Page 28

Second Thoughts

Elite: Alice

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W e leave the forest on separate paths. Rio says he’ll carefully bolt himself to the station while Fae decides to ride on Poppy. Whatever it takes to make this believable and keep us safe. I run to the station, but of course, I don’t make it in time. Ten minutes of waiting won’t hurt me.

No... I think it will, I need this train to come back, NOW.

This isn’t the closest station from Central Square, so fewer people gather and murmur amongst themselves with tear streaked cheeks. The whole island is bloodied beyond oblivion, it’s like we all got off a horror movie set.

My chest is heaving, my calves are burning, and my throat is scorching from all the miles of running. As I’m waiting, Guards arrive and patrol the station perimeter. I casually maneuver behind a tall man and keep my head down. The Guards must know I’m free, so I need to get out of here. Fae and Rio are nowhere to be seen, but no way did they beat me here (well maybe Rio).

The train finally returns, so I take the chance instead of waiting. As I board through one of the doors, from the corner of my eye, Fae—who’s wearing a ski hat, and Rio wearing silly goggles enter the train through separate doors. We keep our heads down as we step on simultaneously. They wear smirks as they glance from their side view. We did it.

The trains are tight, yet people always manage to cram themselves in for a quick five minutes to get to another island. Every time though, my organs are ready to rupture. The train conductor passes out wet towels for people boarding to help wipe the blood off.

We sit alone to keep attention away from us, plus no one is safe. It’s evident that Mildred has eyes everywhere, but everyone seems distracted from the massacre we’re leaving behind. I scratch my palm to ease my twitching hand and screaming urge to burst from this train and somehow fly myself to Sapphire, because five minutes is taking forever. Whimpers and sobs scatter throughout the train. An event no one will ever forget.

I look at the pale shell of what’s left of Rio Shackler five seats away from me. When the train stops, Fae rushes out with everyone else. I hop a few seats over and smack Rio’s head since he’s still dazed and won’t move.

“Get up,” I hiss. “What’s the matter with you?”

“Can you blame me if I’ve never seen dead bodies before?!” Rio barks, shooting up to his feet. His eyes dart around the disembarking passengers, but no one is paying attention. I roll my eyes and shove by him to step out into the empty, hazy, warzone—I mean train platform. Gray, cloudy skies loom over Sapphire as tall buildings disappear into the fog.

The streets are timeless and quiet with the citizens carrying on a dirt path since there aren’t sidewalks to the station. People chat amongst each other by idling taxis, carriages, or walk. I meet up with Fae who’s waiting a few feet by a vacant gift shop with plush dragons on the display window that have lost their colors and have several layers of dust resting on top.

Rio saunters behind me, as if already poisoned by the mood Sapphire is emitting. I finally take in Fae’s appearance. That strange sapphire necklace is still around her neck, but she looks healthy and whole.

“Wait what happened to that dragon?” I gasp.

Fae holds up her hands. “She’ll be landing any minute now. Her name is Poppy, by the way. She’s so fast now!”

Right on cue, Poppy plops herself next to Fae, shaking the ground despite her tiny size as a baby dragon. Fae scratches Poppy’s neck, much to both their delight before Rio clears his throat with a tight, tensed look of paranoia beaming from his eyes.

“I don’t feel good, and we need to hide somewhere. I can call a taxi,” he offers, staring at me. I shrug but the motion feels like my energy is slipping. Fae nods, prompting Poppy to nod with her. I look back at Rio and he’s still staring at me. He’s losing color on his blood smeared face.

I scowl at him. “What? Are you tapped out?”

“Just a bit, the dragon death didn’t help either,” he says.

“We can stop at a tavern for tea,” Fae says. “The warehouse may be on high alert and expecting one of us right now.”

I shake my head. “Public settings will expose us together. We need tea AND rest.”

The adrenaline dies down, leaving soreness and exhaustion in its wake. My body doesn’t know peace. My goodness, if I fight any more today, I’ll keel over.

“A hotel for the night?” Fae suggests.

“They have hotels here?” I mutter.

She giggles, her green eyes twinkling in the colorless town. “Of course, this place is just like any other island.”

I sigh, looking around and wrinkling my nose. “You sure about that?”

“But will Mildred let loose and kill the dragons?” Rio asks.

