The Brightest Night

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

  “You say that now.” Grayson passed us. “Until the first one spits in your face.”

  “I think llamas will see me as one of their own and wouldn’t dare think of doing that,” Luc reasoned.

  I shook my head as we walked under the shadow of the tower. Talk of llamas ceased as we took a left. My heart started thumping as a parking lot came into view. Rusted-out cars were scattered throughout, windshields shattered. I imagined that the cars and their owners must’ve been here when the EMP was dropped, and there was something sad about seeing the cars, some of them so weathered I could no longer tell their colors, and how it showed what people were doing when their lives were irrevocably shattered.

  We waited under the line of trees, hidden in the shadows. Luc and Daemon spoke to one another in low, hushed voices, and whatever they were talking—or arguing—about had Emery and Zoe grinning. Grayson stood a few feet from me, his gaze fixed ahead, like mine. I don’t know how long we stared at the letters GALL. At some point, the letters ERIA must’ve moved on to better things.

  Like the ground.

  I saw it first, the flash of yellow light. “There.”

  “See it,” Luc confirmed, having been keeping an eye on the building. The light flashed two more times.

  “That’s Nate. Can we somehow send a signal back?” I asked.

  Luc stepped forward, lifting his hand. The Source ballooned out from his hand and then flickered out before coming back again. He did this once more.

  I held my breath, hands balled tightly until the light flashed from within the mall once more.

  “Okay.” I exhaled roughly. “He’s here. They’re here.”

  “Remember,” Luc warned. “Stick together.”

  Nodding, I pivoted and stepped off the curb, onto the pavement. Joined by the others, we rushed across the parking lot, reaching doors that had long since been torn away.

  “Lovely,” Grayson murmured as we walked inside.

  Zoe’s nose wrinkled. There was an odor that reminded me of the dankest, darkest basements. To the right was an entrance to one of the office towers, and at the left was a hotel. Glass crunched under our feet as we walked on. There was a lot of light coming from the center. I looked up and up to where moonlight streamed in through the enormous skylight. Entire sections of glass the size of a compact car were missing, exposing everything inside to whatever elements the last four years had dealt, which explained the thick, cloying musty scent.

  Storefronts were unrecognizable. Signs broken on the floor. Silvery moonlight bounced off shards of glass still in the windows of some of the stores and shone a light on a thin layer of what appeared to be mold. It crept along the walls between stores and up to the second floor.

  “Are the kids staying in here?” Emery asked, voice low. “Because if so, this is like the opposite of healthy, clean air.”

  “I don’t think so,” I said, but then again, I had no idea.

  “God, I hope you’re right.” Zoe looked down at the floor as she lifted a foot. “I think there is something growing on the floor.”

  I shuddered, scanning the entire length that was lit by moonlight. Gaping darkness existed at each end and straight ahead.

  “The light came from the center.” Daemon squinted. “They have to be around here.”

  Instinct told me they were. They were hiding, probably in the absolute emptiness in front of us, waiting to see what we’d do. Desperately trying not to think of all the horror movies, I stepped forward.

  Evie, Luc’s voice was a harsh whisper.

  “It’s okay. I’m not going far.” I stared into the nothingness. “Just … everyone stay back for a moment.”

  I could feel Luc’s unwillingness. It beat at my mind like crashing waves, but no one moved one inch.

  “Nate? Jamal?” I called out. “Nia? We’re here to help, like I said we would be.” I paused, sensing that Luc had moved closer. “The guy right behind me is my boyfriend.”

  “Aww,” Luc drawled. “That’s the first time you called me that. Today, whatever today’s date is, will forever be our boyfriend-girlfriend anniversary.”

  I shot him a look over my shoulder. Moonlight sliced over his cheek as he grinned. “He’s a little different.” I turned back to the darkness. “The rest are my friends. They’re here to help, too.”

  Silence.

  “Maybe they left,” offered Grayson, and honestly, he sounded a little too relieved by the prospect.

  Then I heard it, the soft shuffling of feet. Hope swelled. “Nate?”

