by Aral Bereux
Julianna glared at him. ‘Caden would never do this to a person.’
He was shaking his head. ‘You have no idea about the man you’re about to help, do you?’ he scooped Katherine into his arms and lifted. He scowled her again. ‘No idea!’
‘Taris did this.’ Julianna followed him, the girl limp in his arms. ‘She’s the one that helped me at Central. He must have found out.’
His bike wasn’t designed for front seat passengers. He made a line for Julianna’s bike, propping the limp girl on the seat with his body, urging Julianna to hurry.
‘You get her to the camp. I’ll ride behind for cover.’
Julianna swung her leg behind the girl and started the bike. ‘Cover?’ Julianna surveyed the roads. ‘No one’s here.’
‘Katie was, wasn’t she?’ he said.
He ran to his bike and gave another quick look with his dark eyes before lowering his sunglasses. He nodded for her to get the hell out of there, and circled back before turning west again.
‘He’s watching. He knows everything,’ Katherine said and lulled forward as the bike lunged from its stand, in a hurry to catch up with the stranger.
The wind blew against her face, making her eyes water, but she had no time to unfasten her helmet, not now. She reached for a long strand of hair plastering itself across her face again, regretting it instantly as the bike swayed off course. She steadied the bike with both hands. Katherine was safely between her arms but she slumped, making the bike heavy. She pulled alongside the stranger as they sped along the interstate, he was pointing to the rise ahead of them. It was a good vantage point.
They stopped on the hill, their bikes running. He wanted a clear view of the east and west points. The camp was easily visible from where they sat. The compound was large and busy, warren-like, crawling with soldier ants moving back and forth.
An eagle flew overhead, screeching as it did. Julianna followed it.
‘In the trees,’ he said, pointing a finger. Unnatural forces had disturbed the eagle.
‘I can’t see anything,’ Julianna said.
‘New-school watchers. You think you know everything until the shit hits the fan.’ His voice was full of contempt. ‘I’ll pass them off. Give you a fighting chance to get to the camp.’
‘I’m not leaving you behind.’ She saw a hint of white moving between the trees at the dip.
He revved his bike. ‘Like you have a choice. Time to trust your instincts, Julianna. Tell Caden you’re with me or he’ll become suspicious.’
‘I don’t even know your name.’
‘Isis introduced us for a reason. Maybe I’ll tell you next time we meet.’ He revved his bike. ‘Daniel. Nice to finally meet you again.’
The brake released under his rev and he sped down the hill with one wheel in the air. A Jeep hidden in the trees pulled out before him, and another followed quickly as he rode in their direction.
He’s going to be captured. The words were sharp sounding.
I’ll see you again, he replied. Now go! Hurry!
The intrusion stung.
Julianna shook the limp body gently. ‘Katie,’ she whispered. ‘Still with me?’
The bloodied head lifted. The speed of the bike pushed her body against Julianna. A trickle of blood left her nose and the wind sprayed its droplets onto the hand holding her.
‘What did Taris do?’ she muttered more to herself.
Julianna pushed the thought away, as far as she could, only for her own beatings to surface. Taris used to beat her when it took his fancy, using any excuse and any weapon in reach. He used his fists a lot, too. He loved to box, a pro-boxer in his younger years. She needed to push the distraction away.
‘I have no idea where I’m going. I need your help.’ The trees blurred around them as they gained more speed and the interstate stretched ahead.
Katherine lulled forward and she pulled her back. The girl was losing blood quicker than could be replaced.
Daniel. He didn’t hesitate to turn his bike. What makes me so special? Do I know him?
She felt guilty. Another notch to the side of her knife, and this one counted. She was responsible.
She sensed the Militia lurking. Daniel was off his bike with his hands behind his head, kneeling before them. Her mind unfolded the picture. This wasn’t possible for a half-breed; she didn’t possess any ability other than what the Guild had given her – as a gift for her loyalty. She was a dormant. Yet, the haunting images rolled through her mind, unfolding his events hidden beneath her squeezed eyes.
