by Dana Gricken
“It’s fine, Caleb. I’m not mad. Will you be okay?”
“I don’t know. For now, I think I need rest. It’s been a long week.”
I watched him as he walked away, confused and dazed. If I knew Caleb, he wouldn’t let this go. Maybe I wouldn’t have, either. After all, I had been ready to bring Caleb back to life—but that had been a different circumstance, I told myself.
I still didn’t know if I would’ve done it or not. Luckily, Caleb was still alive, and I hadn’t had to make that difficult decision.
Once Bane’s body had exploded in a burst of flames, the people in the courtyard dispersed, returning to their duties. According to the duty roster, I was in charge of watering our remaining plants in the garden today. I grabbed a watering can and rushed outside.
When I was half-done, Jacob rushed around the corner. His face was white, and it looked like he had just seen a ghost.
“Jacob, what’s wrong?” I asked, putting the watering can down. I reached for my Deathblade instinctively.
“Well, the building is still standing. The Darkhunters haven’t attacked again, if you were wondering,” he replied. “But…we have someone else here.”
I was afraid to hear his answer, but I asked the question anyway. “Who is it?”
“It’s Mira Stark—and she’s demanding to talk to you. But I have to warn you. She’s…something else now.”
“Something else?”
He nodded. “A Red Sentinel. But that isn’t the weird part. She says she wants to help us, and she knows where the General is. Riley, she’s here to ask for your help to kill him.”
Part III
20
Mira Stark
I followed Jacob around the headquarters, and he led me to the front entrance. All the surviving Samaritans, soulless and soulful, swarmed around Mira in the courtyard. When the crowd parted, letting me push through, I gasped when I finally saw her face.
Mira’s body was hard and rigid, completely turned to red crystal. Jagged red shards poked out of her skin, illuminating her veins, and her face was sunken-in and drooping. She looked just like Iris and Damon had the last time I’d seen them—and I remembered how bloody and morbid their deaths had been.
“Orders, kid?” Patrick asked. “Could have Mira dead in seconds. After the Darkhunter attack, we’re itching for a good fight. Trust me.”
I shook my head. “I want to talk to her. If she really wants to help us, we can’t turn down our only lead. General Grissom is still out there, and I want him found and punished.”
Turning back to Mira, I winced at the woman. It was hard to believe this had once been the great Mira Stark, hero among the Sentinels. Her transformation felt wrong—like a dishonor to the order.
“Why are you here?” I asked, stepping forward. “Jacob told me a little bit, but I want to hear it in your own words.”
“The General has become a monster,” Mira replied, speaking in a harsher, deeper tone than her previous voice. “I know I’m one too—but you have to believe me. What he is now…is worse than me. He needs to be killed.”
“All right, I’m listening. Start at the beginning. I want the whole story.”
“General Grissom forced us all to become Red Sentinels. We had no choice—not even the civilians who went with him. If they refused, they were executed. Hundreds died after using the Power Crystal. Their bodies couldn’t handle it. I couldn’t stop any of it, and it was terrible.”
“Why did you let the General turn you into a Red Sentinel? Why didn’t you just leave?”
She sighed. “As a Sentinel, I was trained to follow my General’s lead. You of all people should understand this. For a while, I believed the General was right—that this was a necessary last resort. I can admit now that it was a gruesome idea.”
“You said many of the people couldn’t handle being Red Sentinels. How have you survived?”
She reached into her pocket, pulling out a yellow Health Crystal. I had seen the Healer use it before when he’d saved Caleb’s life. “Nothing can cure being a Red Sentinel. Nothing can completely take away the pain, either, but this helps. It was the only one I found, and I decided to keep it for myself. The others were too far gone for it to work—too savage and monstrous.”
“You also said the General was a monster worse than you. What do you mean?”
“He consumed more of the Power Crystal than all of us. I’m surprised his body could take it, but his determination helped him. If you saw him now, you wouldn’t recognize him. He’s no more than a rabid animal. He hates the soulless. He especially hates you for besting him, Riley.”
