by Lysa Daley
“Okay, let’s all calm down for a moment,” Fitz says. “They have her family. What would you have done?”
“I wouldn’t have betrayed the people who have protected me,” he replies, but his voice waivers.
The rock-steady, calm voice of reason, Fitz turns back to Ruby. “How did they contact you?”
“They sent me an email with photos of my family tied up. My sister looks so scared and my mom…” Ruby chokes back tears. “They gave me a number to text and told me to get Astrid up into the lobby today. If I didn't do it, they said they’d kill my father right away.” She takes a moment to pull herself together. “I did what they asked. That's all.”
Tanaka chimes in. “Did you text them back on your phone?”
“Yes… but,” she says, her voice quivering. “I know you're not going to believe me, I could barely believe it myself, but the email is gone, and so is the text I sent. They both just vanished from my phone.”
“What do you mean by “vanished?” Tanaka asks.
“The messages faded off the screen while I was watching. So did the photos they sent. Once I figured that out, I took a screen shot of this one photo I showed you. That was the last picture they sent.”
Fitz turns to Tanaka, our resident technology expert. “Is that possible?”
He nods gravely. “Unfortunately, it is if they have Draconian technology or the Draconians are helping them.”
“Obviously, the Draconians are involved,” Fitz says as the mood in the room grows even darker.
“But, the good news is we also have high-tech capabilities.” Tanaka stands and holds out his hand. “Ruby, give me your phone.”
She hands it over, and he plugs it into his massive computer consul. Almost instantly, the data from her phone starts scrolling down the screen. A bunch of random numbers and letters scroll past. Nonsense.
And then the images begin to appear.
Photographs of Ruby’s family. Just like she said. The images are pretty grim. They're being held in some sort of dark, confined cell. Terrified, their hands are bound behind their backs. Ruby's mom appears to be crying because her eyes are swollen red. k`1`2
Ruby looks away from the images. It's just too hard to see. And for a moment, I understand how she could have agreed to help Sunglasses Man. It breaks my heart.
My uncle studies the images. “Nothing in these photos gives us any sense of where they're holding her family.”
“I'm sure that was intentional,” Fitz replies. “They could be anywhere in the world. Or even off-world, for all we know.”
“Bingo!” Tanaka gleefully pushes back from his desk. All eyes turn to him. “I think I found a silver lining. If you give me 20 minutes, I can probably trace the location that these photos came from.”
Fitz nods to Tanaka. “Ruby, until we can verify the information you gave us, unfortunately, I'm going to have to send you to one of the holding cells.”
“But…” Her eyes go wide.
“I'm sorry. It's in the best interest of everyone's safety at this point,” he says.
“What if they try to contact me again?” Her eyes go wild, and she looks panicked. “I won’t be able to respond. They’ll hurt my family.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll monitor any incoming messages on your phone,” Fitz assures her, then unapologetically turns his back. He’s done talking for now.
O'Malley approaches Ruby who resembles a panicked animal. She looks wildly around like she's going to resist or maybe make a run for it.
O’Malley sees it too and puts a hand on his service revolver.
Chapter 18
But, seriously, who could physically resist someone as intense and terrifying as O'Malley. You’d be a fool to try.
In the end, she just walks out peacefully with him, resigned to her fate.
After she's left the room, Simmons, the closest thing I have to a mother figure turns to me and asks, “Are you okay, honey?”
She’s never called me “honey” or any other form of endearment before.
“No. Not really,” I reply. “It feels like everyone I trust eventually betrays me.”
“I understand.” She nods. “Remember, you still have all of us. There’s nothing in this world or any other that's going to get us to betray you.”
I'm about to ask if she knows who Jax is working for. And then tell her that this is my life so I deserve to know what's going on, when Tanaka claps his hands and leans back in his chair, a proud smile on his face. “I’m even better than I thought at this.”
“You found it already?” Simmons asks.
“Yes, ma'am,” he says with a wide grin. “Damn I’m good.”
“Alright already,” Fitz shakes his head. “Where is it?”
“Both the outgoing and incoming digital information routes back to a rugged part of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico.”
“Can you bring that up on the map for us?” Fitz asks, and the map of the area along the South East coast of Mexico appears.
Simmons frowns, “What's there? It doesn't look like it’s near any large metropolitan area?”
Tanaka reads the screen. “No, it’s not near any cities. It looks like it's coming from an area known as Tres Ojos.”
“That means three eyes,” I say, using my two years of middle school Spanish.
“It’s famous for sea caves known as Tres Ojos. Looks like it's a pretty big tourist site.”
“Why would it be coming from there?” Simmons asks.
My uncle studies the screen for a moment. “Because those sea caves extend from miles underground. This location would be a perfect base for the Draconian and the Greys with their advanced water technology.”
“Hang on!” Simmons says, something dawning on her. “You said the Yucatán Peninsula?” She grabs her binder and pulls out a report. “When you came back from your visit with Kraken, he gave Astrid the caviar spoon made out of mother-of-pearl.”
“Right,” my uncles says, puzzled. “And?”
