“What was that?”
“Nothing.”
She strides after Darius with her mechanical dog close on her heels. It seems everyone in this party has secrets. With a shake of my head, I follow them.
Who knows what other dangers we’ll find outside?
The sweet scent of wet soil prickles my nose. It’s usually a pleasant smell, but I’m wary now of nature. First, there were the poisonous red flowers and then the carnivorous ones.
I press against the gash left behind by Sharky Rose. It burns a little. I hope its bite wasn’t venomous.
“What happened to your arm?” Reo asks.
“A rose tried to make a meal out of me.”
He chuckles, and belatedly, he tries to cover it up with a cough. I give him an annoyed side-glance. I still haven’t forgiven him for attacking Dorothy.
Once outside, my clothes and hair become soaked in an instant. Despite the coldness seeping through my skin, I lift my chin skyward, enjoying the freedom of being caught in the rain. For six months, I went without seeing the sky, without feeling the wind on my face. My only regret is that Ky-Ren is not here with me. My chest becomes tighter. I don’t want to give in to the grief. I’ve been there for too long, and it’s a dark and lonely place.
The feeling of someone spying on me makes me open my eyes. I peer to the side, finding Dorothy watching me. A shiver runs down my spine, and it has nothing to do with being cold. Why is she staring at me in that manner as if she wants to glimpse into my mind? The corners of my lips twitch into a small smile, surprising me. My heart is shattered. I miss my little brother so damn much. How is it possible that this strange woman is making my burden lighter in less than a day?
I break our staring contest to gaze at the landscape semi-hidden by a curtain of rain. Despite the gloom, the sky is no longer a midnight canvas. The sun has already broken on the horizon, allowing us to gape at the valley before us. The yellow highway winds down below, as quiet as it was before.
So much can change in a few years of senseless war. This used to be a busy avenue. Oz was a buzzing planet, filled with opportunities. Now, all nations are keeping their gates closed, and only fools and the desperate travel on foot. I can’t speak for my companions, but I think I’m a mix of the two.
Reo said we had one more day to go until we reached Emerald City, but he never mentioned we would find another city on the way. The yellow road is no longer framed by forest. Instead, organic-shaped buildings spread on each side, resembling giant mushrooms and saucers. Smaller avenues detach from the main artery, swirling up and down, connecting the structures. There’s no sign of life, though. No light or movement coming from any of them.
“Where are we?” Dorothy asks.
“It looks like an abandoned metropolis,” Darius replies.
Narrowing my eyes, I notice some of the buildings are charred or have holes in their facades. It seems there’s been an attack here.
“You don’t remember?” Reo asks, but Darius doesn’t respond.
His jaw clench is answer enough. Who knew Scrawny, a guy I pegged to be the sensitive kind, could hold such a grudge?
The rain ceases as abruptly as it came. A break in the clouds above allows the sun to shine through, revealing a picture hard to forget. The glimmering green palace shining on the horizon can only mean one thing.
“Is that what I think it is?” Dorothy asks.
“Emerald City. I can’t believe it. We’ve made it,” Darius replies.
“It’s beautiful.” There’s no hiding the sense of awe in Dorothy’s voice.
“It truly is. I’ve heard stories about the capital of Oz, but the descriptions didn’t do it justice,” I say.
“Yeah, yeah, stop your gawking. We’re far from safety, and we still have a long way to go. I can see a path down,” Reo grumbles.
Together, Dorothy, Darius, and I lean forward, peering down at the ravine. Even with my sharp hellioncat eyes, I see nothing but jagged rocks and mud.
“Is this path of yours invisible by any chance?” Dorothy switches her attention to the cyborg.
“You can’t see it?” He seems genuinely surprised with his eyebrows arched and guiltless eyes.
“Did the electrical current make you daft? You’re the only one with the supersonic vision,” Darius snaps.
“Who are you calling daft? You couldn’t even remember your own name.”
I’ve just met these folks, but it seems to me there are a lot of unresolved grievances among them.
