Scott asked, “We’re going after the Angels, then?”
“I’m going too,” Daniel said quickly.
“No,” I replied. “You’ve both done enough already. Harding is probably organizing her team of Knights right now. I’ll join up with them. You stay here and look after the injured.”
There was never any question in my mind about retrieving Alia. The only question was how and when. It would have to be soon, before the Angels took her to their king for conversion. How quickly could Mrs. Harding prepare her Knights for a counterstrike on the Angel outpost? The Angels didn’t know that we knew where they were hiding, so they probably wouldn’t be rushed to move their captive. Still, I couldn’t take any chances. I wasn’t about to lose another sister to the Angels. At least I didn’t have to worry too much about how Alia was doing. Her captors weren’t going to hurt their prize healer, and Alia knew that I wasn’t going to sit by and let her be converted.
At the moment, I was much more worried about Terry. It was intolerable that she was being left at the mercy of human medicine when all she needed was one good healer to keep her from death.
I refused to let any of our injured be taken to Dr. Land’s house, wanting the surgeon to focus on the priority case. Fortunately, many of the Walnut Guardians who had come to our assistance knew basic first aid. James settled for an icepack on his head while we made a splint for Walter’s broken arm, put cream and bandages on Rachael’s burns, and did our best to cleanse and close up the hole in Heather’s foot.
We thanked our neighbors many times over. From the way they talked and looked at us, it was clear that most of them still didn’t like us very much, but at least they were willing to help. One of them even fixed the severed electrical line to our house, restoring our power.
As daylight crept upon us, Merlin came to our house and told me that Dr. Land wanted to speak with me in person.
Without waiting for Merlin to give me individual hiding protection, I sprinted down the sidewalk to Patrick’s house and entered without knocking. The living room was empty, all the furniture already having been removed days prior.
“Adrian!” exclaimed Dr. Land, coming out of another room. “Thank you for coming. I’d ask you to sit, but as you can see–”
“How is she, Doctor?” I asked, dreading the answer. “Tell me she’s alright.”
“She’s alive,” Dr. Land replied quietly. “But I’m not yet sure for how long. Terry has taken a very strong telekinetic blast to her chest. Most of her ribs are shattered and the organs beneath them aren’t much better. In addition, there’s also the focused blast that put the hole in her abdomen. I’ve closed that up, and I’ve done everything else I can for now. I’m giving her a blood transfusion, but only time will tell. If she survives today and tonight, I’d say she might have a fighting chance.”
“You called me here for a reason.”
Dr. Land looked at me uncomfortably. “Terry’s awake now. I told her to get some rest, but she refuses. I think she’s afraid that she’s going to die in her sleep, and under the circumstances, I’m hardly in a position to disagree. She wanted to talk to you, but I want you to keep it as short as possible. Terry really needs to rest now. Otherwise she’ll die for certain.”
I nodded, and Dr. Land quickly led me into his makeshift operating room at the back of his house.
Terry was lying on a hospital bed, a series of rubber tubes stuck into her. As I entered the room, she weakly turned her head toward me.
“I’m sorry,” she breathed. “I’m sorry about Alia.”
I shook my head as I stepped up to her bed. “No, Terry. That wasn’t your fault. I should’ve been there.”
“How many dead?”
Gazing down at Terry’s pale face, I realized that Dr. Land was right: Terry’s life really might end today.
“They’re okay,” I said softly. “Everyone’s alive.”
“Liar.” Terry grimaced in pain and closed her eyes as she whispered, “I’m so sorry, Adrian. For everything… It was just my damn pride again. I thought they’d be ready. I thought we could teach them.”
I watched uncomfortably as a teardrop ran down Terry’s cheek. I reached out and gently touched her right hand.
Terry opened her eyes and looked up at me again, saying slowly, “You were right. We should’ve been on that bus.”
I shook my head and gave her hand a little squeeze. “No, Terry. We all do what we have to, remember? Rest now. Everything’s going to be alright.”
