“Rumor has it that the mobs are recruiting us,” said the woman. “It’s a load of crap, but this is the same place that bought the idea of walls being impervious to monsters. Common sense really isn’t fashionable here.”
“Well, I’ve got a job to finish,” said Cherry. “We’re getting in.”
“Good luck,” said the woman. She gave them a mocking wave as they passed.
The other Rangers didn’t try stopping them. They grumbled and parted slowly, so before long the group had made its way to the front. The city side of the entryway was blocked off by a line of soldiers.
“Excuse me,” Cherry called. “Who do I talk to, to get into the city?”
“Rangers are not permitted inside the walls at this time,” snapped another man; this one wore the same uniform as the people who’d let them out five days ago. “Turn around and go somewhere else.”
“I have business in Amicae,” Cherry insisted. “I’m escorting your Sweepers back from an extermination, and I’m not leaving their side until I get them back to their head Sweeper.”
“Sweepers?” the guard scoffed. “As if we’d send Sweepers into the wild. That’s ERA’s job.”
“It should be, but here we are,” Laura said loudly. “Do you need IDs? Because we can show you right now.”
The guard spluttered. He doubled back to the soldiers and held a hushed conversation before returning.
“The Sweepers can enter once we confirm their identities. You, on the other hand, have no ID, have no clearance, and have no business here. You need to leave with the rest of the Rangers.”
Cherry looked tempted to argue, but Laura broke in: “We can do that.”
“I said I was going to get you there safe,” said Cherry.
“You got us out into the wilds and back again,” said Laura. “Thank you for all your help, but I think we’ll be okay from here. Really, if you’re not involved yet, I don’t think you want to be, and I don’t think you should.”
“I feel like I’d be abandoning you otherwise,” Cherry grumbled.
“Don’t worry. We may not know the wilds, but we definitely know our way around Amicae.”
That got Cherry to smile again, if only slightly. “If you’re that confident, I won’t argue with you. Just don’t do anything stupid, all right?”
“Right,” said Laura.
She and Okane dismounted. Grim gathered their horses’ reins without a word. Laura didn’t feel nearly as close to him as she did to Cherry now, but he’d been steadfast through the entire endeavor, and she still couldn’t shake that feeling of familiarity. She paused beside him and said, “Really, thank you for all the help.”
Grim made a motion that could’ve been a shrug or maybe just a shiver. “Good luck,” he said, before backing the horses away from the lines.
Laura and Okane approached the guard. He made a big deal of looking over their IDs before allowing them entry. The soldiers watched them pass, silent and expressionless. With Amicae’s stone underfoot, Laura turned and waved. Cherry waved back, and Grim lifted a hand too.
“I wonder if maybe we should’ve stayed with them,” Okane murmured. “They could’ve taken us to one of the other cities. Didn’t that Canis Sweeper say other cities were willing to shelter us?”
“I considered it,” Laura admitted. Even now as the Rangers turned away, part of her wanted to run after them and beg for more help. A larger part of her said she was in the right place. “I’m honestly scared of what the MacDanels have managed to do in the little time they’ve been here. But if we run away, that means they keep going as they want. I’m not willing to let them do that, and I’m not willing to leave Clae here.”
* * *
No sooner had the Sweepers set foot on Fortore Street than an ambulance roared past. They had to scramble over the curb to avoid being flattened.
“Damn driver needs his eyes checked,” Laura grumbled.
Okane seemed more concerned with the direction it had gone. “It’s headed toward the armory.”
“That doesn’t mean anything.”
“But if - - -’re sure the rings sent an SOS, and it came from the armory—”
“Maybe something happened nearby?”
“Enough to trigger a spell? Or maybe—what if something got Clae riled up? As a crystal, he’s got no sense. No rationality. He’s just angry. What if something woke him up and got him really mad?”
“You think an infestation picked here of all places to go crazy?”
Despite her scoffing, worry gnawed at Laura’s stomach. It only got worse as they grew closer. They noticed the smoke first. It billowed, gray and foreboding, as the outskirts of a crowd came into view. A fire truck loomed amid a sea of black police uniforms. It seemed as if every single one of them was shouting something.
