by Ciara Knight
Hands. Strong, large hands cradled my face. I opened my eyes and a little more life conquered the white. The silver and black hair, bulging biceps, and the unmistakable ink of his Neumarian family symbol confirmed it was Ryder.
Through chapped, burning lips, I tried to speak but couldn’t find my voice. Muscular arms wrapped underneath mine and I stood on two shaking pins that were my legs. Unfortunately, my brain and body didn’t work together yet. They were numb, but I could shuffle forward as long as he held me upright.
Not able to see more than a quarter of the world around me, Ryder led the way.
The taste and smell of the assassin returned. We had to get out of here. We needed the— “Wait, the petrol.”
The words echoed in my head but I wasn’t sure anyone else could hear them. I shouted again, but fingers covered my mouth. And I knew what I sensed was true. An assassin stood close by, and as I feared, he wasn’t the only one. Maggie had been throwing useless bombs at them. A technique that only agitated them more, it was as useless as swatting a bee buzzing around your head before it stings you.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The cadence of the assassins’ boots hitting the ground matched the pounding in my chest. Blood trickled down the corner of my mouth. Stings pricked at my cheeks and forehead. I didn’t want to know what my face looked like with the scattered cuts and dirt.
“Semara, can you see me?”
“Some.”
“We need to get out of here. Can you walk?” Ryder spoke into my ear.
The outline of his head appeared in the corner of my vision when he leaned back into the white light. “Do the assassins target based on heat?”
“Yes, that’s how they track.” I answered.
“That’s why Maggie’s throwing the fire bombs. With all the flames and explosions they can’t decipher people from fire. Brilliant.”
I needed to help. “Point me to one and I’ll melt the armor.” Maggie was something else. But she couldn’t take them all on.
Ryder waved a hand in front of my face. It faded in and out of my vision. “No way, you can’t even see them, and there are too many.”
The light faded a little more. Ryder crawled on hands and knees and wrapped his fingers around the handle of the petrol container.
Only one? I tried to scan the area, but couldn’t locate any others. How far could we make it?
I scooted forward. Through my blotchy vision I managed to spot an assassin—kinda. I tried to concentrate and melt its boots so he couldn’t walk, but I couldn’t focus on him. It kicked a broken canister, sloshing gas all over the ground. By the look of it, there was about to be a much bigger explosion. The trail of liquid ran from one canister, under another, and all the way to where we crouched in the alleyway. It wouldn’t take long before the gas heated and exploded from the surrounding fires.
Maggie stepped out. I recognized her from the grey hair and old worn shoes. She had a bag slung over her shoulder and a make-shift bomb in hand.
Ryder pulled me to stand and placed my hand on his shoulder. “I’ll guide you.” Then he took Raeth in his right arm and dragged her a few meters away from the fire.
Flames ignited and singed my boots. A strong odor of burned leather surrounded us. I caught a glimpse of the other assassin before reaching the alley. The only hope was for the flames to distract it long enough to get away.
Boom! I ducked. Flames blasted overhead. The other canisters exploded.
I tripped and fell to my knees. Ryder slid Raeth to the ground and took my hands in his. “You okay?”
“Yes.” I squinted at him.
Another assassin stepped out, blocking our escape route. The pale-green light from the heat sensor pointed down the street at us.
We only had two choices. To face the one a few meters in front of us, or go back in the direction we came where the fire still burned. And who knew if those two assassins had survived the explosion.
Trapped.
The strong odor of petrol and debris burned my throat and lungs.
Ryder stood tall, chest out. Light blue, the color of ice, surged to his fingertips, but the assassin didn’t look affected.
“Armor, can’t penetrate,” Ryder said with strained words. “Need to get to the ship, wherever that is.”
A fourth assassin emerged at the other end of the street. Its tubes still glowed with orange flames. He raised his gun.
Raeth tried to stand but Ryder kept her pinned down.
The gun fired with such intensity that the walls shook and threatened to tumble over us. Metal smacking pavement echoed through the alley with each step the assassin closed in on us.
