Brokk’s stomach twisted then at the thought of seeing her again. Gone was the gangly fifteen-year-old he left in the throes of another world. She would be twenty-one now—a woman. Would she even recognize the man he had become? Would there be an undertone of memory, even though Memphis had taken them away from her? Heart cracking, Brokk pushed the thought down.
Sighing, he watched Memphis flush a deeper red. Standing, he said, “Call the alarm in an hour. Until then, take a moment to gather yourself. Then we will leave.”
Walking out of the room, Brokk navigated down the hallway. People surrounding him were just blurs of colors.
It only felt like yesterday that she was there, laughing beside them. That he would get lost in her emerald eyes. That they were attending classes and the worst stresses in their life were navigating her parents and their politics.
But now, Emory would be brought back to a world on fire. To one of her best friends now a Mad King while himself and Memphis lead a rebellion to kill Adair.
Time could change a lot of things, but as Brokk pushed past the sea of people clad in black, he knew nothing could ever prepare Emory for that. He hoped desperately that the woman a world away would remember him as he once was. That above all, she would remember the depths of their bonds of friendship and forgive him for the choices he has made since.
***
“Please proceed to the dining hall. Please proceed to the dining hall....”
Stomach twisting, Brokk lined up to enter the next elevator heading down to the dining hall. Numbly stepping in, the grate slid shut, and he was dropped into the ground. The wind howled, and he tried to prepare himself.
When they came to a grinding halt, he realized the dining hall was nearly full already. Stalking in between rows of familiar faces, he took a seat at the nearest table. Brokk scanned the crowd near the front; Nyx’s purple hair reflected against the lanterns’ glow. As if feeling his gaze, she turned her head, locking her eyes on him.
Her mouth was set in a grim line, and she slightly tipped her head toward him. They all knew from this moment on everything was going to be different.
As if on cue, Memphis walked out, stopping to take in everyone. He was dressed in a pale blue shirt and black pants, his lace up boots shining. Brokk could read his friend in a second, the inner turmoil evident from the slight quirk in his nose, his pale eyebrows knitted together.
“Good morning.” Memphis’s authoritative voice quieted the bustle in the room, and he clasped his hands in front of him. “Firstly, I am sorry to take you all away from your tasks but thank you for coming. As always, I applaud you on the combined efforts to overthrow Adair. As you all know, we formed this rebellion to form a sanctuary to anyone who has been terrorized by the Mad King. We are here to heal and gain our strength, so we have a fighting chance against him.”
He paused and the room hushed further.
“As a group, we have accomplished amazing feats, but we have all lost too much over the years. Every person in this room has trusted me without question, has taken me as their leader. All of us have been working toward one resolution, to reclaim our world.” Memphis paused again, his voice echoing in Brokk’s mind alone. “It’s time.”
Sighing, Memphis continued out loud, “I have not been entirely honest. In fact, I have lied to protect a secret that was never mine to keep. For this, words cannot begin to express my regret and guilt.”
Stony silence resonated throughout their friends, their family. Brokk’s heartbeat thumped in double time, his stomach dropping.
“Years ago, there was a girl with an unusual ability. Her name was Emory Fae. She was also one of my good friends and the rightful heir to Kiero. You may have heard about her untimely disappearance, about her death at the war of the Academy. This is a lie. Six years ago, she came to Brokk and me for help, and we agreed.”
Brokk felt like their eyes boring into him could set him on fire.
Shifting uncomfortably, Memphis pushed on. “Adair had already slaughtered her parents. Had broken the Academy and the peace Kiero had found during the Faes’ time. He was planning to kill her to end the royal family. When the time came, I erased her memory, and Brokk...well...”
Standing up, Brokk ran a hand over his buzzed hair. “I have the ability to manipulate time. I connected to a channel, to another world, and brought her there, left her there for protection, so that when the time came, and Kiero needed it most, Emory Fae could return and claim what is rightfully hers.”