“Why would General Grissom do this to his people? It’s…evil!”
Mira nodded. “I know. Losing to you changed him. He thought an army of Red Sentinels was the only way to stop the soulless—the only way to stop you. Those who questioned his orders were slaughtered.”
“What about President Lang, or Vice President Vaughn? I haven’t heard from Angela Grissom, the General’s daughter, either.”
She shrugged. “I don’t know what happened to any of them. Shortly after I became a Red Sentinel, I noticed the General was beginning to change—much more than I was. I finally worked up the courage to leave, to come to you.”
I crossed my arms. “This is a lot to take in. How do we know we can trust you?”
“I know you’re angry at me for all the pain I’ve caused, but you’ll have to take me at my word. I want the General dead. I see now that allying with him was a mistake.”
“Before you make any decisions, don’t you think we should talk about this, kid?” Patrick whispered to me. “It would improve the mood around here if everyone had a say, you know.”
I nodded. “Please excuse us, Mira. We need to discuss this as a group.”
“I will wait here. I know this is difficult to believe, but know this, Riley—I want to help you. As your ancestor, joining you again would restore my honor.”
The Samaritans walked into the desecrated building, huddling around the front desk. People broke out in murmurs, talking over each other. I stood up on the desk, shushing everyone.
“We can’t all talk at once,” I said, and the group quieted. “Opinions? And before you start shouting, one at a time. Let’s start with Patrick. Mira’s husband was his ancestor.”
“You know how I feel about the Reds, kid,” Patrick replied. “Too dangerous. I say we toss her to the curb.”
“Jacob, what about you? We were the first ones to discover the Red Sentinels. What do you think?”
Jacob shrugged. “Well, she seems genuine. That’s good, right? I think we should hear her info. If she knows where the General is, it could help us.”
“Caleb, what do you think?” I asked, looking for him in the crowd.
He stepped forward, making himself more visible. “While I’m mistrustful of Red Sentinels, her information could be valuable. The General is another enemy we can’t afford to have.”
His opinion seemed sound, and I had to agree. But when I looked at him more closely, I saw he moved uncomfortably, clutching his side. I furrowed my eyebrows.
“Are you okay? You look injured.”
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it, Riley—not now, at least. Whatever you decide, we’ll follow.”
The crowd seemed to agree with him. Once again, another big decision sat in my hands. If I screwed this up, it could get us all killed. I sighed, making up my mind.
“I think I’ve heard enough. We’re inviting Mira in…for now. If I see her behavior change—or if she becomes a threat—I’ll kill her myself. Patrick, could you do the honors?”
He nodded, rushing outside to bring Mira in. While he was gone, a million thoughts ran through my mind. Was it a good idea to trust a Red Sentinel, even if she was one of the most respected people in the order? Was she of any danger to me and my people? And what information could she have on the General?
Mira walked in a second later, wobbling side to side. The red cr
ystals looked painful under her skin, and I wondered how she didn’t fall over from their weight. All our people stared at her, some in fear, while some in anger, confusion, and disgust.
She looked around the building, smiling. “It’s different than I remember, but it still feels like home. Thank you for having me here, Riley.”
I nodded, reaching into the desk’s drawer and pulling out an old map of the city. “We’re taking a risk, but I think it’s worth it. Where are the General and his people hiding?”
Mira walked closer, pointing at a familiar section on the map. It was the waste recycling plant on the edge of town, the same one where Jacob and I had rescued the Renegades from. “When I left two days ago, the General was still there. I don’t know what he’s been doing in the meantime, but it’s all the information I have.”
“It makes sense. That was where they were experimenting on the Red Sentinels. Do you know what he’s planning, Mira?”
“No, but I can assure you—it won’t be pleasant. His mind has been compromised, and he seeks death for you and the soulless,” Mira replied. “I assume you’ll want to attack immediately. Before you leave, please take me with you.”