Raeth took off before we had a chance to stop her. Ryder and I bolted after her. The pounding behind us quickened. We dodged left and right to avoid the persistent gun fire.
We rounded another corner and found the main street. Another shot hit the building, brick and mortar rained around us. We somehow managed to dodge most of the falling rock.
Raeth stumbled and fell to her knees. I tumbled over her.
Another gunshot. Ryder hit the ground by my side. Raeth screamed.
I covered his body with mine and tugged at his shirt. “No! No!”
No blood soaked through. We looked at each other in bewilderment then back at the assassin that should have crushed us by now. All that remained was a lump of metal tangled in a heap on the ground.
Maggie stood behind it. Smoke still oozing from the barrel of her gun.
Ryder stood. “How’d you—mean you were—”
“Ya wanna stand here chattin’ about it, or get the hell outta here?”
“I w-want t-to get out of here, p-please,” Raeth said.
Ryder chuckled.
I blew out a puff of steam. “I am so glad to see you.”
“No time to be celebratin’.” Maggie lifted her gun. “Ah, shoot. That dang pile of worthless scrap won’t die.”
Another shot rang in my ear.
“Make a run for it, kids.” Maggie dropped the gun to her side and left it hanging from a strap while she readied another jar.
The third assassin marched down the main street. “Got to go.”
“Hold up, you can’t take off without this.” Maggie picked up a petrol can, jogged over and handed a note and the canister to Ryder.
“You’re coming with us.” Ryder’s eyes grew wide.
“Someone’s got to stick around here and tame these animals.” Maggie gave a reassuring smile. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear Maggie was enjoying this fight.
“Take those codes. It’s what the ENR need.”
I couldn’t bear to watch another innocent die.
“No. You h-have to—” Raeth pleaded.
“Child, I’ve been here a long time. I can handle a few freaks.” She smiled. “They give new meaning to the word redneck.” At Raeth’s puzzled look, she said, “Oh, never mind, old term from back home. Let’s go. I’ll show you where the machine is and keep ’em off your backs.”
She grabbed Raeth’s hand and tugged. As we dodged pieces of fallen buildings, Maggie talked between gasping breaths. “Listen here, children. I like you. I can tell she ain’t like her momma.” She nodded her head at me. “You’ve got a problem. I’m your contact. Actually, I was just the middle man. The one you was supposed to bring along to the ENR, was a man who passed me those codes, but Harrison managed to escape and the queen is hunting for him. He was some big wig war hero, but don’t think he’s gonna be helping the rebellion anymore. Pretty sure the queen’s hunters will catch up to him eventually.
“Harrison? That was my father’s name.”
“It was your Dad?”
“No, my dad died five years ago.”
“Sorry to hear that. But I have to warn you there’s a bigger problem. I intercepted some chatter when the ENR thought I was dead. Yeah, I see the surprise in your eyes. And yep, I have a gift, too. I don’t believe in all that Neumarian versus Slag shit. Y’all need to know that t
he ENR thinks the princess is a plant. They plan on trading her for that fella that was captured.”
They wanted me? A spy? Great, that was all I needed. Did anyone in this world not want me dead or married?
“W-what do w-we do?” Raeth clung to me. “Can’t t-turn Semara over t-to rebellion.”
“We can’t stay here, either,” I said.
“You’ve got to convince the rebellion that Semara is worth more to them than turning her over to the council. That doing so would give the queen enough power to defeat the rebellion. She’s not to be trusted and will wipe ’em out once she gets Semara. Not gettin’ involved, though. Y’all pass the message on that the queen is working on a new hybrid ship that’s supposed to be able to take out all of what remains of Europe, squashing all trade to those territories and crippling any further resistance.”
“That’s gonna take a miracle. I hear those rebels aren’t too forgiving,” Ryder said.
“Think about what Semara can offer. Your uncle was bettin’ on her value when he agreed to this.”
“Uncle knew?”