“But Alia–”
“You let me worry about Alia,” I said firmly. “I’m going to get her back, she’s going to heal you, and you’re going to be okay. You’ve got to hang in there, Terry. You’ve got to live if we’re going to take down Randal Divine together.”
Closing her eyes again, Terry mumbled feebly, “Us and what army, right?”
“Terry…” I began, but realized I didn’t know what I was going to say. What difference did it make what I said? Max and Felicity were dead. Alia was taken. And Terry… brave Terry who had never lost a fight in her life, had finally met her match. Outnumbered three to one, the Angels had destroyed us in our own house.
I felt Dr. Land touch my arm. “Enough, Adrian,” he whispered. “She’s asleep now.”
Dr. Land escorted me back to his empty living room and asked, “How many others need medical attention?”
I gave him the details.
“I’d go to your house, but I want to keep an eye on Terry too,” said Dr. Land. “Why don’t you run back and get your wounded over here so I can take care of them.”
“Call them on the phone please,” I said as I opened the front door to leave. “I’m not going home yet.”
Merlin was waiting for me on the porch.
“Is Harding home?” I asked, brushing away his attempt to give me hiding protection.
“I believe so,” replied Merlin. “You want something from her?”
Without answering, I jogged over to Mrs. Harding’s house, and Merlin followed.
The door was answered by Mrs. Harding herself, and it appeared that she was the only one home. Her three grandchildren were already at the mountain camp, and her daughter and son-in-law were out.
Ushering Merlin and me into her house, Mrs. Harding said to me sadly, “I just got off the phone with Dr. Land, Adrian. I hope Teresa survives. I do love that child dearly.”
I decided to cut straight to the chase. “If they haven’t left yet, Mrs. Harding, I would like to be on the team.”
“Team?” Mrs. Harding asked in surprise. “Oh, you mean the team of Knights that are going to rescue little Alia.”
I nodded. “Please, Mrs. Harding. I know I’m not really a Knight, but I want to go with them. When are we leaving?”
Silence. Mrs. Harding looked out the window.
“Mrs. Harding?” I asked uncertainly.
Turning to me again, Mrs. Harding gave me a sympathetic smile. “I’m very sorry, dear, but there is no team.”
I was almost certain I had misheard her, but then she added, “We’re not going to attack the Angel outpost, Adrian.”
“What are you saying?” I asked in shock. “If we don’t get Alia back soon, she’s going to be converted and Terry is going to die!”
Mrs. Harding’s tone remained quiet and miserable. “If it were entirely up to me, I would like to help you, but I can’t order my Knights to fight for you when most of my people are still angry over Steven’s betrayal.”
I had always thought that the whole purpose of Knights was that they could be ordered to fight regardless of their personal issues, but apparently Mrs. Harding’s style of leadership was a little different. Once again, I was reminded of the hard pragmatism I had so loathed in Mr. Baker. For all her grandmotherly appearance, Mrs. Harding was a stone-cold politician.
“Then at least tell me where the Angels are,” I said. “I’m going with or without your help.”
“You are so much like Teresa, my dear,” said Mrs.
Harding. “But I would never forgive myself if I led you to your death.”
“Terry is dying!” I shouted furiously. “Tell me where they are!”
Mrs. Harding remained silent, but Merlin spoke. “I’ll tell you, Adrian,” he said quietly.
I turned to him, and he added, “I’ll join you.”
“Arthur–” began Mrs. Harding.
Merlin cut her off, saying, “If you can’t order your Knights to fight, you certainly can’t order them to stand down. I will help Adrian, and I think I may know one or two more who will join us.”
“You’re making a mistake,” said Mrs. Harding, fixing Merlin with a disapproving look.
“It’s my mistake to make,” Merlin replied resolutely. “I’ve worked with Adrian’s family now for months. They have trained long and hard so that someday they might be of use to our community. I will not watch Terry die, and I certainly won’t suffer Alia being turned into an Angel.”
