He didn’t say anything, but I got the feeling he wasn’t being completely honest with me. But before I could ask him to elaborate, I felt Aurel nearing.
Troy stepped in front of me and used his body as a shield. When Aurel tried to step closer, Troy warned him to back off.
‘It’s alright.’ I said.
Taking in a deep and steady breath, I looked up at Aurel. His eyes swept across me, taking in everything he was seeing. Illarion had the same look on his face. They were concerned, they didn’t recognize what they were seeing.
Neither did I. Every step on this plane felt alien to me, every breath felt like I was suffocating, and every sound was somehow heightened, sharpened, like I was listening through a stethoscope.
The followers came along with no reservation, ready to lay their lives down in the blink of an eye.
‘What do you want?’
‘I wanted to see you.’
‘Here I am.’ I snapped.
He got the point. He turned briskly on the spot and moved back, letting Illarion and the others take his place. They were all here, ready to support me but not one of them knew what they were in for, sadly, I couldn’t help them either.
Illarion didn’t understand who I was, he didn’t understand the changes and Troy kept telling me that it was temporary. The more time I spent down here, with them, the more Aaryon’s personality would leave and I kept reminding him that I wouldn’t be here long enough for that to happen.
‘We have to approach as a unit.’ Troy explained.
Illarion squeezed my hand. ‘Okay?’
‘I’m fine.’ I forced a tight smile.
Slivers of emotions and feelings I remembered that were associated with him, made me giddy. He smiled back.
‘When we reach the park, Dalca will be there with his own followers, they’re packing some serious heat and he won’t be alone. He won’t hesitate to take out whoever gets in his way, remember he’s doing this to save us, so he’ll see anything external as a threat.’
‘What’s to stop him from firing right now?’ Illarion asked.
‘He’s not going to risk losing more Sensitives than necessary. He still needs us.’
‘How do you know?’
‘He’s all about the theatrics, he believes in prophecies and all that goes with it, right?’ I explained. When they nodded, I recited the prophecy Aaryon had made me commit to memory.
‘They call it the Warrior’s Prophecy, Illarion, Aurel, you’ve already heard this,’ I said. ‘The warrior’s blood will open the door and in the morrow the battle will soar. But only when the door is sealed can the human race be healed. The Dark and the Light will soon be one and there in the quiet the chosen one will come. Warrior, lover, protector and friend, with their love it will finally end.”
‘That’s heavy.’ Matt muttered.
‘I know.’ I looked across at all their faces. ‘He needs my blood, I opened that door because it was the only way to come back here to fight him, but now I have to close it.’
Illarion nodded his understanding. ‘That’s good news. We know he’s not going to risk anyone until he has done what he wants.’
‘Yep. There’s your answer.’ I said. ‘Now, we need to work as a team, the FBI guys, you’ll head us.’
‘Got it.’ Peyton nodded, Riley right beside her.
‘Having the two non-Sensitives here is going to be more beneficial than you could know.’ I said to Illarion. ‘They’re not about to kill them, they only want to destroy us.’
‘Surely the Collectors know the weapon will take them out too?’ Alex asked.
‘No. It depends on what deal they’ve struck with Dalca and the Legion.’
‘Well that’s fucked. Amnesty, while the rest of us die.’
‘How can this be legal?’ Matt asked.
‘I think we’re past legal now,’ I said sadly, ‘The governments don’t care anymore and the few people who did have been forced to stay quiet. We’re on the losing end of a cataclysmic event. Life as we know it has already changed. Those deaths we’ve already witnessed are just the beginning. We have to operate under the pretense that not all Sensitives are on our side, we have to anticipate the possibility that some of them will have made deals.’
A solemn unity linked us all.
‘Whatever happens tonight will determine whether the rest of our kind have a life to live tomorrow.’
‘Not much of life.’ Alex muttered.
‘We’re out in the open now.’ Illarion said beside me. ‘That changes everything.’
