They wait in silence for what feels like an eternity. The guard continues to try to check in, but no one is responding.
Outside the reinforced window, a shape flashes past. The guards all raise their weapons and aim them at the door. The guard nearest the door leans in close and places his ear to it. He instantly backs away and says to the others, “There’s movement outside the door. Prepare yourselves.”
Calder pulls Pauline to him and then moves them both closer to the interior wall, his touch steady but firm. She can feel his heartbeat as much as her own. Before anyone can react, a controlled detonation hits the door from the outside. The door jolts violently in its frame and buckles.
The lead guard steadies his rifle while shouting at his partners, “They’re trying to bring down the door!”
On the third impact, the entire door collapses inward with a grinding shriek, sending debris and smoke spilling into the ward. The guards fire immediately, shouting commands drowned out by the echoing gunshots. Through the smoke, figures in black tactical gear push forward—disciplined, silent, and frighteningly coordinated. No identifiers. No insignia. Just men covered in black from head to toe with helmets on and automatic rifles, methodical movement, and precision.
The guards are down in seconds.
Pauline’s hands are shaking so violently that she can barely keep them pressed to the floor. Calder crouches beside her, bracing his back against the counter and pulling her in tighter, shielding her with his body.
The intruders sweep the ward with cold purpose, scanning beds, monitors, and IV lines.
Not a raid. Not a random assault. An operation. They’re here for the immune. The only question is, will they kill those caring for them or take them hostage? Will she live to see tomorrow?
Chapter Five
Last Wishes
The Chosen
Tunneling my way out of the mountain takes longer than I anticipated, and even when it is finally possible to breach the surface, I wait.
Over and over again, I mentally replay my conversation with Grand Minister Judiah, revisiting the last instructions he gave me.
Six years, six months, and six days. No sooner.
The world will be nothing like it was before. It will be in ruins. Completely changed. Don’t expect to see much life remaining, especially on the far side of the continent. The air will be toxic for some time. The waters, unsafe to drink. Most of the animals will carry disease. Eat only what you grow yourself from clean soil, or from the meal packs I’ve supplied and left for you in the chamber. Filter water through the filtration system I also left for you. Wear the mask, armor, and gloves I’ve provided. The elixir will sustain you for the most part and keep you healthy and free of disease at its most potent. However, between doses, you will still need to take great care. Occasionally, you will need to eat and hydrate. But not as often as you do now. There are plenty of rations to last you through to the end.
When you hunt for them, the Horsemen, you will need to traverse great distances to seek them out, so find a way to carry what you need with you for those trips. Locate places where you can keep hidden stores of elixir and stash the weapons. That’s the most important part. Guard both with your life.
It’s also vital that you are not far from the elixir for any long period of time. When injured, it’ll enable a quick recovery. It must be ripe in your blood for its properties to heal great wounds or fight disease. In both instances, it will be what keeps you from death.
Keep a dose or two on you at all times.
With it, you will not feel any ill effects from the radiation in the air, but take heed of my words and still test its limits.
The supplies and further instructions are in the chamber. I have laid out every detail. Your study and training regimen. Everything I know about them. All I’ve gleaned from the Good Book and its companion is there.
The wait will be long and hard. Use the time wisely. Never sit idle. Sharpen your mind. Dive into your studies. Excel in your training. Learn to use the weapons masterfully, more so than what you learned battling with your sisters.
There is also the other training we spoke of, and this is very important. You must learn how to wield it with efficiency. Should your combat skills fail against them, this is yet another tool in your arsenal that God has gifted you with. Use it when necessary to distract or gain their favor. Whatever helps you get close enough to discover their weakness and defeat them, or get close enough to strike a blow that will remove them from this world.
“The weapons are there in the hidden recess. Here are the keys.” He pulls a chain from under his robe and lifts it up and over his head. After grabbing my hand, he gently places a thin gold chain with three very ancient-looking skeleton keys in my palm.
“Show them to no one. Safeguard these and the weapons. Wait to use the weapons until the time comes when you can strike a death blow against one of them. The moment they realize what you wield, they will endeavor to take it from you. You can not, under any circumstances, let that happen. They must not fall into their hands. Understand?”
I nod. “Yes, Grand Minister.”
“Good.”
His eyes search my face. A sad smile tugs at the corner of his lips. “Then it is finished. My last duty has been fulfilled. But I do have one last favor to ask of you.” He pats my thigh and rises. He moves away from me and across the room to the shelves behind his desk. He pulls a rather large book from the top shelf and leafs through many pages. When he finds the page he wants, he stops, turns, and brings it back to me. He lays the book in my lap.
I peer down and see what rests in a cut-out section of the pages. My fingers idly study the matte black metal.
It’s a dagger with four black, twisting blades that act as one and join at the tip. The handle is made of bleached bone and jewel-encrusted with a blood diamond at the hilt. I take a moment to study it, the fine craftsmanship, the many facets, and the way the diamond reflects light from above.
