by Eaton, Pam
“He’s taken so much,” I tell her.
“I know,” she whispers back.
“I can’t let him take anymore,” I tell her, trying to make her hear my resolve. Because I’ll die before I let him hurt anyone else I love.
“He won’t,” Mr. Smith says, fury making his voice shake. “This ends now.”
I look around the room, and everyone nods their heads in agreement. Raven’s basically baring her teeth, which makes me have to swallow down the urge to laugh.
Lucy squeezes me once more and I step back into Gregory’s embrace.
“What do you think the choice we have to make is?” Raven asks, bringing us all back.
I’ve thought about this, but it wasn’t until I saw Daemon that something struck me. “I think we need Daemon—”
“No,” Gregory says harshly, his face set like stone.
I turn into him, my hands coming up and gently grabbing onto his shoulders. “Yes.”
His face softens at my touch.
“He came here to warn us. And I don’t think he’s the only one who would leave Mr. Rivers given the chance.”
I send an image of Sariah’s face after she broke my rib.
“You can’t be serious,” he says, taking a step back.
“What?” Mr. Smith asks looking between us, but Gregory ignores him.
“Look at everything she’s done,” he says, shaking his head.
“She could have been me,” I say, jabbing a hand at my chest.
“Never,” he says vehemently.
“Who the hell are you two talking about?” Tiberius asks, making me jolt in surprise at the anger in his voice.
“She thinks Sariah could help us,” Gregory says.
Walter’s brows shoot up to his hairline and Xavier lets out a low whistle.
I turn to the group gathered in Tiberius’s living room. “That could have been me. The most important person in her world up and disappeared and no one would tell her anything. If that had been my grandpa, I would have done anything.”
“No, you wouldn’t have,” Lucy tries to tell me, but I whip a hand out, stopping her.
“Yes. What do you think I’ve been doing these last few months? I burn buildings down. How many times has Tiberius told me I’m being reckless? And what—”
“You didn’t kill anyone,” Mr. Smith says in a deadly calm voice. “You didn’t take a little girl from her dad. And you sure as hell didn’t torture a defenseless person hanging from cuffs.”
“She’s gone too far,” Raven says softly.
I shake my head. Because a part of me still feels this unchecked rage toward her, but there’s this voice that keeps asking, What if she’s been controlled all along?
Tiberius walks over to me and puts a hand on my shoulder. “Let’s work on getting the kids out of here first,” he says, looking around the room before turning to me. “And I agree, I think Daemon is here to help us.”
“Let me talk to him,” Raven says. She takes a deep breath and some resolve passes over her. “He’ll help us.”
“How do you know that?” Mr. Smith asks.
She looks him dead in the eyes. “Because I know he still loves me.”
Mr. Smith looks shocked, but me? “Not really surprised,” I tell her, and she just smiles.
Thirty-Eight
“I think I should be in there,” Mr. Smith says in a huff.
“Later,” I say. “He doesn’t really know me enough to hate me yet, and I get the feeling you’re not his favorite person.”
Mr. Smith looks down the dirt road to Tiberius’s house. We left everyone else there so they could start talking with parents about our plans for the kids. We also need a volunteer to stay with them. So many moving parts, with such a small amount of time.
“He left,” Mr. Smith says, still looking into the distance. “After I told him and Raven to end their relationship.”
Ahh. That makes a lot of sense. I can also see how that made it so easy for Rivers to swoop in and recruit Daemon.
“Don’t really blame him for being mad,” I tell him.
He shakes his head and scoffs, finally turning back to face me. I shrug, because I was pissed at him for a while too.
“I’ll let you know when you can come in,” I tell him and walk into the house.
Raven, Luca, and Daemon all sit in the living room in complete silence. I take a seat next to Raven on the lone couch. “Uh, I know this is awkward and all right now, but we don’t have a lot of time,” I tell them. “Raven, you’re up.”
Daemon looks between the two of us. He leans forward in the same chair he’s been sitting in. Luca probably wouldn’t let him up.
“We need your help,” Raven says to him. She keeps clasping and unclasping her hands in her lap. “You came to warn them, so does that mean you’ll stand against Rivers?”
“Are you asking me to fight with you?” he asks her, completely focused on Raven like Luca and I aren’t here.
“Yes,” she says.
“I’d do anything for you, Ray,” he whispers, but even I can feel the impact those words have on her.
She searches his eyes. “Are there others that would leave him and help?” she asks.
I lean forward, my body tensing just waiting for his answer. He tilts his head back and stares at the ceiling. Luca locks eyes with me. Raven grabs one of my hands. The three of us hold our breath, waiting, praying.
“Possibly,” Daemon says, and a whoosh of air passes past my lips. He turns towards me. “I’m doing this for her,” he tells me.
“I don’t care what your reasons are,” I tell him in all seriousness. “I’ve got a bunch of innocent people who’ve already suffered enough. If the only thing that’s going to motivate you is Raven, then so be it.”
I stand from the couch. “You’re going to have to talk strategy with Tiberius and Mr. Smith.” He opens his mouth, but I wave him off. “I know how you feel about him, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve got to go get children to safety. Luca, can you come with me?” I ask.
