by Bryan Davis
Matt shifted his aim from place to place and fired six more spheres before lowering the gun. “I think it’s out of ammo.”
Above, seven holes drifted, enlarging and shrinking as the pattern of consuming and refueling continued.
Walter’s voice broke through in Lauren’s tooth. “I see openings, but they’re not big enough for a dragon. Maybe I could jump through one.”
“They’re too small for you,” a female said. “And they’re way too erratic.”
“That might be Sapphira, Queen of Second Eden,” Matt whispered. “I heard she’d probably come with them.”
“Joran might be able to break the shield completely,” Lauren said.
“Joran?”
Blinking, Lauren shook her head. “Sorry. It’s just from my dream. Joran can use his voice to create energy walls that destroy tanks, but when my dream ended, he was trapped in a green ovulum.” She shrugged. “Like I said, it’s just a dream.”
Walter spoke up. “Did you say a green ovulum?”
“Yes,” Lauren said, touching her cheek. “Why?”
“We have one.”
Lauren held back a shriek. “You have a green ovulum?”
“Right. According to Elam, there are a couple of people inside—”
“I know! I know! Joran and Selah. They could definitely help.”
“Elam says we’re not supposed to break it, and even if we did, how could they drop through the shield?”
“Will the ovulum fit through one of the holes?” Lauren asked.
“Give me a minute. I’ll see.”
During the pause, she looked at Matt. Stooping, he picked through the pile of metallic remains where Sir Balow died. He sniffed, maybe because of the weather, or maybe because of the tragedy. Either way, he was clearly moved by the noble sacrifice.
The tingling sensation on her back returned. A barely audible voice rose to her ears, sounding like thoughts coming from Matt’s direction. Now there’s a hero. Why couldn’t I have saved him? Maybe I should’ve shot the guy sooner. And it’s my fault that laser disintegrated him. Maybe I could have—
“Don’t blame yourself,” Lauren said. “We all did what we could.”
He looked up at her. “Mind reading again?”
“Sorry. I was just—”
Walter’s voice broke in. “I think we can fit the egg through a hole, but how will you catch it? With the holes moving, you won’t know where to stand.”
A new voice barged into the transmissions. “I’ll catch it!”
“I hear you, Gabriel,” Walter said. “Where are you?”
“I’m on my way.” A winged man zoomed over the barracks, then nearly straight up. Seconds later, he flew in a tight circle under one of the holes in the dome. Above him, a dragon-shaped shadow flew in a similar orbit.
“Ready?” Walter called.
Squinting at the radiance, Gabriel held out his cupped hands. “Ready!”
Something dropped through the hole. With a quick shift, Gabriel caught it. Then, folding in his wings, he plunged. Just before landing, he fanned them out again and sailed to a stop in front of Lauren and Matt, a green ovulum in his palms.
Lauren touched the smooth glass. “It’s just like in the dream.”
“Well, whatever you’re planning to do,” Gabriel said as he rolled it into her hands, “you’d better do it fast. A bunch of armed guards and three tanks are lining up over in maximum security, and we don’t have any dragon help. Ashley’s with Legossi and Billy in the dungeon. She got the candlestone out of him, but since she had to take it out of his brain, he’s too weak to walk yet. Good thing it was shallow. Anyways, she’s working on Legossi now, but she’s having trouble digging between her scales.”
Lauren held the ovulum close to her face. The sound of a lyre rode up her spine, soft and lovely, though melancholy in mood. “Joran,” she said sharply, “since you’re holding the lyre, I know you can understand me. We need you out here. You can break through the shell.”
“Why aren’t we allowed to break it?” Matt asked. “We need to do this fast. I sense danger big-time.”
“According to the dream,” Lauren said, “the mists that transport people won’t return unless he sings a song in response to something he hears outside. If we break the shell, he won’t be able to transport, and his refuge will be destroyed.”
“Well, Joran or no Joran, we need a plan.” Matt pulled his jacket closed, hiding the gun in his waistband. “We have company.”