His voice screamed at her to move and the images disappeared.
The road snaked on. The bike vibrated under the pressure placed on its throttle and the red pointer hovered reluctantly over 140 miles. She swerved a pothole, and Katherine bolted upright in shock. Dampness seeped into Julianna’s pant legs from Deveaux’s blood pooling between them, reminding Julianna of the eagle Taris had shot. Its helpless wings flapping on the ground while he stood over it with his rifle crossed her mind. He’d never raised the sights for a second shot; rather, he had handed Julianna the gun so he could raise his hand instead, curling it into a fist to strangle the bird whole from his invisible grasp.
The damage had been huge. The bird had bled out in seconds. The image haunted her when emotionally blinded. She pushed the bike harder.
Daniel showed himself to her again. He was on his knees with his hands cuffed behind his back, guns pointed and a baton extended. He was their hostage. Her head ached, the vision prompting a migraine. Not the time, but it never was when they hit.
Look for a track…his voice appeared. It’s hard to see, but it’s there. Follow south even when it ends. His intrusion cut through her.
Julianna’s mind darkened. Her thoughts were her own again and the ache in her temples dulled. Katherine lifted a heavy finger, pointing it in the distance.
She slowed the bike. The landscape focused again. Julianna hunted for any hint of the trail Daniel had described.
‘I need your help,’ she said. ‘I’m lost.’ She propped the bike and squeezed Katherine’s shoulder. Blood seeped between her fingers and she pulled away.
Katherine lifted her finger again. ‘Down there,’ she whispered.
She pointed her bike in the direction of Katherine’s finger. Two trees hid the track, and as she drew closer, the grass pushed unnaturally to the left, against the breeze.
Julianna rolled them forward over a landscape that swallowed them, concealing her black bike well within the woods. A power surge ran through her body as she pushed through an invisible veil.
Julianna fleetingly glanced at the trees bowing down to her. What is this place? A spell? The trees observed her nature, and contemplated her intentions. She felt them inside her, their roots stretching into the corners of her mind. Caden Madison is a very powerful watcher; it crossed her mind he might be more. A chill ran down her spine.
‘You brought me home,’ Katherine whispered. It was barely there. ‘Thank you,’ she said.
Julianna shushed her gently. ‘Caden can heal you.’
Katherine’s listless head hung low. The trees thickened and the canopy draped over them, scratching Julianna’s arm as they rolled forward. The deep grass tangled around the wheels; when she looked behind, it uncurled again, straight and undamaged. The trail was closing in on itself. A spell conjured with Mother Nature.
‘He can’t heal me.’
Julianna ignored her.
‘He can’t heal what another watcher does.’
‘Sure he can,’ she teased. ‘Caden’s ex-Council. That makes him fairly high on the food chain, last I looked.’
The small laugh escaping Deveaux surprised her. ‘Council? I guess it makes sense.’
It was becoming difficult to maneuver over the sharp rocks and fallen branches. They were impossible to pass. The thought crossed her mind to just stop and carry the girl.
‘Always kind to me and my sister.’
‘You have a sister?’ Kind?
She frowned at the strange word used to describe a watcher. ‘She’s at the camp, then?’
‘Taris found the comms I destroyed. Caden’s crypt was only read a few times and never copied. I destroyed it.’ She drew in a breath and coughed. Blood sprayed across Julianna’s hands. ‘Devo. They pick at her for being a deviant. She’s not, she’s Sarah. My little Sarah and her heart will break if she sees me like this. Don’t let her see m—’
Her head slumped. Julianna stopped the bike, struggling to reach the uneven ground on the rise. She shook Katherine roughly, her body slumped more.
She moved the bike, propping at the last trees thinning into a clearing where tents were perched. She counted the vacant artillery stations and rested her eyes on the occupied one. Caden’s responsibility for keeping the enemy at bay was documented in the safe house, yet the camp appeared to be empty but for two young men sitting in the closest station, holding their rifles and laughing at each other.
