Balance (The Neumarian Chronicles)

by Ciara Knight

  We removed our masks and hooked them to our belts. I pulled off my knapsack and removed took two long, leather coats and one shorter one for Bendar. They were vented in the back and fell to our ankles. With the coats, Penton and I were dressed in the black uniforms of Mandesa’s personal guard while Bendar looked like a house servant. In the cold, damp air of predawn, we wouldn’t look out of place.

  Penton eased open the door. “Clear.”

  Once out, I inhaled. Stale, yes. But the very air didn’t suffocate.

  As Bendar and I trailed after Penton, I could hear the city coming to life. Ahead of us lay the main street and the sound of rushing footsteps to and from homes of the wealthy Kantian council members. Mandesa’s pets. Strangely, they didn’t worry me. I knew them, had lived among them, and learned to manipulate them to stay alive. No, it was the moans and crying further down the alley that concerned me. Hidden beneath boxes and refuse, lay sickness and death, people willing to sell their children for their next meal.

  Penton paused, his gaze scanning, taking in everything.

  “Lost?” I whispered.

  He pressed a finger to his lips and continued to search the alley behind us. Exhaling softly, he pointed to himself, then using two fingers, mimicked walking across the street.

  I nodded and moved forward, but he shook his head and pushed me back into the shadows before he rushed ahead. As we waited for the all clear signal, I glanced at the alley opening. A clock tower peaked over the rooftops of tall houses and government buildings. Recognizing our general location, I relaxed, a smidge.

  At Bendar’s nudge, I saw Penton waving us to him. We darted across the street, and joining him in the shadows.

  He motioned to a narrow gap between the rows of houses. “Sorry. It’s the next street over,” he whispered. “Button your coats. You’ll need the protection.”

  He’s kidding, right? I thought as we squeezed between houses, my back and front scraping against the cool, damp stone of their exteriors. My breath plumed in small clouds as the chill seeped into my bones. A stark contrast in temperature from the last time we were here. Clearing the alley, we checked the facing street, and, finding it empty, dashed across and into another alley.

  Penton pointed to a house a few meters to our right. “That’s Rolanda’s home.” As I moved to pass him, he thrust out his hand, stopping me. “Wait, the porch light isn’t on.”

  We eased back between the houses on the other side of the lane and waited, searching for lookouts. It felt like we stood there for hours, though it was probably only a few minutes before Bendar pointed.

  “Window. Me small. Me open. See if okay.”

  I touched his shoulder. “I don’t like it.”

  Penton stared at the darkened doorway. “I don’t either. Rolanda’s careful. If the light isn’t on, there’s a reason.”

  “I go,” Bendar insisted.

  I grabbed the little man’s arm and yanked him back. “It isn’t safe.”

  He jerked free. “I go.”

  I sighed, “Fine, but be careful. I can’t lose you.”

  Bendar nodded. “I no back in five minutes, you leave. Fast.”

  We watched him waddle across the lane, jimmy the lock, and slip through the small opening. A tidal wave of memories washed over me. Mandesa’s ship. Bendar, using the ventilation system of travel unseen. Me, beaten and locked in my room with no food or water. Bendar, slipping in treating my injuries and holding tubes of water and food to my cracked lips. I’d survived for one reason—the gentle, loving care of my surrogate father.

  “Psst!”

  We rechecked the area. Empty.

  “Psst!”

  “Bendar,” I muttered. Knowing the little man well, I didn’t just look around us, but up. Three houses down, I spotted him hanging over the roof, waving like a madman. Nudging Penton, I pointed.

  “What’s he doing?”

  “Being Bendar. Let’s go.”

  “It isn’t safe at Rolanda’s house.”

  “I know that and so does he. But—” I heard heavy, rapid footsteps approaching and eased back into the gap. We waited until the guard turned onto the main street and disappeared. “Now.” Staying hidden in the shadows, we dashed across the alley to the house Bendar had indicated.

  He leaned his head over the edge above us and pointed down at the basement door. “Safe. I know.”

  Bewildered, I tiptoed down the three steps, but saw nothing.

