Reaching Retribution(67)

Dravin orders the Gadramicks surrounding Adam and Liam to stand at the end of the platform. Two men stand behind them and two stand on either side of them, making sure that neither attempt to run. Dravin walks to the other side of the platform and quietly talks to Natasha and Valdus. I glance down at Natalie. She watches her twin through narrowed eyes. With a tight jaw and clenched fists, her feelings toward her sister are obvious to everyone surrounding us. Conner walks up and pats his sister on the back.

“What if we have to hurt her?” Natalie says to him. “What if she tries to kill either one of us?”

“I don’t know, Nat. I don’t know,” Conner says as he pulls her in for a hug. “What I do know is that she’s not the same girl we grew up with. She’s not the same Natasha. I just have to hope that girl is in there somewhere.”

Natalie nods and lays her head down on Conner’s shoulder. I look behind me again. More mages are here. I’d say about half of our group is now crouching down in the field behind me, waiting for their cue to go. This could actually work. I have to keep a realistic outlook in mind. There’s always a chance this could turn out way different than what we are intending.

I turn to my left where Bragden, Incendia, Lily, and Logan are all crouching. Bragden and Incendia are quietly arguing amongst each other. Incendia wants to be on the frontlines fighting as many Gadramicks as she can, while Bragden wants her to stay by his side where he can keep her safe. Lily and Logan are talking to each other in hushed tones. I watch Lily for a couple of moments. I’ve never seen Lily this open before. I hung out with her and other jocks while in school, but I never saw this side of her. I never realized how much people change themselves to fit in with others. This Lily is much more likeable, and I’m glad Ryanne helped save her. I’m glad she found Logan…even if they won’t acknowledge it at the moment.

“Hey,” Tom says as he comes up behind me. “We only have two or three more groups to come before we’re all ready. I’ll come back over here when Vincent and Larkin have transported everyone. It’ll be a few more minutes. Do not do anything until then. No matter who or what comes out of those compound doors.” Tom looks to Conner and David. “Do not let him move from behind these bushes until we’re all ready, okay?” David and Conner agree.

A couple more Gadramicks come out of the compound and walk to the open area in front of the platform. “They’re going to reveal Zahtri’s identity tonight.”

“How do you know that?” Natalie asks me.

“What else could they be doing?”

“I think you’re right about that,” Kyril says as he stops behind me. “Dravin wouldn’t bring all the Gadramick’s out in the open like this if it wasn’t important. He wouldn’t risk it.”

“This could be the prophecy? This could be the moment that we’ve been told about?” Emma asks.

“I guess it depends on Ryanne. She hasn’t been training the past couple of days. She hasn’t been eating, so she won’t have her full strength. And if she’s hurt…” I trail off. I know that she has a few injuries. “We’ll see what happens,” I finally say.

On the platform, Dravin is saying something to Adam and Liam, but neither seems to the listening. They both have blank expressions on their faces as they stare down at the ground. Dravin’s getting angry. Liam turns to him and says something. Even from this distance, I can see the anger in his eyes. Dravin reaches back and punches him in the jaw. Natalie gasps beside me and covers her mouth to keep from being any louder. Liam’s head whips back, but he doesn’t react. With a grunt, Dravin storms to the opposite end of the platform and yells at Valdus before rushing back into the compound.

“What the heck is going on?” Incendia asks.

The Gadramicks all quiet down and turn toward the compound doors. “I think we’re about to find out.”





Chapter Twenty-One


Colton


Though only gone for a few minutes, Dravin walks out of the compound again, much calmer this time, and addresses the crowd. “Settle down. Settle down,” Dravin states as he walks to the center of the platform. The already quiet Gadramicks turn and give Dravin their attention.

“I know many of you are wondering what is going on right now—why I brought all of you out here.” He claps his hands. “As all of you know, we’ve had a couple guests here this week.” He gives a pointed look to Liam.

“Where’s the girl?” the Gadramicks shout. “Where is she?”