We slowed. The entire small army that was following me into an unknown destiny, obeyed every command.
I turned to face them all. Every eye was on me, all the people who’d turned their backs were now standing with their chests proud and mind open.
‘No one has to do this,’ I said. ‘This has always been my battle, I don’t expect anyone else to risk their life for me.’
‘We’re with you.’ Alex said, squeezing my shoulder. ‘Whatever it takes.’
‘Whatever it takes.’ The others called after him. ‘Long live the Divine!’
I smiled and looked ahead.
The chants continued into the night, their words spurring me on as I walked.
‘Long live the Divine!’
The sky was black now, the lightning had done its damage; buildings, fields, mountains, it was all on fire. Where silence once would have prevailed, there was now screaming, pain filled cries and the roar of billowing flames that knew no end.
‘We’re with you, Ace.’ Illarion whispered coming to stand beside me. ‘All of us.’
I turned back to the sea of endless faces looking to me. Sadness crept up on me.
‘Some of us aren’t coming home tonight. Those who live to see the sun rise tomorrow, live your best life, live for those who cannot, live for those who won’t see another day.’
‘Long live the Divine!’
My heart raced with anticipation and with hope.
This was it.
‘Let’s go.’ I said. ‘Let’s give them hell.’
Chapter Fifty-One
Ace
As we neared ground zero, I felt Dalca. The familiar, terrifying pull that had haunted my nightmares for the better part of the last three years, was right here in perfect definition.
I balled my fists at my side, Illarion immediately coming to stand beside me.
‘What’s going on?’ he asked, although he was talking to me, I felt all of his attention scanning the tree line of Central Park.
‘He’s here.’
‘Where?’
I nodded down toward the lake. ‘He’s not alone.’
‘What’s the game plan?’ Matt asked.
I turned my face to them, making sure everyone was paying attention, ‘Dalca is waiting for me to meet him, he’s got the Celestial blood with him, the same you have Ila,’ I explained. ‘When those two samples are linked and he and I are in close proximity, it will connect us, scrambling the coding that the weapon uses.’
‘Are we safe?’ Someone shouted from the back.
‘If we weren’t, we’d be dead.’ I said. ‘The prototypes they’ve been using are airborne, if it comes into contact with you, you die. It’s not coded to attack specific people yet.’
‘And this will stop that?’ Someone else shouted.
‘Yes, I need to get down there, when I’m close, give me the blood and I’ll end this once and for all. Everyone understand?’
Illarion nodded beside me, so did Alex.
‘If you want to turn back, this is the time. I don’t want anyone to be here unless they want to.’
No one moved.
‘When we go down there, that’s it. No turning back.’
Everyone remained still.
‘Okay then.’ I nodded, turning to Alex. ‘Take a group and flank Dalca’s people from the east, Matt take a group to the west.’
‘Got it.’ They nodded, quietly disappearing to gather their respectiv
e teams.
When they were gone, I turned to Peyton. ‘Take whoever you can, big hitters, defense, take the north. Illarion, Troy and I will hit them head on.’
‘Copy that.’ She fell back and grouped her team.
Before long, everyone was moving into position, leaving the three of us and about a hundred brave men and women standing on the hill.
The sky cracked and rain continued to pelt down on the park. All around us, plumes of smoke billowed up into the black, starless night disappearing, lost on the wind.
New York City was burning. Ashes of all its history and people rained down with the tears of Solaris.
I closed my eyes and turned my face up to the sky.
Every cold drop on my icy skin was a reminder of the very real death the people here faced.
‘Ace?’ Illarion gently turned me toward him.
I pulled away and looked over the crowd. ‘Is everyone ready?’
Although they were all civilians, they were all powerful Sensitives and based on the old accords, this is why the directors of agencies around the world wanted their men and women trained, in hindsight, it wasn’t such a bad idea.
‘He’s expecting me by now which also means that he’ll be ready for whatever I come with, except you.’ I turned to Troy. ‘You’re my wild card.’
