Kora (Kora Series Book 1)

by Marina Epley

  I don’t answer. I don’t want to go on any kind of adventure. I don’t want to become a ranger or to be stuck in these woods with this guy.

  But what do I want? I ask myself. I have no answer. I used to dream of Central Settlement, but nothing good came of that. We were heading toward Bastion without even knowing what kind of place it really is. I no longer have a dream or a purpose. I believe I’m completely lost.

  “Why are you being so serious?” Wreck asks. “Cheer up. Sing with me.”

  “I have no desire to sing with my likely killer,” I answer flatly.

  He gives me a surprised look. “Did you really believe all that crap I fed Tartis?”

  “I don’t know,” I say. “Don’t you respect your precious traditions?”

  He rolls his eyes. “Nobody in our village gives a hoot about tradition. Come on, you don’t really think all the wannabe rangers kill the chimeras on their own, do you? The mentors usually help them out during a test. And all this talk about killing… Well, I guess that was just for dramatic effect.”

  “What about you?” I ask. “Did you kill your chimera?”

  “Nah,” Wreck shakes his head. “I got real lucky. I found a dead chimera in the woods and cut off its head. The corpse wasn’t even fresh. It was stinking. So everybody realized how I took the chimera’s head, but guess what? Nobody cared.”

  “So you’ve never really killed a chimera before?”

  “Nope. This will be my first one.”

  “And what if we can’t kill it?”

  “Don’t be so pessimistic,” he says. “Everything is gonna be all right. Trust me.”

  How can I trust him? How can I trust somebody who’s already threatened me with a knife, someone I know nothing about? I don’t even understand why he needs me alive. What possible motive could he have?

  I remember Ace’s words. Could they be true? Is it possible Wreck just wants to use me for his personal plaything? I doubt that. I wouldn’t be a good candidate for such a role. I’m not beautiful, charming or particularly sweet.

  “Why are you helping me?” I ask.

  “I don’t know,” Wreck says. “Maybe I have a crush on you.”

  I stare at him, slowing my stride, but a moment later he begins laughing, as if it was just a joke.

  “Relax,” he says. “I just believe you’ll become a great ranger.”

  He’s lying. I know it. I don’t think he really believes that I’m all that strong or tough.

  “Was it true what Ace said?” I ask.

  “Oh come on,” Wreck sighs. “You not gonna believe Ace, are you? He’s a jerk. I’d been looking for him to give me a reason to beat the hell out of him for a long time.”

  I don’t know why I bother asking all these questions. It’s not like he’ll tell me the truth anyway.

  “Where are we going?” I change the subject.

  “To the chimera caverns. There’s no chimeras out here. They don’t like the woods. They live inside caves.”

  As we pass some bushes, Wreck stops and begins tearing off leaves. I stop as well, watching him. He carefully checks each leaf before placing it inside his pack, only choosing those of a certain size.

  “What are you doing?” I ask.

  “Replenishing my supply.”

  “What are these leaves for?”

  “Well, leaves of this particular plant may render a person unconscious for several hours.” He grins. “Dangerous stuff. Take a little too much and you’ll never wake up ever again. It all depends on the person’s age, size and overall health.”

  “What do you need it for?”

  “In case somebody gets injured or shot. It’s not much fun extracting a bullet from someone who’s screaming in pain. So you just give them a little of this and they sleep. In a smaller dosages it’s also a strong anesthetic.”

  It sounds like he knows what he’s talking about.

  “Have you given it to anybody before?” I ask.

  “Yeah, many times. And I also know a few plants that can reduce fever, help with a sore throat or the flu. We don’t have any real doctors or medicine in our village. So you must learn how to help people with whatever stuff you can find in these woods.”

  I look at him in surprise. Wreck doesn’t appear like somebody who would be good at healing. “How did you learn all that?”

  “I’m acquainted with a witch who heals people.”

  “You mean… a real witch?”

  Wreck nods, his expression serious. “She taught me a lot of spells. Look.” He picks a small yellow flower from the grass. “Like to know what this guy is for? A love spell. If you were to eat one, you’d fall in love with me forever.”

