Kora (Kora Series Book 1)

by Marina Epley

  “What?!”

  “My real name is Christopher. I was named after my father. He was the high master of Central Settlement before Samuel took his place.”

  My heart rate skyrockets. I remember his panic attack, his excitement upon discovering my knife and obsession about Gabriel’s death. I realize I’m sitting beside the legitimate high master of our land. The servant girl in me feels a wave of admiration, but I quickly suppress it. I’m no longer anybody’s servant.

  “Everybody believes you’re dead,” I mutter.

  “As you can plainly see I’m alive and well.”

  “But I heard roamers killed your entire family.”

  “Of course you did.” Wreck smirks, and stabs the knife deeply into the floor. I shudder. “Samuel made sure it looked that way. But it’s not true. I know. I was there. I watched as Samuel’s soldiers butchered my parents and four sisters. I watched as they cut off their heads and tore their bodies into pieces.” His eyes glaze over, his grin turning into a sneer. “Blood was everywhere… on the floor, walls, the ceiling.” He pauses. “Like for me to continue? You still want to know more?”

  I swallow hard and ask, “Why did Samuel kill your family?”

  “Why do you think? He wanted to become the high master. It passed down to my mother who was a better fit for the role. She was Samuel’s older sister and took over leadership after my grandparents passed. She was smart, kind and broad-minded. My parents planned to liberate the servants. Samuel played along and pretended like a good member of our family for many years. I used to play with Gabriel when I was a kid. Can you believe that? He was a jerk even as a child.”

  My eyes focus on the rough scar across his cheek. I remember Gabriel holding his knife at my face and Amy’s bloody cuts.

  “Samuel and his soldiers broke into the mansion at night,” Wreck continues. “They made everything look like it was a roamer attack. They even painted their faces and wore dark clothes. But I recognized my uncle. His weak disguise couldn’t fool me.”

  “How did you survive?” I ask.

  “Well,” Wreck sighs. “I wasn’t the only boy in our family. My parents had also adopted a homeless kid. He had been traveling with a group of thieves and grifters. They were doing magic acts and robbing people along the way. This boy came to our mansion to beg for money. My parents felt sorry for him because his owners were abusing him. So we bought him. And that is what ended up saving my life. Samuel’s soldiers mistook him for me and killed the wrong boy. Our nanny, an old lady, managed to lead me out of the mansion. She took me to her home village. A few days later soldiers arrived and killed her along with all the other villagers, looking for me. I escaped, leaving everything behind, and Jin found me a few weeks later. That’s all. The end of the story.”

  I say quietly, “I’m so sorry, Kris.”

  He turns to face me, his teeth bared. “Are you satisfied now? Do you feel better knowing who I really am? I’m just a coward. I did nothing to save my family. I just hid while Samuel’s soldiers were slaughtering them.”

  His furious voice startles me.

  “You were just a kid,” I say.

  “So what? My sister, Violet, was only fifteen. But she took a gun and downed three soldiers before they could get to her. She was trying to protect her family. And I did damn well nothing.” He breaks off for a moment, his expression haunted. “I can’t stop thinking of what I might have done. Every waking day and night I think about it, Kora. I can still see dead eyes of my mother and father. I can still hear my sisters crying and calling out for me. I won’t ever forgive myself for being a coward that night, for letting him kill my family. I should have fought and died along with the others.”

  I sniffle, feeling suffocated. I want to throw my arms around him, press my face into his chest and cry. Instead, I just whisper, “You shouldn’t blame yourself. It’s not your fault.”

  “Stop crying, Kora. I don’t want your sympathy, all right?”

  “Kris…”

  “I said stop it.” He stands up and points at the door. “You’ve got what you came for. Now leave me alone, please.”

  I sit unmoving. Wreck grabs my elbow, yanks me to my feet and half leads, half drags me toward the door. He pushes me outside and shuts the door. I stagger along the street, wiping away my tears and shivering. But even as I cry, my brain is busy working out a plan how I can use all this.

  I know I can’t kill Samuel and rescue my friends on my own. I need a tough experienced fighter who might help me. But how can I persuade him to follow me? How can I get him to do what I want?