Anger licked through the hall in a ripple of a thousand whispers. Brokk back-pedaled fast. “It’s not as specific as you think. I can only go through channels I have connected to before. I can’t go back and change history.”
Nodding, Memphis continued, “We saved Emory and transported her to a place called Earth. She has no recollection of us, or of this world. We were selfish. But we intend to bring her back. I will restore her memories and, being a leech, means that she can steal abilities. If we can get her near Adair, she has a chance of ending him with his own ability. She is the only one who can help us win our war. She will be the face of Black Dawn Rebellion, and returning to her rightful place as heir, we will have a chance. We use her to stop Adair.”
Memphis was driving a knife into his heart. Brokk knew this was a tactic. Memphis had to hold the rebels together. Brokk would save her a thousand times over and never feel regret for doing it. His Commander only saw his guilt.
Adair was the cause of Kiero falling into ruin, and the blame laid on him alone. If Emory had stayed, there would be no chance...no hope.
Shouts rattled off the walls now, as accusations were thrown at them. Black Dawn had digested the news, and looking around, Brokk realized their words would mean nothing. It was up to their actions now.
Memphis exclaimed, “I promise you retribution. I promise you a free land. It is time to act, and if you will still have me, we will do this together.”
Pure chaos broke out.
Yelling filled the dining hall, and Brokk wanted to dissolve into the wall.
Betrayal. Betrayal. Betrayal.
His blood sang with the word, and he began to weave around the tables and the accusations. Making his way up to Memphis, their plan hardened his heart. Looking out at the defeated faces, the anger rolling in at them from the group of people he considered family, hurt him.
Gripping Memphis’s forearm, they both looked to Nyx, hoping that she could settle the rebels. The voices turned to white noise, and Brokk took a deep breath, feeling the pieces click into place like a puzzle. There was a deep pull in his gut, and he let go.
The world they knew shattered into light, and shimmering ribbons of silver and gold washed the channel. The howling wind reverberated around them as they freefell, Brokk’s heart lodging in his throat. A thousand voices echoed around them, their words muffled as Brokk and Memphis fell. Brokk felt the connection, the web, and he followed it, drawing closer to Emory.
It could have been centuries or seconds that passed, but in another explosion of light, they slammed down into grass. Brokk let go of Memphis and threw up in one motion. Acid pricked tears in his eyes, and staggering, disoriented, the sounds and scenery slowly came into focus.
They were in a strange forest made of tall trees and a grey cement path twisted through it, opening to a field. Beyond, a small stream bubbled over the many rockfaces. The noise was another matter completely. There was a constant beehive of activity, peoples’ voices the crescendo throughout it all.
Memphis shook his head, eyes instantly narrowing. The sticky heat of summer clung to his dark military clothes, his Commander’s shirt looking incandescent. Turning slowly, he registered what Memphis was staring at. A young woman in overly flashy clothing had stopped on the path wide-eyed and frozen at the sight of them.
Before Memphis could start battering about Emory, Brokk asked in a smooth voice, “Excuse me, but could you tell us where the nearest town is located?”
She squinted at him in suspicion, sa
ying, “You’re in it. The nearest street is King Edward.”
Waving a hand to her left, Brokk dipped his head in thanks, towing Memphis with him.
Seething, Memphis asked under his breath, “Why didn’t you ask her if she knew about Emory? Are we even in the right place?”
Brokk snapped tensely, “Of course. Once I travel a channel, it’s set in my system. I wouldn’t have been brought anywhere else. But look around you. Look at us. I don’t think anyone would tell us even if I had asked. We’re a bit rough around the edges in comparison to this world.”
This world that wasn’t ravaged by Adair or magic. Brokk could feel his ability draining with every step—they didn’t have long before their abilities would deplete in this world with no magic. They had to move fast.
Around them was a maze of cement and roaring metal machines. Wires were strewn from pole to pole as they followed the grey path. Casting their eyes down from the stares of passersby, it was unlike anything they had seen before. Chemical smells mixed with the stale air assaulted them.