Mrs. Harding nodded slowly, and then smiled. “As our location is no longer a secret, we have nothing to lose but lives, and those belong to the ones willing to risk them. You are welcome to do as you feel fit.”
Then Mrs. Harding looked at me with pleading eyes and said, “Do be careful, young Knight.”
Merlin and I left her house, and as we walked back to the sidewalk, I muttered savagely to myself, “I’m always careful, and despite that, for some damn reason, I’m still alive.”
Having overheard me, Merlin laughed lightly. Then he said, “We’re going to need more fighters than I can get on my end. I know how you feel about putting your trainees in danger, but–”
“I’ll get over it,” I promised, and we went our separate ways.
When I got home, James, having already discarded his icepack, was waiting for me in the dojo.
“How’s Terry?” he asked anxiously.
“She’s dying,” I replied. “Gather everyone who isn’t injured. Time to get into more trouble.”
“Everyone is over at Dr. Land’s house,” said James.
“Call them back.”
James got on the phone, and soon Scott, Daniel and Candace joined us in the dojo.
Scott asked me, “What’s the word on the Knights? Has Mrs. Harding prepared a strike team?”
“You’re looking at him,” I replied grimly. “Harding refused to help.”
I gave them a moment to let that sink in.
“She refused?” Candace asked incredulously.
I nodded. “Apparently we’re not popular enough for Mrs. Harding to risk her Knights for us.”
James let out a soft whistle.
“It’s not over,” I continued. “Merlin agreed to help us, and he said he might be able to get one or two more.”
I stopped there, looking at the faces of the four standing before me. Scott and James were Terry’s students. Candace and Daniel were mine. Suddenly I realized that saying what I had to say next would be even harder than I originally thought.
Scott saved me the trouble, looking me in the eyes and saying determinedly, “We’re with you, Adrian.”
The others nodded.
“I can’t ask you to do this,” I said, trying hard not to let my voice quaver.
“You don’t have to,” said Candace. “We’re going to help whether you want it or not.”
James and Daniel nodded.
“Thank you,” I said weakly.
James grinned. “If Terry were here, she would have ordered us.”
“She might have,” I agreed, “but I won’t. Two have already died today because we asked you to be heroes. I don’t believe in heroes. I’m grateful for what you’re offering, but I want you all to be realistic about this too. These guys are real Seraphim. And that telekinetic…”
I stopped and looked around at them. Terry understood that soldiers’ morale sometimes depended upon their ignorance, but I couldn’t let these kids risk their lives without knowing what they were up against.
I said to them gravely, “This destroyer is something special. His power is greater than mine, and he knows a lot more about how to use it. He killed Max, who was unarmed, and did more to Terry than anyone has ever managed. Terry might not have been at her best this morning, but I guarantee that this man is going to be very, very hard to kill. I don’t know how we’re going to do it.”
I saw Daniel shuffling his feet uncomfortably. I looked down at the floor for a moment before continuing, “Don’t get me wrong. I want every man willing. But if any of you are about to panic or accidentally shoot yourselves in the foot, I want you to be honest with yourself and back out now. No heroes please.”
I didn’t want to name Candace specifically, but this was aimed mostly at her. Candace had made the least progress among my CQC students, and her shooting wasn’t at all reliable either.
I looked around at their faces again, carefully studying their expressions. Nobody spoke, and nobody looked away.
“Alright,” I said. “We’ll wait for Merlin.”
As if perfectly timed, there was a knock on the door, and I telekinetically opened it to Merlin and two others who followed him in: one man, one woman, both in their mid-thirties or so.
“May I introduce Thomas Richardson and his wife, Sally,” said Merlin. “They’re not Knights, but both are sparks, and they’ve agreed to join us.”
I recognized them both. They were the parents of one of Alia’s kiddie-combat students. It was the worst irony possible, but apparently my reclusive sister was the only one who had made any real friends among the residents of Walnut Lane.
