Talent Storm (40 page)

Shaking my head, I said, “It’s nothing. And sorry about before. I know you fought hard when you and Sofia were attacked.”

He nodded his massive head. “No problem.”

I turned to walk back to my room, shoulders slumped and my head lowered.

“Jaden, we’re having a funeral for Kevin in a couple of hours,” said Valleri. “Tell Sofia and meet us in the main conference room.”

CHAPTER 17

I sat in the conference room for the funeral, reflecting on all of my failures. The other rebels sat around me, and Valleri stood facing us all. I couldn’t believe Kevin was dead. The last time I saw him, he was concerned about me in the middle of a crisis, and then he sacrificed himself for all of us. He was such a good person. During my time with The Underground, he was second only to Sofia in the time we spent together. He had become a good friend in that time.

Just days before he was killed, I had finally beaten him in a game of chess. He must have gotten cocky and took his queen out early. I developed my pieces quickly while attacking his queen. He was forced to move it repeatedly until I finally trapped and killed it. He was better than me, but down a queen he didn’t have a chance. When I checkmated him, I felt like it was a big accomplishment. Now it made me feel terrible that the last game he played, he lost, just like he lost his family and now his life. I’d never forget him or his sacrifice to save us.

Valleri motioned for silence, and the rebels ended their conversations. Now that I really studied her, she looked worn and ragged. Her tear filled eyes sat above dark circles; the wrinkles in her forehead seemed to have deepened. I had never seen her shed her hard commanding exterior before today. Her emotional display showed that she was human after all, that she wasn’t stone. After Valleri gave a eulogy, we all lowered our heads for a moment of silence.

All of the rebels were crying to some degree including myself, but Sofia cried the hardest, her body racked with sobs. Feeling the need to comfort her, I slid my chair next to hers and put my arm around her. She still wore my green wool cloak, but replaced the rags underneath it. She looked up at me, eyes red and puffy. I rubbed her back. Now that Kevin was gone, I needed to be here for her more than ever.

Sofia pulled away and stood. “I’m going to say something also,” she said through sobs.

She walked with the ease of an experienced warrior to the front of the room. She seemed oblivious to the whipping she had just taken. Although she was crying, she stood up straight, her shoulders pressed back. My respect for her increased.

“Kevin meant the world to me. He was a mentor, a friend, and a savior. He pulled me back from the brink of death, showing me that life was worth living and that beliefs were worth fighting for. And I for one still believe in him and the cause. I vow to fight stronger and more ruthlessly to avenge him. I vow to bring liberation to our people by killing Goldwater. They thought that they could exterminate us? That they could push us around? Well not me!” With her final words, her tears streamed with a renewed vigor. She spoke in a low but determined voice. “I will avenge you friend... and I will miss you.”

She returned to my side and without hesitation pressed back into me. Valleri looked at us, catching my eye before giving me the faintest smile. I guess that she was satisfied that her plan was working. I looked around the room wondering what the other two thought about my nearness to Sofia, but they didn’t seem to care.

After Pavel and Barid spoke, it was my turn. I stood before the rebels, wringing my hands. “Kevin opened himself up to me when few people would. Without even knowing it, his kindness dissolved the barriers I’d built, and we became good friends.”

I shook my head, feeling tears wet my eyes. “My time playing chess with him and our conversations, made me feel normal again. Now, Goldwater has killed him, just like he killed my parents, my best friend, and my love. I’m done with Goldwater controlling my life and killing my friends. I’m done with him oppressing his people. I vote we attack now.”

The rebels shifted and exchanged glances. I eyed our commander.

“Hmm,” Valleri said.

All eyes focused on her.

“He’s right. Goldwater has stepped up his attacks on us and innocent civilians. We can’t afford to wait for our indirect attacks and sabotage to weaken him anymore. We need to be more aggressive.”

“It’s going to be tough but as long as I’m with you, we can do it.” Barid said.

Valleri grunted a laugh. “How about you just take care of Goldwater while we wait here? I could use a nap.”

Sofia and I laughed.

Barid frowned. “I would... but I don’t want to rob you of all the glory.”

“Of course,” said Val.

Sofia rolled her eyes.

Pavel’s statue-like expression didn’t change.

