Chapter 6 Echoes of Deception

Lyra's POV

You promised never to lie to me again.

Confronting Kael in the dimly lighted corridor made my voice shake.

Lyra, let me please 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 maintaining secrets? That's not safe, Kael.

The strain between us was obvious.

The facility was oddly calm, the typical bustle of activity replaced by an oppressive stillness.

Breaking the quiet, I murmured, "We need to talk." At this time.

Nodding, Kael guided me to the briefing room. I still need to explain.

"Begin at the beginning," I said.

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

Damien?

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

"Turned?"

He believed Kieran's idea. Believed the goals justified the methods.

Why didn't you let me know?

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

You didn't get to choose that.

Kael turned his gaze, clearly ashamed. I understand that now.

The door sprang open all of a sudden.

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

How many? Kael inquired.

"Too many." We had to leave.

I said no. We stand and battle.

Kael agreed. I concurred.

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

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

"Always."

He grinned, a glimmer of the former Kael showing through. Let's work on this together.

Enemy troops crossed the perimeter, causing mayhem.

"They're inside!", someone yelled.

As we fought the invaders, gunfire rang out along the corridors.

"Cover me!" Kael shouted, assuming position.

I gave him forward fire under control by nodding.

In the midst of the fight, I saw Damien.

Damien! I shouted.

He turned, a wicked grin on his face. Lyra. We saw it once again.

It stops now.

Certainly. But not as 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 vision is the future.

You are mistaken.

We shall see.

Out of nowhere, a dazzling light flooded the space.

I inquired, "What is that?"

Kael showed up next to me. It's a bomb. We had to go 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 to Damien as Kael withdrew.

"I said it's over.

He chuckled. "Not yet."

He lunged and we struggled as the countdown ran down.

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

The structure was shaken by an explosion.

The burden of treachery on my heart, I said, "You never told me about her."

Kael said, his voice tinged with remorse, "I didn't believe it was still relevant."

It matters to me. Everything counts right now.

The smell of smoke and ash was a sharp reminder of the mayhem that had played out; the explosion's remains still hung in the air. Having barely survived, Kael and I found the quiet between us to be excruciating.

Kael broke the quiet to say, "We have to keep going."

I said, "Not until you tell me the truth."

Lyra, kindly. Not now.

"It's our only time."

Running a hand over his soot-covered hair, he moaned. Elara was her name. She belonged to Kieran's close group.

You were connected with her, then?

He shook his head. It was before I knew you. Before I understood Kieran's actual abilities.

Why keep it a secret?

I felt embarrassed. And therefore I didn't want anything to separate us.

It's too late for that.

We pressed on amid the wreckage, our talk weighing us down.

"Do you still love her?" I said, too curious to let the matter slide.

Not at all. I adore you, Lira. Just you.

Then show it. From now on, be truthful with me.

I will. I will. I swear.

A strange sound drew our notice as we negotiated the debris.

I said, "Did you hear that?"

Kael said, pulling his gun, "Stay behind me."

From the shadows, a man appeared and my heart skipped a beat.

Damien I breathed in.

"Aren't you shocked to see me?"

You ought to be dead.

"You can't kill a ghost, Lyra."

Aiming his weapon, Kael moved forward. Stay still.

"Or else?" You will kill me? Go on.

Damien, this finishes now.

Far from over, oh.

Out of nowhere, a flashbang went off, blinding us.

Lyra! Kael yelled, grasping for me.

I am here! I said, confused.

Damien vanished when the light faded.

Kael said, "He fled."

Finding him is imperative.

I concur. First, though, we have to regroup.

Tensions were great back in the safe home.

Pacing, I remarked, "We can't keep doing this."

What options left us? Kael responded.

Allies are required. Those we can rely on.

I may know someone.

He took out a communicator and called a frequency.

Kael here. We want help.

Kael? A voice replied, "It's been a long time."

We are in peril. Could you assist?

"Meet me at the former rendezvous point."

I looked at Kael as we got ready to depart.

Can we really rely on this individual?

We have no option.

Let's go then.

Every shadow was a possible danger, the trip was stressful.

Kael said, "Stay alert."

Always.

A person waited for us at the rendezvous spot.

Kael. Lira. Come in.

"Elara," I gasped, knowing her right away.

"We have to talk," she remarked, her voice somewhat urgent.

You deceived me, Kael.

Stepping back, the chilly night air gnawing at my skin made my voice shake. Shadows danced on the brick walls in the alley's faint light. Kael's eyes became wide as a combination of surprise and pain crossed his face.

Lyra, I can clarify.

"Explain?" I sneered and folded my arms. You said Dorian's plans had nothing to do with you. But I located the papers, Kael. You were all over them.

Hands up in surrender, he stepped closer. It's not what you believe. I was undercover attempting to destroy his enterprise from the inside.

Then why didn't you let me know?

I wanted to save you.

Tears started to rise, and I shook my head. Your protection is not required. The truth is what I need.

A sharp commotion from the alley's entrance reverberated before he could answer. We both turned to see a shadowy figure coming out.

Well, isn't this moving? Dorian approached, a wicked smile on his face, his voice oozing mockery.

Kael moved in front of me to block Dorian's stare. Dorian, stay back.

"Or else?" Dorian mocked, drawing a pistol. You will shoot me? We both know you lack it.

Reaching beneath my coat, I felt the chilly metal of my own weapon under my fingertips. Test me.

Dorian chuckled, the sound reverberating menacingly. How rich this is. You two are playing heroes. But it's too late now. The strategy is already underway.

What strategy? Heart racing, I asked.

"Oh, you'll see shortly."Turning on his heel, he vanished into the gloom.

Kael took my hand. We must stop him.

I nodded, replacing dread. Let's complete this