Memphis whispered, “Well, this is overwhelming. I can trace through people’s consciousness to track her. I just need time.”
Brokk nodded his head, trying to choke down his fear. They should have stayed in the forest away from prying eyes. Heading back to the cover of the trees, he motioned to Memphis. “C’mon. We’re drawing too much attention to ourselves.”
For the first time in his life, Memphis didn’t argue, and they made their way back to the woods.
***
Dark clouds rolled in the afternoon sky while they stalked down the grey path once more. The forest had provided them with a couple of hours to gain their bearings. Both men had felt it, their abilities being stretched too thin in this world.
Brokk wrung his hands, asking for the hundredth time, “Are you sure?”
Memphis curtly replied, “For the hundredth time, yes.”
When it came down to it, it had only taken Memphis a couple of hours to find the thread of Emory’s actions and trace her back to where she lived, which was a small three-story building, thankfully, not too far from their primary location.
Jealously pierced through him. This safe world was only fleeting. Brokk wondered what Emory’s life was like and how they were about to change it.
Thunder rolled from above them, and the clouds took on a green hue as lightning flashed in the distance.
“We have to hurry,” Brokk said.
They ran, twisting and curving around buildings and people. The humidity was suffocating, sweat rolled down Brokk’s body, and Memphis motioned to his right.
“Over there,” he said.
Crossing over to a bigger grey path where blaring screams echoed around them, they dodged the speeding machines.
Pushing forward, they swept toward an older man walking toward the brick building, and Memphis whispered, “Watch this.”
The man stopped, clearly confused, and slowly reached for his pocket, withdrawing a key. They caught up to him, and his eyes took on a milky quality as Memphis whispered, “Walk. Unlock the door. You didn’t see us here.”
It was as easy as that. Brokk sprinted, Memphis following behind him.
Emory. Emory. Emory. Emory.
Heart surging, his feet carried him faster as they spiraled up the staircase.
Memphis said, “I got the door!”
Stepping into the building, the hallway was darkly lit, the staircase in front of them old and worn. Ominously, Brokk and Memphis lithely moved up the stairs. Reaching the third floor, Memphis stopped in front of a door that read one hundred and seven and grabbed Brokk’s arm, stopping him.
Suddenly, the light source cut, plunging them in complete darkness. Brokk heard the lock springing free, the door creaking open under Memphis’s command.
Raising his eyebrow, Brokk muttered, “Learned some new tricks?”
Memphis whispered back, “I’ve been practicing.”
Stepping into the room, Brokk froze, his breath slamming out of his chest when he spotted a silhouette at the end of the hallway of the apartment.
The woman stilled; her green eyes luminous as lightning flared in the windows behind her. Long black hair trailed past her shoulders, her petite frame, lean and healthy.
Emotion tightened his throat, and he whispered, “Em.”
Her scream echoed throughout every fiber in his body, and she sprinted to her right, grabbing a small device, the screen lighting up underneath her touch.
“I’m calling the police right now. Who the hell are you?” Emory yelled.
At their non-response, she ran back into the room, and a book flew past his head. Both Brokk and Memphis ducked from the continued assault of items.
“Em!”
“I swear if you take another step...” Her voice was low and commanding. She didn’t get to finish her thought because fear flashed in her eyes, and her face drained of all color. Her body crumpled; Brokk rushed forward, catching her before she hit the floor. The strange device skittered on the floor, a voice ringing out from it as Memphis came up beside Brokk.
He stepped on it, destroying it beneath his boot as he said, “I just placed her former memories back in. Her mind couldn’t handle it; she will come around in a couple of days or so. We have to get back to Kiero. Now.” A smug expression crossed Memphis’s features when he took Emory in like a prize.
Lifting Emory in his arms, Brokk tried to compose his racing pulse as he also gripped Memphis’s arm. Each time, it was easier to fall into the pull of the current of energy. The world cracked and dissolved into a million pieces but, at the same time, into nothingness. Freefalling, he held onto his friends, wishing he could just freeze this moment a second longer to feel her body against his.
