What if I can?
Jay steps towards me, worry and sorrow in his eyes. He raises his left hand, and I see anger in his dark eyes, too. I understand. I am about to take his identity from him. I just hope I can find a way to give it back.
The flash of blue emits from his palm and remains steady between us. I raise my left hand and concentrate, focussing on the blue, willing it to move in my direction. Tahan looks on in amazement, never having seen a Variant use their Ability before.
Nothing happens.
I try to block out the people around us – Corbin, Duncan, even Tahan. Without meaning to, I am holding my breath, as if that’s going to help. A warm glow pulses in my left forearm.
‘Focus, Thea, concentrate on manipulating it to you,’ Corbin urges. ‘Make a connection to the light, to my son.’
‘Be quiet!’ I take a step closer to Jay, now only two metres apart, silently pleading for this to work. I’ve started being able to control time – I will control this blue light. I narrow my vision until all I see is the blue light and Jay’s hand, undulating as it hangs in the air. My forearm tingles, just above where my Token would be. It’s working. It has to be working.
The blue light starts to move away from Jay. Slowly and steadily it pulses towards my hand. The tingling gets stronger but I ignore it and focus on the blue.
‘Yes, Thea! That’s it!’
Corbin’s encouragement distracts me and the blue light stops. I refocus, pulling Jay’s light towards me. The blue touches my hand and I feel warmth saturate my arm, coming to rest in the place of the tingling sensation. I touch my skin where it tingles, but I don’t feel any different with two Abilities, certainly not out of control. Perhaps it’s because neither Token has manifested on my arm?
Jay drops to the ground and I kneel beside him but he is unconscious. I snatch his wrist. Like last time, his Token is gone but he still has a pulse. I will find a way to undo this, I promise. I will restore Jay’s Ability.
Harries still has his maserlock aimed at Tahan. ‘Harries, stop! I did what he asked. Let her go!’
Harries holsters his maserlock but Tahan seems just as afraid.
‘Very good, Thea Reid, very good. How are you feeling?’
I’m feeling angry. Angry at him. Angry at Duncan. Angry at this whole situation.
I can’t let Corbin know that a second Ability doesn’t seem to be affecting me. ‘I’m feeling . . . a bit queasy.’
He takes a step towards me. ‘Queasy? Anything else? How does your head feel?’
‘My head feels heavy and sore. My left arm, it feels dense, like I can’t lift it.’ I try to remember how I felt when the serum was injected. I hope I’m describing similar side effects to those that Corbin experienced.
‘Interesting.’ Unexpectedly, Corbin leaps towards me, pulling a needle out of the pocket of his grey scientist coat. I try to scramble away but he jabs it into my arm, pulling the plunger and extracting blood. ‘See, Thea, that wasn’t so bad, was it?’
My fury builds. This man has taken everything from me. He has to pay. He will pay.
Blue light surfaces on my hand. Corbin takes a hasty step back and Duncan jumps away from the glass. I direct my hand at Corbin and the power of the Air Warp shoots him back, sliding him across the floor.
The blue light retreats back to me. The warmth in my forearm grows, turning into a hot ember beneath my skin. I want it to stop. I shake my hand but the blue light won’t disappear.
I look back at Jay and close my eyes, concentrating. I dip into my old memories: playing tag with my mother on a field of grass so brown it crunched underfoot; chasing Eli in an abandoned house on the outskirts of our village; hiding up a giant oak tree during hide and seek.
I smile, and feel the warmth of the blue light dissipate, sinking into my body. I open my eyes and look at my hand. It’s gone.
‘Fascinating,’ Corbin says, dusting himself off and leaving the Chamber with Scar-face.
I scowl at him as he joins Duncan, who is smiling contentedly. Corbin and Duncan head towards the elevator while Harries remains by the glass, looking in. Tahan is still in the Chamber.
I lock eyes with her and I want to hug her. I don’t, though. I can’t. She could be the traitor. She has the same look of fear in her eyes that she had when Harries had the maserlock pointed at her. Is it me she’s afraid of?