  “Here, look.” Penton whispered and I winced. In the silent, early morning hours voices traveled. What I wouldn’t give for Father’s telepathy.

  Penton rolled his eyes upward. There, above the door on its header, was painted a large red T. “Mark of the Triune,” Penton mumbled, more to himself than to anyone else. “You think it’s a trap?”

  “No. Bendar knows it’s safe. He must’ve found something at Rolanda’s that we’d understand.” At least, I hoped it was.

  My heart pounded as I inched up to the illuminated, brass hand plate. “If it’s a trap, we’ll never make it back to the sewers.”

  “Wouldn’t anyway. Too many guards,” Penton murmured.

  Sighing, I flattened my palm on the plate and the door snapped open. My pulse quickened. My heart beat so hard I feared it’d burst from my chest.

  Our weapons drawn—a human with a pistol, a Neumarian with gifts and a weapon that could handle anything Mandesa or her guard threw at us—we entered the dark basement of an unknown house. To say it was musty would be an understatement. It smelled more like an old tomb. Wrinkling my nose, I checked for desiccated bodies. I twitched as the door shut with a click. Steeling myself, I tugged a tiny illuminator from my belt and flicked it on. Old furnishings, boxes, and clothing filled he space.

  Suddenly, feet pounded overhead. Eyes narrowed, I listened. Two people, one, a familiar clump of one leg being shorter than the other. Bendar. “Take cover,” I hissed. “Get ready, but don’t shoot. Bendar’s with someone.”

  “Right.” Penton crouched behind an oversized steamer trunk to the right, with a clear view of the stairs.

  I positioned myself on the left, maintaining a clear line of sight from behind several large storage bins. If it was a trap, whoever had Bendar would be caught in a cross fire. We might even get out of this alive. Although I doubted it.

  A buzzing shattered the stillness. Illuminators snapped on, momentarily blinding me. I squinted and forced myself to see more than blue streaks. In seconds, my eyes adjusted to the brightness.

  “No shoot. Me, Bendar,” he said, hopping down the stairs. “Hour ago, queen arrest Rolanda. Lady Mona Triune. She help.”

  I slid from my hiding spot, my weapon up and ready to kill Lady Mona should she even blink the wrong way. I glanced at Penton. “You know her?” He shook his head.

  I narrowed my gaze, “Can we trust her?”

  “Yes,” Bendar snapped. “Father know. I know. Trust.”

  A woman stepped into the light. Typical Kantian style, her hair was bleached, her cheeks rosy, though she was slimmer than most Acadian Kantians. “I’ve been a loyal member of the rebellion since before you were born, Princess.”

  I cringed at the word princess, but said nothing.

  Penton stepped out from behind the trunk. “Why didn’t Rolanda introduce us?”

  “I’m too highly placed,” Lady Mona said. “Only three people alive know who I really am. General Bellator, Bendar, my handler and now you, Semara. Codename Shark.”

  I studied her for a moment then said the code phrase. She answered correctly and I holstered my weapon. “Stand down, Penton. Father told me about Shark.” At his questioning look, I shrugged. Who knew if she was really Shark or if our agent had been taken, broken, and replaced by this woman. But for now, I’d let the scene play out.

  His mouth a thin slash, Penton glared at me. “Just because she knows the right call signs doesn’t prove anything.”

  “True, but there is one way.” With a grim smile, I discretely glanced at his pi
stol, warning him to be ready, then motioned her forward. “You should know what to show me.”

  She turned, lifted her hair, and dropped her head, revealing the serrated edge of her implanted device.

  Penton reached out to touch it, but stopped and pulled his arm back. “What is it?”

  “Thank you.” I stepped back and turned to Penton. “One of the first devices implanted at the start of the war. She underwent the process without anesthesia. It’s wired into her spinal cord and brain. It supposedly guarantees her obedience to Mandesa.”

  “How?” he asked.

  “If deemed a traitor, it’ll kill me on the spot,” she answered.

  Penton holstered his weapon. “Are you Neumarian?”

  “No. Kantian. The queen demanded all Kantians who worked for the Acadian government submit to this. It saved me, but not…” She lifted her chin and swallowed, “my husband. I waited too long to agree.”