Lauren looked toward the fence in front of maximum security. At least twenty men with parkas and boots filed through the gate, each gripping a rifle. “Joran!” she shouted into the ovulum. “Soldiers are coming to get us! Hurry!”
Matt grasped Gabriel’s arm. “Can you fly Lauren out of here?”
“Sure. Then I’ll come back and help you.” Gabriel stepped behind Lauren and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“No!” She broke loose from his hold. “Joran has to sense my danger, and no one else can hear what’s going on in there.”
“Then go see if Billy’s able to come,” Matt said. “Walking or not, we could use his firepower.”
“Billy is doubtful, but Legossi might be ready.” Gabriel launched into the air, zigzagging in the blustery wind.
Several of the soldiers aimed their rifles at him, but a man at the front of the line shouted, “Hold your fire! Four in the rear, go after him. The dome will keep him from getting away.”
As the soldiers marched within a hundred feet, the lyre’s notes grew louder. A song came through, filling with energy as a feminine voice joined in.
Alone here singing day by day,
I wondered who could hear my cry;
No answers came from Heaven’s doors,
Just echoes sung in warped reply.
While Selah sang a lilting descant, the soldiers formed a semicircle around Lauren and Matt, their rifles tucked under their arms as if ready to fire at a split second’s notice.
The commander, now at the far end of the formation, waved a hand and spoke in a calm tone. “At ease, men. They’re not going anywhere.”
As the rifle muzzles shifted toward the ground, the commander strolled in front, his parka hood down and a phone at his ear. “It’s Captain Boone. … Yes, Major, we got the kids, and I have a detail chasing the winged man. We’ll have him soon. … The Colonel?” He stooped at the scorched grass plot where the Colonel and Sir Barlow had disintegrated. Rising again with a name tag in his fingers, he shook his head. “It looks like one of the lasers killed him. There’s nothing left of him but a pile of metal scraps, so I guess you’re in charge. … Yes, one of the men told me the dragon got plugged with a candlestone. I saw it flying like a wounded duck. It’s probably out cold somewhere. … Sure. How long? … Not a problem. The beams are keeping the others out. We can wait.”
“Everyone stay where you are,” the Captain called in a louder voice. “We will receive further instructions in a moment.” While the Captain studied his phone’s screen, Lauren refocused on the ovulum. Joran’s voice grew stronger, and Selah’s blended perfectly.
With diligence we kneel once more;
Until you heed, we will not stand.
Remember blood, remember tears,
The red and white of mercy’s hand.
“Joran!” Lauren called out. “We’re in great danger! Please hurry!”
“Joran?” The Captain scanned the area, first the surrounding field, then the air between the ground and the overhead dome. “I’ve heard of Jesus and Jehovah, but who is this Joran you’re praying to?”
“You might call him an invisible friend.” The ovulum grew warm in Lauren’s palm, and a cracking noise reached her ears. With no sound coming from within, maybe Joran had finished his song. She set it on the ground, and it sank out of sight under the snow. “I have a lot of weird idiosyncrasies.”
“Speaking of weird,” Captain Boone mumbled as he
nodded toward the Colonel’s office.
Lauren swung in that direction. Wearing a form-fitting black trench coat and sleek black gloves and boots, Semiramis strolled toward them with a cocky gait.
Pulling Matt by his sleeve, Lauren whispered. “Stay close. I think the egg’s about to hatch. We might be in for a wild ride.”
Semiramis stopped within Lauren’s reach and folded her arms in front. “It has been a long day for you, hasn’t it, my dear?”
Scowling, Lauren focused on Semiramis. Since Ms. Ghost hadn’t noticed the ovulum, keeping her distracted might be a good idea. “Too long, thanks to you.”
“We merely did what we had to do to get you to comply.” Poison laced her tone. “You found what we were looking for much more quickly than we expected, and now that it is in our possession, I have been granted permission to do as I please with you.”