  Another too-long stretch of silence and then whispers. I could nearly sense Grayson was about to speak, but I held up my hand, silencing him.

  Do you hear them? I asked Luc.

  I hear something.

  I think it’s them whispering.

  Have you’ve developed supersonic hearing? If so, that’s sexy.

  My lips tipped up even though I didn’t think my hearing had approved all that much. That’s a weird thing to find sexy.

  I find everything about you sexy.

  Now I was really smiling, and maybe that helped, because after a small eternity, the silence was broken by Nate’s voice.

  “We’re here. We’re coming out.”

  Glancing back at the others, I met Luc’s gaze, and I let him see the broader, borderline creepy smile.

  Peaches, came his voice. Stop being so adorable.

  I love you, I told him, and then I turned back. The darkness had shifted, becoming solid as the children inched their way out. I moved backward with each of their steps, not wanting to crowd them. I ended up standing side by side with Luc. His fingers brushed mine, and then he took my hand in his.

  I squeezed. Luc did the same.

  I saw Nate first, and anger rippled through me all over again at the sight of his face. The bruise looked even worse in the moonlight, as if the entire area around his eye was black. He held the hand of the smallest child, one I hadn’t seen before. Jamal had ahold of two kids, as did Nia. The other older kids stayed behind them, their wary gazes darting frantically. They looked tired.

  “God,” whispered Zoe in a thick voice.

  Nia’s gaze shot to her as she stopped, pulling the two children closer.

  “It’s okay,” I told her. “That’s my friend.”

  Zoe nodded eagerly. “My name is Zoe,” she said, clearing her throat. “And you see this girl here with the really weird hair?”

  Nia’s gaze moved to Emery while one of the smaller children cracked a grin. Nia nodded.

  “My hair is not that weird right now,” replied Emery.

  “It’s weird.” Zoe widened her eyes at the children as she nodded. “But she’s going to help me take you guys to get some food.”

  “You’re not taking us?” Jamal asked me and then turned to Nate.

  “I will be right behind you guys. I promise.”

  “There’s nineteen,” Daemon said in a low voice. “Is that all of them?”

  I scanned the group again, but it was hard to tell. So many of them had grime on their faces. “Is this everyone?” I asked.

  “We couldn’t find Tabby,” Nia said, shivering in her thin shirt.

  “I know where she is,” Nate said as he led the little boy toward Zoe. The child stared up at her with big eyes. “He likes his hand held. Is that okay?”

  “Of course,” whispered Zoe, extending her hand without hesitation.

  The little boy stared at her hand as if it were a coiled viper.

  “Go ahead, Bit. Take her hand,” Nate coaxed.

  “Bit?” Emery asked.

  “He, um, he doesn’t know his name.” Nate shrugged like that were commonplace. “We just named him Bit.”

  “He likes it,” added Nia.

  My throat closed up as Emery smiled and said, “I like the name, too.”

  Bit hesitantly reached out with his other hand, placing it in Zoe’s. It seemed so small as he continued to stare up at her. “Are you an alien?”

  “No
.” Zoe smiled, but I knew her smiles. She was struggling to keep it together. “I’m something far cooler than that.”

  Daemon scoffed under his breath. “I’m an alien. She’s not as cool as I am.”

  That earned him distrustful stares, but goodness, Daemon could lay the charm on. That easy grin of his, the one that flashed just the hint of dimples, seemed to be working on even the kids. Half of them lost the wary stare and instead looked curious.

  Man, I said to Luc. He’s good.

  Yeah, he is.

  “Go with them,” Nate urged, sending me a nervous glance. “I’ve got to get Tabby.”

  It took a little bit for Nate to convince them, especially the older kids, and all the while, unease blossomed in the pit of my stomach. Nate was like their unofficial leader. I didn’t expect him to let any of these kids out of his sight.

  Something’s up, I sent to Luc, telling him what I knew. He wants these kids out of here. Can you pick up anything from him?

  I’ve been listening the whole time, Luc replied. He’s scared. He just keeps repeating over and over “I can do this,” and he’s thinking about Tabby.