  “I don’t believe in magic,” I say.

  “Oh really?” Wreck snorts. “Try it then. Take a little bite and just see what happens.”

  He gives me the flower.

  “I’m not some cow that likes to eat flowers,” I say.

  “You’re just scared. You know that nobody can resist a good love spell.”

  His arrogant voice angers me.

  “There are no such things as love spells,” I say.

  “I think you’re just afraid that you’ll lose control,” Wreck states. “You must understand how powerful love spells can be.” I roll my eyes and he adds, “Come on, I dare you. Prove how magic doesn’t exist. Scared?”

  I know I shouldn’t do it, but his mocking is unbearable.

  “I’m not scared,” I say and place the flower on my tongue.

  Wreck watches me intently, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. As I begin chewing the flower, a disgusting bitter taste fills my mouth. My throat burns and my nose begins running.

  “Goodness,” I gulp, spitting. “What is this?”

  “Gotcha!” Wreck almost doubles over from laughter. “Dang, Kora! I can’t believe you fell for that!”

  “What did you give me?” I ask angrily. “What does this plant do?”

  “Nothing! It’s just a flower that tastes like crap,” he chuckles, handing me over a metal flask. “Here, wash out your mouth.”

  “You’re an idiot!”

  I grab the flask, take a sip of water and spit it out. There’s still a sharp bitter taste on my tongue. I groan, causing Wreck to laugh even harder.

  “I’m sorry!” he exclaims. “I know it was mean, but I just couldn’t help myself. It was so tempting. I still can’t believe you agreed to eat one.”

  “How old are you?” I ask, because at the moment I seriously doubt Wreck is nineteen.

  “No idea,” he shrugs, smiling. “C’mon. Don’t be angry. I was once a victim of this prank too.”

  I don’t answer, just glare at him. I do admit it was stupid of me to eat the flower.

  “Let’s get moving,” he says, still grinning like a fool, and we continue walking.

  A couple hours later darkness falls over the woods and it’s time to stop for the night. Wreck starts a fire and produces some bread and jerky from his pack. We eat. The moist air is getting colder. I gaze into the fire, and all I can see is Tanya and I swinging flaming branches around, as a pack of wolves encircled us.

  “Tell me about the roamers,” I say, forcing myself to focus on the present moment.

  “What do you want to know?”

  “How did it all start?”

  “Well,” Wreck pauses, thinking. “A group of servants started a big riot back in Central Settlement many years ago. I heard they slayed the masters along with their guards and escaped to the Dark Land. They founded a small village and formed a squad of rangers to protect them from any hostile strangers. They were also planning to take over Central Settlement and liberate the remaining servants, but it didn’t work out. In time, the rangers transformed into a gang and began killing any travelers who happened upon their land.” He grins. “That’s about it. The end.”

  “How sad,” I say. “So not everyone in your village is a ranger?”

  “Of course not. You’ve just never been in the
section where most folks live. They’re kinda peaceful, you know. They provide us with food in return for protection.”

  “I thought you robbed other villages to get food and clothes.”

  “Nah, we ain’t quite that bad,” Wreck says. “Some folks in our village grow cows and chickens. They trade with the nearby settlements. We don’t really attack anybody. We mostly just protect our land, making sure nobody bothers us.”

  “I heard you were kidnapping women and children from other villages,” I say, remembering what Trent told me.

  “Oh, come on.” Wreck rolls his eyes. “Why would we do that? We have plenty of women and children in our village. Besides, can you imagine the number of mouths we’d have to feed if we engaged in regular kidnapping? It’s not like we’re starving, but we don’t have unlimited resources either.”

  “But didn’t the rangers kill the family of the previous high master?”

  “We have a strict policy not to attack Central Settlement,” Wreck answers, and I notice some tension in his voice.

  “Well, somebody cut off their heads,” I say. “Sounds like ranger methods to me.”

  “We didn’t do it,” Wreck answers sternly, and I see a sparkle of anger in his eyes.