Lauren kept her stare fixed. Fear instincts screamed at her to run, but since Semiramis lacked a physical body, she couldn’t do any harm. “Did you come out here just to brag? You could have done that in front of a fireplace while sipping witch’s brew.”
“I hope you can keep your sense of humor. You will need it.” Semiramis withdrew a gun from under her coat, grabbed Lauren’s arm, and pressed the muzzle against her chest. “I came out here to collect my prize.” Glaring at Matt, Semiramis pulled the hammer back. “Move out of reach, hero.”
Raising a hand, Matt slid away three steps. “Okay. Okay. Just stay cool.”
Lauren looked at Semiramis’s tight grip. Pain ripped from elbow to shoulder. “How did you—”
“Surprised?” Semiramis laughed. “Thank your friends from Second Eden. They provided the magic. But their arrival won’t help you at all. The shield will keep the lizards at bay until our reinforcements arrive, so I suggest that you put away all thoughts of resistance and make this easier for both of us.”
Lauren glanced at Matt. His fingers slid toward the gun hidden behind his waistband. He whispered, “Stay calm. I’ll look for an opening.”
“Major,” Captain Boone said, smiling nervously, “this young lady isn’t likely to overpower my men. If you’ll lower the gun—”
“You have no idea what she can do!” Semiramis nodded toward the scorched grass. “I see rope. Have one of your men bind her wrists. That’s an order!”
The Captain heaved a sigh. “Very well.” He waved for one of the men. “Tucker, get the rope and tie the girl’s wrists.”
A beefy soldier broke from the ranks and scooped up the coil. As he passed by, the Captain whispered, “If you get a chance, disarm her.” Without acknowledging the command, Tucker hurried on.
Lauren tried to stay expressionless. She barely heard the Captain’s whisper herself, so Semiramis likely didn’t hear.
While keeping the gun aimed at Lauren, Semiramis backed away a step, giving Tucker room. “Make sure it’s tight,” she said.
Tucker looped the rope around one of Lauren’s wrists and fashioned a tight knot. Keeping her lips as still as possible, she whispered, “When I get her to look away, that’ll be your chance.”
He gave her the slightest of nods.
Lauren pointed at the ovulum with her free hand. “Look! That green egg’s cracking open!”
“What?” When Semiramis looked down, Lauren leaped toward Matt. Tucker spun and grabbed Semiramis’s gun, grunting as he tried to wrestle it away. The gun discharged, sending Tucker lurching backwards. After staggering a few steps, he collapsed.
Now aiming at the Captain with a smoking muzzle, she shouted, “Lower your weapons and march away, or I will kill him!”
The soldiers looked at the Captain as if waiting for his command.
He nodded at them. “Do as she says.”
As they began a march toward the maximum security area, a pop sounded. Thick green mist shot out from the depression and rose in a violent swirl that split into two cyclones, miniature tornadoes spinning and scattering the snow.
At the weapons column, one of the barrels shifted downward, and its beam began a slow descent. The dome thinned, and its holes grew wider. Radiant droplets and sparkling candlestone bullets drizzled from the sky, raising vapor when they hit the snow.
Semiramis shifted the gun toward Lauren. “Now pick up the rest of the rope and get over here!”
Matt gathered the coil and laid it in Lauren’s arms. As he guided her toward Semiramis, he whispered, “I’m hiding my gun behind you. When I get a good shot, I’m taking her down.”
“Matt. No. Her gun’s already aimed. She’ll kill you.”
“You stay back,” Semiramis shouted, “or I’ll shoot through her to get to you.”
As sparkling rain continued, the descending laser beam shut off, and the gun next to it darkened as well. Raising his hands, Matt stepped to the side. Lauren glanced at him. The gun was now out of sight.
“You’re too dangerous to leave alive.” Semiramis aimed directly at him. Just as she fired, Lauren shoved Matt to the snow. The bullet struck the side of Lauren’s bound wrist, slicing into both bone and skin. As blood oozed, Lauren grasped the wound and fell to her knees. Pain roared up her arm and sent shock waves to her brain.
