“The Horsemen are the key—” Hendrix started as Xerxes to another step forward. Shimmering energy swirled around Xerxes’ arm in waves of purple, moving down to his hand as he shoved Hendrix. The magic slammed into Hendrix’s shoulder knocking the big man off his feet.
“See!” Xerxes held up the Heart and stepped into the center of the room. “Mysticism over machines. The ultimate power is mine.”
“If you’re going to try and kill a man, you best succeed.” Hendrix pulled himself up and walked back to his throne. The gears of his right arm whirred as his hand slid into his sleeve and was replaced by a tree clawed grappler. With a whoosh of air, the claw fired off and snagged the Heart right out of Xerxes’ hand. Hendrix slammed his real fist against a button on the armrest causing the floor to fall out from under where Xerxes stood. With a scream of protest, the bald man disappeared as if he’d never been there, and Hendrix retracted the claw. The cable zipped back into his sleeve until Hendrix held the Heart.
Hendrix released the armrest and the floor returned. Shangguan and Antiocus turned and stared at Hendrix as Zerelda sat back and smiled. The German eyed everyone in the chamber, as Genevieve covered her mouth and stared at the floor. I kept my eye on the Heart, and noticed I’d stopped trembling.
Hendrix stared at each one of us. “Anyone else have a problem with my plan?”
I raised my hand. “I do.”
Fire erupted in Hendrix’s good eye, and his other sparked with electricity. “Let me guess; you’re going to stop me.”
I met his gaze. “Yes, as a matter of fact, I am.”
He snorted loudly—like a raging bull—and then shook his head. “I know you’re gonna try, boy. That’s why I like you!” He leaned toward me and growled, “But mark my words, you ain’t gonna succeed.”
“Calm down, General,” a velvety voice with a soft French accent glided in from the hall, followed shortly by the baroness who stepped into the chamber. “He’s just trying to get you to do something rash, like hurt him. Remember, you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.”
“Mother,” Genevieve didn’t sound surprised only annoyed.
“Thank you for bringing Alexander here, darling.” She sat on Xerxes throne. “Now, we have to go. The Templar are coming.”
“How do you know?” Hendrix snarled.
“I met a friend on my way here.” She motioned toward the door as Lord Marbury stepped into the chamber.
“The Sparrowhawk leads an army of Sikhs and they’re headed our way,” Lord Marbury said.
My mouth dropped open, but a fire raged within me. “Lord Marbury, you’re the mole!”
CHAPTER 32
TRAITOR
Hendrix turned to me. “Marbury’s been with us since the beginning.” He chuckled. “He was the first operative the Templars sent to see what we were up to. He was easy to capture and after just the tiniest bit of torture, he turned to the Golden Circle. He’s been ever so helpful.”
“Why are you telling him this?” Lord Marbury said to Hendrix. “Besides, they’re supposed to be locked away as security against the Templar. That was the plan,”
I remembered the first time I met Lord Marbury, the fear he showed for the Knights of the Golden Circle. Sinclair, and the baron wouldn’t talk about it, but they put the fear of the KGC in me. I couldn’t believe he’d betray his vows to the order. Then I remembered the murders at Eton, one of them had taken place in his house. My stomach churned and I felt sick inside. He knew the Sparrowhawk’s flight plan and when we’d landed in Athens. He knew everything. Which meant the Golden Circle knew everything. Well, not everything. I hadn’t told him about the visions or what I’d learned about the Hearts. Now, I was glad I’d kept my mouth shut.
“How can you go against the Order? They’re your brothers.” Pain ripped through my voice.
Betrayed by those I called friends, I wanted to spit venom at Marbury, the Templars, and the Golden Circle. They’d wronged me, all of them, and they all deserved to be cursed with every searing word trapped inside me. I wanted chaos to rain upon their houses. But as the words formed in my mind, it was thoughts of Armand that poured water over my vengeance and kept my hand from my weapons. Now I had to find a way to carry on, to bear the weight of their betrayal. For they carried none of it. To let vengeance overtake me was to wallow in the mud beside them, not soar beyond them. My racing heartbeat slowed, my vengeance waned, and I let the clenched breath out. A friend’s betrayal was the greatest of crimes, but I had learned one lesson— they were never my friends—and the fault was mine for failing to see the blackness of their hearts.
