Hostage

by Rachel Manija Brown

  Still lying in the sand, Kerry created a whip and cracked it across the face. The great cat screamed in pain, jerking its head aside, and lashed out with a huge clawed paw. Its paw bounced and scraped against the shield she’d created in her left hand, slamming her elbow painfully into the ground.

  Kerry struck out with her whip again, opening a line of red in the tawny fur of the cougar’s neck. With a final scream and a flick of its tail, it bounded away up the arroyo, sending rocks skittering down.

  Ross stood panting, a bloodied knife in one hand and his gauntlet still raised to block. A second cougar raced after the first, then both vanished into the shadows.

  Kerry dissolved the weapons, aware of a raw sting in her throat as she ran to the plunging horses.

  Ross had already reached his frantically braying donkey and threw his arms around its neck. “Shh, Rusty, it’s okay.”

  Kerry hurried to Nugget, whose tail was snapping nervously. Soothing words and a firm hand got Nugget and Tigereye calmed down. Penny and Silver followed the dominant horses’ lead and also quieted, only their ears flicking. Soon the horses stood still, their coats shimmering in the starlight.

  Kerry’s breath condensed in plumes of mist. She returned to the campsite and warmed her icy hands over the coals. Kogatana stuck her cold nose into Kerry’s side.

  “Some lookout you are,” Kerry told the rat, her voice ragged. Her heart was still thumping against her ribs.

  Ross sat beside her. “She was asleep. I’m the one who missed them.”

  The sky was brilliant with stars everywhere but the east, which was clouded by the departing storm. It was a few hours before dawn. “Why didn’t you wake me up for the second watch?”

  “I couldn’t sleep.” His hand brushed the bandage on his neck.

  Kerry had gotten badly sunburned once. She’d tossed and turned all night, unable to bear even the weight of a sheet on her blistered skin. She could imagine how much pain Ross must be in, with the raw patches on his throat and arms and side that she helped him clean every night. “Because of your burns?”

  “Yeah . . .” Ross started to lower his head, then pushed his hair back and looked straight at her. She still wasn’t used to him making eye contact; it was startling every time. “No. I have nightmares, too.”

  “Nightmares are for children,” Kerry retorted angrily.

  His gaze fell away. They sat in silence, except for the distant shriek of a night bird, and closer by, the gulping of frogs in rain puddles.

  “I dreamed that Father was going to execute Santiago and me,” she admitted. “It felt so real. I wish I could know he was safe.”

  “He protected your father when . . . um . . . when I went for him,” Ross said. “I don’t think the king will hurt him.”

  His reassurance did nothing to satisfy her. Every muscle was tense, and no matter where she turned, she always felt like there was something creeping up behind her. At any moment, Father might crest the hill behind them, or show up around a bend.

  “When was the last time you went to scout?” Kerry demanded.

  “Maybe half an hour ago. There’s still no sign of pursuit. Listen, we’re wide awake and so are the horses. We might as well get an early start.”

  If it wasn’t for the horses, Kerry was certain that Ross would have tried to make the entire journey without resting at all. He wasn’t afraid of Father; he was worried about Mia and Jennie and Yuki. The blood had drained from his face when she’d told him they’d been caught letting her go.

  That was the only reason Kerry was even considering stopping by Las Anclas. She too wanted to make sure Mia was all right. On the other hand . . .

  “Are you sure Preston won’t throw me back in jail?” Kerry asked. It was about the tenth time they’d had that conversation, but she couldn’t stop herself.

  “You set me free. You helped blow up the dam. You saved Las Anclas. You’ll be a hero.” Ross sounded as tired of the topic as Kerry felt. “But if you’re scared—“

  “I’m not scared!” Kerry snapped.

  Ross didn’t answer. The words echoed in Kerry’s mind until she realized what a fool she was making of herself.

  “You can go anywhere you want,” Ross said at last. “But if you do come to Las Anclas, I promise to protect you.”

  “You can protect me from Tom Preston and an entire town that thinks I’m the enemy?”

  The question came out in a jeer, but Ross answered her seriously. “Yes. I’ll tell them what you did.”

  “If I stopped by Las Anclas,” Kerry began, ignoring Ross’s frustrated sigh. “Would you and Mia consider coming with me, when I go?”

