Mechanical Angel

by Sara Shanning

  Sir Javon accepted the tea, regarding her contemplatively. “Your friend there does Sir Jax’s bidding,” he warned.

  The bird chirped, hopping off her shoulder to the table. B33 rolled forward, lifting the bird and carrying it from the room.

  Remembering she had seen a small canister of milk near Sir Javon before, she fetched it for him and offered a spoon. He added a few drops and stirred his tea, intent on watching the swirl of the brew rather than her.

  B33 returned. “Miss Alel, it is best if the two of you speak in the children’s room.”

  Alel led the way. The children sat together on the couch, leaning against each other, a blanket over them and a tired look in the scatter of eyes among metal.

  “Where is Euro?” Sir Javon asked.

  Copper gave a soft gasp and buried her head against Alum’s arm.

  “Sir Jax sold him.” Alel made sure the door was shut securely and moved to stand in front of Sir Javon. “My instincts tell me if I have to choose, you are the safest choice.”

  The dark lashes over his blue eyes blinked twice. He inhaled quietly, his lips parting and his tongue darting out to wet his lips.

  “What exactly has happened here since I last visited?” he inquired finally.

  Alel told him everything. Euro, Sir Sion striking her, and the events leading to his murder, and finally, the ploy to offer herself. “I have no intention of allowing of them to win. I cannot see anyone considering taking me and the children on... except you.”

  She delved into the depths of blue, desperately wanting to see confirmation. “Tell me you will.”

  “I declared as much only days ago.”

  “Your announcement was for me. There was no mention of the children, and they, ultimately, are my priority.”

  “Alel, you are making things very difficult.” He paced away, his movements fidgety, uncharacteristic of what she had witnessed from him before.

  “Sir Javon, please. I can only imagine the horrors Euro may be suffering.”

  Sighing with frustration, he shifted to face her. “I will free Euro. What are the details of your plan?”

  “You had said a fortnight. Your arrival today was unexpected, but it does help. I will play the game, and will announce my winner in the center of town. The birds are looking for Euro. If they bring me any indication of his whereabouts, it would work in your favor to be the one to return him to me.”

  “I had heard Sir Jax put the children up for bidding. I was already making inquiries when I heard the rumors this morning of your ‘felling of Sir Jax,’ as it was phrased. The rest of the details alarmed me.” He rubbed at his forehead, looking suddenly very tired.

  “Alel, you need to know, I must win. There are things at play here I cannot share at this time. You are in grave danger, and you must believe me when I say my intentions are only for good, no matter what words leave my mouth.”

  He crossed to her, taking her arms gently and holding her gaze intently. “I never expected to feel such passion for a cause. I have never encountered a Relic woman in my life. I thought you all to be gone, despite the years I have searched.”

  “Why is it you desire a Relic woman so strongly?” His statement did not ease her fear of being wrong about him. More than her own future was at stake.

  “What if it wasn’t me?” She regretted the question the moment it was out. It made her too vulnerable. It told her too much about the state of her heart, hovering on a perilous precipice. Her struggle to take steps back was failing.

  “I don’t know,” Sir Javon admitted, letting her go. “What do you know of your bloodline, Alel?”

  “The children explained the differences between the lines.”

  “Then you understand Relic’s can claim both good and evil? You must be careful to guard your heart. Even I cannot save you if you allow yourself to fall too far.”

  The circumstances that had occurred while she had been caged surfaced. The feeling of heady power as she had claimed it in the room. The stony calmness she had let take over when Sir Vyeck had taken Sir Sion’s life. A pulse of fear at what was inside of her ticked in her temple. She knew he was right. She was balanced on a line, and her actions over the next days as her plan played out would determine her fate.

  Chapter 22

  To Change the World

  Bery slid her hand into Alel’s. “She has us, Sir Javon. We will remind her who she fights for.”

  “Then I shall leave her in your trustworthy hands,” Sir Javon said with a smile. “Do you still have the necklace, Alel?”

  She lifted a hand to her neck and slid it free from beneath her shirt. A flare of joy took over his eyes and quirked a corner of his lips. He nodded. “See that you use it, if you need me.”

  B33 offered to see him out.

  “I hope it is not a mistake to believe he has something better to offer than Sir Jax,” Alel fretted.

  Bery picked up a cat and held it close. Alel doubted the solid ore creature was very snuggly and went to fetch a stuffed animal from the girl’s room.

  “Sir Javon likes you,” Bery told her, accepting the rabbit Alel had brought.

  “He sees me as a prize, just like all the others,” Alel countered. It was better to be realistic. “He may say otherwise, but he has an agenda. He has told me as much.”

  “But he is nice,” Copper commented. “He is always kind to us.”

  “I don’t think he sees us as freaks, either,” Dys added.

  “He doesn’t seem to view you in such a way,” Alel agreed. “Help me think of other things to add to my ‘requirement list’ for my suitors.”

  “If you want them to view you as shallow as they, you must request items of monetary value.”

  Alum had a point. The men Sir Jax had considered were wealthy, with status. She nodded in agreement. “Are there any women who are held in high regard?”

