Onbekend(83)

TWENTY-NINE




Arianna stepped down from the car and onto the long driveway that led to the Randolph estate. Molina and Devin were in front of her surveying the area, and Gabriel was behind her, protecting their backs as he made his own assessment. Nixon and Jackson were on one side, with Mica and Turner on the other, forming a complete circle around her.

Molina briefed everyone as they began to slowly walk up the driveway, approaching the mass of injured people spread out on the estate lawn. “Mori said that the rebellion has been stopped for the time being, and many people are hurt. He is trying to track where it started to find out who is the leader, but someone erased all the surveillance footage. His advice is to proceed with caution, as the rebels may still be inside the estate.” The people on the lawn who were still conscious and able to move had organized into two lines to welcome Arianna back. From the front of the house a tall, thin man ran down the steps.

“Molina, Devin,” the man called. “There’s been a rebellion. Lord Randolph is safe, along with Lord Winter, in complete lockdown in his apartment while we try to sort out all of the traitors. We are so fortunate Miss Arianna was not around.”

“Situation?” Molina asked the head of the estate security.

“At least fifty injured. I’ve found almost as many killed, but I haven’t been any further inside the house than the front rooms. We currently can’t get into Lord Randolph’s quarters to assess the situation there, but I expect there are no causalities inside, as he was at dinner with just Lord Winter.” Molina nodded, not giving away any of the information that they had. “Have you been able to make contact with your grandfather?” he asked Arianna, reaching forward to move Molina and Devin out of the way to talk to her. The flash of his estate ring caught Arianna eye.

‘Blue,’ Arianna said softly to Turner, who nodded and pushed her protectively behind him. Devin and Gabriel caught the same gesture and moved in on the tall man. Arianna swiftly hit the man’s knees before anyone else could react. The group all fell to the ground. A high-pitched sound whizzed overhead. Bullets hit the ground behind the group.

“Where?” Molina asked.

Arianna pointed northeast. “Tall building, three people; one whose voice I recognized.” Molina was instantly conveying the message to Mori.

Devin looked to Turner, who was still holding down the chief of security. Turner picked up his hand and pointed to the ring. Devin nodded. Gabriel looked at the ring and then to Turner and Devin.

“I have the only blue ring,” Devin explained. “The rest are fakes.”

“That makes that simple enough,” Gabriel replied, as he switched to his baku form and quickly yet silently moved through the front yard, retrieving anyone with a blue ring and bringing them back unconscious. Molina couldn’t keep her mouth from dropping as the yard was cleared and they were left with a pile full of traitors. In only minutes, without making a sound, Gabriel had gathered everyone.

“That should be everyone outside. Now, that is done, we need to get to the old man.” Gabriel returned to his human form. “How do we get inside the apartment?” he asked Molina, still-stunned.

“Mori can give Arianna access from the roof. Once she’s inside, the system can be opened,” Devin replied for Molina.

“But how do I get to the roof?” Arianna asked.

“It’s easy for me in baku form, but you have never used that form yet. I brought you your own bird to fly you anywhere,” Gabriel pushed Thomas forward. “First, use your connection with Andrew to tell him the way to find the traitors, and then Thomas will take you to the roof.”

‘Andrew?’ Arianna asked, trying to focus on his blood, miles away.

‘One second,’ Andrew replied, and she closed her eyes to help visualize his movements. He moved quicker than Gabriel, and his movements were just as precise. ‘Is everyone fine there?’ Andrew asked.

‘Yes, the traitors are all wearing blue Randolph rings. White and red are the only colors that are real.’ Arianna explained.

‘So, do I get to take out your wonderful friend Devin the next time I see him?’ Andrew asked, as he took down two more people on his end of the conversation.

‘Devin is the only one that should have a blue ring,’ Arianna corrected. ‘And no. I’d never speak to you again if you were to harm Devin in any way,’ Arianna threatened.

Andrew laughed. ‘I was just kidding. Thanks for the info. We’ll have this cleaned up in no time, princess.’

Arianna opened her eyes to find only Thomas standing before her. Everyone else was going through the pile of traitors. Arianna looked around, Gabriel was gone.