The Oligarchy’s eyes blaze blood-red. “Traitors! Murderers! You’ve killed our–” The dead Scala moves. The Oligarchy shut their mouths.
One by one, the igni seep from the Scala’s lifeless form and swirl around his body. He begins to breathe again. The dead man opens his eyes; both glow bright blue. Around him, the tiny igni multiply into a wide column of light. Inside my mind, their little voices turn silent. The quiet’s unnerving; I gnaw my lower lip.
Something is coming. Something big.
The dead man points to me. His movements are jerky and odd. “I give my powers to the new Scala.”
There’s a millisecond that lasts a million years where I flat-out panic. Can’t we get someone else to do this job? Maybe I can go back to being Myla Lewis, human paramecium and Arena fighter extraordinaire. Forget my father, forget my new powers, and forget the millions of souls that need transport to Heaven or Hell. I know who I am and want no part of it. Let me go.
Then, the igni burst into a song that only I can hear. There are no words this time, only gentle voices and sweet music, enveloping me in a blanket of calm. My heart rate slows to almost zero. My breath all but disappears. The world around me fades until there’s only their lovely music. A column of ingi slowly swirls across the bunker floor, heading straight for me.
‘It’s alright,’ they seem to say. ‘It will be over quickly.’ Their music’s like a drug, drowning out all the terror I felt before. My brain floats in strange bliss as the igni-whirlwind slams into me.
That’s when the fear comes barreling back. What the Hell is happening? I howl as a shock of energy zooms down my spine, igniting every nerve ending in my body. Thousands of tiny lightning bolts attach themselves to my flesh, burning as they slide inside my skin. It’s excruciating.
I gasp for breath, and slap at my arms and legs, trying to knock off the igni. I don’t want this. I don’t want any of this. Find someone else! It doesn’t do any good. The tiny bolts pass into me, unstoppable.
The dead thrax leans back on his stretcher. His eyes close. His breathing slows. “Esme. I come to you. At last. Esme.” He smiles and falls silent. His chest ceases to move. This time, he really is gone.
A new sensation rushes over me, something beyond emotion or words. I am everyone and no one. I am all places and the void. I sense every emotion in the universe, yet am empty of feeling. My tail relaxes. My eyes roll back into my skull. Power floods my body.
I am changing.
Visions appear in my mind’s eye: Manus demons tearing down the doors to my high school…Rows of mansions in Upper Purgatory burning in a long line of flame…Crini demons smashing the empty cottages of the thrax compound…And Armageddon leaning against a wall of black stone in the middle of the Gray Sea, his great mouth coiling with a satisfied smile.
More igni slip under my skin. The column of Scala power dims and thins. Every cell in my body vibrates with energy. A jolt of realization hits me. The demon invasion, Armageddon, and Purgatory; I know precisely what I need to do next.
If only I have the strength to do it.
I still don’t want this power. Refuse to accept it as my future. But right now, at this moment, I know it’s the only way to save those I love. I will have to try.
The last of the igni enter my body. The room becomes dead quiet. I scan the faces around me: Zeke and Cissy stand stock-still. Adair sits curled against the wall, immobile. I’m not even sure if they’re breathing. Lincoln and Walker smile. Mom’s brown eyes bulge in a look that hovers somewhere between terror and pride.
The Oligarchy are the only ones who speak. They turn to me, lick their lips and hiss: “The new Scala.”
It takes all I have to force my shoulders back and my spine straight. I have to try. I meet the Oligarchy’s gaze head-on. “Yes, I’m the new Scala. And now we’ll discuss how to drive the demons from my homeland.” I turn to Walker. “Bring me the angel Verus.”
The Oligarchy bow. “We cannot allow unauthorized portals at this time, Great Scala. There’s some kind of interference in Group Think. It’s not safe.”
“Really? How’d you like a quick trip to Hell?” I raise my hand, hundreds of igni encircle my palm. I watch the tiny lightning bolts whirl about my fingers.
The Oligarchy bow. “We can allow portals for you, Great Scala.”
“That’s more like it. Walker, go get Verus.”
Walker nods. A portal opens. Its edges blur and waver. Gritting his teeth, Walker steps into the black emptiness and disappears.
I pull open a folding chair and point to the empty seat. “Grab a chair, boys. We’ve lots to talk about.”