Garret. I hope youre okay. Hang in there, were coming for you.
It felt like a thousand tiny snakes were writhing in my stomach, and I breathed deep to calm them down. Was the soldier going to be there when we came for him? Was he still alive? What would he say when we finally found him? I would think that a dragon showing up at a St. George base in the middle of the night wasnt something that happened often, if ever. Would Garret be happy to see me? Would he accept help from a dragon, the creature hed been trained to kill on sight?
Or would he turn around and alert the rest of the base to our presence, having concluded that dragons were the enemy after all and needed to be destroyed? It had been days since that lonely night on the beach where Id almost died, attacked by my own trainer. Garret had saved us, but he was also a soldier of the Order. According to Talon doctrine, St. George couldnt be reasoned with, accepted no compromise and showed no mercy to their enemies. Garret was back with his own people now. What if theyd convinced him that hed been wrong after all, that dragons were the enemy, and the next time he saw one hed put a bullet in the back of its skull?
Garret wouldnt do that, I told myself. Hes different than the rest of them. He saw that we werent monsters. And hehe promised me that he was done killing.He wasnt going to hunt us anymore, thats what he said.
I had to believe that. I had to believe Garret would keep his promise, that the soldier whod helped fight off Lilith and let us go was the same person Id gotten to know over the summer. The boy Id taught to surf, whod played arcade games with me, whose smile could make my stomach do tipsy cartwheels. Who had kissed me in the ocean and made all my senses surge to life, whod made me feel like I wasnt a dragon or a human, but a strange, light creature somewhere in between. That person was not a soldier of St. George, a cold ruthless killer who hated dragons and slaughtered without mercy. No, when Garret was with me, he was just a boy who, at times, seemed just as uncertain and confused as I was. Id seen a glimpse of the soldier on the bluff, when hed pointed a gun at my face, his eyes hard and cold. But even then, he hadnt pulled the trigger.
Would he pull the trigger now?
I sighed and pressed my cheek to Rileys back, trying to stop my brain from looping in endless circles. Rescue Garret first. That was the looming issue at the moment, the thing I had to focus on right now. We could deal with everything else after we were clear of St. George.
Riley made a sharp left turn, pulled off the highway and headed into the desert. Startled, I tightened my arms around his waist, and we sped between rocks and cacti, following the van ahead of us. Abruptly, Riley flipped off the lights, as did the van, and we traveled in darkness for a while, only the faint light of the moon guiding the way. Finally, the van slowed and pulled behind a shallow rise, skidding to a halt in a billowing cloud of dust. Riley swerved, cruising beside it, and killed the engine.
Heart pounding, I sat up as the absolute silence of the desert descended on us like a glass dome. Except for my own breathing and the soft creak of the motorcycle, the complete absence of noise was chilling, and my dragon bristled. I didnt like it. It reminded me of my old school in the middle of the Great Basin, the place my brother and I had spent the majority of our lives, learning how to be human. Surrounded by desert, open sky and a whole lot of nothing. You could go outside and stand for hours in the same spot, the sun blazing down on you, and your ears would start to throb from the eternal, looming silence. Id hated it. Sometimes, it had felt like the silence was trying to steal my voice; that if I went too long without making any noise, Id become as still and lifeless as the desert around me. Dante had never understood why I was always so restless.
Dante. A lump rose to my throat as I clambered off the motorcycle, and I forced my thoughts away from him. One problem at a time.
Still up for this, Firebrand? Riley whispered, jolting me out of my dark musings. With a mental shake, I nodded as my heart resumed its painful thud against my ribs. Riley gazed at me, then turned and pointed across the desert to where a scattering of distant lights winked at us in the darkness.
Thats the base, he said quietly as I stared at the glimmers marking our objective. Garret was somewhere behind those walls, and with any luck, wed get to him and be long gone before anyone from St. George knew we were there. Were about two miles away, Riley went on, but we cant risk driving any closer and having them see us. Stealth is our only chance to pull this off. From here, we walk.
Wes slipped out of the van, ski cap pulled low over his head, and stalked around the vehicle to yank open the back doors. Riley joined him and dragged a black duffel bag out from under the seat. My heart lurched as Riley casually pulled out a small black pistol, checked the chamber for rounds and holstered it to his belt with easy familiarity.
