Chapter 41 #2
Caden launched into a rambling explanation about some techniques and strategies for breaching protections when absolutely necessary. I tried to steady my nerves, reminding myself that even though I’d promised James never to reveal his secret, this was a situation where disclosure was unavoidable.
My gaze met Caden’s, and I saw his frown deepen as he registered the turmoil in mine. “Emma? What’s going on?”
“I need to tell you something,” I said, my voice trembling a little.
“And when I do, you can’t react with anger or judgment.
You can’t make me feel guilty for keeping this from you, because it wasn’t my secret to share.
And you can’t deny the importance of using this information, because securing that damn weapon is the only thing that matters. ”
Caden’s eyes widened, a mix of surprise and confusion flashing across his face. His bewilderment only deepened when I fumbled inside my jacket and pulled out a small, unassuming box.
“I don’t think getting married right now will help us get any closer to the Amplifier,” he remarked dryly. I sighed, once again reminded of his questionable comedic timing.
Ignoring his comment, I opened the box to reveal the striking ring of silver and black, clearly too large for any of my fingers. Unsurprising, given it was designed to fit James’s thumb.
“Stephen shared his diplomatic clearance with James through this ring,” I explained, holding it up for him to see. “It’s imbued with Stephen’s Specialist’s magic. With this, you can enter any Collective without having official clearance and cross their Layers as if you did.”
Caden’s jaw dropped. “What the hell? That is so illegal, it’s brilliantly awesome.” He grabbed it from me, studying it more closely. “Stephen actually gave you this?”
I swallowed hard, passed the sudden lump. “James gave me this. He told me to always keep it near, to never take it off. It cloaks when you wear it, so no one can see it but you.”
Caden's expression softened, then gave me back the ring. “Do you need a moment?”
I shook my head firmly. “No. What I need is for us to slip this onto our joint pinky fingers so we can both wear it while we cross the barrier. Once we’re through, I’ll repack it into my vest.”
Caden’s gorgeous face broke into a warm, encouraging smile. “Then that’s exactly what we’ll do.”
Damn, when he smiled like that, it was… Nothing you can afford to think about, Thompson.
We carefully slid the silver band onto our joined pinkies, the cool metal feeling unexpectedly reassuring as it settled into place. With a shared nod of resolve, we approached the Layer.
The air around us began to ripple with dynamic energy patterns, a swirling dance of colors and light that seemed to pulse with a life of its own.
Despite the chaotic display of swirling colors and shifting energy patterns, the ring held steady, against the turbulent forces.
As we passed through the barrier, the energy surged around us but offered no real resistance.
I could see Caden’s shoulders gradually relaxing, the visible tautness in his posture starting to dissolve.
“Fuck me, I can’t believe that worked.” Caden’s expression was wide with astonishment and relief.
I couldn’t help but grin, slipping the ring back into its box with a satisfying click. Looking up, the path ahead stretched out before us, as formidable and unyielding as ever. “So… shall I portal us up there?”
Caden shot me a sharp look, shaking his head. “No. We’re still inside the Layer of Protection. Portaling isn’t an option here.”
Right. “Flying?” I offered, hopeful.
“Only Specialists can fly,” he replied dryly.
And James, I thought, the memory of him tugging at the edges of my mind. But I shoved it away before it could linger. I wasn’t about to go there now. “So… How do we get up there, then?”
Caden gave me a look that was all business, his jaw tightening. “We climb.”
I blinked at him, incredulous. “Climb? As in, climb a massive, unforgiving summit of snow and frost without any experience or gear?”
“That’s the idea,” he said with an irritating smirk.
“Great. Perfect,” I muttered, dragging a hand down my face. “Why not throw in a cursed snowman chasing us while we’re at it?”
Caden smirked, his eyes gleaming with that infuriating confidence. “I thought you liked a challenge. Or is this where the great Emma Thompson finally admits she’s out of her depth?”
I shot him a glare but bit back a retort. “Let’s just get started,” I said, brushing off his jab. “I’ll cloak us as much as I can, but we need to stay close to the snow to blend in with the surroundings.”
He gave a single, determined nod before turning to begin the ascent. His motions were fluid, almost feline, like someone who was born for this kind of terrain. Every move he made seemed intentional and effortless, his body adjusting naturally to the incline.
