between some buildings. It was only a few inches deep, but clean enough to rinse off the worst of the smelly gunk that clung to me like a second skin.
I was pretty sure I was stained a few shades red like the eggs we used to decorate for Oester. I remembered sitting on my father’s lap, and using wax to draw geometric patterns against the brown shells.
“I can’t believe we’re alive,” Luke said finally. He’d been quiet on the hike back, though we’d covered most of the distance at a near sprint. “Seriously, an elite and three slagpaw? It’s a goddamn miracle.”
“We were lucky,” Trevor said. He splashed some water on his bare torso, which was still a bit fuzzier than usual, and his voice was a deep growl, but at least he could talk again.
“You know,” Luke said, sitting on the chest we’d retrieved from Quandom, “Steve thought this whole thing was a scam. He made me promise to shoot you if you tried to tell anyone the location of Havoc. I said I would, but, well let’s just say I wasn’t looking forward to it.”
“That should be on a greeting card,” Jazmine joked. “Killing you would give me feels.”
“Brevity is the source of wit,” I said.
“Seriously though,” Luke said, pushing back his hair. “Thanks, I guess.” He was acting weird, but I knew it was mostly the elixir in his system. He probably wasn’t used to consuming so much.
“We should be thanking you,” I said, pulling my wet hair into a loose knot behind my neck. “And now we know that flashy thing really works.”
“I think it’s fair to say we all helped,” Jazmine said, leaning against the rusty remains of a van. “But, can I remind you we’re in the city after dark, and didn’t Marcus say something out night prowlers?”
I took a shaky breath and nodded.
We weren’t safe yet.
The guards let us in after screening us again with the UV light, raising their eyebrows at Trev’s naked torso and torn pants. Every time they turned on the bright lights and I felt the heat on my skin, I expected to burst into flames. My skin prickled, and I thought I felt a burning sensation, but then I was done and they ushered me through. Still human, after all.
After the near pitch black of the forest, the underground lights were blinding. I removed my mask and wiped the sweat and blood off my forehead.
Curate Marcus greeted us first, along with a small crowd of onlookers, who stared with interest at the antique chest we’d taken turns carrying back. I noticed Luke was favoring one side and winced with each step; blood ran down his leg from the arrow bolt in his thigh. I hadn’t seen it outside in the darkness. And Jazmine was cradling her broken arm.
“Things didn’t go exactly as planned,” I said, after we’d entered the private office upstairs Jacob was using as his headquarters. Jazmine sank into an easy chair in the corner, and Trevor and Luke heaved the chest onto the table.
“I’m just glad you all made it back alive,” Marcus said.
“And with the chest,” Jacob said eagerly, running his hands over the cracked leather and ornate bronze hinges. “Have you opened it?”
“It’s locked,” Jazmine said. “Plus, we were kind of busy running for our lives.”
“What do you think is inside?” Trevor asked.
“It could be a trap,” Luke said.
“Or a bomb,” Jacob agreed.
“It isn’t,” I breathed. I’m not sure how I knew.
“Forgive us if we don’t take your word for it,” Jacob said. “But given the source of your information, it’s fair to be skeptical. I mean, the elite are known for compulsing people. It would have been easy to fool you. This could all be an elaborate ploy. Maybe he let you escape, just so you’d dig this thing up and bring it here. Maybe it’s a biological weapon of some kind. An infection.”
“Pandora’s box,” Marcus said ruefully.
“We just risked our lives for this thing,” Trevor said. “And now you’re telling us you’re afraid to open it?”
“Not afraid, just cautious. Unlike you, I need to consider the humans under my care.
“So what happens now?” I asked.
“Sleep,” Jacob said. “It’s after midnight. We’ll get our demolitions expert to check the box tomorrow, make sure there are no hidden wires or triggers. Then, we’ll see about opening it up.”
I wanted to protest, but I felt my knees shaking and realized I was exhausted. I bit my lip and nodded, even though I hated letting