The Dark Cage

by Dana Gricken

  I had expected her to be angry, but she smiled. “Oh, yes—I feel it now. The emotions are sinking in. So bright, so wonderful…”

  But if the Dark Queen could feel the effects of the Purity Crystal, it meant one thing…

  She truly wanted to change. I only wished she would be around long enough to feel this way forever.

  With the Dark Queen injured, the Cardinal was able to rise to his feet. He raised his hand, aiming it at me. I felt resistance, and it grew more difficult to try closing the portal.

  “Kid, you can’t do this,” Patrick said. “Look at who came back!”

  I looked in his direction, noticing Helen Price. Patrick embraced her, along with Rachel and Michael. For once, Patrick looked happy. Everyone did.

  Princess Ivy nodded, pulling away from King Lucius. “I agree with Patrick. We won’t allow you to do this, Stark.”

  I couldn’t believe they were about to betray me again. Didn’t they see the risks?

  “Caleb! Caleb, you need to protect me,” I said. “Use your fire to repel them. I’ll work on stopping the Cardinal!”

  The Cardinal laughed, looking over at Caleb. “If you protect her, your mother and father will both be gone forever. My solution is a world free of death! I want a utopia, not a world of pain like Riley suggests!”

  Caleb rose to his feet, sighing. “Riley…I fear he’s right. Maybe his plan isn’t so bad.”

  My power was weakening in the face of the Cardinal. I didn’t feel very equal to him, not when he was using all his strength against me. I’d never practiced fighting him before, and if one of my people attacked me, I wouldn’t be able to focus anymore. I had to think of something—fast.

  “Caleb, don’t listen to him. You once told me the Cardinal was a manipulator. Can’t you see he’s doing the same to you?” I replied. “You know if I could go back and save your father, I would. But he’s gone, and you have to accept it! Don’t let someone as dangerous as the Cardinal win!”

  Caleb looked at the Cardinal, and then back at me. “I’m not happy about the outcome…but I trust Riley. I know she wants the best for this world. I can’t say the same for you, Cardinal.”

  He sneered. “You imbeciles! I’ll destroy you both!”

  As my people prepared to pounce on me, Caleb put up a ring of fire around us, ready to attack whoever tried to hurt us. I groaned in pain, struggling to overpower the Cardinal as he used his energy against me.

  “I can’t do it! He’s too strong!” I cried. “I don’t know if I can close the portal!”

  The Dark Queen rose to her feet, stumbling. Black blood dribbled from her wound as she approached the Cardinal.

  “This is your last chance, Stark,” the Dark Queen whispered. “You can do this!”

  She used all the strength she had left to unleash the Mindfield on the Cardinal again. He lowered his hand, his energy fading as he writhed on the floor again.

  “No. I can’t lose!” the Cardinal muttered.

  That was what his fear was—losing.

  Using everything I had inside of me, I concentrated all my energy on the undead. They faded back into spirits before the portal sucked them inside. I could feel the portal back at the cemetery closing too—repairing our world for good.

  “You shortsighted fool!” the Cardinal said, trying to rise to his feet. “Souls everywhere would’ve worshiped us! Treated us like Gods!”

  “But you’re not a God, Cardinal,” I said, standing over him. “And you never will be.”

  And then I sent the Cardinal into the Quintessence, shutting the portal behind him for good.

  I collapsed onto the floor, exhausted. Caleb grabbed me, helping me up. “Are you okay?”

  I nodded. “I think so, but… It feels like my power is gone. It must’ve died when the Cardinal did. Our link’s destroyed.”

  I raised my hand, trying to summon energy again, but nothing happened. I was right.

  “Are you okay with that, Riley?”

  “Yes. I never wanted that kind of power. I’m free now,” I replied, smiling. “How is everyone else doing?”

  Patrick sighed. “We’re fine, kid…just disappointed. And sad.”

  “I’m sorry. If there had been any other way to save the ones we lost…”

  “There wasn’t,” Spencer whispered. “We’re sorry we were weak for a moment. The Cardinal tried to manipulate us, just like you said he would—and we fell for it.”

  I sighed in relief. I was glad they weren’t holding a grudge.