“No,” I murmur before Fae responds. “Elite has someone she wants, a little boy. I doubt she’ll do anything rash until she has him in her custody. If I’m wrong, I’ll eat a dragon scale.”

Rio grimaces. “That’s disgusting.”

“Let’s hope I’m not wrong then.” I smile wide as his grimace deepens.

He calls for a taxi to take us to the closest hotel from the station. Fae is familiar with the island, so the hotel we’re going to is at least a mile away from Mildred’s other operating location.

We squeeze in the backseat, sandwiching Fae in the middle while Poppy soars upward and flies behind us. The driver grumbles something about getting his seats dirty before taking off. I stare out the window and frown from the sight of the civilians, all dressed in blues, grays, and dirty whites. Most of the buildings are worn bricks, weathered, rotting wood, and crumbling concrete. My dad once told me welders and mechanics are the most common trades here, so ninety percent of Sapphire’s population has worn hands.

“I don’t understand,” I mumble. “Sapphire has always been known for technology, manufacturing, and transportation. We need these things, yet the island is so poor.”

“I blame Amethyst for that,” Fae whispers.

No wonder King Evan is always angry; he’s running this wasteland. But he let it get this bad, so I actually do blame him. Rio is dazed again, staring out the window. Most of the smeared blood from his face is gone, but some of it is still smudged on his neck.

I slightly shift my body, facing Fae.

“So, did you send Poppy to see me at any point?” I ask.

Fae’s eyes widen. “Oh ya! I knew it was a longshot, but I had to try.”

“I went to Topaz, but you weren’t there. In the cave, I mean,” I tell her.

“I must’ve left already by then.” She scratches her cheek. “I came here and found about . . . stuff.” She eyes the driver cautiously.

When the taxi pulls in front of the hotel, I step out to a pungent, rotting smell that fills my lungs, I can barely resist the urge to vomit. Poppy circles around the hotel until she lands and stays perched on the roof. The lobby’s warped, wooden floor groans with each step we take to speak to the receptionist. This structure already doesn’t feel promising. I hold my stomach and concentrate.

Rio shows his card to the receptionist who smiles and gives him a set of keys. He looks back and raises his eyebrows, “Shall we?”

“Just shut up and walk!” I yell. I’m hangry and exhausted now.

When we get to the room, Rio fumbles with the keys before I angrily snatch them and unlock the door. The room is small and stuffy; I expected this much. I inhale so hard that my nose tickles from too much dust.

There are two queen-size beds, but before anyone speaks, Rio claims the floor. Easy. He leaves to get tacos and tea, but I’m stressed about the food here and if he’ll try to poison me.

Fast forward thirty minutes, and I’m eating with Rio and Fae. Both are sitting cross-legged on Fae’s bed, raving about the crunchy tacos. I bite into my food and feel the despair punch me. As if I haven’t had enough of that since arriving. Stale shells are the worst. At least the chamomile tea restores my energy so my body doesn’t flicker in and out of what feels like death.

“So, start from the beginning,” Rio muffles to Fae between bites.

“Mildred had this friend named Nancy, a Spirit User with the gift of sight. Nancy saw something that was basically the Light of Judgement losing control... I think. Nancy and Mildred were super close, so when Nancy died in a fire with her son, Mildred was devastated,” Fae explains. She pauses to eat while Rio reaches for his tea.

“There’s a kid staying at Elite with a woman. His name is Wren. He also has the gift of sight—a Spirit User too,” I tell her. Rio nods.

“That’s Katarzyna’s grandmother,” he adds.

I tilt my head. “Kuh-who?”

“Ka—never mind. Kate. My friend who you...” Rio mumbles.

Oh, almost killed one time for trying to trick me.

Fae clears her throat. “Anyway, Mildred felt like she was the chosen one to seek refuge for Zealans in a new home before Nancy’s vision comes true, thus starting the killing spree of dragons.”

“Kill the dragons, kill the world,” Rio confirms.

“And go to Naven,” I finish, grimly. Fae puckers her lips awkwardly and fiddles her fingers. “And you? How do you play a role in all of this along with her erratic followers?”

“Mildred finds people at their lowest point and picks them back up—literally anyone. Even Guards. She’s so kind, giving everyone a sense of belonging in a community,” Fae replies.

