Maeve
I went over the instructions once more in my head. They can’t know you’re coming. Not until we get there, he had said. Leave at 4:00 promptly, thirty minutes after us.
I checked the clock on my wall and nodded. It was finally time. I snuck out the window, reciting the next part of the instructions in my head. Dive straight down, don’t stop until you reach the lowest tier.
Slowly I dipped over, allowing myself to freefall through the clouds. The brisk, cold air hit me in the face like a bunch of knives slicing through my skin. I fell through the middle tier, down into the lower tier. Right before I hit their streets, I flexed my wings, allowing them to catch me. Standing on my feet now, I looked down over the side. The next instruction was to fall farther down…
But all that was left was endless sky?
Gulping, I remembered him telling me to trust him and go. Tilting over, I dove further. As I dove, I saw something slightly obstructing the clouds. It looked like a skyscraper, but it was torn up and tilting like it was going to fall any second. I frowned in confusion, returning my gaze to below me. More and more, I saw torn up ruins of what used to be a city. Soon, I neared the streets enough to see what was happening. The one building in tact was a huge factory. Lines of people went in, chains on their ankles and their wrists bound up. Behind them was people with guns, most of them in police wear.
I caught sight of the Palos Verdes, they were standing in a group in a defensive position. A fight was about to happen.
Excitement filled me. I was hoping they were going to do something about this. Perhaps THIS. This must be our goal. This factory, this horror, must be the evil, the cause of all of these assassinations. I wasn’t certain exactly what this factory meant, but it definitely didn’t feel like it should be allowed to continue.
I came up behind them, landing at the back of the group. They hardly seemed to notice as they focused on their opponent. I peered through the group and my heart lurched at what I saw.
***
Earlier that day
Elyas
“Where are you going?” My mother asked me, watching me don my coat.
I snapped and my wings came flying. “I’m going to Veralis in Malachi’s place.”
Her mouth dropped open slightly. “And make yourself enemies like he did? I don’t think so!”
I scoffed, starting towards the door. “I don’t remember asking… Someone has to fight for what’s right, since you refuse to end it.”
She followed after me, managing to grab my sleeve before I went out the door. I spared her a look.
“Elyas, there will be consequences for choosing this path.”
I furrowed my brows. Did she think me dumb? “I’m aware.”
She let go, folding her arms over her chest. “I can’t promise I’ll be able to protect you from the consequences this time,” she said, her expression grim.
I laughed, shaking my head. “Wasn’t expecting you to.”
Without another word, I dove, heading for Veralis. Once I touched down, immediately a group strode towards me. They weren’t our soldiers, but from the looks on their faces, they weren’t a welcoming committee either. I forced a smile, confidently striding towards them.
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“Hi there, Prince Elyas here to oversee Veralis. To what do I owe the pleasure?” I asked, reaching out my hand towards the man at the head of the group.
They all wore masks over their face, dressed in black. Their wings were gorgeous, resembling that of a monarch butterfly.
The man only glared at my hand. I took the hint, withdrawing it. He looked at me. “Go back to your castle, Prince. This is your only warning.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Who even are you? Why would civilians care? In fact, how do you know at all about this place?”
The man rolled his eyes, raising his fist at my chin. I arched one brow and he swiftly aimed next to me, a bullet flying out of his wrist brace. My eyes widened as he trained it back on me.
“Go home. Or die,” he insisted, as more of his group rose their own wrists.
Slowly, I rose my hands in surrender. “Look, I have no quarrel with you… whoever you are. I’m just here to take Malachi’s place.”
The man slowly grinned through the mask. “If you don’t leave, you’ll do exactly that.”
My heart skipped a beat at that, I won’t even lie. I assessed the group and caught the eye of someone in the back. Gulping, I took off into the sky. Instantly they began rapid firing bullets at me. I narrowly dodged them until one grazed my arm.
I winced in pain, but dove for the ground at the back of the group. I drew my knife swiftly, putting it around the neck of the woman who’s eyes I had caught. My other arm went around her waist, holding her tight against me. As the group turned towards us, she began to squirm.
I nicked her neck with the blade, moving near to her ear to whisper, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. One move and I’ll slit your throat open.”
Her fists clenched, but she remained still. I looked at the back of her shaved head. Tattoed on it was a monarch butterfly.
Smiling, I leaned back in. “Nice tattoo.”
They aimed their wrists again. Still smiling, I looked at them. “I don’t doubt you can get me, but the moment you do, she is dead with me. Let me go peacefully and we can forget this ever happened.”
“What are you even doing here?!” one of them yelled to the girl I held hostage.
I rose my brows as she averted her gaze. I moved the knife so it wouldn’t get her as she adjusted.
“Fire!” someone else yelled.
My heart lurched. Their wrists cocked right as someone shouted: “Don’t! Do it and you’ll have to answer to the boss!”
I looked in the direction of that voice, seeing one man with a concerned look on their face. At least one of them apparently cared about their comrade. The rest sighed, slowly lowering their wrists. I took the woman with me into the factory, needing to keep my insurance policy. Once inside, and I was sure they wouldn’t follow, I let her go.
She swiftly turned on me, punching me in the face. I rubbed my cheek, exhaling in pain.
“I understand your anger, but it was quite necessary,” I said, slowly looking her in the eyes. Those fiery eyes seemed almost familiar, “Are you going to be okay going back? I gather that you weren’t supposed to be here today?”
She narrowed her eyes at first, but she softened suddenly, concern filling her expression. My heart tugged at her lost expression.
“I can take you elsewhere if you need protection,” I offered softly.
She looked at me a long moment, then slowly shook her head. Not saying a word, she looked around. I looked with her, following the path of her gaze. People slaved at anvils and furnaces, being whipped the moment they braved a break.
“They’re building wings. They’re natives of Veralis, the survivors. We use them as slaves.”
Her head whipped towards me and I saw the absolute horror on her face.
“That’s why I’m here. I’m trying to tear the operation down… Whoever you’re with apparently don’t like that idea too much.”
She wiped her eyes, turned on her feel and strode out. I watched her go, hoping she’d be okay. I turned, squaring my shoulders. Time to get to work.
***
Maeve
All I saw as I flew home was the nightmare I witnessed in the factory. Why were the Mariposa not only allowing that, but enforcing it?!
Who even were they?
And what is Veralis?
I reached the HQ, slowly landing on the doorstep. As soon as I entered, I came face to face with Azriel. I winced, removing my mask.
“Care to explain?” he said, his voice grim.
I thought about firing back “do you”, like I usually would, but something told me I had to be a bit smarter about this specific discovery.
“I’m sorry, Azriel, I had just been looking for more challenge and I’ve always been curious what the Palos Verdes do. I had to go on just one trip.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “And? What did you find?”
I shrugged. “Not much, to be honest. Almost as soon as I got there, I was held at knife point and then forced to leave.”
He glared at me a long moment, looking for any sign of a lie. He sighed finally, his stance softening slightly. “You’re on probation for a couple weeks. Don’t tell any of your comrades about this escapade, or I will be forced to worsen your punishment. They can’t know you’re getting special treatment.”
I nodded quickly, feeling like I should probably bow, so I did.
What? Wouldn’t hurt.
“Cut it out, Maeve,” he said warily.
“Thank you so much, Azriel.”
“Don’t thank me again. Next time you misbehave like that, you’re out.”
I nodded, quickly running to my room. I let my wings go back to the wall just as Kalon in from her gym session.
She frowned. “Where have you been?”
I chewed on my lip, shrugging. “Shopping?”