by Rebecca Rode
“That’s enough,” Ember snapped before remembering she wasn’t alone. She scrambled for the right words. “I mean, thank you, manager. That’s what I needed to know.”
The housing manager wasn’t fooled. His eyes were round, his body stiff. Ember knew without asking that the man was filing all of this away for later. This man participated in the gossip too, no matter how hard he insisted otherwise.
“Please, Lady Flare,” he finally said, his voice tight. “Let’s discuss what you came here for. I have the plans here. I just need your authorization and a finalized count of the new recruits, and then you can be on your way.”
An hour later, Ember stood in front of her chamber door. She greeted the two guards who stood at attention, fist to the heart. Stefan had trained these two himself. They were among the best, he said. She hoped their services wouldn’t be needed anytime soon.
“Stefan awaits your presence inside, Lady Flare,” the one on the right said.
She’d expected that. Gathering her arguments around her like a blanket, she nodded and allowed the guards to open the door for her. It was metal, something Stefan had scrounged up. It felt like such a selfish thing when everyone else had divider cloths or nothing at all.
The lantern inside was already on, giving the small room an orange hue. The room was just large enough for her three pieces of furniture—the bed, a small chest with her few belongings, and the sofa. Stefan sat hunched over on the latter, elbows on his thighs. His eyes were bleary as he looked up at her. He’d changed his shirt since the control room. He now wore a more casual gray shirt and clean slacks. By the lack of dirt clinging to the fabric, he’d washed both recently.
“Sorry if I woke you,” Ember said as she made her way to the sofa. It was the only couch in the entire settlement. She’d constructed it herself, fashioning the frame from unusable rusted pipes and tying it all together with old bed padding. Her sofa at home was much the same.
Had been the same. Why was it so hard to remember that everything was gone? A pile of ashes lay where her home and belongings once stood.
“You already know what I’m going to say,” Stefan began.
She sat beside him, then turned her knees to face him head-on. “And you know how I’ll respond. We can’t stay here forever. It’s time to fight for their future.” She nearly told him about the little girl and the stomach issue, but she caught herself. She wouldn’t play that hand yet.
“I know you believe you’re doing the right thing. Normally I would stand back and support you no matter what.” He turned to look directly at her, his eyes haunted. “But we’re talking about fourteen thousand lives, Ember. Men, women, and children who trust us to keep them safe. And more than that if you count those resisting Ruben’s minions and getting themselves arrested for the cause. These decisions are too big to rush into without discussion.”
“I agree. I wanted you on the cabinet because I respect your opinion.” But in this case, you’re wrong. She wasn’t sure whether the thought was hers or the shadow’s.
He seemed to sense the words she didn’t say, because he sat back with a sigh. “I’m not going to convince you, and you won’t convince me. It seems we’ll have to let the cabinet decide.”
“Guess so.”
It was quiet for a moment as they looked around the room, pointedly avoiding the other’s gaze. Outside the door, one of the guards cleared his throat. Another reason to be grateful for an actual door instead of a divider cloth—her conversations with Stefan would remain private, even if nothing else was. She caught a whiff of soap from his direction. His clothing wasn’t the only part of him that had seen water and soap recently.
You can’t trust Stefan. He says he’s loyal to you, but his actions say otherwise.
That was definitely the shadow talking. Ember trusted Stefan without question. He was a good man with a courageous if still overprotective heart. Women had lost their hearts to men far less worthy. Even now, when they disagreed so strongly, she felt the air between them pulling her toward him, like nothing would be quite right until they touched.
“I haven’t asked how your little problem is coming along,” Stefan said in a casual tone. “You feel like that virus is still under control?”
She flinched. He was bringing this up today, of all days. She forced herself to look him in the eye and nod. “It’s fine.” It’s agony. Absolute mental turmoil all hours of the day and night. Thanks for asking.