“What about you though?” Rio presses.

“Mildred... stole me from my family when I was young because she heard about my gift and wanted to use me to help her ‘find’ dragons. Sometimes she uses her grunt, Thaddeus as help to... persuade people—including me. I helped her until I realized that finding them meant hunting them. I waited until I found my chance to escape. That’s why all those Guards appeared in the forest; she’s been looking for me ever since I left.”

I ignore the artic chill in my spine. Thaddeus must be the one Nicholas and I met.

Fae continues, “The warehouse here is where she stores the dragons she steals. She’s falsifying ownership records that grant her permission to take them from families. There’s also a schedule for hunting and killing, but her grand act will be to slaughter the ones kept in the warehouse at once, which would send the world into... death on overdrive.”

Rio finishes his food first. “Naven is a promised, alternate world of eternal bliss and happiness. No wonder she wants to go there. That’s probably what she’s promised all those people who had hard lives.”

Fae points to him. “Bingo.”

The severity of this crime could land her in jail for life. No way is she acting alone. I bet King Evan is helping. If she promised him a good life for his people in a world he can start from scratch on, by all means, help the thoughtless woman and store dragons here.

“So, when the Guards attacked Queen Sophie, that must’ve been Mildred. But why?” Rio asks, looking at us. Fae shakes her head and shrugs. I pick apart a burrito and only eat the ground beef because the tortilla is also stale, and the cheese is hard and cold.

“I found three dragon eggs in a cave on her island,” I explain. Fae’s eyes perk up when I flicker my gaze to her. “I left them in her care. My guess is Mildred found out and wanted the eggs for her creepy slaughter count.”

Rio’s jaw tenses. He clenches his fists and looks away.

“Dammit,” he grunts. “She’s probably behind Lynn getting burned then.”

“I’ve been looking for those eggs,” Fae says, grabbing my attention again. “Poppy was, too, do you think Sophie can keep an eye on them for a bit longer?”

“I would imagine that’s her intention,” I reply, accidentally spitting out food. I grab a bristly, brown napkin and wipe the bits off my covers.

If what Fae is saying adds up, then maybe Mildred wants another Spirit User with visions like Wren who could help her see how this madness will end.

“Dare I ask, is King Evan in on this?” I look at Rio, but Fae nods.

Ah, so King Evan IS involved. That rat bastard.

A slight frown tugs at one corner of her mouth. Her sapphire necklace doesn’t gleam as much in the dull lighting of the drafty room. I have so many questions about that thing.

“If it isn’t obvious yet, King Remington has no clue. Mildred literally lives a double life. She’s able to feed everyone below because of her wealth as Remington’s advisor or whatever she calls herself,” Fae mentions. She crumples up her food wrappers and tosses it in the bin by the door. “We should plan our attack.”

Rio slumps against the headboard of Fae’s bed and yawns. I check my phone to see the battery is in the yellow and will surely die. A few texts from Billie come through that I didn’t notice before. Garnet is calming down with Elite’s help, another text mentions Guards arriving at Elite in search of me because of the ankle monitor, and lastly, Evangeline is still stable despite the most recent death. Thank goodness. I can’t risk losing her from this.

Tears well up to the edges of my lids that I quickly wipe while no one is paying attention. Fae is going over the plan but I constantly tune her out just so I can stare at the text from Billie. Rio looks at me which causes Fae to look too.

“Are you even listening?” she asks, crossing her arms. “This is important!”

I smile and put the phone away. “Sorry. Go over it again.”

I wake up groggy and detached from my body. My hair is a tangled mess and there’s drool on the side of my face. Fae and Rio are still soundly sleeping, but the room light is still on. Something about that is strange.

WAIT—we fell asleep!

I chuck a pillow at Rio, who’s lying on the floor with his mouth hanging open. It hits him right in the face. He flicks it off and slowly sits up, visibly annoyed and disoriented.

“What time is it?” I whisper loudly. Judging by the lack of daylight from the window, it’s definitely not the next morning, yet.

He rubs his face slowly and yawns. It’s clear he finally processes the question when his expression goes bug-eyed.

