Earth(99)

"The amusement park," said the Air. "What happened? I didn't feel anything."

"No, you wouldn't," said Shawn. "It was Akasha."

Shawn squinted into the dark, pinpointing the tall observation tower. Moonlight glinted off the top. "Are those people?"

"Here, use these." The Air handed Shawn a pair of binoculars.

The Fire took his ear away from the handheld. "They've engaged, Sir. Do you want prisoners?"

Shawn ignored him, focusing the lenses just in time to see someone running toward the edge of the tower. "Holy shit!"

The dark form jumped off.

"I think someone just committed suicide. Was it our Lucy?" Shawn's gaze went back to another person still on top. That was definitely a man.

"No – wait for it. I feel air being used." The Air pointed a short distance away from the tower.

Shawn followed with his binoculars. "Yes – there!" The dark form rose into the sky, wavering to get control. The body hung from a not-so-stable-looking miniature hang glider. It was definitely a woman. She kipped up, face disappearing into the apex of the glider.

"Can't be Lucy," said the Air. "That's an Air."

"No," said Shawn, lowering his binoculars. "That’s a Gaia. She went east." He turned to the Fire with the radio. "Is that where the patrol is?"

The Fire nodded.

"Tell them to get out of there!" Shawn took off at a sprint toward his headquarters. "And call in the alarms! We're going west; initiate project red!"

"Sir?" the Fires asked in unison, trying to keep up with his sudden sprint.

"And don't call me sir!" Shawn yelled over his shoulder as he picked up speed.





Chapter 60





The Mark





I began the long trek up the stairs to the observation tower, resisting the urge to use air to push me up. Even after the fight, I had plenty of energy left, but maybe I could give it back to Micah. No need to hold onto it for nothing.

I halfway hoped Natasha and her group was still working on him. It would give me some satisfaction kicking them all out.

You shouldn't think like that. Natasha has done nothing but help you.

I reached the top of the tower, barely breathing hard. The tower was dark, and void of people. There weren't even any guards. I made a full loop just to be sure, tripping over pillows along the way. I lit a small ball of Akasha for light, looking for a clue as to where everyone might be. Nothing.

Quick, panicked footsteps moved across the roof above me.

Shit, I forgot about the guard up top. I sighed. Better go talk to him.

I climbed the short ladder to the roof, and pushed open the hatch. The hinges squeaked and it fell open with a clank. A hand extended to help me the rest of the way up.

"What was that?" the guard asked. "I felt something…weird."

I shrugged. "I was just practicing – my powers have been a little off lately. Do you know where Micah is?"

"Natasha brought him up a few hours ago, he wasn't looking too good. Whatever they were doing wasn't helping, either. She left this note for you."

I took the piece of paper he handed me.





Micah not responding well. Had to go underground.





Underground? Why would they have to do that? I thought of the quick-healing mud concoctions at the Chakra. Was there energy-giving soil nearby?

The map drawn underneath her note indicated a missile silo just east of Denver. I dropped the note, turning east. I didn't need a map – I had my own built-in radar to locate Micah. But first, I needed something else. I picked up a long iron bar that had been pried loose from somewhere on the structure, probably by a bored guard.

"Brr, it's chilly up here." I rubbed my bare arms from shoulder to elbow.

When he didn't say anything, I gave him a pointed look.

"Oh, right." He jumped to take off his floor-length leather duster jacket to drape it over my back.

"Thanks." I grabbed it before he could help me put it on. I slipped the bar through the inside of one sleeve, then the other.

"What are you doing? You can't stretch it – it won't go back into shape."

I didn't answer, taking quick steps toward the other end of the tower.

"Wait, slow down!" the guard called behind me. "You don't want to fall off."

"Oh, yes I do." I sped up my final few steps, then took a giant leap off the 250-foot tall tower. For several, heart-stopping moments, I was in a free fall. The long coat twisted around me. I feared the stench of leather would be the last thing I ever smelled.

Air came to me. It was easy when surrounded by the element. I pushed it up, forcing the coat into an even surface. The transition was so sudden, I almost lost my grip on the bar.