by Brenda Poppy
“Look what you’re doing to your family,” Burn instructed him, glancing around at the fighting. He did as he was told, taking in the violence. Neighbor hitting neighbor. Blood mingling with water to seep into the dark earth. People screaming.
“Stop!” he yelled into the chaos. “Stop fighting.”
All around them, people paused in the midst of their attacks, turning their attention to their leader. Burn relinquished her control, rising from his chest. She offered him her hand and helped him gently up from the sodden ground, allowing him to take the floor.
“This is not how a family behaves,” Imber told the rapt audience. “A family should meet differences with acceptance, not violence. I see that now.”
Taking a deep breath, he prepared himself for the most difficult part of his speech. “Those of you who want to return to Kasis are free to do so. We will miss you terribly, and Videre will not feel whole without you, but we will not stop you. Maybe one day you’ll return to us,” he said, sending a small smile to Burn. “But if you don’t, I want you to remember us kindly. Remember the people you’ve met here and the love you’ve received. We were lucky to have you with us, even for the briefest time.”
He gave a sad smile to the people of Videre. One by one, they released each other, picked themselves up, and dusted themselves off. Burn noticed with relief that there were no casualties from their battle. Plenty of people were injured, with gashes and cuts peeking out from beneath torn clothes, but no one was seriously wounded.
Imber turned to her. “I’m sorry,” he said truthfully. “I only ever wanted what was best for them.”
“I know,” Burn replied, accepting his apology.
“I hope you succeed. I truly do.”
Burn nodded and was about to leave when he touched her arm lightly. “Oh, and say hi to your husband for me.” He gave her a wry smile before turning and walking away.
She stood there for a moment, shocked. He’d known the whole time that Hale wasn’t her husband – she could read it in his mind. Yet he’d let her stay. He’d seen how Hale had stood up for her, and that had been enough for him. Burn smiled her own small smile as she turned her back on Videre. She was actually going to miss this place.
Chapter 20
The Lunaria were stunned. Or awed. Or upset. Sometimes Scar found it difficult to interpret others’ emotions. But the main point was that they were quiet, which was a pleasant relief.
She and Cali had just presented their ingenious plan to get Burn and Hale back into the city, and the Lunaria seemed suitably impressed. Or apprehensive. Definitely one of the two.
Scar stood in the center of the circle, studying the members. There were more of them than at the last meeting, no doubt spurred on by the idea of a fresh plan – one that wasn’t concocted by Ansel or Raqa and, therefore, doomed to failure. Fresh leadership and fresh ideas, it seemed, were great motivators for action.
But, of course, it wouldn’t be a Lunaria meeting if there weren’t some spirited objections – particularly from those afraid of losing the limited authority they had accrued in the absence of the group’s real leaders. Naturally, Raqa spoke up first.
“We don’t even know for sure that they’re out there,” he said, shooting up from his seat in the corner. “Do we really want to take the risk on the off chance that they’ll be there? I don’t have to remind you that the last time we set off explosions in the city, it didn’t quite go as planned. Who’s to say the same thing won’t happen again?”
Ansel latched onto Raqa’s words and added his own dissenting voice to the mix. “And what if the diversions don’t work? What if the Peace Force sees right through them and heads straight for us? We don’t have the resources to fight another battle with them. We used up most of our weaponry in the last fight – and lost some good people. Another encounter like that would decimate us.”
Scar sighed in frustration. Why did things like this always have to be so difficult? Why couldn’t they just accept her genius and move on? That’s what they were going to do in the end, after all. Why put it off?
“The Peace Force is full of idiots,” Scar started, sounding bored. “They’ll do what they’re trained to do. If they think they’re being attacked on multiple levels, they’ll focus their efforts and their resources on the most important – the highest tiers. Then they’ll work their way down. Our explosion, the real one, will be so low on their radar that we’ll be long gone before they get to it – if they even get to it at all.”
