Chapter 7 Echoes of Betrayal

Lyra's POV

You kissed her.

The words left my mouth before I could stop them.

Lyra, I-

"Stop." Simply... don't.

Kael extended his hand; I retreated.

"It was a mistake," he added, almost whispering.

A blunder? Is that what you name it?

I assumed you were dead. I believed you were gone.

You went to her then?

It wasn't like that.

Then tell me, please.

Guilt written on his face, he turned away.

I cannot.

That finishes us then.

As we got ready for the mission, the tension between us was obvious.

Kael remarked, looking away, "We have to concentrate."

I said tersely, "I am concentrating."

Now is not the moment for personal problems.

Say that to yourself.

He groaned, clearly irritated.

Let's simply finish this.

I concur.

The building loomed ahead, its black shape a sharp contrast against the night sky.

"Are you set?" Kael inquired.

"Always."

Our footsteps were muted by the soft earth as we proceeded quietly.

Left flank will be mine, I muttered.

"Be careful," he said.

You as well.

The hallways were hauntingly silent within.

I said, "Something's not right."

I concur. Remain vigilant.

Out of the darkness, a person appeared.

Lyra, Kael. What a pleasure to run into you here.

Damien, I spat.

Miss me?

Not at all.

With his gun pulled, he grinned.

Let's wrap this up.

Gunfire broke out, the noise in the little area blaring.

"Cover me!" Kael yelled.

Understood!

Our training kicked in, we moved in tandem.

He's going to the control room, I remarked.

We cannot let him arrive there.

We chased Damien inside the building farther.

"Stop!"

"Catch me if you can," he teased.

Damien was at the primary console in the control room.

He continued, "One push of this button and everything goes up in flames."

Kael said, "Don't do it."

Why not? You have robbed me of everything.

I begged, "It doesn't have to finish this way."

"It does, though."

He pushed the button.

"No!" Kael and I yelled together.

Alarms sounded, red lights blinking.

We had to go right away! Kael stated.

Damien? What about him?

Let him go!

The building trembled all around us as we dashed down the hallways.

Kael pointed, "This way!"

I am right behind you!

The structure shook from an explosion, tossing us off balance.

I yelled, "Kael!"

I am ok!

At the exit, the night air was a pleasant respite.

Breathless, I remarked, "We made it."

"Just barely."

Kael looked at me as we gathered our breath.

"Lyra, regarding earlier-"

No.

"Let me explain, please."

I cannot do this now.

He understood and nodded.

I will let you alone.

Thanks.

Out of nowhere, a voice crackled across the radio.

Lyra, Kael. Do you understand?

Lyra here. Proceed.

A signal has been intercepted. Kieran is preparing something major.

What is it?

We don't know right now, but it's coming shortly.

Kael and I traded glances.

He said, "Looks like our work isn't done."

"Not by a long shot."

I always loved you.

Though Kael spoke softly, his voice struck me like a thunderclap.

So why did you let me down?

Anger and pain made my words shake.

I believed I was saving you.

He extended his hand; I retreated.

"Lying?" By hiding knowledge?

I felt tears in my eyes.

I was incorrect. I understand that now.

His eyes begged for pardon.

"It's not that easy, Kael."

I looked aside, attempting to gather myself.

The goal was obvious: get inside Kieran's fortress and get the information back.

Rachel said, "We move at dawn."

"Understood," I said, looking away from Kael.

Kael came to me as we were ready.

Lyra, we have to talk, please.

This is not the moment.

We could be running out of time.

Then do it fast.

He paused before speaking.

I joined Kieran's ranks to defend you, to collect intelligence. Somewhere along the road, though, I lost myself.

And in the meantime, you lost me.

I understand. I know. Your apologies are appreciated.

Apologies don't solve this.

Defeated, he gazed down.

It started off without a hitch.

"Clear," I said, indicating the rest.

Silent and quick, we traversed the hallways.

Rachel observed, "Intel room ahead."

I said, "Let's go."

Alarms went off unexpectedly.

We have been compromised! Kael yelled.

I ordered, "Fall back!"

Gunfire started.

Rachel shouted, "Cover me!"

Kael said, "Got you!"

We battled our way out, almost escaping.

Tensions were great back in the safehouse.

Rachel charged, "Someone tipped them off."

I wasn't there, Kael said.

"Convenient," she shot back.

"That's plenty!" I stepped in. We have to get back together.

Later, Kael came to me.

You have to believe me.

Trust is something one earns, Kael.

Then let me earn it.

We shall see.

I couldn't sleep that night.

Kael muttered, "Lyra," coming into my room.

Why are you here?

I had to find you.

It's late.

You occupy my thoughts nonstop.

He moved closer.

Kael...

One moment, please.

He kissed me, and for a little while, the world vanished.

He said softly, "I still love you."

"I... I want time."

He understood and nodded.

The next day, we got information.

Rachel told us, "Kieran's planning an attack."

When?

This evening.

We have to stop him.

We got ready for war.

Are you ready? Kael inquired.

"Always."

The fight was fierce.

I yelled, "Kieran!"

Ah, Lyra. Once more we run into one another.

It stops now.

"I don't believe so."

He turned on a gadget.

What have you done?

Gave rise to a virus. You have one hour.

Panic followed.

Kael remarked, "We have to locate the source."

I said, "Split up."

Time was running short.

I found it! Rachel shouted.

I told him to turn it off.

She moved fast.

Finished!

Well done.

We got back together.

Kieran got away, Kael said.

We will locate him.

Kael came to me later.

You were fantastic today.

I appreciate it.

Our story...

One day at a time, let us handle it.

He grinned.

That is something I can deal with.

A note came as I was getting ready for bed.

Lyra, find me at the old warehouse. Come by yourself. - Kieran

My pulse quickened.

Now what?

You came by yourself?

Through the dark warehouse, Kieran's words reverberated.

"Just like you requested," I said, my hand hovering close to my hidden gun.

"Foolish or brave?"

"Resolute."

Still the same Lyra.

Stepping into the light, he smirked.

Kieran, what do you want?

Talking.

Concerning?

We.

We don't exist.

He laughed as he walked around me.

You always were fast to discard.

You were constantly brimming with hollow promises.

That hurts.

"Truth hurts."

Kael paced back at the safehouse.

He grumbled, "She's been gone too long."

Rachel told him, "She can manage herself."

Kieran is He can be erratic.

We prepared her properly.

Yet...

He took his equipment.

I'm pursuing her.

Kael, hold on-

There is no time.

Kieran moved closer in the warehouse.

"I miss us."

We were never one.

Falsehoods.

"Truth."

He extended his hand; I retreated.

Not to.

Scared?

"Disgusted."

He chuckled.

Still hot.

"Still disgusting."

The doors fly open all of a sudden.

Lyra! Kael yelled.

Kael?

Kieran, step away from her.

Ah, the gleaming armor knight.

Kieran unsheathed his sword.

Let's finish this.

Kael said, "Agreed."

Gunfire started.

Get under cover! I shouted.

We ducked behind boxes.

Do you have any plans? Kael inquired.

"Endure."

Kieran's troops encircled us.

Kael said, "Outnumbered."

Not outmatched.

Side by side, we battled back.

He praised, "Nice shot."

You as well.

Kieran seized me unexpectedly.

"Drop your weapons or she dies!"

Ignore him! I yelled.

Kael

"Okay," he responded, putting down his weapon.