  “Father told me your husband was Neumarian. I’m surprised she let you live, implanted or not.”

  “She thought he was human. He shared the same gift as his brother, Fallon.” At Penton and mine’s shocked looks, she said, “Yes, I am related by marriage to the Artereses.”

  I gasped. “You’re Ryder’s long lost aunt.”

  “Yes.” She gave a weak smile. “I’m alive because my husband demanded I submit to the queen’s order as he was dragged away and murdered.. At his grave, I swore I’d continue on so one day I could help take her down. Today, we’ll fulfill my vow.”

  My heart ached for her. In my years with Mandesa, I’d heard many whispers of her barbaric behavior, and experienced more than a few myself. But what she’d never learned was that her actions left a wake of hatred and bred a rebellion. With each new cruelty, the number of our supporters grew. One day, we’d be able to honor all the innocent fallen.

  “Where’s Rolanda?” I asked.

  A shudder visibly rippled through her. Looking ready to collapse, Mona clutched the banister. “I don’t know. We ate dinner together then I walked her to the door and a hunter grabbed her. I haven’t seen her since.”

  Penton cracked his knuckles. “I don’t believe it.”

  Lady Mona straightened. “The first lesson we learn is not to draw attention to ourselves. But Rolanda always helped everyone. Even with the attack looming, she couldn’t stop herself.”

  Penton punched the wall. “She saved my life. She was my friend, taught me everything I know.” Struggling to control himself, he closed his eyes. After a moment, he stood erect and met Mona’s gaze, canting his head toward the door. “Outside. What’s with the T above all the doors?”

  With one hand still gripping the banister, she straightened her corset with the other. “I attended a council function a month ago, during which Queen Valderak laughed about an old religious book she’d just read. She claimed it said the Neumarians would spare the occupants of any building or home with a T over their outside door when they attacked the city.”

  I snorted. “I can’t believe anyone believed that garbage. We aren’t the killers, she is.”

  “You’re right. When the citizens didn’t act on the rumors, she took action. Last week a T was painted over every other door throughout the city. Then last night, they appeared on every house and shanty in the city.”

  “Great. Just great.” Grimacing, I slanted Penton a look and mouthed gas.

  Penton nodded. “Why bother? What’s it accomplish?”

  “It stokes blind terror of Neumarian retribution. Makes people distrust their neighbors. And most importantly, it denies you the ability to recognize foe from friend.”

  I rubbed my forehead, attempting to halt the escalating pounding in my head. “Thanks for the heads up. I’ll let Father know. But right now, we need help. Before sunrise, we have to get to our individual rendezvous points.”

  “Can’t be done,” Mona said. “The city’s closed down tighter than a tick. Soldiers, guards, hunters, and assassins are roaming the streets. Have been since last night. It’s a miracle you got through.”

  “Be that as it may, it’s imperative we make it to our RPs.”

  She shook her head. “Unless you’ve got a death wish or are invisible, forget it.”

  Chapter Thirty-one

  I watched Mona climb the stairs to get us some food and water then faced a scowling Penton. “Talk, but quietly.”

  Fists clinched, he glared at the basement door we’d entered. “The moment she knew about the lock down, and especially after Rolanda was taken, Mona should’ve found a Neumarian whose gift is shielding. Because, if we don’t get out of here and where we’re supposed to be, we’ll lose everything. The war, our troops, everyone we love. They’ll all be dead.”

  Pivoting, I paced the length of the basement, avoiding the mass of stored items. “She can’t and neither can we. Father contacted me as we left the base. He’d gotten intel that there’s a Neumarian stashed in the city with Dred’s ability to block powers. Part of my job is to find and free him from his slave collar.”

  “Why? If I’ve learned nothing else about Neumarian gifts, it’s they can be overwhelmed. So, during a battle with hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of Neumarians utilizing their gifts simultaneously, he’d burn out.”

  “True, but that doesn’t help us right now. I’m known throughout the empire. And dressed the way we are, we’re obvious targets.”

  Bendar stroked his beard. “Queen waits for us, right?”