I swallowed at the sight of the gun. Riley? I ventured, suddenly terrified and angry about being terrified. Tell me the truth, I said as he glanced over. And dont think for a minute that Im backing out, buthow dangerous is this really going to be?
Wes snorted. Oh, sure, now she asks. On bloody St. Georges doorstep.
Riley sighed. Truth, Firebrand? I wouldnt agree to do this if it was complete suicide, he said, holding my gaze. I blinked at him, surprised, and he gave a weary smile. Wes might preach doom and gloom, but trust me when I say I know what Im doing. Well be going in when most of the base will be asleep. This particular chapterhouse is extremely remote and well hidden; theyre using isolation to deter unwanted guests, so security should be minimal. If no one knows where you are, why bother with a ton of guards and patrols? And trust me, two dragons sneaking into a St. George compound doesnt happen often, if ever.
But, he went on as I relaxed a bit, that doesnt mean it wont be dangerous. These types of missions usually go one of two ways: without a hitch, or spectacularly wrong. Hopefully, well be able to sneak in, find what we want and tiptoe away without anyone knowing we were there. Thats the best-case scenario. I think you can guess the worst-case scenario. So, on that note He held out a pistol to me. Ever shot one of these?
Numbly, I shook my head. Id handled a gun before, both in my training with Lilith and then briefly when Id disarmed the Glock aimed at my face, but Id never fired one. Certainly not at a living creature.
Riley smiled grimly. If it gets to the point where were shooting at people, then the mission is FUBAR and we need to get out of there as fast as we can. He held up the weapon. These are only to be used as the very last resort. But if the mission does go south, youre going to want something to defend yourself with. The problem with claws and teeth is that you have to get in close to attack, and that might be tricky if theyre all firing M-16s at you.
Ive never fired a gun before, Riley. I dont even know if I couldshoot someone. Not for real. Ive never killed anyone before.
Rileys lip curled in a hard smile. Yeah, well, youre gonna have to get over that, Firebrand, he stated bluntly. We might not be part of Talon anymore, but St. George doesnt give a damn about that little fact. To them, all dragons are the same. Rogue, hatchling or Viper, it makes no difference to the Order. Theyll kill us regardless of faction or sympathies. He lowered the gun, his gaze almost accusing. This is still a war, but we arent just fighting one side anymore. Not only do we have to be on the lookout for St. GeorgeTalon will be breathing down our necks, as well. We kind of got the shit end of both sticks, if you havent noticed by now.
Rileys lip curled in a hard smile. Yeah, well, youre gonna have to get over that, Firebrand, he stated bluntly. We might not be part of Talon anymore, but St. George doesnt give a damn about that little fact. To them, all dragons are the same. Rogue, hatchling or Viper, it makes no difference to the Order. Theyll kill us regardless of faction or sympathies. He lowered the gun, his gaze almost accusing. This is still a war, but we arent just fighting one side anymore. Not only do we have to be on the lookout for St. GeorgeTalon will be breathing down our necks, as well. We kind of got the shit end of both sticks, if you havent noticed by now.
I blinked, stunned. Id never heard Riley sound so bitter. Although, ever since wed left Crescent Beach, hed seemeddifferent. More serious and take-charge. This was not the cocky, insufferable, devil-may-care rogue Id met before. He was not the mysterious lone rebel Id thought he was, but the leader of an entire rogue underground, with who knew how many dragons and humans depending on him. I suspected now that the dragon Id met in Crescent Beach had been putting on a show, a mask, the perfect identity for the current situation. I wondered, yet again, if the Riley I faced now was the real one.
At my silence, Riley gave me a weary, sympathetic look, his voice going softer.
Sorry, Firebrand. I didnt mean to jump down your throat like that. I know youve never killed anyone, and I dont expect you to. Not tonight, anyway. He sighed and raked his hair back. Ive justseen a lot, you understand? From Talon and St. George. Ive lost friends and hatchlings to both organizations, and some days it feels like Im pushing a boulder up a never-ending cliff, and if I let up for one second, itll roll back and crush me. His brow furrowed and his eyes darkened as he looked away. One day it will roll back and crush me.
His gaze flicked back to mine. What Im trying to say is, if youre going to stand against Talon, you have to do whatever it takes to stay alive. And one day, that might involve shooting someone. Or incinerating them. Or tearing them apart. Yeah, its ugly, its messy and its not fair, but thats the truth of it. This is our world, Firebrand. This is the world you live in now. He held the gun out to me once more. Unless you want to go back.
