Son of Sun, page 21
“You think I should leave Rebecca alone with a pack of vampires?” Stokes said.
“You think you could do a damn thing against us?” Raina pulled herself up and started over the water, leaving a red-faced Stokes behind.
“We should let the vampires go first,” Nola said. “Give them more time to get to ground.”
“You’re coming, are you?” Stokes eyed Nola. “Where’s Jude?”
“I’m here, Captain.” Jude stepped up beside Julian, his eyes cast toward the ground.
“Good to see you alive,” Stokes said.
“Thanks, Captain.”
“Jude.” Al appeared at Stokes’ side. “I’m glad you made it.”
“You too, Al,” Jude said.
“Get across the river, Jude,” Stokes said. “I didn’t send you to get saved just for you to die in the sun. I meant what I said. We need you fighting.”
One of the twins stepped up to the ropes.
“We’re getting the monsters out of our home.” Jude turned his dark eyes up, meeting Stokes’ gaze.
“Too right we are,” Stokes said. “And now I’ll have one guard that won’t complain about working nights.”
Jude smiled. “I’m your permanent volunteer.”
“Go.” Stokes waved Jude to the ropes.
“You really did leave,” Gentry said.
Stokes blinked at her for a moment before cursing under his breath and turning toward the water.
“Nice to see you, too,” Gentry said.
They stood watching while the other twin and Jude made it to the far side.
“Are they going to run on without us?” Nola said.
“They should,” Jeremy said. “We can catch up after sunrise. Our job begins in the daylight.”
Kieran grasped the top rope.
“Kieran.” Nola stepped forward, taking his arm.
Kieran turned to her, a sad smile touching his black eyes. “See you on the other side.”
“Stay safe.” Nola gripped his hand.
Kieran leaned in, kissing her forehead. “You too, Nola.” He looked to Jeremy. “Keep her safe.”
“Always,” Jeremy said.
Kieran nodded and stepped up onto the rope.
Jeremy took Nola’s hand, kissing her palm. “He’ll be okay.”
“I would have punched him and tossed him into the river, but whatever.” Gentry glared across the water.
“And have one less person trying to protect Nola?” Jeremy said.
Nola shrugged out of her pack and leaned it against a tree.
“I can carry that across the river,” Gentry said.
“You’re not used to Graylock yet,” Nola said.
“I’ve been training for Graylock my whole life,” Gentry said.
“Graylock didn’t exist our whole lives.” Jeremy gave a low laugh.
“Doesn’t matter,” Gentry said, “it’s still what Dad was aiming both of us for even if he didn’t know it.”
Jeremy took off the black pack Raina had prepared for him, carefully leaning it next to Nola’s.
One of the big men stepped up onto the rope. A chip of bark cracked off the tree.
“Got any water in that pack?” Gentry asked.
Nola knelt next to her bag, dug past the bundle of green beans, and reached for the water bottle in the bottom. Something around the metal crinkled as she pulled it free. A folded piece of paper had been tied to the bottle with a thin string.
“What’s that?” Jeremy asked.
“No idea.” Nola untied the string, pulling the paper loose before passing the bottle to Gentry.
Nola
Her name had been written on the outside of the paper in an unfamiliar hand.
“Crazy how little water you need on Graylock,” Gentry said.
Nola unfolded the paper.
Dear Nola,
I hope you read this before you break into the domes. I don’t know if you’ll make it back to Nightland, or if Nightland will even exist much longer. I don’t know if I’ll survive having my baby, or if my baby will be healthy enough to live. I don’t know anything except that I want my baby to grow up someplace safe.
Thank you for finding us a way to get to Nightland. For trying to help me find Charles. No other Domer would have bothered with outsiders, and you saved us from those awful cages.
I need one more thing from you. I need you to come back to Nightland, and I need you to promise to take care of my baby.
