Hector frowns. “Just… one.”
Caden looks at me. “Is it River?”
“How the hell should I know? I’ve been a prisoner for weeks.”
“Isn’t that the Semi-Human you were in the forest with?” Hector grabs my shirt and pulls me toward him, making me fall to my knees. “Isn’t he?”
“Yes! But I don’t know where he is.”
Hector snorts. “You’re lying. Caden, have you ever killed a Semi-Human?”
He glances at me, and for a second, I catch a glimpse of hesitation in his eyes, but it quickly fades. “No, sir.”
“Then today you’ll kill your first.”
Chapter 25
Caden
“Why is the communication center so important?” I ask as we drive through the city center.
“Because it’s used less for communication and more for protection,” Hector says, looking edgy even though he tries to hide it. “I built it when those two old AIs were fighting, and Father was planning to invade Colorado with his New-Humans. I needed to keep him blind from my city, but he ended up losing before he could become a real threat. Then it was the second AI who began snooping, so she needed to be kept out.”
“And if something happens to the communication center, will they gain important intel?”
“I’m less concerned about that than I am about them gaining control over the drones.”
I nod, realizing the gravity of the situation. That means River must be stopped, assuming it really is him behind the attack. I can’t help but wish it would be somebody else, because hurting River will hurt Josh, and hurting Josh… I shake my head as I taste bile. The mere thought is sickening. I swallow the nasty taste in my mouth and compose myself, but Hector watches me closely, all-knowing. “I’ll get it done,” I say.
We reach the compound of the communication center ten minutes later, and parts of it are already burning. Guards lie on the ground, either dead or wounded, while the iron gate is still closed. I climb out and force the gate to open so that the cars can enter. The air is thick with the heavy scent of burning metal and plastic. More bodies are scattered inside, and I’m becoming more convinced that River is behind this. I’ve seen him in battle; his inhuman speed and his deadly precision. Yet he failed to take down a New-Human on his own during the battle of Spring Spot, and I killed one only days ago.
Would he attack me on sight? Likely not, which means I might have a chance to take him down before he realizes I’m not his ally.I could just injure him.He can’t fight if he’s injured, but would Hector consider that a failure? I feel sick again, like something rotten shifting in my guts. I should be braver. This is war after all, and war is never pretty.
The car parks inside the gated compound, and Finn and Hector climb out. Finn seems like he might faint, his eyes darting from side to side. He knows something he isn’t telling. He must have figured out the importance of this facility, but how the hell did he convey the message to River?
Eight soldiers of Hector’s personal guard have escorted us here, but I don’t want their support. If River sees me approaching with them, he’ll realize I’m his enemy, taking away my opportunity to overpower him quickly.
“Stay here,” I tell the soldiers, and before they can protest, I add, “That’s an order.”
Hector is the only one who can break my word, but he’s nodding his approval. Finn watches me with pleading eyes, or maybe it’s guilt for being responsible for this mess.
I turn away and walk deeper into the compound. There are high structures around that River might use to jump on me. I sharpen my hearing, but the crackling of the fire gets in the way. Two large antennas lie shattered on the ground, but there are others that are still intact.Is Mother already here, or is this place still salvageable?
Something explodes up ahead, sending more dark smoke into the sky. I run toward it until I reach an open area where one of the structures is burning. And there’s River, running toward another structure he likely wants to destroy. Despite the distance between us, he senses my presence and sharply stops. His long hair is now black. I’m sure he hated dyeing it.
“What are you doing?” I call, walking slowly toward him. We both have rifles strapped to our backs.
River scans my face, and his lack of surprise at my appearance is telling. But was it Finn who told him what happened or someone else in the city?
“I’m doing what’s right!” he calls back.
Despite the distance, I can hear how fast his heart is beating. Even with my newfound strength, he’s likely faster than me, which will give him an advantage if bullets start flying.
I take another step toward him. “You think that attacking Denver will end with a victory? What they have in—”
“—the sewers?”
Damn you, Finn.“Hector has been preparing for this moment, River! You have no idea what you’re facing. Leave now and tell Dino and the rest not to invade.”