“You couldn’t understand,” Marbury turned to Hendrix. “Get them out of here.”
“Afraid not, Lord Marbury.” Hendrix sinister smile curled one side of his lip. The other was bound to the leather plate and couldn’t move. “That kid’s got more sway in this room than you. He’s the fourth horseman. He’s already agreed to it; he just hasn’t said it out loud yet.”
“What? You promised me power, a kingdom of my own!” Lord Marbury’s eyes flared and he threw open his coat as he placed his hands on his hips. “Why did I betray the Order for you if not to gain power for myself?”
Hendrix pointed his thumb at his own chest. “Because I told you to. Because I stopped torturing you. But don’t worry, Marbury, you’re still going to get your land.” He turned away from the nobleman and said, “After I decide whether or not to scorch it first.”
“Then who are the Horsemen?” Shangguan asked. “I’ll be laying waste from within my Dragonship.”
“I am the Horseman of War!” Hendrix held his arms stretched out, the hematite Heart still clutched in his claw. “Zerelda has proven herself and will continue as the Horseman of Famine.” He spun on his heel and pointed at the Genevieve’s mother. “The baroness showed she can handle her own in Africa, and will be the Horseman of Pestilence.” Genevieve’s mouth was set in a stern line as she turned to her mother who nodded to Hendrix with a cold, steely expression.
“How can you be a Horseman?” Genevieve demanded. “You told me we had to get away from these madmen.”
The baroness sighed and waved Genevieve’s concerns away. “The Templar will never leave us alone. They haven’t stopped hunting me for over a decade. After they are destroyed, we will leave the Golden Circle behind us.”
Genevieve shook her head in disbelief. She lowered her voice and said, “I can’t believe I ever listened to you. Everything you say is a half-truth with conditions attached.”
I watched as her mother’s head bowed slightly, but no one else was paying attention. They were all focused on Hendrix. He held the Heart high above him and then turned to me. He pointed the hematite Heart at me, thrusting it like a sword. “Lastly, our fourth, the Horseman of Death—Alexander Armitage.”
“But the boy has refused,” Antiocus said. “How will he be Death?”
“Antiocus, I don’t need dissention; I need team players. The Armitages are connected to the Hearts. What Kannard didn’t understand is that we need them, not just to find the damn things, but also to win the war. With an Armitage on our side, we will not—cannot—fail. And Death, not only does it mean he will hold the sword that cuts the lifelines of those who stand against us, but his entire line of ancestors will be standing behind him.”
“But what about me,” Antiocus said. “I was to be—”
“Don’t you fret, my friend. You’ll lay waste to our enemies from the Vimana.”
Antiocus nodded and my heart sank. Hendrix’s argument made perfect sense. My family was connected to the Hearts. Armand spent years traveling across many lands to hide them after the crusades. My father translated the ancient texts that led to their rediscovery. And I had fought against them. Those were just the ones I knew about. My ancestors gave their lives fighting against Hearts of the Horsemen. Had they been riders before?
I didn’t deny or push back against Hendrix, and everyone noticed. Hendrix smiled and continued. “He un
derstands what we’re fighting for. The Templars represent the real evil. A bunch of landed noblemen who’ve done nothing to merit their wealth and power other than to be born into the right family and inherit the right title. Desperate to hold on to the decaying remnants of their old world order, they are no match for the Knights of the Golden Circle. We will reshape the world. And Alexander here knows it’s the truth.”
All eyes turned to me. Genevieve even cocked her head as if waiting for me to say something, anything. I averted my eyes, staring at the spot on the floor where Xerxes had been standing just moments before.
Hendrix walked over to Lord Marbury, his bronze leg striking the floor with a thud while the regular one glided in silence. He switched the Heart to his real hand, and grabbed Marbury’s shoulder with his claw. “Come, we have to prepare for the Sparrowhawk and this Sikh army of Baron Kensington’s.”
“Yes, they will be here soon.” Lord Marbury turned away with Hendrix’s hand guiding him.
