. I really am, but there’s no other way.”
Before I could ask any more questions, a group of people approached from behind us. They had been hiding in the back alley’s buildings, probably just waiting to attack. Rachel and Michael Price were in the front, followed by other civilians. They wore dark clothes, all inscribed with the initials D.H. on them. A blade with black blood dripped over the letters, and it must’ve been their official logo.
Darkhunters. I had finally met them, but I still didn’t understand what was going on.
“This is a damn trap,” Patrick muttered. “I knew it!”
“Keep your hands where I can see them,” Rachel said, aiming a gun at us. “I don’t want to kill either of you. That isn’t the plan. Our mission is much bigger than that, anyway.”
Mission? Plan? I felt completely out of the loop.
As the other Darkhunters pulled out their guns, I realized they were well-equipped. They had more firepower than all the Samaritans combined. Where had they found these weapons? And what did they want to do with them?
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Caleb drop down from the roof first. King Bane, Jade, and Ruby followed after, all their soulless powers on display. Caleb’s fire warmed the street, lighting the entire area.
“Enough,” Caleb said. “Whatever you’re planning, give it up, Darkhunters. Return Jeffrey Stark, or you’ll have to face us.”
Rachel scoffed. “I told you Riley wouldn’t live up to her end of the bargain!”
“You didn’t, either,” I replied. “You said if I came to you, you’d give my dad back. I’m here, and I don’t see him anywhere! Is he even still alive?”
“He’s fine,” Spencer replied. “You’ll see him again, but only if you and Patrick come with us. I’m giving you a chance, Riley. Come with me and you can prevent a bloodbath.”
“Guns?” Jade asked, chuckling. Her arm transformed into a sword, and she held it up for the Darkhunters to see. “Do you really think they can kill a soulless?”
Michael nodded. “Yes, actually. Our special bullets have the same ingredients found in Deathblades—Death Crystals. One shot to the heart and you’ll be finished.”
Jade didn’t have a snappy comeback this time.
“Listen to me, Riley,” Spencer whispered. “Rachel will kill them all. Tell them to leave and they’ll be spared. Do you want them to die? What about Caleb?”
I sighed. “Caleb, back down. Do what they say.”
“But they lied to you, Riley,” Caleb replied. “They lured you here. You can’t trust them!”
“I know, but they have Dad. I don’t have a choice, Caleb.”
“Hate to agree with the soulless, but Caleb’s right,” Patrick replied. “Let’s take our chances and fight back!”
Rachel laughed. “Then you’ll all die here. It would be a shame.”
“Make up your mind already,” Michael growled. “I’ve got an itchy trigger finger and no patience today.”
“All right,” I said. “Everyone, calm down. Patrick and I will go with you. Caleb, I won’t ask you twice. Take the others and leave.”
“But, Riley—”
“Do it,” I replied, before I softened my tone. “Please. For me.”
Caleb nodded, extinguishing the fire between his fingers. “You heard the General. Father, Jade, Ruby—let’s go.”
The four of them looked conflicted, especially Caleb. They wanted to stay, to fight and defend me. I wanted that too, but it just wasn’t possible. For now, we’d have to play by the Darkhunters’ rules.
Until I found a way to beat them at their own game.
“We’re not leaving until you’re far enough away,” Rachel said. “I want you a mile down the street. Hurry up.”
“Can’t I say goodbye to my girlfriend first?” Caleb asked. “Just one hug and I’ll go. I’m not asking for a lot.”
Rachel sighed. “We don’t have time for—”
“Let him,” Spencer said, glaring at Caleb. “Get it over with, soulless.”
Caleb sauntered over, a mysterious glint in his eyes. I knew that look. He was up to something. As he pulled me in, he placed something discreet in my pocket. It felt like a crystal. I could feel Spencer’s eyes on the back of my head, so I tried to be as nonchalant as possible.
Caleb was trying to save my life, even if it meant risking his. I couldn’t let the others know about the crystal, and I couldn’t look at it while they were still around.
“Be careful, Riley,” Caleb whispered. “And trust that I’ll save you.”
“Go on, get out of here,” Michael muttered. “And if we catch you following us, we won’t hesitate to kill you all.”
Caleb, Bane, Ruby, and Jade took off down the street, running away as fast as they could. Caleb looked over his shoulder at me, clearly hesitant to leave, but he did it anyway. As soon as they were gone, the Darkhunters nodded, pleased.
I looked back at Spencer, whose eyes were glossed over in pain. It wasn’t long ago he had revealed his feelings for me, so seeing me with Caleb couldn’t have been easy. Still, maybe that meant I could reach him.
Maybe it meant he was still human.
“I hope you’re happy,” I said, tears welling in my eyes. “Was this your plan all along? To lie to and hurt your best friend? Answer me, Spencer! We were close for eleven years. Are you willing to throw that away?”
“I’m sorry, Riley,” Spencer replied, looking down. “I wish things were different.”
“They can be! Stop fighting me and come home. You belong with me, Spencer—not against me.”
When he looked up at me with teary eyes, I knew I was getting through to him. I just needed some more time.
“Don’t let her manipulate you,” Rachel muttered. “She’s good at that.”
And because of her, he was gone again.
Spencer reached into his pocket, pulling out a black bag. Rachel did the same, before she walked forward and placed it around Patrick’s head. It left him helpless, completely unable to see. He struggled, but Michael and the other Darkhunters held him in place.
“Hey, take it off!” Patrick said. “I agreed to go with you, but I ain’t going to let you tie me up!”
“Calm down,” Rachel replied. “It won’t kill you. We can’t let you know where our base is, now can we?”
I looked back at Spencer, making sure to hold his gaze as he thrust the bag over my head. I wanted him to see me—to know the pain he was causing me. If some piece of him still remained inside, I wanted him to feel as much guilt as possible.
/>
Everything went dark. Spencer nudged me forward, placing handcuffs around my wrists. He pushed me into the trunk of his vehicle and sped away with me inside.
9
Traitor Among Us
The trunk was stuffy and hot. My head banged against the top with every jump and jolt, and the fact that Spencer was driving like a maniac didn’t help. With my hands bound and my head covered, I had only one thought on my mind:
I needed to get out of here.
I groaned, pulling my hands apart as hard as I could. The handcuffs broke with a loud clunk, and I rubbed my wrists together, trying to make the pain go away. Thank goodness for my Sentinel implants. Without them, I would’ve been helpless.
I reached up and pulled the bag off my head, but it made no difference. The trunk was just as dark, though I could see small slivers of light coming from the front seat. I managed to make out Spencer speeding through the darkened streets, one hand on the steering wheel. He wasn’t looking in my direction. His eyes were completely trained on the deserted road.
If I could break free and roll out, maybe he wouldn’t notice. I might break a few bones, though.
I started to kick the trunk door, hoping I would break the latch. After a few unsuccessful attempts and several loud clunks, nothing had happened. I was still trapped inside—and pretty sure Spencer had heard me by now.
“Don’t bother trying to escape,” I heard Spencer say, though his voice was muffled. “Believe me, Riley—you want to come with us.”
“Why? What’s so important that you had to kidnap us?”
“You’ll see,” Spencer replied. “It’s for your own good, Riley.”
For my own good? What the hell was he talking about?
“Where are you taking us? Where’s Patrick?”
“He’s fine. Rachel and Michael are taking him in the other truck,” Spencer replied. “As for our location, it’s best if you don’t know.”
“Why? Are you afraid we’d hunt you down and kick your ass?”
Spencer didn’t reply to that one. It was clear he wasn’t willing to give me any information, so I decided to end my questions for now. Once we arrived at our destination—wherever that was—I would demand answers.