  Ross’s dark, startled eyes met hers. “What? Why?”

  “Because Father’s coming to kill you!” Her voice rose in a shout. “If you’re all going to die anyway, then everything I did was for nothing!”

  “I honestly don’t think he’ll attack Las Anclas any time soon,” Ross said.

  Kerry couldn’t suppress a gulp of hysterical laughter when she recognized his soothing tone as the one he used to talk to his donkey. She’d lost all her self-control once she’d left Gold Point, as if it had been drowned in the flood. She was a disgrace.

  Ross went on, in that same gentle voice, “Thanks for asking. I know how much you gave up to let me go. But if you’re right, and the town needs defending, I have to stay and defend it.”

  “Fine,” Kerry said ungraciously. “Then let’s get going.”

  After they fed and watered the horses, they mounted in silence and set out for the west.

  When her tears started again, at least it was still dark.

  Chapter Fifty-One. Las Anclas.

  Ross

  Ross had been hearing chimes since noon. He’d felt the rage of the obsidian trees, too, undimmed by the passage of time, and had to quickly build up the wall in his mind. But nothing had prepared him for the elation like a sunburst behind his ribs at the first sight of Las Anclas.

  “It’s Ross!” Henry Callahan shouted from the wall.

  Brisa squealed, “With the princess! Kerry came back!”

  The ‘stranger at the gate’ bell toll stopped.

  The gates swung open, revealing a huge crowd. Some glared at Kerry, and others grinned. Ross heard the roar of voices as he scanned the town. It seemed like years had passed. The jacaranda trees lining the town square, that had been completely bare when he’d left, were covered in lavender blossoms. Gardens and window boxes overflowed with the flowers that grew after rain.

  Mr. Preston dashed up, panting as if he’d run all the way across town. Before he could speak, Sheriff Crow came tearing up in a rush of wind, her braids flying behind her. “Is Voske on your tail?”

  “No. There wasn’t any pursuit.” Ross had to stop himself from snatching at the sheriff’s sleeve. “What happened to Mia and Jennie and Yuki?”

  “They’re fine,” Sheriff Crow replied. “They’re in jail, but the deal was that they’d be released if you came back.”

  Ross’s head swam with relief. He felt as if he’d been holding his breath for the entire journey, and could finally relax.

  “What’s Voske’s girl doing here?” Mr. Preston asked suspiciously.

  Kerry sat very straight, her profile tense and wary.

  “She’s with me,” Ross said. “She’s not the enemy.”

  The onlookers broke into a confused uproar. Ross’s heart thudded as he looked at the crowd, which was getting bigger by the second. But he’d promised to protect Kerry. “Everyone! Listen to me!”

  The crowd fell absolutely silent. Hundreds of people stared at him. His mouth went dry, but he forced the words out. “Kerry broke me out of jail, against Voske’s orders. She helped me blow up the dam and flood the power plant. We saw the lights go out in Gold Point.”

  As ‘broke him out of jail’ and ‘blew up the dam’ echoed back and forth through the crowd, scowls turned to amazement, then to joy and relief.

  Ross added, as loudly as he cou
ld, “Gold Point has no electricity, and if the water went as far as I think it did, they won’t have much gunpowder, either. Las Anclas is safe now. Because of Kerry.”

  To Ross’s relief, the crowd’s focus shifted from him to her.

  Brisa cheered. “Yeah, Kerry! I knew you were awesome!”

  Scattered cheers broke out. A little smile brightened Kerry’s face. She clearly didn’t mind hundreds of people staring at her.

  Sheriff Crow beckoned to Ross. “Let’s go to the jail.”

  Ross nudged Sally, who lashed her silver tail, forcing people back. Then she swung it up to smack him across the back of the head. Scattered giggles echoed through the crowd.

  “Sally,” Kerry said warningly. She caught the reins as Ross slid off.

  They started up Main Street. Ross left Sheriff Crow, Mr. Preston, and Kerry to a question-and-answer about the dam, and fell back to walk with his hand on Rusty’s soft neck. The burro brayed happily and nuzzled him, causing more laughter. Ross didn’t care. Kerry could keep her showy, bad-tempered horses. He was glad to have his own Rusty back.