“Where’s the fire?”
“Get that stretcher over here! We’ve got a man down!”
“Take your available men and spread out! If we shut down the cable cars we can trap them!”
Hovering by the edge of activity, Laura spotted a familiar bowler hat. She made toward it, calling, “Byron!”
Byron turned. It took a moment for him to spot them, but he waved them closer. “There you are. I stopped by the shop a few days ago and you were gone. Not even your aunt knew where you went. Where have you been?”
“On assignment in the wilds,” Laura replied. “We just got back. What’s going on?”
“There’s been an attack on the Sweeper building.” Byron nodded at the scene, chewing thoughtfully on his pipe. “I’d investigate further, but there’s a city bigwig on-site.”
“Bigwig like a head Sweeper?”
“Inspector. We’ve got some bad blood, so if he sees me all hell will break loose. I’ll have to get the lowdown from Heather later. I haven’t seen either of the MacDanels, but that doesn’t mean they’re not here.”
A great whirring, clatter, and bang rose from the buildings ahead. A majority of the police ducked on instinct, but some, like Byron, gave only the smallest wince.
“The door’s been making that racket ever since I got here. If you’ve got any idea how to fix it, I’m sure they’ll thank you,” he said.
The armory still stood, colored windows gleaming through the smoke issuing from the garage door. It looked as if someone had hacked the bottom corner enough for it to curl outward. The main entrance had been propped open with thick steel instruments. Strange gears and parts could be glimpsed on the back of the door; they ground to life, shaking and shrieking under the strain before the door jerked inward. The steel buckled slightly, accompanied by a hideous noise. Judging by the amount of damage to the crumpled metal, this had been going on awhile. A policeman flinched in his spot on the stairs before noticing them.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded. “This is a crime scene.”
“He owns the building.” Laura gestured at Okane.
The policeman paused. “We’ve already got—”
“Owner?” As the door shuddered, another familiar face peered out. Amelia hurried outside, flinging her arms wide.
“There you are! Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick!” She rested a hand on each of their shoulders, leaned close, and whispered, “The Gin is gone. I didn’t get here in time.”
Laura felt like she’d been doused in cold water.
“What?” Okane breathed.
“The Kin equipment upstairs has been scattered. All of the Gin’s gone.”
“Who did it?” said Laura. “Do you know?”
Amelia didn’t get to reply. Juliana appeared from the armory now, too. Laura tensed at the sight, bracing herself for the worst. Would Juliana be angry that they weren’t dead already? Would she try pulling the gun on them again?
“Oh, thank goodness!”
Juliana descended the stairs and threw her arms around Okane. He went rigid in her grip.
“I was so worried!” Juliana continued, and were those tears in her eyes? “You were gone so lo
ng, I thought they must’ve got you, too!”
“Who are you talking about?” said Laura.
Amelia pointed at the building. Something glinted on the siding: dark purple paint to match the door. With its similar color and all the people moving around it, Laura had totally missed the circle.
Mobs, she thought immediately, but paused. Every circle she’d seen used as a mobster target had been carefully, painstakingly applied. The MARU feared its perfect shape: unyielding, unending, harsh in the cleanliness of its single line. This circle looked hastily splashed, almost oblong. Besides, a circle was a threat. A target. Not a calling card.
This isn’t right, Laura thought. This is another shot at framing them.
And who had already used the Mad Dogs as a distraction once before? Her gaze turned to Juliana. Juliana held Okane at arm’s length now, looking at him like a mother inspecting a long-lost child.
“Are you hurt at all? The mobs didn’t do anything to you, did they? Their infestation didn’t catch you?”
“Please let go of me,” said Okane.
When Juliana made no move to do so, Laura stepped in and swatted her hands down. “We haven’t seen any infestations or mobsters today,” she said firmly. “We just got back from a job you sent us on.”
“I’d love to hear about it,” said Juliana, “but I’m afraid we’ll have to wait until this situation is resolved. If Amelia’s right, then the city’s Sweeper force is at a total standstill. If we don’t get going again fast—”
“I’m sorry, could you move?” said the policeman. “The second stretcher is coming out.”
