Song motioned at the monitors behind him. “In repairing and backward engineering this disabled Codex, I can see what the pantheon can see. Or at least, a fraction of it at a time. There are thousands of Codexes on this planet alone, and millions more across the universe. It is through these many eyes that they observe us.”

Cade was stunned. “So there are Codexes floating around Earth?” he asked.

The Gray nodded this time. “All around this planet too,” he said. “Invisible, and fast enough to avoid anything that might touch them. Shielded from anything that might see them—heat, movement, magnetism—nothing works when they do not want to be seen. It is an incredible technology. One we have learned much from, here in this place. It is how we have stayed hidden for so long.”

“We?” Cade asked.

Song was silent for a moment. “I am the last of the research team. The others aged into death many years ago. We have waited so long for an opportunity to end this. To strike back at the pantheon—to destroy them for good.”

Cade felt pity for the creature. “You’ve been alone for that long?” he asked. “I’m so sorry.”

To Cade’s surprise, a blue tear rolled from the corner of Song’s eye.

“Our species has fallen too low on the leaderboard, and has been destroyed,” the Gray said. “I watched it happen. Saw the fires rain from the sky. I am the last of my kind.”

If there was bitterness in the Gray’s voice, Cade could not tell. He only heard the dull intonation of the Codex. Song closed his eyes as he spoke again.

“Now, I must ask you—the one who brought about our destruction—to do what I could not.”

“I can’t stay here,” Cade whispered. “I can’t take your place.”

Song shook his head.

“No, little one,” the Gray said, his fluting voice soft. “I ask much more of you.”

He opened his eyes.

“You must destroy the pantheon.”

CHAPTER

29

Cade was speechless. It seemed impossible. More so than anything Abaddon had asked him to do.

“You’re joking, right?” Cade said. “What could I possibly do that you couldn’t, with all that you have here?”

“We could not communicate with our brethren in the fortress, nor did we have the materials to build a weapon, here in this place. In truth, they have forgotten us, for new generations have been brought here, and those who were here before have died. And of course, any who remembered us could not discuss our presence with the newcomers. The pantheon is always watching. Come.”

Song stood and motioned for him to follow. Cade pushed himself to his feet and padded after him, struggling to keep up. Song was surprisingly fast, and he turned down into an antechamber just before Cade lost sight of him.

A strange machine filled the space as large as an aircraft hangar. Copper coils twisted around a giant pillar of metal, with a terminal at its base.