The Exodus

by Ali Winters

  “Does this mean it worked for me too?” she asked, hopeful that she’d been mistaken.

  “I’m not sure. It could be that you were able to do this for me because of the last time Silas gave you power. I am certain you would have felt something had it worked for you now. Though, only you could know for sure.”

  She took stock of herself and closing her eyes, she mentally scanned every inch from her toes to her head. When she opened them again, Nivian glanced down at her fingers twisting in her lap. “I don’t think it did, but I don’t need it yet, so it’s fine.”

  Together, they stood. Caspian looking exactly as he had for centuries, his eyes once again sparkling with life, the bags that made him look aged had vanished, and his back was perfectly straight as always.

  “Thank you, Nivian. I am confident that I can take care of the life energies as they continue to come in. But I need you to find Silas as soon as you can.”

  “I’ll do my best to find him and the chalice, I’m sure he knows where it is,” Nivian spoke, twisting her fingers as she walked beside him, glad when her voice sounded more confident than she felt deep down. She needed his belief in her; she needed to be able to earn it.

  They walked in silence up the stairs, only pausing when they reached the main floor. Nivian twisted the edge of her cloak in her hands the whole way, lost in thought. Caspian stopped her with the barest touch of his fingers on her forearm, breaking her trance.

  “I will see you soon, thank you for everything.”

  She smiled. “I’m just glad it helped.”

  He stepped away, then turned to face her with his hand resting on the stone banister. “You should see if your new friends would like to accompany you. If they agree, then we can be sure of their willingness to continue with the alliance.” And with that, he resumed walking up to his office.

  New friends? Who—? Then she realized. The Hunters.

  With everything that had happened after returning, it seemed as though a lifetime had passed since she’d been to Hunter Corp. But Kain had said that he wanted to return soon, so maybe she could just go with him and seek the Hunters help. Their willingness would speak volumes to Caspian—it would pave the way to introduce more cooperation on both sides.

  Nivian’s shoulder bumped into someone sending her off kilter. “Oh excuse…” Her mouth dropped open as she took in the long wavy hair and umber eyes. “Cami?” she whispered.

  “Nivian, hi,” Camira said as though they’d seen each other casually the day before—as if she hadn’t been missing for months.

  “Cami!” Nivian cried, wrapping her arms around her friend. “Where have you been?”

  When she pulled back, Camira was watching her with wide eyes.

  “I… I…” she stammered, then shaking her head, she cleared her throat. “I don’t know. I was hurt really bad during that fight after everyone left. I only just woke up,” Camira explained with a slight tilt to her head. “Why? How long has it been?”

  “Months. I thought the worst had happened to you. If I’d known then I would have made them look for you. I’m so sorry Cami!” Tears streamed down Nivian’s face and over the hand covering her mouth.

  The smile on her friend’s face didn’t waver. It was strange. Camira’s posture was relaxed, yet somewhat distant. But Nivian brushed it off, thinking she must still be tired from healing. She was glad Cami had made it after all.

  “I’m so glad you’re okay. Come over to my place, we can catch up.”

  “Uh, actually…” Camira started and for the first time her pleasant smile faltered. “I need to see Caspian and report in. Do you know if he’s around?”

  She couldn’t help the disappointment, but there was always time later. “Yes, he’s in his office. Would you like me to go with you?”

  “No, I got this, thanks.” With that, Camira turned without a goodbye, or even a glance over her shoulder, as she walked down the hall and toward the stairs.

  Nivian’s heart sank, but she couldn’t dwell on it now, she had a Reaper to find.

  CAMIRA

  After she turned the corner and knew Nivian couldn’t see her any longer, Camira pressed her back against the cool black stone and shuddered.

  “Yuuuuck, bleh.” She ran her hands over her body and tried to dust off the lingering feeling of the hug before walking up to Caspian’s office. She hadn’t wanted to see him, but she needed to learn his schedule.

