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“Forget it!” Jack started toward the commander, but stopped when Dad grunted at the sudden movement. Inese raised her pistol to fire.
Thwap.
She gasped, stumbling.
Thwap. Thwap.
Jack collapsed, taking Dad with him.
Thwap. Thwap. Thwap.
I gagged, reeling from vertigo, then collapsed. The room spun. A moment ago, the world had been alive with plant life. Now, there was nothing. Nothing except the dozen rifles pointed at our heads and a searing pain in my shoulder. I grimaced, reaching my hand to the burning spot. My fingers touched smooth ceramic, marred by five bumps.
A shield.
I tried to grab it, but winced as it tugged my skin and refused to budge.
“I would not advise removing the shields on your own.” Commander Rick clasped his hands behind his back. “They have miniature barbs that go quite deep. Prevents rebels from getting away so quickly.”
“We know what they are,” I snapped, but I froze when I noticed Dad laying on the floor, dazed. A Benjamin’s shield was planted in his shoulder. The wound in his chest was bleeding again, despite Jack’s bandages. “No...” I staggered. My vines hung limp. A soldier stepped behind me, holding the end of his gun to the back of my neck. “He’ll die!” I protested. “His powers...”
The commander stroked his beard. “Unfortunate, really. Tend to him.” Two Special Forces agents pushed their way between Jack and Quin and moved Dad’s unconscious form to the corner. “As for the rest of you, I believe you were looking for something.”
Jack cursed.
“Such language.” Commander Rick shook his head, disapproving. Without saying anything, his agents moved to each of us, removing our weapons and belongings. The one beside me removed a knife, and I flinched as he cut through my vines, removing my armbands and leaving me nothing.
None of us fought back. This many Special Forces agents? We didn’t stand a chance.
Jack rubbed his knuckles and fiddled with his fingertips. His claws were gone, replaced by smooth, pink nails. He snarled. “What do you want, Rick?”
The commander smirked. “I want you to admit you have failed. That the Coalition is a misguided, ragged band of half-trained rebels who have put their faith in five stones because you believe in the slim chance of time travel.”
I cringed. Put that way, we sounded desperate. But we were desperate.
“Your team has evaded my forces for some time—a valiant effort. But now your time has ended. If you cooperate, you might live.”
Lance spat at his feet. “You were supposed to have established world peace.”
Commander Rick chuckled. “That goal is near, I think. Imagine the Community without terrorists such as yourself. St. Petersburg had quite the scare, thanks to you.” He turned on his heel and raised his chin. I glowered at his feet, all too aware of the rifle pointed at my head. “You six are shielded. So, rather than risking a vengeful spirit attacking myself and my men, I’ll choose one of you to retrieve the stone.”
Jack snorted. “That never works. Haven’t you watched the old movies?”
The commander raised his eyebrow. “I’m not planning on drinking from any holy grail. I know full well that these stones are protected.”
Jack grimaced. “Guess you saw that one.”
Commander Rick stroked the edge of his pistol, smiling. “Indeed. Charming movie, though certainly not within Community standards. Miss Nickleson?” He looked down his nose at me, chest out with a measure of pride.
I met his stare. Thanks to the shield, I couldn’t even use my flower charm.
“Five months ago, Lady Black told you that if you took the Health Scan, you would be fine. I’m sure you remember.” He placed his hand over the holster on his belt, removing the snap. My pulse jumped.
“You would have turned me into a beast,” I retorted.
He harrumphed. “In all likelihood, we would have evaluated your personality and either placed a shield in you or recruited you. You had far too much political importance to be sent straight to a transformation facility. Of course, if your rebellious tendency proved too strong, transformation was an option.”
I took a deep breath. If I tried attacking him, his agents would kill me. “You wanted me as bait.”
The commander waved flippantly. “Don’t take offense to the tactic; intrigue is a common strategy.” He paced in front of us, and then stopped before the inner chamber. The door hung off its hinges. “Enough dallying. The longer we wait, the less chance your father has of surviving.” My chest constricted, and I automatically glanced at the two agents tending to him. The commander peered over us. “He is still alive, I trust?”
An agent raised his hand in affirmation.
“Good. Miss Nickleson, retrieve the stone.”
I blinked. “Me?”
“Wait—” Lance and Lily took a half-step forward before Lance hesitated, catching my gaze, and the Special Forces agents restrained them both. He stepped back, allowing Lily to speak.