‘You know it.’ He grinned. ‘I’ve been waiting for this.’.
His body and Celestial markings glowed with anticipation matching the markings coming through on my skin.
‘In that case, Illarion, you hang back, follow Troy in and I will come last. All of this is about me, but we can’t risk you.’
‘She’s right.’ Troy nodded and a line in Illarion’s jaw worked. ‘He’ll know you’re her weakness, he’ll come for you for leverage.’
I knew how much taking a backseat hurt, I’d been in the same damn position too many times before. But this wasn’t just any mission, there were no do overs here, if we died, we died for real.
A strong sense of determination made my heart swell with pride. I’d done everything in my power to bring us all here, tonight, to end this.
Now, it was up to us.
No more destiny.
No more prophecies—just good old-fashioned war.
I turned to the group behind me, ‘I want half of you with Illarion, the other half with Troy.’
Unanimous nods met me.
‘When you’re in position, wait for my mark and all four groups will attack together.’
‘What about you, Agent Hart?’ A woman up the front asked.
I remembered her from the safe houses, a few years back. She was striking, a leader in her own right. I smiled and gave her a curt nod acknowledging her question.
‘With everything you’re doing, it’ll give me the advantage of a distraction to sneak in.’
‘Won’t he be able to sense that you’re not there?’
‘He will, that’s why I’m hanging back, I’m throwing a shield over everyone, that way, he won’t be able to tell whether I’m there or not.’
A few eyes widened.
It was surreal to me too. Being able to hold a shield of that size, over that many people was unheard of. Then again, so was I.
‘Get into position, I’ll signal when I’m ready for you to move.’
With that, they disappeared into the darkness and got ready.
As they dispersed, I saw Illarion hang back and turn toward me. His dark eyes taking me in, his mind wandering to all the places that we would never go. He saw the sunrise and the sunset, but I wasn’t there. I sucked in a shaky breath and forced my tears to remain down.
He slowly walked over to me and stopped, pressing a hand to either of my shoulders.
‘This isn’t goodbye, lyubov.’
‘I know,’ I smiled, ignoring the annoying haze of tears making my eyes sting. ‘I’ll see you after.’
‘And then we’re getting breakfast, I owe you.’
‘I’m holding you to it.’
He looked away for a moment and when he turned back and opened his mouth, I stepped closer, cupped my hand over his cheek and I kissed him.
‘I love you, Ila.’ I whispered when we parted. ‘I always have. You know that, right?’
‘I do.’
‘Good.’ Then, I pushed him back and pulled my gaze away.
He left and I was alone.
The breath inside me slowly came out in a puff of hot air and the tears fell onto my cheeks, a stark contrast to the icy wind and rain whipping at my face.
The smell of wet pavement and damp grass filtered through the air mixing in the with burning embers of the city around us.
My city. My home.
Anger and sadness coiled around me, a rising static charged the air and I used all the turmoil to fuel me.
I allowed my mind to slip into the dark recesses I’d always avoided, I watched my world crumble in on itself as I followed my thoughts down the dark and dangerous spiral that lead to the power simmering inside me.
When I found the small bundle of pain I’d tucked away in my soul, I slowly allowed it to unravel. With each new tear, a sliver of that anguish I’d been afraid to feel, came out. With each new cry, I allowed more emotion to the surface, and when I opened my eyes, the world was mine. I saw it through a clarity I never knew before.
There was sharpness, each blade of grass glistened like I was seeing it magnified, each drop of rain seemed to fall slower than gravity dictated it should, each plume of smoke rising and disappearing into the black backdrop was denser. I could see it all.
I held my hands out at my side and willed the shield forward. Within a second, the world was silenced, engulfed within my control.
The bellowing roar of fire was dimmed, the wind howling through the burning trees was quietened and my shield glided out over Central Park and my people.