His eyes reflected doubt, but he quickly suppressed it. “Glad to hear it. I visited Med Farrsini this morning. The antidote is ready.”
Her body stiffened. She’d nearly forgotten about the vial Stefan had brought back with them from Kane’s cupboards, the one that supposedly held the strain that had caused her father’s death. “He actually did it.”
Stefan nodded. “He says it will counteract the virus’s effects. There’s no way to know for sure, of course, but it shouldn’t make your condition any worse. I think that’s about as good as we can expect.”
“Stefan . . .” Her throat felt like it had twisted into one gigantic knot. He’d been the one to tell her about her prophecy. Surely he didn’t think she’d forgotten.
Stefan raised a hand to stop her. “I’m not going to ask you to take it yet. That’s a decision only you can make. Especially if the virus is in remission and you can control it as well as you say you can. But when you’re ready, it’s there.” He glanced at the distance between them, then back at her.
There was the doubt again. If you can control it. He knew her too well.
Ember reminded herself Stefan wasn’t her enemy. He was the man she loved, and every success here brought them closer to their future together. It felt impossible—a day when they could live in peace without death hovering like a constant shadow. A demon. She liked the description more all the time. Even now it writhed within her, a black mass of anger and unfulfilled ambition. She was afraid to release it.
“If I take that antidote,” Ember said quietly, “I’ll be failing all these people. Ruben will destroy them.”
Stefan hesitated. “I’m sure we’d figure out something. You still have several dozen flickers and an army behind you. Besides, your success is written in the stars, right?”
There it was again—that unfailing optimism. He’d known loss when his brother was killed, and again when his parents disowned him after his arrest a few months back. Stefan had told her how he’d played along after that, acting the part of candidate for high position, pretending to obey the emperor, all the while conspiring to help Ember. And now that he was a revolutionary leader, he rarely looked back at what he could have had.
This is home, he kept saying. You are my family. He’d chosen her, and that was that. If only Ember could dismiss her past so easily.
“Sometimes I wonder if the stars were wrong about that,” Ember muttered. “Your grandmother’s prophecy doesn’t speak of victory. It just said I would reshape the universe. That could mean for better or worse. Everything we’ve built could still be lost.”
Besides, according to Stefan, there had been another prophecy foretold by the emperor’s own flickers that his daughter would set the Empire on a path leading to the destruction of nearly every existing race. But the Daughter was dead now, which left the prophecy unfulfilled . . . didn’t it? Certainly both prophecies couldn’t come true.
“Ember, look at me.” He closed the distance between them, taking her hands in his. Stefan’s fingers were so warm in this cold place. “You’ve done plenty for the cause. You have the right to be happy too. We’ll win this war somehow.”
Ember’s greatest battle didn’t lie ahead. It was inside her, and she fought it every single day. It hurt that he couldn’t see it.
She forced a smile. “If the stars wanted me to conquer the universe, they should have given me a different power. Like shooting lasers from my eyes or something.”
“Nope. Can’t condone that. I enjoy gazing into them too much.” Stefan grinned and rested hi
s forehead against hers for a long moment. Her thoughts spun at his closeness, at his warm breath on her face. “I know I keep telling you that flares originated in a lab, but if I’m wrong and you’re right about the stars bestowing abilities, I have a theory. I think the prophecy has little to do with your power.”
Ember pulled away. “What?”
“Think about it. Of all the people in the universe, why you? The stars could have chosen anyone. Why didn’t they bestow their power upon a high commander, for instance? Or an Empire soldier? Because they would abuse it. They’d seek for higher positions and try to impress their betters. Nothing would ever improve.”
“But they’d be more equipped to enact change. They’d be able to reform the laws, whisper in the emperor’s ear.”
“I disagree. If I were the stars, I would choose someone as far removed from the Empire as possible. I’d choose someone who could read people well, who spoke multiple languages, who knew what hunger and loss felt like. I’d choose someone who saw suffering rather than ignored it, who saw the terrors of the realm with fresh eyes yet had the strength of character to change it. It’s something I couldn’t have done, being brainwashed like I was growing up. Most of us have been. Frankly, I can’t think of anyone better than you.”
