Five's Betrayal by Pittacus Lore Read Free Book Online

finally taking my rightful place as a leader within the Mog forces blacks out practically all hesitation I have about Nine. When the time comes, I’ll just have to remind myself of the files the Mogs had on him and power through it.
    I can bleed now. That means Nine can bleed too.
    My time has come.
    The morning of my ascension, I’m called into one of the Mog science labs. There’s apparently been some sort of big discovery they want my help with, and while I’m flattered, I already have a lot on my mind thanks to what’s going to happen that night when Nine is dragged into the Great Hall in chains and I take my spot as a commander of the Mog forces.
    It doesn’t help that they keep me waiting in the lab. As time ticks by, I grow bored, and find a notepad and pen.
    I start to draw.
    I haven’t had a chance to draw stories or anything like I used to in the sand on the beaches since I’ve been at the Mog base. But now, in the labs, I remember how much I used to like to do this.
    I draw Nine. He’s held to the ground by heavy chains attached to a collar around his neck. He’s frail and weak. I, on the other hand, look like a superhero. I float above him. Nine is so insignificant that I don’t even dirty my hands with him. Instead, I have a monster—an attack dog of sorts—that’s going to dispatch him. The beast is like nothing that’s ever walked on any planet (probably). It’s got three lizard-like heads and a furry body, with razor-sharp talons. And wings. It’s the most badass hell-beast I can imagine. All of its mouths are wide, and poisoned saliva drips from pointy teeth. Its gnarled arms . . .
    “Five,” someone says from behind me.
    I turn around. I’ve gotten so caught up in my drawing that I didn’t even notice one of the Mog scientists come in. He wears a long black lab coat and white rubber gloves. In his hands is something I recognize. I almost leap off my stool, because I think for a second that someone’s been in my room and taken my Loric Chest, but then I realize it’s not mine. The gleaming symbol on it doesn’t belong to me.
    “We recovered this Chest from one of the Loric in Ohio,” the scientist says, gently placing it on a workbench. “We thought maybe you might want to try to open it.”
    “What makes you think I can?” I ask.
    The scientist shrugs. “We believe this Chest belongs to Number Four. We’re hoping that higher-ranking numbers might have unbridled access to the Chests of those beneath them.”
    I think of Nine’s file and the mentality that he is the most powerful among us because of his number and clench my fists. I know I haven’t been great about figuring out how to use things in my own Chest, but the thought of him being able to rifle through my stuff makes my pulse pound.
    “All right,” I say. “Let me try.”
    I do everything I can think of. The Chest doesn’t react to my touch. I pry at it with my telekinesis until I have a splitting headache. Finally, I use my Externa to turn to metal and start banging on the side of the damned thing.
    The scientist is not thrilled about this last bit.
    “If you would, sir,” he says, trying very politely to step between my super-strong metal body and the Chest, “maybe we should call it a day. We’ll keep the Chest under close watch until after the ceremony tonight, and then you can give it another try later.”
    I allow my body to revert back to normal.
    “Sure,” I say. “Is that all?”
    The scientist nods. I’m almost out of the lab when he speaks again.
    “Sir? You forgot your drawing.”
    I turn back. He’s holding up my doodle—my one-page story. I suddenly feel stupid for having drawn it.
    “Keep it,” I say. “After today I will have no more need for childish things.”
    “Hmmm.” He stares at the notebook. “Perhaps this can be of some inspiration in my work.”
    I shrug and then leave.
    Ethan meets me in the hallway outside. I’m a little surprised to see him and wonder how long he’s