"No. I need to save the hostages."
The voice sighs. "My contacts have informed me this is a trap. If you stay, you will be captured."
Trix moves her gun from one soldier to the other. "N, what's going on? Why are the Red Eagles here?"
"They want to help," I tell Trix. I speak into my eGlass "Why?" I ask Crixus.
"You and I share an enemy. We can be very useful to each other."
"Why are you contacting me now?"
"Because trust is a rare thing in our line of work, and I want you to trust me, Nightfall. So please, accept my help."
I've waited eagerly for contact from another rebel leader, but I never imagined it would happen like this. I want to establish an alliance with Crixus, but I can't accept his offer. I can't let people die. "I will free the hostages."
"Very well," says Crixus. "My soldiers will depart. But remember, I offered help in a time of need." His signal ends. The soldiers turn and disappear around a corner.
Trix keeps her gun at the ready. I have my hand on my sword. There have been too many surprises today.
"Evie, how did Crixus contact me?"
"He hacked your eGlass."
I shudder. I thought Evie's security was unbreakable. I'll have to figure out a way to upgrade her. This can't happen again.
Trix grabs my shoulder, startling me. "N, you still want to do this? What if their leader doesn't want to listen?"
I smile to put her at ease. "I can be very convincing."
"Not if they put a bullet in your head."
"We have no other choice."
"I know, but this… this doesn't feel right."
"I know." I tap my eGlass. "Evie, contact them."
"What shall I say about their two dead men?"
I shrug. "Tell them to check their cameras. I had nothing to do with it. I seek a peaceful solution."
"Very well. I've made contact." I check the cameras. Four armored Zeniths enter an elevator, heading towards us. So not all the video feeds have been edited. I can use that.
"They're on their way," I say. "Evie, loop the video from here to the room adjacent to the hostages, but keep my feed original. Trix, take position. Be ready for plan B."
"Okay, N. Be careful." She holds my eyes for a moment, then disappears past the doors.
A moment later, the Zeniths arrive. In case their orders are to shoot me on sight, I'm ready to unleash my wings and charge them. I pray my swords skills are enough to win.
I don't get to find out. The Zeniths surround me in a square and escort me to the elevator. One of them asks, "Where's the other one?"
I speak casually. "She left."
We don't speak again.
The elevator stops at the top floor, and the Zeniths lead me to a door at the end of the hall. According to my eGlass, this is the dark room with fortified windows. Evie informs me that Trix is in position. I tap out a message to TR.
You have eyes on Trix?
He responds.
Have eyes on her and the hostages.
Zorin should be right beside him. I hope they can cooperate long enough for us to succeed. I message him.
Don't act without my command. The situation is delicate.
He responds vocally. "If it's between you and the hostages. I'll choose you." I appreciate his response, but... my life shouldn't matter more than others.
The Zeniths open the door and gesture me to enter. I do, and they close the door behind me, leaving me in near darkness.
The floor is tiled marble. The room is large, but empty except for the lantern and the man. He sits cross-legged, his back to me. His breathing is deep and slow, and I feel it radiating through the room. His hair is dark brown and twisted into a ponytail. When he stands, I realize he is a head taller than me, if not more. His body is thick and muscled. Black and gold armor clads his body, and it's not like the armor of the others. It's thinner, shaped for his figure. It's the armor of a Knight. Of a King. As he turns, the light catches his black cape. And reveals a golden raven.
"Varian," I say, jumping back, my heart pounding.
He grins. His voice is deep and his purple eyes penetrating. "You wanted to talk. So let us talk."
I can't talk. I can't think. This is the man who matched Nyx in combat. The man who ended the Nephilim War. And he's here to end me.
I yell into my eGlass. "Trix, get the hostages out, now." I watch her on my screen. She turns a wall into ash and jumps in, firing her rifle. Evie switches the camera, showing me the next room. Trix shoots down two armored Zeniths. A third collapses, shot down by TR. The eight hostages are on their knees, heads down, arms behind their backs. A Zenith terrorist threatens to kill one. His helmet shatters from a sniper rifle bullet.
Zorin speaks through my eGlass. "Scarlett, what's wrong? What happened?"
My voice trembles. "It's Varian. He's here. Save Trix and get everyone out!"
"Run, Scarlett! I'm coming."
I will my body to move. Everything feels slow. I fly toward the door, and Varian draws one of his blades. It extends, turning into a whip. He snaps it forward. The whip grabs my ankle and pulls me back. I slam into the ground.
My head pounds as everything appears to speed up again. I untie the whip and crawl back on my feet. Varian does not move. His blade recoils, turning solid once again. He has an eGlass and seems to be watching the fight going on below. He must have bypassed Evie's looping of footage. "I wondered if you would choose to rescue them."