I, however, felt more like a shrooming squirrel attempting an obstacle course.
Each step was a battle, my footing slipping as I tried to mimic his surefooted strides.
I hadn’t even climbed a proper hill before, let alone a treacherous, snow-covered mountain.
The biting wind stung my face, but the burn of humiliation stung worse as I grappled with every inch of progress.
“You okay over there?” Caden called back, glancing over his shoulder. “You seem to be struggling a bit.”
“Of course I’m struggling!” I snapped. “I’m not exactly Maria Von Trapp!”
Caden frowned, clearly confused. “Maria Von Trapp?”
“‘Climb Every Mountain?’” I retorted, exasperated.
Caden snickered, shaking his head as he extended his hand toward me. “Need a hand?”
“Thanks,” I mumbled, grabbing his hand as I fumbled my way up. The sun was surprisingly warm, and I decided to yank off my jacket. Caden’s frown deepened.
“You’re going to get yourself hurt without it.”
Before I could retort, my foot slipped on a patch of ice. I went tumbling forward, my body sliding uncontrollably down the slope before I landed flat on my stomach. I skidded a few feet before finally coming to a stop.
It wasn’t a serious fall, but the sight of it must have looked worse than it was, because Caden’s face went ashen, and his easy composure shattered in an instant. He scrambled down the slope after me, urgency in every rapid, almost frantic movement.
By the time he reached me, his eyes were wild with fear, his breathing uneven. “Emma! Are you hurt? Did you hit your head? Fuck, tell me you’re okay!”
His hands moved gently but urgently, running over my arms, legs, and torso, his touch insistent as though he needed to confirm for himself I was still in one piece.
The intensity of his reaction surprised me. “I’m fine, Caden,” I said, the words clear and honest. “It was just a slip, nothing serious.”
Caden’s breath came in short, sharp bursts as he crouched beside me, his expression somewhere between relief and lingering worry. “You scared the hell out of me,” he snapped, his voice harsh and laced with emotion.
The raw concern etched across his face made my heart stutter. He genuinely cared about me. “I’m all right,” I said softly, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “It was just a slip, Caden. Nothing’s broken, I promise.”
He let out a deep sigh, the stiffness in his shoulders easing, though the worry in his features lingered. “Fine,” he said, his tone firm. “But no more risks. You’re climbing in front of me from now on.”
I raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at my lips. “So you can stare at my ass the whole time?”
The corner of his mouth twitched, but his expression stayed serious. “I’m always staring at your ass, Emma, but believe me, that is not what’s on my mind right now. So get moving.”
The tension broke just a little as I rolled my eyes and turned back toward the peak. We resumed the ascent, the icy air biting at every exposed inch of skin, the cold creeping steadily through our clothes.
Caden stayed nearby, his watchful presence an anchor as we ascended higher into the unforgiving terrain. It was a far cry from how we’d started—strangers on opposite sides of a divide. Yet now, with every cautious step, it was impossible to ignore how far we’d come.
I pulled my jacket back on, the added warmth providing a small comfort against the encroaching chill. Soon, we reached what appeared to be an entrance into Batura Sur. Caden glanced around, scanning the area with a mix of curiosity and wariness.
“Don’t you find it strange we haven’t run into any guards yet?” he asked, every word edged with suspicion he wasn’t bothering to hide.
I shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant. “They have a LiaPrism which alerts them if anyone with translation comes even close.”
Caden frowned, contemplating my question. “Maybe, yeah.”
I filled my lungs with air, exhaling slowly, staring down the dark, carved tunnel that wound its way into the heart of the summit. The shadows seemed to pulse with an eerie anticipation.
“Do you think we’ll come out of there alive?” I asked, only half-joking.
Caden’s face split into a wide, reassuring grin. “If not, it’ll be an honor to die by your side.”
“You’re not worried?” I pressed, hoping for a more serious answer.
Caden shrugged, his expression thoughtful. “Sure, I’m worried. But what’s the point in dwelling on it? We’ve got a job to do. We need to get our hands on their nuclear fucking weapon before any more magi die. The idea of failing scares me a whole lot more.”
I nodded, understanding his resolve. I shot out my now invisible haze and translated him my Nexus. Waiting while he finished up his communication to Sean, informing him of our exact location, I tried to steady my nerves.
“Okay, Miss Thompson,” Caden said, handing me back my Nexus. “Lead the way.”