Valleri continued, “We wouldn’t stand a chance in a direct assault against Goldwater with his grand dukes supporting him. We’ll have to isolate the grand dukes, killing them one at a time. Even that was impossible before, but now we have Jaden.”

My eyebrows rose. Was I that much of a difference maker? “Grand duke... I tangled with one of those back before I was captured.”

Sofia gasped next to me.

“Alone... and lived? Impossible,” said Barid.

“No. Unfortunately I didn't make it,” I said.

A laugh escaped Pavel’s mouth, but he didn’t smile.

“So that was you,” Valleri said, raising her eyebrows. “You caused the death of Grand Duke Horn, one of the most powerful talent wielders in all of Liberty.”

“I didn't kill her. We just fought, and I barely survived the attack.”

“No, I didn’t mean that. Goldwater killed her after her failure to assassinate or capture you.”

I shook my head. “Why would he kill a powerful supporter?”

“He’s a maniac,” said Valleri. “He’ll do whatever pleases him. He doesn’t think he needs anyone. We’ll kill his last two grand dukes, and then we’ll kill him. Who’s with me?”

Valleri looked younger, her air of absolute control returning. My confidence grew. Despite our differences, I believed in her.

Sofia sat straight, her tears now dry. “If you think we can do it, Val, I’m in.”

I nodded. “Obviously, I’m in.”

“I believe in the cause. I am for fighting,” Pavel said as he raised his bulky frame to his nearly seven-foot height.

I was happy he was fighting for us.

“You’ll need me, and I wouldn’t miss a chance to avenge my family,” said Barid.

“It’s settled then,” Valleri said. “If we can succeed, we will no longer have to watch our loved ones die at the government’s will. We and all the other citizens of Liberty Kingdom will finally be free.”

While the other rebels were talking amongst themselves, Valleri approached me. “Jaden, a word with you.” She waved to a side room, then proceeded toward it.

Before following, I put my hand on Sofia’s shoulder. “I’ll be back in a little bit. Let’s talk.”

When her lovely chestnut eyes met mine, I felt my heart skip a beat. Even with puffy, red eyes, she was breathtaking.

“I'll be in one of the open bedrooms down the hall. Don't be long.” She stood and started to walk away.

“Hey,” I called after her.

She looked at me over her shoulder.

“Take my shower water-ration for today. Relax. You’ve had a hard couple days.”

She smiled, her profile transforming into a work of art that I could admire forever.

☼☼☼

I entered the room Valleri had indicated. She sat at a desk with a pencil in hand and paper below it, tapping her foot. Next to the paper was a jar with pencils and pens in it. Without looking up, she motioned for me to sit in a rickety looking metal chair. I wiggled the back of it with a frown, then shrugged and sat. I lifted the jar and spun the writing utensils around with my finger.

Valleri cleared her throat. “Jaden,” she said, sounding impatient.

I put down the jar and looked up. She looked ragged again. I imagined it was difficult for her to keep up appearances all of the time. Her brown eyes lacked their usual sparkle, but when she focused on me, I saw her strength. Did her determination ever diminish?

When she spoke, her voice was crisp as always. “You’re concerned for me. Maybe you even think that I don't have what it takes to lead us to victory.”

I raised my hands in protest. “I don’t think—”

“Well I have plenty left to give, and we will win.”

“How did you do that? I didn't even register your telepathic talent,” I said, shaking my head.

“Hah, I don't need talent to read you. Fortunately, your poker skills are not what I'm interested in.”

My eyebrows rose involuntarily.

A smiled played itself out on her lips. “Jaden, you dirty boy. What's on your mind?”

The sheer unexpectedness of her implication shocked me and my face reddened.

“It's time to get your mind out of the gutter and get to business,” she said, her face growing hard.

“What? I wasn’t—”

She held up a hand, cutting me off. “Jaden, now that you’re working for me, you will follow my orders. You can’t go off to serve your own purposes.”

If Sofia was in danger, I knew I’d still disobey.

My mind tingled and Valleri frowned. She had read my mind! I seethed at the invasion but didn’t care if she knew. I’d still do what I wanted. A sudden, indefensible wave of manipulative talent assailed me, and my will crumbled.

“Of course Valleri, I’ll follow your orders.”

“Good,” she said smiling. “I know why you went after her.”

“What?” I thought about chastising her for making Sofia attract me, but what was the point?