Genevieve’s mother followed, but Zerelda stood up and stared at me. “Hendrix might think you are a Horseman, but I still haven’t paid you back for nearly destroying the Storm Vulture, and blowing up my place in Zanzibar.” She leaned closer. “I’ll never forget our meeting atop the Sparrowhawk.”
“Neither will I. I know you could have easily killed me, but you had to run and save your ship.” I forced a defiant look on my face and wouldn’t let it slip.
Antiocus jumped off his throne. “I know Hendirx is trying to resurrect the American Empire, but I say we take both of these meddling children outside and put them before the firing squad.”
“Now there is a good idea.” Zerelda said.
Antiocus took a step toward me and Rodin blew a column of fire between us. “Oh God!” He stumbled back. “That thing is real!”
“Yep, and I’ll skin the little lizard alive.” Zerelda thrust her hand out to snatch Rodin, but he leapt off. Genevieve shoved the pirate back then sprang to her feet and drew her silver-hilted saber. Zerelda drew her wickedly-curved cutlass, the black hilt decorated with skulls and bones.
“Genevieve. Don’t. Please.” I raised my hands and stood.
Antiocus motioned to the guards and several soldiers raised their rifles. “If the little wench, moves shoot her.”
“Fly, Rodin, get out of here!” Genevieve said and Rodin flew up the stairs and out the mouth of the snake palace.
Shangguan watched Rodin soar off and then turned to Antiocus. “Don’t shoot them here. Hendrix and her mother will not be pleased, and we will have an ugly fight on our hands. If you must kill them, take them to the fang balcony and be done with it.”
Antiocus and Zerelda glanced at each other and nodded. “An excellent idea. Move,” he said, “or I’ll shoot you in the kneecap and drag you up there.” Antiocus raised his hand as if about to give the order.
I touched Genevieve’s shoulder. She turned toward me and we locked eyes. She nodded slightly, lowered her sword, and we walked toward the stairs leading up to the balcony. With everyone behind us, I reached down and slid the scratched Thumper from its leather strap. I tucked the baton under my sleeve and Genevieve smiled.
We entered the serpent’s head. The rose-colored glass eyes acted as windows. The open mouth was a perfect balcony. The large curved stone fangs formed a railing. We walked to the edge and looked out over the valley below. Soldiers and workers ran around, many loading onto the Vimana. Some ran for the airships, including Zerelda’s huge black War Zeppelin. Then I saw the Milli-train crawl out of a tunnel and up the side of the mountain.
“This doesn’t look good,” Genevieve said. “We have a firing squad behind us and a valley full of enemies in front of us.”
“And yet, with you at my side, I’m not worried.”
She bit her lip.
“That’s far enough,” Antiocus ordered.
Zerelda laughed wildly. “The destruction of your world and everything you’ve worked so hard for over the last two years will be the last thing you see.”
The soldiers cocked their rifles, and I reaffirmed my grip on the Thumper tucked up my sleeve. I would spin around and fire, signaling Genevieve to strike. My muscles tensed. I drew in a breath, and then the palace shook and a deafening roar filled the air followed by a torrent of fire cascading down to envelope the Milli-train. Āgō āṁdhī. The huge dragon broke through the clouds as the train burst into flames. From the balcony, I could see the armor plating glow in the intense heat. Another blast of dragon fire rocked the train side-to-side and I watched, mesmerized, as it tumbled off the side of the mountain, crashing into the valley as a series of explosions ripped it apart. The dragon swooped down and blasted the valley floor, igniting the factory and part of the airdocks.
I heard one soldier behind us drop his rifle and cry out. Turning, I saw the rest retreating inside as Āgō āṁdhī roared again, unleashing yet another inferno on the buildings below us.
“Look!” Genevieve said, pointing. The Sparrowhawk appeared in the mountain pass with two other airships close behind it.
Another explosion ripped through the air as one of the Knights of the Golden Circle airships moored in the airdocks exploded. Zerelda screamed, “Damn you, brats, I’ll not lose my ship again!” She shoved us aside and drew a grappling crossbow from her back. She shot a line to the ground, secured the end on the balcony, and sheathing her cutlass, turned to us. “This isn’t over.” She slung the sheath of her cutlass over the line and slid down. I spun around, letting my Thumper slip into my hand. The only one left on the balcony was Antiocus. I pointed the Thumper at his chest and pulled the trigger, knocking him backward just as the dragon landed on the snake, his claws clutching at stone. Its head was bigger than the whole balcony.