We stepped into the carved pathway, my breath escaping in visible puffs. Each stride sounded muffled but still amplified my growing anxiety as we ventured deeper into the rock. The oppressive darkness seemed to close in around us, heightening my already rising anxiety with every footfall.
No weakness.
When we finally reached what had to be the mountain’s core, I stopped cold, stunned into silence by the sheer presence of whatever the hell I was looking at.
The smaller structure was unmistakable—spire-like, etched with intricate, almost living patterns. The weapon itself wasn’t much bigger than a garden gnome, but it was sealed inside a towering block of ice that stretched all the way to the peak.
The frozen barrier shimmered with an otherworldly glow, casting ghostly reflections on the walls and creating a hauntingly beautiful spectacle. A shiver of awe mixed with fear ran through me as I took in the sight.
“Wow,” I breathed, subconsciously reaching for Caden’s hand. His fingers intertwined with mine, and we stood together studying the massive ice cube holding our objective.
“How the hell are we getting it out of that?” I hissed.
Caden shook his head, clearly as baffled by the grandeur of the glacial prison as I was. “I think…” He hesitated, glancing around. “We’ve crossed the Layer. We can portal again and I think we need to do so inside the cell, grab the Amplifier, and then jump back out immediately.”
“That plan is bonkers,” I replied dryly, trying not to laugh at the absurdity of it.
With dead serious eyes, Caden turned to me.
“You have got to be kidding?” I choked out. “You want me to transport us into that?”
“We can’t exactly drill through that shit without alerting anyone,” Caden explained patiently. “And melting it in time might be a bit tricky if we want to stay undetected. It’s a miracle we haven’t been discovered already. Portaling is the fastest way.”
I sighed deeply, cursing all alpha men and their reckless bravery. “Fine, but I’m going in alone. You wait here in case I get stuck,” I commanded.
“What? Are you insane? I’m not letting you do this by yourself,” Caden hissed, his frustration evident.
“Well, tough luck,” I shot back. “It’s just the two of us, and if I get stuck, you’re the only one who can get me out.”
Caden shook his head. “We won’t get stuck. Just visualize the space around the Amplifier, surrounded by those walls, and portal us in. I’ll grab the damn thing, and you’ll get us back out.”
“No,” I said firmly. “I need you as my backup, not as my partner in crime.”
“Well, tough luck,” Caden retorted, “because I’m still your commanding officer, and what I say goes.”
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
“Fine,” I spat, “but if I die in a glass bowl of ice, I’m haunting you for at least five cycles, making sure you’ll freeze your ass off every second of every day.”
Caden smirked. “That doesn’t sound too bad.”
My eyes narrowed. “You say that now. Good luck ever getting laid again with a dick that’s permanently shriveled to the size of a frozen shrimp.”
Caden barked out a laugh, and I elbowed him quickly in the ribs.
“Shut up,” I shushed him, my gaze darting around nervously, worried his laughter might have given our position away.
He grinned. “Sorry. Now please, Emma, transport us—and my frozen shrimp—inside that icebox.”
I was still rolling my eyes at him while drawing a portal. My visual wasn’t perfect, but Caden’s description had given me a clear enough image to work with. With one large stride, we crossed the threshold and found ourselves only two feet away from the device.
“Holy shit,” I breathed, “I can’t believe that really worked.”
Caden started to circle the warhead, searching for any additional protections. “I can’t believe it was that easy,” he muttered, more to himself than to me.
After studying it for a few minutes, we couldn’t discern any more defenses safeguarding the weapon. Sharing a quick look and a shrug, Caden reached out and grabbed it with both hands. As soon as his skin made contact with it, a deep rumble flowed through the mountain.
“What the fuck was that?” I hissed, alarmed.
“Our cue to get out of here,” Caden said with more urgency than I liked, clutching the weapon of mass destruction to his body.
A massive tremor shook the chamber, the ice around us beginning to crack.
“Emma, grab my arm and get us out of here, now!” Caden shouted, but as I reached for him, the core suddenly flared to life.
“No…” he whispered, his face draining of color.
I knew it before he said it, but I needed to hear it out loud. “Caden,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
His eyes met mine, filled with guilt and regret. “Emma, I’m so sorry. I think… I may have activated the Amplifier. We can’t portal out of here.”