  “Not for anything good,” B33 responded. “Those who have managed to make their own way do so on paths I would not wish for you to follow in.”

  “Fair enough. Then we must make it a consideration point. How can we bring freedom for other women, and even children, with what I ask for? On the Black Streets, women and children are most commonly sold as slaves. Is it the same here?”

  “For the poor,” Bery said archly. “The rich parade their children around on certain days, if I remember correctly, while those of the lower class hide theirs to keep them safe.” She frowned. “But I do not remember which of the two streets I come from, nor can I be absolutely sure what I am saying is correct.” She heaved a great sigh. “Perhaps disregard my words completely.”

  “No, no,” B33 reassured her. “You are correct, child! It is the way of things on the White Streets. You are born or bought into freedoms.”

  “How lovely it would be to end slavery,” Alel mused. “B33, do you know how and when it began? Was it always this way?”

  “Not always, no, but the ways of the past have been long gone. When the Controlled Birth Movement program was introduced, I would say that is when mindsets toward women and children began to shift. Rather than equal rights, children were examined for intellect and genetic dispositions, and eventually, women who did not fit the societal projected norm were pariahs. It was a slow progression, but one that happened nonetheless.”

  “I don’t know anything about what you are speaking of.”

  “Have you read the Relic book I brought you?”

  Alel shook her head. “My mind has been too preoccupied to focus on reading. If I had known how quickly things would change, I may have put a higher priority on knowing the history.”

  “Each of the bloodlines took strong political stances on the movement. Relic’s maintained segregating women and children into DNA classes would destroy equal rights. Unfortunately, none of the other bloodlines agreed. Gold favored women and Water favored children. The Field lines were by then already being viewed as less than so they chose to adopt more conservative positions, but faded into the background rath
er than be heard.”

  “So much division,” Alel commented.

  “It is the way of mankind, it seems,” B33 said sadly. “This need we all seem to have for more. I often wonder what the purpose of it all is. If we were placed here just so we could fight it out to the death.”

  Alel did not like anything she was hearing. If perfect children were the only ones deemed worthy, none of them with their modified bodies would be accepted for anything more than to satisfy the wicked desires of the men who wanted to own them.

  “I will need an entourage then,” Alel sated decisively. “A select group of women and children who accompany me in public, of my choosing, who purportedly hold great value to me. If Relic women are feared, my choices should sway the minds of some, and perhaps change the viewpoint of many.”

  “A very brave position to place yourself in.” It was clear Alum did not approve. “I think it could be very risky.”

  Alel had already made up her mind. “My statement must be substantial and unmistakable.” And she knew exactly who her first choice would be. Her second requirement was twofold; the man she chose would have to accept her position as well as allow her to present a competent, high ranking in current society. Both things she highly doubted most would be happy with.

  She hoped Sir Javon would not declare a boundary line she could not cross. If he did, her plans were pointless, and she would be at his mercy.

  Chapter 23

  A Bird out of its Cage

  She was not done with callers for the day. Another carriage soon arrived, this one far less garish than the others. Alel was examined like something cast off along the side of the road, her offer of tea was refused, and the trio of bots B33 lined up in the kitchen were regarded with annoyance.

  Her declaration of intent never got past her newest decision.

  “Women are not equal, and if you think any man will shorten their rein on you, you will be miserably mistaken,” she was told. “There is a hierarchy of things, you know. Perhaps you have been coddled being a Relic, but you are not even pure. Sir Jax’s modifications are not ideal, and he has obviously given you far too much freedom for your own good.”

  Her caller spouted off his opinions as he made his way to the door as quickly as he had come. “I shall not even consider the astounding task of teaching you your place,” he threw over his shoulder as he climbed back into his seat.

  “Narrows the field,” Alel said to B33 cheerfully as the man steamed his carriage into movement.

  His arrival and hasty departure was enough to lend fuel to the fire of rumor of the Relic disrupting the White Streets. Within the hour, the exact woman Alel had been considering arrived at her door. Her pink hair was curled and perfectly styled beneath a feathered top hat, her clothing full of texture but of muted colors. Her gold eyes were striking against the darker color of her skin and the flattering hues she had chosen to wear. Alel let the woman take in her surroundings, noting the frank curiosity at the sight of B33.

  “Would you like tea?”

  “I would prefer coffee, if you have it. My nights tend to run late.”

  Alel did not question her. She had been told the role a woman tended to play in a man’s life. Her mother had wanted her to know so she understood how her life would change if she was discovered. Her brutal attack the night she had died had made her far too aware of what a man did to a woman. Exploitation had been a topic her mother had passionately despised.

  Adding a plate of treats to go with the coffee, Alel sat across from the woman and waited.

  “You have done a remarkable thing,” the woman said after sipping casually at her coffee for a couple of minutes. “I haven’t decided if it is courage or stupidity, but Relics are not known for a lack of victories.”

  “What have you heard?”

  “You have sent the men of the White Streets into quite the uproar. They want you as much as they want to destroy you.”

