Chapter 29 - Sacrifice

She hurried as quick as she could to Arizona’s headquarters in Phoenix.

The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the downtown core from the multiple skyscrapers and office buildings. Most of the businesses were closed for the day, but there were still some lights shining through the windows here and there of dedicated employees working over-time.

On the streets, the shops and restaurants were still flourishing at the climax of the dinner hour. Streetlamps illuminated the lines of cars and the streams of pedestrians that strolled along the sidewalks. The sounds of music from restaurants and shops mingled with the chatter of people and the rumbling of automobile engines.

Cracking her neck and rolling her shoulders back, she stepped out of the alley and walked the few blocks to the office. As she walked by a tinted window, she glanced at her reflection from the corner of her eye to make sure her appearance was as it should be. Her glowing white eyes flashed in the window.

She immediately paused and pretended to pull a cell phone from her pocket and hold it up to her ear as she turned her body towards the window. Clamping her eyes shut, she inhaled, imagining the flame of a candle flickering gently in her mind, and then exhaled, blowing the candle out. She raised her eyes to her reflection and her eyes were their normal purplish-blue color once more.

She waited until a small group of college-aged girls passed by her before she turned and continued toward the office at a quick pace.

Leaving the entertainment district behind her, the number of pedestrians vanished almost completely, but traffic was still heavy when she reached the office.

Luna stepped through the front doors and nodded at the receptionist as she headed to the elevator.

She chewed on her bottom lip as she waited for the elevator to take her to the top floor. Dominick had insisted that she come over immediately, and ever since he summoned her, she had a bad feeling in the pit of her gut, like nothing good would come out of their meeting.

He was always straightforward in his mental summons, rarely ever showed any inkling of emotion through his messages, but this time was different. This time, she knew, something was wrong. She could feel it spread through her, a feeling of cold dread and apprehension.

Even the echo of her footsteps down the hallway to his office from the elevator resembled the pounding of a drum before an execution. The tension was building with each step she took.

She paused outside the door and focused her mind, pushing back on the negative energy filtering through and shielding herself from further penetrating forces.

It wasn’t going to be pretty on the other side.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside.

The assistant looked nervous, feeling the tension on the other side of the wall behind her as well. She tried to keep her fingers from shaking as they clicked away on the keyboard.

Luna stepped up to her desk with a trained emotionless expression. “Dominick has summoned me.”

“Y-Yes, of course,” the assistant said, and gestured towards the door to his office. “Go ahead.”

“Thank you.”

Luna stepped into his office with strained determination.

Dominick looked dishevelled as he paced back and forth. His dark hair was falling in his eyes instead of being slicked back and his jaw was clenched tightly. His dark eyes flashed to her and he straightened himself up and brushed his wild hair back with both hands.

She could tell he was trying to control himself, but he was so worked up that she could still feel him inadvertently pressing against her shields.

“Thank you for coming on such short notice,” he said, tightening the loose tie around his neck as he took a step closer to her.

She gave a court nod. “No problem. I was only patrolling the neighborhood once I was done school. Things have been pretty stable and normal since she’s been suspended.”

“Yes, well,” he said clearing his throat, “I believe it’s time you step down from your post.”

Luna drew a blank. Blinking, she tried to regain herself from his command. “Sir, with all due respect, I don’t think that’s a wise move.”

He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.

She waited anxiously for him to gather himself. She knew she shouldn’t question him; he was a Seer after all. His visions of the future were what dictated their organization’s every move. The Light Keepers depended on his Sight, and as a Guardian, she had to obey commands.

His index finger trailed over his brow as he opened his eyes and cleared his throat. “It’s time to take a step back and let things fall into place now.”

Luna’s breath hitched in her throat. She knew what this meant, but no matter of preparation was enough to brace her for what was about to take place.

“How much time is left?” she asked, straining to contain her escalating emotions.

Dominick turned and went to this desk, where he pulled open a drawer and withdrew something small in his hand. “Not much. She’s getting ready to make her move.”

Luna struggled to swallow the growing lump in her throat. “You mean she’s…”

He nodded. ‘She’s preparing to run.’ His voice reverberated in her head as he closed the desk drawer and stepped toward her.

He invited her into his own, and she linked quickly into his mind and asked, ‘When?’

‘Tomorrow.’

She pursed her lips and lowered her gaze to the floor. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes.’

Her lips began to quiver and she clenched her eyes tightly shut. She knew what she had to do. Even though she didn’t like it, she knew that they had no option. She had to prepare the altar.

‘I’m sorry, Luminita. I know this is hard for you, but he’ll listen to someone he knows and trusts. You have to be the messenger.’

‘And the shepherd to bring the lamb to the slaughter.’

He touched her cheek and she could feel the despair and regret he felt toward the situation disseminate through her. “I’m sorry.”

She turned away, unable to handle his emotions in addition to her own. Sure, the gesture was to inform her that he felt grievously about everything, but it was already more than she could bear.

She exhaled a shaky breath. “What if she doesn’t…”

His face was grim, and he couldn’t bring himself to look at her. “If she doesn’t make the sacrifice, then I will need you to take matters into your own hands.”

Luna closed her mind completely from him and took a step back as the blood drained from her face. “You can’t be serious.”

He nodded solemnly, looking up briefly to see the look of horror on Luna’s pale face. “You have to Luna. It’s for the greater good.”

She shook her head repeatedly, refusing to even acknowledge what he was demanding of her. “No, I can’t!”

“Luna, please. It’s the only way—but make sure she thinks it’s her fault. The sacrifice will be futile if she doesn’t blame herself for it.”

Her stomach churned in revulsion. “I can’t do that, Dom! We don’t kill innocent people—I can’t kill innocent people! Especially Isaac! I can’t, Dom! I can’t!”

Dom stepped in front of her and grasped her hand. She felt him slip something small into her palm as he held onto her small hand with both of his.

“We have to,” he said with a look of sadness in his eyes. “It’s the only way. The sacrifice must be made.”

 ...

Author's Note: Oh man, things just got more TWISTED! *throws her hands up to shield her face* Don't hurt me!

Sorry for the shortness of the chapter... I'll have the next one up sooner, but we'll see...