"Not your problem," he answers. "My men will be handling them, not you. They are just bombs, the kind that causes a lot of damage, which is what we want."
I open my mouth to argue, but Tank quickly catches my hand and squeezes it into silence. I'll be sure to approach Rafe in private then.
Rafe turns his attention to the circle. "You'll have tonight to prepare. Explain the mission to your groups and make sure they understand fully what they are to do. We leave at sunrise."
"What group am I with?" Link asks eagerly.
"You and Sage are with leaders Carissa and Shred."
Shred looks back at me and winks. I groan inwardly.
"Wouldn't it be better to separate me and Sage?" Link asks. "It doesn't make sense to put two super Primes together."
"You are still untested on the battlefield," Rafe says, trying to keep his voice even.
Link clenches his jaw, but he doesn't argue.
"Prepare, then rest," Rafe tells us. "Tomorrow is a big day, one that will shape our future for better or worse."
20
I turn away from the group. Tank bumps me on the arm. "I'm going to see Ash."
"See you bright and early," I call after him.
Behind me, I hear Link's laughter along with the others as they discuss tomorrow. I walk away, frustrated that Link can't see through Rafe's motives.
I head straight to Colt's hospital room. The line outside his door is almost gone. When Tim sees me, he peeks inside Colt's room.
"He's just about done," Tim says to me.
"Who's in there?"
"Raven."
A sting of jealousy rushes through me.
"I'll come back," I begin, but he stops me.
"He'll want to see you. Please stay." He looks beyond me. "As for the rest of you, come back tomorrow."
I lean into the wall resting against it. My hands twist in and out of each other. Raven's laughter echoes beyond the closed door.
A second later the door opens. Raven lifts her chin a little when she sees me and walks right by.
"Sage?" Colt's voice says.
I blink and step into the room.
"I'm glad you came back," he says. "I wasn't sure you’d be able to."
I close the door. "We're leaving at sunrise."
"I heard what you said out there, about showing mercy."
I glance at the window. It's open wide, letting cool air blow into the room. His sensitive hearing must've caught my voice.
"I don't know if my words made much of a difference," I say. "Everyone seems to want blood." I lower into the chair next to his bed. "I was hoping you would be able to get some rest."
"There will be time for rest later," he says, but even as he speaks, he's lying down on the bed.
I play with a stray string on the bottom of my t-shirt. "What did Raven want?"
The corners of his mouth turn up. "Are you jealous?"
"Pshh. Me?"
"Come here." He pats the bed next to him.
I push up on the armrests and climb onto the bed. He spoons me next to him so my back is pressed against his stomach. His arms come around me and he nuzzles my neck. "You smell exactly how I remember."
"I'm sorry," I say. Shivers explode on my skin when his nose trails up the flesh on my neck.
"I love how you smell," he breathes into my ear. Butterflies spin in my stomach until I think I'm spinning too.
"I dreamt of you all of the time," he continues. He slowly runs his fingers down the length of my arm, stopping only when his fingers entwine into mine. "I love you so much."
His words warm me to the bone. I pull his hand up to my face and press my lips to it. "I love you too."
We stay like that for several minutes. I'm about to turn over to tell him about Link, and possibly even my shortened life span, but he lets out a long peaceful sigh, and I realize he has fallen asleep.
I remain in his arms for a long time. I've never felt this comfortable or safe before. I wish I lived in a world where this could be a daily occurrence, but the reality is vastly different.
Eventually, darkness comes. I remain in Colt's arms well through the night, but at some point I drift off into a peaceful sleep, dreaming of living in a quiet town with Max. Jenna and my father live with us, and Colt lives next door. Tank and Ash are just on the other side of town. There are other people there too. Primes and Originals cohabitating together. The sun shines brightly on our small town. Children play at the park. I'm sitting on a bench holding Colt's hand while Max throws a football with Tank not far away
.
A sudden breeze ruffles my hair. I turn to my left to see where the cool wind came from. Dark clouds fill the eastern sky, and they are moving fast.
"Colt?" I ask.
He doesn't hear me. He's laughing at Tank and Max.
No one sees the storm approaching.
"Colt!"
The clouds begin to descend, pluming smoke into our small town. It overtakes Max. I squint to see him through the smoke. As he inhales, his smile disappears and the light in his eyes goes out. Tank is next, followed by everyone else I know and love.
I attempt to run away, but the fog takes hold of me. I scream and fight.
"Sage!"
I bolt awake sitting up in bed.
"Just breathe," Colt says. He rubs my back in slow circular movements. "It was just a dream."
I want to believe him, but the dream felt so real. That's impossible, though.
"What time is it?" I ask.
"The sun rises soon." Colt swings his legs over the bed and stretches his arms high. "That was the best sleep I've had in a long time. Thank you for staying with me."
"I can't imagine being anywhere else." I also come to my feet. It is in that second I remember that my father wanted to speak to me. Whatever it was, I'm sure it can wait until I return from Merrick.
"How are you feeling?" I ask.
"Better, physically anyway. My mind will take time, however. Fake it until I make, right?"