“Hesitation is purchased by blood,” Semiramis said as she picked up the end of the rope and looped it around her wrist. “Hero boy, you and the Captain stand together and turn your backs.”
Matt rose to his feet and helped Lauren to hers. “If you’re going to shoot me,” he said, “you’ll have to look me in the eye when you do.”
“As if that would stop me.” Semiramis pulled the hammer back.
Lauren jerked the rope, twisting Semiramis away. The gun went off, sending a bullet into the air. Lauren bolted toward the maximum security area, pain throttling her senses. If only she could get to Billy or Legossi, maybe their firepower would keep her safe. Since Semiramis wanted her prize so badly, she would follow right away, wouldn’t she?
A hard pull on the rope brought her to a sliding halt. Semiramis called, “You fool! You can’t get away.”
Lauren spun and looked back. The wicked witch gave chase, the rope in her grip. Matt stood next to the Captain, aiming his gun, but he didn’t fire, apparently worried about hitting the wrong person.
Letting out a relieved sigh, she waited for Semiramis to catch up. The pain was so awful, she wouldn’t be able to escape anyway. At least she had saved Matt, and now Joran and Selah could materialize without interference.
When Semiramis arrived, she slapped Lauren across the cheek and barked, “Follow me!”
Lauren staggered behind her and trudged through the snow toward maximum security. When she gained her balance, she looked over her shoulder. The green cyclones congealed, forming Joran and Selah, both shivering in the cold wind. When they fully solidified, Selah picked up the fractured egg, fitted the two halves together, and slid it into her pocket.
Lauren slipped, nearly falling. Semiramis jerked on the rope again. “Keep your eyes on the path! We can’t waste even a second!”
Blinking away tears, Lauren marched in front of Semiramis. What could Matt, Joran, and Selah do now? Joran’s gift would have been perfect for breaking down the dome, but that was already taking place. The only hope was for the holes to grow and allow the dragons to enter, but would they come in time?
As more radiance dripped, it seemed that fire rained from the sky, bringing sheets of snowflakes in behind the flames—impossible weather, but perfect for this bizarre, twisted reality.
With her fingers wrapped around the rope and her wound, she whispered into her transmitter. “Matt, the two who came out of the egg are Joran and Selah. They’re called Listeners, son and daughter of Methuselah. Ask them if they can create a protective sound barrier. When the prison’s forces show up, you’re going to need it.”
“Okay. I’ll ask.” His voice sounded tense. “Are you all right?”
“Not really, but don’t worry about me. I can take it.”
“It’s too dangerous.” Lauren’s voice dropped even further. “She’ll kill you.”
“Like a little danger is a problem? I’ve been risking my life ever since I met you. Why should now be any different? Nothing’s going to stop me.”
She took in a breath, trying to force the pain out of her voice. “Okay, I’m counting on you. If anyone can get us out of this mess, you can.”
THE FIRESTORM
As Lauren and Semiramis approached the fence between the prison sections, Matt slid the gun behind his waistband and hustled to where Captain Boone knelt at Tucker’s side. “How is he?”
“Dead.” The Captain looked up, cursing under his breath. “If I get my hands on that—”
“Exactly.” Matt pushed some bite into his words. “Semiramis is a she-devil! She shot my sister and took her away, and she was ready to kill you, too!”
“Hang on, kid. I’ll see what I can do.” The Captain hustled away, following the path Semiramis and Lauren had made through the snow.
Matt blew out a stream of white. He couldn’t go with the Captain until he took care of the new arrivals. Laying a hand on Joran’s shoulder, he looked him in the eye. “I’m Matt. My sister, Lauren, called you here. Do you understand?”
“Yes, we both know your language.” Still shivering, Joran held a lyre with both hands. “What can I do to help?”
“Lauren wondered if you’re able to create a sound barrier that can protect people.”
“Our barriers destroy.” Joran withdrew two metal rods from a pouch in his pants. “But there is a song we heard recently that might reverse the effect.”