  Caleb rushed to the Dark Queen’s side, holding her up. She was barely coherent now. “Mother, stay with us…”

  She shook her head. “I know my time is near. Wanda’s wound took a lot out of me—but using the Mindfield in my moment of weakness was what sealed my fate.”

  I sighed. “We were enemies for so long, but…you didn’t deserve this, Anya. I wanted you to live.”

  A tear slipped out of her eye. Her show of emotion surprised me. “Take care of this world—and take care of each other. The love you have is special, and I was a fool not to see it before. At least…I can die knowing I did something right.”

  When the Dark Queen took her last breath, Caleb bowed his head. “I’m glad the Cardinal is already dead. I would’ve killed him for this.”

  “Speaking of dead, what do you think’s happening in the afterlife?” Patrick asked.

  “What should be happening, Patrick—the souls are resting now. Their lives are over, and that’s the way it should stay.”

  I walked over to the world leaders, untying them. They each shook my hand, thanking me for my help. For once, they didn’t seem to fear my black, soulless eyes at all.

  “The war is over,” Lara whispered. “I just…can’t believe it.”

  Caleb laced his fingers with mine. “And I’m glad we both survived. If I had lost you… Well, I don’t know what I would’ve done. I love you, Riley.”

  I beamed. “I love you too, Caleb.”

  As we embraced, Patrick walked over to us. “Well, it wasn’t easy, but we did it. Think you should be reinstated as General for this. Your orders?”

  General. I smiled at my old title.

  “My orders are simple,” I replied. “Let’s go home.”

  Epilogue

  WHOLE NEW WORLD

  With the teleportation portal closed permanently, we had to travel all the way back to New York City on our own. The United Nations leaders graciously lent us a boat to get across the Atlantic Ocean as repayment for saving them. They also gave us food and supplies for the long trip, and I thanked them. I was worried we’d all die during the journey, but somehow, we made it back a week later. Angel stayed by my side the whole way, guiding us home.

  Sentinel Headquarters was still standing, as if no time had passed at all. When we arrived, we all were exhausted and in need of a warm meal and a long nap. Mom, Dahlia, and Violet greeted us at the front doors, peering out nervously.

  “I knew they’d come back,” Violet said. “You had nothing to worry about, Claudia.”

  Mom pulled me into a big hug. “Oh, I was so worried. When the soldiers returned without you, they said the portal had been closed—but you were nowhere to be found!”

  “We’re fine. When the portal closed, it left us in Geneva, Switzerland. It was a long way back.”

  Violet glanced at Patrick. “Is she…allowed to be here?”

  Patrick nodded, clapping a hand on my back. “Yeah, the kid saved all our lives. With the Cardinal dead and her power kaput, she’s free to live with us again.”

  “Welcome back, Riley. I’m really sorry we felt the need to kick you out,” Violet replied. “I hope you can forgive us.”

  “I already have. You were right—I was dangerous. But with my power gone, I’m pretty much back to normal. I’m a Defect now, like the Embers—a soulless without a power.”

  Mom pointed at my neck. “But, sweetie…your Purity Crystal is gone. Isn’t that dangerous?”

  I shook my head. �
��When the Cardinal died, the Primal—the voice that tells the soulless to do terrible things—died too. They were one in the same. There’s no need for the crystals anymore. Can you tell everyone, Violet?”

  Violet nodded. “Before I do, I wanted to say I think I found a way to help Spencer. Between the Healer and I, we might be able to help his brain remember who he was before. Maybe it’ll stop him from being quite so aggressive.”

  As she left, rushing off inside to tell the other soulless the good news, I smiled. Spencer may never fully recover, but at least he had a chance to get a little better.

  “Speaking of crystals, I’m close to finding a cure for the Golems. They might become human again one day,” Dahlia said, before she spotted Jacob in the crowd. “Please, excuse me.”

  I looked through the window, watching the soulless light up when they heard the Primal had died. It wasn’t just me who was free—it was all of us. No one had to fear the soulless anymore.

  Lara walked over, smiling. “I spoke with the United Nations leaders. They’ve agreed to come here and help us rebuild New York, once they’ve had time to recuperate and find the right people for the job. They’re giving their total support to us—even the soulless! They’re really proud of you, Riley.”