It was a reminder that she was real, and that they had succeeded.
They were bringing her home.
***
Blood poured from his nostrils. Pressing his sleeve to his face, Brokk sat down, pinching his nose. Emory was still unconscious and sprawled across the forest floor. They were back on the outskirts of the Academy.
Memphis paced back and forth; his brow furrowed. “We are too exposed; we have to get back to the Academy, Brokk. You can rest there,” Memphis snapped at him, his agitation obvious.
Stemming his bloodied nose, Brokk asked roughly, “Memphis, what’s your problem? We have succeeded, Emory is home. No matter what we are walking back into with the rebels, I have dreamt of this day for the last six years.”
“Oh, I can imagine you have, Brokk. Now let’s go before a dabarne or a raider attacks us. We are letting our emotions cloud our judgment,” Memphis stated, darkly.
Pressing his lips into a thin line, Brokk gave a brusque nod.
Traveling by the channel left him irritable and drained. Anger curled around his heart. He risked just as much as Memphis had. Without him, Emory wouldn’t even be here. Brokk’s emotions were on a tight leash, feeling as if any moment he would lash out. Using his ability had its limits, and he needed to rest. He saw it as an exchange of energy and strength to be able to accomplish something others have only dreamed of.
Standing, he made a move to lift Emory, but Memphis protectively moved in front of her.
“I have to be the one to bring her in. We both know that.” His voice was just a whisper as Brokk squinted at him. Shaking his head, Brokk left him, making his way back to the Academy. Tension swelled inside him, but he was too tired to start a fight. Memphis following suit, cradling Emory in his arms.
Time was a mysterious thing. What only felt like a couple of hours on Earth, an entire day had passed back at the Academy. Brokk spotted Nyx stalking back and forth like a predator about to pounce.
Giving her a slight nod, her gaze grew distant when she took in the sight behind Brokk. In Memphis’s arms, Emory hung limply, pale as her hair swayed with the rhythm of his steps.
“Is she dead?” Nyx asked.
“Just knocked out. Memph restored her previous memories
. It will take a couple of days before she will be awake, he thinks.”
For once, she didn’t snap back at him with a snarky reply. “I have reached an agreement with the others. We stand with you both, moving forward with the new plan and her. Everyone is still having trouble with the logic behind saving her life but letting ours fall into this mess. Luckily, you were both young, and you have done enough to redeem yourselves since then. People will forgive you, in time. But never forget, Brokk, that now she has to pay the price.”
Patting her shoulder, Brokk maneuvered to the door and on toward his beckoning bed. With one last look, he reminded himself Emory would be there when he awoke, no longer a long-lost memory. Opening the iron door, he wondered how long Byrd had left the Academy uncovered, not hidden by her ability.
Stepping into the hallway, he was met by its emptiness, and he made a mental note to ask her if any of the raiders or Adair’s men had seen them.
Shit.
His head was pounding, the metallic taste of blood running down the back of his throat as he tried to stem the flow. His feet carried him as he stumbled toward his room. Down the hallway, he turned left and then right; he was greeted by his all too familiar grey washed door. Pushing it open, he saw a small bunker, a desk with books, and scattered papers floating around.
Pinned up above his bed was a small illustration. Its edges were burnt, smudges of dried blood spattering it, but it was drawn by Emory, one of the first things Brokk had found when they returned all those years ago. It was a piece of her that had turned into his most prized possession. The portrait was rough, but him, Memphis, and Emory were clearly depicted, laughing and carefree.
Brokk walked to the picture, running his thumb over the worn paper, before he collapsed on his bed and sleep overtook him.
***
Running through the woods, Brokk heard the ambush behind him following closely. The volley of arrows thudded into the tree trunks, and he ducked, clutching the weapons in his grip. He just had to make it to the Academy border line, where Alby and Wyatt were waiting for him. His raid had gone smoothly—the burnt down village providing weapons and charred clothing the rebels could salvage.
Heir of Lies (Black Dawn Series Book 1) Page 27