I shook my head, rolling up the map. “I know you want to help, but it’s best if you stay out of the way. Besides, I want you to check in with our doctor, Violet Alvarez. She won’t be able to cure you, but I think you should be examined. As the General, that’s an order. Lara will escort you to the med bay.”
Mira opened her mouth to argue, but shut it and nodded instead. “Yes, General. I will do as you ask.”
As Lara took Mira to the medical bay, Patrick stepped forward. “I want to go with you, kid. You’ll need backup, and most of our people can’t even walk straight. I feel pretty good, despite everything.”
Caleb nodded, still clutching his side. “I’ll go too, Riley. I need something to take my mind off my father’s death.”
I sighed. “I know what it’s like to need a distraction, but you’re not coming with us, Caleb. Along with Patrick, I’m taking Jacob, since we’ve both been there before. You’re injured—and don’t try to deny it. I can see the pain on your face.”
“It’s just a little soreness in my side,” Caleb protested. “It isn’t serious, and I’ve suffered worse.”
I placed my hand on his shoulder, guiding him toward the medical bay. “Come on, you need to let Violet look at it. Can you do that for me?”
He gave in. “For you, Riley. Only for you.”
When we reached the large room of hospital beds, they were nearly all occupied. A lot of people had suffered injuries during the attack, rendering most of our soldiers useless for the time being. I avoided their eyes, feeling guilty.
Caleb’s words came back to me. You should’ve left the Darkhunters in the Mindfield to suffer, Riley. If I had, would it have lowered our death toll?
Violet smiled once she saw us. “I was wondering when you two would show up. Just because you’re first and second in command doesn’t mean you get to skip your appointments.”
I led Caleb to a free bed and pushed him down. “I’m not here for a checkup, Violet—only Caleb is. I want to make that clear.”
Violet shook her head. “Stubborn as always, isn’t she, Caleb?”
He grinned. “It’s part of the reason why I love her.”
I rolled my eyes. Caleb was more stubborn than me most days.
“Really, I’m fine,” I said, backing up. “I have duty right now, so if you’ll excuse me…”
Violet pushed me into a nearby chair. “It’ll only take a few minutes, Riley. The Samaritans need their leader at their best. The Healer will look after Caleb.”
As Violet poked and prodded, taking my blood pressure and a sample of my black blood, I watched the Healer work on Caleb. An assortment of Health Crystals and other strange jewels sat across Caleb’s bare chest. He laid there, looking frustrated and annoyed, but didn’t resist.
“Simple,” the Healer muttered. “Bruised ribs. Nothing serious. Quite fortunate, you know.”
Caleb groaned. “How long will it take to heal?”
“Not long. Longer if you don’t rest.”
Violet checked my chart, nodding at me. “Okay, you’re all set to leave, Riley. Everything checks out. You were lucky not to be injured, you know.”
Lucky—there was that stupid word again. I hated it.
I glanced at the row of beds, spotting Mira lying on the far one. “So, what do you think of your new patient?”
Violet sighed. “There isn’t much I can do for her. Her vital signs are off the charts, but Riley…I think she’s dying. Her body is breaking down, unable to handle the Power Crystal in her bloodstream. The Health Crystal is giving her extra time, but it won’t work forever.”
I gritted my teeth. The General was responsible for this, and right now, I wanted to make him pay. I hoped he was suffering from the same body degradation.
I rose to my feet, walking over to Caleb’s bedside. I reached for his hand, locking our fingers together. “Rest for now, Caleb. I’ll miss you out there.”
“Riley, be careful,” he whispered. “The General isn’t the same man you remember. If even half of what Mira said is true…”
I nodded. “I’ll be as careful as I can, Caleb. You have my word.”
Patrick, Jacob, and I sped through the empty streets of New York City, making our way toward the fake recycling plant. I couldn’t believe I’d never thought to check here for the General, but I had assumed he wouldn’t have been stupid enough to return. Plus, I’d had my hands full with other problems.
