Flickers of Flame Read online

  “About time,” Bridger said, finally sounding like his usual chipper self.

  Thor grunted. “The colonel’s not even here yet. Get off my back.”

  Bridger recoiled at Thor’s icy tone. “Good to see someone isn’t letting the weather affect his mood.”

  I stepped away from the two of them, fully expecting Thor to punch Bridger on the nose. Maybe it was from stress around the impending mission, but Thor was grumpier than usual this morning.

  Luckily, before they could throw any punches, the glow of headlights cut through the thick forest surrounding the academy. The light grew brighter and brighter until a large black truck appeared on the road, trundling over divots and bumps as it steered its way to where the ten of us stood.

  The truck lurched to a stop, and the passenger door swung open to reveal Colonel Zagar, dressed in a camouflage uniform today instead of the usual black Guard ensemble. “All right, cadets. Load up.”

  Shonda was already to the back of the truck by the time the colonel strode over. She waited until the rest of us had formed an orderly line behind her before addressing us. “We’ve stored your weapons back here, along with the weapons the officers will use. Do not touch anything. You won’t need your arms until we make it to our destination. Copy?”

  “Copy,” the group murmured. I nodded, fearing the sudden reappearance of my breakfast.

  She stared at us for a long moment before passing by Shonda and opening the door. One by one we filed into the truck and took seats on the benches along either side. As soon as we were all in, she closed the door, leaving us alone in the dimly lit space. Within a minute, the truck was in motion.

  My pulse thundered in my ears as I surveyed my surroundings. Bridger sat on my left and Nate on my right. Directly across from me was Rina, who looked like she might throw up. A long metal rectangle lined the wall of the enclosure nearest to the cab of the truck.

  “Were our Blades off campus all night?” As far as I knew, the swords lived on campus in a building called the reliquary.

  Nate shook his head. “This is a campus truck. There’s a parking area nearer to the front gate. It’s by the guest mansion.”

  I rubbed my ear, positive I misheard him. “Guest mansion?”

  He smiled wryly. “It’s more a hotel than a mansion. It’s where particularly special guests stay when they’re visiting the academy.”

  From Nate’s other side, Clio chuckled. “You remember our time in the mansion?”

  He tipped his head back, laughing. “Remember when the maids used to chase us out of the linen room? They hated us.”

  My lips curved as I attempted to join in on their mirth, but my expression felt more like a grimace than a smile. “Did you guys stay there once?”

  “We lived there for a few months before we started here at the academy,” Nate explained.

  “More than a few,” Clio insisted. “After Antonio died, your dad wanted us to keep training together—with strict supervision. But he didn’t think it was proper for me to come live at your house.”

  Nate snorted. “I think he was less concerned with propriety and more worried that we’d break a vase.”

  “Or a couch.”

  “Or a window.”

  They dissolved into laughs again, and my stomach twisted. How had it escaped me just how much history there was between the two of them? Their engagement might be arranged, but they were far from strangers.

  “Can you guys quiet down?” Shonda called across the truck. “Some of us are taking this experience seriously.”

  Clio’s smile fell. “Lighten up.”

  “We’re taking this mission just as seriously as you are,” Nate insisted. “One of the most important lessons Antonio ever taught me was that before you go into any fight, you have to remember what you’re fighting for.”

  Shonda offered a simpering smile. “And what is it you’re fighting for? True love?”

  Nate stiffened momentarily before folding his arms over his chest. “You only need to worry about what you’re fighting for, Shonda.”

  I was fairly certain Shonda’s only focus in life was bringing glory to herself, but I kept my lips zipped on the matter. The dossier had indicated we would travel seventy-five minutes from the academy. I leaned my head against the cool metal wall behind me and closed my eyes. I might as well settle in for the ride.

  My eyelids snapped open. Where was I? My neck twisted at an odd angle and my back was sore.

  “We’re here.”

