Because no one felt safe. Because we were worrying about the humans interrupting with their weapons at any moment.
“Hey!” Sorsha calls over from her perch on the wall and motions to the far side. “There’s a news van over here that followed the colonel and them from the city. Anyone want to give them a good story?”
I don’t think the phoenix meant her words this way, but her question sparks a strange quiver that races through my veins.
A good story.
That’s what we need. Something that’ll comfort people, make the humans feel secure sowecan feel secure around them rather than worrying that they’ll lash out.
Colonel Hueber’s remark from just a few hours ago floats up from my memory:Everyone’s going to see that it tookhumansto solve this problem.
I don’t like how he sneered at us shadowkind. I don’t like his strategy for “solving” the problem. But that doesn’t mean there wasn’t a kernel of truth in what he said.
Even though I realized the rift wanted to form some kind of cohesion with the mortal realm, I was still only counting on shadowkind to help me. How did I miss this before?
When we fight, the rift acts up more. If we could really work together like we did with Gracie right here, but on a much larger scale…
I hustle forward, ignoring the panicked thudding of my heart and the familiar ache that’s formed in my feet and ankles. “I’ll talk to them. I have an important message.”
No one moves to stop me. I guess I’ve established myself as the main shadowkind spokesperson inadvertently.
Oh, well. The humans watching their TVs can’t be too scared of little old me, can they?
As I dart past the gate, the reporter poised beyond it stiffens. He and his camerawoman are staked out a careful distance from the wall but with their devices at the ready.
Despite his initial burst of nerves, he holds his microphone toward me. “What’s going on in there? Did the mon—I mean, the ‘shadowkind’ destroy the base?”
“Not at all,” I say with a cheery smile. “We stopped the planes from taking off with the bombs, but everyone and every building inside is perfectly okay.” I won’t mention the leaky jets. “And now we’re going to get rid of this messy rift our way—a way that won’t hurt anyone—once and for all. But we’re going to need your help.”
The camerawoman steps closer, maybe zooming in on my face.
The reporter’s eyebrows leap up. “What do you mean?”
I aim my smile at the camera, picturing all those people who are watching this broadcast, worrying about what will become of their world. Who maybe, like me, like Gracie, are wishing they could contribute.
I’ve spent years trying to bring happiness to everyone, wanting to see them safe rather than hurting them. But isn’t there an even deeper joy in facing the danger side by side and finding a way to tackle it?
“My power can calm and thin the darkness that’s fallen over the city,” I say. “But I can only do so much on my own. The more people I’ve got working with me, the larger an effect I can have. So please, anyone who wants to see this disaster end and know they helped save the world, please come join us outside Jackson City as soon as you can. All are welcome.”
By the time I’m finished speaking, the reporter’s eyebrows have nearly reached his hairline. He says a quick wrap-up tothe camera and then lowers his microphone. “You really need as many people as possible?”
I beam at him. “Absolutely. Will you come too?”
Before he can answer, Major Yin’s voice reaches me from where he’s approached the gate. “Whatever you’re going to do, you’d better be quick about it. The top brass will already be on their way—and most of them believe in the bombs.”
31
Periwinkle
The first part of my plan is to zip back to the rift as fast as the van’s engine will carry us. My plan did not account for traffic jams.
The city with its draping of murk has just come into view in the distance when the van slows to a crawl. I slip through the shadows to a nook on the driver’s seat where I can see out the front windshield.
The stretch of pavement ahead of us is packed with cars. More are pulling onto the highway from a crossroad farther along.
I stare for a few moments before my mind kicks back into gear. I materialize next to Rollick’s seat. “What’s going on? It’ll take forever to get to the city now.”
The demon shoots me a baleful look. “I believe this is your doing. You asked for people to come—they’re coming. There are only so many routes into the city.”