Ansel and Raqa did not look convinced. Then again, the decision wasn’t up to them. The Lunaria was a democracy. As long as she had everyone else on her side, their scruples wouldn’t matter. Looking around, however, she couldn’t tell where the others’ loyalties lay.
That’s when Cali jumped in – literally. She sprang up from her spot on the ground and hopped over people until she arrived at Scar’s side, positioning herself next to Scar like a sister in arms.
“Scar’s right,” Cali said, sounding braver than Scar had ever heard her. “The Peace Force has no interest in what’s going on at the bottom of the city. They’ll use their resources to protect their own kind, even if it means leaving entire tiers to fend for themselves. We can use that to our advantage.”
Scar fed off of Cali’s enthusiasm, gaining confidence from her support. “And we won’t be going in empty-handed. We’ll have you, any of you who are willing to come with us,” she said, rotating to meet their upturned eyes. “We are powerful. We have our own kind of weaponry. We’ve driven them back before and we can do it again.”
She turned to Ansel, concentrating her fire on him. “Think about Hale. And Burn. Think about everything they’ve done for the Lunaria, everything they’ve suffered for the cause. They deserve our help, and we need theirs if we ever expect to make any real progress against the Peace Force.”
“And if it doesn’t work?” Ansel asked, sounding tired. “If we do all of this and there’s no one on the other side? What then?”
It was the same question that had been lingering in the back of Scar’s mind for days, the question she’d been unwilling to answer, even to herself. What would happen if Burn wasn’t there? What would she do if her sister and all the others that had been sentenced to the Pit were actually gone for good? She didn’t want to consider the possibility, yet it was an ever-present fear. How would she go on once all hope was gone?
“Well, then we’ll figure out how to keep fighting. Together.” She stared Ansel down, unblinking. An agonizing second passed, then another, and neither moved. Finally, Ansel broke eye contact, relinquishing his control.
Unfortunately, Raqa wasn’t so easily vanquished, although his opinion held less sway amongst the group. Still, every time he spoke, Scar could feel the muscles in her jaw tighten.
“You still haven’t told us where we’ll be doing this. Or when. Shouldn’t we know the specifics before we decide whether or not to put our lives in your hands?”
Scar could feel her teeth grating against each other as he spoke, and she had to consciously control her features to stop herself from scowling.
“It’s going down tomorrow night in the lower tiers. That’s all you need to know for now. We’ll release more details when the time comes.”
It wasn’t that Scar didn’t trust the Lunaria. Well, technically she didn’t. Then again, she didn’t trust anyone completely, other than Burn. It was more a numbers game for her. The more people that knew the plan, the more likely it was to leak out. The Peace Force wasn’t above bugging rooms or sending their PeaceBots to listen from the shadows – or administering a few well-honed coercion techniques to pry out juicy tidbits from suspected terrorists. And Scar wasn’t willing to take any chances, not with her sister’s life.
So until everything was in place, only her and Cali knew the plan in its entirety. Anyone else who wanted to participate would just have to trust them.
And, as it turned out, they did trust her. Not only did they vote almost unanimously in fa
vor of her plan, but she received double the expected interest from people wanting to serve by her side. Even Ansel and Raqa reluctantly raised their hands to volunteer, although Scar would have preferred it if they hadn’t. Still, a body was a body, even if she didn’t like their personal politics. She’d just have to station them as far away from herself as possible.
With the Lunaria’s help secured, Scar felt electrified, as if a surge of pure power had been released under her skin and was now coursing through her veins. She wanted to get to work immediately, to put the plan into motion without delay. But pleasantries stood in her way, and she found herself drawn into an array of meaningless exchanges before she could extricate herself and slip into the night. When she finally did, she found Cali by her side, the now-emboldened woman still eager to help in any way she could.
