by Sara Mack
Controlled water pours gently from above, out of an unknown source, arcing over us like a smooth curtain as far as I can see. It emanates a soft blue light which illuminates both Madeline and Jack. I look around. Is it lit from the other side? What does it fall into? Behind us is nothing but darkness and in front of us is a ledge. Where do we go from here?
Jack steps back and begins to feel along what must be a wall. I know he finds what he’s looking for when his hands disappear from sight. There’s a hidden entrance.
“This way,” he says and vanishes.
Madeline and I give each other a wary look. We feel our way carefully along the invisible wall, mimicking Jack, until we locate the open space he found. I spread my arms wide when I step inside and trail my fingers along a smooth surface to both my right and my left. We must be in a hallway of sorts. It’s pitch black though, and I feel as if I may step into nothingness at any moment.
“A little light would be nice,” I mutter under my breath.
“Not when you want to keep something secret,” Jack says ahead of me.
We’re suspended in darkness for several feet until Jack’s silhouette gradually comes into view. At a corner he stops and waits. When I reach him, I look toward the next leg of our journey. At the end of another dark hallway is a soft white light. It reflects off the smooth black walls, and I can’t see anything beyond it.
Once Madeline joins us, Jack points. “Down there is where you’ll find my brother and the others,” he says quietly. “Once you release them you’ll need to bring them back to where we arrived. None of us can manifest from any other point inside this area.”
“Why?” I ask.
“These walls are made of coal.”
“Coal?”
He looks impatient. “It binds us here like it traps souls in Hell.”
My eyebrows shoot up. Good to know.
“When you get to the waterfall manifest outside with the Guardians help.” He takes a step away from us. “Then get back to the arch. The faster we do this the better.”
Madeline and I nod.
“I’m headed to Ash and James,” he says. He turns on his heel and disappears the way we came.
Madeline focuses on my face and pulls her anlace from her belt. “Ready?”
This telepathic communication is great when you’re trying to be stealthy. “Yes.” I follow her lead and clutch my weapon.
She walks tentatively, yet defensively down the next hall, sweeping it with her eyes. After a few feet toward our destination, I choose to turn around and walk backward. It’s probably best to keep an eye out behind us. Who knows who might show up? As far as I know, there’s only one way in and out of here.
The closer we get to the light the brighter it grows. I have to squint even with my back turned. I sense Madeline stop walking so I do, too.
“Look at this,” she says.
I turn around and shield my eyes. The light is seeping through a fissure in the ground that runs the width of the tunnel. It shines up the walls and hits the ceiling, essentially blocking our path like a door.
I look at her. “I take it we go through?”
Madeline shrugs. “I suppose so. There’s no other way.” She looks around then back at me. “Jack could have been more specific.”
“He could be a lot more of things.” I grimace.
She smiles. Carefully, she extends her free hand toward the light and gently pushes it through.
“Anything?” I ask her.
She shakes her head. “It doesn’t hurt.”
Good enough for me. I walk around her and step completely through the light.
And into a room of really surprised people.
“Emma?”
My eyes swing to an older gentleman with glasses, sandy brown hair, and a graying mustache. “Yes?”
He breaks out in a smile. “It’s time, isn’t it?”
“Time to get you out of here? Absolutely.”
Three women who were sitting on the floor scramble to their feet. I recognize only one. Meg. When they stand they reveal Garrett laying the on ground. I immediately look over my shoulder to make sure Madeline has followed me inside. We lock eyes and then move toward him, causing the Guardians to step out of our way.
“Garrett?” I stow my anlace and kneel beside him, feeling his forehead. His eyes are closed and his skin feels clammy; he’s practically translucent. My heart begins to race.
Madeline takes one of his hands and searches his wrist for a pulse. “It’s there but it’s weak,” she says. “Move back.” I scoot to the side and she places her hands on either side of his head.
“We tried that,” a woman with black hair set in a bun says. Her voice is full of concern. “It’s not working anymore.”