“Th-the warehouse!” he sputters, getting to his feet. I toss the covers off and dash out of the room with him. The sudden movement sends a dizzying rush through my head. I stumble around the hall with heavy legs. Rio tosses my shoes to me while he’s hopping around, trying to put on his.

I’m surprised we’re moving this well. My stomach hurts and I blame those tacos and burrito.

At least I feel refreshed from the tea and nap, but still slightly sore.

The dull air scratches my throat when we hit the cold breeze outside. It’s after three in the morning, so we fell asleep for quite a bit. I use my phone’s remaining battery to GPS the location Fae pinned last night, but the problem is...

“We forgot to wake up Fae,” I croak, clearing my parched throat. “She said she’d communicate with the dragons to help us. Where’s Poppy?”

“No time for that.” Rio is speed walking out of the parking lot. He stops at the curb and surveys the muted street. Poppy’s whine startles me as she bumps her snout against my shoulder and tilts her head. I have no idea if she’ll understand anything I’m saying, so I give a thumbs-up and a gigantic smile. Maybe she’ll comprehend that Fae is okay if I look happy.

Rio glances back and furrows his brows.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Shut up. I’m trying to assure Poppy that Fae is fine,” I reply through gritted teeth. Poppy still looks confused.

“Can we ride her back to find the warehouse?” He comes over, staring hungrily and determinedly at Poppy.

“She’s still a baby, you idiot. We won’t fit.” I pause. “And your breath is awful.” My brain is fuzzy. I’m wary about executing this mission on an empty stomach. I need to use the bathroom too.

Rio makes a gesture mimicking flapping his arms like a bird. I swear, this whole time I could’ve went back upstairs and woke up Fae.

Poppy smiles and nods her head, jumping into the air, flapping her wings. Rio claps and jumps with a big smile. When he looks at me, his expression returns to all business and no nonsense.

“Okay, let’s go. We’re going to follow Poppy. I think she knows where to go.”

I rub my temples and groan. “How are we gonna—”

Rio grabs my hand, distorting my vision. My periphery blurs, but we’re airborne, zooming speedily through cars and buildings. Poppy is fast and whatever is teleporting me is keeping up with her. We make it all the way to a forest by the warehouse. My vision clears, so I examine my body and touch my face.

“What the hell?!” I gasp.

Rio shakes his head and sniffs a few times. “Don’t ask. Just accept that it’s cool.” His hair blows lightly in the wind, while my hair wiggles violently in my face until I force it into a ponytail.

Staring up at the twenty-story high tin building is intimidating except for the growing stains of cooper rust that infectiously spreads throughout the ashy black exterior. My head flops as far back as it can. The perimeter looks quiet, so maybe a late-night attack will work. Rio grabs my arm and lightning bolts us to the roof.

The experience is a whirlwind again. When we land, I balance my feet and brace myself to be blown off from the fierce gust of wind that overcomes everything this high in the sky. Rio wraps his arms around himself and huddles next to me. I search around for Poppy, but I suppose maybe it’s smart she stayed behind and didn’t fly straight into Mildred’s hands.

In one corner of the roof, I make note of the metal, rusty ladder leading down into the warehouse. Beneath my feet lies the seam where the panels of this roof opens.

Oh! So, it opens to lower dragons inside. This is what Fae is talking about.

Rio turns to me with that same intense resolve raging in his eyes. “Let’s scrap the old plan since Fae isn’t with us. I’ll find the dragons; see if you can find the lever or button to open this place up.” I quickly grab his arm to stop him from leaving.

“ This is our plan now? We’re just gonna wing it? We have no idea what the format is inside, and Mildred probably has cameras and knows we’re here!”

He blinks. “Y-Yeah. Let’s just wing it.” He runs over to the edge and bolts off the roof.

For Superior’s sake, he’s a Commander! I thought maybe he’d know a thing or two about strategic planning, considering his organization captures so many of us. Allegedly.

I look around, but it’s proving difficult because I squint through the chilling wind that’s punching my face. There’s no way the button or lever—or whatever! —is out here. That wouldn’t make any sense.

The ladder rattles—someone’s coming.

My drumming heart sways my confidence.

“Mildred.”

Her salty blond hair whips in the fierce wind as she emerges from the ladder, wearing a black leather jumpsuit that highlights her muscular physique.

