by Brandon Hale
“You are a leader,” Abbie said. “I am not. I’m a trainer. I defer to your judgment when it comes to leading a team because natural leadership isn’t something we teach here. It’s something we trust.”
“Then why do you take such pleasure in making me feel stupid?” Lily asked. “How am I supposed to earn my team’s respect if you challenge every decision I make?”
“Child,” Abbie said, “how are you going to earn their respect if I don’t?”
“Well,” Lily said, a little flustered, “I think it’s absurd to let an eighteen year old kid make these kinds of decisions.”
“I agree,” Abbie said. “But you’re not an eighteen year old kid. We don’t recruit people lightly, Lily. You know that. Before we ever met you, you’d already made insane decisions that ended up being the right decisions. We’re not going to bring you into the Day Soldiers because of your instincts, then completely ignore them.”
“I think that’s stupid,” Lily said.
“No you don’t,” Abbie said. “You think it’s terrifying. Lily, at this point, the only thing holding you back is your lack of trust in yourself. And that’s not something I can give you. You have to learn to trust your decisions even when nobody else does, including me.”
Lily sighed. “I can ask for opinions, though, right?”
“Of course,” Abbie said. “You absolutely should.”
“Do you really think it’s a bad idea to keep Grung on the team?”
Abbie smiled. “I think it’s idiotic, dear.”
“Great,” Lily groaned.
“I also thought it was idiotic that you and Leo went into those woods to find the vampires who were terrorizing your town. And I most certainly thought it was idiotic that you decided to fight a thousand vampires head on when you could have waited until morning and killed them with ease.”
“Well,” Lily admitted, “that was a little idiotic.”
“But you survived it, didn’t you,” Abbie countered. “You and Leo both. You know what else I thought was idiotic? Refusing to practice power objects on a living vampire.”
“Yeah,” Lily said. “I still regret that one.”
“After the day you refused to allow it,” Abbie said, “I decided to omit it from my trainings. All of them.”
“What?” Lily was overwhelmed.
Abbie nodded. “I had convinced myself that because these things were evil, it was okay for me to perform evil acts upon them. I had embraced evil and you were the first person to ever point that out to me.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Lily whispered.
“You have a natural wisdom, Lily. I learned very quickly to listen to that wisdom. You should too.”
“Even if my wisdom tends to put people in very dangerous situations?” Lily said. “I mean, back in Iveyton, I never considered Leo’s safety. Not once.”
“Of course you did,” Abbie said. “You just had complete faith that he’d be safe.”
“Yeah,” Lily said sardonically. “I assumed he would be completely safe in a town of a thousand vampires. That’s not what I’d call natural wisdom.”
Abbie placed a hand on Lily’s shoulder. “Leo is now a Day Soldier, and from what I hear, a damn good one. So I’d say your assumption was proven right. Besides, your wisdom isn’t going to put your team in danger. I’ll be doing that.”
Lily chuckled. “I guess so.”
Abbie looked at her for a moment, then added, “Lily, do you even know what your team will be doing in this war?”
“We’re sneakers,” Lily answered. “We infiltrate enemy territory. In and out, unseen and unheard.”
“That’s how, not what,” Abbie said. “Do you know what your missions will be?”
“I’m sure the missions will vary,” Lily said.
“Not as much as you might think,” Abbie explained. “Sneakers are assassins, Lily.”
“What?”
“You will have a few missions that involve rescue or gathering information,” Abbie said, “but mostly, you’ll be going in to kill important vampires and werewolves. The leaders. The most powerful and well-guarded creatures in the Legion. I’m surprised you didn’t know that.”
“I guess I knew it,” Lily said. “It’s just a little jarring to hear it said so bluntly.”
“I’m nothing if not direct,” Abbie said. “You are assassins, just like every other team of sneakers. I want to make that absolutely clear.”
“It’s clear,” Lily said.
“Okay,” Abbie went on. “That said, I’m going to ask you one more time. Are you absolutely sure you want Grung on your team?”
“Yes,” Lily said. “I’m absolutely sure.”
“Then he’ll be on your team,” Abbie said. “I still think it’s an idiotic decision, but I have complete faith in your instincts on this.”
“It’s not instinct,” Lily said. “It’s faith. I have faith in Grung, and my team. I’m assuming faith is something you’re familiar with.”
Abbie smiled. “Lily, I don’t think I’ll call you ‘child’ again. It’s obviously an inaccurate description. You are no child.”
“Thank you,” Lily said. “Although I think you’re being a little too kind.”
“Something’s bothering you.”
Lily looked down. “I fainted, Abbie. Nobody’s treating that like a big deal, but it is. I fainted. I’m not talking about my ego here. If we were in enemy territory, it could’ve gotten my entire team killed.”
“You weren’t in enemy territory,” Abbie said. “The werewolf was defeated and you knew everyone was safe. I think when you heard Leo’s voice you were overwhelmed with relief. That’s a feeling you’ll never have in enemy territory. I’m not concerned with this, and you shouldn’t be either.”
“Okay,” Lily said quietly.
“Do you know about my history?” Abbie asked.