If it’s a boy, I’m naming him Charles Catlyn. If it’s a girl, she’ll be Charlotte Catlyn, but call her Charlie when she’s good. If something happens to me, you have to remember her name. Paint it across the mountains if you have to, but never let her forget.
Take care of Charlie and Beauford,
T
Tears fell from Nola’s cheeks onto the already smeared paper. Jeremy lifted the note from her trembling hands.
“Did you just find out our plan has been sabotaged?” Gentry asked.
“No,” Nola said, her voice thick with tears.
“Then stop crying, we’re going into a fight,” Gentry said.
“The world is ending,” Nola said, “the only mandatory thing is survival.”
Jeremy knelt next to Nola, wrapping his arms around her and letting her bury her face in his chest.
She didn’t fight the tears that streamed down her cheeks. Didn’t care how many of the vampires and Northerners saw her cry.
There are too many people to say goodbye to. Too many people I don’t want to lose.
“You’re next,” Stokes said.
Nola looked up, expecting to find Stokes glaring down at her. His dark eyebrows had pinched together, but there was no anger on his face. “You two go and run after the Vampers. Gentry can follow with the Woodlands group.”
“Like hell I’ll go with you.” Gentry stepped onto the rope. “Sorry, Stokes. Both Ridgeways are running with the fast folk tonight.”
Stokes watched her until she had reached the halfway point over the river. “I thought you said you didn’t have enough Graylock to save Jude.”
“We didn’t,” Jeremy said, “and we don’t. Gentry…” Jeremy dug his knuckles into his temples.
“We’re going to get enough to finish Gentry’s dose from the domes,” Nola said. “No matter what it takes.”
“I always knew Captain Ridgeway’s kids were going to turn out crazy as hell,” Stokes said. “I’m glad they’re fighting on my side.”
Jeremy gave an almost real smile. “Glad I’m fighting with the evil old bastard Stokes.”
Gentry jumped off the rope on the far bank.
“You next,” Jeremy said.
“Right.” Nola pulled on her pack. “Right.”
“Your arms are more than strong enough to hold you,” Jeremy said. “Just keep a tight grip and you’ll be okay.”
“Better than a tiny tunnel.” Nola’s words came out steadier than she’d dared hope. She gripped the top rope with both hands. The coarse texture of the fibers bit into her palms.
“Keep breathing,” Jeremy said.
Nola nodded and stepped up onto the bottom rope. The line bowed beneath her, swaying as she shifted her weight. She leaned farther forward, trying to balance her pack, and the ropes curved backward, away from her body.
“You can do this,” Jeremy said. “Nola Kent, I have no doubt in my mind that you can do this.”
Centering herself on the rope, Nola slid her right foot sideways. The rope jiggled beneath her but didn’t snap and fall away.
No doubt. I will not doubt.
She slid her foot sideways again, stepping out over the river. Though she knew it was impossible, the sound of the racing water seemed infinitely louder once there was no longer solid ground between her and the current.
Ten seconds, Nola.
She took another step sideways.
You get ten seconds to panic.
She stepped again and again.
Then you’re done.
She reached the center of the river. The stench of the water pummeled her nose.
That’s all you’re allowed.
The skin on her palms tore as she slid along the rope, but she didn’t ease her grip. Keeping her eyes fixed on the horizon, she repeated the action: move right hand and foot, move left hand and foot.
Her right hand banged into something hard. Nola gasped, preparing to fall into the river. She glanced sideways and found herself nose to nose with the bark of a tree.
“Get down,” Rebecca said. “I’ve still got to get my people through the hills.”
Nola stepped down off the rope, taking a moment to convince her hands they really could let go. The pink of her palms was the only sign of the skin the rope had torn away.
She turned east. An empty forest of decaying trees waited for her. The vampires of Nightland had disappeared.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Even as the sun sank over the horizon, its rays burned Nola’s neck. She didn’t mind. Pain meant life. Life meant a chance at success.
The only sounds of movement around her came from Jeremy, Gentry, Al, and Stokes. The Northerners made no noise as they wound their way through the dead forest in the hills, moving ever closer to the domes.