  I plowed my fingers through my hair. “Yes, she knows, or she wouldn’t have locked down the city. This business with Ryder and Raeth is nothing but a show for the masses. Like saying, See, I’m suing for peace and these nasty Neumarians won’t be happy until all Kantians are dead.” I swallowed hard. “She’s already set the stage with that T business.”

  A howling wind whipped through the alleyway outside. As I passed the window, I froze. “Hunter,” I hissed. He’d just entered the street from the gap across from Rolanda’s house. Squatting, I watched him bend and sniff the pavement, following a specific scent. Mine. They’d tracked me before. No one had ever escaped them, except us in Old Chicago, but that was thanks to Mags. They were snarling creatures whose sole purpose in life was to find their prey and slaughter it, leaving no trace of the person behind. “Rolanda’s broken. You two, get upstairs. He’s here for me.”

  Penton’s face lost all color. “We’ll be safe inside, won’t we?”

  “No. Once he picks up the scent of his target, nothing can stop him. And of the three of us, I’m the one Mandesa wants the most. She set them after me over two years ago.”

  Mona carried a tray with clinking cups down the stairs. “Don’t worry about the hunter. When Rolanda was taken, I sprayed a masking agent around my house. It’ll cover all three of your scents.”

  My eyes widened. “Really? Do you have more?”

  She shook her head. “Sorry. I used all of it this evening, spraying outside and in here.”

  “Can you get some more?”

  “Not possible,” she stated with a blank expression.

  “Why?” Penton asked.

  “The inventor’s dead. He was working in his office when the queen’s guards set fire to the building.” Her hands shaking, Mona slowly set the tray down. “I heard his screams in my dreams for years.”

  Another crime in a long line of them.

  “The sewers.” I clutched Penton’s shoulders and gave him a small shake. “Guards are patrolling the underground. But if we lose the hunter, can we return to the sewer system and use it to reach our individual RPs?”

  Mona shook her head. “The queen’s decreed that not even her monks can be in public with their heads covered. Also, worried about an outpouring of support for the Artereses, she’s invoked marshal law. A curfew extends for two days, starting at midnight today. Anyone found outside is to be shot on sight.”

  “The hunter’s gone,” I said, slowly standing again.

  “How do you know?” Penton aske
d.

  “The howling wind’s stopped.”

  He checked outside. “I can’t see him. But the military’s on the move. And we’re in uniform.”

  I shook my head. “We’d pass for guards in the dark, but not during the day.”

  He removed his gun from his holster. “Then we blast our way through.”

  I shook my head again. “Remember our orders? Stealth. We’ve got to get to our positions. And if I’m not in mine soon, we’re all dead.”

  Penton smacked the trunk beside him then grimaced, holding his hand to his chest. “There has to be a way. You’re the strategist, Semara. Think of something.”

  “Not new. Old fashion work.” Bendar stroked his beard, his eyes glazed as if he weren’t here. “Risky, but work.”

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “Me lead way. Hop in and out tight space. We get there.” Bendar pointed at Penton, “Not you. Too big.”

  His brow furrowed, Penton leaned down, his nose almost touching Bendar’s. “You aren’t leaving me behind. I’ve got to deploy my gas. I’m meant to protect the Triune.”

  “Penton, it’s our only shot. If you have a better plan, speak up.” Immediately, I wanted to pull the words back in, but it was too late. I could practically see his brain churning away at ideas.

  “I could make something to distract the guards. A—”

  “Your job’s to ensure all the gas is distributed. If something goes wrong, you fix it. If you die because you stayed at my side, we’ll be defeated. Everything depends upon your mist.”

  Penton puffed out his chin. “I’ll make sure it works.”

  “Good.” I squeezed both his shoulders. “Keep your head down. Father shipped the mist last week. Stay here until you hear our attack. As soon as we start our bombing runs, everyone armed will be pulled to the front or the gates of the city. That’s when you’ll be able to slip out.”

  He nodded. “Understood.”

  I wheeled on Mona. “Penton’s job is to supervise the dispersal of the sleeping mist, as long as they’re in the exact locations specified.”

  “They are. A grey-haired old lady, with some serious hand strength, took care of it.” Mona opened and closed her hand, rubbing her wrist.