The Sweepers stepped aside. EMTs ducked under the steel parts, bearing a stretcher between them. Laid out upon it was a young man. Laura had never seen him before, but his face seemed hauntingly familiar. He had silver eyes, the exact same shade as Okane’s. Those eyes stared, glassy and empty at the sky, stark in a horribly pale face. A number tattoo had been inked onto his left cheekbone.
“Rex?” Okane watched his passing with a sickened expression.
“That’s right,” said Amelia. “I was first on the scene and found him. He’d been caught in one of the traps. It shouldn’t have killed him, but he just kept bleeding. He spouted a bunch of Rexian propaganda at me before giving up the ghost, and threw a fit when Juliana tried to stop the bleeding.”
“There’s no sign of my brother in there, is there?” said Juliana.
“None.”
Albright came alongside them now, brow furrowed and arms crossed.
“There was only the one body inside, and no additional blood,” said Albright. “The intruders obviously struggled to escape afterward, but in the process of looting?” She shook her head. “This lockdown is so extensive I can’t even see what’s normally stored here, let alone whether it was disturbed.”
“I wish Amicae’s banks had this kind of security,” the other policeman sighed.
“This isn’t the time for jokes,” said Albright. “Miss MacDanel, I’m sorry, but there’s no evidence that your brother’s been here at all. We’ll continue to look for him. In the meantime we can assume that this was a direct attack on our Sweepers. I want you all to return to the shop and stay there for the time being. We’ll have a large guard assigned to you.”
“Of course,” said Juliana. “Whatever the attackers were looking for, they didn’t find it here. We won’t let them attack our headquarters, too.”
Albright nodded. “Baxter, bring them back. Take your unit along, too. Make sure no one so much as sets foot on Acis if you find them suspicious. Miss Huxley, please remain here for now. We’ll need your help undoing the security.”
Amelia gave her a blank look. “I’m on the Sweeper payroll. You ordered Sweepers to the shop.”
“Regardless, we’re in need of your expertise.”
“I’d rather go with them.”
Albright frowned. “It’s not a request. We’ll bring you to the shop after you help us.”
“Or we could stay,” Laura said quickly. She didn’t want to go back to the Sweeper shop, to the exact place they’d been cornered last time. “I’m sure we could help.”
“You are targets,” Albright insisted. “We need you in a safe, easily defensible place. This isn’t a good location. Follow Baxter.”
Amelia scowled. She grabbed Laura’s arm, leaned close, and whispered, “Whatever you do, make sure one of those officers is in the room with you at all times. I got a weird letter from Melody Dearborn, and Juliana wanted me to leave the scene as soon as I got here. Don’t trust her.”
“I already know,” said Laura. “If you get the chance, there’s an inspector here in the crowd. Byron Rhodes. Send him over as fast as possible. He knows the situation, too.”
Amelia nodded and drew back. Albright watched this with a furrowed brow, but she didn’t pursue that curiosity when Amelia joined her. Laura climbed into the back of Baxter’s car, and the Sweepers left Fortore. Another police car took the lead, and still more followed behind.
“It’s like a funeral procession,” Laura murmured.
“Hopefully not,” said Okane. “What was that earlier, about an infestation? And how long do - - - think Lester’s been missing?”
Juliana spoke to Baxter in the front seat, grilling him about how, exactly, the Council would be alerted to the situation.
“The mobs can get away with anything now,” she said. “Steps need to be taken to limit their influence. If the city can’t even protect their Sweepers, that’s a city doomed to fail. We need more protections. We need more people. We need more funding for those people.”
Baxter nodded along but didn’t answer. He couldn’t possibly have any sway in the matter.
At long last they arrived at the Sweeper shop. Natsu sat on her front stoop and watched them pull in, suspicion written all over her features. When men started climbing out of cars and setting up stations, she slinked back into the pawnshop.
“Thank you for the ride,” said Juliana. “We’ll rest easy with you watching over us.”
As the Sweepers crossed the street, Laura caught a snippet of the nearby officers’ conversation:
“Hasn’t Miss MacDanel’s brother gone missing? I’m surprised she’s acting so normally.”