“Come on Jaden. I see the way you both light up when together.”

My face grew hot, and I looked down.

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. As you know, I wanted this to happen. Still, I’m happy for you both.”

I smiled at her honesty. It felt good to have everything out in the open at least.

“And Jaden, I do believe it’s important to protect our own. I’ll do my best to make sure we’re all safe.”

I nodded at that, believing her. “So what happened at the prison?” I asked, feeling guilty.

She pressed her lips in a thin line while shaking her head. “Honestly it wouldn’t have mattered if you were there. I thought we could save them despite the obvious trap, but when we got to the outskirts of the prison, I knew it was impossible. I sensed Goldwater and both grand dukes inside. We would have been slaughtered even with your help.”

Some of my guilt faded away; I was only partially responsible for their deaths. No, stop! I didn’t kill them at all. Goldwater killed them. I had to remember that he was responsible. Those people weren’t guilty of any crimes. They were just sticking up for their rights. Now they were all dead. It was wrong to oppress people, yet it had been happening for thousands of years. Would it ever end? Selfish people with power become monsters. Was that what I was? Maybe, but I’d return Liberty to the people.

“Our current course of action is extremely dangerous,” said Valleri. “If you weren't around, a direct assault would be impossible.”

“But you and the other rebels all have talent. Am I really that important?”

She sighed, leaning in closer. “Honestly, yes. You will make a huge difference. Apparently you haven't realized it yet. You fought a grand duke and lived. You’re probably the only living person who could rival the archduke.”

“But I lost.”

“Grand Duke Horn would have easily killed our entire resistance. The fact that you survived is incredible.”

I had only survived because of Lilly, and I barely did, but I didn’t want to destroy her hope. An image of Goldwater’s boot crushing my chest appeared in my mind, and I grimaced. If my power didn’t keep increasing, then we were all dead.

“Let me tell you a story about Archduke Goldwater,” said Valleri. “Years before leading The Underground, Kevin and I were part of another rebel faction, called Liberty’s Freedom Force. Our leader was Nadia Young, a powerful telekinetic like you. She had a heart of gold and dreams of a better tomorrow. Through hard work, she convinced twenty powerful, talented citizens to join her cause. She believed the twenty of us could kill Goldwater. During one of his rallies we were given the chance.”

I slid to the edge of my seat, no longer afraid of it breaking. “What happened?”

“The archduke sensed us before we were even close. He leapt in a high arc off the royal litter, his cape flapping behind him and landed amongst us with a thud. Three rebels immediately ran. One was Kevin. He was still very young and it was his first battle. I didn’t blame him. As you saw, he got much tougher. The others stood firm, ready to fight, with Nadia leading the way.”

She looked off, shaking her partially gray head. Had her hair gotten grayer since I met her?

“Nadia flew at the tyrant like lightning, her spear aimed at his heart. He stepped aside, quicker than the eye could see, and she crashed into his litter. Goldwater stood next to her laughing. How can anyone be that fast, react that quickly? Next thing I knew, Goldwater’s telekinesis smacked into us, throwing us all to the ground. Dazed, I tried to stand when his other talent struck. I felt his will in my mind battling my own.
Kill
it said,
Kill.
I shivered, a cold dread overtaking me. Then I fought back. My telepathy sparked to life, expelling his will. I remember smiling, thinking that I’d somehow bested him. That was when I heard the screams. My head jerked around as my rebel companions sliced, stabbed, and beat each other to death. They couldn’t resist him.

“Talent, that’s horrible.”

She closed her eyes. “Nadia had it the worst. She was a powerful ally but a worse foe. Laurie, her lifelong friend, charged Nadia, but she exploded in a white burst of talent before she took three steps. Then Nadia turned on her other friends, ripping off arms and legs and crushing skulls.

“After killing most of them, she soared through the air and landed on me, slamming me to the ground. She raised a dagger, her eyes cold. I’d never seen her look at me like that. I tried to stop her with my talent, but Goldwater was too strong. I thought I was finished, but then another rebel hit her in the head. She fell off me, the dagger clattering to the ground. I scooped it up and stabbed her in the chest. It was the hardest, most horrible thing I’ve ever done. Dying, she looked at me with sad eyes and mouthed the words, ‘I love you.’