Over the last few days with all that has happened – the drugging, my forgotten life resurfacing, the electrodes shooting through my body, the giant needle with its weird serum – I feel like my entire world, who I thought I was, has collapsed in on me. I would give anything to have this feeling disappear.
I look at her and I know. She did it. She is the one. Tahan is the traitor. The one person who made me feel like the Kingdom of Cardiff was home is the one person who knew all along that it was never my home.
My anger surges. ‘How long have you known about me? About who I really am?’
She looks away from me, fiddling with her necklace. ‘Since soon after we met at the marketplace. The king had me brought to Casteel.’ Her voice is soft and weak. ‘I’m so sorry, A.’
I look beyond her to Harries. Finally I see emotion in his face. A grimace of sadness, telling me that he’s known who I really am since the start, too. Of course he has. He’s my father’s own sentinel. No wonder Duncan wanted him watching over me after the parade incident. He was keeping an eye on me to see if I knew anything.
‘Why?’ I feel the tingling start in my forearm; Jay’s Token is trying to come through.
‘He threatened my family.’
I take a step towards her. ‘Your family died when you were young.’
‘No, they didn’t. I lied. I had to. They live in the North-west Quarter. To make me spy, the king threatened to banish them to the Wastelands.’ She looks at me. ‘I’m so sorry A. No one survives the Waste–’
‘Don’t you dare call me that!’ I turn and walk away from her. I’m almost at the back wall when I spin around. ‘You’ve known this whole time what my real name is, so don’t think for one second you can try and soften me by calling me A!’
She looks hurt. I don’t care. My pain and sadness for her is gone. All that is left is hatred.
‘I didn’t know your real name, I swear! Or that you were a Manipulator! He needed someone close to you. All he ever told me was to watch you, report if you behaved oddly, what you talked about. I never knew why.’
‘How nice it is to know that our friendship was all based on you spying and reporting to the man who had me kidnapped.’
‘It wasn’t based on that! Please, A, you’re my best friend.’
‘You are not mine. And I told you not to call me that.’ I kneel beside Jay and take his hand.
‘He would have banished my mother, my little brothers! They’re my family, I had to protect them.’
‘I thought I was your family! I would have done anything for you!’
She says nothing. I’m glad. I don’t want to hear her excuses and lies. But part of me understands. As mad as I am, I can’t place all the blame on her. I have no doubt Duncan would have exiled her family to certain death.
But I can’t forgive her. ‘Did that shady meeting in the markets have something to do with your lies?’
‘Yes. I have to submit reports on you.’
Harries steps inside the Chamber. Tahan nervously fiddles with her necklace. He tries to usher her out but she doesn’t move.
‘He would have taken their lives–’
‘What about my life, Tahan? He took my life! And my mother’s! Years have been taken away from me and I hate him for it. I hate you for it!’
I feel the warmth surging down my forearm and I push the Ability back. I don’t like having Air Warping, it’s hard to control. I can feel the Ability boiling in me, wanting to escape. No wonder Jay is always angry.
‘Go. I can’t look at you anymore.’
‘But I–’
‘Just go!’
Harries
leads her towards the door.
They are outside the Chamber when I think of one last thing. I run over to the wall. ‘T!’ She spins around in hope. ‘Tell me one thing. Did Finn know?’
She looks deflated. Whatever she was hoping for, it wasn’t this. ‘No, he didn’t. I think the king was using him without him knowing.’
I turn my attention back to the unconscious Jay, the only person that matters to me in the entire Kingdom of Cardiff.
Every time I think about Tahan, I feel fury rise within me. When I feel the power of the blue light gathering in my arm, I switch to thinking about this new Ability. I don’t feel unbalanced, but the combination of three Abilities affected Corbin, so having two must affect me. I’ve become a hypochondriac.
Jay still lies unconscious on the floor. I tried moving him over to the bed but he’s too heavy to lift. Instead, I put the pillow under his head. If only I could have taken my father’s Ability from Corbin.
I sit on the bed with my legs crossed, facing the glass wall that looks into the empty basement. Dr Kelvin and Dr Veldt have left; it must be night. I look at my faint reflection in the glass. I thought I was starting to figure out who I really was but now everything has changed again.
