Chapter Fifty-Seven
General Lawrence
I run through wooded terrain, charging toward a tunnel opening a mile away. The sound of wolves howling nearby pierce the air and spike my adrenaline. Faster. I have to run faster. Suddenly, the wind ripples, and Lucian appears before me, forcing me to an abrupt halt.
“Been a long time, General,” he drawls, referring to his time serving me at Groom Lake.
“Not long enough,” I say, aiming the Glock I’d grabbed from the lab before departing at his head. “Careful now, traitor. I’d enjoy planting one of these Green Hornets between your eyes.”
“This ‘traitor,’ as you call me, is your only chance to escape. Both the Renegades and the Zodius want your blood, General.”
“I don’t know what game you’re playing, but save it for someone who’s stupid. I know you are with Julian, Lucian.”
“I’m a free agent now,” he says. “You get the first opportunity at recruitment.”
“And why would I want to do that?”
“Because you don’t have a choice,” he says. “You’ll die if Julian gets his hands on you. Or rot in a cell if Caleb does. Agree to work with me, and I’ll windwalk you out of here, and we will begin planning a way to show both Julian and Caleb who’s really in control.”
“Windwalking might kill me.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. There’s no maybe to Julian killing you or Caleb imprisoning you.”
“How do I know you won’t take me to Julian?”
“Because you are still alive, General. I could have easily windwalked behind you and slit your throat. But you have resources I want.” Footsteps sound nearby. A scurry of movement. “Now or never, General.”
I consider only a moment before lowering my gun. Lucian might think he’s in control now, but I have no doubt I’ll fix that, and fast. I might have lost the Red Dart crystal, but I still have serum and twelve soldiers GTECH-ready. Now that I know what the serum is capable of turning a man into, I’ll take precautions with conversion—a kill switch in their brains. This is not over. All I have to do is survive windwalking.
“Do it,” I order. Lucian steps forward and grabs me. The wind carries us away.