Madeline gives her a reassuring smile. “My Pax is a little stronger.”
My eyes meet hers. “Pax?”
“Reiki,” she responds.
Madeline focuses and sends a wave of energy through Garrett’s body. I can see it ripple over him like heat rising from hot pavement. After a moment, his eyes slowly open and he registers her face. “You’re here,” he croaks.
“Can you sit up?” She slides her hand under his shoulder and wraps the other around his arm to pull him forward. When he’s a few inches off the ground, I place my hands against his back to steady him. He notices and looks over his shoulder.
“Hey,” he rasps. “My date didn’t go so well.”
“You think?” I smirk. “I know you didn’t want to spend time with Samantha, but this is a bit extreme.”
He gives me a tight smile. I try to return it, but my face fades into seriousness. “I’m sorry,” I whisper. “This is all my fault.”
He barely shakes his head. “It’s not.”
It is. If he had just stayed with me…I clear my thoughts. Now’s not the time to assign blame. “Can you stand?”
“I’ll try.”
Madeline and I help him to his feet. This makes him dizzy and he leans against the wall for balance. While he gets his bearings, I look around the room. It’s rectangular with four walls and a ceiling made of coal. The glow from the light door illuminates the space. There’s nothing in here but four Guardians and us.
A young girl stares at me. Her caramel colored eyes are panicked and stand out against her red hair. I read her thoughts. “Now what? You came through the light. How will we get out?”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
Her eyes grow wide. “It’s true.”
“What’s true?”
“Garrett said you were Charmed. He told us what happened and about the La..Lav…” she can’t say the word.
“Larvatus,” I say.
“Of course it’s true,” Meg says to the red-haired girl. “Garrett wouldn’t lie.” She leans forward. “Do you remember us yet?”
She knows about my memory loss? I guess they have had a lot of time to talk in here. I shake my head. “I don’t.”
“I’m Meg.” She points to herself and then around the group. “This is Jenna, Joss, and Thomas.” They all give me warm smiles.
“Got it. That’s Madeline,” I say and look toward her. She flashes a quick smile our way as she tends to Garrett. “As soon as we get out of here we’ll join James and Ash.”
I can help but notice Meg’s reaction when I say James’ name. She lights up.
“Jenna,” I change tack, “what did you mean about my coming through the light?”
“Only The Allegiant can come and go,” she says. “We can’t pass through.”
My face twists. “It’s a one-way door? How did Jack visit you?”
“He didn’t come all the way through,” Thomas says. “Lucas told him to not to.”
Frowning, I walk around the Guardians toward the light and step through to the other side. I have no problem going back and forth. I reenter the room and look at Madeline.
“It’s an Allegiant creation to contain Guardians,” she says. “They didn’t count on us.”
I stare at the light. How can we get everyone to the other side? I push and pull my hand back and forth through it. It’s so bright. What is it made of? The only other light I’ve seen remotely like this came from James’ palm.
“That’s it.” I turn toward Madeline who is still holding on to Garrett. “We have to deflect it.”
She reads my mind. “I think you’re right.” She hands Garrett off to Thomas and moves to stand beside me. I stare at her and ask, “Is he going to get any better?”
“I hope so,” she shoots back to me. “Or we’ll have to carry him.”
That won’t go unnoticed.
I pull my anlace from my belt and Mad does the same. “Try once first?” I ask. She nods.
With all the strength we have, we thrust our weapons into the light and draw them to the side, like we’re cutting a piece of fabric. My anlace vibrates in my hands almost uncontrollably, and I have to set my feet to remain standing. But it works. A dark space forms between our knives as if Madeline and I are drawing back a curtain.
The Guardians don’t hesitate; they know we don’t need another trial run. First Jenna and then Meg sprint through the space. Thomas needs a little help with Garrett and Joss assists him. Once everyone is through, Madeline and I follow. I look behind us and the curtain of light has fallen back in place. No one will ever know.