  That was a relief. We still had a lot of work to do rebuilding the city—and choosing new leaders—but with the rest of the world on our side, we could do it.

  Amelia walked over, listening closely. “The U.N. is willing to help us? Did I hear that right?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Yes, you did. Why?”

  “Are you seriously asking me that? It’ll be the most popular story of the year! Whenever you’re ready, meet me inside, Riley. I want an interview with you.”

  After she left, I sighed. Great, more TV interviews. Just what I needed after a long battle and an equally long journey…Not.

  I turned to Mom. “We haven’t had a chance to talk since Dad’s death. How are you holding up?”

  She looked down. “It feels wrong being here without him. I miss him so much…but he died for a good cause. I remind myself of that when I feel sad. Wherever he is now, I hope he’s at peace.”

  I wasn’t going to tell her I’d pushed Dad into the Quintessence after the Cardinal had brought him back. It was hard enough for me to deal with, and I didn’t want to put that burden on her too.

  “There’s one thing still bothering me,” I said. “Do you think the soulless are still immortal?”

  Caleb shrugged. “With the Cardinal dead, there’s no way to know for sure. I guess we’ll find out in a few years.”

  When everyone returned inside, either to eat, sleep, or celebrate, I decided to meditate in front of the building. Finally, my power was gone, and so was the Cardinal’s voice. I hadn’t felt this happy in a long time, even if I’d sacrificed a lot to make it happen.

  “I hope I’m not interrupting,” Caleb said as he walked over, and I opened my eyes. “But I’d rather spend time with you than celebrate inside.”

  I nodded, rising to my feet. “I feel the same way. Partying isn’t really my thing.”

  He reached for my hand. “I’m proud of you, Riley. It wasn’t easy to face the Cardinal, but you did it. It’ll take some time, but the world will be a better place for all of us—especially the soulless.”

  “I couldn’t have done it without you, Caleb. Any of it.”

  He glanced back at the building, a devious smile spreading across his face. “What do you say we get away for a little while? Just the two of us?”

  Before I could reply, Caleb walked toward the back of the building. He returned after a minute with his old motorcycle. “She’s still in good shape for a ride. What do you think?”

  “Sounds fun, but…where would we go?”

  He leaned in and kissed me passionately. He pulled away to look in my eyes. “You’re the hero. After saving the world, I think you get to decide.”

  I thought for a moment. “Let’s just wander. It doesn’t matter where we end up. I just want some alone time with you, Caleb. But what about Amelia? She’s waiting for an interview with me inside.”

  Caleb laughed. “Then make her wait a little longer. Some things are more important.”

  For the first time since I’d joined the Sentinels, I felt like a normal teenager again. As we sped down the street with the wind in my hair, I glanced up at Caleb and smiled.

  The world wasn’t perfect—and we had a lot of work to do—but as long as we were together, everything would be all right.

  For once, I believed it.

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  Acknowledgments

  Writing the third and final book in a series is a mix of emotions, but I’m so grateful for all the awesome people in my life.

  To my grandmother, Barbara, for supporting me the entire way. To my grandfather, Robert, and his kind words and encouragement. To my parents, Sue and Kurt, for giving me the motivation to keep going. To all my beloved pets over the years – Buddy, Jack, Chandler, Becky, and Whitey – who slept on my lap as I wrote my novels.

  Thank you to Caroline, Nancy, and all of Fire and Ice and Melange Books. Without them, this trilogy wouldn’t have been possible. To my fantastic editor, Letty, who made this story shine.

  My deepest gratitude to the readers who have stayed with this series until the end. I can’t believe it’s over, but I’m ready to begin new adventures. Onwards and upwards!

  About the Author

  Dana Gricken is a young author from Ottawa, Canada. She writes fantasy and science fiction and constantly has her nose in a book. After self-publishing her debut trilogy The Dragonwitch Chronicles, she began working on The Dark Queen and its sequels. She’s been writing since she could hold a pencil and isn’t planning on stopping anytime soon. She is currently planning another young adult trilogy and several novels set in outer space. When she’s not writing or reading, you can find her hanging out with her cats, baking and cooking, and watching Star Wars and Star Trek on repeat.

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  danagricken@gmail.com

  danagricken.blogspot.com