Redemption

Redemption Part 16

"Why are they following us?" said Sol, his voice panicked, all color drained from his face, as if he were part of the ash of Desolation.

"Probably because we're riding forbidden skyriders," said Sym.

"But they're riding them too!"

"Must've been given special privileges...like usual. Don't worry, we're close to home."

"Vy gave me a seal," I said. "We're authorized—they can't do anything to us." If they tried, the invisible agents around us would protect me. I wasn't so sure about Sym and Sol, though.... good thing Sym had powerful lightning. It was Sol I was worried about. Sym could probably protect him, but I hated the idea of him having to deal with his attackers at all. I wasn't sure how much help I would be if it came to a fight, either....

We raced toward the Savannahs'. I wasn't quite sure how close we were, as all the buildings looked identical. The Purity Patrol matched our pace and rose up to our height, the red lights on their white skyriders flashing.

"You're in violation of special code 4453!" said the one in front, a girl of about fifteen. She had blond hair bound up in a bun, and looked severe and businesslike, though her pale face was so young it almost looked comical. The other girl was just as young, a Mirage flickering green with fear. The boy was older, perhaps seventeen, Nobility with long black hair and striking purple eyes. He was the possible threat. But as he grew closer, he had the rather dreamy, vacant expression I'd seen on the flickered-out kids at Festival. Relief hit me; these probably weren't much of a threat.

"Please lower your riders to the ground and surrender them," said the blond girl, her voice a little shaky. If I had to guess, they were new Purity Patrol, recruited because of the crisis.

"We're authorized," I said. I lifted my com from my pocket.

"Hands on the handlebars!" she almost shrieked.

"Com, show her our authorization symbol." The glowing diamond popped into the air, blinking insistently.

The girl flew closer, scanned the symbol with her com. Her expression changed to one of relief and respect. The mirage's skin flickered the dark red of surprise. The Noble raised his eyebrow, looking mildly interested. He skimmed slightly closer, peering at us, his purple eyes sparkling with laconic curiosity. "It's strange that someone not Purity Patrol would be given special dispensation," he said. His silken black hair swirled about his shoulders, some of it sliding across his face. Despite the blond girl taking the lead, it seemed like the Noble might be more experienced; of course, he was older.

"We're authorized—that's all you need to know," I said.

"We decide what we need to know." He swiveled around us, regarding us quizzically, a crease in his brow, his elegant rather vacuous face sharpening into something possibly dangerous, like a poisonous snake lazily rising out of the grass. He rubbed his chin. "There is something familiar about you...."

Perhaps there was something familiar about me, though my mask was fictional, so any resemblance to someone he knew was a coincidence. Perhaps he'd seen Sym or Sol before.... I considered bolting for it, but they'd just chase after us.

Sym lifted her hand and let lightning flicker across it, making it dance between her fingers. I tried to gather lightning, but I couldn't manage even one spark. Panic hit me—I had to do my part to defend Sol—but fear only suppressed my lightning further.

The Noble let lightning pool in the center of his palm, shimmering like water. He then let it dribble down over his fingers and drop toward the distant ground. He smirked. "There's no need for all that. I'm just trying to figure out where to place you...."