“Good. I’m trusting you here, Lola. One more question then, before we’re officially started.”
“Go ahead,” she answered.
“This weapon, or whatever Lacit is after— do you know what it is?”
She drew a deep breath, avoiding my stare, and spoke slowly.
“SC, my people have several secrets that would be dangerous in the hands of others. I can’t know for certain which one Lacit is after. On top of that, there are dozens of myths about the powers of my people that are only loosely based in reality, and he could be chasing those. But I can tell you this— if he seeks what I believe, there are few who could stop him should he find it. Perhaps none. We guard that secret like one keeps a beast locked in a cage, lest it destroy the world itself.”
“What is it, then? What is he looking for?”
“SC, I said that my people do not believe in violence unless necessary. This is a secret that, should you possess knowledge of it, I cannot promise the safety of you or your friends. There are some things that are best not to know. And I fear that if there is ever a time you have to find out, it will already be too late.”
Chapter 45
The desk summoned us by telephone to the lobby, where our selection of guides awaited at a small cluster of couches. They bowed, and the manager bobbed nearby, smiling at Lucio as he kept his expression cold and haughty, glaring at the guides as if they insulted him.
“This is it?” he said to her, and she bent under the strain of holding the smile on her face.
“I promise you, sir, that these are the very best,” she said. “If I may introduce them—”
“We can handle introductions ourselves,” he said, cutting her off. “Your services are no longer required.”
“Of course, of course,” she said, backing away to retreat to behind the hotel desk, where she pretended to shuffle papers while watching us out of the corner of her eye. She was frowning now and picked up the phone, watching us as she started to dial a number. Nearby, a bachelorette party preoccupied the other clerks as they waited on another set of couches for the next tour bus of the city.
“Mikas, at your service,” said the first guide, a skinny man with thin lips, stepping forwards and extending a bony hand to Lucio. “My degrees speak for themselves in my expertise of tropical botany and wildlife. Second of my class, and a regional authority on the fauna. And my power—”
“My apologies,” said a second guide, cutting off Mikas and snatching Lucio’s hand before they could shake. “But I am in a hurry. I heard that the best guide in the city was required for a film project and I extend my services at the expense of meeting with another client. Here, please take my card.” He handed two glossy slips of paper to Lucio and Arial, and glanced at the door through a pair of thin rectangular glasses. His smile was fleeting, and he wore a small travel backpack over a tight-fitting shirt that outlined his pectoral and abdominal muscles. He was bald except for a thin beard carefully shaved to accent his jawline.
“And why should we hire you, if you’re so eager to cast off another client?” asked Lucio, turning the card over in his hands.
“That client owes me money, and is likely grateful for my tardiness in hopes of striking a negotiation. But you require my services because I am a Survivalist— master, I sense danger long before it strikes. I can smell death as soon as it enters a room. Have you heard the stories of animals that flee minutes before an earthquake? That is my power, but sharper. With me, you need not fear stumbling upon a nest of vipers. At a fork in the road, I can always choose that which leads to safety. With my assistance, you can walk on the path of pure disaster but never fear a scratch, because we shall dance just out of its reach.”
“Interesting,” said Lucio, drawing out the syllables. “And when are you available?”
“I fear, sir, that I must be going now or I shall lose my other client. But call the number on the card, as I am ready to begin at once! I apologize,” he said and brushed between Lucio and Arial, quickly walking towards the door before we could stop him. With one revolution of glass, he was gone, disappearing on the street, while Mikas spoke back up in his reedy voice.
“Quite rude, quite rude. Certainly unprofessional. Can you imagine spending an entire excursion with the likes of him? But fear not, I can provide after he has deserted you! Along with my degrees, my power gives me a memory of all! I can describe to you any plant or animal, their histories, their subtleties. All known paths through the forests I have memorized, and any of the local dialects I am fluent in. And what I shall forget least of all is your instructions and wishes!”
When he shook Lucio’s hand, he clasped his other hand over it, a university class ring shining on his finger and a silver watch on his wrist.
“We shall consider your offer,” answered Lucio. “After we hear from the third option.”
“Of course, of course,” Mikas said, backing away with another small bow as the third man stepped forwards. “I respect the man who can make an informed decision.”
“Lyle,” he said, his voice so soft we could barely hear him. “Of all the guides, I assure you I alone am the best. Who else would the governor commission to escort his very son along the river? No one else, I assure you. Don’t let this one fool you with his book knowledge— the forest does not care for information stored between pages that were once its own trees. I can provide far better for you, I can guarantee your safety— you see, I alone among the guides am a Fielder. From the moment you leave the city, you will be protected by a force field bubble, where nothing can enter or leave. You shall be no more in danger than at a zoo or aquarium, and for my lower fees—”
He continued talking as Mikas’ face grew more and more irritated with each passing second, but I was staring over their shoulders, my attention back on the hotel manager. Just a moment before, another small group had entered, and she was flustered as she spoke to them, trying to placate them as their voices rose. And from where we sat, I could hear just snippets of their conversation.