“Reo, that’s a horrible thing to say.” Dorothy comes in between them. Toto barks as if to agree with her.
The cyborg rubs his face, looking away. “Whatever. He’s the one acting like I stole his lollipop or something.”
“You tried to kill Dorothy. Don’t expect me to pretend like it didn’t happen.”
Reo spins around, taking a menacing step toward Darius. The sorcerer raises his hand as sparkles of magic gather in his palm.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” I step in between them with arms raised. “What do you think you’re doing? Fighting among ourselves is the dumbest thing we could do right now.”
“Kevvan is right,” Dorothy adds. “You two are acting like idiots. We can’t lose our minds now that we’re so close to our destination.”
“You—” Darius’s reply is cut short when we all hear the roaring sound of approaching airspeeds.
We swirl on the spot to see a squadron of eight airspeeds bearing the symbol of the Raven Witch’s army looming closer and closer.
“Oh my stars. They’re heading to Emerald City,” Dorothy says.
Frozen, we watch the Raven Witch’s air force fly toward the great city. When they’re within range, they open fire. Dark firebombs shoot straight to the castle, the highest building in the city, but the assault misses its mark. The bomb connects with an invisible barrier, exploding in the middle of the sky.
“What just happened?” Dorothy asks.
“Emerald City has a protective barrier. It’s the reason it hasn’t fallen to the Raven Witch yet.” Darius rubs the back of his neck. “I believe I designed it, actually.”
“You?” Reo asks, raising an eyebrow. “That’s impossible. That barrier has protected Emerald City for over ten years.”
Darius returns Reo’s incredulous look with a glower. “So? I’m twenty-two.”
“Fine. You are a genius then.” Reo glances away.
“You’re remembering things.” Dorothy gives Darius a small smile.
I switch my attention from the duo when one of the airspeeds breaks away from the squadron and veers in our direction. “Uh, folks? Is it me, or is that airspeed coming straight for us?”
“Shit.” Quicker than lightning, Reo grabs Dorothy’s arm and drags her back inside the glass building.
I should hide as well, but my body is frozen as I stare at the looming dark form in the sky. That airspeed can’t be mistaken for anything else. It’s the Raven Witch’s personal transport, and it’s definitely coming our way.
25
Dorothy
“What are you doing?” I struggle against Reo’s hold on my arm.
Instead of letting go, he pushes me against the wall, covering my body with his. My heart takes off inside of my chest. It’s not exactly fear that’s making it beat out of control. It’s the strange surge of excitement coursing through my veins.
That’s possibly the dumbest reaction I could have. The guy tried to kill me less than an hour ago. But his eyes are not cold or detached. They’re present, real, and riveted on my face.
“That was the Raven Witch’s personal airspeed.”
“How do you know?”
“The emblem on the hull.”
That’s right. His enhanced eyesight can see a great distance. A sliver of fear pierces my chest.
“Do you think she knows we are here?”
“Doubtful. Her vessel was too far out.”
His prolonged proximity should be making me squirm already, but the
cocoon his body has formed over mine is warm and comforting.
“She can’t see us from inside the building,” I whisper, not knowing why my voice is so feeble. “Unless her airspeed is equipped with X-ray sensors.” When Reo doesn’t respond or let go, I continue. “Wait. Is it?”
“Not that I know of.” His eyes drop to my lips, and I’m probably hallucinating, but it seems his breathing is now shallow.
Oh no. He can probably sense how my body is reacting to him.
“Dorothy!” Darius calls from my left.
There’s a sudden flash in the gloomy corridor before Reo is hit on the shoulder by one of Darius’s magical shots. The impact pushes Reo off to the side, making him grunt as he staggers back. Darius occupies the place Reo was a second ago. He searches my face first and then the rest of my body, as if looking for signs of something. Injury maybe?
“I’m okay. He didn’t hurt me.”
His eyebrows furrow, and his eyes won’t clear of the fear I see there.