  Nate’s quiet voice was close to my ear, and I bolted upright as things began snapping into place. I was in the back of the truck, and I had fallen asleep—with my head on Nate’s shoulder.

  He was smiling when I turned to face him. “You don’t snore. In case you were wondering.”

  Before I could come up with a retort, the back door swung open, revealing Colonel Zagar outlined by the same weak light that had permeated the school grounds. “Stay in your places while I hand out your weapons.”

  I tried to swallow, but a lump the size of an egg had lodged itself in my throat. The colonel hoisted herself up into the truck and strode the length of it to the metal chest at the end. She pulled open the lid and leaned over the side to retrieve the first stunner. “Cadet Tivey.”

  Rina jumped to her feet and scurried to the colonel’s side. She took the device carefully, as if fearing it might turn into a snake and bite her. After initialing a clip board, Rina headed out of the truck.

  The same process repeated four more times as the rest of Shonda’s team received their weapons. When it was our turn, Colonel Zagar returned the clipboard to its spot and lifted a false bottom from the bin. “All right then. Your turn. I’ll meet you outside.”

  Before the colonel was even out of the vehicle, Nate stood. “I’ll go first.” He strode forward and peered into the container.

  My eyes grazed his muscled back as he leaned forward to retrieve his Blade. If the colonel gave the order, would Nate use that weapon against Farrin or another demon who was only trying to help his people?

  Nate straightened, lifting his Blade from within the storage area. The metal gleamed with a pearlescent shimmer. With a grin, he twisted his wrist to spin the grip in his hand. “This is… kind of a big deal, isn’t it? Our first mission with our Blades. This feels… momentous.”

  Clio chuckled. “Care to share a few words, chancellor?”

  As the guys laughed, Nate’s gaze dipped shyly. But when he lifted his head again, his eyes shone with purpose. “I think sometimes it’s easy to forget that we’re not just cadets. We’re destined for more.”

  Two thuds reverberated through the back of the truck, and Nate sighed. “I should probably get out there.”

  Thor tipped his head as Nate walked past. “What, we’re just supposed to walk around with the weapon out? No sheath?”

  Nate paused, clapping a hand on Thor’s shoulder. “You’ve still got a lot to learn.” Chuckling, he swooped the blade over his own shoulder until it rested against his back. When he released it, it stayed in place as if he had inserted it into a scabbard. I blinked, and it disappeared entirely.

  Thor jolted backward. “What just…”

  “Cool, right? I’ll see you out there.”

  Thor’s face still scrunched with surprise as Nate exited the vehicle, but something snapped into place for me. At the trial, the chancellor instructed me to strike Nate with the Aether Blade. While Nate had appeared unarmed, he’d blocked my blow. But he hadn’t been unarmed at all—the Aura Blade was on his back the whole time.

  Bridger sprang to his feet and reached for his own Blade. As he placed the glimmering weapon on his back, Thor took his spot at the side of the box.

  “You want to go next?” Clio asked, drawing my attention as Thor reached for his Blade.

  I shook my head. “No. You go. I’ll be out in a second.”

  Thor’s retrieval of his Blade happened so quickly, he had safely stowed it on his back by the time I turned to him. Wi
thout looking at either of us, he exited the truck.

  Clio collected her sword and squeezed my shoulder as she passed.

  I waited until she was safely out of the truck before turning toward the storage unit. Four empty stands spread across the bottom of the crate, answering a question I hadn’t realized needed answering. Only Keepers could wield the Blades, which had to make transporting them tricky. I guessed the bases were specially made as a workaround to solve that very problem.

  My palm was damp as I reached for the Aether Blade. I gulped, trying to fight back guesses about why we needed these relics today.

  But even as my mind raced, my skin vibrated with a flush of energy. It was as if the Blade were calling to me.

  I had handled the sword twice before, and I hadn’t sensed any dark or malignant energy pulsing from it. The weapon itself was powerful, yes—but not inherently good or bad. How it was used depended on will of the one wielding it. And the Aether Blade had chosen me.