  “I have no intention of allowing either of those things to happen,” Alel said with conviction. She smiled at the woman. “I did have plans to seek you out.“

  Surprise broke the calm demeanor. Alel quite liked the shape of the woman’s eyes. Almond, with a high upper curve, tipped with long lashes Alel was sure were real.

  “Do tell. You have heard of me, then?”

  “No,” Alel admitted. “But when Sir Jax took me into town, you looked at me differently than anyone else.”

  “You understand what I am?”

  Alel gave a small shake of her head. “I don’t care what they say or think you are.”

  “How immensely gratifying such a phrase is!” the woman exclaimed and set her coffee down with a thump. “It is true, then? You seek puppets to place at your side?”

  “Puppets?” The word soured her own drink in her mouth, and Alel grimaced. “I want no such thing. I was rather hoping we could be friends.”

  “So you intend to try and save me then?”

  “Do you need saving?” Alel highly doubted it. Even if it were so, there was little she could do in her current circumstances. She gave the woman no opportunity to answer, leaning over the table to gain her full attention. “My hope is to choose women with strong enough dispositions to defy convention. A united front is always better than standing alone.”

  “A bird out of its cage,” the woman murmured.

  “Flies free,” Alel declared.

  A smile lifted the corners of the woman’s full lips. “My name is Melliah. If you are asking, I would relish the chance to change the world.”

  “Even if it’s highly likely I’ll fail?” Talking to someone she barely knew about her plans made them feel very real. Alel wasn’t expecting it to be easy. She was preparing herself for a worse-case scenario. She knew she could become one of the many who died for no other reason than believing in something different.

  “As history has proven, it takes only one with a thought for change to create a movement. Whatever the outcome, I choose to stand by your side.” Melliah gathered her coffee in her hands again and smiled as she sipped. “When do we start?”

  “I intend to announce my chosen partner at the circle in less than a fortnight.”

  Draining her mug, Melliah stood, still smiling. “I don’t need to ask any more questions. I can see you are intelligent and have the traits Relic’s are known for. I am banking on your success, and so will many others when your press against the norms begins to sweep the streets. You will find yourself with friends in unexpected places, Alel.”

  Melliah swished her skirts to settle them. Alel walked with her to the door and out to her carriage. Melliah climbed into her seat and speared Alel with her pretty gaze. “If you find yourself in trouble, come to me.”

  B33 was clearing the remnants of their visit from the table when she returned to the kitchen. “She is brave,” he commented approvingly. “She will bring many to your side.”

  “She will need courage, I think,” Alel mused. “As will I. It has begun, B33. I believe tomorrow I will make my first trip into town.”

  “Then I shall prepare your guards. We will allow no one to touch you.”

  Alel knew little of the power behind the life on the White Streets. Despite B33’s assurance, there was one thing she knew she had to do before she dared to throw herself into the fire.

  Chapter 24

  The Art of Preparation

  Sir Javon arrived early the following morning. The children had not even risen for the day. Alel was preparing breakfast when B33 rolled past her and out the door, returning with the man she had called for by pressing the eyes on the bird hanging around her neck.

  His eyes swept over her. “You look well,” he commented. “I was afraid something had happened. I came as soon as I could.” Sir Javon rounded the table and took her arm, drawing her attention away from her meal preparation. “Alel, I have Euro.”

  She forgot the meal. Relief and gratitude flooded through her and she threw her arms around the man. “Thank you!” He eased back from
her embrace, looking uncomfortable, but Alel was too preoccupied to do more than note it fleetingly. “Where is he?” she questioned, moving toward the door.

  “Not here. He is safe in my home and well guarded.”

  There was something in his tone. Alel straightened her backbone and gathered herself as she faced him. “How is he?”

  She did not like the subtle hesitation before he answered. “Badly beaten and withdrawn. I could barely get the child to speak. He needed time to recover before traveling again.” His eyes shifted away, and he clasped his hands behind his back. “I dare say the atrocities of this world astound me and my patience wears thin.”

  Alel did not bother to try and stop the tears at his unspoken words. Euro had suffered far more than he was telling her. She did not blame the man for not wanting to speak of what he alluded to. Why had no one tried to change how things were? How could they blindly allow such acts to happen?

  “Why do you do nothing to stop these things?” she demanded through her tears. “I know you have power in this town, and wealth. Have you just faded into the background and pretended none of it was happening?”

  “I have not,” he responded fiercely. “I have long fought this battle in ways I am not at liberty to tell you. I would not be standing here if I did not believe you have something to offer to this cause. We cannot change the hearts of men, nor take away their free will, but in the Lost Books, one man did change the world, and at the risk of death, I hold my faith in the teachings of that one man and go where I am led.”

  His words were potent with passion and calmed her accusations. “I am sorry,” she apologized. “I was overcome with my emotions and failed to remember all you have done to prove your kindness and character. I would like to know more about these books you speak of. My mother often alluded to such things in her stories, but I did not realize they were real. There are many things I discounted,” she finished as she went back to her board of fruit.