Chapter 5 The Edge of Truth

Lyra's POV

A shade shifted, though, as we started to depart.

You didn't believe it would be that simple, did you? A voice I knew mocked.

From the shadows, Damien emerged with a warped grin. The actual game is barely starting.

Once more, Kael, you deceived me.

My voice shook with the burden of treachery, not from fear.

Kael's eyes met mine, full of a mix of regret and something else-something unreadable. I did what was necessary to save you.

"Defend me?" Or safeguard your secrets?

The tension between us was obvious, a gap growing with every whispered statement.

Except for the faraway hum of the metropolis outside the walls, the chamber was quiet.

Lyra, I beg you to get it.

Understand what? That you have been concealing information from me from the start?

Every beat reflected the inner conflict my heart raced with.

I moved back as he approached and extended his hand. Don't.

His hand fell to his side, a fist clenched. I never meant to offend you.

You did, though.

The words lingered in the air, thick and unrelenting.

Out of nowhere, the door flew open.

Rachel replied, her voice full of anxiety, "We have a problem." Damien's gone.

Gone? What do you mean? I inquired, horrified.

There is no one in his cell. No indications of forced entry.

Kael and I traded a look. He could not have fled alone.

Rachel said, narrowing her brows, "Unless someone helped him."

The consequences were obvious-and horrifying.

Determination toughened my voice, I replied, "We have to locate him."

Kael said, "Agreed." We have to be cautious, though. Should he be collaborating with Kieran...

Then we are all in peril.

The seriousness of the event enveloped us like a veil.

We divided up searching the site for any hints.

Rewinding the video in the surveillance room, I looked for any irregularities.

"There," I said, stopping the video. Cameras were turned off at 2:13 AM by someone.

Kael bent over my shoulder. Could you improve the picture?

I'm already working on it.

The screen flashed to show a mysterious figure.

Kael remarked, "That's not Damien." Too high.

Who then is it?

The question remained, unaddressed.

Rachel walked in the main hall again. There is a mole.

"It seems so," Kael said. Someone with knowledge and access to our security systems.

Our defenses have to be strengthened, I remarked. ``And quickly."

Rachel agreed. I'll start working on it.

Later, Kael discovered me in the training area, attacking a punching bag with unyielding rage.

"You're going to hurt yourself," he said.

"Better the bag than someone else," I shot back.

He came forward carefully. Lyra, I understand your rage-

Angry doesn't even start to cover it.

He let out a sigh. My apologies. For all.

Apologies do not remedy this.

I understand. Still, I wish to correct it.

"Then start by telling me the truth."

He hesitated, then nodded. Come see me tonight. Up on the roof.

Okay.

I met Kael on the rooftop that night; the city lights sparkled below.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

Get to the point, Kael.

He turned to look at me. I belonged to Kieran's inner circle.

"Excuse me?"

"I infiltrated his organization to gather intel. But I got in too deep."

Why didn't you let me know?

"Because I didn't want you to view me as the foe."

You ought to have believed me.

I understand. I know. Your apologies are appreciated.

Emotions whirling, I turned my gaze. It alters everything.

It doesn't alter my feelings for you, though.

Kael

He moved closer and softly grabbed my hand. Lyra, I love you.

Tears sprang to my eyes. Forgiveness, I don't know whether I can give.

I will wait. I'll wait. "As long as it takes."

The structure was jolted unexpectedly by an explosion.

I said, "What was that?"

Kael remarked, wide-eyed, "We're under attack."

Rushing down, we discovered pandemonium.

"They're here," Rachel yelled. Kieran's troops.

Kael commanded us to go.

Damien? What about him? I inquired.

He is guiding them.

"What?"

He let us down.

I felt dejected. We must stop him.

I concur. Let's go.

You told me the truth, Kael.

Confronting him in the softly lighted corridor, my voice shook.

Kael's gaze shifted away, shame written all over his face. "I did." Some truths, however, are harmful.

More hazardous than falsehoods?

The tension between us was obvious, a gap growing with every whispered statement.

The facility was hauntingly quiet, the normal buzz of activity replaced by an oppressive calm.

"We need to talk," I murmured, breaking the silence. Right now.

Kael nodded and guided me to the briefing room. I still have to explain to you.

"Start from the beginning," I said.

He inhaled deeply. For years I was ingrained in Kieran's company. Collecting information, undermining activities.

Damien?

Kael wavered. He was my contact. Until he turned.

"Turned?"

He thought of Kieran's vision. Believed Kieran's vision. "The end justifies the means."

You should have told me.

I meant to save you. The less you knew, the more safe you were.

You didn't get to choose that.

Kael turned away, obviously ashamed. I understand that now.

Out of nowhere, the door flew open.

Rachel said, her voice tense, "We have a situation." Damien's troops are closing in.

How many? Kael inquired.

Too many. We had to leave.

"Not," I said. We stand and battle.

Kael nodded. "I concur."

Activity hummed all throughout the property as we got ready for the coming assault.

"Are you ready?" Kael said, giving me a gun.

"Always."

He grinned, a glimmer of the former Kael showing through. We should carry out this together.

Chaos broke out as the opposing troops crossed the perimeter.

"They're inside!" one person yelled.

As we fought the invaders, gunfire reverberated along the corridors.

"Cover me!" Kael shouted, assuming position.

I gave him advancing suppressive fire by means of a nod.

In the midst of the fight, I saw Damien.

Damien! I shouted.

He turned, his features twisted into a wicked grin. Lyra. We met once more.

It stops now.

Certainly. But not the way you believe.

We fought, trading punches in the turmoil.

I told him, avoiding his strike, "You were like a brother to me."

"You were naive," he shot back. Kieran's idea is the future.

"You're wrong."

We shall see.

Out of nowhere, a dazzling light flooded the space.

What is that? I inquired.

Kael showed up next to me. This is a bomb. We had to leave right away!

Leave! I'll take care of Damien.

I am not abandoning you! Kael yelled.

Time's up!

He thought about it before agreeing. Take care.

I looked back at Damien as Kael left.

"It's finished," I remarked.

He chuckled. "Not yet."

He lunged and we struggled as the countdown ran down.

Three... two... one...

The structure was rocked by an explosion.

You promised never to lie to me once more.

Confronting Kael in the dimly lit corridor made my voice quaver.

Lyra, let me at least explain.

His eyes sought mine, desperate.

No more justifications. Only the truth.

Heart racing, I folded my arms.

I meant to save you.

He moved closer; I retreated.

Through secrecy? Keeping secrets isn't protection, Kael.

We could feel the tension between us.

The facility was disturbingly quiet, the normal buzz of activity replaced by a suffocating calm.

Breaking the silence, I said, "We need to talk." Right now.

Kael nodded and guided me to the briefing room. I still have to explain to you.

"Start from the beginning," I said.

He inhaled deeply. For years I was ingrained in Kieran's company. Collecting information, undermining activities.

Damien?