The Phoenix Mandate (The Light Thief Book 2), page 11
Gareth stepped forward. “It’s true, Aniya. Though, I must say, I was not able to help you like I had hoped.”
Lieutenant Haskill stopped pacing and turned to Aniya. “So it seems the energy inside you is not only capable of destruction, but it is also a source of healing.”
“Yeah, but it almost kills me,” Aniya said. “And it’s not like I can control it. I didn’t know what I was doing back in Ravelta. It was like the light had a mind of its own. All I could do was stand back and watch it happen. All I could do was watch people die.”
Xander’s face flashed in Aniya’s mind, bearing the same pained look he had when she had incinerated him, the same face with burning eyes. She looked around for Corrin and Malcolm, but Xander’s father and brother were not in the room. She wanted to beg for their forgiveness but didn’t know how to start.
Maybe it was better that they weren’t there.
“I don’t want this,” she said. “If I can’t control it, I’m a danger to everyone around me.”
“You just need to learn how to control it,” Kendall said.
“I’m not so sure I want to.”
“Nicholas, please come with me.” Kendall suddenly turned to leave. “There’s something I must discuss with you.”
Nicholas nodded. “Just a moment.” He turned to Aniya. “Please forgive me for telling him. I just wanted to help you.”
“Of course. I understand.”
“There’s something else,” he said as he shifted his balance. “I need to—”
Kendall cleared his throat. “Time is of the essence, Nicholas.”
Nicholas turned to leave. “We’ll talk about this later.”
“Okay,” Aniya said, confused.
Lieutenant Haskill turned to follow them out, but Kendall held up a hand.
“Just Nicholas, Lieutenant.”
Haskill frowned as Kendall and Nicholas left the clinic. He looked back at Gareth, who shrugged. With a sigh, he exited the clinic, leaving Aniya with Gareth and Tamisra.
Tamisra stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Where’s Roland?”
Tamisra frowned. “Long story. I’ll tell you later, but right now, there’s something I have to do.”
With that, she turned and left.
Aniya shook her head as Gareth began examining her body. “Strange girl.”
Gareth only nodded.
“How’s Corrin and Malcolm?” she blurted out. She still wasn’t sure what she would say to either of them, but she wanted to get it over with so the awful memory of Xander’s death would stop haunting her.
“Another long story,” Gareth said. “Corrin will want to see you when he returns, but I would stay away from his son if I were you. I haven’t seen such an angry man since . . .” He bit his lip and went quiet.
Aniya resisted the urge to close her eyes, afraid Xander would be waiting for her in her mind. “I didn’t mean to do it, Gareth. I would never—”
“I know,” he reassured her. “You’re not capable of doing such a thing on purpose. Whatever sentient energy is inside you seems to be in control, at least for now. From what I’m told, it’s no one’s fault that Xander died. Least of all yours.”
However, Aniya was anything but reassured. And what was worse was her dreaded certainly that something like this would happen again.
22
Kendall paced in the war room, ignoring Zeta, who sat in Salvador’s old chair and twiddled her thumbs. He glanced at Nicholas, who was just sitting down, and took a deep breath.
The next few minutes were crucial. His asset had gone along with every instruction, complied with every order. But this would be the true test of his loyalty.
Granted, the boy had already done the unlikely, leading the girl to her death. Minutes earlier, he had surprised Kendall by agreeing to let her die again. Given that Nicholas had proven his dedication to the cause, Kendall could not think of a single logical reason that the boy would now choose to no longer go along with the plan.
But, in Kendall’s experience, love had never been logical.
Kendall continued pacing. He couldn’t bring himself to calm down long enough to sit. A hundred different outcomes to this conversation played out in his head, and he only had one chance to choose exactly the right words to say.
“Aniya is still in danger,” he finally said.
A solid start, Kendall reflected as he held back a satisfied smile. The boy wants to fight for a better world almost as much as I do, but his weakness has always been the girl.
“What do you mean?” Nicholas asked.
“She can’t control her abilities. She said so herself. And if she goes into an explosive state every time her abilities manifest themselves, it won’t be long before we’re all in danger again.”
Nicholas said nothing.
“Whatever happened in the clinic between you and her, the energy transfer—it seemed to make her better. But for how long? I think it’s safe to assume that it was only a temporary solution.” Kendall narrowed his eyes. “She healed you once before, yes? And she seemed normal enough in the days after the attack on the Citadel. Clearly, even though she looks normal now, we can’t expect her to stay that way.”
Nicholas sighed. “I’m all for a permanent solution. As happy as I am to see her awake, I don’t want to see her wind up in another coma.”
Kendall’s eyes flickered to Zeta, whose face was emotionless as she stared at her fingers. He braced himself. “Then I hope you will agree that we move ahead with taking her to the Director.”
“I know. I was thinking the same thing.”
Kendall frowned. “You were?”
“Not until recently. Not until she wound up nearly dying in Ravelta. I thought she was fine, but now . . . You said he knows how to help her. And it sounds like Aniya wants to be helped just as much as we want to help her. I’ll talk to her and see what she wants to do.”
Zeta looked up at Kendall and raised her eyebrows.
