Every passing second felt like agony. Each a precious moment stolen from me that I wasn’t with Mouse. That she might be dead. Fear swirled with rage.
I could feel the tension escalating around me too. All of us thinking the same question.
What they hell were they doing here?
“If Fandrin doesn’t find them first, I’m going to kill Veyron and Xavier.” I muttered to no one in particular. No one answered.
We had cleared nearly three blocks of eerily abandoned streets when a mechanized screeching pierced the air. Those of us from Tartarus recoiled, pressing ourselves against buildings and searching for the source. Ryker and Fiona, however, ignored our caution and waved us onward with an air of irritation.
“What the hell is up with the freakin’ racket?” I could hear Archer’s voice in one ear, though the other heard only the caterwauling. Her face was screwed up against the sound.
“It’s the city alarm.” Fiona smiled. “It means the Tribes have breached The Wall.”
“Status?” Ryker snapped. He was leading the pack, keeping us close to the shadows, skimming the still dark buildings. Twice I rammed the barrel of my gun into his spine to push him faster. He obliged but the truth was, a sprint would not have been fast enough.
Thadd’s voice answered. “The Tribes are doing exactly what we had wanted. Their mere presence is creating total chaos. They’re pillaging homes, it looks like some have even stolen military vehicles and are terrorizing the city.”
“Body count?” I asked.
“Surprisingly low.” Thadd replied, clearly astonished. “They’ve done a lot of damage, trapped some people in homes but they seem to be mostly targeting soldiers.”
I breathed a little easier. They were holding to their promises. For now.
Thadd continued. “Civilians are fleeing into bunkers, soldiers are retreating to The Tower, it looks like the city is going on lockdown.”
“Good.” Ryker said.
“Good?” Otto retorted. “Lockdown doesn’t sound good to me.”
Surprisingly it was Triven who answered. “It means most of the citizens will be locked away safely in secure bunkers. Fewer people will be on the streets and less innocents will get caught in the crossfire.”
I often forgot how much Triven remembered of this world.
“It also means we and the others will be easier to spot.” I added. “How far?”
“Four more blocks.” Ryker lowered his voice. “Radio silence. Be on your toes. We might not be the only ones out here.”
The sky above us was black. No simulated moon or starry night sky could be seen, it was like staring into a void, signaling the grid was undoubtedly back up. Blue hexagonal shapes flickered occasionally, as if to remind us that we were trapped inside the electrical cage.
My eyes darted around the streets, to the rooftops, to alleys hidden in shadows. Nothing moved. This should have been reassuring, but the absence of anything or anyone set me on edge. Ryker slowed, gesturing to a small warehouse across from us. It was the one Drake had mapped out for us. The last place he thought he saw them. I scanned the roofs again and then shoved past Ryker. Someone hissed behind me, but I didn’t care. I sprinted across the street, fully exposed for ten seconds before melding back into the shadows. One by one the rest of the team followed, Ryker issuing a fierce glare of disapproval. I glared back. We weren’t shot. He could be mad at me later, when I knew Mouse was safe.
Fiona was quick to take lead, winding us around the concrete block walls to a nondescript grey door. She pushed on the handle and found no resistance. Flashing me a warning look, Ryker counted down from three on his fingers. As the last one disappeared Fiona shoved the door with surprising force and we poured into the vacant cavernous room. Every nerve in my body sang, ready for a fight. The room was dark and smelled heavily of starch. Three torches flared to life, casting the space in soft light. Massive vats towered on either side of the room, surrounded by stacks of white crates filled with silvery pouches. Our guns searched every corner as we sprawled out in the space. But nothing moved around us. The room was completely empty. Our guns slowly began to lower. They weren’t here.
I nearly choked on a sob threatening to break free, when a small voice came from behind me.
34. MORTALITY
“P
HOENIX?” MY GUN rose instinctively still not accustomed to the gentle voice, but dropped instantly.
