“What now?” Jayesh asked, looking to Allie for direction. He was always on board with them, but even he had a new tone of respect for the heir.
Allie fished a folded piece of paper from her pocket. She scanned the list of names one more time. Ryan and Selena, she knew, but Jayesh had added twelve names to the list of people they needed to round up immediately. “Gregg, take three groups and send one of Jayesh’s guards with each group to collect these people.” She handed Gregg the list. “Nothing is secure until they are all are escorted from the building.”
“You want them free to return to Marcus?” Gregg asked.
“Yes.” Allie gave him a hard stare. “I mean it when I say we will never keep anyone against their will. Although, I’d like these people gone before they learn anything of importance. Except Ryan. We will need to detain him long enough to deal with the question of the Soma brands he controls. Find out if he can pass them off to you.”
“I’ll report back when we’re done.” Gregg gave her a curt nod and selected his three groups from their small number.
Allie’s mind whirled with everything that needed to be done, but a new sense of calm settled around her. I can do this. I am doing this.
“Liam, can you, Emma, and Daniel take Imogen and Lucien with a large group of Soma security when they arrive and do a sweep of the building while it is still on lockdown? I need you to make sure there aren’t any surprises lying in wait.”
“You will keep Livia and Darius with you at all times?” Liam asked. “I don’t want to leave you unprotected.”
“We’re not leaving her side no matter what she says.” Livia stood ramrod straight beside Allie. Like barnacles on a boat, as long as they were inside Sterling Tower, Allie wouldn’t be able to shake her sister or Darius even if she tried.
“I’ll stay with them, Liam. Promise.” She gave him a wink to break whatever spell Alísun had cast over them. Allie might be the official heir now, but they all needed to get over this googlie-eyed sense of awe they had when they looked at her. She was still Allie.
“Quinn, assign one of your men to guard the lobby and then take the rest of your walkers and have a Soma security guard show them where all the exits are. We need to make sure that anyone requesting to leave will have access to an escort. And rotate your dream walkers as often as you need. I don’t want anyone out there too long. Navid will stay with me, but call me if you need his assistance.”
“Will do,” Quinn said. “And thank you for thinking of my team’s wellbeing,” he added for good measure.
Allie rolled her eyes at his formality.
“What about the warehouse?” Santi asked. “Lots of people train out there, so they might not know we’re on lockdown.”
“Jayesh, do we need to send someone out there?” Allie asked.
“We’ve closed the warehouse for the past few days, so there shouldn’t be anyone inside other than the man who created it, but it wouldn’t hurt to check.”
“Santi, take Sasha and Tessa with you,” Allie said. “Try to talk to the man who lives there and find out if he’s going to cooperate.”
“Do we need a guide?” Sasha asked.
“I’m your guide,” Santi said. “I know that place like the back of my hand. We won’t be gone long.”
“It seems you have everything well under control,” Jayesh said, observing all of the activity around them.
“You and Livia have done so much to prepare for this,” Allie said. “I can hardly take credit.”
“I’ll be talking to the security team in a moment. Is there anything else you need from me?”
“Um. I need to speak with everyone here as soon as the building is secure from the inside.” Allie shook her head to clear the visions from her sight. There were even more inside the building than there were outside. She couldn’t spare the effort to keep them locked away.
“Eric, please call each floor manager and tell them we are on lockdown for at least two more hours. Have them standby for further instructions. Once you have the go-ahead from Ms. Carmichael here, make an announcement for everyone to convene in the gym on the seventeenth floor. No one is to leave their rooms until then. Do not, under any circumstances, tell anyone about anything you’ve seen.”
“Yes sir,” Eric said. “Although, I have no idea what’s happening anyway,” he added under his breath.
Allie turned to her sister, panic in her eyes. She didn’t know if she could sit here for two hours with everyone looking at her in expectation. Not with the visions plaguing her as they were. She needed a quiet moment to get them under control.
“We will wait in my old office,” Livia murmured, leading Allie to the elevator bank.
Allie stepped onto the elevator with Navid, Darius, Livia, and Dean. Alísun followed, guiding Alexander, still in the throes of his Scholar trance. As the doors slid shut in front of her, Allie’s knees refused to work and she sank to the floor. Taking deep breaths, she refused help.
“I just need a minute on the floor, thanks.”
What have I just done? She didn’t want this. She never wanted the limelight.
Aidan. It always circled back to him. She had to do this for him and everyone like him. As the elevator came to a halt, Allie got to her feet. “I’m fine,” she whispered, clutching her grandmother’s hand.
“We’ll wait here until it is time,” Navid said, steering Allie into the office that once belonged to Livia.
Allie glanced around the messy room with Jayesh’s files and papers stacked in piles on every surface. Half dead plants stood in large pots in front of the widows.
“We’ll get this all cleaned up for you, Allie,” Alísun said.
Allie nodded, as a cold chill swept through her body and her hands shook.
“It’s the shock,” Alísun said, guiding her to the chair behind Jayesh’s desk. “It will pass as you become accustomed to the mantle of Indriell.”
“You know, I always thought you meant that metaphorically.” Allie managed a tight smile.