Her face turns into a kaleidoscope of emotions, emulated through the twitches in her lips and shifts in her eyebrows. The last emotion settles in a smile with her brows pointed downward. Mischief sparks in those dead eyes.

“A face I hardly expected, all things considering,” Mildred says, though some of her voice is carried away by the wind. “The public could benefit from some charm from you.”

“If you weren’t so busy being creepy and weird, you’d know I have zero time to do that.”

She nods, losing the smile. “Hmm, I see.”

“Mildred.” I close some of the gap between us, opening my arms. “You want to go to Naven by destroying Zeala. You’re risking so much, for what?”

“My heart is with the people, always for the people. Naven is an alternate world full of bliss and prosperity for everyone . We are owed that world now more than ever because the Light will come and strike Zeala again.”

“And when that happens the Superiors will have a plan in place to keep everyone safe. You must trust them,” I say.

Mildred’s derisive smile returns. “Do you trust them?”

Wind passes as I consider the question. It’s tough when the world fell apart from the Era of Chaos and divided into six islands, and I haven’t always said the nicest things about them.

“I do.”

“So, why haven’t the Superiors stopped me after all this time? Surely everything I’m doing is frowned upon and punishable by death,” Mildred chortles, steepling her hands. She casually sways over to the left, so I move to my left until we end up circling each other. The wind is behind me, sending massive blows of icy air through my bones.

“I... uh, I—”

“If the Superiors aren’t stopping me, then do not fret. I’m doing the right thing by ensuring happiness is given to everyone in Naven. I was chosen. My vision for the future is bright.”

“Mildred,” I pause, wondering what non-cliché thing I can say so I don’t sound like a character from a movie or book.

Visions of Evangeline’s smile cloud my thoughts. I miss her beaming over vegetarian options in the cafeteria, or throwing her arms around my shoulders, or arguing with Billie until she’s splotchy red in the face. She always used us to hoist herself up since she’s too short to see and we’d giggle and let her.

What if Spirit Users die because of this? I can’t take that chance, no matter what the hell the Superiors are doing.

I stare her down. “I know about Nancy.”

A crack in Mildred’s smug expression. A twitch of something.

“I know about Peter Reid. I’m sorry for your loss,” she says. “I miss Nancy the way you miss your father.”

My heart quakes as I gulp, trying to stay strong. Five years later and I’m still not over his death. To hell with Ultima and Cedric.

“Look, it’s obvious you hate Spirit Users, and this directly affects them. I have a friend—”

“Evangeline Springtown, the treeling,” Mildred finishes, eyes narrowing in on my vulnerability. Skylar’s presence rustles within me. Doubt simmers in my blood. “I don’t hate Spirit Users, but they’re too emotional for me, so I’ve only had a select few by my side. I want everyone to be happy, even you, dear Alice Reid.”

“M-Me?”

Mildred opens her arms with a huge messy smile spread across her face. Her hair whips and claws at her high cheekbones.

“Of course. You think what I’m doing is crazy? There are slaughterhouses on each island that quietly disposes dragons on a regular schedule, and I don’t mean the sick ones with euthanasia. It’s a dirty secret in the monarchy that lives long and strong. None of the rulers associate with it, so they turn their backs and let others handle it. A fun way to ‘control’ the world. It’s great for blackmail; only downside is I can’t use them or I’ll lose my leverage.”

Skylar’s stillness worries me, but so does accepting Mildred’s words as the absolute truth. What kind of person would I be to let this happen?

“But if a lot of dragons lived, there’d be an abundance of life, growth, and prosperity,” I counter, clenching my fists. My jaw shuts firmly, quivering wrath clawing up my throat.

“Sure, this made sense pre-Era of Chaos, but now? Monarchs love when other islands depend on them, and they love when their citizens need them. Prosperity for all means no gain for the greedy.” Mildred glowers at me with a sarcastic pout. “This all doesn’t mean a thing if the Light still strikes and kills a whole island. This vision is real.”

My blood anxiously boils over thinking about the slaughterhouses, the monarchs, Naven, Superiors—all of it.

“My purpose is multilayered as you may have realized, but my main concern is giving everyone a happier life with no strings attached. Spirit Users can be Spirit Users with however much power they want, and everyone else can thrive and be happy in eternal bliss with no pain, no death, and reuniting with lost ones. Dragons are welcomed in Naven and will not carry the burden of holding all of life within them like they do on Zeala.”