Sliding out from an impossibly tight crack between two stacks of crates, came a small girl. I threw myself the last few steps, pulling Mouse into my arms. I squeezed so hard it had to hurt, but she didn’t complain. When I finally pulled back she was white as a ghost and trembling from head to toe. A gash across her forehead had swelled alarmingly turning the skin there an angry purple. Blood crusted in her eyebrow.
“Why are you here? What happened?” My tone came out harsher than I meant as I gave her a little shake. She looked terrified, but I needed to hear it from her first. She wouldn’t lie.
Ravagers. She fell back into sign language, as if the words were too terrible to say out loud. They got in, they attacked us. So many dead.
Triven made a horrified sound behind me, before whispering what she said to the others. Tears were streaming down her face. The blood drained from mine.
“What were you doing outside of the safe house?” I said fiercely, but she only shook her head, tears falling faster. I would never forgive myself for this. I pulled her in close again. “I should have never left you.”
There was shuffling around us and people began emerging from their hiding places. Fourteen kids ranging in age from four to early teens had appeared, looking just as scared and nearly as battered as my Mouse. There were ten people large enough to be adults, but I could only see one of them. Shoving Mouse protectively behind me. I hurled myself at the slender blonde woman with the scarred face.
“How dare you?!” I screamed, shoving Veyron hard into one of the huge vats. It boomed as her head slammed into the round metal surface. “How could you?! We trusted you! You could have gotten them all killed!”
To my surprise, she shoved back with a snarl. I staggered backward, immediately hunching, ready to pounce. To kill her.
Two strong arms wound around my chest, effectively pinning my arms down. Someone was speaking, but I couldn’t hear him through my rage. I thrashed wildly, throwing him off. Pulling my handgun free, I spun on Veyron and stilled. Two guns were suddenly pointed at me.
Veyron’s entire body shook as her handgun quivered, aiming at my head. But it wasn’t her aim that had made me stop, it was the cold metal of Xavier’s muzzle against my temple that froze me in place.
Our rescue party raised their weapons in response and the rest of the room recoiled.
“Easy,” Triven spoke, raising his hands calmly to the room. He was breathing heavily, but kept his voice low. He moved slowly, inserting himself between Veyron and me. I quickly lowered my gun, not wanting to accidently fire at him. Veyron did the same, but Xavier didn’t budge.
“Xavier.” There was a warning tone in Triven’s voice.
“I’ll lower my weapon once she hears me out.” The Master replied.
“What happened? Why were you outside of the safe house?” I shot him an accusatory glance. “Speak quickly or I will have Ryker drop you.”
On cue Ryker stepped forward taking closer aim. Mouse stood in shock behind Archer, clinging to her leg. Maribel’s blonde curly head peeked out from behind them. The child’s ringlets shivered in the darkness.
“The Ravagers infiltrated my building.” Xavier spoke clearly, slowly, as if explaining to a child.
“What?” I snapped sideways to look him in the eye.
“Bullshit,” Archer barked simultaneously. “That place was a freaking fortress.”
“Yeah. I thought so too.” Xavier’s jaw worked, his nostrils flaring as he leaned back. Despite the rage boiling under his skin, he pulled the gun away from my face and I got a good look at him for the f
irst time. Blood coated his shirt and matted his dark hair. It was hard to tell if it was his or someone else’s. “Apparently, we were both wrong. Someone figured out how to get them in.” My eyes shot suspiciously back to Veyron as he continued. “And since you ruined my safe house, we had no choice but to come here. Lost six more getting over the damn Wall. The Ravagers showed up barely half an hour after the rest of you lot departed. Like they knew we would be less protected.” His snarl turned up into a wicked smile. “Fortunately, your little traitor didn’t know about all my security measures and that this gal here is quick on her feet.” He motioned to Veyron, “Or we’d all be dead.”
Veyron stood up a little taller, but her glare didn’t soften. Neither did mine. It suddenly seemed too coincidental that she had escaped not one, but three attacks on the Subversive.