“This way.” Madeline steps to the front of the group to lead us out to the waterfall. I relieve Joss of Garrett and pull his arm around my shoulders. He leans against me as he tries to walk; his legs are like jelly. Thomas supports his other side as we practically drag him along. “I’m glad we’re not in a hurry,” I try to joke.
All Garrett can do is snicker. His breathing is labored even with our assistance.
We make it to the waterfall, and Madeline changes places with Thomas at Garrett’s side. She asks us all to join hands. “We need your help to manifest out,” she says. “Emma and Garrett can’t do it alone. From there you can disappear to wherever you see fit.”
“If it’s all the same,” Thomas says, “I’d like to stay near you three.”
The other Guardians murmur in agreement.
“That’s fine,” Madeline says. “Just try to look inconspicuous when we get out of here.”
The effervescence of manifestation builds inside my body and evaporates. I’m getting used to this. I feel Garrett’s weight against me and open my eyes. We’re outside on the museum steps. Time to move.
“You’re going to have to try and walk,” I tell Garrett. “We need to get across the street.”
He gives me a frantic look. Apparently, he hasn’t acquired the full use of his limbs.
“Forget it,” Madeline says. “Let’s just go.”
Garrett tries to stand upright and walk between us, like he has his arms casually draped around two girls. I doubt it looks anything but awkward. The ladies move a few feet to our right and act like they are in the middle of a conversation. Thomas heads off on his own independently, but still within earshot. We begin to descend the staircase. No more than three steps down Jack appears in front us, startling me.
“You have to get out of here!” he hisses. “They know!”
How is that possible? I read his scattered thoughts. “Too many Allegiant! James and Ash forced back! They’re heading to the arch!”
I nearly drop Garrett. “We have to help!”
“Get to the arch!” he says through gritted teeth.
My mind races. Garrett is too weak. We can’t bring him to a fight! He’ll be picked off for sure. I look around. We can’t leave him here on the stairs, either. He’s too sick; he needs to get back home now. I look between Jack and Mad. They’re the only ones who can get him there. I shout my thoughts at Madeline. “Use Jack and manifest Garrett home! I’ll help James and Ash!”
Her eyes widen. “They need both of us!”
I’m already several feet from her. “That’s not going to work! Just do it!”
I run in the direction of Central Park, blowing past other Guardians without a second thought. After I cross the street, I sprint toward the bridge with the arch underneath, then scramble down the hill beside it. I pause on all fours near the base and listen. I hear grunting and scuffling, then a blast, and then the sound of rock scrabbling to the ground. How many Allegiant are there? I pause. Does it matter?
Clutching my anlace, I launch my body off the hill and land with my feet shoulder width apart. Fully exposed to the entrance of the arch, I quickly assess the situation.
There are two Allegiant engaging James and Ash. They dance around one another in a flurry of body parts and light. James trades beams with his attacker while the other dodges Ash’s knife. I move into his line of vision. “I’m here!”
“Move behind us!” he silently shouts.
I do as I’m told, and I instantly know what he’s trying to do. He wants to back his attacker into my blade.
“Watch out!”
I duck. A beam of light sails over my head, outside of the arch, and singes a few leaves off a nearby tree. My face twists. I’m not in the mood to be incinerated today. I jump to my feet and race up behind Ash’s assailant. Unfortunately, he turns and catches me with his elbow – in my throat. I stagger backward, but stay on my feet and focus on breathing. In, out, in, out. My windpipe feels crushed.
The attacker gives me a curious look and moves toward me, but not before Ash catches him. He wraps his arms around the Allegiant’s chest like a vise from behind. I shake off my pain as the enemy struggles against him, realizing this is my shot. I take it, running toward him, and driving my anlace straight into his gut. He looks at me with wide eyes, his mouth forming an O, before bursting into dust.
The space that separated Ash and me becomes vacant, and I gaze at him in shock. “I just killed someone.”