“I couldn’t prepare you for the passing of the torch. I had to wait until you’d stepped forward and accepted your birthright publically and willingly.”
Allie nodded. “I understand so much now.” She patted her grandmother’s hand. “It’s just … overwhelming.”
“Now that it’s done, we have much to discuss. At a later time, of course. I won’t bother you with the details in the middle of staging a coup.”
“Am I the queen now?” Allie’s brow furrowed in confusion.
“No, my darling-girl. You are my official heir. You will train under me for many years before I name you queen.”
“Okay, good. That gives me time to get used to one insane thing at a time.”
The white phone buzzed on her desk. Allie glanced around the room as everyone looked to her to answer it.
“Hel-hello?” she said awkwardly.
“It’s Jayesh, ma’am. We’ve secured Michael’s dungeon. The entire staff there has opted to leave.”
"I've heard of Quinn's experiences down there. Was it really still functioning?" She would have thought Jayesh had put an end to it long before now.
“Not quite as it was when Quinn was there. Michael disappeared the night of the attack on your family,” Jayesh said. “No one has seen him since then. But his department was still operating. I have done my best to discourage the things that have gone on down there, but I haven’t had the authority to shut it down completely.”
“Now you do,” Allie said. “Shut it down and seal the rooms. We will find a much better use for that space in the future.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Jayesh, don’t call me ma’am.” She hung up the phone.
The mention of Michael’s disappearance struck a nerve. She’d never had a name to go with the face. Gregg had always taken great measures to keep her from the man she’d ruined that night. Now she knew. Michael was the one who had dared to attack Aidan and take his gift of healing. It had ignite
d a fury inside Allie like nothing she’d ever experienced before. That night a dark power emerged from within. She’d taken Michael’s Immortality. An act she’d never repeated since. He was still safely locked away, deep in the crypt below Kelley’s Island. For now. Eventually, they would have to deal with him.
Gregg always said he’d deserved what he got. Logically she knew that. Her gift wouldn’t have worked otherwise, but at least now she knew the extent of his crimes. It did a lot to alleviate her guilt.
“I need a minute.” Allie stood. “My visions are out of control, and I just need a quiet corner to collect myself.”
“There’s a private bathroom through that door,” Livia said. “Take all the time you need.”
Allie stepped inside the cool bathroom. It was beautiful, like all the places that bore Livia’s touch. Black marble veined with gold topped the vanity and huge white marble tiles covered the floor. She pressed her palms against the cold stone surface of the counter, closing her eyes. The silence was exactly what she needed.
With a deep breath, Allie splashed water on her face, clearing her mind of all thought. The visions swarmed around her like bees around a hive. She lay down on the cool marble floor. Closing her eyes, Allie focused on her clairvoyant gift. Slowly, the spectral forms drifted back where they belonged. When she opened her eyes, she was in control again.
She allowed herself five more minutes on the floor, taking slow, deep breaths. When she stood, she was ready to join the others.
“There is one thing I’m not sure how to handle yet,” Allie said when she entered the office to find Jayesh had joined them. “We need to know for certain who we can trust. I’m able to do that when in close contact, but when I go out there and talk to these people as a whole, we need to know how they are responding.”
“I can help you there.” Dean stepped forward. “I’ll be able to tell if the crowd is with you or against you. And which ones can’t be trusted.”
“How close do you need to be to do that?” Allie could always get a sense of a person’s true character, but she had to be in close proximity to do it. The more isolated, the better.
“I just need to be in the same room.” Dean shrugged.
“And you can pick out the assholes?”
Dean grinned. “One by one.”
“I knew I wanted you on my side.” She returned his smile. “Anyone Dean says needs to go gets escorted out immediately. We aren’t here to gather huge numbers. We are here to protect the ones who need this place to be what it claims to be.”
“About time too,” Jayesh said. “Good luck out there, Princess.”
“Nope,” Allie said. “I have only one rule; do not call me princess, ma’am, or anything like it, please. I am Allie. Plain and simple. If you must call me something formal, call me the heir. I can deal with that one.”
“Allie, dear. The people will want to refer to your title. You’re going to need to get used to it,” Alísun said.
“Can’t I be like the CEO? Do I have to be a princess?”
“It’s what you are, Allie.” Livia sat on the desk beside her.
“I don’t see anyone calling you Princess Livia.”
“I’d shoot them.” Livia gave her a wry smile.
“I’ve got a gun,” Allie said.
“Girls,” Alísun said. “Titles don’t mean anything to the people who have them. Not in any way that really matters. I have been a queen nearly all my life, but I don’t think of myself that way. It’s a persona I put on from time to time. It’s not who I am. You both will need to adapt to your new stations, but you can’t let a thing as simple as a word define you.”
“Granny’s right.” Allie sighed. “It’s just a word.”
“Granny?” Alísun frowned. “I don’t recall approving that title.”
“You call me princess, I call you granny.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
“I’m going to vomit,” Allie whispered. Public speaking was a huge source of anxiety for her, adding to the stress she was already under. She could hear the sheer number of people waiting in the gymnasium beyond the room where she and Darius waited. She would stand on the observation deck and address them all in just a few moments, but she was struggling to keep her visions locked away. Since arriving at Sterling Tower, her visions were overwhelming. She had to find the time to learn to cope with this aspect of her gift, or it would drive her insane.