Ember felt heat rush to her cheeks. It was like he spoke of some stranger. “A beautiful notion, but your theory doesn’t hold up when you consider Ruben has the exact same powers.”
“I’m actually more sure than ever, and here’s why. The universe is all about balance. It knew Ruben would choose villainy, so it raised up a hero. A light in the darkness.”
Commander Kane’s son had allowed his newfound power to take control of him, to change him. Ember had nearly followed that same path. She shuddered at the memory. She’d defeated Ruben easily, but it had almost cost her own soul. She still walked that line now, months later, her balance slipping by the day.
That was precisely why she couldn’t run off and face Ruben without an army. She couldn’t risk losing herself like that again.
“It’s not about your ability,” Stefan said softly. “It’s about who you are. Your power has refined you, strengthened you. I’m honored to be at your side.” He left a slow trail of kisses along her cheek, her jaw, her neck. Her heart began to thump wildly, bringing a new kind of heat to her face.
“The universe creates opposites,” Ember murmured. If any couple fit that criteria, they did. Ember the Roma future-teller from Earth and Stefan the Empire soldier-turned-revolutionary. His glowing summary of Ember was nearly enough to convince even her that they were meant to be here, fighting the Empire together. She slid her hand along his hardened shoulders and brought him to her, pressing her lips to his. He responded immediately.
His kiss wasn’t gentle this time. It was the kiss of a man who had what he wanted right in front of him, a man who wanted to leave no doubt where he stood. The flame within her heated to a fiery blaze.
It’s not your powers that make you the hero. It’s who you are. Stefan’s words cycled through her mind, distracting her from his touch.
Of one thing Ember was sure—this war needed to end so they could be together at last. The virus, or voice, or whatever it was, wouldn’t wait a few more months. Her people were suffering, and the Empire was closing in. As much as she loved Stefan, the stars had entrusted her with the task of reshaping the universe, and she was determined to do just that—with or without his permission.
Deep within, Ember’s tainted soul glowed with approval.
Chapter 4
The next morning, three ships—two battered revolution ships and a stolen freighter—pulled under the massive outcropping and into the hangar. The distinct smell of fuel assaulted Ember’s nostrils as she waited impatiently for the ship to power down and allow its passengers to exit.
The stolen freighter was larger than the other vessels, making the wide hangar look more crowded than it was. It would also require more fuel than they had to spare. But a freighter full of food and willing recruits was always a good thing, she decided. This mission had bought them time.
Now to find more fighters. They were still replenishing their forces after the Union’s terrible battle three months before, when the Daughter had abandoned them to their fate. The broadcast of Ruben’s near defeat had stalled the battle and startled their Empire attackers, enabling the Union forces to escape in the confusion. In that way, at least, Ember had saved their lives. Now she just had to keep them alive.
Reina was the first to exit. She leaped off the ramp before it had fully lowered, then scanned the crowd with her usual scowl, although there was a brightness to her eyes Ember didn’t often see. Either the mission had gone unusually well or she’d had a good time pulling their victory from a difficult situation. It was hard to tell with Reina sometimes.
The girl locked her gaze on Ember, then made her way over and raised a fist to her heart. The salute was more for the new recruits’ benefit than out of respect for her commanding officer. “Permission to disembark, Lady Flare.”
“Permission granted. They’ve all been read?”
“Twice. All ready for processing. Although we’ve got some weird ones this time.” She grimaced.
Ember brushed the comment off. To Reina, all their recruits were odd. “Then you’re relieved of duty. Brennan too. Amai is waiting for your reports in the control room.” She paused, thinking of the family with the stolen food. “And when you’re done there, come find me. There’s something we need to discuss.”