I swallowed. No, I said, and reached out for the weapon, curling my fingers around the hard metal. Im not going back. Riley tossed me a holster as well, and I slipped it around my shoulder, feeling the weight of the gun, cold and deadly, against my ribs. I hoped I would never have to use it.
All right. Riley shut the van and looked toward the distant base. I saw him take a short, furtive breath, as if steeling himself for what was to come. I think were about ready. Just remember He shot a firm glare in my direction. We do this my way. If I tell you to do something, dont question it. Dont even think about it. Just do it, understand?
I nodded. Riley glanced at Wes, who watched him with the grave, resigned expression of someone who thought they might never see him again. Were going. If I give the word, get out and dont look back. Wish us luck.
Luck? Wes muttered, shaking his head. You dont need luck. You need a bloody miracle.
And on that inspiring note, we started across the desert.
Riley
One mile to the gates of hell.
I shoved the thought away as I led Ember across the dusty plains, heading closer to that ominous glow looming ahead of us. Fear and second thoughts were dangerous now. This insane rescue was officially under way, and I had to focus on what was important; namely, getting us in and out without being discovered and gunned down. When I was a Basilisk, Id been taught never to ask questions or think too hard about what I was doing. I didnt need to know the whys, I just needed to complete the missions.
Of course, it was when Id started asking questions that Id realized I couldnt be part of Talon anymore.
Ember walked behind me, silent in her black Vipers outfit, gliding over the sand like a shadow. She made no noise, moving like a Basilisk herself, graceful and sure without even realizing it. Lilith had taught her well. The only thing she hadnt taught her was the Vipers ruthlessness, that apathy toward killing that Vipers were knownand fearedfor. I was glad of it, but at the same time, I knew it wouldnt last. Not in our world. There was too much at stake. Too many factions that wanted us dead, too many people to try to protect. Eventually, the day would come when Ember would have to kill someone and when it did, she would have to make a choice as to what kind of dragon, and person, she really was. I just hoped it wouldnt change her too drastically.
Youre about two hundred yards from the fence. Wess voice buzzed in my ear, courtesy of the wire I was wearing. Part of the package Id picked up in L.A. No security cameras as far as I can tell, but be careful.
Got it.
We reached the perimeter fence, nothing heavy duty or unusual, just simple chain link topped with barbed wire. Signs reading Private Property and Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted hung from the links every thirty or so feet, but there was nothing to indicate that a heavily armed military compound lay beyond. St. George was nearly as good as Talon when it came to hiding in plain sight, as private armies were sort of frowned on by the United States government. The bases where the soldiers were housed used isolation and misdirection to stay off the radar of those that might take issue with a large number of armed fanatics squatting on US soil.
Good news for us: this base was counting on its remoteness to deter unwanted visitors, so the fence wasnt well patrolled. Bad news for us: if they did start shooting, no one would ever hear it.
Ember crouched beside me, peering through the barrier. Wed approached the base from the north, giving the fence a wide berth as we circled around, and I could see a cluster of squat buildings about a thousand yards beyond the fence. The space between was dark and shadowy, but terrifyingly flat and open.
No turning back now.
Pulling out my wire cutters, I began snipping through the links, silent and methodical. Oddly enough, the familiar task helped calm my nerves; how many times had I done this before? Ember pressed close, her shoulder brushing mine, and my pulse leaped at the contact, but I didnt stop until Id cut a line just big enough for us to slip through.
Stay close, I murmured, replacing the cutters. Remember, dont do anything until I give the word.
She nodded. Reaching down, I peeled back the steel curtain, motioned her through, then slipped in behind her. As we passed through, the fence gave a soft, metallic slither, echoing the chill running up my spine.
Okay, here we were, on St. George soil. Still in a crouch, I scanned the layout of the base, noting buildings, lights, how far the shadows extended. Ember waited beside me, patient and motionless, green eyes shining with resolve. I sensed no fear from her, only stubborn determination, a will to see this through no matter what, and squashed the flicker of both dread and pride.
Were in, I whispered to Wes.
All right. I imagined furious typing on the other end. Hang on, Im trying to find the security systemthere we go. More silence followed, as Ember and I huddled at the fence line, gazing around warily. Okay, Wes muttered at last. Looks like only headquarters and the armory actually have cameras. So youre going to have to get inside before I can walk you through.