“You’ll be fine, Red. I’ll be right beside you,” Darius said.
“I took public speaking as an online course, so I’d never actually have to do this.”
“I told you that was a bad idea.”
“How are you doing? You just came out of your Proving a few days ago. You shouldn’t even be here.”
“Well, that’s not an option and you know it. You fight, I fight.” Darius took her hands in his. “I’m fine, I promise. Physically, I feel better and stronger than I ever have before.”
“What about up here?” She tapped his forehead.
“That’s another matter. But it can wait. I’m fully committed to this, Allie.” He gave her hands a gentle squeeze. “Don’t worry about me. You’ve got enough to handle at the moment.”
“How am I going to convince them?” Allie gave him a desperate look. She knew what she was going to say, but she didn’t know if that would be enough to convince the residents of Soma to trust her.
“We can see it, you know.” He brushed the hair from her face.
“See what?”
“Whatever Alísun did … passing you the torch. It’s plain as day when I look at you now. I can see it in your eyes and feel it in my bones.”
“What is it?” Allie’s voice wavered at the look of respect in his eyes.
“I always wondered how the ancient queens inspired such loyalty. For thousands of years, their rule was never questioned. I get it now. You’re the real deal, Allie. They will see it too.”
“See what?” She lifted her arms and glanced down at herself, trying to see what he saw.
“I can’t describe it.” He chuckled at her frustration. “It’s just there, plain as a crown on your head. You’re our … hope. You are Indriell.”
Livia stepped into the room after knocking at the door. “It’s done, the building is secure.”
“And those on the list?” Allie asked, staring at Darius to make sure he wasn’t just messing with her.
“Thirteen have been escorted through the barrier, and Ryan has been detained for the moment.”
“Are we forgetting anything? I feel like we’re overlooking something important.” Allie swept a nervous hand through her hair.
“Breathing, maybe?” Livia cocked her head with a smile. “Relax. Soma is yours now.”
“I just have to go in there and tell them.” Allie shook her sweaty hands, trying to dry them
“You ready for that?”
Allie took a deep breath and nodded as the others filed into the room. She’d asked Navid, Emma, and her grandparents to be there with her and Darius. Along with Livia and Jayesh, Sasha, Santi, Quinn and Tessa. Gregg and the rest of the McBriens and Loukases were down below with the crowd just in case things got out of hand.
“Allie?” Tessa stepped up beside her. “I know you’re nervous, but just say what you said to me when we met. You said all the right things then. Just be honest and more than anything, let them see how much you care.”
“Thank you, Tessa.” Allie gave her a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here with us.”
Allie cared. That wasn’t a question. Her emotions were definitely driving this bus. With a last look at Darius, she stepped through the door to the observation deck and approached the railing. She sensed the others following. Darius and Livia stood just behind her.
She stared down at the mass of unfamiliar faces scattered across the gym. A hushed silence fell upon them as they looked at Allie. The ancient mantle of Indriell burned bright within her, causing some to stare in awe, recognizing her for what she was just th
e way Darius had. Others displayed their skepticism or thinly veiled hostility. Sterling Tower was a large building, more than twenty floors. Each floor served a purpose. Some were dedicated to the very young children of the Fold and others to the older students of Soma itself. Many agents, counselors, and trainers were in residence. Some worked directly for Soma, others were waiting for an “assignment” as Tessa had done for so many years. All together, more than two thousand faces stared up at her, wondering what this crazy redhead had to say.
“Thank you all for coming.” Her voice rang out, clear and full of confidence she didn’t feel.
Darius and Livia stepped up beside her. A quiet murmur of interest buzzed through the crowd at the sight of Livia. Allie needed to give off that same vibe of authority Livia seemed to be able to do in her sleep.
“Soma is no more.” Allie lifted her chin high. “Today, we offer a true safe haven for you and all those of our generation who need it.” She felt like an absolute ass.
“Introduce yourself,” Livia hissed.
“My name is Alexis Carmichael. I’m—I’m…” She dropped the formal tone. If she was going to do this, it had to be as her and not some queenly persona she adopted for special occasions. “I’m just a girl. A young Immortal just like all of you.” Her voice began to sound like her own again. “So many of us have been exploited for our gifts. Used and manipulated for the power we possess. I see some of you nodding in agreement. You’ve been there. You know what I’m talking about.” She placed her hands on the cool stainless steel railing in front of her. “And some of you have yet to experience it. You come as young children to the Fold, hoping to one day work your way into Soma to train and hone your gifts, believing that those in charge have your best interests at heart. But they don’t.”
"You're doing well. You've got this," Livia whispered.
“Three years ago, I was betrayed when someone I trusted thought to use me and my power as a bargaining chip. My friend, Sasha, was taken from her home when she was just seventeen when the Senate decided she needed a special kind of training. They called it an investment in her future. No one ever asked Sasha what she wanted. And for the last three years, her brother has been missing after the Senate arrested and interrogated him for reasons we’ve only just begun to discover.
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