  I miss my friends so much and feel homesick and lonely. I still remember Trent holding me gently in his arms, his soft lips pressing against mine. My heart aches. I want so badly to be his girlfriend. I envision Martha laughing cheerfully. Samantha, whom I used to hate yet turned out to be so similar to me. Sandro and Dennis and all the other racers… How many days do they have left before the next Terror Race?

  An odd determination grows inside me. I must free my friends from slavery and an almost certain death. I failed to save Amy and my mother. I’ll never forgive myself if I fail again.

  CHAPTER 36

  I return to his shack after dark and find him sitting on the floor, reading a Star Wars book. I sigh. Of course he has some education and knows how to read. His face looks savage, covered in the ominous-looking paint. Not exactly approachable.

  “What are you reading?” I ask softly, kneeling in front of him, curling my lips into my sweetest smile. I must be nice and gentle if I expect his help.

  “Well, it’s just an old book… It’s about a chosen one who fights against evil and saves the world in the end.”

  His voice sounds flat and he doesn’t look at me.

  “I think you’re a chosen one as well,” I lie. “You were right. We were destined to meet. That must be why you saw me during your spirit journey.”

  Wreck rolls his eyes, putting down the book. “I made it up, all right? I didn’t see a damn thing during my spirit journey.”

  I lean in closer, maintaining a serious expression and making my voice sound sincere. “Just think about it, Kris. What were the chances of us meeting? We were brought together for a reason. We must travel back to Central Settlement and kill your uncle. You’ll take his place and free all the servants in our land. This is our path, Kris. That is our destiny.”

  I pause, worried that he will laugh at me, but he remains silent.

  “My spiritual guardian showed me the way,” I continue. “She said I must follow Jingfay’s legacy and that you’ll help me.”

  He shakes his head. “Spirits aren’t real, all right? You were just high. It was just a hallucination.”

  “What’s real and what’s not?” I smile again. “If you believe in something strongly enough, it becomes real. I believe in what I saw. And I believe in you, Kris. I know we can do this together.”

  He smirks. “You just want me to help you rescue your boyfriend, don’t you? I don’t like being manipulated, Kora.”

  “You’re the true high master, Kris.” I squeeze his hand tightly. “Do you realize that Central Settlement and all our land… it all belongs to you. You must take back what’s yours. Please, come with me, Kris. Please, let me help you.”

  He pulls his hand away. “I was never supposed to become the high master. And I never wanted to. It’s not much fun. Violet would have become one. She was a perfect fit for that role, not me. Smart, fearless, kind… just like our mother. So I won’t be going back. I like my life here and don’t want to change anything.”

  “How can you say that?” I feel anger boiling inside me. “How can you let the killer of your parents go on living? Don’t you want to take revenge?”

  “Nope. That’s all in the past. I’m not Prince Christopher any longer. He died that night. Samuel murdered him. I’m Kris, a roamer.”

  “Why did you spare my life then? What was that all about?”

  “Because you did what I couldn’t.
You killed my enemy’s son and took revenge for your friend. I couldn’t let Ace hurt you. I just wanted to keep you around.”

  For a moment I feel guilty, because what I did was more an act of fear and desperation than vengeance. Wreck isn’t the only one who’s been lying.

  “Are you afraid of Samuel?” I ask. “Are you still that same scared little boy?”

  His eyes darken. “I’m not scared of anybody.”

  “Why don’t you want to help me then?”

  “Why should I?” he grins. “I have no desire to change the way I live. I don’t want revenge. So why should I risk my life rescuing your boyfriend? Where is the benefit? You tell me.”

  I frown in confusion. There’s something nasty in his eyes, and it’s making me nervous. What is he talking about? I take a long look at him and all I can see is the guy who captured me and held the knife to my throat. The skin on the back of my neck begins to crawl. I remember his trying to kiss me back in the woods, his dirty little hints and the way he kept staring, almost drooling. The meaning of his words dawns on me. I understand what he wants in return for his help.

