The Chemistry of Lies

Chapter 2

Cal -

"Please please please." I repeated over and over again as I kneel beside the bloodied body. I just got her, I cannot lose her again. I rearrange myself to rest her head on my leg. I let flames engulf my hand as I place it on her face. The "flame of life" if you would. Her eyes flew open as warmth seeped back into her skin. I pulled her into my chest without a second thought.

"Sentinels, we go after the Scarlet Guard. Prisoners if you can." Adelina tensed against me and my heart hurt. Brute force is not her first choice. She looked past me to the bodies and sat up. "Go into the safe room with everyone. I... You know I can't lose you again." When she stood and turned from me, Rylan tossed her a bundle wrapped in a cloak.

"Guard," For just being dead, her voice was strong. "Comb through them. Rylan, cover the second floor with squad one. I'll take ground floor and sewer with squadron two - Moose tracks squads. Pay attention to how they move. Go." The groups were now even 4 4 with Adelina's return. She pulled on a white shirt and took the dress off - I was surprised to see she was wearing black leggings.

"Prince," Adelina called as she tightened her sword to her belt and pulled boots on. "Let us know if we get in your way."

"I don't think you could ever be in my way, captain." Sentinels, let's go hunting!" They followed me with eyes glinting behind their masks. I had no idea where I was going. The Guard - King's Guard, this might get confusing - already disappeared to other levels by the time we exited the hall. Then screams sounded in the walls. "Split! Left and right. Give them no where to go." My team broke into a run, but my steps were no where near as quiet as the King's Guard.

I was trained to kill, they perfected it. 

"Runner!" I yell as I sprint down the hall toward the figure. The Sentinels ripped her from the drain pipe she was halfway through. Daniel hit the butt of his gun on her shoulder and a sickening "pop" accompanied the hitch of her breathe. Dislocated. 

Adelina's group emerged from the shadows at the end of the hall, two people held in their midst. The prisoners weren't injured, just tired, afraid, and very proud. They will not admit defeat. 

"We had them until your Sentinels decided opening the flood gate was a good idea." Rylan spoke as his party followed behind him with one person in tow.

"Do I have permission to intercept them going West?" Adelina's voice came from behind me. I turned to face her, empty handed and a tad embarrassed.

"No, it isn't safe." She lifted a brow in question, but she seemed to sense I had a plan. I could tell she didn't like the ones her mind ran through. My dignity always made it hard to accept she was always the strategic one, but I knew it was true.

"Lead us, your majesty." She nodded back toward the hall. My eyes scanned the prisoners until they stopped on the face of a tall boy. Green eyes. My anger flared. "Adelina and her group come with me. Sentinels and other group go to the prison." Adelina studied me in a way only she can - knowing exactly how I feel in one look.

"Corps squads." Splitting in a new way, they arranged themselves within the Sentinel ranks. The Guard seemed to be more on edge with the sentinels than the prisoners. They were in a position to make sure the prisoners weren't harmed. I turned from the stomach churning sight as we rounded a corner. I called out to Evangeline from her crying heap on the ballroom floor.

Metal walls moved until we stood in front of the frightened royals. "Mare," I said as calmly as I could but anger poisoned my words." Adelina's hand tightened as it rested on the hilt of her sword. The King's Guard flanked Maven and Mare in a way to make them think they were being protected, but I knew it was for the opposite. I knew the wordless communication was still something the royals probably fear - and for a good reason, if I am to admit it.