“Why Jenna?” she asked.
Commander Rick tilted his head, a small smile forming on his lips. “Her choices, her consequences. The longer she waits, the more chance she has of her father dying before he can be taken to our medics. If she refuses, I will choose one of you to execute. Master Zaytsev said Mr. Mechnikov was fond of her.” He eyed Lance, turned his attention to Lily, and then smirked. “That seems too simple... perhaps I should choose you as my first choice. Let’s see if Miss Nickleson feels the same about you as you feel about her. If she refuses to do as I ask, we will execute you.”
“No,” Quin mouthed, his eyes wide. “Lily...”
My heart skipped a beat. I didn’t want Lily to die. I didn’t want either of them to die. I had little doubt that the commander would follow through with his warning. But... did Tim have to be the one to have told him about me and Lance? To give the commander the blackmail he needed? Even if he was using Lily instead of Lance now, the threat had made it clear who I cared about.
“Jen,” Jack started, “don’t—”
Commander Rick snorted. “I will kill this young lady even if Miss Nickleson’s refusal is by your orders. This decision is entirely up to her.” He smiled at me under his pristine white mustache. My cheeks burned. I gritted my teeth, furious. Using those I cared about against me—
Jack twitched and glanced at Inese. “The spirit would probably kill her if it could, but the shield should protect her.”
Quin and I exchanged glances. It was entirely possible that these artifacts couldn’t be shielded. Did the commander know that?
Commander Rick removed his pistol. Sweat beaded along the back of my neck. This was our last chance of making things right now that Legion existed. Our last chance of stopping the Camaraderie. But even if I refused, none of the others could outnumber the commander’s team. In the back of the room, Commander Rick’s personal beasts patiently awaited his command.
I gulped at air. I had nothing to fight with.
“Miss Nickleson. What will it be?” Commander Rick removed the safety on his gun. Cocked it. Jack looked away, unable to give me the command that would get Lily killed.
Honestly, I wasn’t so sure I’d obey that order, even if he gave it to me. Not only would I lose Lily, but Lance would hate me if my actions resulted in her death. My throat constricted. My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth, dry.
I’d lose them both.
Light fell across the side of the commander’s face.”Shall I end her life, and your chances of recovering your father? I imagine Dr. Nickleson would be devastated.”
I closed my eyes. Outside, gunfire echoed through the streets. Roars mingled with screams. The soft shuffle of boots mixed around me. My team held their breath. A wind gusted through the skylight.
I’d gotten Dad into this mess. I had to get him out. My heart sank.
“I’ll do it.”
Commander Rick stood aside. “Very well. Be quick.”
I stepped forward, dazed.
“Jenna—” Lily started, her brown eyes wide. My stomach flipped. My whole team watched, waiting at gunpoint. I couldn’t read their expressions. Were they proud? Disappointed?
I might never know.
My legs felt like they were strapped with weights, and I paused beside Commander Rick. Despite the low light, I could see his wrinkles, his intense gaze calculating my decision.
“Why?” I whispered. “Why are you doing this?”
His mustache twitched. “I cannot allow your actions to go without consequence. The security of the Community is imbalanced so long as rebels such as yourself exist.”
He seemed so sincere. “That justifies beasts?” All I’d wanted was to end beast transformation and make the Community safe for everybody. How did I end up here?
The commander spared a glance to his regal creatures, which seemed so much prouder with their black and red tunics than the feral beasts outside. “Retrieve the stone and survive, and perhaps we can discuss this over tea.”
I flinched, trying to shake off the feeling that I’d stepped in sludge.
The inner chamber consisted of a small room with red and gold gilding, creating an intricate wall between the chamber and the outer walkway. Small braziers lit the room with a soft orange glow, revealing several dead men at my feet, their orange and yellow sashes in disarray. To the back of the room, the floor panels were ripped out behind a seated, golden statue, revealing a bullet-shaped rock inscribed with various designs. Like the other stones, the only distinction of any importance were four thin, golden bands around its circumference, two at the top, two at the bottom.
I knelt by the open floor, trying to gather the courage to take the stone. If the shield didn’t work, there wasn’t much room to run—even if I had my speed. I extended my fingers toward the stone, brushing the rough surface. If I gave it to the commander, all bets were off. Crush and Tim would stay dead. Beast creation would continue. The Camaraderie would eventually wipe us out, and we had nothing to help us fight Legion.