“Jump on!” Āgō āṁdhī said.
I looked at Genevieve and climbed onto its head. She followed and sat behind the large horns. “Watch out,” she yelled. I turned to see Antiocus scramble to his feet, grab one of the dropped rifles, and run to the edge.
“Get down!” I yelled as Āgō āṁdhī took flight. Ducking my head, I ventured a look and saw Antiocus taking aim. I heard the crack of a rifle and turned to Genevieve. She was safe. Antiocus had missed. Then I heard him cursing and looked back to see him holding a bleeding hand to his chest and swearing at something in the distance. I turned and saw Hunter leaning out of the Sparrowhawk, his long rifle still pointed at us. I pumped my fist in the air, and he raised one of his long rifles in salute.
The dragon banked and slowed to land on a wide ledge overlooking the valley. It lowered its massive head and we jumped off. “Thank you, Āgō āṁdhī,” I said. “You saved us.”
“Rodin called to me and I was glad to come to his aid” The dragon said as its little counterpart soared up and landed on Genevieve.
She bowed. “Perfect timing and you did more damage than any army could hope to do.”
Below us, the Sikhs slid down repelling lines from the airships behind the Sparrowhawk and, led by the baron, freed the workers and attacked the soldiers around the Vimana and burning factories. In retaliation, gun installations around the valley and on the Vimana took aim and began firing on the dragon and on the airships. A volley crashed into the mountainside near us and Genevieve and I ducked and held our arms over our heads to protect from falling rock.
Small arms fired peppered the rocks around us and bounced off the scales of the dragon. A round from one of the deck guns of the Vimana slammed into its side charring the scales, and tearing a small bit of its wing.
“Āgō āṁdhī, they’re targeting you!” Genevieve exclaimed.
“Those big guns might pierce your hide!” I said. “You need to get out of here. We’d feel horrible if you were injured saving us.”
“I’m happy to be able to repay them for what they’ve done to my mountains.” The dragon said as it spread its wings. “For now I leave the humans to battle amongst themselves. If you need me, have Rodin call. I wish a blessed journey to you both!”
Āgō āṁdhī, leapt off the ledge and blasted a couple of the cannon in the valley before soaring over the mountain to disappear.
A thunderous noise mixed with the sound of a whirling wind as the giant propellers on the four towers of the Vimana spun to life. Slowly, the large iron castle lifted off the ground. A cloud of dust kicked up around the Vimana, and I saw that a bunch of armors and soldiers were left on the valley floor. The Vimana rose out of the thick black smoke and orange glow of the flames and rose into the sky.
“They’re fleeing!” Genevieve said pointing at the Vimana.
“And they hadn’t finished loading all their equipment.” Relief washed over me, this battle wasn’t over, but we’d dealt them a significant blow.
The Queen Z’s Revenge lifted out of the moorings and soared out of the valley bearing south. The Sparrowhawk followed, and flew straight toward us. Mr. Singh stuck his head out of the gun deck and dropped a rope ladder. I looked at Genevieve and she smiled. As the ladder whipped by, together, we grabbed hold and were whisked into the sky.
CHAPTER 33
CHASING Z
Genevieve climbed up the ladder first and I followed. Once inside we were greeted by Mr. Singh and Lianhua. “Am I glad to see both of you!” I said.
“The transmitter worked perfectly.” Mr. Singh held out his hand and helped Genevieve to her feet. “As soon as they picked us up, we pointed them to the valley.” He reached out for me and pulled me to my feet. “We weren’t expecting the dragon to help.”
“That was Rodin’s doing,” Genevieve said, scratching the little dragon under his chin. “He called Āgō āṁdhī.”
“And a good thing too, I don’t know that we would done as well with only the Sparrowhawk and the Sikhs.” I pointed to Genevieve and myself. “They were about to execute us.”
Mr. Singh’s eyes bulged, but we all turned as Hunter came down the stairs. “Everyone all right?”
Iron Lotus Page 17