Tents formed two single lines with vacant stations in the worn grass between them. The largest tents stood at the front. A Jeep rested at either side, bikes scattered in the area behind them, ready for an escape. They’d been in this position for a while. Julianna applauded the neatness of it all and edged her bike forward.
The young men pointed their rifles. The eyes behind them frowned, the laughing stopped, and they made a signal with their hands. It was a good location. The river surrounding the rear boundary of the camp ran as far as she could see. The trees were the only entry point for an attack, and two officers ran from the tents, heavily armed and ready to attack.
And there’s the organization – impressive and quick!
She rode into the clearing and stopped.
‘She’s got Katie!’ one soldier yelled. The other lowered his weapon, looked, before raising it again; the two covering with their rifles were leaving their post.
Katherine dragged easily across the bike seat and into her arms. Julianna bounced her farther into her grasp before turning into the approaching weapons. The guns rose in suspicion, their lasers danced on her black jacket, and the release of safety catches went down the line of officers staring at her.
‘Where’s Caden Madison?’ she barked and jumped the girl into her arms again. Katherine’s blood trickled down her sleeve.
The shocked guards whispered the girl’s name.
‘Get me Madison now, or I’ll shoot you my-fucking-self!’
‘That’s far enough.’ An older man with a Sig aimed high pushed through the formed line of rifles. ‘Put her down or I put your pretty little face all over this fucking here landscape.’
‘Not going to happen,’ she said, pushing past him as he lowered the gun.
Soon, she wouldn’t be putting Katherine down – she’d be dropping her. The last thing Julianna wanted was Katherine’s wrecked body suffering more pain. She walked inside the closest tent, ignoring the man.
It was open and clean and the cot closest to the door was empty. She laid her down on the bed.
‘I said move away or there’ll be nothing left of you but for the blood on these fucking walls.’
The cold steel of the man’s gun pressed firmly into the back of her neck, nudging Julianna to the side. Julianna raised her hands obediently.
‘I’m not here to hurt her,’ Julianna said.
The shouting outside reached the tent. It woke Deveaux. Her expression widened and the gun lowered, leaving a cool indent into Julianna’s skin. Julianna locked her hands behind her head and watched Katherine’s blood dribble through the canvas on the cot and into a puddle beneath it.
He pushed Julianna aside to crouch near Katie Deveaux. Cupping her hand between his and stroking it gently with his thumb, he whispered in her ear. He nodded; she nodded back and closed her eyes. He was sending her into a trance. Sending her away from the misery she suffered.
‘I found her a few miles down from the Camp. Taris – ’
He nodded silently. The sight of Katherine locked his gaze. If there was something between a man and a woman, they had it, Julianna thought. His reaction was more than expected for someone of his status. The dark symbols curled around his wrist. His shirt hid most, but the clear, black lines on the side of his palm were shouting his true status at her.
Julianna was disgusted; the man before her was a High Priest – the Family’s High Priest. The mark of the Family rested beside the lines on his palm. The territory that accompanied those markings...Julianna closed her mind; she needed to leave.
She backed away into the firmness of a chest behind her. The solid man stood tall, but his scent was familiar, the touch welcoming as he reached down to grasp her shoulder before joining his brother.
The Sig he held landed heavily onto the table baring a map, and he glanced at Julianna, waiting for her response. She stood motionless but for the arms hanging helplessly by her sides.
‘They’re coming. The Militia knows where you are,’ she said quietly.
Caden glared at everyone crowding outside, trying to see in.
‘Dodge! Chris!’ he yelled. ‘Posts ready for some action.’ He moved his glance across to her. ‘How many?’
She froze under his cool stare.
‘Julianna! How many?’
‘A squad at most. I think. I didn’t see them, but they’re coming.’
‘Bas.’ Caden put a hand on his brother’s shoulder. He lowered his voice. ‘Bastiaan, you need to start organizing them.’
Bas stood straight. His movement disturbed Katherine’s trance. ‘Kat?’ he whispered.
Katherine raised her head from the blanket. ‘Keep Sarah safe.’ Her eyes pleaded with him.