  I decide it’s better not to press further.

  “Did Jingfay really start that riot amongst the servants?” I ask, remembering how excited the rangers became after I mentioned her name.

  “Yep,” Wreck answers.

  “So she is real,” I smile. “Where is she now?”

  Wreck remains quiet for a few moments, then says flatly, “Jingfay died.”

  I feel a sudden wave of sadness. I realize that all this time I’ve been hoping to meet Jingfay, as if she could somehow help me to find myself. It seems silly now.

  “I heard she was the last Amazon warrior,” I sigh.

  “Nah, she wasn’t the last,” Wreck says. “There are still a few hanging around.”

  “Really?” I look up at him. “Have you met them?” He nods. “What are they like?”

  “Fierce warriors.”

  “I’d like to meet them.”

  “Well, we’ll see about that,” Wreck promises, and I can’t decide whether he’s just joking or not this time. Can Amazon warriors be real? Do they still exist?

  “You know there are many myths about roamers back in Central Settlement,” I say. “Some people believe you can turn into wolves. Isn’t it funny?”

  Wreck grins, moves a little closer to me and whispers, “I’m not supposed to tell you this just yet. It’s secret.” He pauses, his grin becoming wider. “We actually do know how to turn into wolves.”

  “I don’t believe in fairy tales,” I state.

  “It’s no fairy tale,” Wreck assures. “It’s true.”

  “You mean to say you are a werewolf?” I ask, and he nods. “Prove it. Turn into a wolf right now. I dare you.”

  “Well, I can only do it when there’s a full moon.”

  “There’s a full moon right now,” I remind him.

  “So there is,” he admits, “but the clouds are blocking it. The sky has to be clear.”

  “Liar! That’s enough. I’m going to sleep.”

  Wreck laughs, tilts his head back and lets out a long creepy howl in the perfect imitation of a wolf. A few moments later I hear a scary familiar howling coming in return from the distance, causing me to shiver.

  “My brothers,” Wreck comments.

  I walk a few yards away and lie under a tree, watching him as he sits at the fire. He stares off into the darkness with his glazed-over eyes, smirking. I realize that in being here alone with him, I’m completely at his mercy. I don’t feel safe at all around this guy.

  CHAPTER 26

  I’m back in the basement, running for the door as Gabriel grabs me from behind. His arm holds me so tightly I can’t move. Frightened, I violently jerk my head back, headbutting him.

  “Dang it, Kora!”

  I open my eyes and find I’m not in a basement. I’m in the woods, lying on my side under a tree. Wreck sits beside me, rubbing his chin.

  “Sorry,” I mutter in a shaky voice, panicking. “I didn’t realize it was you.”

  He throws a sharp look my direction. It’s scary as I know he has a violent temper. There’s no telling what he may do.

  “Who else could it be?” he asks.

  “Gabriel attacked me in a dream,” I explain, my hands trembling.

  “Well, I’m real glad you headbutted Gabriel,” Wreck grins. “But you almost knocked out my teeth! I wasn’t attacking you. I just wanted to hold you.”

  I stare at him. “What?”

  Wreck stops grinning, seemingly troubled, and mutters, “It’s cold. You were shivering. I just thought I would warm you.”

  “I hate when anybody touches me,” I snap, feeling spiteful now.

  He thinks for a moment, his eyes lowered.

  “Sorry,” he says quietly, shuffling away. “I didn’t mean anything. I really didn’t. I promise it won’t happen again.”

  He sounds sincere. He walks several yards away and plops on his side under another tree, turning his back to me.

  I lie back down, my teeth chattering. The night air is really cold. I suddenly feel lonely and sad, thinking about Trent. I remember my first night in Central Settlement, the warm salty breeze on my face and his kiss. If he was here, I’d ask him to hold me. But there’s no Trent, only Wreck, so I hug myself and try to drift back to sleep.

  ***

  Several hours later I awaken with tears rolling down my face. I saw my mother tied up to a tree in my dream, her body burning and her mouth frozen open in a silent plea for help.