Reina shrugged. “Fine.” Then she practically jogged to the exit, motioning for her brother, who was just exiting the craft, to follow. Dozens of male eyes followed her as she disappeared into the corridor leading to the tube.
Ember sighed. Reina didn’t know how narrowly she’d made it onto the cabinet. Ember had argued with General Pyne about it for nearly an hour. The fact was, they needed a combat flicker representative, and there was nobody else Ember trusted. Brennan had declined, saying he preferred fieldwork, and Amai’s daughter, Syd, was too young. Besides, Reina was better at the big picture, seeing risks nobody else did and taking the right chances. She was exactly what the cabinet needed. General Pyne would come around in time.
But now Reina was using her position to steal food from the storage caverns. If the other cabinet members discovered it, Reina would be kicked off the cabinet immediately, perhaps imprisoned. And Ember didn’t need that right now. Every flicker was critical here. Ruben had hundreds at his command, most hardened from years at war. Ember had a few dozen with very little experience. She would discuss the matter with Reina in private and get the cabinet involved only if necessary.
A neat line of new recruits shuffled down the ship’s gangplank. They looked around the underground landing pad in awe. It reminded Ember of the day she’d landed on the Union’s water planet. Everything had felt so strange and unfamiliar. To some small degree, she knew how they felt.
“Ember,” Stefan called from behind the line underneath the giant wing. “Come see who we have here.” There was a strange tightness to his tone.
As she approached, a wide-eyed couple pushed forward in line, giving her as much space as they could without losing their place. Stefan had just announced her name, and by their expressions, it seemed many of these people recognized her from that dreadful broadcast. They would grow accustomed to her presence eventually.
Stefan stood next to a young female passenger with no less than six twisted buns in her hair. As Ember approached, the newcomer grinned and stretched her arms wide for an embrace.
Now it was Ember’s turn to gape. “Mar?” The passenger wore civilian clothing, but by her voice and wild hair, it was definitely her former friend. Ember blinked several times, her eyes refusing to believe what she was seeing. “What are you doing here?”
“She’s been searching for us,” Stefan said. There it was again—that flat tone. He was worried.
Mar missed it completely. She giggled. “It was nice
of you guys to take over my ship. Made this much easier.”
“But how . . . ?” Ember didn’t know which question to ask first. She hadn’t seen Mar since before the Union evacuation. Ember had assumed her friend was home now, enjoying her family and newfound freedom. “Why?”
“Those are the same questions Stefan asked.” Mar threw him a playful smile, which he didn’t return. “The how is easy. I’ve been marking your cargo ship attacks on a map, and I noticed they were all within a weeks’ distance of the Dirkryc System. It’s known for its water and oxygen but isn’t inhabited because the soil’s so bad. You figured that out, right?”
Ember gave a sharp nod. So there was no hope for agriculture after all. “Go on.”
“So I boarded the first ship I could find headed this direction. I hoped you would attack us, and thankfully you did. Otherwise I’d be halfway to the Mazelah system by now.”
Ember felt an edge of panic as she met Stefan’s gaze. He looked as solemn as she felt. If her friend had guessed correctly, surely the Empire, with all its resources, would make the connection soon. Or maybe they had. Those four Empire soldiers on this very ship had been quick to send a message before their deaths. “So you set out to find us, and you succeeded. I still don’t understand why.”
Mar’s smile faded. “That’s a little tougher. I went home, and they were happy to see me, but that didn’t last long. Inspection teams came by every week, sometimes twice. Every time they barged in, I’d have to run for the secret compartment under the back patio. It’s only twenty centimeters deep and barely long enough for me to lay in. Sometimes they stayed so long I’d black out from lack of air. My parents would rush to revive me after the questioners left.” A shadow passed over her face. “Then one day they sent a flicker instead. Mum and Daddy don’t have shields, did I tell you that? My abilities came from my grandfather.”
Ember shook her head. She hadn’t known that.