“Scott told us about it,” Lily said. “You killed an entire town of vampires. Like I did.”
“I did,” Abbie said. “And after I got my people to safety, I passed out. I woke up two days later in a hospital. Do you know how many times I’ve passed out since then?”
“None, I hope.”
“None,” Abbie confirmed. “Before that night, I didn’t even think vampires existed. It upset my entire world. Reality changed that day. It’s a lot to process.”
“My reality didn’t change,” Lily said. “I already knew vampires and werewolves were real.”
“You did,” Abbie agreed, “but your reality changed in another way.”
“I’m listening.”
“Lily, you learned you’re vulnerable. You learned you can die.”
“I already knew that.”
“Your mind knew it,” Abbie countered. “Your heart clearly didn’t. Now that it does, I’m quite sure you’ll never faint again.”
“How do you know?”
“Faith,” Abbie said.
Lily laughed.
“And since I’m no longer referring to you as a child,” Abbie continued, “I will not tolerate your ‘I’m just a kid’ defense, either.”
Lily nodded. “Fair enough.”
Abbie pressed the button on the elevator again. “Just so you know,” she said, “I turned the sound off of the alarms when the werewolf infiltrated Sneaker City. But they were still active.”
“I saw three in the alley where we had the fight,” Lily said.
“Yes,” Abbie confirmed. “Your team set them off thirty-seven times.” The elevator door slid open and she stepped inside.
Lily grinned. “Are you saying we’re expelled?”
“Your team,” Abbie said, “is the first team to ever make it to week four.”
“Wait,” Lily said. “You lied about expelling us?”
Abbie just smiled as the door slid shut.
“But you’re a nun!”
***
Lily was able to have lunch with Leo the next day. He listened quietly as she gave him more details about her life as a sneaker, finishing up with the events of the previous night.
“So Grung’s still on the team,” she said. “By the time we finish training, they expect to have his weapon complete.”
“That’s awesome,” Leo said. “Really.”
Lily looked at him thoughtfully. “Leo, what’s wrong? You’ve been way too quiet.”
“I go on my first mission next week,” Leo said. “I got the briefing this morning.”
“Holy cow,” Lily whispered.
Leo grinned. “Holy cow? You sneakers are hard core.”
Lily flashed a middle finger at him. “How’s that for hard core?”
“Better,” he said with a laugh.
“So what’s the mission?” Lily asked. “Are you allowed to tell me?”
“It’s really nothing,” Leo answered. “Enrico and I are accompanying an infantry squad to the base in Ohio. We’ll be stationed there for a few weeks.”
“Ohio?” Lily echoed. “Scary stuff. Indiana and Pennsylvania are Legion occupied states. You’re going to be surrounded by those bastards.”
“The base is in northwest Ohio. We’ll be about ten miles from the battle lines on the Indiana border and the Michigan border.” He leaned back in his chair. “It is scary stuff, Lil. I mean, this whole thing just seems more real now, you know?”
“Yeah,” Lily said. “I feel good about things after my heart-to-heart with Abbie, but it’s still scary.” She looked at Leo for several silent seconds, then added, “You even look stronger.”
“That’s your imagination,” Leo argued. “I was in good shape before training began. It didn’t change me much physically.”
“I’m not talking about your body,” Lily said. “I mean your eyes. Your eyes are stronger.”
Leo’s face flushed a bit. “You’re stupid.”
“Will you be back in time for my graduation?” Lily asked.
“Hopefully,” Leo said. “Officially, I come back here a few days before your graduation.”
“What will you be doing out there?”
Leo shrugged. “Mostly we’ll be following infantry and covering them from a distance. Should be fun.”
“Yeah,” Lily said. “Fun.”
“Lil, what’s wrong?”
“I don’t know,” Lily answered honestly. “For the first time since Iveyton, I find myself wishing I hadn’t dragged you into the Day Soldiers.”
Leo leaned across the table and took both of her hands into his. “Lily, you didn’t drag me anywhere. I came because I wanted to. I’m good with a rifle. Damn good. They need me here, and I’m honored to be a part of this. And I owe that largely to you.”
Lily’s smile was gentle, almost weak. For reasons she couldn’t explain, she found herself fighting tears. “You follow me everywhere,” she whispered. “You always have.”
“And I always will,” Leo said. “No matter where you go, kiddo, I’ll be there. I will follow you into the dark.”
“I know you will,” Lily whispered. “I know you will.”
Chapter 13
Jackson’s Folly
Dusk.
The city was called Jackson’s Folly. Before it fell to the Legion a decade ago, the humans called it New York, but now it was Jackson’s Folly and it was the capital of Legion territory in America.
Dennis and Tina strolled down the street toward the building that held the council’s offices.
“I hate the city,” Tina grumbled. “You should have turned down the spot on the council. This place is filthy.”
“Oh, don’t be a baby,” Dennis said. “We almost never get summoned. You can handle coming here a few days out of the year. Besides, if this meeting goes like Daciana promised, you might never have to come to a city again.”
“I suppose,” Tina said, “but I refuse to like it. Werewolves don’t belong in cities. We’re just not built for it.” She looked around the empty street. “Shouldn’t the humans be coming outside by now? It’s getting dark.”