  I bite my lip, my hands shaking. I can’t do it. But once again it doesn’t matter what I can or can’t do. The only thing that matters is what I must do.

  Wreck continues looking at me expectantly, a wicked grin spread across his painted face. For a moment I envision myself lying beneath him, letting him do whatever he pleases. I imagine him grabbing my wrists, viciously pinning my arms to the floor, his mouth over mine. My heart sinks and I feel nauseated. I know it will be horrific. But the lives of my friends depend on me. You do what you have to.

  “Kora, are you all right?” he asks. “You look kinda strange.”

  I overcome my doubts. I’m going to save my friends and take revenge for my mother’s death, no matter the cost. I’ve already survived so many terrible things that one more assault won’t kill me.

  “Kris,” I mutter quietly. “I’ll do anything you want, if you agree to help me.” I glance into his eyes. “And I do mean… anything.”

  His grin vanishes. He remains silent for a long moment, just gazing at me, then says slowly, “Kora, let me get this straight. Are you offering yourself in exchange for my services?”

  I nod, and his eyes flicker.

  “You must really want to rescue your friends,” he says.

  “Yes, I have to save them,” I say flatly. “So let’s make a deal. I’ll do whatever you please if you just help me.”

  “Well,” he pauses, looking me over. I tense up, waiting for his response, my heart jumping. “As tempting as it is, I have to turn down your generous offer. Because there’s nothing you can do to make me want to return to my past.”

  I fall into a temporary stupor. I truly don’t understand this guy.

  “Please,” I blurt out. “Help me.”

  “Nope. It’s not happening, no matter what you say or do.”

  I know I’m losing my last hope of rescuing my friends, so I lean in closer and wrap my arms around his neck. He doesn’t move, looking into my eyes, his expression hesitant yet hopeful. Thinking of Trent, I press my lips against his. He remains motionless for a second, then his hands move slowly onto my waist. My body becomes stiff and I begin to panic, but don’t try to stop him. I have to do this because I don’t see another way. So I sit unmoving, persuading myself that I can survive this, trying to block out my thoughts. He slowly pulls me in closer, and I feel his wet tongue parting my lips. I have to suppress a growing impulse to fight. I’m disgusted. My increasing anxiety is almost overwhelming because I do know what is going to happen next. He wraps his arms around me, trapping me, his grip strong and forceful now. And I want to scream, realizing I can’t escape, can’t even allow myself any resistance…

  A moment later he pushes me away. We stare at each other.

  “Dang it, Kora,” he says. “What was that all about? I said I’m not gonna help you.”

  I wipe my lips, rising to my feet, feeling dirty and angry.

  “Coward!” I hiss. “You’re nothing but a coward! You’re still the same little boy afraid to go outside.”

  “You’d best shut your mouth, Kora.” He stands up. “I really don’t want to have to hurt you.”

  I take a step forward, my fingers finding Gabriel’s knife inside my pocket. “I’m not scared of you, Wreck.”

  “You should be. I’m a cold-blooded killer.”

  “So am I.” I glare straight into his bleak gray eyes. “And you wouldn’t be the first prince I’ve killed.”

  We face each other, and for an instant I can envision him charging into me. I’m frightened, yet prepared to fight.

  But he doesn’t attack me. He smiles and says with an eerie calmness, “Kora, get the hell out of here while I still remember you’re a friend. Because if you don’t, I might soon forget.”

  His cold soft voice carries more menace than shouting would. I turn and walk outside, not feeling my legs. I suppose I’ve just lost my only chance to kill Samuel and rescue Trent and the others.

  CHAPTER 37

  I walk through the dark woods, heading toward Jin’s house and thinking about Wreck, my recent obsession.

  I really hate the guy.

  I can’t believe how desperately I begged for him to help me. How could I have done that? How could I offer myself to him and then try to kiss him after his refusal? What if he tells the other rangers? What if they all start mocking and shaming me? Wreck must despise me now after everything I’ve done. But even as I regret doing so, I realize I would try the same thing facing a similar situation. Well, I guess I’ve never been what one would call a good girl.