He gives me a curt nod. “You sure did.”
Our attention turns to James; he is still dodging his assailant’s attempts to kill him. Ash and I move in unison, parallel to one another, in an effort box them in.
“Get out of here Emma!” James shouts.
I shoot him a confused look. Did he not just see me take out that other guy? I have no qualms about hurting this one either; in fact I’m looking forward to it.
Suddenly, the remaining Allegiant’s arm shoots to the left, changing direction and catching Ash off guard. He tries to dodge the beam of light, but he’s not quick enough and it slams him against the stone wall. I see red and spring into action, heading for the enemy’s arm. I want to rip it off.
Before I can get there, the Allegiant releases Ash and he crumples to the ground. My mind scrambles. Oh shit oh shit oh shit! Half of me wants to check on him while the other half wants to continue the attack. Ash’s eyes flutter and they catch mine. “Give me a minute. I’m all right.” I center myself and focus.
James runs up on our attacker and barrels into his waist, shoving him back and sending them both to the ground. I jump out of the way as they roll. They tumble near Ash, fists flying. It’s hard to make out who has the upper hand. How am I supposed to get a clear shot? One punch lands with a sickening thud and I wince. James lies motionless on the ground as the Allegiant pushes off him. My chest constricts as I stare at James. How badly is he hurt?
“Get away from him!” I yell.
The attacker stands and I crouch defensively. He turns and gives me a sick smile, allowing me to clearly see his face for the first time. Why does he look familiar?
“Emma,” he sneers as he advances. “It’s so nice to see you again.”
He knows me? My mind reels. Think, think, think! I stare at him in confusion and not fear. “Who are you?” I snap.
He stops in his tracks. “You don’t remember?” He looks pissed. Super pissed. “Allow me to jog your memory.”
He charges at me and I put my arms out to block him, catching his shoulders and pressing him back with as much strength as he exerts against me. A look of shock flashes across his features. Is he surprised I�
�m fighting back? I push forward, our faces inches apart. A vision returns to me from when my bracelet left my wrist. It clicks. Blond hair. Distorted left eye. But where are his glasses?
It’s Patrick.
I shove against him with everything I have and he stumbles. “Don’t touch me,” I snarl.
He laughs. “So you do remember.” We begin to circle one another and he gives me a superior glare. “Don’t worry. I won’t have to touch you to hurt you like before.”
He unleashes a beam of light from his hand and I fall to the ground against my stomach to avoid it. He jerks his palm toward me, and I roll then jump to my feet. I need to work my way into him to have a chance at hitting him with my anlace. In my periphery I see Ash move to his knees; he’s coming around. I need to distract Patrick and buy time.
“When are you going to give this up?” I spit. “Attacking me this summer wasn’t enough?”
“No,” he growls. “Kellan found me and made me immortal for one small price. I merely have to work for him and kill you and your friends. I told him I wouldn’t mind; it’s an easy price to pay.”
Kellan turned him Allegiant to make him his lackey? To what levels will this man stoop? I’m sure he assumed my seeing Patrick would make me vulnerable. Little does he know I have virtually no memory of his assault. Seeing Patrick doesn’t faze me. It only fuels my desire to eliminate him.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you.” I give him a wicked smile. “But your debt will remain unpaid.”
“I beg to differ,” he says and charges.
I allow him to come at me and then spring to the side at the last second. I need to turn us around, so I can back him up toward Ash. I dodge his punches and attempt a roundhouse kick. He grabs my ankle and twists my leg causing me to fall and land hard against my shoulder. Pain sears through my back and I gasp.
“I figured you’d be more scared of me,” Patrick gloats as he grips my leg. “I have to admit this is kind of fun. You’re not the same Emma from months ago.”
I grimace. “No shit Sherlock! When do you figure that out? When I showed up in the Intermediate or when I kicked your friend’s ass?” I’m not backing down.