  At the jail, they handed off the animals to delighted volunteers. Ross leaped up onto the jail’s porch, then froze in the doorway, his heart juddering at the darkness and the close air. He could smell the granite of the floor, like the granite of the hell cell.

  “What’s going on?” Jennie called out.

  Mia’s voice chimed in, “It must be Ross. Ross! Is that you?”

  Their voices pulled him inside. Mia and Jennie stood in an amazing clutter of engines and machines and tools. It looked like Mia’s entire cottage had been moved into the cell.

  Mia hurled herself against the bars, laughing. “You’re here! I knew you’d come back.” She caught Ross’s hand, then let go as the cell door swung open.

  She leaped out and grabbed him in a hug. Her glasses banged into his cheek as she kissed him fervently. He kissed her back even more fervently. It was the moment he’d been imagining the entire time he’d been trapped in Gold Point. He never wanted to let her go.

  Ross didn’t know how much time passed before she loosened her grip, and there was Jennie. Without even thinking, he reached up, grabbed Jennie’s shoulders, and pulled her in for a kiss. Her lips were warm against his, and her braids fell down and brushed his cheeks. His entire body caught fire.

  It was only when they broke apart that Ross realized that it had been their first kiss. Jennie looked as light-headed as he felt. Mia was laughing.

  When Kerry spoke behind him, he jumped. He’d forgotten that anyone else was there. “You . . . and Jennie?”

  The three of them nodded. Mia said, “Oh yeah. I guess I never mentioned that.” Beaming at Kerry, she added, “I knew I could trust you. Thank you.”

  Kerry gave her a little smile. “Thank you. I’m glad you’re all right. Then she turned to Yuki. “Here’s Kogatana. I’ll miss her.”

  The rat gave a happy squeak and leaped at him. Yuki caught her in midair and held her close so she could lick his face. He looked relieved, but not as happy as Ross would have expected.

  “Thanks, Yuki,” Ross said. “Thanks for everything. Especially the night I was kidnapped. Thanks for listening when I told you to run.”

  “Thanks for running away and abandoning you?” Yuki said incredulously. “I’ve regretted that every single day since I did it. Mia never would have left you.”

  “Yeah, I know,” Ross replied. “Thanks for saving her life.”

  Yuki looked surprised, then thoughtful. “I’m glad you’re back.” He walked out, holding his rat tight.

  Ross could feel the pressure of the jail’s heavy ceiling and thick walls. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Mr. Preston was waiting outside, along with the mayor, Felicité, and what looked like half the population of Las Anclas.

  “Welcome back, Ross.” The mayor added, more to the crowd than to Kerry, “Welcome back, Princess.”

  “Dad!” Mia shouted, and let go of Ross to launch herself at her father.

  Dr. Lee squeezed through the crowd to hug his daughter. “We’ll have to get your equipment back out of your cell. And after we finally got it all in there, too!” Then his smile vanished into the professional scrutiny of a doctor. “Ross? What happened to your throat?”

  Ross flinched, tilting his head forward so his hair covered the bandage. “Someone’s Change power. It’s like a burn.”

  Dr. Lee beckoned. “Come to the surgery, please.”

  The mayor broke in. “We will need you, doctor. I’m about to call an emergency council meeting.”

  “I’ll be along,” Dr. Lee said. “Ross comes first.”

  “Wait.” Ross looked for Kerry, whom he had promised to protect. She was in a fighting stance, lightly balanced on the balls of her feet, with her hands open, ready to create weapons. His stomach clenched at the thought of again addressing a crowd.

  Remembering how Mia had stood up for him when he’d first come to Las Anclas, he turned to the defense chief and the mayor. “Kerry’s a guest. My guest. And I’m a citizen, so that means she has guest privilege.”

  The mayor inclined her head. “That’s very gracious of you, Ross. But not necessary. You have vouched for her deeds, and here you are, as proof of her sincerity.” She addressed Kerry, but in a voice which carried to the intently listening crowd. “I consider you a guest of the entire town. Kerry Voske, welcome to Las Anclas.”