A pinch of worry prickled the back of Nola’s mind even as she focused on the hilltops around her, searching for signs of Salinger’s guards.
They’re okay. They made it. They all made it.
Rebecca hadn’t led the Northerners to the shelter where the vampires had taken refuge, and Julian had left Nola and Jeremy without a map.
A finger pointed toward the woods hadn’t been enough for Jeremy to risk striking out to follow Nightland, so they stayed with Rebecca, hoping Nightland had made it. Hoping they wouldn’t stand alone at the domes.
Hope is the hardest thing in the world to kill.
Stokes and Al moved at the front of the group, keeping close to Rebecca, as though afraid of getting lost. The Northerners didn’t move in one long line as the vampires had, but spread out amongst the trees, winding their way through the forest, as though hoping to leave a maze for whoever might try to follow their path.
Nola walked between Gentry and Jeremy. For the first time since she’d had Graylock, her limbs didn’t burn with the need to run. Whether it was the rise in front of them or the one just beyond, soon the domes would take over the horizon.
Then there won’t be any choice but to dive in and hope enough of us survive.
Nola studied Jeremy’s profile, the slant of his nose, the stubble on his chin.
I love you.
A smile curved Nola’s lips.
I love you.
The sounds of movement in front of them stopped. Jeremy’s brow furrowed.
Nola tore her gaze from his face to look south. The first glint of the domes’ glass peered through the trees ahead of them.
Nola held her breath as she followed Jeremy forward, toward Rebecca.
They’ll see us.
They won’t look on this side of the river.
Rebecca waited, leaning against the trunk of a tree and peering through its branches. “At least the helicopter’s not in the air.”
On the east side of the domes, the helicopter waited. A tent had been erected next to the landing pad, though what might be inside, Nola couldn’t guess. Two guards stood in front of the tent, facing the helicopter.
“We’ll make sure it stays on the ground,” Jeremy said. “If Salinger can send Nallot into the air, we’re dead before we start.”
“What about the guards?” Gentry said.
“We’re fast,” Nola said. “We can make it.”
“Without being caught?” Rebecca asked.
“I’ll go,” Jeremy said.
“We’re going together,” Nola said.
“Can you do it?” Gentry eyed Rebecca.
“I’m used to the way the woods work,” Rebecca said. “That doesn’t make me invisible.”
Gentry turned her gaze back to the guards. “If we get caught and the guards send up an alarm, they’ll get us with Nallot before we can get back over the river.”
“If we don’t get to work soon,” Jeremy said, “we won’t be ready in time.”
Nola glanced west. The sun had already begun to sink out of sight.
“If you have to go, then try making a run for it,” Rebecca said. “But, if you want my advice, wait for a nice opening before you go sprinting at the armed men.”
“What kind of opening?” Nola said.
“I’m not sure,” Rebecca said. “But I like you well enough, I’ll try and come up with something.”
“Thanks,” Nola said.
“We’ll be listening for you.” Rebecca gave a nod and turned north, heading farther into the trees.
“I wish the ground weren’t so open.” Jeremy bit his lips together, glaring at the domes. “A hundred and fifty yards of open space? No matter how fast we run, it’s too far to hope we won’t be spotted.”
“Leaving cover right next to the domes would make them harder to defend,” Gentry said.
“I didn’t say it would have been smart, just convenient.”
“Touché,” Gentry said.
Jeremy took Nola’s hand as he headed east, keeping within the tree line.
Nola willed her shoulders to stay relaxed and her breathing to stay even. “Last time I was in these woods, the Outer Guard were shooting at me.”
“I’m sure they’ll be shooting at us again soon,” Gentry said.
“Gentry,” Jeremy warned.
“If she’s not ready for it, she can wait in the woods,” Gentry said.
“I’m not letting Jeremy go in there without me,” Nola said. “Besides, neither of you would know what to save.”