“How many of you made it out?” Otto asked interrupting my speculations.
“You’re looking at it.” Xavier gestured to the room.
Archer let out a startled sound and then saluted in mourning. Everyone in the room save Ryker, Fiona, Xavier and me, mirrored her. There were twenty-four of them. We had left nearly sixty.
“What about my mother? Have you seen them?” Triven pressed, not looking hopeful.
“We came over on their lines, so they must have made it in, but you’re the first souls we’ve seen. The kid damn near has the city memorized.” Xavier indicated Mouse, but he was frowning. “But I’m guessing if you found us—”
Fiona cut over him impatiently. “Yeah exactly. So, not that this little family reunion isn’t great and all, but either kill each other quick or shut up and save it for later.” She leaned cautiously next to a hazy window, watching the street.
“Later then.” I muttered. Careful to keep Veyron in my peripheral vision, I headed toward Mouse.
“Status?” Ryker barked. Those of us with earbuds paused, waiting for Thaddeus’ response.
“Cameras are still down. Most of the patrols have been accounted for. Beta team headed back to The Tower.” Thadd said over the line. “If you’re going to move I suggest doing it now. The grid will come back on in less than ten minutes. Your section is the only one still out of power.”
Ryker was quick to start barking orders, calling for reallocation of weapons to anyone big enough to hold one. After sacrificing three guns of my own, I knelt by Mouse and Maribel. The girls clung to each other, both holding knives I was sure came from Xavier.
“You stay with me. Whatever happens, you stay with me.” I waited for both girls to confirm they understood. I leaned in and placed a swift kiss on Mouse’s forehead. “Together?”
“T-together.” She agreed.
“Together.” Triven grabbed Mouse around the waist and swung her up into his arms for a hug. Maribel made a frightened chirping noise and I gathered her hand in mine pulling her closer. She was alone. The tall brunette woman I knew to be her mother was not here, which meant only one thing. Maribel was now just another orphan of Tartarus. A victim of our cruel world. I smoothed her cheeks, wiping away the tears. “You’re with us now, okay? You’re safe with me.”
She gave a shaky bob, but the light in her had extinguished. Gone was the bubbly child who had once been Mouse’s voice. As Triven set Mouse down, I placed Maribel’s hand in hers. “Don’t let go of each other.”
We moved to the door, Fiona and Ryker taking the lead with Archer bringing up the rear, eye already pressed to her scope. She was muttering something about higher ground. I noticed then that the formation Ryker had planned was not careless. While Xavier was lined up at the back, Veyron was two people ahead of me, two older and more capable children flanking her. As Fiona pressed a cautious ear to the door, Ryker cast one last sweeping glance over us. His eyes lit on mine and though his lips barely moved, I could hear him clear as day. “Watch her.”
He hardly looked at Veyron, but the message was clear—he didn’t trust her either. What surprised me more, was that Triven shifted closer to her too, his chin lowering slowly. Clearly, I wasn’t the only one making connections. The mutual understanding was clear. If Veyron was truly our traitor, we needed to know what she had leaked before we took care of her. Which meant for now, we needed her alive.
“On my count.” Fiona pressed one hand to the knob while cradling her gun with the other. “Three. Two.” She signaled the last number then made a fist.
Slowly Fiona cracked the door and slid out. No one moved. No one breathed.
“Clear.” Her voice spoke in our ears.
Ryker signaled for those closest to follow, while the rest of us urged them forward from behind. Quietly as possible, we snaked from the open door into the dark alley. At the mouth, we pressed tightly into a group. Mouse’s hand slid into my belt, tugging gently to let me know she was there. Despite Fiona’s assessment, I scanned the streets, searching for anything, everything. But there was nothing to be found.
“Single file. Three to four at a time. Move quickly. We need to reach that building five down on the left. There is an access there we can use. Thadd, can you cover us in the tunnels?” Ryker hissed orders, slipping back to soldier mode, the focused military leader I had once detested.