  Sucking in a breath, I wrapped my fingers around the grip. It warmed against my palm. I opened my eyes to witness the subtle shimmer lighting the length. Lifting it from its holder, I tested its weight in my hand.

  “Jensen, get out here!” Colonel Zagar called from just outside the truck. In a move nowhere near as elegant as Nate’s had been, I swung the sword onto my back.

  My Blade. My will be done.

  Chapter Sixteen

  When I hit the ground outside the truck, it surprised me to see three times as many people as had traveled here with me. Half of the camouflage-clad individuals wore swords in scabbards at their waist. Instinctively, I reached for the Blade secured against my back, but I didn’t grab it. Although the nearest few glanced in my direction as I appeared, their attention swiveled back to Colonel Zagar, who stood at the front of the group.

  Nate caught my eye and beckoned me over to him and the other Keepers. They looked odd amid the other soldiers, all of whom wore stunners strapped to their waists. But if I squinted, I thought I could just discern the outline of their Blades.

  “We trek on foot from here,” the colonel said as I joined the other Keepers. “Be watchful.” She turned and started down a path through the overgrown forest wide enough for three people to walk side-by-side.

  Shonda attempted to be the first to follow her, but guardsman held her back, allowing half of the officers to go first, including one man who pulled an empty wooden wagon large enough for three people to lay comfortably shoulder to shoulder within.

  Then the cadets were in motion. I kept to the edge of a row, beside Bridger and Wyatt. The only sounds were those of feet steadily marching and the occasional bird call or skittering of tiny rodent feet through the underbrush in the surrounding woods.

  My senses were on high alert as I scanned the expanse of the forest to my right. My heart hammered in my chest with each step. If we were really going to raid the distribution hub, wouldn’t the colonel have prepared us before our hike? If there was no chance of a fight, what were the weapons for?

  By the time the path widened into a clearing, the oppressively dark clouds gathering overhead looked like they could let loose at any moment. I scanned the vicinity, looking for any sign of the distribution center. Either it was very well hidden or my assumption had been wrong. I exhaled, my whole body relaxing. Farrin wasn’t the target.

  “Fan out and take positions around the clearing,” Colonel Zagar said, her soft voice easily carrying through the open air.

  A peal of thunder rumbled overhead, the sheer volume making me jump. Somewhere to my left, Shonda tsked loudly.

  A warm hand landed on my shoulder. “Easy there,” Nate said soothingly. “This leg of the mission’s already almost half over. I told you these things were never as exciting as advertised.”

  I stared into his brown eyes—eyes that had become so familiar to me during my time at the Academy. Those deep pools had held a variety of emotions when gazing at me—from curiosity and wonder to pride and a special sweetness that he reserved for me alone. He had accepted me into his team without question. He helped me when I didn’t ask and cheered for me when I couldn’t celebrate myself. The Aether Blade’s loyalty all but guaranteed my place at Blakethorne, and while my information might not always be one hundred percent correct, it was better to have someone on the inside than not. I could stay at Blakethorne with Nate while gathering information that could help Liza and Marco and the people they served. I didn’t have to choose.

  I swallowed around the lump in my throat. “So far, today has been the perfect amount of exciting for me.”

  He took hold of my hand and gave it a quick pulse before releasing it. “We should probably take our posts.”

  But his words faded even as he spoke them. The clearing wasn’t large, and the officers—plus Shonda’s team—had covered the perimeter in a ring so tight, if they were to outstretch their arms, their fingers would touch.

  Colonel Zagar stood at the center of the field, near the empty wagon. “Keepers, with me, please.”

  I cast a glance at Nate, who only shrugged before leading our group over toward the colonel.

  The area was void of anything noteworthy. Before I thought we were coming to raid Farrin’s supply house, I’d been hoping that our target was something important, but not consistently necessary. Like treatments and serums for L-B4. But now I wondered if this entire experience wasn’t an exercise in futility.