Checking that it had taken hold, I searched for Illarion and Alex, when their location came back unclear, I smiled to myself.
Perfect.
‘Can everyone read me?’ I spoke in my mind, reaching Alex and Illarion and further out, Matt, Peyton and Troy.
‘We’re here. All set.’ Troy acknowledged. A few seconds later, the others replied.
‘Okay, shield is up. You’re covered. Dalca is by the lake, south side.’
‘It’s not looking good down here,’ Alex said. ‘He’s already started forming whatever that ball of light is, he’s nearly done.’
‘It’s the Source and he can’t finish it without me.’ I said. ‘He needs the blood Illarion’s got.’
‘I thought that was the damn door?’ Alex snapped back.
‘It is, but it’s also his way to control the Source.’
‘Full of tricks, isn’t he?’
‘Where do you want us?’ Illarion asked.
‘Troy will go in first, cause a distraction and get Dalca’s people away from the Source.’
‘What happens then?’ Alex asked.
‘Then I go down and end this.’
Shutting down the communication, I focused on the shield.
Slowly, one step after the other, I found myself walking down the hill toward Dalca. Everything inside me was tightly wound. Each breath seemed to be a struggle to take, each step monumental.
I was afraid, more than I cared to admit, but I was confident. Everything that prophecy spoke about, was leading us here, to this very moment.
And as I reached the flat plane of the park, I looked up and locked on to Alex, he gave me a curt nod and knelt. I turned to Illarion on the other side of the lake, he too nodded and hid within the shadows. In that moment I felt something I never expected to feel. My heart was torn. Right down the middle. To either end of this lake and the figurative distance separating us. Alex poured through my veins long before this life found me, but Illarion burned like fire through my being.
Everything I’d ever known and loved, was because of these two men, two complete opposites, two warriors I’d never deserved.
�
��Troy, do you copy?’
‘I read you.’
‘It’s time. Get his attention.’
‘Oh, I’ll get his attention.’
A quick second later, a powerful static charge built in the distance, just before the lake met the shore and off to the left where Dalca was standing, Troy appeared in a wild rush of energy and flames. Dalca didn’t know what hit him.
It was on.
Chapter Fifty-Two
Ace
Dalca looked around, his once blue eyes were now a reddish orange hue, too much power had burned him out. The sickly pallor of his skin matched the frail composure of his tall body. It was just an illusion of course; he was more deadly and powerful than ever.
Being in the other realm was like a wireless charging dock, just breathing in the essence was enough to re fuel what energy you’d burned out in this plane. Now that he was free of his mortal body, he couldn’t reside here just like Troy couldn’t. But he could link to whatever connected him to Earth—me.
I narrowed my eyes and focused on him, ignoring the carnage around us. I’d said my goodbyes and now I was ready.
I jumped over a park bench and sped up toward the commotion.
Troy’s eclectic appearance caused a rush of Dalca’s followers to jump into guard mode. They rushed Dalca, pulling him back like Troy was something that could explode and blow them all up. I smirked. I guess they didn’t get the memo that Dalca couldn’t die here since he was already dead.
As they dragged him back, he shouted at them for breaking his hold on the Source.
‘Distraction is a success.’ Troy announced.
‘I’d say.’ I grinned. ‘I’m on it. Keep him moving east toward Illarion.’
‘Copy.’
I ran down, shield still up, and stopped when the first group of men that had stayed behind, spotted me.
The Source was bobbing and hovering like a giant basketball on speed. It was lit from within, so bright and powerful that it hurt to look at, even to my eyes.
All around, the preliminary teams were holding their own against Dalca’s. Further to the right, Dalca and Troy were fighting. I saw the clash of static and energy coming in and out of focus. Dalca had no idea what he was fighting, he was as confused as I had been. He’d never anticipated anything like this, and I’d counted on it. Troy weaved in and out of focus like a streak of light hitting him from every angle he could.
Jack of Hart- Wild Card Page 55