“—sorry, but there was a last minute rearrangement,” she was saying. “We had to bump the inhabitants of the penthouse to another suite, which was originally your room— since you were late—”
“Our flights were delayed,” the man in front of her snarled. “And we called ahead. Who exactly was so important?”
“I’m afraid I can’t divulge information about our other guests,” she responded. “We will still find you a room. It just is not available yet. If you care to take a seat while you wait, the refreshments are on us, and we will ensure you have several complimentary meals from the restaurant during your stay.”
She gestured in our direction, where a second cluster of couches were open nearby. The man turned, gripping his luggage with an angry hand, the others in his group starting to follow. But as he took his first step, his eyes locked onto mine, and he froze as my breath caught in my chest. I recognized him.
And at the same instant, Lacit’s flamethrower officer recognized me.
Chapter 46
“One can’t claim authentic immersion if trapped within a bubble. You may as well tour the Amazon on a television screen!” sneered Mikas, jabbing a finger at Lyle. “You are robbing them of the experience!”
“Guys—” I started but was immediately cut off by Lyle as he screeched back at Mikas, flecks of spit flying from his mouth.
“Well, you can go back to reading books when you’re in the hospital sucking viper venom out of your legs! Damn academics with your—”
“We don’t have time for arguing, and frankly, neither of you fit the bill!” I shouted over them. “If we had time for amateurs, we would have tried the streets! Now we’re out!”
“But, SC—” said Lucio then yelped when I took him by the back of the collar and dragged him backwards.
“Now,” I growled, throwing a look at Lacit’s men to see two dropping back to cover the back exit, while two more flared out wide to cover our left and right, and two more started up th
e middle. “Lola, you first. Don’t hesitate to disappear if you need to. I’m sure they’d still love to get their hands on you. Back exit, let’s go!”
Lucio gulped as he spotted the advancing men, and though he had never seen them, he knew what trouble looked like in all shapes and sizes.
“Lucio, distraction,” I hissed. “Arial, if things get dicey, you get out of here quick, meet up with Lola, then come back for us later if they catch us. Darian, what’s in your power deck right now?”
“Firewhips, though not for much longer; they’re pretty weak,” he said as we backpedaled. “I can still fly but carrying anyone is dodgy. Weak Transience. Telekinesis soon, I’d assume, if Lacit is coming.”
“Not good enough, and pray that he’s far behind,” I answered, then pointed at Lyle. “You, Lyle. I changed my mind. Want the job? Show me your best force field and it’s yours!”
“Of course!” he cried, throwing up his hands, and a purple balloon shimmered around us.
“Splendid! We’ll be reaching out. That’s enough.” Then I turned to Darian. “That good enough?”
“Got it,” he said. “Perfect sample. He’s pretty average, though.”
“It’ll have to do. Cover the back door as soon as we get through it. Slugger, give us some heavy obstacles! Really tick them off. We want them angry so they make mistakes.”
“Already on it, boss,” he answered, pulling chairs from around us to block the immediate path, the wood of their supports creaking as they gained hundreds of pounds. To the normal eye, they looked like casual furniture, but in reality, they held the weight of massive boulders.
“Steady,” I said as we continued to back away, keeping my eyes on the approaching men to make sure they were not gaining ground. “Steady. Keep calm. Darian, get ready with that shield. Perfect. Now get ready— and bolt!”
The two men in the middle broke into a run towards us just before I gave the command, and the hotel lobby turned into a flurry of motion.
“Danny, what the hell!” shouted one of the bridesmaids that was waiting for the bus, running over towards one of the men trying to flank us. “You said that you would call! And then you dated my sister. Do you have any idea how, how cruel that is?”
She broke down crying as Lucio’s face scrunched together with concentration and three more bridesmaids darted towards the man trying to flank us on the right, tears already smearing their mascara as they shouted at him. At the exit, the other two men stayed standing guard, not daring to allow us to escape that direction. Which left only the two in front of us, who had just reached the chairs left behind by Slugger.
One aimed a kick at them as they rushed forwards, howling with pain as his shin collided with furniture with enough mass to be nailed to the floor. He hopped on one leg, cursing a string of profanities more colorful than the fireball that erupted from his palm to streak towards us. I flinched, the memories of my subway escape from the same fireballs rushing back to me. But then the flames flowered outwards as they collided with an invisible object, purple sparks erupting just a few feet in front of us as Darian raised a forcefield, driving the second of the men backwards. Then another fireball defected off the forcefield, the wall barely holding, ricocheting into the attached restaurant to set a table alight.
Heat and screams washed over us as the lobby descended into a deeper state of pandemonium, the red-faced manager diving under the counter for cover while the clerks slid into hidden passageways that led to the kitchens, leaving the guests scurrying like ants in a disrupted mound. Flashes of powers danced around us, adding to the commotion as we wove through the panicked crowd towards our escape. To our right, an entire corner of the lobby descended into darkness, the light drained away like shower water. On our left, the decorative fountain reared upwards and froze in a protective bubble, encapsulating two children that had strayed from their family. And at the exit, the two guards fought for control, trying to scare back the mob, one cracking the wall with a punch and the other directing concussive blasts at their feet.
But this was the best hotel in the city. And only those with powers could afford such luxury.
