Twin Suns of Arterra

25

When Valyn reappeared in the doorway, I felt an unexpected rush of relief. Her face was still tense, but it was no longer drained of color and her eyes behind that band of red were steady.

"The grid is still up?" Aaliyah's words echoed my own assessment.

"For now," Valyn's response was guarded. "I'd like for all of you to come with me." Her eyes met Blade's "We'd like to show you what it is we brought you here for."

Blade's turbulent eyes flicked to mine for a moment.

This was it.

One way or another, we would have our answer.

Blade gave a nod, and Valyn returned it. We followed her out of the room and into the hall. People were still rushing about, all headed in one direction like a river running downhill. I could only hope that this time I would not be dragged under.

The long hallway ended at a door. Here, Valyn turned to face us.

"This," she said, indicating whatever was beyond, "is our base of operations. Everything we've been working toward, all of our plans and efforts are contained here. Before I let you in, before I risk everything that we've fought for, I need to ask you. Are you with us?"

The words Janis had spoken flooded back to me.

"Will you stand with me, Councilors?"

I had known that just one voice had the power to stop it. One vote could have prevented Janis from being able to do this, and even so I had stood up. I had allowed my fear to rule my heart.

No more.

What they had said was true. I felt the weight of it in my chest. The annihilation had never truly ended. It was still happening, and it was our fault. For being blind. For allowing ourselves to be manipulated by a corrupt government.

My eyes lifted to meet Valyn's. For so long I had longed for nothing so much as the chance to kill this woman. To exact my revenge on her for what she'd done. Now, my anger shifted. Its rightful owner was not here, but back on Arterra.

"I'm with you." My voice echoed in the hallway.

The others looked at me. I could feel their eyes burning into my back like laser points, but I didn't care what their answers would be. I could only speak for myself. It didn't matter what happened now. They could choose what they would, but I had made my decision.

"I'm with you."

I turned to meet those storm-filled green eyes. Blade's intensity matched my own. I was surprised by the rush of warmth I felt fill me to know that she would be at my side in this.

"Well I am certainly with you," Thoris said, as if amazed there had ever been a question. "I wouldn't be here otherwise, would I?"

I felt a grin stretch my face.

"There is no question," Aaliyah said. "If Janis is capable of such darkness, we must stop her." She gave a nod. "I'm with you."

All eyes turned to D'hana. Her dark face was unreadable. If Janis was about to do what we thought she was, her people were certainly at risk. There were no domes over the islands, and there was no protection that could help if the grid came down. Still, she had been quiet through most of this. Did she believe what they had said about Janis and Essential?

Her dark eyes flashed.

"This is about more than just my people," she said. "This is about the future of Arterra."

My skin tightened with worry.

If she didn't agree to join us, I wasn't sure what would happen. Valyn had proven herself to be nothing if not stealthy and efficient. I doubted she would just let D'Hana walk out of here. And if it came to that, I doubted Blade would either.