“Seriously, Darius.” I cup his cheek, finding the skin cold to the touch. My heart continues to gallop in a mad race, but now, my body is melting for another guy. What’s wrong with me?
“The Raven Witch is gone now,” Kevvan announces from the door archway. His burnt-red mane is tousled and almost brown now that it’s wet. The light shining from behind gives him a halo, as if he were a sun god or something.
“Good. I’m leaving,” Reo announces. “I’m taking the path down the mountain side. It’s more than manageable. If you lily livers don’t want to come, that’s not my concern.” He strides past us with eyes that have gone ten degrees colder. He’s back to his old self.
Still close enough to Darius that I can feel his body heat, I place a hand on his chest, pushing him back a little so that I can walk around him. But the moment my palm feels how fast his heart is beating, I pull my hand back as if I were electrocuted. I can’t give him the wrong idea despite my feelings. It wouldn’t be fair.
At once, his expression falls, making me feel even guiltier. He steps back, allowing me to pass. Toto runs in my direction, barking and happily wiggling his tail. He’s the only relationship I can count on not to be complicated. With a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes, I slightly bend my knees so he can easily jump into my arms.
Outside, Reo and Kevvan are at the edge of the cliff. They both look over their shoulders when I approach. I’m about to say something encouraging. The group sure needs some positivity after all the bad stuff and the fighting, but the sky becomes dark all of a sudden, and the words get lodged in my throat.
“What in the world?” Kevvan mutters. “A solar eclipse?”
“There can’t be a solar eclipse now,” Reo replies.
Looking up with his eyes narrowed, Darius says, “That’s right; the next solar eclipse won’t happen for another—”
“One hundred thirty-five years,” Reo and Darius continue in unison, proceeding to give each other a glower.
“If not an eclipse, what is it then? Don’t tell me the Raven Witch has found a way to block the sun.” Kevvan now sounds truly alarmed.
Using my hand to shade my eyes, I stare at the darkness covering the sun. The shadow slowly begins to move out of the way, revealing its nature to me.
“It’s not a dark magic spell. It’s Mirus. He’s still around.” My voice rises to a shrill as hope fills my chest once more. I’m not too late. I still have a chance.
Facing Reo, I ask, “Where’s that path of yours? We’ve gotta get to Emerald City as quickly as possible.”
“What’s Mirus? Is it a giant space monster or something?” Kevvan asks.
“Yes,” I say.
His feline eyes widen, and it takes me a moment to understand his reaction.
“He’s not an evil monster who is going to attack us. He’s a creature who travels through deep space, eating the remains of dead stars.”
“You realize that your explanation doesn’t make it sound any better, right?” Reo continues. “But why were you so excited about it? What is it to you?”
Frowning, I reply, “Mirus is the reason I wound up here. He’s my mission, and I need to see it through.”
“So, you’re planning to leave Oz?” Darius asks.
I can’t bring myself to make eye contact. “Yes, I am.”
“And how do you plan to accomplish that? Oz doesn’t possess space-travel technology,” Reo says. He could have easily driven a dagger through my heart.
“That’s not the information I was given.”
With a smug grin, Reo crosses his arms and peers down on me. “And what information were you given?”
Imitating his stance, I reply, “That Emerald City had starships.”
Reo snorts, which, as aggravating as it is, it’s not what makes my heart sink. It’s Darius’s expression of pity that reveals I was a fool to believe Skooli’s words. What does a captain of a munchkin army know about starships? He called me Sky Warrior, for crying out loud.
“Are you saying that there aren’t any starships in Emerald City? In the entire land of Oz?” I can feel my frustration rise with every word that leaves my mouth.
“Nope,” Reo replies with a shake of his head.
Dejected, I turn away, feeling the telltale sign of tears coming in the burning of my eyes.
“Wait, Dorothy,” Darius calls out.
I don’t stop. I can’t let him see how the news has affected me.
He walks around, blocking my path. When I keep my eyes glued to the stony ground, he grabs my shoulders and tries to capture my gaze.