After formally introducing my group to the two sparks, I turned to our blocking instructor, saying, “Alright, Merlin, it’s your show.”
Merlin looked surprised. “Mine?”
“Well, sure,” I replied matter-of-factly. “You’re the senior Knight here. The only Knight, for that matter. You are going to lead us, right?”
“Well, it’s your mission, Adrian,” said Merlin, scratching his head. “I think it would only be right if you had operational command.”
I wondered what insanity had come over him.
“Thanks,” I said with a chuckle, “but I think our chances of survival might be greatly improved if we had a real Knight in charge.”
After an awkward pause, Merlin said uncomfortably, “Um, might I have a word with you in private?”
“No,” I said briskly. “I mean, if this is about our mission, I think everyone should hear it.”
Another awkward pause.
Sally Richardson smiled at Merlin and said, “It’s okay, Arthur. You can tell them.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Adrian,” said Merlin, “but you are the only real Knight here, not me. It is true that I am a trained Guardian Knight, but it’s also true that I have never been in a real combat situation. Mrs. Harding has done such an excellent job of keeping us hidden that our settlement has never once been attacked, and as you know by now, we don’t go around looking for trouble.”
I gaped at him.
This was even worse than when Terry had admitted that she didn’t know how to land our stolen airplane. Of our entire team, I was the only one who had any experience taking down an enemy stronghold.
We might have stared at each other for a full minute before I finally gulped and said uneasily, “Alright. I’ll lead.”
I looked around at my team. “Is that okay?”
Everyone nodded or smiled to show that it was.
I took a deep breath and forced a grim smile. “We’re going tonight.”
It was still late morning. In order to keep this mission from being a complete suicide run, I had to master my desire to rush to Alia’s rescue and instead form a passable plan of attack. My greatest fear was that for every hour we waited, my sister might be removed from the outpost or Terry might die of her wounds, but those were chances we would have to take if we were to have the cover of darkness.
Merlin was carrying a large brown envelope from which he pulled what little infor
mation the Walnut Guardians had on their Angel neighbors. We gathered in the dining room to look over the documents.
“This is the place,” said Merlin, showing us a close-up photo of a square red-brick two-story house. The photo looked like it was taken from a speeding car, and was slightly blurry. All of the windows had their curtains drawn, but fortunately the place had no fence around it.
“Here’s another,” said Merlin, “and this one is an aerial shot.”
The second photo was even worse than the first, but the aerial shot confirmed that the outpost wasn’t part of a block of houses. It stood alone a short distance from an asphalt road running through a grassy field.
“The next house is more than half a mile away,” explained Merlin.
“Gunshots can be heard from farther than that in the open,” I said, frowning.
Merlin shook his head. “I don’t think we’ll need to worry too much about the noise we make, Adrian. Mrs. Harding pulled some strings this morning with the local police to keep them from coming here when our neighbors reported gunshots fired. I’m sure she’ll help us tonight in the same way.”
“That may be,” said James, butting in from my side, “but even so, we could certainly use the element of surprise.”
“That’s why we’re waiting for night,” I reminded him.
“I know that,” said James. “But we could do more. What if we all got silencers for our pistols?”
“Silencers?” I repeated. “For our pistols?”
“Yeah,” James said enthusiastically. “Keep the guns quiet. That way, if we could somehow sneak into that house, we might even be able to get all the Angels before they wake up.”
“You’ve been watching too many spy movies, James,” I informed him.
A sound suppressor, more commonly known as a silencer, was a long cylindrical metal tube that attached to the barrel of a gun to reduce the noise of the rounds. But the key word here was “reduce,” and unlike in the movies, real-life silencers didn’t bring the noise of a pistol down to those silly little whispering put-put-puts that wouldn’t wake a cat in a library. Even with silencers, guns were as loud as jackhammers. That was why the Angels had come at us with only crossbows, knives, tear gas and psionics. They didn’t want to wake the neighbors.
The Quest (Psionic Pentalogy Book 4) Page 16