Corbin has changed me. I want to be out of here, I want to start my life.
The tingling in my forearm has remained present since my attack on Corbin. I must think of a way to restore Jay’s Ability. Eventually, Corbin will realise that I’m fine and I’m scared of what will happen when he does. I have to somehow reverse the process. Control the blue light’s movement. Make a connection.
I am deep in concentration when I vaguely register a tap on my shoulder.
‘Thea.’
The voice seems far away. I don’t want to come out of my haze. Whatever waits out there is frightening. I’d rather stay here, within my own thoughts.
‘Thea.’
I feel the bed dip as Jay takes a seat, leaning back against the glass wall, looking towards the front of the basement.
I smile. I can’t help it.
‘Why are you smiling?’
I finally turn to him. He looks weary but otherwise okay. ‘I was just thinking you’re probably annoyed I’m acting like a damsel in distress, hiding away in my own world.’
Jay smiles too. ‘Don’t worry. In this case, I’ll allow it.’
‘Thanks, Jay.’
‘I’m assuming amidst all this self-absorption, you’ve come up with some sort of plan.’
My serious face returns. ‘Yes. Sort of. I’m not sure.’
‘Ha, make up your mind, Thea.’
‘That’s always been my problem – not knowing my own mind.’ I smile. ‘How long do you think we’ve been in here for?’
He shrugs.
‘With no windows and the constant bouts of unconsciousness, I have no idea,’ I say.
‘I would guess at least a couple of days.’
‘And here I was thinking it was an eternity.’
‘Don’t be discouraged, Thea, we’ll get out of here sooner or later.’
‘Here’s hoping it’s sooner.’
We hear a commotion outside the Chamber. Jay leaps up and I turn my head. Scar-face and another sentinel are dragging a figure across the floor. I stand next to Jay as the sentinels drag him into the Chamber.
‘Get off me! Get your hands off me!’
I know that voice.
The sentinels toss the young man to the floor and leave, taking up position by the basement door. I look down at him in horror. This can’t be happening. How is he here? Why is he here? How did he get captured?
He stands up, dusting off his ragged trousers. ‘Evenin’, you two,’ he says, smiling. ‘Fancy seeing you here.’
My jaw drops. I can’t believe it. Bennet Grayson is in the Chamber.
I look at him in disbelief. ‘What are you doing here, Bennet?’
‘No “nice to see you, Benny”? “How have you been, Benny”?’
‘I’m serious, Bennet! What happened?’
Bennet looks over at Jay. ‘Never mind me, what the pex happened to you?’
Jay, bruised, pale and weary, speaks in a flat voice. ‘I’m fine, Benny. Now tell us what brings you here.’
Bennet slips his hand into his pocket and pulls something out, keeping it hidden in his closed fist. ‘Oh, the usual. As we were trying to make our way out of the kingdom, sentinels caught us and Mum went all Variant-y on them. I managed to hold them off while Darce and Mum got away.’
I’ve only known him for a few days but Bennet is acting strangely. He seems entirely too casual for this situation. ‘Bennet, what’s going on?’
‘Nothing.’ He glances over his shoulder. I follow his gaze to see Corbin chatting animatedly with the Dr Kelvin. Perhaps it’s morning now. ‘So, what’s it been like in here?’
‘Not good. Listen, Bennet, we have to get out of here.’
‘But I just got here!’ He chuckles, but it’s forced. I glance sidelong at Jay.
Jay steps forward. ‘Benny, that man, he didn’t make you, ah, take anyone else’s Ability did he?’
Bennet seems confused. ‘No. What are you talking about?’ He keeps clenching and unclenching the hand that has something hidden inside. ‘What’s the food like in here? Where do you go to the toilet?’ He unfolds a piece of brown paper, holding it close to his chest. I look over his shoulder, but Corbin and Dr Kelvin aren’t paying attention to us. Bennet flattens the note against his chest, writing facing out. The handwriting is familiar. ‘We are coming for you. Don’t panic. Be ready.’
