The Forbidden Trilogy(268)

When Beleth noticed them leaving, he redirected his attack toward Lucy. He jumped at them, using his spider legs to move extra fast.

She pulled her brother aside and guarded him with her body, but before Beleth landed, Hunter jumped, moving even faster through the air. With an impressive flip, he landed in front of Lucy. His slitted cat eyes glowed an inhuman green. When Beleth was within reach, Hunter jumped straight at him and plunged his blade into Beleth's gut. They both fell to the ground, Hunter landing on his legs with a feline grace, while Beleth fell onto his back, clutching a wound that bled a black oily substance. What kind of paranormal was he?

Hunter waved at Lucy without taking his eyes off Beleth. "Go. I'll finish this."

She turned to obey, but doubt plagued her heart. Beleth's death would not be justice, it would be tragic. He hadn't chosen this course; he'd been coerced and controlled by Steele, then left to die by Simmons. Another shitty choice in a series of shitty choices. She hated how pragmatic she'd become in the face of death.

They caught up with Simmons, who ran with them into the jungle. She clearly didn't want to be anywhere near Beleth.

As if they'd crossed into another dimension, Beleth and Hunter felt suddenly far away.

The helicopters should be just a little farther ahead. Luke paled and hunched over as he walked.

She carried more of his weight. "We're almost there." He stumbled and nearly fell, but she caught him.

"I'm so tired." He swayed in her arms, his skin clammy and cold.

The cliff fell away beside them, and the valley below was mostly ash now. Mr. K had burned down there, all because of Steele. They would stop him.

Lucy touched the seeds she still had in her pocket. "We can do this." She whispered to Luke, "For Mr. K."

He nodded, and put one foot in front of another, doing his best to stay upright.

They moved so slow, she didn't know how they were going to make it.

A rustling sound rose from the bushes to her left, and a bright blue light flashed from the glint of the sun. The giant beetle with the unique markings that had helped her before moved through the trees. She smiled, grateful that he'd survived the fires.

Simmons stopped and frowned at her. "Hurry up."

Lucy scowled at the bitch, and couldn't believe she'd ever liked the snake of a woman. "Shut up before I change my mind."

Simmons smiled a calculating smile. "You need me."

"You're right. I do." She propped Luke up, walked to Simmons, and punched her in the face. "But I just need you alive. Remember that."

The bitch clutched her nose as blood poured out. "Mmm nosssse."

"Yes. Now stay quiet." Lucy pulled her brother up and pushed them faster, until they made it out of the forest and found the helicopter, as well as the rest of the base.

One of the few remaining agents who hadn't been killed came running out to meet them. "Are you all right? What happened?"

Lucy took command of the situation. "A paranormal attacked the other side of the base. We have to get to Diamond Head."

The agent nodded. "Take the helicopter. I'll warn the others."

He ran back to the base as Lucy, Luke, and Simmons got into the helicopter. Lucy dropped her twin into a seat and crawled to the front to pilot, and halted. The controls had cracks through them. She flicked switches in a desperate attempt to make them work, but nothing turned on.

No. No. No. No. She banged her hands against the metal.

"What's wrong?" Luke slurred his words like a drunk.

"Beleth." She tried to keep the hopelessness out of her voice. "He must have done it before he came to get Simmons. He... he disabled the controls."

Her blood boiled with fury. With her friends in danger and those kids in trouble, she was tired of feeling useless, tired of failing at everything she did.

"It's okay, Sis," Luke said. "We'll figure out a way."

Lucy nodded but didn't really believe it. Steele had spun a web, intricate and tight, and though she'd hoped to find holes in it, to find a weakness, she always ran into a dead end.

Steele had been too clever: using Beleth to stop Lucy and Luke, using Drake to get Sam. Everything was connected.

Everything is connected. An idea grew in Lucy's mind. She calmed herself and focused, as Mr. K had taught her, and let the frantic thoughts fall away. This has to work.

Outside, the agent they'd seen a moment ago came running to the helicopter, pulling her out of her meditative state. He waved frantically and pointed into the trees, as if warning them.

A streak of black flew through the air, crashing into the agent and sending them both flying out of view.

Lucy swore under her breath, jumped out of the helicopter, and ran to check on them.

The agent crawled on the ground, struggling to breathe.