The Dark Cage by Dana Gricken

Author:Dana Gricken [Gricken, Dana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-68046-974-5
Publisher: Melange Books, LLC

17

The Guardian’s Attack

I followed Jacob into the lobby of the headquarters, with Caleb and Wanda behind me. When I reached the front desk, all our soulful soldiers inside were murmuring. The soulless in the courtyard trailed in after, hearing the news.

“I’m guessing Jacob told you all about the Guardian?” I asked.

Patrick nodded. “You guessed right, kid. Any idea how we’re going to stop some killer bot?”

I sighed. “No—and it’s deadly in more ways than one. The Darkhunters made the Guardian able to kill soulless.”

“Well, that’s great,” Patrick mumbled. “As if we don’t have enough problems.”

“When is the Guardian supposed to arrive, Jacob?” I asked, turning to him.

He rushed over to the computer at the front desk. “Maybe five, ten minutes. Our radar shows it’s a few blocks from here. When it arrives, you’ll know.”

“Can you change its course? Or even deactivate it all together?”

Jacob shook his head. “I’ve tried that, Riley. The Darkhunters knew what they were doing. In the Guardian’s mind, it’s convinced its home is being threatened—and it will do anything to protect it. They must’ve reprogrammed its sensors to give it a wider range.”

“We should’ve destroyed it a long time ago when we still had the chance. How did it get out of the Grove? I didn’t even know it could leave!”

“That seems like a question you should ask the Darkhunters,” Caleb said. “They reprogrammed the thing, after all.”

I nodded. “You’re right. We should go talk to them. Everyone, stay here and prepare yourselves. This fight won’t be easy.”

“Wait a second,” Jade said, stepping forward. “What if the Guardian shows up while you’re gone? What are we supposed to do?”

“Then hold it off until I get back. I promise—this won’t take long. Caleb and I will be right back to help you fight it.”

“If I may intrude,” Wanda said, stepping forward. “Riley, your Quintessence power might be able to destroy the Guardian. If undeterred, it could at least push it into another realm.”

“If I open the portal, it could draw out more spirits—more than last time. Not to mention, it might make me weak. It’s risky, Wanda.”

She nodded. “Yes, I know—but it seems we have little choice.”

That was a last resort, I told myself. We had other options to try first.

As I walked toward the staircase that led to the basement cells, I passed Hannah, the new Chief of the Golems. She was standing with others of her kind, and Jacob’s sister Jessica was right beside her. They were still working on the headquarters, but with the revelation of the Guardian, they were working a little faster.

I felt bad for the Golems. Some were old souls trapped by the Dark Queen, used to build and maintain the Underworld for her. Now we had practically forced them to do the same. Hannah had been a Scout, one of Jacob and Jessica’s friends, and the Curse of the Grove had turned her to stone.

I sighed. This was not how I had seen our future turning out.

“How are you guys doing?” I asked.

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