‘“We”? Who is “we”?’ I whisper.
Jay looks worried. ‘Benny–’
‘Jay, my friend, don’t fret. Now you have extra company.’ Bennet walks over to the bed and sits down. ‘Ergh, not very comfortable, is it?’
We join him, sitting either side of him. He’s scratching at his wrist and I grab his hand. I lift it up and see his wrist. It’s red, but not just from his scratching. ‘Bennet, what have you been doing?’
‘Ha-ha, good one, Thea!’ He turns towards me. ‘We ran into Eli,’ he whispers to me. ‘He knows you’re here. They’ve got a plan.’
‘No, Bennet! If they get captured–’
‘Quiet, Thea. You can’t stop them.’
Jay takes over. ‘Why are you in here?’
‘To warn you! And also, I need to be here.’
‘Why?’
Corbin entering the Chamber interrupts our conversation. ‘My dear, Mr Bennet Grayson, how lovely it is to see you after all these years!’
Bennet hastily gets up and goes over to shake Corbin’s hand. ‘I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve met.’
‘Yes, we have met many years ago. How is your lovely mother?’
Jay stands beside Bennet. ‘Stay away from him, Benny.’
‘Don’t listen to my son, Bennet, I’m perfectly reasonable. When I get what I want, that is.’
‘Wait, son? You’re Jay’s father?’
It is my turn to get up. ‘No. He likes to think he is but really, he’s not.’
Corbin looks perplexed. ‘And why do you say that, Thea?’
‘Mainly because you’re insane and have never cared about him. But also, how can you call yourself his father, when you won’t even call him by his name?’
Out of the corner of my eye I see Jay glance at me.
Corbin looks bewildered. ‘Excuse me, my dear?’
‘Have you not noticed? You don’t call him John.’
Corbin opens his mouth but no words come out.
‘You won’t call him John because you know he isn’t named after you and it kills you. Not only does he not have your surname, he doesn’t really share your Christian name, either.’
I look at Jay to see his reaction but he is staring at Corbin.
‘How dare you!’
‘How dare I? How dare you! You’ve taken everything from me. It only seems fair that I take something from you: your son.’
‘You are just like your father, Thea Reid! Inconsiderate and intolerable.’
‘I’d rather be “inconsiderate and intolerable” than completely insane.’
Corbin’s face changes from rage to curiosity. ‘Yes! It is working, isn’t it?’
I take a step back.
‘You’re absolutely fine, completely unaffected.’
‘I’m very affected. Affected by your presence.’
Corbin spins on his heel and yells, ‘Get the king!’ A young sentinel runs to the stairwell. ‘And bring me the serum!’
Something connects in my mind. ‘The serum! That’s what Duncan was telling the people about!’
Corbin needs to synthesise my Descendant blood so that he can hold multiple Abilities without being affected. It must be why he took my blood after I stole Jay’s Ability.
I can’t let this happen.
The king is soon in the basement. Outside the Chamber, swift words are spoken with Corbin before he looks over at me with hungry eyes. He slowly walks toward the Chamber and stands on the other side of the glass, his eyes on me. My shoulders tense but I take strength from my friends, standing on either side of me. Looking into Duncan’s eyes, I can see that he thinks his plan is coming together. Whatever Eli and the twins have planned had better happen soon.
‘I knew you were the answer. For years I have waited and now it is time. It is my time.’
‘You’ll never get what you want.’
‘But I already have it. I have you.’ He raises his arms and gestures at the Chamber. ‘Thanks to you, my daughter, I will soon be able to finally defeat the North Empire.’
I think he has caught some of Corbin’s craziness. ‘You’re not really making this serum to protect the people, you’re making it for yourself.’
‘Do you not think that by defeating our enemies I will be protecting the people? They will be grateful! I will be their most celebrated king!’
‘You are definitely not mine.’
I get what I want. He starts scratching at his scar on his left palm. ‘Enough!’
‘Or what? You’ll scratch that scar of yours right off?’
He is even more enraged. ‘You have no conception of what I have gone through for you, Althea! Do you want to know how I acquired this scar?’
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