Legacy of Fire (The Blaze Trilogy - Book #1)

Chapter 27

I wait until the mission leaves. Greyson tells me to be discrete about what I know - we don’t want the camps’ residents getting too anxious about another mission into Aeon, in case this all goes horribly wrong. I translate his message easily enough: ‘Keep your fat mouth shut’.

I stood beside the hovercraft as they all boarded, watching them leave me behind. Hale gave me a kiss on the forehead before he went. I didn’t say anything to him - I was still too mad - but I did wrap my arms around him in a quick embrace. You never know when it’s going to be your last.

The hovercraft lifts into the sky, and Ellis stands next to me as it ascends. She gives me a grim smile. “Never imagined it would be us two getting left behind.” And then she walks back to the mission control room. At least she has a chance to see and hear what’s going on in the mission. I’m going to be in the dark.

Or at least I’m supposed to be.

Once everyone has dispersed, I sneak across the aircraft hanger, trying to hug the walls as closely as possible. And then I slip into Tech Spec. 

I dip my head as low, but I know people recognise me - it’s obvious by the hushes murmurs that rise through the hallway. I’m going to have to move as quickly as possible if this is going to work.

I arrive at my division, and two heads pop up instantly. Shar and Emose smile at me, but I can tell they’re confused. “We were told about the mission and… your condition,” Emose gives me a sympathetic look. “I know how frustrating this must be.” 

“Yeah, it sucks.” I trace my hands lightly over the table, trying to make my tone as casual as possible. “I think I’d like to go on a little… training exercise. So I’ll need my gear.”

The pair of them exchange glances, and I know I’m not fooling anyone. 

“Even just the suit?” I try hopefully.

But then I hear a soft sound behind me, and I turn my head. Grant stands there with two hands gripped firmly on the handlebars of a wheelchair. Sitting upon it, for some reason, is Keeta.

She gives me a weak smile when she sees me. “Hey, superstar. Heard you saved all our lives.”

I try and smile back, but it doesn’t come. This doesn’t feel right.

“How are you feeling?” I ask her, pointing to the wheelchair. “Is the muscle regenerator taking longer on you?”

Keeta’s eyes widen in confusion, and then she cocks her head. “No one’s told you,” she says flatly.

I stare at her. “Told me what?”

I take in her expression, the wheelchair, and Hale’s words ring in my mind. Those two, solitary words once held so much comfort, and now I begin to doubt them. Not she’s okay, not she’s fine… no, he said she’s alive. Accompanied that sadness, that bitterness in his expression. 

And that bullet, slamming into her as she crumpled.

My knees feel weak. “Keeta, tell me you can stand up.” 

Keeta doesn’t look at me, and from pain in Grant’s eyes and the tears in Keeta’s, she doesn’t need to. I feel like I’m going to be sick. 

“Your legs?” My voice is coming out all jarring and raw. “There’s gotta be a way to fix them, they can do anything-“

Keeta clears her throat. “There’s not much you can do to fix a bullet to the spine, Ava.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to push down the acid taste that fills my mouth. How could this be happening? “I’m so sorry, Nikita. I’m so so sorry…”