Suns and Shadows

Our Numbered Nights

I still don't leave Saiya's side for the rest of the day. From the window I can see that the sun is beginning to peek. Karpov and Zillah already went to bed. I sigh and lean back into the stiff chair I've been seated in. Then I glance at Saiya to remind myself that she's okay.

"You're still here?" A weary voice asks from the hallway. I recognize Joshua's voice but I don't greet him. I'm still replaying what Zillah said over and over again.

"Where else would I be." I mumble. "There's nothing else I'll be able to do until she's waking up."

He sits on one of the chairs next to me. Zillah's words shout themselves in my head, but I try to ignore it. "I thought so. Your mother was anxious too, but she needed rest. You do too."

"I don't need to rest-" I start to snap but I yawn before I'm done.

He cracks a smug smile. "Sure you don't." Then his expression changes. "I can watch her while you get some sleep."

"I can sleep right here." I insist, stubbornly.

He laughs. "Okay, but that means I'm staying here too."

I let a smile slip on my face. "As boring as you are, it will be nice to have some company-"

"High Commander!" Karpov walks in his face beaded with sweat. "We have a problem. We need you in the Briefing Room, now." Then he turns to look at me. "You better come too. He's going to need some support."

"What happened?" Joshua asks quickly, springing up from his chair.

Karpov's face tightens. "Just brace yourself."

With one look at Saiya, I run towards Karpov.

***

The  briefing room is packed. Inferno members are crammed into every corner of the gigantic library, all of them whispering among themselves. They're all wondering the same thing as I am. What is going on?

Zillah is hunched over a screen. Her face is pale, but she doesn't seem very scared. Joshua takes my hand in his and pushes to the middle of the room. "Tell me everything." He says. The room quiets as we listen for Zillah's response.

"They found us." She says.

The room erupts into a roar. I vaguely hear some people crying in the background. My own mind is blank. Numb. I don't even know what to think. My only thought is that I have to get my family out of here.

Joshua's mouth is set in a grim line. "Please elaborate, Zillah."

"Councillor Arch Bronzeflame is dead." she continued. Everyone gasps and I remember the man who'd stood up for me in the Councillor Hall. How could be dead? "And we, apparently killed him."

I blink. "You did?"

"No. That's not right. He was one of the biggest supporters on the Council for us. Why-" Joshua cuts himself off. "We were framed. And now security is going to tighten. The curfew will be enforced more heavily."

I grip his hand tightly.

Zillah swipes her hand on the screen. A hologram emerges of a single message written in blood.

The Inferno will burn you down ALL of you.

"And that is the message we left. After we murdered his entire family including the grand kids." She looks away as I gasp.

Joshua slams his fist on the table. "We have to find out who they are now. I want the camera footage for all twenty-four hours before the murder. A list of Bronzeflame enemies."

No one moves.

"Now!" He roars and everyone starts getting to work their faces pale and scared.

"Josh." I say firmly. "Josh look at me."

He does and I see his face has a single tear running from his eyes. "It's going to be okay." I say softly and let my hand cup his cheek. "We're going to be okay."

But I don't even believe that.