  Kerry lifted her head proudly, but Ross saw her throat bob as she swallowed. Her voice rose high and clear above the murmuring crowd. “That’s not my name any more. You all know who my father is, but I have a mother, too. Her name is Min Soo Cho. And from now on, my name is Kerry Ji Sun Cho.”

  As a chorus of voices rose up again, Mr. Preston stepped forward. “Let’s continue this conversation somewhere more private.”

  “Please wait at my house,” the mayor suggested. “I am sure you’re in need of rest and refreshment.”

  Mr. Preston nodded. “We want to thank you, Kerry. That’s all.”

  Kerry followed them, accompanied by Sheriff Crow.

  Mia and Jennie closed protectively on either side of Ross, Mia fiercely rubbing tears from her eyes, and Jennie smiling in a way that Ross hadn’t seen since the night of the dance.

  He was unable to utter a word. In all the time he’d been held prisoner, he’d always believed they’d remembered him, and that they would rescue him if they could. But he’d never imagined they would risk everything in their lives, just for him.

  Jennie’s strong, callused fingers squeezed his right hand gently then shifted to rest on his waist. Mia’s small palm slid over his left hand, patting the gauntlet before she tucked her arm under Jennie’s and grabbed his other side.

  Mia tugged, Jennie shifted, and Ross wavered, almost off-balance, but only for a moment. One step, two, and the three of them found their rhythm.

  Chapter Fifty-Two. Las Anclas.

  Kerry

  It was strange to get invited to the house that could have become Kerry’s palace. It had a rose garden like Mom’s, though smaller, full of thorny flowers taking up more than their fair share of precious water. Kerry wondered if the mayor candied the petals.

  Here, like at Dr. Lee’s, everyone took off their shoes at the door. The mayor invited them into a room with fussy carved furniture and an even fussier crystal chandelier. Kerry gingerly sat down in a chair cushioned in pink satin. Mom would have loved it. She set her pack at her feet and folded her hands in her lap the way Mom had taught her.

  She’d claimed her mother’s name, but she’d never see her mom again. Kerry’s eyes prickled. Then she took a deep breath. She had to keep that thought for later. Crying in front of Tom Preston and Felicité would be the ultimate in humiliation.

  “Would you care for lemonade?” the mayor asked.

  Kerry hated lemonade. She was about to shake her head when the mayor went on, “Felicité? Remember, Clara is off duty.”

  Kerry thought of Mia cra
mmed in that cell for two weeks, and said with her most polite smile, “I would love a glass. Thank you so much.”

  The sheriff also assented. Felicité gave them a perfect fake smile before heading for the kitchen.

  Mr. Preston sat beside Kerry. “I didn’t expect to see you back, but I confess I’m glad I was wrong.”

  I bet you are, Kerry thought. She hadn’t forgotten how he’d hit her across the face, or threatened her with a firing squad.

  He continued, “I know what it feels like to realize that everything you always thought was true was wrong. And what it feels like to want to make amends.”

  Kerry was used to thinking of him as the enemy interrogator, but she realized that he was being honest. And not only that, he was right. Cautiously, she nodded.

  “It must have been difficult and dangerous to free Ross. I appreciate that you took that risk for a citizen of Las Anclas. And helping him blow up the dam protects the entire town.” Mr. Preston leaned forward, his brow furrowed, his gaze searching.

  “There’s something else you could do to protect this town, since you clearly want to,” the mayor said with her lovely smile.

  Kerry found herself smiling back. She hadn’t thought past making sure Mia was all right, but now that the mayor had mentioned it, Kerry realized that she did want to protect the town. Maybe not everyone in it, but enough of them. And she knew what Mayor Wolfe was getting at.

  “There’s an old prospector, Prudence, in Gold Point,” Kerry said. “She Changed a few years ago, at menopause. She got the power to see and hear through hawks. That’s Father’s secret.”

  The defense chief drew in a deep breath, and he and the mayor exchanged glances. The sheriff leaned back, her one normal eyebrow lifting.

  “Pru can only use her Change power for a little while every day,” Kerry explained. “And hawks only fly in the day. She has to be within a couple miles of them, so Father has to send Pru any time he wants to check on other towns. When she comes here to spy, she hides in the hills.”

  “Why didn’t he know about our singing tree?” asked Sheriff Crow.