“Fine,” Scar said tersely, unaccustomed to such prolonged company. “You can help me put together the explosives. Just don’t blow yourself up.” She promptly took off into the streets, with Cali tagging behind her like an enthusiastic puppy.
The pair crept through the darkness back to Symphandra’s house, expertly avoiding the patrols. The night was still and quiet, and they arrived at the red-doored dwelling without issue. Yet Scar never dropped her guard – which came in handy when a black-clad form suddenly materialized next to them from somewhere in the shadows.
Without a thought, Scar lunged forward and knocked the man to the pavement before placing herself on top of him. She was just about to reach for her pen when she realized who it was. Kaz.
“You have to stop doing that,” she whispered, not moving from her advantageous perch.
Kaz groaned, reaching up to rub the shoulder that had struck the ground. Scar used the opportunity to take stock of him, noticing that he was wearing his all-black military gear instead of his civilian apparel. He was also armed, although her position astride him made it impossible for him to draw his weapon.
“What do you want?” she asked, getting straight to the point. It didn’t look great to have a Peace Officer outside of her house, no matter how friendly the officer.
“Can I come inside?” Kaz finally said, glancing between Scar and Cali in hopes that one of them would take pity on him. “I just want to talk.” He held out his empty hands to show that he meant them no harm.
Scar considered him for a tick before relenting and freeing him. She still kept a wary eye on him, however, even as she scanned her finger and opened the door. Together, the trio made their way inside, a new tension thrumming between them.
They spread themselves out in the living room, each settling on a different piece of furniture. Cali and Kaz, whose only interaction thus far had been at the Lunaria’s last meeting, sized each other up tentatively.
“So, what do you want?” Scar asked again, louder this time and more insistent. She had a lot of work to do, and the last thing she needed was Kaz slowing her down. He’d already played his part in her plan, and she no longer needed his assistance. As far as she was concerned, his role in this drama was over.
“I want to know what you’re planning. I want to help,” Kaz almost begged.
“You’ve already helped,” Scar said, dismissing him. “You got us the plans to the city. We can take it from here.”
“No.” Kaz’s sudden sharpness was startling. “That’s not enough. I need to do more.”
Scar considered him for a minute, finally taking the time to really look at him. The light that she’d noticed in his eyes was still there, but it was now accompanied by a steely resolve that made his face gleam with purpose. He’d had a taste of insurrection, and now he wanted more.
“Why?” Scar posed, curious about his newfound appetite. “Are you doing this for Burn? Once you get her back will you be satisfied? Will you go back to the way things were?”
Kaz paused to process Scar’s question, choosing his words carefully. When he finally spoke, his conviction was apparent.
“I don’t think I can ever go back to the way things were. Of course I want Burn back. I want to tell her how sorry I am and how I understand why she did what she did. But that’s not why I want to help – why I need to help.”
Scar waited as he took a long breath, preparing himself for his first real step into rebellion. She found it strangely satisfying to see him fight within himself for the courage to question the status quo. He’d been part of the Peace Force for so long that he hadn’t even noticed that the world outside was crumbling. And now that he’d seen it, he couldn’t look away.
“They’ve hidden so much from me – and from everyone,” he began, referring to his iniquitous employer. “And they’ve made me an accomplice to their crimes. I thought I was doing what was right – cleaning up the streets, foiling anarchist plots, keeping the citizens safe. But that wasn’t what I was doing at all. I was just maintaining the balance of power, keeping control in the hands of the few. It took Burn’s disappearance for me to realize it, but it’s been happening for years right under my nose. And I can’t sit by any longer. I need to act.”
“It’s dangerous, being on this side of the law,” Scar warned. “Even with your gift, your safety will never be guaranteed. Are you really prepared to lose everything?”
Kaz gulped as a flicker of fear passed over his face. But just as quickly as it had appeared, it was gone, replaced by a grim determination.
“I’m starting to realize that I never had much to begin with. Although if it means getting even one step closer to a better world, I’m in.”