‘Always.’ He glanced at Julianna. ‘Won’t leave her side.’
‘She saved me,’ Deveaux whispered. Her eyes closed again.
Julianna felt guilty. This whole situation was by her hand. It was too much. She waited for the hunched figure to leave. She hoped the High Priest was no longer a risk, with those days well and truly behind him.
‘I’ll stay with her,’ Julianna offered, but the sentiment felt hollow as it left her mouth.
‘What the hell happened?’ Caden asked. He turned his attention to Katherine and kissed her bloodied hand gently.
‘The comms are down. I didn’t tell him anything. He figured it out.’
Caden stayed in his position, hunkered down beside the cot, stroking her hand gently the way his brother had. Julianna, who stood quietly in the corner, watched.
‘You did good, Kat,’ he said quietly. ‘We know about the comms. Any intel?’
Bikes and Jeep engines thundered outside. Caden stood, turning into the noise, trying to gauge how many, disregarding his last question for Katherine. The engines were coming from the path, thin rumblings travelled on the breeze outside. He leaned over the cot and tucked the girl’s matted hair away from her face.
‘You know I can’t heal you? I can’t undo what he’s done.’
Katherine Deveaux made a conscious effort to move her heavy head. ‘Political prisoners east of here. So much...’ She trailed off; her eyes strayed to the corner of the tent.
Caden lowered his head in thought and his arm extended for the Sig, to fly hard into his grasp. His black shirt pulled back with the motion. She took the opportunity to steal a look, and he caught her.
He pressed the gun into her palm. ‘Don’t let her die in vain. You understand?’ His voice wavered, and he looked behind him again at the dying girl. ‘Get the intel,’ he ordered quietly. ‘I need you to get everything she has.’
The bikes roared outside and the first crack of gunfire rang across the open grounds, echoing into the tent.
An antique box slid from under the second cot. It glided onto the table and he opened it with his hands. The lid flipped on its old hinges and Julianna watched Caden place a small glass bottle between the pins in the map.
‘When it’s time, have her drink it all,’ he said.
No, I don’t want this.
His dark
eyes were relentless, not willing to release Julianna until she agreed. She nodded silently.
‘To the last drops. It’ll make her passing easier.’
This wasn’t asked for. I don’t want Katherine’s death.
The fault was hers.
Caden squeezed her shoulder and sh stole her look from the bottle to study his face. His eyes were sympathetic and regretful and his mind slowly seeped into hers, breaking down the barriers to make her understand he would’ve taken the burden if there was time, but he had to fight. He had to keep his camp safe. She accepted his explanation. He brushed past to meet his battle.
Her gaze flickered between the bottle on the table and the heavy gun in her hand. It appeared the midnight hour had long since passed upon Katherine Deveaux.
Her hands shook; her body released beads of sweat that flowed steadily and she couldn’t concentrate. The shouting and gunfire Julianna heard through the thin tent walls rattled her inner core. The flaps were down on the windows and the flimsy tent walls offered no protection from a rogue bullet.
Katherine moaned. Julianna crouched low beside the cot with Caden’s weapon resting against its edge. When she looked through the door again, Bas ran for cover as a drone gave chase. It fired randomly, missing narrowly.
He jumped behind some empty crates, turning his body like a cat in midair, aiming his rifle into the eye of the hover drone, tipping it as it readied its laser once more. The trigger released a series of bullets into its mechanism and the drone flipped over itself through the air, somersaulting before crashing into the nearby river. She watched, wide-eyed and trembling, as Caden sprinted across the view; they were struggling to keep the lines tight. Christ, she thought. They were struggling big time.
He fell and she stood. Her finger curled the trigger and she found her hand raising the sights of the Sig against the officer who wrestled him in into the dirt, wringing his hands around Caden’s throat. She waited. Katherine Deveaux tugged weakly at her shirt and she lowered the gun. Bas had it covered. The officer stretched his hand to stop the offensive attack that Bas kicked into his side. Bas threw his body weight behind each kick until the hand stopped clutching for his leg. His brother was pinned. She’d do the same.