  Noises coming from the brush disrupt my neurotic thoughts. A wolf steps out from the shadows, his yellow eyes watching me. I brandish my knife and leap toward the animal, yelling, “Get the hell away!”

  Startled, the wolf flees.

  I begin running down the lonely path. Running, yet no longer scared by wolves, darkness, roamers or anything else. I’m furious and want to kill something. I now realize that I won’t be able to rescue my friends nor avenge my mother. The very thought hurts my heart.

  Half an hour later, I sit crying in Jingfay’s living room. My fury having turned to self-pity upon seeing Maxine and Jin. I know they won’t think less of me because of my tears. It’s relieving to cry when somebody is sympathetic and kind toward you. I wish I could see Tanya, but the little girl is asleep.

  “You knew he was the high master’s son,” I sob. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “We promised Kris not to share his story with anybody,” Maxine sighs, sitting in a chair in front of me. “I can’t believe he didn’t agree to help you. He used to spend hours telling me how badly he wanted to kill his uncle.”

  “Does anybody else know who he really is?”

  “We don’t think so,” Jin answers. “Kris didn’t want anybody to learn his secret. He was very careful about that. Samuel would send soldiers to kill him, if he knew his location. Kris is still a threat to his leadership.”

  “Why is he hiding? Why doesn’t he want revenge? I thought he was tough and brave… but he refused to help me. He just flat out refused…”

  My voice breaks. Talking about him makes me anxious.

  “How can he be such a coward?” I blurt out angrily.

  “Don’t judge him too harshly, Kora,” Jin says, handing me a cup of warm tea. I take a long sip, calming myself. “He’s been through a lot in his life, and has earned the right to choose what’s best for him.”

  “I’ve been through a lot too,” I look up at her. “But I’m not scared by the ghosts of my past.”

  “Well, perhaps you’re stronger.”

  Am I? I don’t know. But I do realize that nobody else will free my friends. They can’t escape Samuel because the idea of slavery is implanted too deeply in their minds. They’ve been taught to obey for so many years that they’ve forgotten they’re human beings, not lifeless objects. Gabriel was righ
t about that. Most people can only do what they are told to, no matter whether it’s good or bad.

  My thoughts carry me back to the night I was begging my mother to escape with me. I remember Tanya’s relatives refusing to take a single step toward their freedom, although the door was open wide and the guards were dead. Tears flood my eyes again, but this time not from self-pity. I cry for my mother, Amethyst and Topaz. I cry for Logan’s friend who was shot by Gabriel, and the girl with the scarred face who helped Tanya and I escape. I weep for all the abused and mistreated servants in the land, those who know nothing better than their enslavement.

  How can I help anybody? How can I change anything? Am I losing my mind to even have such ideas?

  Maxine and Jin wait patiently for me to calm down. When I finally run out of tears, a cold determination settles over me. I feel the same way as I did the night I went to rescue Amy.

  “I’m going to kill Samuel and free my friends on my own,” I say. “It doesn’t matter if Kris doesn’t want to come with me. I’ll return to Central Settlement alone.”

  “Not quite,” Maxine says, her eyes darkening. “You won’t be going alone. I’ll go with you.” She turns to face her mother. “I’m sorry, mom. But I have to do this. I can’t remain hiding in this village anymore. I feel small and insignificant here. I’ve always dreamt of doing as you once did.”

  “Well, I guess my little girl grew up.” Jin smiles at her daughter. “Should Tartis ask, I’ll tell him you both went hunting.”

  I remember the rangers have a policy not to attack Central Settlement.

  “You don’t have to do this,” I say to Maxine.

  “No, but I want to,” she insists.

  I don’t argue. I’m willing enough to go back to Central Settlement alone, but I do realize I need Maxine’s help. I feel so grateful toward her. Why is she even doing this? Why is she always helping me?

  We decide to steal a truck and travel back to Central Settlement the following night. There’s little time before the next Terror Race, but we both need rest. Maxine insists on my staying in Jin’s house, but I refuse, feeling a strong need to spend time alone. I finish my tea and leave, walking along the dark deserted path once again.