“Yep, didn’t have a choice. But he sent Harrison to tell me, Semara might be the key in this fight.” Maggie flicked a lighter and lit another rag before tossing it down the alley and shoving us to the ground. It exploded and the ringing returned to my ears.
“Head south. Only building left standing. Full of windows. You’ll find a locked door. Semara will have to melt the door down. Now get. I’ll be right behind you.” Maggie paused and lit another rag.
Raeth whimpered as the mechanized creature approached.
I could see the struggle in Ryder’s eyes. Leaving a man behind wasn’t his style. None of us wanted to, but she wasn’t going to take no for an answer, and we had to take care of Raeth.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be along. My momma didn’t raise no fool.”
“Thanks, for everything.” Ryder grabbed Raeth and I by the hand. We took off running, but to where? For a ship to take us to a place where I was considered an enemy?
An explosion shook the ground under foot and I caught a glimpse of Maggie a moment before a flash of light and another explosion.
My eyes widened.
“No!” Raeth shrieked. “M-Maggie.”
Ryder wrapped his arms around Raeth.
My breath caught in my lungs as I listened for her crazy rants, but nothing came. “She can’t be gone.”
“What ya standing ‘round gawking at? Get!” Maggie ran through the smoke. “I’m staying here. This is my land and I’m not leaving.”
Ryder scooped Raeth up in his arms and rushed up the hill behind me. My legs burned as I powered through the climb. Ryder’s face was red with exertion and I hoped he’d make it with the extra weight.
I struggled with the full container, but I didn’t stop. A strong wind lashed us at every step, as if carrying the curses of Mother.
Drained. I wanted to return to our little ship with Ryder close by my side, as if I needed his touch to recharge.
Finally, Raeth’s sobbing stopped. Once again, she checked out, tucking her fear and anguish deep into whatever dark crevice she could find. It was the way she survived. And part of me envied her.
Slowly, we traversed the rocky cliff to the top. Ryder knelt on the rocky edge and Raeth pushed from his arms. I wasn’t sure if it was a ridge or a flattened neighborhood. Not that it mattered. I glanced back at the city below. There was no sign of Maggie. Something deep inside warned me to keep moving. Too much evil still remained.
“Come on,” Ryder said through gasps.
Ahead was a brick building without a pane of glass. Despite the sea of empty windows grinning at us, relief flooded me.
Then reality slapped me in the face. The fierce wind would make taking off impossible. Yet, we had to try, prove Maggie’s faith in us was worth her efforts.
Vines crept up through the cracks in the building, inched up the sides, and invaded its interior via the empty windows. Ryder shoved a metal door open. His legs buckled under the strain. Rushing forward, I helped him up and we shuffled inside then shut the door.
I slid down the wall next to him. “It looks clear. Nothing’s following us, as near as I can see.”
Raeth remained near an opening, looking down toward the city.
For the first time in hours, I inhaled deeply and pulled my water container from my belt. The cool liquid soothed my raw throat and I relaxed for a minute. I handed the bottle to Ryder and a shot of calm soothed my shaking hand.
He bolted upright and ran to another metal door on the other side of the large room. “Over there. This must be it.”
I managed to stand on my weak legs and stagger forward. I signaled for Raeth, and she reluctantly joined us. Following Ryder’s gesture, I clutched the lock in my hand and melted it. Wheels squealed against the metal track as we opened the door.
There was no ship. Just an old fashioned, beat up, cross between an ancient vehicle called a car and a tank I’d seen in one of my history books.
“Što po ǵavolite e toa nešto.” Ryder slammed his fist against the metal trunk.
That thing was not getting us to the coast—not without more petrol, and not on time.
Chapter Twenty-Five
I clutched the smooth black metal and peered through the tinted glass. Something white rested on the seat. I lifted the handle and pulled the door open, sending the white paper swaying in the air.
A musty leather scent lingered when I bent down and retrieved the thin sheet. It was covered in black writing and signed, “Mags.”