“I can buy you time there, but you need to get there quickly.” Thaddeus was typing on something in the background, the clicking of his typing too loud as I struggled to hear noise in the deserted street.
Fiona grabbed the arm of a little boy, tugging him behind her as they jogged out into the open. They were headed to the alley across from us, nearly in the shadows when Thadd’s voice came back on the line. Alarm slurred his words. “Run! All of you, now! The grid is coming on. I’m locked out. I can’t stop it! RUN!”
“RUN! GO!” Ryker echoed Thadd and we shoved the scared group forward. We burst from the alley and the streets flared to life in a brilliant outpouring of white lights. The people in front of us reared back, recoiling from the beams, but I rammed them forward. My arms rose and bullets began to fly. Archer and Triven were the first to catch on, and they too quickly began targeting cameras and street lights. One by one the lights exploded to black and the cameras powered down.
“GO!!” I screamed as loudly as I could, pushing on the bodies around me again.
Toes stepped over mine as we thrust toward the building Ryker had pointed out. I slammed a hand over the fingers on my belt. Mouse was still there clinging to me, her other hand tight around her best friend’s.
We were two buildings out when a harsh buzzing filled the air. Five silver orbs descended around us, closing in on all sides. They stopped hovering eye level above the streets, blocking the alleys, obstructing our paths.
Fiona staggered to a halt as the sphere closet to her glowed a brilliant green. The light shimmered and from it grew the image of a boy. But the projection wasn’t just from the orb nearest her. It was all of them. Five identical boys surrounded us, looking smug.
A woman near Archer bolted for a gap between the devices. She barely made it three steps outside the circle when one of the orbs spun. Tiny muzzles lifted from the smooth surfaces of the two spheres closest to her, and in the blink of an eye, riddled her with bullets.
I snarled as the perfect likeness of Gage grinned wickedly. I fired a shot at the boy closest to me. The image wavered, only to re-form undisrupted. The projection of the young man glared at me—not guessing my location, but staring directly at me. Gage clucked his tongue.
“Thought that was you prodigal. Won’t Fandrin be so glad to see his precious progeny is back.” I could feel people around me flinching, those who didn’t know pulling away. “Oops,” Gage smirked. “Looks like not everyone knew darling Prea’s little secret. Still, your blood means nothing. I am his only heir now. Especially now that you’re all about to be dead.”
The orbs began to hum louder and we pulled tighter against each other.
Another shot fired, this time hitting an orb directly. The sphere sparked, knocked momentarily off course before righting itself. Ryker was seething, gu
n still pointed at the globe nearest him. Gage shifted his gaze toward Ryker, but paused. Distracted. Then his eyes lit up, widening like a predator’s.
“Sooo nice to see you, sister. How is that neck, found your voice yet?” He purred. Mouse said nothing, but a small whimpering noise of pure fear quavered up from behind me. The hand on my waist trembled as he drawled on. “I had hoped to do this in person, but then again I wanted to try out my new toys. Besides, why send a man when a machine can do the job. Who knows, maybe I’ll get lucky and you’ll survive. Then I can finish what we started in person. Be seeing you soon little sis.”
The projection raised its hand and with a wink, snapped his fingers.
The images of Gage snuffed out as all five orbs shot down like bullets. They shattered the concrete, embedding themselves deep into the earth. And then, they exploded with a force worthy of the Adroits.
The ground bucked beneath us as the world filled with fire and pain. I grabbed the small hand still clinging to my waist and with a tug, folded myself around Mouse. Another arm wound over me and I could feel Triven’s day-old stubble on my cheek.
This was it.
We were going to die together.
35. REVENGE
T HE RINGING IN my ears was deafening.
While I ground my teeth against the mind-splitting sound, it meant only one thing.
I was alive.
It hurt to breathe. Heat and a chemical tang soured each breath, burning my nostrils. I coughed, trying to inhale through my mouth.
New World Inferno Page 26
