CHAPTER 76 — PHASE TWO BEGINS
The emergency broadcast ordered citizens to remain indoors.
Federal communication networks went silent.
Military units began surrounding hospitals, schools, and government buildings.
Adrian looked at Claire.
“Phase Two was not scheduled for another thirteen days.”
“Miriam activated it,” Sarah said.
Silas briefly spoke through her.
“Incorrect.”
Sarah convulsed against the restraints.
Silas smiled through her face.
“The Council voted.”
Ward searched the files.
“Who had authority to call the vote?”
Adrian answered.
“All seven bloodlines.”
“Would they agree to this?”
“They would if they believed the Vane line had obtained both keys.”
Claire looked at Lily and Olivia.
“The Council thinks Miriam has them.”
Adrian nodded.
“Miriam intends to make them attack one another.”
The replacement president announced that a terrorist group had kidnapped children and developed biological weapons.
Photographs of Claire, Mason, Rose, Daniel, and Sarah appeared on the screen.
Claire had been identified as the leader.
A reward was offered for Lily’s location.
Mason turned off the broadcast.
“They are making the public hunt us.”
Ward contacted the few agents she trusted.
Only three responded.
One reported that federal shelters holding the Blackwater children were being raided.
Daniel looked at Four-B.
“We need to move the children.”
Adrian offered Crown facilities.
Claire refused.
“No more hidden laboratories.”
“Then where?”
Margaret remembered an old network of homes created by families searching for children stolen by Gray Tide.
“The Lantern Houses.”
Sarah opened her eyes.
“Miriam destroyed them.”
“Not all of them.”
Margaret had secretly funded one for thirty years.
It was located beneath an abandoned theater in Philadelphia.
The group prepared to leave the lighthouse.
Before boarding Adrian’s helicopter, Claire received a message from Miriam.
A live video showed the real president tied to a chair.
Miriam stood behind him holding the registry.
“Bring Lily and the Anchor to Washington.”
The camera moved.
The replacement president entered the room and stood beside the original.
They were identical.
Miriam smiled.
“Or choose which president survives.”
The original president lifted his head.
“Do not come.”
The replacement leaned toward the camera.
May you like
“Please do.”
Both men spoke with the same voice.