But Dad—
I gritted my teeth. We could go back for the stone. There was no reason for the Camaraderie to destroy it, not when it might help them, too. Not when they could continue to use it as bait.
I planted my hands around the artifact, took a deep breath, and—
A gunshot interrupted my train of thought.
I ducked to the floor, scrambling to get a view through the gilded lattice. Outside the inner chamber, Jack tackled a Special Forces agent while Quin kicked one in the shins. A gunshot pinged off the metal grate in front of me. I stumbled back on my heels. Lance struggled, knocking a guy to the floor in an attempt to get the agent’s weapon. I gaped. They were doing amazingly well. Beyond them, Inese worked her way to the wall, firing a stolen rifle.
Commander Rick sighed, raised his pistol, and pointed it at Inese.
“Inese!” I screamed.
Inese turned toward him as he pulled the trigger.
She crumpled to the floor.
Everyone froze, Coalition and Camaraderie alike. Commander Rick took three steps forward, cocked the pistol, and fired again between her eyes.
My hands shook. Blood pounded in my ears.
He’d killed Inese.
That bloody commander had killed Inese...
Commander Rick turned to the rest of our team, who were too stunned to prevent Special Forces from gathering them into a closed circle. The commander holstered his pistol and was joined by a carefully groomed toughness beast with brass knuckles on its hands. “Try that again,” Commander Rick said, “and there will be no more rebellion. You won’t make it to the coolers.” He turned toward the place where I crouched. “Miss Nickleson? The stone, please. While my team is well-acquainted with field treatment, your father is in serious condition. Do make your decision quickly.”
My fingers tightened around the swirling designs in the lattice. I traced every bump and groove. I trembled, biting my lip to keep from screaming at him. If I had access to my flower charm, oh, what memories I would show him...
I clenched my jaw.
But he was a telepath—a strong one, at that. Nothing I could do would faze him, even if I had access to my powers. I narrowed my eyes. Commander Rick could have his precious stone. I’d try what Quin suggested.
I’d try reasoning with the guardian.
I tore away from the wall, maneuvering around the statue and kneeling by the broken tile. My chest rose and fell, burning with anger. I gingerly wrapped my hands around the stone and hoisted it from the hole. I held my breath, warm tears on my cheeks.
Didn’t matter. I turned the weighty object, tracing an image of a woman with ten arms riding a tiger. In one of her hands she carried a sword that was buried halfway inside a giant bull’s head.
I peered over my shoulder. Nothing.
A lump formed in my throat. The shield—the shield was blocking the stone.
I blinked away tears and sat the stone in the lap of the statue.
A chilly wind whistled through the lattice. Odd. The air had been warm a minute ago. I turned toward the gilded wall and laced my fingers through the holes. Special Forces had their guns trained on the doors. Commander Rick had his pistol out as he looked toward the ceiling, nervous. His beasts paced beside him, whimpering softly.
“Hold your ground,” he ordered.
Fire laced across the floor in front of his troops and a shadow emerged through the door. My eyes widened. Three more wisps materialized. Then the wisp at the front grew into a thick, black mass of swirling smoke. Tendrils of fire trickled across its shoulders and feet, racing along its back until it formed arching wings that flared, dripping red embers onto the tile beneath. A silvery ball revolved in the center of its chest, glowing with a faint, dark purple pulse.
My chest clenched with fear.
That wasn’t the guardian.
Gunfire riddled the door as Special Forces shot their bullets harmlessly through the dark wisps. Commander Rick fired his pistol, but Legion raised its hand, catching the bullet mere centimeters from its obsidian form. It flicked the bullet into the body of one of the commander’s agents.
One agent raised his hands, his fingers crackling with electricity. Legion turned its head, eyes glowing with orange fire. Fingers formed at the tip of its snake-like hand and the man gasped, eyes rolling back in his head. He screamed.
This couldn’t be happening...
A dark, smoky substance rose from the agent’s chest, twisting and shimmering into a black orb until he collapsed, face frozen in terror.
I swallowed hard.
The agent’s smoky substance drifted across the floor before reforming into a shadowy wisp at Legion’s side. I had a sudden, painfully bad feeling that I knew exactly what had been happening to all the people we’d seen with disjointed jaws, their life sucked out of them.
Legion had been recruiting its army.
