Nicole glanced at Hope. Her red eyes lit up.
'You better let her go through the operation,' she suggested. Larah stepped back but stopped when she realized there was nowhere left to retreat.
'You won't have her!' she bellowed, holding Hope even tighter.
'Why do you need her?' Dean demanded. Grinning, Nicole strolled to a chair in the corner and sat down, crossing her legs. She tilted her head forward and rested it on her arm.
'Well,' she began, 'to protect her... and everyone else here. Based on intel we got from some darkborns, we learned that both darkborns and brightborns need immune people. They use them as sacrifices—or more precisely, they use the darkborns inside them as sacrifices. It's not the humans they need, but the spirits inside. Most darkborns don't even know that themselves.'
'I understand,' Dean murmured. That alone was enough to ignite Larah's fury.
'What do you understand, Dean? You're just going to give up our... our child like that?'
'No, I won't. But if what she's saying is true—and the priests can trace Hope—then they'll come. You saw what that woman did, the one who threw fire at us.' Larah swallowed hard.
'So what kind of operation is that, Miss...?'
'Please, call me Nicole,' she said. 'It's a procedure to separate the darkborn's soul from the host. The human keeps the power, and the darkborn dies without its vessel. But letting that darkborn energy go to waste? No. We extract it and use it to forge weapons. That way we win three times: the immune person is no longer possessed, the darkborn's soul is truly destroyed, and we get weapons from its energy. The stronger the darkborn, the stronger the weapon.' Despite her explanation, Dean's face stayed wary. Nicole noticed.
'You still look skeptical. Why?' Dean looked at Larah and the baby in her arms.
'Damn,' he mumbled. 'You two... you look good together.' He turned back to Nicole. 'What's the survival rate?' That's when Nicole's poker face cracked—just for a beat. Then she stood, her voice colder, firmer:
'Well, not high but I doubt you have a choice do you? It's for the survibal of the human race. Losing one baby I affordable, wouldn't you say?' Dean looked at the door, then back at her.
'Larah!' he shouted—and pounced. One punch knocked out a nearby soldier. In seconds, he disarmed him.
'Larah, get ready! We're leaving. They won't let us go otherwise. Right, Nicole?'
'So you want to choose the hard way!'
'The hard way?', Dean cried out. 'Would you have acted the same way if it was your child?' Nicole's expression darkened and subtle anger showed up on her face.
'I would!' Suddenly, a loud siren rang out. Nicole's eyes narrowed. 'Seems like they're already here. Dean, you and your woman got lucky. Run if you want, skip the operation. Maybe you'll even avoid the ghouls. But let me tell you: the priests will come for you. They'll find you. Or worse, the darkborn inside Hope will take over. Being immune just means you don't turn into a ghoul. It doesn't mean the darkborn can't gain control.
'So make your choice. But for now, protect that child with your life! Because the war has arrived at our door!' And with that, Nicole and her soldiers ran out of the room.
Elsewhere...
Commander Nootra's speech had lifted the soldiers' spirits. Even Sark and Jessie felt it—but concern still clung to Sark's face.
'I still don't get it,' he said. 'Humans getting powers, sure—but what about the normal soldiers? How are they supposed to fight?'
'A good question,' Nootra nodded. 'We used the souls of darkborns to enhance our weapons—but even then, not everyone can wield them. Yes, the darkborn is dead, but its fragments remain in the weapon. If someone has a strong mind, nothing happens. They get a boost. For each person, it's different. But if their mind is weak? The weapon takes over. They stay human in form—but become beasts in action.' He turned to Sark.
'And that's why I wanted to see you. Krus spoke highly of you. He was right. You've got a strong mind. Will you help us?' Jessie didn't hesitate. Her voice burned with grief:
'I was helpless when she killed my friend. But if these weapons can make me strong enough to kill her—then I'm in!' Only Sark was left.
'Will I have to commit to the military?'
'Yes, you will,' Nootra answered. 'I think you understand our situation.' A siren cut through the air. A soldier stormed in and saluted. 'How many?' Nootra demanded.
'Thousands, at least. And they're being led by someone. A dark priest!' Nootra inhaled and as he exhaled in one go he gave his powerful speech:
'Everyone listen! I won't force you to fight. Hide if you want. But if they break through here, your families will be next. Your friends. And their families. 'Today we fight for something bigger. Today, we win!'
'YEAHHHHHH!'
Meanwhile...
Nighyel marched at the center of the horde. She looked over at John.
'Damn, you look hot, John. I could jump you right now. But first—work, then pleasure. 'I've got a special job for you. Feeling lonely without your other friend? Then let's bring her to the party.' She laughed. And the ghouls laughed with her.