“We sent the spoon to the lab to be analyzed.” She looks up at us and smiles. “That mother of pearl only comes from one particular place on the planet.”
“Let me guess,” my uncle says. “It came from Mexican sea caves in the Yucatán peninsula.”
“You got it,” she grins.
I can tell the wheels are turning in Fitz’s head. “How long will it take us to get there?”
Someone won’t stop knocking on my door.
The first two times they knock, I ignored it. Instead, I pull the couch’s throw pillow over my head, to block out the noise so I can rest for a little bit.
But, whoever’s at the door just won’t quit. Please go away.
Knock, knock, knock.
After our meeting, I finally got to talk to Fitz alone. “Where are you taking her?”
“To a “holding” area,” he said, not meeting my eyes.
“You mean a cell?”
He sighs, forcing himself to be patient with me. “We don’t have cells here, Astrid. We’re not a prison. But security has a controlled area where we’ll be keeping an eye on her. We need to know if the Horlocks or the Draconians try to contact her again.”
“What about Tom?”
“I’ve already sent a team to check on him. They’re going to lock down the entrance to the old trolley station so no one happens to stumble on him again.”
That makes me feel a little better.
Leaving comm center, I realized just how exhausted I felt. Maybe, the truth is, I’m just worn down. Back in our suite, I collapsed on the sofa.
Knock, knock, knock.
Argh! Whoever’s at the door clearly isn’t going away.
In a fit of anger, I chuck the pillow across the room and stomp over to the door.
“What?” I spit out, flinging the door open.
“Oh, sorry.” I see the surprised face of Chad Olson looking back at me. “Did I interrupt something?”
“Oh hey, Chad.” I force a smile, trying to act
like nothing’s wrong and I’m happy to see him. “Hi.”
“Were you sleeping?”
“Nope. Not at all.”
He pauses, trying to read my expression. Apparently, unable to do so, he goes on. “I just heard about Ruby. I came by to see if you’re okay.”
“I know. The whole thing is terrible.”
“So it’s true, then? I just can’t believe it. Tell me it’s not true.”
I just look at him for a long moment, before I burst into tears. “It's true. They have her family. So she told them where we are.”
“Don’t cry, Astrid.” He steps forward, putting his arms around me and pulls me into his chest. “I can’t believe it. I can’t believe she’d do something like that. I’m numb.”
I just stand there crying on his shoulder. It feels good to let it all out. I did my best to hold it together while I was in the room with everyone else, but I can't keep my feelings locked inside anymore.
“It's okay,” he says quietly, rubbing my back. “I understand.”
I feel my world closing in on me. Tears fill my eyes. “First Jax betrays me. And now the best friend I’ve ever had in my whole life sells me out too?”
“I’m here for you. I would never betray you.”
“I know,” I say. “And I appreciate that. So very much. You have no idea.”
“Don't worry,” he says quietly. It feels nice to have his strong arms around me. “I'll protect you. I won’t let anything happen. I promise.”
“I’m so lucky to have you here with me,” I say, as he loosens his embrace, and I take a small step back looking into his amazing blue-green eyes. Then the most unexpected thing happens.
Chad Olson actually kisses me.
Like, right on the lips.
A few months ago, I would have given my left arm for this to happen. It’s something I’ve dreamed about since the moment I laid eyes on Chad. I’ve had a raging crush on him for nearly two years.
Our lips part, and I take a second step back.
He seems all aglow and dreamy. Until he sees the look on my face and his smile fades. “What's wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” I lie.
But I realize that the kiss didn’t make me feel anything. I mean like nothing. I just feel numb. It should have been one of the most magical moments ever. And it wasn’t.
“Astrid, something’s obviously wrong,” he says.
“It’s okay. Nothing’s wrong with you. I mean something’s wrong with me, but nothing's wrong…” I stop talking because I sound like an idiot.
All the time I spent dreaming about this moment, about this kiss and how magical it would be. It's nothing but a huge letdown.
“Did I upset you?” he says kindly. “You can tell me.”
“No, I’m not upset,” I say. But what exactly is wrong with me? I search my feelings. When I realize that Jax is in the back of my mind, I feel even more terrible.
Jax! But I despise Jax.
Now, I feel even worse. Like I’m the most horrible person on the planet.
“No, it’s nothing,” I repeat. “It’s not you.”
I try to push the thought of Jax away. But I can’t. All I can see is his stupid face in my mind.
I shake my head, then turn away from Chad. “I’m sorry. I… I have to go.”
Chapter 19
Thirty-six hours later, I wake up to the gentle rocking of a U.S. Navy warship.
I’m sorry to report that Ruby and I are bunking together. Mostly because of the very limited space. There's a grand total of three female non-military personnel on this ship. Simmons is bunking with one of the Navy female officers, that leaves Ruby and me together.
And I’m having very mixed feelings about it.
Our two bunk cabin is, without doubt, the tiniest room I have ever been in. In a street fight, my old walk-in closet could kick this small room’s butt.
