Page 48 of When Monsters Rise
Zaqheads deeper into the building, following his instinct to scope out the place for threats.Hevanishes into the gloom, butI’mnot worried.Hecan handle himself.
“Thisone is a good size for a child.”Beepulls out a small bike.
“Thechildren will go withJilyana,”Sarqsays.
Wehave one day for her to rest, and it might not be enough for her to recharge, despite what she said to me. “Takeit anyway, just in case she isn’t able to do the transport.”
Beepicks out a bike fit for a child, andBastianchooses an adult-sized one just asZaqcomes rushing into the room, eyes bright with excitement.
“Ifound something.”
Wefollow him down a short hallway and through a door into a large garage space, and in the center of the garage sits a bus.
Bastiansucks in a sharp breath.
Thiscould be the solution to our problem. “Bastian…can it work?”
“Ijust need…Ineed to check the engine and the fuel tank.”
Ihave no idea what he’s doing, but it takes a while of prodding and probing before he looks up with a grin. “It’sa modified engine.”
“Whatdoes that mean?”
“Itmeans it’s able to run on various fuel.”
“Likekerosene?”Beepoints to several containers in a corner markedKerosene.
Bastian’seyes are alight with excitement. “Yes, like kerosene.”
Hewipes his hands on his jeans, a fresh smile tugging at his lips. “Wehave a vehicle.”
Withthe contraption as transport, we might just get all the humans to safety after all, but something inside me remains wary, a soft vibration that spawns a dark foreboding inside me, because ifMichaelis still alive, then no one is safe untilIhold the completeMorningstarin my hands.
AllIcan do is hope that he didn’t make it out of the mall alive.
Chapter22
MICHAEL
TheDominionfinish probing my mind, andIslump to the ground, my body trembling from the residue of their power.I’mso weakIcan barely lift my head.It’staken everythingIhave to bury my true intention deep in my psyche in a place that they can’t find it.
“Youfailed,Michael,” they say in that booming way of theirs.
I’musually cowed by the magnitude of their presence, but not today.Mybody may be weak, but there is fire in my belly.Rageand indignation burn bright within me.
Iwon’t be blamed again.
Iwon’t be silent. “Ididn’t fail.Youdid.Youfailed to tell me aboutJilyana.Youfailed to tell me that you had her locked away here, that she holds the relic piece inside her.”Ifelt the power of the relic before she forced me into unconsciousness.
Itwasn’t hard to connect the dots and realize that she is whatKabielsaw in his vision.
Therelic hidden in theGoldenCity.
Aprisoner.
Guiltattempts to grapple hold of my mind, butIfight it off.
Herfate is not my fault. “Idid what you asked.IgainedShem’strust, andIsummoned the sentinels.Itis no fault of mine that they were overwhelmed by the devolved watchers.”Idon’t bother to modulate my tone. “Youwant me to bring youShemyaza’shead, but you refuse to give me the tools to do so.Thisis your fault, and if he succeeds in his mission, that too will be on you.”
