“Well, answer it!” Phil hissed. “It’s not like he can see what you’re doing. There are no cameras in here. Just keep your face steady.”
Alina heard a soft click, and Sampson’s voice echoed into the room.
“Are you trying to vex me?” he asked. The anger in his voice chilled Alina; he seemed dangerously calm.
“We’re done!” Brock sounded nervous. “We’re on our way.”
“Rex should’ve been here by now. Get back to the control room immediately. No mistakes tonight. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, sir,” Brock answered. Alina heard a soft click, then a brief pause.
“Guess this’ll have to wait for another time,” Phil mumbled.
“Let’s hurry,” said Brock, a hint of worry in his voice.
They hustled around the room, sliding discs into trays. The light switched off, the door closed, and a lock clicked in place. Footsteps faded down the hallway.
Neither Alina nor Rex moved for a minute. Alina jumped as an info-disc clattered to the ground. Rex felt his way to the door, tapped the light and chuckled. “They were in such a hurry they didn’t put the discs back properly.”
Alina stepped out from behind the monitor. “Rex, they’re looking for you,” she said nervously.
He lifted his visor. “It’s okay. My goal tonight was to get you to Carthem. Yes, having those two in the control room complicates things since that’s where the dagger is kept. I’ll have to draw them out. But this can also work to our advantage.” He took her arm. “Listen to me, Alina. You’re the valuable one here. It’s crucial you make it to Carthem. Don’t worry about Jade and me, we’re expendable, but you—”
Alina pushed up her visor and jerked her arm away. “What are you talking about Rex? I’m the expendable one! You need to kill me for this whole plan to work, so what are you waiting for? Don’t risk any more of the rebels’ plans by keeping me alive!”
Rex stared at her for a moment, then understanding dawned his face. “Oh, no, Alina, you have it all wrong! I can see why you’d think that, but—oh I’ve messed up—we don’t want you dead; you’re much more valuable to us alive! Believe me. You must keep yourself safe for the resistance.” He clutched her arm again. “Please.”
Alina hesitated, then nodded. “All right. Tell me what to do.”
“If they’re expecting me, then I’ll give them what they’re looking for. I’ll draw them out of the control room so you can reach the dagger and enter Carthem on your own. I’ll do everything I can to meet you there.”
“But I don’t know anything about the dagger!” Alina exclaimed.
“There’s ageless serum in its blade. I don’t know how it works, but when someone is cut with it, they are transported to Carthem. Simple.” Rex took a piece of paper from his pocket, unfolded it and handed it to her. “My friend wrote these directions. They begin at the laboratories, so figure out where we’re at now and start from there.”
Alina read the note to herself.
Turn left and follow the hallway to your first right, into a large foyer with a spiral staircase. Take the stairs up to the next level and turn left. Follow that hall until you see a door labeled ‘Operations and Control.’ The code is 469904. Open the door, and proceed to the control room, the third door on the left, code 386022. The dagger is kept in the drawer of the central control desk.
Alina looked up. “Just like that?”
“I hope so,” Rex answered. “There may be guards, and an alarm is likely to go off when you take the dagger, so be fast. Get your hands on it and cut yourself.”
“Do you think Sampson suspects we’ll go after the dagger?”
“He might. That’s why my diversion needs to be big enough to empty that room. But hey,” he grinned, “I know how to put on a good show.”
“Rex—”
“We have no choice, Alina. You must make it to Carthem. And keep yourself alive. Unfortunately, I have no advice for you once you’re there. But you’ll find allies since everyone hates Sampson. Maybe you’ll find Camden.”
He looked at her and his face softened. “I’m sorry I have to leave you. This whole escape has been reckless, out of necessity. But I think you’re ready.” He hugged her and whispered in her ear. “Believe in yourself. Camden used to say mortals were stronger than immortals by a thousand-fold. Something about passing through adversity. I never knew what he meant, but if he said it, then it’s true.”
He opened the door, peeked out, and looked back at her and nodded. “All clear. Stay here for about fifteen minutes while I clear your path. Don’t wait any longer.” He paused. “And be safe.”
She swallowed. “You too, Rex.” He pulled the shield over his eyes and disappeared into the hallway.
She closed the door and locked it, then let out a long breath and glanced around the room. The info-disc on the floor caught her eye. The striking woman on the case looked familiar.
She studied the disc for several moments before it came to her. The woman, once Sampson’s public girlfriend, now lived on Alina’s street. She accompanied him to the Day of Genesis celebration two years ago. He had a different girlfriend now, but Brock and Phil claimed she was still one of his.
Many of his ex-girlfriends didn’t fit into society after the breakup, and this one in particular became the subject of fierce gossip after Sampson let her go. People called her a social climber, a manipulator, an inept lover. She threw a tantrum when Sampson broke up with her and was almost sent.
Alina shook her head. This woman couldn’t possibly be with him. Brock and Phil must be mistaken.
She looked at the cases along the wall and noticed each spine had a name. Since no two people had