“They will,” Dennis answered. “As soon as the dinner bell—”
The sound of a clock tower’s bell echoed throughout the city.
“—rings,” Dennis finished.
Humans began to step out of their homes and stores, quietly standing along the sides of the street.
“I almost feel sorry for them,” Tina said.
“Liar.”
“Hey, I said almost.”
The humans were broken and silent. They lined the road in every direction, waiting for hell to begin.
Dennis walked up to one of them, an older man, and peered into the man’s eyes. The man tried to look away, but Dennis grabbed his chin and jerked his face forward.
“What are you doing?” Tina asked.
“What do you see when you look at this human?” Dennis asked.
Tina shrugged. “Despair?”
Dennis laughed. “That’s it, exactly. Despair. It’s really quite fascinating. This man has survived here for ten years now. And every single night for those ten years, he has had to come and stand on this street and hope against hope that he isn’t chosen. What does that do to a person?”
“You could ask him,” Tina offered.
“So tell me,” Dennis said to the man. “What are you feeling right now?”
“Nothing,” the man said.
“Are you married?” Dennis asked.
“Widowed.”
“How long ago?”
“Last year.” The man’s voice was hopeless.
“So she made it nine years,” Dennis said. “Wow.”
“We were brought here,” the man said. “Last year. My wife killed herself one week in.”
“Do you want to die?”
“No,” the man answered.
“Interesting,” Dennis said. “Why not?”
The man was silent.
“Answer me,” Dennis said.
“I want to be here when the Day Soldiers take this city back,” the man said.
Dennis laughed. “Is that hope I smell?”
“No,” the man said.
“I think it is,” Dennis countered.
“No,” the man repeated. “You’re confusing hope with faith. I know the Day Soldiers will take this city back.”
Dennis turned to Tina. “I like this guy. But his future makes me sad.”
“What future is that?” Tina asked.
“One day,” Dennis said, “he’s going to lose his faith. He’s going to realize that humanity is lost. And when that day comes, it’ll crush him. It’ll be worse than death.”
“Brings a tear to my eye,” Tina said.
“Ah,” Dennis said, looking around. “The kids are up.”
Dozens of vampires began to fill the streets. They walked up to the humans, looking them over. Inspecting them.
Nobody tried to run. They knew running would draw attention, and attention was the one thing none of them wanted. So they stood silent and hoped to be overlooked.
“Get on with it already,” Tina said.
“Don’t be a fuddy-duddy,” Dennis said. “They’re savoring the moment.”
“Well, if you’re done playing,” Tina said, “we have a meeting to go to.”
Nearby, a woman began to scream as a vampire dragged her onto the street then buried his face into her chest. As soon as the smell of blood hit the air, the frenzy began.
Dennis turned back to the human beside him. “You see this every day,” he said over the screams, “and yet you still think humanity will win this war.”
“I know it,” the man said defiantly.
Dennis pointed at him and smiled. “I like you. You deserve to be on the winning team.”
The defiance in the man’s eyes was replaced by absolute horr
or. “No,” he whispered.
Dennis turned to one of the feeding vampires and yelled, “You! Come here!”
An instant later, the vampire was standing beside him.
“Turn this one,” Dennis said calmly.
The vampire grinned as he sank his teeth into the man’s throat.
Dennis looked at Tina. “You’re right. We belong in the field, not in a damn fishing pond. Let’s get this meeting over with.”
“Thank God,” Tina said.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Dennis asked. “If this meeting doesn’t go like we’re planning, it could get… ugly.”
“Can you do it without me?”
“Probably not,” Dennis said with a smile.
“Then let’s get this over with,” Tina said. “But I’m holding you to your promise that we won’t be coming here often.”
Dennis laughed. “Trust me,” he said, “I don’t like it here any more than you.”
***
The council met in the dining hall of what used to be a very expensive hotel. Several tables lined the center of the hall. The council members sat at those tables. Seventeen members of the council were werewolves, including Dennis.
The eighteenth member was a vampire, but he was unlike most other vampire Dennis had seen. He didn’t look monstrous like the others. He had brown curly hair that lay softly on his shoulders. His skin was pale and flawless and his eyes glowed bright blue. His name was Arcas and – as far as Dennis knew – he was the first vampire.
He was speaking to the council as Dennis and Tina entered the hall.
“They are all my children,” Arcas said. “Every time one of them dies, I feel it. You wolves are far too careless with the lives of my kind.”
A woman with a very thick Romanian accent responded. “I understand your frustration, but we don’t kill your kind. It is forbidden. Every time you feel the death of a vampire, it’s because of a human, not a werewolf.”
She was Daciana, and she was very old, despite her youthful appearance. Dennis sat in the empty seat beside her. Tina stood behind him.
“You might not drive the stake,” Arcas said, “but you certainly don’t care to position them to die.” He pointed at Dennis. “This one created an entire town of vampires, just to let them die at human hands. That was a very unpleasant night.”
“I assure you,” Dennis said, “I did not think those children would kill them.”
“Enough.”
