“Tell us something we don’t know,” someone shouts from the back, and I squint in the direction the voice came from because I happen to recognize it as belonging to Ellis Harrison.
“Okay.” Gage leans forward on his elbows. “Some of you may be aware of a vaccine that was announced earlier this evening that will soon be distributed by Althorpe. The vaccine is good news for the planet. Wonderful news for those in critical condition. And on the heels of that good news, I have some fortuitous news of my own to share with you.
“The Fems have crossed the finish line with a serum of our own. We’ve procured it,” he assures and the room quiets down, hungry to hear what he has to say next. “It’s a strong serum—a permanent serum that is able to hide our Nephilim markers—not for a six-month stretch at a time, but once and for all. A single dose that lasts a lifetime. And I’m open to giving to any and every one of you if you cross party lines so to speak and pledge your allegiance to the Fems. I’ll leave that here for your consideration. If any of you should choose to do so, please contact my league and we’ll be happy to assist you. We have worldwide stations ready to mobilize in the blink of an eye. This is just another measure we need to take at a time like this. Unfortunately, now that the government is concerned about alien beings living among us, I’m afraid their appetite for our kind won’t be going away any time soon.”
I certainly agree with him there. But that’s where it ends.
I clear my throat. “Thank you to our guest for the evening.” I take a deep breath as I look to the anticipatory faces in the crowd. “I assure you that Celestra has a sufficient serum. There is no need to side with the enemy.”
Logan sighs and gives my hand a squeeze.I think maybe we should match the claim—buy us a little time to think this through. But it’s entirely up to you.
I agree.I rise to my feet and look out at the crowd of stony faces.
“Brothers and sisters, I urge you to entertain this claim with great caution. Celestra, too, has achieved a permanent serum. We are in the process of mass production and will have it available within the next few days.”
“What about the permanence of Celestra’s serum?” a woman’s voice calls from the front, and I recognize that crow’s caw as belonging to my ex-mother-in-law. “King Gage boasts of a permanent serum that can last a lifetime. Can you promise us a lifetime of safety, Skyla? If indeed that is you.”
A fury builds in me, and I shoot Emma a look that could set her on fire.
More than anything I want to roll my eyes—for many reasons, but first and foremost for the fact that Emma had the balls to address her son asking.
“Yes. Our serum can last a lifetime. Just one dose, that’s all it takes. Please, do nothing in haste.” I glare over at Gage when I say it. “All will be well. I will see to it myself. Thank you all for coming out. Please stay safe. You’ll be hearing from me soon.”
At once the crowd begins to file over to the refreshment table as the roar of voices fills the hall.
Logan rises, and I shake my head at him.
“So much for having the Factions dependent on us,” I say.
He gives a long blink. “Don’t worry, Skyla. They won’t ever leave us. Not over this. They’re practically married to Celestra. Remember?”
“That’s right.” Gage slaps his hand on Logan’s shoulder. “It looks as if you had an ace up your sleeve after all.” He pins those cobalt eyes to mine. “I’m glad you’re fighting, Skyla. It was never my intention to have you roll over. You were born to battle for your people. And I was born to battle for you, the kids, and my own people.” He nods to Logan and me. “Goodnight.” He takes off, and Emma and Barron zip out of the building right along with him.
Wes and Cooper head over and trailing them are Chloe and Laken.
Wes shakes his head. “Don’t buy it, Skyla. You didn’t best him. He’s about to pull a dragon out of his hat and devour every one of our people. He wasn’t here to offer the people something he knows we have.”
Coop nods. “He’s right. I could see it in his face. He’s holding something back. Something big that’s about to explode in our faces.”
I glance to Logan. “Find Brody and Ellis.” I look to Wes and Coop. “Get to Whitehorse. We’re having an emergency meeting.”
“I’m coming, too,” Chloe announces to no one in particular.
“You weren’t invited.” I don’t mind sharing the news with her.
“That’s because I don’t require an invitation. I let you inside of my body. That means I don’t watch this shit show from the mezzanine. I’m an active participant on the stage. I’m going to make sure Gage Oliver pays for his sins.”
Logan’s nostrils flare. “And what about the damage you’ve caused between Skyla and the Factions? Are we supposed to look the other way while you throw that possession in her face for the rest of our lives? When do you pay for your sins, Chloe? Because I’d like to be there when you do.”
“Not today, Logan,” she snips. “So get off your white high horse because we’re going to need every brain cell among us to try to line up a defense for the hell that nephew of yours has planned for us.”
Laken averts her eyes. “She’s right. Who the hell cares if she’s there or not? At this point, she’s done her damage. Maybe we can squeeze an ounce of good out of her, after all. Let’s get going. Ezrina and Nev just walked out the door.”
“Then let’s get out of here,” I say, and soon we’re on the road to Whitehorse.
Ezrina’s underground lair is brightly lit, too brightly lit for this time of night, and it incites a nagging headache in me.
Our entire motley crew takes a seat at the round table at the mouth of the lab, while Gage’s primal apex floats in a bath of blue keeping solution before us like an irony.