“Fine,” Gentry said. “Just do me a favor and try to look brave.”
They stopped level with the helicopter. Nola peeked around the side of a tree, studying the tent and the guards.
Both guards wore helmets and full gear. Both held rifles in their hands.
“I’ll take right, you take left?” Gentry said. “You two should grab their helmets and vests.”
“If we can figure out how to get there,” Jeremy said.
“Jeremy, let me take your pack.” Nola slid off her pack of food. “If you two are fighting, then I can set the box.”
“Nola—”
“Give her the pack,” Gentry cut across Jeremy.
“Promise me you’ll get clear,” Jeremy said. “No matter what happens, even if you have to pitch the bag and run, you have to get clear.”
“I’ve got it,” Nola said. “I promise.”
Jeremy took off his black pack, passing the weight to Nola.
“We’re going to have to make a break for it.” Gentry looked up to the cement tower at the center of the domes, toward the maintenance ladder too small for even Graylock-changed eyes to see. “I’m running out of time.”
“How will we know when Rebecca creates a window for us?” Nola leaned forward against the tree, trying not to think of what she wore on her back.
“Do you trust her to come through?” Gentry asked.
“I trust her to do whatever it takes to win,” Jeremy said.
Gentry pulled her weapon from its holster, checking the loaded darts.
Nola gripped the hilt of the blade on one hip and the gun on the other.
Hurt to protect. Fight to defend.
A crack sounded in the trees to the west.
All three spun toward the noise. Six brown blurs darted out toward the domes. With a faint buzz and thwack, an arrow hit a tree near the slowest of the brown things, steering the creatures farther east toward Nola.
“Are those deer?” Nola took a step toward the animals.
“They’re our opening.” Jeremy took Nola’s hand and raced to the very edge of the woods.
The deer charged out of the trees, heading toward the eastern side of the domes.
“Damn she’s good,” Gentry whispered.
The guards spun, their weapons raised, as the deer raced toward them.
“Wait,” Jeremy said. “Wait.”
The guards turned, watching the deer run south.
“Run.”
Still holding Nola’s hand, he sprinted into the open.
Nola looked away from the guards, locking her gaze on the helicopter. Halfway across the clearing, Jeremy let go of her hand.
The horrible feeling of emptiness lasted only an instant. Nola veered away from the others, heading for the far side of the helicopter.
A thump and a grunt punctuated her footsteps, but she didn’t dare look to see who had been hit. She skidded to a stop next to the side door of the helicopter. The doors had been closed, but Nola’s aim wasn’t inside the body of the craft.
Crack.
Nola yanked off her pack.
Not Jeremy. Jeremy is fine.
Three boxes waited inside the bag. Nola pulled out one of the two smaller boxes. Heavy, gray, and made of soft plastic, the box felt like nothing more than a toy. A red beacon poked out of one side of the box. Nola slipped under the helicopter, ripped a hunk of fabric from the base of the box, and stuck the exposed goo to the underside of the helicopter.
In a moment, it was done. Nola rolled away and sprang to her feet, grabbing the pack as she darted to the tail of the helicopter, peering out toward the tent.
Two guards lay on the ground. Blood pooled around the first, while the other’s bare head twisted at an unnatural angle.
Gentry stood over one guard, wiping blood from the side of her neck, while Jeremy stared into the tent.
Nola ran from the shelter of the helicopter toward Jeremy. “We have to keep moving,” she called as loudly as she dared.
“Give me the pack,” Gentry said.
“Shit,” Jeremy said.
“Are you hurt?” Nola removed the second small box from the pack.
“How flammable is Nallot?” Jeremy asked.
Nola passed the pack to Gentry and stepped into the tent.
Nallot.
Large white letters marked the fifteen barrels that waited in the shadows.
“We need to move faster.” Nola grabbed Jeremy’s hand, dragging him out of the tent.
Gentry had already pulled on the half-empty pack. “See you soon.” She ran around the far side of the domes, heading for the back of the cement tower.