Scar nodded. She didn’t know if, when the time came, he’d be willing to do whatever it took to win. But right now he believed he would – and right now that was enough.
“We need someone on the inside,” Scar said, finally relenting to his request to help. “It’s going down tomorrow night. We need you to make sure the Peace Force stays away from the bottom tiers. If they even think about heading down, stall. And alert us immediately.”
It was Kaz’s turn to nod. He seemed elated to be given another chance to prove himself. A small, excited smile played on the corners of his lips.
“Good,” Scar barked. “Now please leave. We have a lot of work to do.” Her precisely planned schedule had already been set back by his appearance, and she was eager to jump into her extensive to-do list. She got up, attempting to shepherd him toward the door, but he stayed put, glancing around the small house.
“What are you doing? Can I help?” he asked quickly, keen to be of more immediate use to the cause.
“That depends,” she said, raising an eyebrow. “How steady are your hands?”
✽✽✽
Time was not on Burn’s side. They’d already spent a day and a night on the road, camping at sunset and leaving at first light. If she’d been on her own, the trek to Aberra would have been simple, but her progress was slowed by several elderly gentlemen, a brood of young children, and a mother whose leg had been injured during their skirmish in Videre.
Burn couldn’t be angry at them; she knew that. However, she could be frustrated – and she was. Walking several paces in front of the group, she silently urged them on.
Even the animals mocked them, passing them one by one as if flaunting their speed. Burn watched with envy as a large-eared furball in a muted shade of orange hopped along beside them, pulling slowly away. In the distance, a catlike creature with curling horns walked parallel to their path, easily overtaking them. Burn resented their progress and the ease with which they moved, bitterly hating her own sluggish pace.
She’d planned to be back in Aberra already, to be back with the Callidans – and with Hale. They needed time to plan their moves, to hash out the possibilities and determine their course. And to rest. Getting back into Kasis wouldn’t be easy. They’d need their strength – and their wits – to face whatever the future held.
Nara appeared at her side but remained silent, searching the horizon. To Burn’s eyes, the path ahead was littered with dunes and peaks and clusters of small animals, al
l threatening her progress and impeding her sightline. Nara was different, though; Nara could see.
“Are we close?” Burn asked breathlessly, both impatient and scared to know the answer.
“I can’t see it yet,” Nara replied, giving her the same answer she’d provided every time Burn had asked. “But there are a lot of things in the way,” she continued, trying in vain to bolster Burn’s spirits. “We could be closer than we think.”
“I have to get to the dome by tonight,” Burn whispered, as much to herself as to Nara. “I can’t miss this. I don’t think we’ll have another chance.”
Burn felt loathsome for even considering leaving these people, yet the thought kept flashing through her mind. And she knew she wasn’t alone. She could hear the same idea surge in and out of the Viderens’ thoughts, fueled by their excitement and impatience.
She looked to Nara, her eyes pleading for another option, a way in which all of them could make it. Sighing, Nara refocused her attention on the road ahead.
“Leave it to me,” she said, lunging into a run and rapidly disappearing behind the sandy hills.
Burn glanced back at the crowd behind her. If it was possible, they’d slowed even more while she’d been talking to Nara. They were lagging, and it was slowly killing her, tearing her heart between duty and desire, between helping these people and finally returning home.
They needed something to spur them on, something to aim for and work toward. She’d already given them a rousing speech, trying to light their fires with visions of sweet reunions and glorious homecomings. But their momentary fervor had soon been squashed by the reality of the desert, with the heat and the sand and the slog intermingling to sap their collective drive. It was painful to watch, and Burn turned her gaze away to protect her own faltering optimism.
A sudden movement seen from the corner of her eye made her freeze, cementing her feet in place. She didn’t want to look, didn’t want to discover yet another obstacle in their path, but curiosity and fear got the better of her. Off to the right, a pile of sand was moving, gently cascading down as a creature rose from beneath it.