“I’m afraid you don’t understand,” Kendall said. “We have to take her to the Director whether she wants to go or not.”
“I’m not going to make her go if she doesn’t want to.”
“You have to. For our safety and hers, she has to be taken to the Director.”
“What if we’re wrong?” Nicholas leaned over the table. “What if she’s just fine? What if she doesn’t need his help?”
“What if we aren’t, what if she isn’t, and what if she does? If she needs our help but won’t accept it willingly, you have to understand that it’s our duty to help her.” Kendall shook his head. “I don’t understand, Nicholas. You were on board with this a moment ago. What changed?”
Nicholas folded his arms. “You’re asking me to betray her. Again. I won’t do that, Kendall.”
“It’s not worth the risk, waiting for her to realize that this is what has to happen. Besides, I have my orders. The Director expects her tomorrow.” Kendall’s voice hardened as he looked at the assassin at the head of the table. “Despite her brash actions, Zeta didn’t come to kill the Chancellor, Nicholas.”
Nicholas turned to Zeta, glaring at the girl. “So you just did that for fun, then? You operatives are all the same.”
Zeta shrugged. “I killed the Chancellor because he talks too much, and the Director likes his secrecy.”
“So if you didn’t come to perform an execution in front of the entire Web, what are you doing here?”
“I came to take Aniya. And I’m not afraid to use force against anyone who stands in my way. Even if that person is Aniya herself.”
Kendall turned to Nicholas. “You see? For her own sake, you have to convince Aniya to go peacefully. Surely you want what’s best for her?”
“It’s not a question of whether I want her to go or not. I already told you, I agree with you. If the Director can help her, she needs to go see him. But I think she should be given a choice.”
“Not thirty minutes ago, you decided that she should die so that we could transport her.”
“Yeah, well, she was in a coma then. If she can decide for herself now, she should.”
Kendall sighed. A different approach, maybe. “If she refuses, a number of things will happen. First, Zeta will feel that she has no choice but to take Aniya by force. Am I wrong?”
Zeta only grinned.
“Let’s say she tries that. If she succeeds, she will incapacitate Aniya and take her to the Director. No harm done. But as we know by now, Aniya is more than capable of defending herself. If she lashes out at Zeta using her abilities, chances are she’ll end up in a coma again. Then, we will have to make the same decision that we just made thirty minutes ago. Worst-case scenario? Zeta attacks Aniya, and Aniya destroys all of Refuge.”
Kendall finally sat down across the table from Nicholas. “You have to realize that we simply have no choice. Aniya must be delivered to the Director, and he will get his way no matter what you or I do. He always does. But if you help me, we can guarantee Aniya’s safety and the safety of everyone in Refuge.”
After a moment, Nicholas sighed and bowed his head. “I understand. How do I convince Aniya?”
“By any means necessary. First, tell her the truth. Tell her we can’t guarantee her safety, and there is someone who has the knowledge and technology to help her. That alone should be enough to convince her.”
“And if it isn’t?”
Kendall shrugged. “Lie to her. Tell her that we know, without a doubt, that she will deteriorate again all by herself, whether she uses her abilities or not. Tell her that she will die if nothing is done to help her.”
“I can’t lie to her.”
“You already did once. Besides, for all we know, this is exactly what will happen.”
Nicholas looked away. “And what if she doesn’t go for that?”
Kendall took another deep breath. Without a word, he took a syringe from his pocket and set it on the table.
Nicholas stared at the needle, his eyes wide. “Is that how you were going to—”
“Yes. This is what we were going to use to stop Aniya’s heart in order to transport her to the Director before she woke up. It will have the same effect now if administered while she is awake.”
Nicholas stood up, backing away from the table. “No way. I’m not going to kill her. Absolutely not.”
“I’ll do it then,” Zeta said, standing up. “I don’t have any problem taking her out.”
Nicholas growled and clenched his fists. “If you touch her, I’ll kill you.”
“I’d like to see you try,” Zeta sneered as she bared her teeth.
“Nicholas, Zeta, please.”
Nicholas glared at the assassin as if Kendall were not in the room.
“It’s not as bad as it sounds,” Kendall said. “We would essentially be putting her in a controlled coma, unlike the one she was just in. Gareth and I have run the numbers multiple times. This will work, Nicholas. She won’t completely die, I promise you.”
Nicholas stopped and stared at Kendall. “Gareth agreed to using this on Aniya when she’s awake? Why would he ever—”
“I had him do the calculations when we first discussed using it on her while she was in her coma. He asked why, and I told him that this might have to be done. His reaction was similar to yours, but in time, he agreed. He knows that this is best for Aniya and the Web. Please, Nicholas. See reason. Help Aniya.”
After a long pause, Nicholas stepped toward the table and picked up the syringe. “As a last resort only.”
Kendall nodded. “As a last resort only.”
Nicholas shook his head as placed the syringe in his pocket.
“You’re doing the right thing, Nicholas.”
Nicholas turned and walked toward the door. “I keep telling myself that. I’m still not convinced of it.”
Tamisra backed away from the trapdoor as she heard footsteps on the stairs, coming up from the war room below.