  It’s early morning and a thick fog creeps through the woods. I sit up, wiping at my eyes. I take a deep breath to steady myself, but the humid air brings no relief. I cover my face and begin to cry.

  Wreck sits under his tree, watching me with a strange knowing expression. He rises to his feet, approaches and hands me a flask.

  “Here,” he says softly, “Have a drink.”

  I take a long sip of water and return the flask to him. Wreck plops on the ground in front of me, looking me over. I sniffle, holding back more tears, feeling weak.

  “Like to play a game?” Wreck asks.

  “What kind of game?”

  “You’ll see.”

  He pulls out a large golden coin, places it in his right palm and curls his hand into a fist. Then he holds his both fists in front of me and says, “Choose one.”

  I point at the right one. Wreck opens his fists and the coin is in his left hand.

  “You lose,” he smirks, and I smile back.

  He makes me guess a second time and I choose the left fist.

  “Wrong again,” Wreck laughs, waving an empty hand.

  The third time I win and he gives me the coin.

  “That’s your prize,” he says. “Keep it for good luck.”

  I realize he let me win on purpose.

  “Thanks,” I say, turning the coin over in my fingers. “You stole it, didn’t you?”

  “Would that bother you?”

  I hesitate, thinking. “No, not really. Is this coin valuable?”

  “Not out here. In these woods it’s just a shiny thing.”

  I remember a few stories about thieves I’d heard back in Central Settlement. I guess Wreck is a skillful pickpocket. The idea neither surprises nor bothers me.

  He cuts a thin straight branch from a tree and begins sharpening one end, using his switchblade. I watch him, still thinking of my mother.

  “May I see your knife?” I ask, trying to distract myself.

  “Sure. You like knives?”

  “I think so,” I answer, taking the switchblade from his hand and carefully touching the sharp metal. “Is it the one you held to my neck?”

  “The very one,” Wreck nods. “You can keep it if you like. You really earned it.”

  “I’ve already got one.”

  “You can n
ever own too many knives. Take it. I have another.”

  He shows me another blade, similar to the one he’s offering.

  “Well, thanks,” I say, a little embarrassed. I’m not used to receiving gifts.

  “You’re most welcome,” he grins. “Feeling any better?”

  “A little, I guess.”

  I rub my face, trying to shake off my grogginess. My head is still cloudy. The air is warm now, and the humidity is making my skin sticky.

  “Gosh,” I sigh. “I really wish I could wash my face.”

  I try to remember the last time I took a bath. I feel dirty.

  “Come with me,” Wreck says, smiling. “I have something to show you.”

  He leads me through the woods and in a few minutes we suddenly arrive at a lake. The water is clear and motionless like a big smooth mirror reflecting the clouds and trees. Fog snakes above the surface, giving this place a surreal and almost eerie look.

  “It’s beautiful,” I utter.

  “The water is really nice,” Wreck says. “You may go for a swim if you like. Do you know how?”

  “I do,” I answer. “But I have nothing to swim in.”

  He rolls his eyes. “We’re in the middle of nowhere. There’s no people around. Just remove your clothes and jump in.”

  I stare at him, scowling.

  “What?” he asks. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “I’m not gonna let you see me naked,” I state.

  “Well,” he laughs. “I really didn’t expect you would. Relax, I’ll just go gather some wood for a fire.”

  I notice that his hair is wet, though he’s still wearing his war paint. He must have swum before I woke. I don’t say anything, looking at him suspiciously.

  “Go ahead,” Wreck says, winking. “Just watch out for the snakes. I saw a few earlier.”

  He turns and heads back into the woods. Left alone, I stand at the edge of the water, hesitating. I really want to swim, but don’t trust Wreck. I vividly recall the incident with Logan and his friend, and sigh with unease.

  What would Amethyst do in this situation? Well, I guess I know the answer to that.

  I feel angry. Why do I have to bother with what Wreck has on his mind? Why can’t I swim if I want to? It wouldn’t be my fault if he decides to pull some dirty trick.