“What Reo is saying is not completely accurate,” Darius whispers.
I whip my face up so fast I almost bump my nose with his. Heat spreads to my cheeks at the same time Darius’s face becomes redder.
“What do you mean?” I whisper back, not knowing why he did it.
He peers over my shoulder and then focuses on my eyes again. “Bits of memory have been coming back to me. When you said starship, my first reaction was to agree with Reo’s statement. However, I have this vague impression that his information is outdated.”
“So, you’re saying there are starships in Emerald City?”
“I’m saying it’s a possibility.” He takes a step back, pushing his long bangs off his forehead. “I wish I could give you one hundred percent certainty, but unfortunately, my mind is not reliable.”
Taken over by a rare impulse, I throw my arms over his shoulders, engulfing him in a bear hug. Darius stiffens at first before returning the gesture. I wish I didn’t immediately melt into his arms or feel the urge to kiss him again.
This is not going to end up well, Dorothy.
“What’s happening? Why is Dorothy happy all of a sudden?” Kevvan asks.
“Maybe Darius proposed marriage,” Reo replies with a snarky tone.
Easing off Darius’s embrace, I pivot and flip Reo off. It’s not something I usually do, considering how immature the gesture is, but the astonished expression he displays makes it worthwhile.
I clap my hands, feeling extra cheerful. “All right, let’s get to Emerald City, people.”
The path Reo spotted could only be found by someone with enhanced bionic vision. And I use the word path loosely, just as the rocks that composed said path were. But we managed to make it down the valley without breaking our necks, so I’m calling it a successful endeavor.
Thanks to the appearance of the Raven Witch’s squadron of doom, we unanimously decided to stick to the shadows of the abandoned metropolis we had seen from the top of the hill. Reo and Darius were able to explain what had befallen the ghost town. This area was the outskirts of Emerald City before the war started, but since it was so spread out, the technology that used to protect the palace and the inner city wasn’t strong enough to encompass the periphery as well.
We walked fast, not wanting to dwell too long there. Who knew what dangerous creatures had taken refuge inside the abandoned buildings?
It’s midday when we
finally get a visual of the great gates of Emerald City. The entire inner perimeter is surrounded by a great wall made out of green bricks. They shimmer under the sunlight. But the gates draw most of my attention. They’re made out of iron and encrusted with giant emeralds, almost the same size as Toto. Their multifaceted surface reflects the light in such a manner that, once we’re close, we can’t even look directly at the gates.
“So, does gazing upon the entrance of your city jar any more memories?” Reo asks Darius.
“No.” His reply is curt. He’s not yet over his grudge against Reo.
“Well, you’d better try harder to remember what branch of the family you belong to because those guards stationed at the top of the gates don’t look one bit friendly.”
“What guards?” I look up, trying to locate them.
“Over there, hidden behind those two towers.” Kevvan points into the distance.
I narrow my eyes, but I can’t see anything. Curse regular human vision. I take the lead, trying to see what Reo and Kevvan can, when a tingling sensation goes through my entire body. The crystals in my pocket become warmer at the same time. The feeling vanishes, but alarmed shouts coming from somewhere near those gates make me stop.
With a quick glance over my shoulder, I see that my companions and Toto have stopped as well, way behind me. They’re agitated, and they seem to be trying to tell me something, but I can’t hear them.
I open my mouth to ask what’s going on when my ears pick up the sound of a quick snap. I don’t have time to whirl around before my body becomes ensnared by some type of whip. On reflex, I try to move, but my legs are tied together, and I end up falling instead.
The first thing I see when I turn my neck is a pair of shiny green boots. As my gaze travels up, I see the angry face of a guard with a twisty green mustache. For all the stars, is everything green in this place?
“What are you doing? Let me go.” I struggle against my bindings.
He leans down and grabs me by my ponytail, yanking my head back. “How did you manage to breach through our shield, Witch?”
Lost Horizon Page 16