  The unease grew. Nothing else?

  He’s too afraid. It’s clouding his thoughts. Luc was silent for a moment. I can go deeper. Don’t know if you know that, but I could push beyond the fear, but he’ll feel that. I’ll do it, but if he freaks out—

  I hadn’t known he could do that, and I wondered if it was something he didn’t do often, because I’d never felt him tinkering around in my head.

  Picking up on surface thoughts isn’t hard, he told me, proving he’d done just that. But if someone is afraid, feeling heightened emotions, or using shields, then you have to get through that.

  Don’t risk it. If he feels it and freaks out, it will scare the kids. I scanned the darkness ahead once more. We just need to prepare for anything.

  We are, came his response.

  Eventually, Zoe and Emery had control of the kids, with the help of Jamal and Nia. Nate had to reassure them again that he was coming, and then I had to, because I was the only face they barely recognized. Then Zoe and Emery were leading them back out the way we’d come in.

  “They’ll be okay with them?” Nate asked the moment they were out of earshot.

  I faced him. “What’s going on, Nate?”

  “What?” he said.

  As Daemon and Luc exchanged a look, I stepped forward, keeping my voice low. “You’ve given me the impression that you wouldn’t let those kids out of your sight and you just handed them over like it was nothing?”

  Nate’s one good eye darted from me to Luc and then to the others. “I just need to get Tabby. She’s—”

  “Shit,” Luc muttered, and I felt the charge hit the air the second before the veins under his eyes filled with white light.

  Stumbling back a step, Nate almost toppled over. “You said he wasn’t a Luxen.”

  “He’s not,” I said.

  “I’m something very, very different.” Luc took a step toward the boy. “So, you’re going to want to think before you do what you’re about to do next.”

  “What’s going on?” Daemon asked.

  “He’s about to lead us right into a trap,” Luc said, and my heart skipped a beat. “Isn’t that right?”

  “Nate,” I whispered, my chest seizing in the painful grip of disappointment.

  “I…” Nate’s face crumbled. “I’m sorry. Evie, I’m sorry. I didn’t have a choice. He has Tabby. He has my little sister.”

  40

  “Your sister?” I exclaimed. I hadn’t known he had a sister. “You never told me you had a sister.” I stepped toward him—

  Nate flinched as if I’d raised my hand. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. You’ve been so nice, but Tabby—she’s the only family I’ve got left. You met her. She was the one who loves—”

  “Creamed corn,” I interrupted, recalling the first time he’d been at the house. “That little girl who grabbed the can is your sister.”

  “Yes. I didn’t even think he knew she was my sister. She must’ve slipped up and said something. I’m sorry, but he’s got my sister, and he’ll hurt her.” Nate dropped to his knees, clasping his hands together. “I’m sorry. I should’ve told you everything when I saw you, but I’m scared. I didn’t want to do this, but he’ll hurt her. I know he will.”

  Luc moved, and Nate swung his head toward him. He knelt so they were eye level. “I can read your mind, so it’s best to continue being honest. I’ll know when you’re lying.”

  Nate gaped at Luc, and it was obvious that he’d never known that was possible. Anger flashed through me, directed at both Nate and Morton, but I wrapped my hand around Nate’s arm, tugging him to his feet. “Tell us everything.”

  His lower lip trembled. “You’re going to hate me.”

  “I think you need to worry more about us growing impatient,” warned Daemon.

  “You need to talk and do so fast,” Luc agreed as Grayson casually moved so he was behind Nate.

  “It’s okay,” I told Nate even though it really wasn’t. “Just tell us everything and tell us the truth.”

  The boy seemed to pull himself together. “He had us all afraid of the Luxen—the people that live here. It wasn’t hard. Many of us remember what it was like when they came. We all saw some scary stuff. I knew something was up when he asked that I—”

  I heard it the same time Luc did, which was only a heartbeat later. Grayson spun around, and Daemon stiffened. Footsteps echoing from within the darkness. Multiple ones.

