The Key to Fear - Kristin Cast Page 0,95
be learning new tricks all the time.” She cracked her knuckles and turned back to the bank of holoscreens. “I’ve given the order. Tech is powering us down and activating the light bath. We don’t want to leave behind any fingerprints or genetic material they could use to track the rest of us.” The image on two of the holoscreens pixilated before going completely black. “We need to move.”
Aiden grabbed Elodie’s hand and they followed Sparkman out of the office, running across concrete through the curtains onto moist earth, and into the light of the grow lamps and the rows and rows of plants. He ignored the thoughts writhing within him. All the living things in this building would die. The Key would make sure of it. He swallowed and tightened his grasp on Elodie. He had to make sure they were far, far away.
Another crack of her knuckles as Sparkman turned and sped through a patch of budding tomato plants. “We’ll try to make it to the tunnels, but if anyone is arrested, we’ll need an alternate plan. I’ll send out a truck. It’ll make one pass through this district at exactly twenty-three thirty. The Key soldiers will have cleared out by then. Protocol dictates that they immediately confiscate all technology.” Her braid slid off her shoulder as she motioned back the way they’d come. “They’ll return at first light to collect living specimens. They’ll know what we know—this place is cutoff, worthless to us. We just have to make it worthless to them too.”
They were fifty yards away from the hatch. Fifty yards away from the black depths of the tunnels that he’d been trained to navigate with his eyes closed. After all, that was how Eos operated—in the dark.
“Tech will also contact Echo.” Sparkman continued. “The next—”
Aiden stopped so sharply, he jerked Elodie backward. “They can’t notify Echo!” The idea that Eos would bring in Echo hardened his feet into anvils.
Sparkman’s brisk pace widened the space between them as she neared the hidden hatch to the underground tunnels. “She’s in charge of this region. More than that, she needs to know what’s taking place. We have our own protocols that we must adhere to in order to survive.” She reached her destination and brushed back the thick curtain that lined the walls of the warehouse.
Aiden shook his head. “But—”
“Aiden, there’s no debate here. I do as I see fit and you follow. Especially now, when we are all in danger.” The hatch beeped as Sparkman keyed in her entry code.
Elodie squeezed his hand. “We have to go. What those soldiers did to Astrid …” her chest heaved. “We can’t be here when they get here.”
Sparkman and Elodie were right. He would have to deal with Echo later.
A loud boom shook the warehouse. The lights flickered as another sounded. Aiden and Elodie bolted after Sparkman and toward the open hatch that promised safety. The sharp whine of caving metal forced Aiden’s hands over his ears. His heartbeat raced inside his throat. He’d stopped and it had held Elodie back from reaching sanctuary.
He waved his arms, motioning for Sparkman to continue into the tunnel. “They didn’t come for you!” he shouted.
Sparkman’s chin lifted and her stance widened. “I won’t leave anyone behind.”
A root snagged the toe of Aiden’s boot and he crashed against the dirt floor.
Another boom. Another flicker of lights overhead. Another screech of metal. And then something new behind them—marching, voices.
Elodie crouched next to him. Her red-rimmed and swollen eyes frantically swung from the front door to Aiden before settling on Sparkman.
“Go!” Aiden shouted, “We need you on the outside, not in handcuffs before the Council.”
Sparkman nodded stiffly and pressed her fist against her chest. “After the storm comes the dawn!”
The hatch creaked closed and the velvet drapes fell back into place. Sparkman was gone.
The front curtains opened and a wave of gun-toting Key Corp red burst through. This was it. He’d known this day would eventually come, but he’d never imagined there’d be anyone by his side when it did. Aiden rose to his feet as the sea parted and a single officer marched forward.
Elodie shuddered and let out a strangled wheeze as the man removed his helmet and tucked it under his arm.
“So, I’m sent to find my fiancée in a fucking Eos stronghold.” Rhett eyed Aiden for a moment before puffing up like a toad. “And with Aiden Scott. I’m sure your sister will just love that I found you here.” He turned his