A. Rolland: Of Breakable Things

Something inside Alex chilled.

Jonas’s mouth hung open for a mere second before his expression turned colder than Alex felt. “Why do you need Alex?”

“The message appeared this morning, but you probably can’t see it anymore. I’m guessing you no longer want to see it considering you ran way last night.”

Alex wondered why all these spirits weren’t running away now , now that they’d seen Jack among themselves. Everyone hated Jack! They ridiculed him! It felt like some alternate universe. But glancing at their faces, she realized that everyone hovering above her was similar to Reuben and the Bonds. They were each quiet, or meager, or misfit, or eager to get ahead.

“There is much knowledge to be had when you have ancestors to tell you what teachers will not.” Jack beamed proudly at Joey Rellingsworth, who shifted uncomfortably. “Blood runs thick, Jonas, something you don’t understand.”

Alex’s head was spinning. Why did Jack need to arrange this rendezvous at Eskers? He could have set her up easily at school.

Because he needed you off campus , Chase answered for Alex. He has no power there, but here it’s a different story.

“You’re absolutely sure she’s the one they want?” Hecker whispered to Jack.

“Oh, it’s her. The ghost of a prophet. I’m definitely right. And so”—Jack pointed to Chase and Jonas—“you two may go.”

“You expect us to just leave her?” Chase asked.

Jonas stood statue-still, his face blank, staring at nothing.

Hecker spoke quietly. “You have to do what you have to do. And so do we.”

“Am I supposed to know what that means?”

“We don’t have a choice anymore. If you won’t step aside, we will force you aside.”

“Step four,” Jack added quietly. “Harrowing.”

What is harrowing ? Alex thought to Chase.

Chase’s voice came out steady and confident. “Harrowing? Do you realize how long it takes to break a mind?”

“Of course,” Jack muttered. “We were witness to it last night.”

He’s dead . Chase’s voice pounded in her mind. Van Hanlin is dead.

“You’ll have to beat us for hours? Do you realize what the repercussions are?”

Jack huffed through his horse teeth. “There won’t be any.”

“You aren’t exactly charmed,” Chase said. Alex agreed and wondered why the newburies around them, who knew the Bonds were hardly a symbol of good luck, remained at his side now. Her bewilderment must have leaked into Chase’s head because he pointed at the halo of attackers who stood above them. “What about the rest of you? You would sacrifice your morals, your afterlife , to be a part of this group?”

“The groups on campus are encouraged,” Jack replied. “They’re designed to rally those who are similar. And this is greater than all of those combined.”

Is that why he was doing this? Alex wondered. Was this his way of fighting back? Of reversing the curse he’d been betrothed with? “And you don’t worry at all about the consequences of your actions?”

“What do I have to lose?” Jack crouched down on the jagged wall on which he was positioned. “We’re damned now. We can’t go back to Eidolon.”

“Did you know about this, Jonas?” Chase asked.

Although his brother asked the question, Jonas faced Alex when he replied. “I thought it was like signing myself over to the military.”

Jack threw his hands in the air. “Exactly! Do soldiers fighting a war return as murderers or heroes?”

Alex couldn’t believe his logic. “It depends on what you’re fighting for. This isn’t revolutionary. This isn’t honorable. You’re acting under orders like a bunch of obedient dogs.”

“Jack has a point,” Joey said, ignoring Alex. “Don’t soldiers act under orders?”

”Soldiers know who and what they’re fighting for,” Chase scoffed. “Do you? I bet you don’t. Jonas, did you?”

Jonas did not acknowledge his brother.

“We’re fighting for each other. Because no one else will.” Jack’s eyes traveled the length of the area. “Did you know that after two years they sort us out anyway? If we haven’t made an impression, if they haven’t seen something they can use us for, we don’t get to stay in the city.”

That didn’t make sense. “But the curfew and the rules?”

“Oh, the rules still apply. Why do you think the Patrol exists? This might be an afterlife, but it certainly isn’t heaven. This place is far from perfect. They don’t tell you that after you die.”

Yes, they do , Alex thought. That’s why this life was a choice, she realized. There wouldn’t be a choice at all if the world were perfect.

“And Eviar is for the elite.”

Alex took a step backward because she thought the ground shook below her. “What did you just say?”

“Eviar. This is an old brotherhood, an esteemed one.”

Eviar? How? It couldn’t be the same, could it? Eviar was a person. Dread began to tug at her mind.

“Jack,” she said in a low voice. “I don’t think this is going to turn out well.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt. I don’t believe the league itself wants to hurt you either. But if you’re in the way, I can’t protect you.”

“Are you listening to yourself? You tried to convince me that the Darwins are the enemy.”

He shook his head. “The Darwins know about all this, I’m sure. Just because they play on the opposite side doesn’t mean their side is the right one.”

“How is this going to help you?”

“We’re already here,” Jack said, glancing at Joey, who nodded and stood up.

“We’re already implemented.” Joey seemed to be trying to convince himself of his own argument.

“It’s not worth arguing anymore,” Chase said to Alex. “These spirits have found a niche. Even if they were willing to jeopardize it, they’ve seen what happened to Gabe. And Van Hanlin.”

Jack stretched a hand to Alex. “We only need you. We don’t have to hurt anyone.”

“No,” Chase said. “Prophets are hunted, Alex. Your mother was killed. There is no way I’m letting you go anywhere with them. We fight. They can’t beat us.”

Hecker guffawed and stuck out his chest, but Alex knew his towering size meant nothing. It didn’t exist anymore.

“This is my fault,” Jonas whispered.

“Yeah, it is. Tell me one thing, though.” Chase took his eyes off their captors. His exterior stayed strong, but Alex could feel something cracking. She reached out her hand, as though to hold him up, to keep him from crumbling. “You thought you were leading me here. Do you really hate me that much?”

Time seemed to stop. There was no danger of attack, only the danger of betrayal. Alex couldn’t bear to look at Jonas, who had no response for his brother.

Chase turned away from Jonas. “We aren’t giving them what they want.”

“Ten to three,” Jonas said. “There’s no guarantee. And I’m sure there are more of them waiting somewhere. We’re outnumbered.”

Alex didn't want Jonas to speak. She hated his voice, hated that he'd put them in this situation. But her hatred didn't change their predicament. She considered the newburies standing above them and knew someone was missing. Jack wouldn’t go anywhere without Calla. She had to be waiting somewhere, and Alex doubted she was alone.

“We can take it,” Chase insisted.

“What if Jonas tells everyone what he saw here?” a girl said in a low voice. “Or his brother, what if he tells?”

“We can’t go back. We can protect each other,” Hecker said. “Isn’t that what this is all about? Maybe that’s our test. There are plenty of other cities.”