  Time wasn’t on her side. If she could glean any useful information out of him, she would. It was better than the risk of Caspian almost catching her again. That had been much too close for comfort. She needed to find the Hunter’s chalice and get Nivian to Isola Di Vita.

  Camira narrowed her eyes. That could get tricky… She wasn’t sure how she’d pull off getting Nivian there. She’d manage it somehow; she always managed everything.

  First things first—get the chalice. And if doing so meant she’d have to grovel at Caspian’s feet, then so be it.

  Her hand wrapped around the pocket watch from her assignment the night before. I won’t leave until I have my answers. And this will be my way through the door.

  TWENTY

  NIVIAN

  NIVIAN WALKED DOWN the steps from her apartment to Kain’s. A tingle ran down her spine and the world tilted. Her vision blurred and her foot caught on the last step and she stumbled, barely managing to catch herself. In a blink, the world righted itself once more. The sensation came and vanished in a flash. She rubbed her head. It had been similar to the day at the zoo, but this time had been different, it had lacked the strength of the previous episodes. Her body and mind had been able to hold strong against it.

  She raised her hand to knock, pausing mid motion and wondering if she should just walk in. Kain had asked her to live with him, but they hadn’t moved anything yet.

  Voices spoke quietly on the other side of the door. That settled it, she would knock so she didn’t appear in the middle of the conversation Kain and… the woman he was talking to were having.

  Before she lost her nerve, Nivian tapped lightly on the door with her knuckles. The talking stopped. Footsteps approached and Kain opened the door, his expression changing to a look of surprise.

  “Nivian, why are you knocking?”

  She rubbed her left arm as she debated how to respond. It proved unnecessary. Within seconds, he was back to smiling.

  “You live here now, if you still want to, so you don’t have to knock,” he whispered in her ear as he pulled her inside.

  Azira was sitting on the couch holding a glass of water like she wasn’t sure what to do with it. The second her blue eyes landed on Nivian, she set it down and jumped up, rushing to her side.

  “Yay! You’re here!” Azira danced. “Kain said you might not be coming with us. You are coming with us, right?”

  She looked from Azira to Kain and back. “Where?”

  “To Hunter Corp. of course!”

  “Actually, yes, I would like to go.” That would be perfect; she could ask the Hunters there to help her find Silas.

  “Nivian, you don’t have to if you need to work. Don’t let Az pressure you into it.”

  “Don’t you want her to come?” Azira tried, playing on his guilt. Nivian’s lips pulled up in a smile at his expression, part-surprise and part-worry.

  “Yeah, Kain… don’t you want me to come?”

  “Nivi, of course, I just meant…”

  Both girls laughed at his attempt to explain what they both already knew.

  “We should go soon, how much time do you need Nivi?” Azira asked.

  “I am ready now.”

  “Mmm, you’re a light packer. I wish I didn’t need two suitcases for an overnight trip.” Azira turned to Kain. “You’re driving. I left before dawn this morning to get here. I need a nap.” She tossed him a set of keys then walked out the door, not waiting for them.

  Instead of following her, Kain ignored the bag he’d packed that sat next to the door, and grasped Nivian by the shou
lders. “I mean it. Don’t let her pressure you into going if you don’t want to.”

  “It’s okay, Kain. I really do want to go. There’s something I need to do.” Nivian looked away, ashamed with her reasoning. She stepped away and started pacing the small living area.

  “Nivian? What do you have to do? What’s going on?” Kain’s eyes darkened. “You’re still okay with working together, aren’t you?”

  She blinked at him before understanding hit. He was worried she had an assignment to do, or that Caspian changed his mind about allowing it. “Yes, everything is fine with that. I just need to ask everyone for help. I have a job, but it’s not Reaping anyone.”

  “You’re kinda worrying me, can’t you just tell me what it is?”

  It never occurred her to ask Kain for help, not in the way she’d be asking the others. She’d just assume she’d tell him and he’d automatically be on board with everything. But what if he couldn’t… or didn’t want to? If he wouldn’t help her then it was doubtful the other Hunters would want to.