"That's the idea."
"I wish I could go with you," he says. "But I think I would just slow everyone down."
"Just rest and get feeling better. We need our leader back. Rafe is trying hard to fill your shoes."
"I'm getting there. I think I will go visit your father today and see if he has anything to help me recover more quickly."
"If you do see him, tell him I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to visit with him before I left. He wanted to talk to me about something."
"Do you know what it was about?"
"I don't."
Colt walks around the side of the bed and pulls me into his arms. "Be careful today."
"I'm pretty close to invincible now," I say, grinning.
He lets me go and steps back, his expression serious. "Why did you do it?"
I avert my gaze. "A number of reasons. I wanted revenge for Anthony. I wanted to be strong enough to rescue you and Max. And to save Link."
"What do you mean, save Link?"
I tell him everything Rafe told me about how important it is to have a super Prime on our side, and how if I didn't agree, he would ask Link.
"I knew Link would jump on the opportunity so I agreed instead," I say.
"But that doesn't make sense. Why not let Link do it? Your father has a cure to the Kiss should Link get it anytime soon, and even though we can't mass produce it yet, it's just a matter of time. Link would have been fine."
I search his eyes and open my mouth to finally tell him the truth, but I'm interrupted by a sharp knock.
"Come in," Colt orders.
Shred opens the door. He's already in full gear including several weapons across the sash on his chest. He walks into the room and looks around casually.
"Can I help you?" Colt asks.
"I'm here for the girl." Shred motions his head toward me.
"Colt, this is Shred," I explain. "He is a squadron leader under Rafe. I'll be working with him today."
Shred swivels his he
ad in my direction. "You mean you are working under me today." He smiles. "Good thing you're hot."
Colt takes a step toward him. "Watch how you speak to her."
Shred looks him up and down and spits to the side. "You're not in charge anymore."
Colt's whole body tenses. "I don't care who’s in charge, you will not speak to her that way. Ever."
The air grows heavy with aggression. I take hold of Colt’s arm. "I have to go, but I'll be back soon. Don't worry about a thing. Rest."
Shred snorts and exits the room.
"I don't like that man," Colt says. "Be careful around him."
I give him a quick peck on the cheek. "I will. See you soon."
Before I can leave, he pulls me tightly to his body and wraps his arms around my back. He briefly glances at my lips before he's crushing his mouth to mine. It's a kiss of desperation and longing. I slip my hands beneath his shirt pressing him even closer. He moans and steps away.
"Sorry," he mumbles.
"Don't be sorry. I want to be close to you."
His Adam's apple moves up and down. "Just come back to me soon."
"I promise."
I hurry from the room, afraid if I linger a moment longer I might never leave. My chest is light as I race down the hallway and out the doors. By the time I step into the cool, early morning air, I'm smiling big.
"What are you so happy about?" Link asks when I reach the east field where my group has gathered together. At least four dozen soldiers are loading into vehicles. We are one of the two convoys actually driving to our destination. It will take us at least four hours to get to Merrick. The third convoy, the one going to Colville, will be flying. They don't leave for another two hours so our attacks can be synchronized.
"I'm just glad for the occasional good day," I say.
"It is a good day," Link agrees. "Today I prove to everyone that I'm just as capable, if not more, than every other Prime."
"Link—"
He puts his hand up. "I don't want to hear it. You've always gotten the respect of Primes and Originals for as long as I've known you. That's why you becoming a super Prime really bothers me."
"What do you mean?"
"Why did you do it? You've never cared about proving yourself to others, so why risk getting the Kiss in the future? I mean, I know there's a cure, but you could still get really sick. For me, it was worth it. I get to save my family, be a hero to the world. It's what I've always wanted."
I rub my hands across my face thinking hard how best to answer him. "Did you ever consider that Rafe might not be telling you the whole truth about what you took?"
"Why would he lie?"
"To get what he wants—two super Primes who will help him end this war. Don't you think he would do and say whatever to achieve that?"
He shrugs. "I feel great. I know I can do a lot of good with all these new changes. Maybe it doesn't matter that he lied. Whatever it is you think you know, would you still have made the same choice?"
I'm taken back by his question. Would I have chosen not to transform myself had I known Link was already going to be turned? My new special abilities helped me save Colt. They may prove Max's safety too. But maybe all those things would've happened anyway.
"Load up!" Shred shouts.
Before I can answer Link, I'm herded into the nearest van. Somehow Link and I get separated, and he ends up in the van in front of me. There are eleven others with me. We are packed so tightly that ten minutes into our drive several of us have rolled down the windows.
No one speaks to each other, which makes for a long ride, but not even I can find words to say right now. I'm too nervous. Not really for me, but for the children and for everyone else, including the guards we are about to fight. Before the sun sets tonight, blood will be spilled and lives will be lost. And I hate the fact that a lot of those deaths will be by my own hands.
21
We travel quickly on the passable roads, reaching speeds of well over a hundred miles per hour. It's frustrating when we have to slow down for parts of the roads that are too damaged. No one wants to be in this crowded van any longer than we have to.