  Grabbing ahold of Nate, I shoved him behind me as the darkness seemed to expand.

  “They’re soldiers,” Nate said. “I saw them earlier. The others didn’t, but Morton made me see them.”

  “Jesus,” Daemon muttered. “How did they get in?”

  “The tunnels,” whispered Nate, fingers clinging to the back of my shirt. “He had us dig out the tunnel from the inside. We spent three years doing it.”

  If this was something they’d been working on for years, then I knew only one thing could be behind this.

  The Daedalus? I said to Luc.

  Unfortunately.

  But it didn’t make sense. If the Daedalus had been working to get into the city unseen for three years, then they had to know what was going on here.

  “The other kids? Are they in on this?” Daemon demanded.

  “No. I swear. They dug the tunnels, but they didn’t know why. I didn’t until a few days ago.”

  “He’s telling the truth,” Luc confirmed, and that part made me feel a little better knowing we weren’t sending a bunch of foxes to the hen house.

  “I’m sorry, Evie,” Nate continued to whisper. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t—”

  “You can apologize later,” I cut him off as the footsteps came to a sudden halt. I stared deep into the darkness. “I need you to be quiet now.”

  Tiny pinpricks of light appeared in the darkness.

  “Brace yourself,” Luc warned. “They’re here.”

  Daemon and Grayson slipped into their true forms, twin intense lights.

  And then they were here.

  Dozens and dozens of ART officers spilled out of the darkness. Rows of them dressed in white, their shields hiding their faces. All of them carried rifles, the kind I knew were modified to carry a dangerous, often deadly electrical current.

  They were all aimed at us.

  I’ll take care of the guns, Luc said. You take care of them.

  Done, I said, letting instinct take over. All the practice had helped erase fear of losing control, but this would be different. I wasn’t moving objects or people, but I couldn’t let panic take grip. I tapped into the Source. The power in the center of my chest stretched as if it were waking up, and then it flooded my system.

  “On the floor and in human forms. Now,” one of the officers commanded. “Or we shoot.”

  Luc sighed as my skin tingled. “Boring.” And then he lifted his hands. “I�
�d expect better.”

  Fingers twitched over triggers, but they weren’t fast enough. The rifles were ripped from their grasps and flew toward the ceiling. Metal groaned and caved as the barrels were melted and bent. Electrical pulses lit up the chambers of the rifles, bursting out the back in mini, harmless explosions. I wished I could see the officers’ faces.

  I threw out my arms as I summoned the Source. Whitish light with swirling black shadows powered down my arms as I pictured them going in the same direction as the rifles.

  Shouts erupted as the first row of officers lifted off the floor. I didn’t let myself think about whether this would hurt them or if it would do worse. I couldn’t. Not when I knew where they were from, most likely who sent them.

  They flew up and up, all the way to the skylight. Some went through the holes already there. Others shattered the glass, their shouts of surprise ending in screams.

  “Holy crap,” Nate gasped behind me.

  A dozen or so more officers remained.

  A bolt of the Source streaked out from Daemon, taking one of the officers and sending him spinning into the wall. Another blast shot out from Grayson. He hit an officer, and he hadn’t been holding back. The officer fell facefirst, body smoking when it hit the ground.

  Luc sent three flying into the wall, their bodies hitting with a fleshy smack that gave way to the stomach-churning sound of bones crunching.

  At that point, the remaining officers, just under a dozen, knew what was up. They started to turn, to run, and I couldn’t let that happen. My gaze flipped up to the second-floor railing made out of heavy cement and glass directly above the officers. Daemon and Grayson took out another two. Luc threw another through the storefront.

  Trusting that I wasn’t going to do anything that would cause me to have to reboot or whatever, I dug deeper, and a burst of heavier, thicker power rippled through me as I stared at the ledge above. The cement cracked straight through the middle, sending a plume of fine dust into the silvery moonlight. Pushing out with my hands, I controlled the fall of the large swath of cement and glass. It swung down, catching the remaining officers as they turned to flee. They didn’t make it far.