Thinking about Askal made me realize that the key to our victory was with the Elekai.
“Anna and I need to find the Elekai,” I said. “Two spaceships against all those dragons won’t be enough. We need to be able to fight in the air on an equal footing.”
“And how would you get the Elekai?” Makara asked.
I thought for a moment. The home of the Elekai had to have changed, because we had destroyed their Xenolith outside Vegas before realizing they were allies.
“We would have to find them,” Anna said.
“I don’t know if I can risk Alex going on such a dangerous mission,” Makara said. “And you’re injured.”
Anna shook her head. “We’re going.”
Before Makara could respond, I cut in.
“Look, I know it sounds crazy on the surface. But we need those reinforcements. Without them, the Radaskim dragons will go unchecked. Usually, the Elekai have always helped us without our asking. The fact that they aren’t in Los Angeles tells me something is wrong.”
“This is all conjecture,” Makara said. “Show me some proof, and sure, you can go.”
Makara’s tone said that my idea would never happen. In a way, I could understand her perspective. The last place she’d want me to be was the Great Blight. If I died, it was all over.
The real reason Anna wanted to go was to see the Wanderer. I couldn’t say that to Makara, though.
Makara’s eyes narrowed in skepticism. “There’s something going on between you two. Something you’re not telling me.”
Makara went quiet, waiting for me to explain myself. I’d been caught, somehow.
“I’ll just say it, then,” I said. “This is something Anna and I have to do together.”
“Why?” Makara asked.
“Because…” I wasn’t sure how to continue.
Thankfully, Anna picked up for me. “I have my own questions to ask the Wanderer.”
“What questions?” Samuel asked.
Everyone at the council table became more alert, as if this question was more important than anything that had been discussed so far.
“I…”
Anna didn’t continue. She knew as well as I did that her question was personal. It wasn’t likely that Makara, Samuel, or anyone else would see it her way.
But just because it was personal didn’t mean it wasn’t important.
“The questions have to do with the final battle,” I said. “We need specific answers that only the Wanderer can answer.”
Samuel and Makara exchanged a look. Everyone waited for more of an explanation.
“I want to look the Wanderer in the eye, and ask him the reason Alex has to die,” Anna said. “That’s it. So far, we’re just taking his word for it.” She paused a moment. “There could be another way to win. We just don’t know it yet.”
A heavy silence followed. Makara looked at Anna, as if weighing her, and Anna merely looked back. Samuel and Julian looked down, as if in thought. Ashton stroked his chin, chewing his lower lip.
Makara at last looked at Samuel. “What do you think?”
It was a long moment before Samuel answered. “It’s been a while since we’ve heard from the Wanderer. Maybe…maybe they’re right. And Alex was right, earlier. We haven’t heard from the Elekai in a while, and Augustus didn’t mention anything about the Elekai being at the battle. It might be worth investigating, if they’re in trouble.”
“And how are they to get to the Great Blight?” Makara asked. “Perseus will be busy transporting our men.”
“Askal will take us,” I said.
“Even with the cold?” she asked. “And with Anna’s injury? Besides, you don’t even know where he is”
I knew Makara was right on all those counts. And Askal wouldn’t be fast enough, anyway, for wherever we had to go — especially if the Elekai’s new home was far away.
“We’d need the spaceship,” I said, finally.
“This is just more time,” Makara said. “Time we really don’t have. And I don’t like sending the person who’s our only hope for victory into harm’s way. What will happen if you die, Alex?”
“I won’t die.”
“You don’t know that,” Makara said sternly. “If you die, the rest of us die as well. We’ve had more than enough close calls. I’ve already put you through too much danger and I’ll be damned if I do it again.” She crossed her arms. “And having Anna go with you is also unsafe. She’s immobilized from her injury.”
The rest of the table went silent. All of her points were valid. Probably far more valid than mine. All I knew was that I had made Anna a promise, and I meant to keep it.
“Can’t Augustus hold on for a few more hours?” I asked. “We have to remember why we’re fighting. There are powers at work far greater than us. There’s the Wanderer. And there’s Askala. Only one of them can win. If there’s any chance of victory, our forces will need to join. If Anna and I go find the Wanderer, we can bring back the Elekai army. We have to bring the Reapers to our side, as well. If we’re not standing together, Los Angeles will fall. But we need the Elekai if we’re going to win.”
I looked at Makara, who looked as if she was finally being won over.
“This is something I have to do,” I continued. “And Anna has to come with me. She has her own questions to ask. We’re the only two who haven’t had our prophecies fulfilled. We don’t just need the Elekai army. We also need the Wanderer’s guidance to figure out where to go next.”
Makara was silent. I could tell she still didn’t like this, and I didn’t blame her. She would have a hard job telling Augustus that he had to wait…again. And if I died, Makara would blame herself.
“I’ll make it back in one piece, and so will Anna,” I said. “I promise.”
Makara heaved a heavy sigh. “Fine. We’ll go. We’ll coordinate with Augustus and see where the best place for us to land our men. It’s at least something to tide him over. After that, we can continue on to the Elekai.”
Lauren was next to speak. “Who’s staying here? I’m assuming me, because I’m not really much of a fighter…”
“You can stitch a wound,” Makara said. “Some might say those people are more valuable than soldiers. If you’re willing to offer your help, we’ll sorely need it.”
“My only worry is my daughter. She can’t go into a war zone, and I couldn’t leave her behind. If something goes wrong, I can’t leave her alone.”
“I…” Michael started. “I planned on staying as well.”
Makara’s eyes widened with surprise. Michael never missed any action.
“I made a promise to Lauren a long time ago, one I didn’t keep. After seeing what almost happened to her down here — I can’t leave her. Something tells me that if I go out again, I won’t be coming back.”
Makara looked at Michael hard. “I understand what you’re saying. But we need you, Michael.”
I remembered how Makara had been hesitant to let him join the New Angels at first. Now, he was an indispensable part of the team.
“Lauren and I talked about it, and I wouldn’t be completely useless here,” he said. “Bunker 84 will need a leader to hold the fort. I can keep order here, and my loyalty isn’t in question. I promise, on my watch, nothing will go wrong here. We’ll farm and be ready to help in whatever way we can.”
After a while, Makara nodded. “You’re right. Bunker 84 will need someone to run it, and I can’t think of anyone better for the job than you.”