“Plan, kid?” Patrick asked. “Maybe one that doesn’t get us killed by a red monster?”
I nodded. “Follow my lead. This is a scouting mission—not a full attack. If we need backup, we’ll leave.”
“I’m not saying the General isn’t a threat,” Jacob began from the backseat, “but he hasn’t done anything to us yet. Don’t you think we should focus on the Cardinal or the Darkhunters first?”
“We’re going to stop him before he has the chance to attack. One less enemy means we can focus on the others.”
When we reached the building, everything was eerily quiet. The building looked run-down and deserted. Had Mira lied? Or was the General just hiding and playing tricks on us?
“Mira told us to take the back entrance. Less guards,” Jacob whispered. “Come on, it’s this way.”
Retrieving our weapons, we marched toward the back of the building, trying to stay as quiet as possible. Jacob inputted Mira’s access code into the door, and it opened with a green light. I entered first, taking a deep breath.
The building was dark, and it reeked like death. With every step I took, I felt like something was weighing me down—like an invisible blanket of despair. I tried to shake it off, but it followed me.
“Do you feel that?” I asked. “Some kind of…dark energy?”
“What energy?” Patrick asked. “I’m feeling nothing, kid—but you’re starting to freak me out.”
Maybe I was just feeling my Quintessence power, but I had the sense something evil had happened here. It was as if hundreds of souls had died here at once, and spent their last moments crying out in agony.
I turned on my flashlight, shining it down the corridor. Blood covered the walls, and severed limbs decorated the floor. Everywhere I looked, there were clusters of Power Crystals. The General must’ve made hundreds of trips to the Underworld in search of them.
“Jesus Christ,” Patrick muttered. “This is a bloodbath. What kind of operation was Grissom running?”
“The kind we need to stop,” I whispered. “Come on—let’s check out the rest of the building. If the General is here, we need to find him.”
“How? In case you haven’t noticed, there are hundreds of rooms in here, kid! This place is like a maze!”
“Jacob, do you have any ideas?”
Jacob nodded, fiddling with his phone. “I downloaded the building’s blueprints bef
ore we left. There’s a huge science lab down the hall to the left. If I were the General, I’d be in there.”
“Good. Let’s move out.”
As the three of us continued on, the dark energy grew stronger. I heard voices now, voices that sounded a lot like Sentinels I had once known. My hand started to glow, just like it had before I’d opened a portal and sent the bomb into it. I couldn’t stop it.
I had become its slave—just when I’d thought I was learning how to control it.
“The Veil wanes here, Riley,” the Cardinal said, in my mind. “So much death and destruction…and without proper training, it will consume you.”
“Consume me? How?”
“You will become overwhelmed by its energy. You will be so susceptible that you might even open a portal without trying, bringing the deceased back into our world,” the Cardinal replied. “That pleases me, but not if you perish, my Prodigy. Leave, or else we may never meet.”
“Riley, are you okay?” Jacob asked. “Did you say something?”
“We need to get out of here,” I whispered, retracing my steps. “This was a bad idea.”
“Nothing’s happened, but you want to scram?” Patrick asked. “Care to explain yourself, kid?”
When we heard a growl in the distance, all three of us froze. It was the same sound Iris had made. I would’ve thought it was just in my mind, but Patrick and Jacob looked terrified. I shone my flashlight in every direction, but I didn’t see anything.
My mind continued to throb, and my hand felt like it was going to burst. If I did open a portal, I didn’t know what was going to come out. As I turned around, I heard the back entrance lock. Someone didn’t want us to leave.
“We’re trapped,” I said, “and whatever’s in here is trying to kill us.”
21
The Old General
I took slow, tentative steps forward as Patrick and Jacob prepared for a fight. I shone my flashlight around, jumping at the smallest of sounds. The whispers of dark energy were getting louder now, and harder to resist. They must have been the voices of the souls tortured and murdered here.