Life - Life & Death Book 1

Chapter 25 - Part 1 - Zivena

"What the hell was that?" Mictain yells, surprising everyone nearby. He holds his side at an odd angle, the gashes along his chest and arm have started to clot.
    We'd left the arena in a hurry. By the time the Guardians watching registered what had happened we were already running through the doors.
    Artemis is the first one to step forward but I speak before she can open her mouth, "Someone better tell us that wasn't some sort of joke."
    "Of course it wasn't," Taregan snaps. "Why would we do that on purpose?"
    "Then why was it here?" Mictain growls.
    Holy gods he's scary when he's angry. His scar is more noticeable when his face is screwed up like that.
    "How should we know?" Hod says calmly. "We did not invite it here."
    "I really think we're missing the point." My anger starts to match Mictain's. "How the hell did it get out of its cell?"
    Everyone shuts up at that.
    Taregan's face falls. "What?"
    "Are you telling us that that was Steve out there?" Artemis says, her voice surprisingly void of emotion. I'd laugh at this ridiculous situation if Steve wasn't a soulless Unholy demon hell bent on messing with our minds.
    "Yes!" Mictain says, throwing his hands up but regrets it as pain spasms across his body. I step close to him and let my power sweep through his body, assessing the damage. Besides the visible gashes, there are a few fractured ribs and bruising along his back where he had hit the tree. He's lucky it didn't break. I heal what I can while Artemis calls Tolinka to organize an investigation into how the demon was able to escape and Hod and Taregan discuss what to do next.
    "I can't heal your ribs yet," I give Mictain an apologetic look. "I've tried a few times with Airmid but the fractures keep mending wrong. I wouldn't want to risk messing them up."
    Mictain looks down at his chest and arm and rubs his lower back where the bruising was just moments ago. "It's alright," he shrugs, "I feel much better then I did two minutes ago."
    "Excuse me? Taregan?" We all turn to see a student standing by the door that leads outside.
    "What Hastin? This really isn't the time," Taregan says.
    "I'm really sorry, sir," Hastin looks at each of us. "But I was sent up with news from New York."
    "What news?" Mictain steps forward.
    "Two more humans have been discovered. Same fatal injuries as Ander and the hiker. Also the Guardian that found the bodies was kidnapped from the scene. It was Sinopa, sir. She only graduated from here four months ago."
    Shock rushes through the corridor like a hurricane.
    "Thank you Hastin. I know she's a friend of yours."
    No.
    I brush past Artemis and Taregan and grab Hastin's arm before he turns away. I hold his gaze as I say, "I will find her. I'll tear down the city if I have to."
    Hastin stares at me, his gray eyes wavering. "Thank you," he whispers.
    "Zivena, we need to leave," Artemis says from behind me. I nod, moving to stand next to Mictain.
    "Tonight we'll head back to New York and set up a briefing for tomorrow morning," Taregan rubs his face, exhaustion wearing him down.
    Hod steps towards us, "Quickly get changed and bring your gear. We will meet you outside in fifteen minutes."
    The three of them walk away, Hod and Taregan discussing possible threats and Artemis on the phone, organizing our flight to New York.
    Mictain sighs. "Everything changes so quickly."

✲✲✲✲✲

Mictian and I step out into the daylight, the noon sun harsh. Our committee leads us round the back of the stadium to where a helicopter is waiting for us. The blades slash through the air, forcing the loose snow up in a mini snowstorm. Hod and Artemis run ahead as Taregan steers us toward the open cabin. He closes the door behind us and we all put on the headsets provided as we sit down.
    I try to relax as the helicopter rises above the trees and the stadium. All the Guardians who had come to watch us are slowly making their way back to the Hub. I notice the arena then. Blood, bodies and ash fill my vision. There's a patch of ground where no snow settles because it's still warm. How can two people possess this much power? How is it allowed? My stomach turns just thinking about it.
    Opposite me, Mictain shifts in his seat to get my attention. I look up into his eyes and realize he's thinking the same thing.
    We pass over a bustling city. There are thousands of people living their lives with normal worries: what to do that evening, whether or not they're in the right job or what to have for dinner. They're worried about their children or partners or themselves. They're stumbling through life and making mistakes as they go. But what are the consequences if I make a mistake?
    The helicopter lands a few miles from the airport. The six of us jump out and head straight for the two Jeeps waiting for us a little ways off. The drivers take off the moment the door shuts behind Hod.
"Once we are on the plane we can run through the details that have been sent through to Artemis," Hod says quietly. We both nod but don't reply. There will be time for talking later.
It doesn't take long to reach the airport. We bypass the usual drop off areas and head straight for the fence bordering the runways. Two Guardians open up the gate and wave us through.
The Jeeps stop on the runway near a small private plane. We pile out of the cars and I overhear Taregan on the phone with someone in the control tower, checking weather patterns and the flights going in and out of JFK.
Mictain stands beside me. "This is incredible. A private jet? I wonder what else they have up their sleeves."
I give him a small laugh. "It's a little over the top, isn't it?"
He smiles at me. "It really is. But at least you're going home now."
"Once we figure out what's happening I'd love to meet Julia. If you don't mind, of course."
Mictain stiffens but slowly relaxes. I guess he's never had anyone to meet her before. He gives me a searching look before saying, "I think she'd really like to meet you."
"Well it's sorted then." He smiles at that.
"Mictain. Zivena. The plane is ready," Hod calls by the stairs.
We pick up our bags and I notice Mictain wince and his hand jumps to the ribs along his left side. We make our way into the plush cabin inside. Polished wood panels line the cream walls and lush recliners fill the space.
Mictain and I head to the back of the plane and take two seats facing one another.
"Would you like something to drink before we take off?" An attendant asks. I shake my head as Mictain says, "No, thank you."
As I settle into my recliner, I can feel the adrenaline finally wearing off.
Taregan collapses into a seat over the aisle from us, a scotch in his hand.
"Someone needs to look at Mictain's ribs, he's got three fractures," I say.
Taregan gives Mictain an assessing look and nods, "There's a medic on the plane. Once we're in the air they can have a look at them."
"Thanks," Mictain replies to the both of us.
"We'll also have to discuss the details of the case once," Taregan says.
I give him a nod, too tired to make my brain form any more words.
I pull my legs up onto the recliner and try to get comfortable. It's taken six months and breaking past that block in my mind to build up the amount of stamina I needed for our 'arena challenge'. But even then it wasn't enough. Our fight had barely last twenty minutes according to Artemis and it had taken everything I had just to stand on my feet by the end of it. My eyes drift closed as the plane enters the runway and we finally take off. It feels like we've been traveling for hours and we still have hours ahead of us. Before I drift off to sleep completely, I feel someone covering me with a warm woolen blanket.
"She can't sleep right now," I hear Taregan's annoyed voice as the wings of the plane rattle.
"I can fill her in when she wakes up."