Scorched

Mara stepped over to Trinity, solemnly placing a plastic cap threaded with wires over her head. Trin struggled as best she could, hoping to buy Connor more time, but two guards soon stepped in to hold her down as Mara did her work. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Emmy dancing anxiously in her cage and Trin sent the little dragon as many comforting thoughts as she could. But she was admittedly more than a little low on hope right about then. If Connor didn’t come—which was seeming more and more likely as the clock ticked on—it would soon all be over. And there would be nothing either of them could do.

Her eyes sought Caleb’s, but he had disappeared from the group of Dracken standing nearby. She prayed he wouldn’t try to act alone and get himself killed in the process. Knowing at least he would still be here, an undercover agent for good who could make things more pleasant for Emmy and her mother, gave her a small bit of comfort. And she didn’t want anything to happen to him.

I never took anyone else to the Nether, he’d told her. No one but you.

“The time has come,” Darius, ever the showman, announced, interrupting her wistful thoughts, “when our traitor will get what she so richly deserves.” He gestured to Mara who headed over to a nearby instrument panel, readying it for action. Trinity’s stomach sank as her last remaining hope left the building. It was too late. The end was here. There would be no rescue. No happily ever after for her. She turned to Emmy, gazing at her with wistful eyes.

Take good care of my mother and Caleb, she sent to her dragon. They need you now more than ever.

No! Emmy’s panicked voice rang through her head. Don’t leave me, Trin. Don’t leave me here alone!

Stay strong, Emmy. For me, promise me you’ll stay strong.

She closed her eyes, unable to bear the dragon’s bereft face. She’d promised Emmy the world, that she’d never let her fall. She promised that she’d never leave her alone, like her mother had before her. And now she was breaking those promises—and all the others she’d made as well. She could only hope the dragon would understand somehow. That she would know it was the last thing Trin wanted to do.

Tears splashed down her cheeks as she waited for the switch to be thrown. The moment seemed to stretch into eternity.

I’m so sorry, Emmy. I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you.

Suddenly sirens blared through the chamber, warning lights flashing at every corner. Trinity looked up, heart in her throat, as the spectators erupted in panic. A moment later a voice came over the loudspeaker, cutting through the sounds of confusion.

“The mall has been breached!” the man’s panicked voice cried. “We’re being invaded.”

Connor! Trinity’s heart surged with hope.

The room broke into chaos, the ceremony all but forgotten as the Dracken, the Potentials, and armed guards alike scurried in every direction. Only Darius, along with Mara, still stood on the stage. The Dracken’s face twisted in fury. “Do it!” he cried to Mara. “Throw the switch! Now!”

Looking frightened, Mara made a move to do as he asked. But before she could reach the panel, Caleb dove in—seemingly out of nowhere—tackling her and throwing her to the ground. He had shed his other clothes and was now dressed like a soldier. Reaching out, he grabbed a piece of heavy equipment and brought it down on Mara’s head, knocking her out cold. Then he shot Trinity an excited look.

My hero, she sent. Now get Emmy!

Darius screamed in rage, launching himself at the instrument panel. But Caleb was too quick, reaching Emmy’s cage and releasing her into the wild. The dragon let loose a stream of fire, melting the panel before the Dracken leader could activate it, leaving nothing useable behind.

Darius glared at the dragon, hatred clear in his eyes, but hesitated, unsure what to do. Obviously he couldn’t hurt Emmy. But he couldn’t just let her go off and flambe his friends either. The dragon leveled her eyes on him, opening her mouth, ready to end this game once and for all.

But before Emmy could fire, the doors around them burst open, armed men swarming the chamber. The cavalry had arrived.

Emmy, hide! Trin sent. Whatever you do, don’t let them see you!

The dragon huffed, shooting a look of annoyance at Trin for letting her prey escape, but obediently flew up toward the rafters and out of sight before anyone realized she was there.

In the meantime, Caleb had scrambled to his feet. He looked at the men, then pointed at Darius. “Seize this terrorist,” he cried.

Darius’s face drained of color as the men flew into action. He turned and started to run but soon found himself surrounded. Trinity grinned. Sorry, Darius. She watched as they approached the Dracken leader, guns drawn, half hoping he’d do something stupid and force them to shoot him where he stood. Instead, he allowed himself to be handcuffed and led away. Wuss. But at least he was out of the picture for now. Hopefully, when they discovered what he’d been planning, they’d lock him up tight and throw away the key.

Trinity turned back to the remaining soldiers, her triumphant smile fading as two men in black suits pushed through the crowd, making their way to center stage where she stood. Two unfortunately very familiar-looking men in black suits.

Oh, crap.

“Miss Foxx, you are under arrest,” the first one declared, pulling a set of handcuffs from his pocket, “for obstruction of justice; assault against two officers of the law; not to mention…”

Suddenly Trinity caught a flash of movement from the balcony above. Her eyes widened as she realized it was none other than Connor himself, trying to get her attention. He gave her a knowing smile, then reached into his bag, casually flipping a silver disc over the railing.

Trinity’s heart leapt. The Bouncer! She caught Caleb’s smirk out of the corner of her eye.

Hope you’re not still afraid of heights, princess.

The silver disc skittered, Connor’s aim perfect, coming in for a landing not two feet in front of her. She grinned, giving the agents a small wave, then hopped onto the disc, flying high into the air, as graceful as a bird —or maybe a dragon—as the agents and operatives watched in dumb disbelief down below. When she’d reached full altitude, she threw herself forward, stretching her arms out to grab the railing looming in front of her. Connor was able to yank her over the balcony before anyone could even think of firing shots in her direction.

She scrambled to her feet. “You, my friend,” she declared, “have impeccable timing.”

He flashed her a grin. “I aim to please. Now come on. My brother tells me you have a mother in need of rescuing.”

“I do indeed,” she agreed. “Let’s go.

They ran through the mall, fast as they could, heading toward the west wing courtyard and the entrance Emmy had made in the wall. Trin hoped no one had discovered the secret passageway behind the tapestry in the last couple of days—the last thing she needed was for it to be blocked up again. After all, it was the only way she knew to get to Mom—and later to freedom.

As they burst into the courtyard, they stopped short, realizing it wasn’t as empty as they’d assumed. In fact, the place was packed full—with dozens of Potentials, some wounded, some huddled in corners, their eyes wide with fright. They must have been trained to regroup here, Trin realized, if any security was breached.

Heart pounding, she scanned the room, taking in all the faces. Had they always looked so young? So innocent? So scared? Her heart lurched. If only there was a way to take them all with her, to free them from this psychotic prison. At the very least, she determined, she could finally tell them the truth.

But Connor had other ideas. “Come on,” he urged, grabbing her arm. “We need to go!”

She shook him off. “Wait,” she said. Then she turned to the Potentials, who were watching her with wary eyes. She drew in a breath. Here went nothing. “Listen to me,” she said, clearing her throat. “The Dracken are not who they say they are. They’re not out to save the world. They’re using dragons to burn it all down and they need your help to do it.” Her gaze darted from one unbelieving face to another. “There’s a door behind this curtain. It leads to a set of stairs and a passageway to a parking garage. You can escape through that. You can all be free.”