Chapter 054: Shadows and Secrets

Eli and I staggered along the black lane, our breaths raspy and mixing with the coolness of the night as the wind swept over her hair. Every stride seemed like a curse as much as a success. Marconi was gone, but so was any sort of protection we might have grabbed. My ideas flew, every one darker than the next. I looked at Eli; his face was pallid and his gait was heavy.

"You have to relax," I advised, sounding worried. Blood flowed across the improvised bandage around his side. You are bleeding way too much.

He shook his head, his eyes flashing. Away from here. We have to move farther away.

Though it would not make any difference, I knew he was right. Every fall, every grimace that graced his face tightened my heart. We persisted, negotiating tight spaces until we came to an abandoned warehouse. The door creaked open with a reluctance that matched our tiredness, and we stepped into the heavy air gathering in all about.

Eli leaned against the wall and slid down till he was on the chilly floor. He breathed in brief, shallow spurts. I sank to my knees next to him, hands shaking as I examined the cut. It was terrible, yet not as terrible as I had imagined. I could find a job with this.

More to myself than him, "You're going to be okay," I said.

His gaze locked with mine, a sloshy smile pulling at his mouth. "You constantly say that."

"Because it's true." Tying the bandage, I tore a piece of material off my sleeve. You are too obstinate to die.

He winced but did not withdraw. "Good to know my faults are keeping me alive.”

Fighting the tears about to flow, I muttered, " Shut up and let me work." "You're not leaving this that readily."

The stillness that followed was weighty, full of unsaid anxieties and memories that refused to lie buried. Working, I considered our progress and the amount we had given up. For what, too? One triumphant moment in a sea of anarchy?

Eli disturbed the quiet with her words. "Ava, you have to know something.

I stopped; my hands stopped too. "What is it?," asos

He paused, his eyes falling to the floor. Marconi was not operating by himself. He had strong ones for lovers. They will now be after us.

His words weight descended over me like a heavy blanket. Who?

"I'm not sure," he said, clearly frustrated. But I have whispers in mind. People that remain out of sight but pull the strings are known as shadow figures. They would not let this pass.

I closed my eyes and exhaled shakily. We are therefore back where we began.

"not exactly." Reaching for my hand, his grip was feeble but consistent. "Right now we have a chance. A genuine one. That implies, therefore, no more sprinting. We have to go squarely for them.

The idea freaked me. Two individuals against a phantom opponent with resources we could not possibly imagine. But I realized there was no other option when I looked at him and saw the will in his eyes despite the suffering.

Then we fought, I answered, my voice strong. But first, you have to relax.

He refrained from arguing; tiredness always wins. His eyes closed, and I sat beside him monitoring. The gloom outside seemed alive, moving with every ancient structure creaking and moaning. I would not let it, nevertheless, overwhelm us. Not yet. seldom ever.

The hours slink by, each one extending more than the previous. I watched the entryway closely, every sound sending an adrenaline surge through me. Eli swirled, and relief flooded over me. He looked pallid, yet his eyes were clear and concentrated.

His voice raspy, he questioned, "How long was I out?"

Long enough, I answered, passing him a water bottle. "Drink.

He watched, sipping a little, then spoke once again. Our stay here is not possible. Should they follow us—that is "

I interrupted, knowing exactly what I was doing. But you had time to heal.

He nodded, knowing passed between us. "We need friends, Ava. Those who will enable us to pull them down.

"Do you know of anyone specifically?," I asked, hoping to tumble across uncertainty.

"There is someone," he remarked gently. "An old friend of mine—Adrian Kane." He walked off the road years ago and exudes brilliance. He can help if anybody else is able.

"Can we have faith in him?" The question loomed large and vital between us.

Eli paused. We do not have luxury like trust. But it is him if anyone despises these shadow actors as much as we do.

"Where are we likely to locate him?

He turned to show a ghost of a smile. The difficult component is "that."

A sound outside caused both of us to stop before I could urge him more. Steps, weak but clear-cut. My pulse pounding, I went for the little knife I had stashed in my boot. Eli battled to his feet, each motion evidence of his suffering.

The steps got louder and more direct. I tightened myself as shadows moved at the door. A lady tall and slim with eyes that missed nothing then entered.

Eli whispered, "Lucia," and his voice mixed comfort and mistrust.

She has eyebrows, her face inscrutable. Did you suppose I wouldn't find you?

"What are you doing here? " I insisted, my hold on the knife was tightening.

"Saving your life, apparently," she answered coldly. You have created a nest for a hornet. Associates of Marconi are already organizing. Your death is what they want.

Eli winced as he stepped forward. "Why would you help us?"

"Because I hate them more than I hate you," she said, gleaming something sinister in her eyes. "And nobody is safe if they win."

Though just somewhat, the stress was released. "So then, what is your strategy?" I have inquiries.

"We move," she remarked, her voice free of debate. "I have a truly secure place this time. Still, you have to make decisions right now. One cannot turn back.

Eli turned to face me and asked the question in his eyes. Either trust her or not? Though one we had to make, it was a gamble.

"We're in," I answered, speaking steadily.

Lucia nodded, motion already under way. "Then let's leave. Not on our side is time.

Following her into the evening, I could feel the weight of what was coming. The fight just started; it was not finished. But we harbored optimism for the first time in a very long period. And I would hang to that with all I have.

There wouldn't be darkness consuming us. Not if we had any opinion about it.