42

Running down the corridor, I passed people and Tremblers with tremendous speed. Pushing through the throng of rotting bodies and jumping over burning piles of furniture, I spied the doorway and skidded along the polished floor toward it. The ground shook, and I bolted through the doors.

Trembler Knights flanked by stomping walkers razed the street, their guns whirring as they fired at buildings and people alike. From the shore to the middle of town, the metal behemoths raged through the city.

Vapor furled in rivulets. I pulled my goggles down over my burning eyes and scanned the crowd.

Riley and the governors ran for the shore just ahead of the stomping claws of a walker. Arecibo.

He chased them down, the large feet of the vessel pounding. The Trembler Knights surrounded them, flanking the group, herding them in front of the walker.

Ashton caught up to them, slashing with his blade, fighting to get to the governors and Riley.

I closed the distance, the mechanica firing up the muscles, spine screaming with fire as I ran. “Watch out!” I screamed, heart stuttering, as the metal vessel swiveled, its guns spinning. The bullets scattered out, chunking into the governors, spitting up the ground as Arecibo fired into the group.

Riley spun, hit by a round, going to his knees.

Ashton dove, his shield out, tackling a few of the governors. Rounds slammed into him, his blood suspended mid spray as I ran, screaming. He fell to the ground, still.

“Ashton!” Sailing through the air, I swung with my baton, shearing off the barrel and landing in a roll.

The Trembler Knights fell onto the men.

Arm swinging up, a flash of silvery energy burst from my hands. It threw them backward and reached out with my mind, pulling the Tremblers from all over. Ripping into them with my mind, I commanded their movements.

The throng turned as one, moving in a wave of staggering bodies for the knights, grabbing them with ripped arms and shaking them. Some of them reached for Riley and I lashed out, my mind sharp and painful. They staggered back, holding their heads.

“Arecibo,” I shouted as the walker moved, turning.

The hatch swung open and Arecibo leaned out, aiming a tracer rifle at me. He fired, the purple lash snaking across the air.

I deflected the burst with my baton, scooped up the severed barrel and launched it at him.

He ducked and fired again.

The lash hit me in my chest and I flew backward, writhing with pain.

“You failed, Charlotte,” Arecibo shouted, firing again. “You cannot save them. You never could!”

Fighting to keep my muscles from spasming, my mouth opened in a silent scream.

The door to the walker opened and Arecibo and the woman ran out, grabbed four of the standing governors and pulled them inside. The hatch slammed shut and the walker pivoted, stomping for the shore.

“Charlotte,” Riley’s voice sounded next to me. I gritted my teeth, wincing as I struggled to my hands and knees. Riley’s face was splattered with blood from his shoulder wound. He pressed down on Ashton’s side, his fingers covered in crimson. “He’s bad.” Riley looked around at the Tremblers.

I waved and they fell back. “They won’t hurt us,” I panted.

Ashton cringed, but opened his eyes. “Charlie?”

I wiped blood from his cheek, my gaze going to the three holes in his side and chest. I shook my head, a sob erupting from my throat. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “So sorry.”

“No time for crying, love,” Ashton rasped. He reached up and caressed my cheek. “You go get them. W-we need Blackburn’s Daughter to save the c-country.” His eyes fluttered shut, and his arm flopped down.

I took in a shaking breath, watching his chest and flooding with relief at its continued rise and fall. My gaze snapping to Riley, I grabbed his sleeve. “C-can you get him safe?” I panted. “I…I have to...”

He nodded, hefting Ashton up, dragging him. “Go and get ‘em,” he said, winking. “Show them who they’re messing with.”

I locked on Arecibo’s retreating vessel. It trudged across the sands splashing into the surf. The spy scope extended and the propeller engaged. The submersible sliced the water, heading out into the dark sea.

“Like nothing they’ve seen.” I ran.