  Colonel Zagar regarded the five of us as we took our places before her. “I never thought I’d live to see the day that all five Eternity Blades were active again. But here you stand before me, harbingers of what will surely be dark and difficult days ahead.”

  A peal of thunder ripped overhead, sending a shiver down my spine.

  “Already we’re seeing civil unrest in some cities. Citizens are in active rebellion against the Guard. A day is coming—sooner than later, I fear—when you will stand alongside your fellow soldiers and defend our way of life from those who would seek to dismantle it.”

  Were speeches like this standard procedure during field experiences? I glanced at Nate out of the corner of my eye to gauge his reaction. His expression was measured, as it always seemed to be in situations like these, but there was a slight furrow to his brow that made me wonder if he was as confused by what the colonel was talking about as I was.

  A chilly wind blew through the clearing, raising goosebumps on my skin. A flash of forked light in the sky drew my attention, and thunder cracked overhead.

  “These relics have been in storage for generations,” the colonel continued. “The Keepers in those days knew how dangerous they could be in the hands of the wrong people, and, in their wisdom, they placed them here for safekeeping until they should be needed again.”

  A shiver shot down my spine, but this chill had nothing to do with the weather. “You’re talking about weapons.”

  Colonel Zagar regarded me for a moment, her lips pursed like she was deciding whether to release a reprimand for speaking without permission. “Does that come as a surprise? You are training to be a soldier, are you not?”

  Her dismissive tone chafed. “You mentioned civil unrest and rebellion. Can I ask where it’s happening?”

  “Cadet,” the colonel said, a hint of warning in her tone.

  I should stop, but I couldn’t force the words to stay in. “Is it Amberg?”

  A muscle in her jaw jumped, emboldening me.

  “People there are sick and scared,” I pressed. “We shouldn’t be sending the Guard there, we should be sending doctors.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “We are doing what is in the best interest of that community, and communities beyond the Amberg city limits. And yet, some will mistakenly insist that we could be something more or different. A seed of unrest is a dangerous thing, and it would be foolish to believe there are some within the kis who won’t use false narratives to their advantage to stoke rebellion. You, Cadet Jensen, are in a unique position. As a Blade Keeper, your voice will be amplifie
d above those around you. Choose wisely what you do with that power.”

  I gulped. Colonel Zagar was right, but not in the way she thought. I had power here. Relics were dangerous—so much so, apparently, that Keepers from long ago saw fit to lock them away. In the hands of the Guard’s angelic members, they could cause irreparable damage to vulnerable cities and groups within the kis.

  But they didn’t necessarily have to end up where she planned. The second half of this mission was moving what we found here to another location. When I passed that information on to Liza, she could assemble a team to come for them. With relics in the hands of demons, the playing field would be even for once.

  Bridger’s lips twitched like he was trying to hold something in. But the struggle ended moments later when a question tumbled out of his mouth. “So, these relics? Did they just bury them? Who’s to say someone didn’t come dig them up centuries ago?”

  If the colonel thought his question inappropriate, her expression gave nothing away. “The relics are unguarded, but not unprotected. The Keepers forged wards to keep anyone from taking possession of them. Even their allies wouldn’t have been able to lay a hand on them.” She drew back her shoulders. “Your Blades, please.”

  For a long moment, no one moved. Slowly, Nate’s arm swung up to grasp his sword’s grip, which flickered from transparent to solid as his fingers neared it. One by one, the rest of us removed the Blades from our backs. I wasn’t entirely sure how to hold mine. Suddenly, none of my training in the gym felt like enough to prepare me to handle such a potentially dangerous weapon.

  When all our Blades were visible, Colonel Zagar nodded. “Terra.”

  Bridger startled, but he recovered quickly. He walked from his place in line to the spot the colonel indicated.

  “Aura.”

  As Nate stepped toward her, another ominous rumble permeated the air. I hazarded a glance upward. The clouds were darker now than they were earlier. I wondered how long it would be before the storm broke.