A buzzing sound breaks the silence in the car. Shred, who has been glancing at me in the rearview mirror, presses a button on his wristpad. "What's up?"
"We just received word that Merrick received another batch of troops within the last hour," a voice responds.
"Do they know we’re coming?"
"They could've caught our movements on satellite if they were looking."
"What do we do?" Shred asks.
"We proceed as planned. Rafe's orders."
"Got it." Shred presses his wristpad again. Over his shoulder, he says to everyone, "If you came for a good fight, you're going to get it! Who's ready to kill some Institute scum bags?"
Everyone around me cheers. A few thump the ceiling of the van with their fists. I remain still, but I do glare at Shred when our eyes meet in the mirror. He smiles slyly back.
It's not long before the forest opens up revealing a small city. Merrick is a fairly new town, built in the last one hundred years. People only moved here if they were employees of the Institute. Everyone works at the huge research facility in the center of town called the Merrick Science and Research Facility, or MSR.
Shred doesn't seem to be too concerned about concealing our presence. I guess it would be hard to stay hidden anyway. The town is small. There's no way we could go unnoticed.
We quickly unload from our vehicles. Everyone else jogs ahead to the edge of town, all anxious to get in on the upcoming fight. I stay back, truly dreading what's about to happen.
Link jogs back to me. "Come on. We need to stay at the front of the line to protect everyone."
"You are really eating this up, aren't you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
I shake my head. "Nothing."
I take off to catch up to the others. Link quickly passes by me, anxious to be the first one into battle. It worries me that he seems to enjoy this so much.
Before we enter the town, Shred explains how we will divide into two groups and circle around on each side of the research facility. Link and I, however, will walk directly to MSR. The hope is we will be able to draw most of the fight to us, giving one of the other two groups the chance to sneak inside.
While Shred continues to speak, I glance back at a smaller vehicle, one of ours, that just pulled up. Two men unload three large cases from the trunk.
"Sage?"
I glance back at Shred.
"Are you listening to me?" he asks.
"What's in those cases?"
"Nothing you need to concern yourself with." He turns around and starts toward town. "Let's get going."
The group immediately divides into two and set on their course.
Nothing seems out of place in this small town. The houses are neat and well maintained. A woman trimming her bushes in her front yard sees us coming. She frowns as if she's trying to figure out who we could be. I smile at her, but she hurries inside her home instead. That might be the safest place for her.
Main Street has more to offer than I expect for such a small city. There's a large shopping center, a few clothing stores, and even a theater. There are maybe half a dozen Primes walking around. A couple of them glance at us with curiosity, but they don't seem too concerned like the woman had been, even though we’re wearing soldier-like uniforms. Maybe they think we’re part of MSR's security.
MSR comes into view. It's bigger than I expect with a tall spiral tower at its center. Architecturally, it's a beautiful building. Smooth curves shape its outside, which is covered mostly by darkened glass. It's much prettier in person than the image I had been given.
When we get close, I grab Link's arm, stopping him.
"What are you doing?" he asks.
I pretend to be looking into the glass window of a shop, while secretly eyeing their security or lack thereof.
"Where are all of the guards?"
"What do you mean?"
"Shred received a message saying security at MSR was recently doubled. So where is everyone?"
"Maybe they’re inside. Let's go find out."
I grab his arm again. "We shouldn't fight them indoors or make anyone else do it either. There are too many unknowns."
"Like what?" he asks.
"For starters, they could try gassing us with Fenoquel."
For the first time since becoming a super Prime, fear flashes in his eyes. "What do you suggest?"
"We need to draw as many of them out as possible."
He nods as if finally understanding. "Distraction?"
"A huge one."
He grins big. "I can handle that."
We continue walking until we reach the edge of MSR's property. Small, leafy trees with flowers in full bloom, despite it being the end of summer, are scattered across a massive lawn. A few benches and picnic tables are situated in different areas next to food machines.
I stare at the building, wishing I could see through the darkened glass, and I'm too far away to hear what might be going on inside.
"They can see us," I say, eyeing the many cameras in the trees.
"Good." Link walks to a nearby bench and easily picks it up. He steps toward the front doors but stops half way. Lifting the bench, he spins around once and tosses the seat as hard as he can. It flies through the air, spiraling until it hits the glass doors. They shatter into a million pieces.
Five guards come running out from within, all with weapons drawn. Only stunners, which surprises me. If their security truly had doubled, then they should be expecting a fight. These few men don't reflect that reality.
"Put your hands up!" one of the Primes shouts. He's tall with slicked back brown hair and deep purple eyes, which tells me he is a Brax, a Prime with bones practically made of steel.
"Make me," Link says. He's still smiling.
The Brax fires his stunner, but Link jumps out of the way and toward the other four guards. Before either of them can do anything, Link already has their weapons knocked from their hands. The Brax attempts to fight him in hand-to-hand combat, but Link kicks him square in the chest. He flies across the lawn, landing on top of a table.
Saving Eden (Original Series book 3) Page 16