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.“Are you certain you do not want to simply seal the threshold and leave the people of this realm to resolve their own problems? It would be the easiest way to save your people.”Stunned Wisteria, frowned at the girl.“Since when have you had an opinion about anything?”“I have no opinions Mistress.I am simply here to serve you,” Robinia maintained.“No, your opinions are good.” Wisteria smiled.“Hopefully soon, we’ll be able to actually talk.I’m sure you could tell me a lot.”“I—I—Is there anything else you require Mistress?” Robinia sounded puzzled.“Will you leave the last one here?” She pointed at Felip“He’s coming with us.” Wisteria nodded.The sentry moved away from Felip.Rising, Felip staggered toward them.“You have changed a lot?” he whispered as he joined her.“You are harsher.I am partly to blame for that.”She didn’t answer, but headed up the stairs, leading to the glass corridor they’d come in through.“Felip, move.” Enric came up behind him.When they reached the exit, the glass door opened.Someone shouted her name.Turning back, she saw it was Garfield.He raced toward them as the other avatars stood in the distance.“What the hell are you doing?”“I’m sorry, but you can’t be part of this anymore.” Wisteria stepped back into the glass passageway.“Robinia, close the door.”The glass doors shut and seconds later, Garfield raced up the steps and pounded on them.“Wisteria.” He mouthed.Wisteria couldn’t hear the words he uttered.Placing her hand on the glass over his face, she fought the urge to cry.“Robinia, please make certain he’s comfortable for as long as he’s here.”“Yes, Mistress,” Robinia said as an avatar instantly materialized behind Garfield.“Robinia? Promise you’ll be there for him.Please? I’m asking you as a friend—help him.” Wisteria coughed any cry from her voice.“Mistress, I am not your friend, but simply here to serve you.I will do what you ask,” Robinia recited.Turning away from an irate Garfield, Wisteria followed Enric and Felip across the corridor, back through the metal doors and into the outer garden.“You did the right thing,” Enric whispered.“He would have gotten himself killed.”“Don’t.” She choked back tears.How was she going to face the future without Garfield?They crossed the garden in silence and came to the main gate leading to the desert.Looking back at the surreal and enormous atrium, she wished she didn’t have to do this.This was a mistake.She wasn’t strong or powerful enough.Fighting biters and babysitting her little brother were things she understood and managed to do, but carrying the weight of this world on her shoulders? She was the wrong person.“You can do this.” Enric softly placed one hand on her shoulder as if he heard her inner doubts.“You are stronger than you realize.”Running her hand over the control orb, the gate slid open and the dry desert air blew into her face.Squinting, she looked over the rocky desert.Stepping out ahead of her, Enric scanned the environment.Felip and Wisteria followed.“Goodbye, Mistress.” Robinia vanished from beside them.The gates shut behind them.Wisteria felt like she’d lost another friend, but accepted Robinia’s place was in the Hall of Ages.She took a few steps toward the overland and stopped.They were in danger.“We have to go back.”“What?” Enric asked.“Bach’s here.I can sense him.” She realized.“I didn’t sense him in the Hall of Ages, but I can now.We’re walking into a trap—”“Are you certain?” Enric stopped moving.“Of course I’m sure.Felip led him here.” Wisteria turned to the black gates.“After everything you said, this was what you were planning?”“This was not me.” Felip gasped.“He would kill me if he learned—”Not waiting to argue, she dashed back to the black gates.“Robinia,” she called, hoping the avatar would respond to her voice, but knowing she’d have to touch the gate first.“Peeka,” Bach called from behind her.She raced toward the gates, but stopped when she saw that Bach, Lluc, Malcolm and several Drones surrounded her, Enric and Felip.“Hey guys.” Felip laughed nervously.“What are you doing out here?”Eyeing Felip bitterly, she couldn’t believe his nerve.Felip tossed something to her.They were the earplugs she’d used earlier at Bach’s den.Taking out a cantus, Felip squeezed it as she covered her ears [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]