A horrible feeling crawled over her skin as she realized that Nicholas was going through with it. He was going to kill the girl he proclaimed to love.
Aniya had to know. Roland had to know.
And they were all running out of time.
She turned and left the tower just as the trapdoor opened, and she took off toward the clinic, running as fast as she could.
23
Tamisra ran across Refuge. She didn’t know how long it would be before Nicholas came looking for Aniya, but she didn’t want to waste any time. The only problem was that Tamisra had no idea what she was going to say.
If she exposed Kendall to Refuge, he would just claim that he was just trying to protect Aniya the best way he knew how.
If Aniya fled with her to the sectors, Kendall could send out another transmission, this one asking for help finding them.
If they stayed somewhere in the tunnels, it was only a matter of time until Kendall’s Silvers found them.
Her mind racing, Tamisra decided to get Aniya first and decide on a course of action later.
She burst through the door of the clinic and looked at Aniya’s bed.
It was empty.
Just then, Gareth came downstairs, carrying a few medical supplies.
“Where is Aniya?” she blurted out.
Gareth looked up, smiling. “Hello, Tamisra. Are you feeling better? I—”
“Where is Aniya?!”
He frowned. “I think she went to go see Roland.”
Tamisra felt her nostrils flare. “She just woke up from a coma, and you let her go see her brother?”
But before Gareth could respond, she waved him off. “Never mind.”
She almost left, but seeing Gareth with his supplies gave her an idea. She had no way of knowing what kind of trouble they would run into, and it would be smart to be ready for anything.
After Gareth left the clinic, Tamisra opened one of the cabinets on the wall and rummaged through it, grabbing anything she could carry. Not bothering to close the cabinet, she turned to leave and ran directly into Nicholas, who stood in the doorway. The supplies she had grabbed fell to the ground.
“Hey, Tamisra.” Nicholas smiled, a sight that chilled Tamisra to the bone.
“Hey,” she said, trying to brush past him.
Nicholas stuck out an arm and blocked her path. “Why are you looking for Aniya?”
“I’m not.”
“That’s not what Gareth said when I ran into him on the path just now.”
Tamisra stared him down, trying to hide her contempt. “I just wanted to check on her. Wanted to make sure she’s okay.”
“I saw you running away from the tower, moving awfully fast for someone who just wanted to check on her.” Nicholas advanced, and Tamisra slowly backpedaled into the center of the room. “You’ve already spied on Kendall once, so I can’t help but wonder if you were listening in on our conversation.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Nicholas reached into his coat pocket and slowly pulled out a syringe.
Tamisra’s eyes widened, and she took another step back. “Stay away from me.”
“So you did hear us,” he said, his voice flat.
“No, I just don’t like people threatening me with needles.”
“You know this isn’t any ordinary needle, don’t you? How much did you hear?”
Tamisra glared at him for a moment. “Enough to know that I’m not letting you anywhere near Aniya.”
“I just want to help her, Tami.”
“By using that on her? How is killing her going to help her?”
Nicholas put the needle back in his pocket. “I only showed that to you to get you to start talking. I was never going to use this on her. I only told Kendall what he wanted to hear, but Aniya will have a choice. If she doesn’t want to go to the Director, I won’t make her.”
“You made her sacrifice herself to end the Lightbringers, or at least you tricked her into it,” Tamisra said. “I don’t know what you will and won’t do anymore.
“You don’t know the full story.”
“What else is there to know?” Tamisra sighed and let herself relax a little. “Look, I know you think you’re doing the right thing. I know you think you’re helping her. But Aniya deserves the opportunity to decide for herself, and I don’t know if I believe you when you say you’ll give her that choice.”
“She needs help.”
“You don’t even know that. She could be just fine.”
“If someone so much as tries to wake her up while she’s sleeping, we could find ourselves in the same position all over again, wondering if she’s going to explode and take out all of us with her.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Kendall’s not willing to risk it, and to be honest, I don’t think I am either.” Nicholas stepped forward again. “What would you do if Roland was in this position? If you knew that saving him was out of your control, that there was nothing you could do to help, wouldn’t you do anything to find someone who could help him?”
“I wouldn’t do anything he didn’t want. I certainly wouldn’t kill him.”
Nicholas sighed. “I told you. I’m not going to use the syringe.”
“You’ve lied to her—to all of us—so many times that you know I can’t believe you.”
“Please, Tamisra. Let me help her.”
Tamisra shook her head.
Nicholas ran his fingers through his hair. “Please don’t make me do this, Tamisra.”
“Do what?”
“I would do anything to help her. And if I have to get you out of my way in order to help her, I will.”
Tamisra clenched her fists as best as she could through the bandages. The only upside to her injuries was that she was still numb enough that she could punch Nicholas as hard as she could without hurting herself. She bent her knees, crouching down slightly as if ready to pounce. “Then do it.”
Nicholas didn’t move. He simply stared at Tamisra, blocking the doorway.
After several seconds, Tamisra couldn’t wait any longer. She leapt at Nicholas, who sidestepped and thrust out an arm, letting her stomach collide with his fist.