  “You can say no if you want.” Kain raised an eyebrow at her statement, but Nivian kept on. “Silas is missing.”

  “Missing? How long?”

  “We aren't sure when. I need your help and the help of the others if they would be willing. I need to find him and bring him back to Mophar. Caspian has an idea where to start looking.”

  “Why did you think I wouldn’t help you? Of course I will. You can fill me and Az in on the details on the drive up. We can get some of the others to come with us.”

  “Do you really think they will want to help find him?”

  “Why wouldn’t we? We’re a team now, remember?”

  “Yeah, but he’s the head of the Reapers, and we never found out what he did with Yeva after the fight. What if some of them hold it against us?”

  “I guarantee those working in the Underground don’t hold it against the Reapers. We all saw her for what she was at some point, that’s why every single person working in the lab is there.” Kain closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her waist.

  Nivian smiled. “Thank you.” Lifting herself up onto her toes, she kissed him. It was brief and with his arms holding her to him, it was hard to pull away, but she forced herself to anyway. She entwined her fingers with his and pulled him to the door.

  KAIN

  “So wait, your boss is missing? Are you sure he didn’t just go on vacation?” Azira asked from the back of the car. Her arms resting on both of the front seats as she leaned forward.

  “Vacation?” Nivian’s forehead creased. “Reapers don’t go on vacation.”

  Kain couldn’t help the smirk on his mouth as he drove down the dark highway. Nivian was innocent and Azira was so new to Reapers and the way they operated that her questions and comments would often catch her off guard. They were both constantly entertaining. But now wasn’t the time for fun. They’d find Silas first.

  “Why wouldn’t he leave a note, or tell someone when he’d be back? Or I don’t know, left you all better prepared?” Azira bombarded Nivian with questions.

  “I don’t know,” Nivian murmured.

  “He’s never done this before, has he?”

  “No… that’s why I think something might be wrong. I want to hope for the best case, but it seems unlikely. He never leaves Mophar for long on the rare occasions when he does leave.”

  “I think… we can only hope for the best of the worst for now. We need to be ready for anything,” Kain interjected.

  When Nivian had first asked for his help, she hadn’t explained the gravity of the situation. Azira had pulled information from her with ease. There was a complexity to the Reapers’ operations he never would have known. Caspian was in trouble, and Nivian was about to be taken from him. She hadn’t said as much, but the implication of her new responsibilities made it clear, she’d be in Mophar without him. Forever, and with his genetics giving him a long life, it would definitely feel like forever.

  The balance was the most important thing. He knew that now after Holter’s endless drilling on the topic, but the selfish part of him was more concerned on how to keep her with him.

  “Az, do you think we could convince the others to join us?”

  “Mmm, perhaps,” she said thoughtfully. “It might be hard. A lot of them are okay with working side by side with Reapers—in the lab at least… when they outnumber them. They still need time to develop trust after the centuries of prejudices. But I’m in, and I can think of a few who might agree.”

  “Az… I’m not sure you should come with us.” He glanced into the rear-view mirror to find her scowling back at him, anger flashing in her eyes.

  “Why? I might be short, but I can fight. Besides you’ll want me with all the things I can bring.”

  “So that’s it then? You want to come to test out your toys?”

  “No, that’s only a small part. I like Nivian, and if she gets that new job, I doubt we’ll ever see her again at Hunter Corp. Besides, her replacement could be totally stuffy and boring.”

  Kain grimaced. She hit the nail right on the head, speaking his feelings out loud. Saying what he couldn’t say. He knew if he’d said them, Nivian would feel guilty. It wouldn’t solve anything and it sure as hell wouldn’t keep her with him.

  “I hope it doesn’t come to fighting…” Nivian murmured. “I just want to find him. I’m not ready to be the Fate Keeper. I don’t have the power to do it, and I need the chalice. If I don’t find both of them, then the balance will be on a timer. It could be days, weeks, or centuries, but it won’t hold forever. Not if it did so much damage to Caspian in such a short time. I’m guessing a month at the most.”