He nods, still watching Daemon, but follows me out of the house nonetheless.
Mr. Smith startles at our appearance. “He’s agreed. Better go in there and smooth things over,” I tell him.
He gives a short nod and walks past us. “I’d love to know how that conversation goes,” I tell Luca.
“Si. Me too,” he tells me.
“I’m going to be transporting the kids to safety. I really need you to go talk with Gregory and Lucy. Tell them who’s gotten a little bit better with their powers. I’m going to head to Walter’s. He should have all the kids there with their parents.”
“How long do you think we have?” Luca asks, nerves showing in his voice.
There’s a strange stillness in the jungle, and it makes all the hair on my arm stand up. “I don’t know, but my gut is saying not long.”
“Mannaggia la miseria,” he says, kicking at the ground.
“Exactly,” I tell him, not understanding the word but agreeing with the frustration in his tone.
“I’ll see you in a little bit,” I say, and with a wave I transport to Walter’s.
* * *
“So the power and water are still on?” I ask Walter, grabbing a bag to put on my back.
Most of the kids are still saying their goodbyes to their parents while Walter loads me up with some groceries. Hopefully they won’t need to be gone for too long, but at this point I’ve got no idea.
“Yes. I’ve kept everything going. The neighbors think we’re on vacation,” he says, loading another bag.
“Aren’t you worried about the neighbors hearing fifteen kids at the house?”
He zips up the bag and hands it off to Bronia. She adds it to her collection of the other three bags she’s holding. Man, it must be amazing to have that kind of strength. “No,” he says. “They’ll have to be quiet, but these aren’t normal children. I think they can already feel something bad is going to happen.”
“He
re’s hoping they’ll be quiet,” I tell him. I turn to Bronia. “Ready to head home?” I ask her.
She turns to Walter, her mouth opening and closing but no words coming out. He opens up his arms and she rushes into them. He rocks back on his heels from the impact, but he quickly wraps her up in his embrace. “Do not worry. I will see you soon,” he tells her as he strokes her head.
“What if…what if something…bad happens to you?” she asks through ragged breaths.
He steps back a little and cups her face. “I will be just fine. I promise you,” he tells her.
“Mama said that too,” she says in such a soft voice I barely catch it.
Walter’s face contorts in pain, and I have to turn around to compose myself. “She would do anything to be here. But I will not leave you alone. You have my word, robaczku.”
I take a deep breath and turn back to see her give him a shaky nod. Walter kisses her on the forehead. He clears his throat. “Go with Becca and do whatever you need to protect yourself and the little ones.”
Bronia stands a little taller. “I will, JaJa,” she says.
I walk over and grab her hand. “I’ll be back in a minute to start transporting the rest,” I tell him.
“Be safe,” he tells us, and in a blink we’re gone.
* * *
“Is that all of them?” Lucy asks as she turns in her computer chair.
I fall back onto the couch, desperately trying to keep my eyes open. “Walter’s on the phone, doing one more count with Maria, but I’m pretty sure my last trip with Eloise was the last of them. And it only took an hour.”
I shift a little on the couch and can’t suppress the groan that spills out. Five transports across the world in an hour about killed me. I could probably sleep for a year.
“I think I saw Luca shed a tear,” Lucy says.
I smile. “He does care a lot for Eloise.”
I roll my head on the back of the couch so I can see her better. “Where is everyone?” I ask.
I hear the clicking of her keyboard. “Looks like they’re on the boat here. Tiberius and Gregory went to gather the other Project Lightning agents from Itaituba. They all flew in.”
“Good. How’s the perimeter?” I ask, the heaviness of my eyes causing them to close again.
“All my scans show it’s fine, but I don’t know what powers Rivers’s people have.”
I feel my head start to bob and try to shake myself awake.
Lucy’s soft footsteps approach from my side and my eyes flutter open for a moment. “Sleep, Becca. I’ll wake you when everyone gets here.”
Thirty-Nine
They wouldn’t be so cruel, would they? I walk closer to the tree swing I sat on more times than I could count in my grandparents’ backyard. I can feel the house looming behind me, but I can’t bring myself to turn around. What if it’s a burned-out husk? What if it’s whole?
I sit on the swing, my back to the only home I’ve known, and wait. Lately, Mom has been here right away, but it’s quiet now. Not even the sound of birds or the rush of wind. I sway back and forth on the swing until the snap of a twig has my head whipping to the left.
I can just make out someone moving closer through the tree line, but they’re still shrouded in darkness. “Mom,” I call out as I stand.
They don’t answer, just move closer to the light. I walk closer, and it’s then I see it isn’t only one person.
Five people walk over the tree line, and I drop to my knees.
Mom. Dad. Ania. Grandma. Grandpa.
It’s not possible. Unless…
“Am I dead?” I ask, because they shouldn’t be here.
“No, sweets,” I hear Grandpa say as they walk closer.
At the sound of his voice I explode from my kneeling position and run to him. He opens his arms and I barrel into him, almost knocking us both over.
The tears pour out and I let them. He rubs a hand up and down my back, soothing me. I keep trying to say something, anything, but the words are trapped in my throat.