“I think Maggie left us instructions.”
“Couldn’t have. She’s still behind us.” Ryder opened another door and searched the vehicle.
“It reads, If you’re reading this, I hope you find your way to the coast, whoever you are. Received word you’d be coming so I got Beast here ready for you. It’s a classic Land Rover. I know you’re thinking this thing can’t fly, so how’s it supposed to get us anywhere? Trust me. She’s got some fight in her. Besides, they’ll be looking for you in the sky and most believe the land between here and the coast is toxic. Probably been tracking your ship since you left the Mining Territory. You’ll find a map in the glove box, that’s the compartment to the right of the steering wheel, and supplies in the back. It’ll take almost two days to reach where you’re going. Your trading ship left, but I sent word to the ENR. They will meet you on the shore. You’re gassed up and ready to go. The gas in the back, plus what you brought should be enough. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of whatever is following you. Mags.”
“Knew she was crazy, but this?” Ryder walked around the tall vehicle and kicked the oversized tires then opened the back hatch. “There’re other containers of gas back here.” He rummaged through some things. “Tent, wood, food, and some other supplies.”
A blast sounded outside, reminding us of the urgency to depart. Ryder picked up the other canister and slid it into the vehicle. “Let’s get going. This’ll have to do.”
“B-but w-what about—”
Ryder shot a look of desperation at me. “Have to go.”
“Raeth, we can’t stay. Don’t worry, everything will be fine,” I murmured.
Ryder helped Raeth up into the back seat.
“B-but Mags…”
Ryder stroked her hair. “Don’t worry. She’s tough. We’ll see her again.”
I slid into the driver’s seat and found a key already in the ignition.
Ryder stood at my side, brow knitted. “What’re you doing?”
“Do you know how to drive?”
“No, do you?”
More blasts closed in. The steering wheel vibrations under my fingertips were identical to the ones during the Mining Territory bombing. My hands shook and not just from the distant blasts showering us with brick dust, but from the memories of watching the Neumarians hiding in the underground while their loved ones above were murdered. Once again, I swore that I wouldn’t fail them.
My s
orrow surfaced and I used the pain to melt the lock from the massive door in front of us. Warmth remained at my core from the energy and knowledge that I had melted metal from a long distance. My powers were growing and stabilizing.
Would Father have been proud of me? Could he be alive?
I shook the wish from my head. Many people had the name Harrison. There was no way it was him. I saw him die.
“Get the door,” I ordered before starting the car.
Ryder raced over and jumped up, grabbing the chain that ran from ceiling to floor. His legs swung while he rode the rust covered metal back down.
Lowering my head, I peeked under the rising barrier to the outside world. Energy from the metal lock urged for escape. I readied for an armed assassin with its guns pointed directly at us.
No gold-colored feet waited to stomp us from the world.
I shoved aside the gnawing feeling of a trap, shifted into drive, and slid my right foot onto the gas pedal. The engine roared and we bolted forward. I smashed my boot down on the brake and the tires squealed to a stop. Ryder jumped out of the way and waved me through before he yanked the door down.
He slid into the passenger’s side. “Try to kill me next time.”
I stifled a nervous giggle. “Sorry, it’s a little different from the vehicles back home, but same layout. I didn’t know it had that much power.”
I gunned it and drove over several broken dark-grey sheets of stone and debris. The smell of trees and dirt filtered in through the vents and for a moment it took me back home on another joy-filled ride through the wilderness.
How I missed the innocence of my childhood.
Ryder pulled the geo-map from his vest and unfolded the map Maggie had given us to compare the terrain. “Keep heading east. Straight shot from here. Maggie marked a place to stop for the night. Looks like she’s been planning this for a long time.”
My chest tightened at the thought of leaving her behind. So many had been lost or left behind in the last several days.
My skin burned with terror of what waited for us. What would Mother do if she knew of my part in the rebellion? I knew exactly what she’d do. She would capture the three of us and torture Ryder and Raeth until I broke and revealed everything.