“It’s called a level head. Goes to show she’s a professional.”
Or maybe she was calm because Lester hadn’t gone missing at all. Maybe this simply painted Juliana as the triumphant victim, just in time for another newspaper highlight. But if so, how could they plant a Rexian? Why?
Laura’s mind spun as they stepped into the shop. Okane sucked in a harsh breath. He strode around the counter and stopped by the stairwell door. Its handle and lock shone brighter than Laura had ever seen, but more than that, its shape was off. Close, but wrong. Replaced. Okane’s hand trembled over it before clenching into a fist.
“It’s nice to be away from prying eyes,” said Juliana, as she pulled down the window blinds. She sounded downright casual, as if she hadn’t broken into Okane’s home, as if she hadn’t held them at gunpoint and sent them into a death trap.
Laura seethed. She spun on her heel, ready to snap, but faltered as hands came up to cup her face.
“Why are you here, Laura?” said Juliana, but it came across more like teasing than accusing.
“I’m an Amicae Sweeper,” Laura growled.
“And what would you do to keep Amicae safe?”
“Anything. Including going against you.”
She expected backlash, but Juliana only laughed.
“See?” she said. “There’s no trouble talking with her in the room. We’re all willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. So long as we’re all on the same page, there’s nothing to worry about.” She sashayed away to settle on a stool, crossed her ankles, and smiled. “So, is Lester waiting to rendezvous with us?”
Silence. It took a moment for Laura to realize what was going on. Before they’d gone into the wilds, Lester acted as if Okane knew everyth
ing. Laura assumed they’d known otherwise when he insisted he knew nothing, but no. Juliana honestly still believed he was involved. Okane had obviously reached the same conclusion.
“I’ve been out in the wilds for the last five days,” he said slowly. “Anything that’s happened since has happened outside of my knowledge.”
Juliana rolled her eyes. “I know you’re not your boss, but you must have some idea of what’s going on. Didn’t you make a plan for everything?”
“Plans change easily,” said Okane. “I might have a better idea if I know the circumstances. Could - - - explain to me the whole situation? Just for clarity. I’m sure that - - -r…” He gestured awkwardly at Laura. “… new collaborator will appreciate it, if she’s involved now.”
“There’s just no getting around her involvement.” Juliana shrugged dramatically. “She sticks her nose in too many things and doesn’t let them go. I would’ve thought you’d try harder to divert her attention, but I suppose, you being what you are…” She gave him a mocking, piteous look. “You’re not exactly built to keep a lady’s attentions, are you? That said, if you were that determined to keep her in the dark, there must be a reason for it. You want her alive. She must fit into the plan somehow.” Finally she turned to Laura. “You were right, we did have a secret. A glorious secret. Lester and I made a contract to power Amicae’s abilities. I told you I’d ensure our success, didn’t I?”
Laura felt cold. “So you approached the couriers?”
“The what? You don’t really think I can appeal to newspaper boys for Sweeping.”
“No,” said Laura. “The wilds couriers. The people Rangers get scared of.”
“Ha! Rangers.” Juliana waved a hand dismissively. “I think you know what you’re talking about, you just have the wrong name. Really, think about it. There’s only one power in all of Orien that can properly take on infestations. We went to the best.”
Okane set a hand on the counter, as if he’d suddenly lost his balance. “So - - - turned to Rex.”
Rex? The idea floated disjointed in her head. How did Rex fit into this? She’d expected mobs. She’d expected Rangers. She expected couriers, whoever they were supposed to be. But then it clicked. Rex sent raiding parties into the wilds, Sweepers and otherwise. Rex would easily cut down satellite towns in their raids. Rex would happily kill off any Rangers they found, to keep alarms from spreading. With their frequent crusades, of course Rex would have powerful Eggs in their supplies. And of course, she knew where their contact had come from. Last year, before the Falling Infestation, before Laura had gone to Puer, three Rexian Sweepers had entered Amicae. Two had been captured, the third presumably to blame for the ruined bulwark and ensuing infestation. It had to be Theron. He’d lain low, looking for a chance to bring down a city for glorious Rex.
The Monstrous Citadel Page 24