Another hand lands on my shoulder and I look up into a pair of eyes identical to my own.
“Dad,” I croak out his name.
His smile is blinding. “I’ve waited so long to meet you, Becca.” His voice startles me more than his looks. I’ve seen him so many times when I look at Tiberius, but instead of a Russian accent, he has a New England one.
I step out of Grandpa’s arms so I can face my dad. He takes a step towards me, and I go the rest of the way, hugging him tight. “It feels so good to hold you, baby girl,” he says.
I back up, giving him a big smile. Grandma clears her throat and she’s next for a huge dose of affection. From the comfort of Grandma’s arms, I look at everyone I love that I don’t have anymore.
“I miss you guys. I miss you so much it hurts,” I tell them.
Ania grabs my hand, making me move away from Grandma. Her eyes glisten with unshed tears. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for Bronia.”
“I’ll be there for her as long as I can,” I tell her.
“We don’t have a lot of time,” my mom interrupts.
“What are you guys all doing here?” I ask. “I’m so excited to see you, but this isn’t the norm.”
“We’re here to help,” Mom says, and points behind her.
Hundreds of souls fill the spaces between the trees. I lift a hand, covering my mouth. “Is that Cleopatra?” I ask Ania quietly.
“Yes,” she answers in an excited whisper.
The group parts and a woman marches towards me with a determined look. My mom leans into me. “That’s Sariah’s mom.”
“No way,” I say, bracing myself.
She stops in front of me. Her face blank.
“Thank you,” she says.
Uh, what?
“You were the only one to stand and say Sariah deserved another shot. I know she’s strayed so far. But you believe that anyone can come back. And for that I’m grateful. I’ll help any way I can.”
I look at the group and then back at my mom. “I don’t understand. How are you going to help?”
“Shemnon, the dream walker, is coming to you and you’re going to enhance him,” she tells me.
“Wait. Are you guys going to be alive?” I ask, looking at the faces of my family and friends.
“No, sweets,” Grandpa says. “But we’ll be able to interact with the world for a time to help you.”
Mom’s eyes shoot to the sky. “We’re out of time,” she warns.
“No,” I say, grabbing onto Grandpa’s and Dad’s hands.
“It’s okay, baby,” my dad says, giving my hand a squeeze. “We’re never really far.”
No.
The ground shakes, but I’m the only one knocked off balance.
“Becca,” someone calls.
The earth rolls, throwing me to the ground. My side slams into the dirt. “No!”
“The time has come,” my mom says urgently.
“How will I know him?” I ask her.
“You’ll know. You’ll feel us with him,” she tells me, and I guess she’s not done being cryptic.
“Becca!”
Who’s shouting?
“Wake up,” Ania commands.
A deafening clap of thunder booms around me.
I shoot up, gasping for breath.
“Becca.” Walter shakes my shoulder, causing me to jump.
“What is it?” I ask, still panting.
Lucy walks up behind Walter, looking as confused as I am.
“We can’t find Melanie,” he says, and I finally take a good look at him. His hair is standing up straight like he was pulling it and his shirt is half untucked.
Lucy rushes over to her computer, fingers frantically moving over her keyboard.
“Are you sure? I thought I transported her,” I say, picturing the little girl who can throw lightning bolts.
“I just got off the phone with Maria. She’s not there.”
“We need to ca
ll Tiberius,” I say, standing up.
“He won’t be able to hear you from the boat. Too much noise,” Lucy says, fingers flying over the keys. I watch the screen constantly changing from all the different cameras.
“How soon till he gets here?” Walter asks from beside me.
“Ten minutes,” she says, still focusing.
I bite my thumb nail. That’ll take too long. “I’m transporting to him,” I tell them. “Pull up his GPS coordinates and get the remaining adults here in Fordlandia at the house.”
Her fingers pause and she finally looks at me. “Don’t even try to talk me out this,” I say before she can object. “Pull it up. Please.”
She stares at me for a beat longer, but switches screens, bringing up a map. I study it. I picture Tiberius. He’s driving the boat; he wouldn’t let anyone else. I picture myself standing next to him at the wheel.
I squeeze my eyes tight, saying a little prayer.
My heart beats once, Lucy calls my name. But in the next beat I’m knocking Mr. Smith to the floor of the boat.
People start shouting. Someone tries to grab my arms, but Gregory’s voice cuts through it all. “Stop! It’s Becca.”
“What the hell is going on?” Mr. Smith asks, half of his body pinned under mine and sprawled across the deck.
I scramble off of him and turn to face a boat full of gawking faces, including Tiberius. “We can’t find Melanie,” I tell Tiberius, ignoring everyone else.
“Xavier, take the wheel,” he orders, stepping away.
He closes his eyes.
He’s taking too long. I grab his hand and pump him with as much enhancing as I can, my fear escalating with each passing second. He staggers to the side and I grab his other hand to anchor him.
“She’s still here. She’s in the abandoned building behind the range.”
I drop his hands, stepping back to give myself some room, but before I can transport, he roughly grabs my arm.
“She’s not alone,” he says hurriedly. “There’re others with powers with her, but I don’t know them.”