My hands twitch for the need to snap and summon Skylar, but the weight of this information is also throbbing in my head. “You can’t possibly know all of this and no one else. This is absurd!”

“You believe I’m the villain in your story.” Mildred frowns, crossing her arms with her feet planted shoulder-width apart. She stares wide-eyed and unblinking with a blank face, ready and set to kill. “That’s unfortunate. You’re debating on whether to summon your companion, but I’ll murder all the dragons right now if you do.”

Forget heroic lines. I just need to do this.

My skin is hot and prickly underneath as I run and lunge forward, ready to punch her. Mildred catches my fist and punches me in the stomach. I stumble away, holding my abdomen while trying to suppress a cough. Mildred stomps toward me in her big boots and grabs a handful of my hair. If I emit the shield hard enough, it’ll send her flying off the roof. But who’s calculating that, right? I need a better strategy. I can’t harm her in any severe way. She’s still a government official. I need Rio’s help; I need to pass the time.

C’mon man, hurry up.

All I need is for the dragons to be freed. That’s the only mission. If I can stall Mildred long enough for Rio to do his part, then we’ll be good. Strength isn’t needed, just endurance.

I elbow Mildred in the chest, freeing my hair and tumbling forward.

We tirelessly shuffle around the roof until we’re near the edge. Mildred goes in for a hit, but I step out of the way. She recovers quickly and reaches for my jacket collar, and with unsurprising strength, pulls me close to her and the ledge.

My heart flutters from the settling dread. It’s a long fall. Skylar can save me, but still... I’m not a fan of heights.

We wrestle more before I’m able to finally shimmy out of my jacket. The adrenaline helps me ignore the fierce wind chill. I try to be as swift as her, ducking and blocking her attacks with arms and shins.

Mildred is robust. I’m a fool to think I can take her. Every grip is tight, and every punch is like cinder blocks hitting me. I gasp for air, holding my stomach. Mildred takes advantage of my hesitation and grabs my arm to swing me right off the roof.

I try to relax my tight muscles and prepare to summon Skylar, but something holds me in place. I’m floating near the side of the building, but no longer falling. The wind twirls me around and pushes me back onto the roof. I stare at my hands.

The air saved me, but uh...

“Looks like your Superior was looking after you today.” Mildred shrugs. She’s sweating and panting, but her eyes lack emotion.

I haven’t made any special connection with my Superior. I just know her name is Amelia and she’s the Air Superior. Well, thanks.

Mildred charges and tackles me to the ground. I push up against her but she’s stocky and doesn’t budge from my blows. She goes for my neck, so I finally give in and tense hard enough like I’m on the toilet and emit the shield. Mildred doesn’t fly backward like I hoped, but she does stumble aside from the sudden force, long enough for me to scramble up and whip out my dagger.

“You’re young and na?ve; you don’t actually think Rio is freeing those dragons, do ya? I saw that weasel sneak down immediately.”

I try to contain my annoyance and inhale sharply. “Super.”

A burst of a hallowing gale propels me forward to swing the dagger at Mildred. She smirks and readies her hands up to catch the blade, but I duck and drop my body to slide under and dig the dagger right into her thigh.

No screaming, or wailing, or crying comes from Mildred. She’s quick to grab the back of my shirt before I can finish sliding under her. I kick the empty air as she holds me up by the rim of my shirt, slowly tearing the fabric. She pulls the dagger out and aims right for my face, but I hold my hands out and stop her hand and blade by surrounding it with a mini forcefield, preventing her from moving it closer to my face.

I headbutt the bubble, causing a shockwave from the mini explosion. Mildred staggers backward as I fall to the roof, hurting my elbow. My dagger clangs beside my head.

I grind my teeth, thinking of a plan. I’ll just free the dragons and find Rio myself if I have to.

Mildred straightens up and limply marches toward me, blood oozing from her thigh. I grab my dagger and scurry backwards until I’m able to get to my feet.

“Skylar, come!” I command. He appears in an instant, landing behind me and blocking some of the nasty gusts of wind.

“Not a great idea.”