I throw my backpack on the lower bunk, figuring Ruby can climb to the top bunk that’s got 18 inches between the mattress and the ceiling. Not a good choice for anyone with claustrophobia.
Of course, it’s not hard for anyone to experience a wee bit of claustrophobia on this ship that’s chock full of low ceilings and tight spaces.
The metal door creaks open, and Ruby cautiously peers inside.
“Hi,” she says, then hesitates like she doesn’t know what to do. “Okay if I come in?”
I unzip my backpack and pull out my toiletry bag. “I suppose.”
I’m having a hard time looking her in the eye. This is the first time I’ve had to speak to her since she confessed to being a rat three days ago.
The whole reason we’re here cruising down the Atlantic coast is to try to rescue her family in Mexico and to attempt to get my sword back.
Once Fitz’s team at the Eye in the Sky made the connection between the digital fingerprint from Ruby’s phone and the mother-of-pearl spoon that Kraken gave me, they were able to do a little targeted satellite surveillance, along with collecting some old fashion intel on the ground.
They determined that the Draconians have indeed set up a base deep within the underwater sea caves of Tres Ojos, Mexico.
The locals in Tres Ojos have even been reporting sightings of a monstrous reptilian being that walks on two legs draped in a deep red cloak.
That can only be Ciakar Rigel, the Crimson Lord, my mortal enemy, who’s come to Earth with the sole intention of finding and destroying me. He plans to put Calliope, my fellow Sister of Light, on the throne and let her rule the galaxy with him.
Of course, for that to happen, I have to die.
The only reason Fitz agreed to bring Ruby along is because she can positively identify her family. There’s some speculation that alien shape shifters might be able to take the physical form of her family in order to lure us here. Only Ruby can tell if it’s actually her family or not.
“Listen,” she begins, tears welling in her eyes.
But I stop her. “It’s okay. You don’t have to explain.”
“Then why won’t you look at me?” she asks, pulling her bag inside the tiny cabin and shutting the door.
“Because there’s nothing you could say that would make this all okay.” And it’s true. How could I possibly ever trust her again?
“You would have done the same thing for your family,” she says. “Look at how many times you've moved. How many times you abandonned everyone you knew so that you and your uncle could be safe. The two of you always put your family first.”
“That's not the same thing. I’ve never betrayed a friend to do it.” I turn, looking her square in the eye. “That's not the same thing as trading one life for another. They would have killed me.”
She reacts like I slapped her across the face as I brush past her and walk out the door. “Astrid, please…”
“Stop,” I say, storming out. I don’t want to hear it. “Just stop.”
When I enter the Captain’s Command Center on the top deck of the ship, there's an argument going on between my uncle and the captain.
“We go in fast and hard to clobber them with everything we've got before they even know what's happening.” The captain, a gray-haired, bearded man with the weathered face of a fisherman, points at a high-tech radar screen showing the jagged coast several miles in the distance. “My elite team of SEALs can be in and out in 15 to 20 minutes.”
“If we go in hard and fast,” my uncle counters, his voice straining to remain diplomatic, “then your SEALs will be dead in less than 10 minutes.”
Offended, the captain frowns. “Sir, if you believe that, then you don't know Navy SEALs.”
“I do, sir,” my uncle replies respectfully. “They’re the finest group of warriors this planet has to offer. And I'm damn proud to be in their presence. But with all due respect, Captain, you have no idea the enemy you're facing.“
A second Navy officer, younger and taller, steps forward and asks, “Then what do you suggest?”
The room goes quiet.
The captain shrugs, “Then I don't see how I can be of assistance to you. All I have to offer are a boatload of the best soldiers God put on this green Earth.”
When he says this, something occurs to me, “That's it.”
Every eye turns in my direction, and I instantly regret opening my mouth.
My uncle, not looking terribly happy that I've arrived in the middle this conversation, addresses me like an impatient parent. “What is it, Astrid?”
“If we can't send in the best soldiers, then it needs to be non-soliders. It needs to be me. Maybe it's a better idea if just a couple of us go.”
He looks at me for a long moment and asks. “Do you have a specific plan?”
“We could go in looking like tourists,” I suggest. “Back in D.C., I looked up Tres Ojos to see that it’s a huge sea kayaking destination for tourists. It has one of the largest sea caves on the planet. People travel there from all over the planet just to explore them.”
“She might be onto something.” Fitz nods. “To be honest, that's not a terrible idea.”
“No, it's a terrible idea.” My uncle counters. “Our main prerogative is to keep Astrid safe and not leave her totally vulnerable in the clutches of the enemy. Besides, I’m not sure she’s properly prepared to go into an area that could turn into a combat situation.”
“Right,” I argue. “Cause I've only been training for my entire life.”
“Training and real combat are not the same,” Fitz says.
“To be honest, the pictures make the area look beautiful. No one would think twice about a father and daughter out kayaking. That way you could also sprinkle in a whole bunch of backup to follow us if they also look like tourists.”
A handsome muscle-bound man who's been quiet the entire time leaning against the back wall speaks up. “That's not a half-bad idea, Captain.”