  The three of them lapsed into silence.

  A month before the end of everything. And that was with the best of the worst-case scenarios. They had no choice but to find Silas. He felt foolish thinking that just because the fight ended with Silas taking Yeva, that things would be smooth from here on out. It didn’t seem likely that Silas would just take off without saying anything or leaving behind a safe guard. He’d only met the Reaper once and it had been a brief meeting.

  The hours passed quickly, each lost in their own thoughts. Kain was surprised when they pulled up to the hangar. On the remainder of the drive, he had tried coming to terms with the fact that finding Silas wasn’t a guarantee, and that he might die well before his time.

  Coming to a stop, he parked the car and glanced at Nivian and Azira, both curled up in their seats, sleeping. He hated to wake them but…

  “Nivian?” he spoke softly, placing a hand on her arm.

  “Mmm? What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, we’re here.”

  “Uugh, I was sleeping so good, couldn’t you have gone around in circles for another hour?” Azira grumbled from the back, stirring at the sound of their voices.

  “The sooner we put together a team, the better. If the world has an expiration date, we need to hurry.”

  His words sobered them all. Without further comment, they all climbed out of the car and crossed the parking lot to the hangar. The moon was already cresting the horizon, lighting their way.

  As they entered, the florescent lights above made him realize how tired he was from the drive. Kain scrubbed at his face.

  He pushed open the door to the office, and jumped at seeing Colin sitting behind the desk, using the room as… an office. This whole time he’d just assumed that it was a decoy.

  The ginger-haired man looked up. “Hey, Kain, Azira, Nivian.” He nodded as he said each name and stood to push aside the lockers hiding the secret entrance to the underground lab.

  Nivian moved to go down first, stopping abruptly when the ginger-haired man’s arm shot out in front of her. “Cloak and scythe in the locker.”

  “She’s fine, Colin,” Azira grumbled. “She’s earned our trust. Besides, everyone needs to get used to Reapers not being helpless, especially when they aren’t in the lab. We can’t always make them
surrender their things.”

  He glared at her but conceded, moving his arm and stepping back. “Fine, but I’m not taking the heat for it if Holter’s pissed or if she starts something.”

  “Don’t worry so much.” Azira smiled up at him and Kain watched his stony expression soften. Then she reached up and hugged him around his neck, making Colin bend awkwardly to return it.

  They descended into the tunnels, Nivian, him, and then Azira. Their footsteps on the ladder echoed around them. The sound had become familiar in the short time he’d been a part of the organization. The path to the main lab was also becoming ingrained to the point that he was confident in his ability to find it without ‘Hansel’. They made the walk faster this time, the weight of urgency pressing down upon them as they moved in silence.

  Kain made it to the scanner before either of the girls and pressed his hand against the black pad, opening the large metal doors. Dozens of eyes turned to look at them, surprised.

  “Yeah, they weren’t expecting us for another day,” Azira said then passed Kain. Cupping her hands around her mouth, she called to everyone present. “Everyone, gather ‘round. I’m calling a meeting!”

  For a short moment, Kain didn’t think anyone was going to respond, but then shuffling and movement took place as everyone meandered their way toward them.

  Holter was at the front within seconds. “Is everything all right?” he asked before the rest of the Hunters got close enough to hear.

  “No,” Nivian answered before Kain could. “Not even close. I need… your help; everyone’s help.” Her hand slipped into Kain’s and squeezed.

  TWENTY-ONE

  CAMIRA

  THE TALK WITH Caspian had gone as well as she could have expected, though she’d hoped for more information, she would make what little she had work. She was resourceful; her time in the desert had proven that. He’d imparted on her that he was about to send out another team for mass reapings, giving her time to search for the chalice while they were out on assignment before he did whatever with the watches. The details didn’t concern her, just his time spent not in her way.