Windows shattered as a single Hurricaner plowed through them with ease, directing a concentrated torrent of rain and wind in a blast that sent them tumbling into the street and blew the rotating door like a pinwheel. As the crowd stampeded over them, we reached the back of the lobby, Darian sealing the back door with a force field as we rushed through, and we darted through a deserted corridor towards the service exit.
“We need to get as far away from here as possible,” I panted, counting the heads to make sure we had everyone. “Lacit can only be so far behind, and he’s way more dangerous than them. We caught them by surprise, but next time, they’ll be ready. And far harder to escape.”
“But our guide! And our luggage!” exclaimed Lucio, then his face paled. “Oh god, my camera!”
“Our cover’s already blown,” said Darian. “No point in carrying them around now.”
“No, he has a point,” I said. “We might need the disguise again. Besides, we need to get anything they can use to identify us out of that room. Arial and Darian, scale the outside back up to the penthouse. Carry Lola with you— Lola, go through the wall and get everything that matters out. Hurry, they’ll be searching soon! And Slugger, guard the corner by the main street— if anyone comes this way, sprint back to warn us and leave plenty of obstacles!”
As soon as we hit daylight, they took off, launching themselves towards the roof. Sirens sounded from the front of the building, but the back was deserted except for cigarette butts and beer bottles.
And our eyes were on the sky when a bolt of lightning erupted out of the service exit, striking the concrete in front of us with an explosion that threw us off our feet.
Chapter 47
The world above me swam in waves of blue light, light that I realized was the sky from where I lay on my back, just as I realized that blood caused the salty taste in my mouth. I blinked, my ears ringing, aware of another source of blue in the world above me. A rippling light coupled with the smell of ozone, originating from a spark dancing between the fingers of a man whose face was warped with triumph.
“Doesn’t feel so good, does it?” he said, reaching down to yank me up by the collar. I choked as he pulled me into the air then dropped me on my feet, swaying as the ground buckled. One hand still gripped around the back of my neck, while the other held the dancing spark so close to my Adam’s apple that it tickled the skin. “What’s wrong, boy?” he said. “Don’t you recognize me? I thought we were old friends.”
I swallowed, yelping as the movement brushed my throat against the spark. My thoughts churned as his face came into focus, the features pulling at my brainwaves until they started tumbling over each other in a jumble of memories. The broken nose, the thin blue irises flecked with white, his expression as my dark orb exploded right in front of him in the subway tunnel as we battled Siri. He had been the one who had led her forces against ours, the Electrospark captain, and must have now transferred his loyalties to Lacit.
“That’s right,” he said, his voice so low I could barely hear it among the ringing. “You remember now, don’t you? Knocked us around real good a few weeks ago; still have a twinge in my right knee. Put some of my best drinking buddies in jail. Brought me some new scars. And I always repay my scars, boy.”
“Only if I give you the chance,” I retorted, my muscles tensing as I gathered my strength, bracing myself as the world tilted again from the exertion. But just as I reached out to create a force point that would slam a nearby garbage bin into his back, he spoke, his voice mocking.
“No, no, no, I wouldn’t do that. It wouldn’t be wise.” He sidestepped, turning me to see a pale Lucio held in the same position as me. But instead of a spark held to his throat, there was a glistening edge, accented by a single drop of red blood that ran down its diamond surface. Forming the blade were four fingers, each sharper than a razor, and threatening t
o tear Lucio to shreds.
“Hello, SC,” Blake practically sang, his eyes sparkling as bright as the rest of his exterior. “It’s a bit too far from home for two Bottoms to have strayed. Funny, you’re supposed to be cleaning our messes, not creating them. I heard your mother was a maid— insufficiencies must run in your genetics. Trash breeds trash, and you’re no different.”
Anger rushed through me, but then another drop of blood fell from Lucio’s throat, and his body shivered. Blake stared at me, waiting for me to move, for any excuse to sink his fingers into flesh. Instead, I calmed my racing pulse, struggling to think rationally— fighting here would get one of us killed, and that was a best case scenario. There had to be a better way. I’d have to buy us time until the others returned.
“Last time I checked, you two were at each other’s throats,” I said. “What happened, Blake? Did Siri decide you needed a new babysitter?”
“I wouldn’t provoke him if I were you,” said my captor as diamonds rippled across Blake’s skin, casting rainbows over the street. “Wouldn’t want him to slip up, would we? Now move, nice and quiet; you’re going into a car with us like good little children. Don’t you try anything— if a bird so much as chirps funny, you’re both dead before you can blink.”
“And how unfortunate that would be!” Blake said then laughed. A shrill laugh, one different than the one he had had at the facility. Too high-pitched, strained. Forced. “Lacit promised I’d get to kill one of you, but I’d so much rather do two.”
They directed us away from the main street, running parallel along the back of the hotel, our backs arched as they continually applied pressure. I grimaced as I realized that they were moving us away from Slugger, and Blake spoke up after seeing the look on my face.
“Don’t you worry, SC, we’ll come back for Slugger. Saw him taking off just before we acted. Soon you’ll all be back together again. Just like old times.”
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