“You wouldn’t dare kill the dragons now. You have no idea what’ll happen if you do, and you want to prepare as much as possible. You’re stalling just as much as I am.”

“You’re right, let’s just kill those reptilian abominations now,” she scoffs and uses her fingers to whistle. The ladder wobbles as a wave of ten Guards climb onto the roof, aiming their guns and crossbows at me.

I am so tired. Thank goodness for the tea I had yesterday.

Mildred pulls out a walkie talkie. “Time to get slaughtering, friends!”

Skylar does most of the work, gently knocking weapons away from Guards, while I dodge and cast the shield and tussle with some. The goal is to preserve life, but if I have to... I will end them.

Master Azul is right; I’ve been training for this for five years.

Once the first wave of Guards are down, I run for Mildred who slyly backs away as another wave of Guards come forth. The first wave is recovering from slashes they’ve received from Skylar, but he’s quick to generate enough wind to blow all the weapons off the roof.

I fight through three Guards at once, kicking a crossbow from one of them so I can grab it and shoot the other two in their legs before they shoot and I deflect with my shield. Skylar takes on the other seven, nearly impaling a Guard who almost grabs me from behind. Mildred skitters toward the ladder, moving further from me. She also looks a little confused.

The sky hasn’t changed, no blood rain has fallen.

All the Guards are down, so I dash for Mildred while Skylar rushes behind her and she trips down to one knee. I jump on her back, forcing her to fall flat on her stomach. I get up and smash my boot into her face and hold her there.

“Call off the operation. EVERYTHING!” I demand, also taking this moment to catch my breath. “And give me back my friend!”

Mildred cackles under my foot.

“Do it!” I order. “Tell the Guards to stop and release the dragons!”

I move my foot, finding this a perfect opportunity to go in and open this roof. I run for the ladder, with Skylar watching Mildred. Before I can head down, something pinches me. A syringe needle stabbed into my shoulder.

My breath hitches in my dried throat. “No!”

Instinctively, my eyes dart to Skylar, razor-arm in mid-swing toward Mildred before vanishing. Mildred is on her feet, out of breath and staggering forward with a wide grin. It’s too late. A bald man emerges from the ladder, chiseled and carved right from a statue.

The Guard Spirit User who took Nicholas.

“Thaddeus,” Mildred purrs. “I’m assuming you’ve taken care of Mr. Shackler?”

I’m powerless and Rio is possibly trapped... or dead. Foolish of me to think of her as inferior for not having magic.

“Naven isn’t so bad, Alice,” Mildred assures. “All I’ve ever wanted was to create a safe space for everyone, especially the unfortunate. You’ll be with your father again.”

I back away from the two but hear the groans and moans of the Guards behind me.

“No. This isn’t the way.”

“Well, if you don’t want to think about reuniting with your father, then think about the power you could have to avenge him,” Mildred suggests. “If you leave with me, I’ll help. You can have that revenge on Ultima you’ve longed for. There are many secrets Azul is keeping from you.”

The buzzing comes back, and the idea doesn’t sound too bad. I’ll take down Ultima. I’ll be with my dad again. I look back at the Guards recovering to their feet and approaching me weaponless.

Mildred licks her lips. “You’re considering it aren’t you?”

This... isn’t a bad idea. Nicholas was right.

I walk over to Mildred, every cell in my body screaming, but I’m not understanding why. I should join her. She looks down at me with a wicked grin. Before I answer, the roof jerks and the panels slide apart, opening the warehouse below. Some of the Guards fall through with wails.

Mildred sighs. “Looks like the party is over and our time has been cut short. Alice, if you’re still around, do not hesitate to seek me out. You know where to find me.”

My mind shrieks something faint in the background, but I can’t understand what it is. I’m perfectly fine with making sure she escapes safely. Even if I die.

The trance breaks just when she reaches for my shirt and in one swoop with her arm, swings me off the roof. Again. Dammit.

I’m not expecting the air to save me twice, so I close my eyes. Maybe a Superior will take my soul before I hit the ground. Or maybe not since I practically let a dragon slayer escape.

I open my eyes and see dragons everywhere in the night. It’s blurry and hard to tell what’s going on because I’m falling faster, but I’m at peace, knowing that somehow the mission is complete.

The dragons are free.