Luminary: Book Two In the Anomaly Trilogy

by Krista McGee

  “One asset you have is you’re from the State,” Diana says.

  “Yes.” Peter’s eyes brighten. “They have been waiting thirty-five years for someone to escape from the State, the way our grandparents did.”

  “They never learned how to communicate outside of our town. The king wants very much to know what the State knows, things my grandparents didn’t tell them.” Diana nods.

  “But I don’t know about technology.” I regret, once again, not paying attention to my lessons on the learning pad. Should I let Rhen go in my place? I shake that thought immediately. She is needed here. I am the most expendable of the escapees. “I am a Musician.”

  “You need to make them believe you know more than you do, then,” Peter says. “If they find you useless, you will end up like my grandparents. They need to see you as valuable.”

  “But they’ll find out I am not.”

  “You know more than you think,” Diana assures me. “You were raised in the State. You have been surrounded by technology Athens is desperate to have.”

  Diana is right. “I spent the last few months inside the Scientists’ Quarters. I was tested for all sorts of things. I saw some of what they were looking for, what they were using.”

  “Perfect!” Diana claps her hands. “Tell them about it. Tell them everything you recall. Make yourself sound brilliant.”

  I sigh. Now I truly wish it were Rhen going. Or Berk. He actually could tell them what they want to know. But that, of course, is exactly why they shouldn’t go. These people do not need to know what the Scientists know. This king sounds as evil as Dr. Loudin, as destructive. The more ignorant he remains, the better for everyone.

  “But what do I do?” I ask. “How do I help New Hope?”

  “Earn the king’s trust,” Peter says. “He will never choose to have peace with New Hope. But if he can be convinced that it is in his best interest to be at peace, then he might leave us alone.”

  “How do I convince him of that?” This is the same man who kills people who don’t do what he says, whose father taught him that New Hope was to be conquered. How do I combat that?

  Peter looks at Diana. “That, I don’t know.”

  “But you found a way to escape from the State.” Diana smiles. “This should be easy compared to that.”

  Somehow, this encouragement does not help me. I leave the room, thanking the siblings, even more frightened about this task I have chosen to undertake.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  I have something for you.” John has taken me for a walk to the nearest pond. John loves to be near water. He pulls out a wrinkled sheet of paper. It has writing on it. I can barely read what it says.

  “What is this?”

  “Psalm 23.” John looks out over the pond as he speaks, reciting the words from memory. “ ‘The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.’ ”

  The words settle deep into my heart in a way no other words ever have. I feel as if this was written just for me. John takes my hand in his as he continues. “ ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.’ ”

  We are silent. I look at the pond, the green grass that surrounds it. “I will fear no evil.”

  John squeezes my hand. “It is when we walk through the darkest valleys that we sense the Designer with us most strongly.”

  “So how do I do it?” I permit myself to feel the fear I have been hiding from the others. “How do I not fear evil?”

  John folds the paper and closes it in my hands. “You think on these words, not on the fear. Let the Designer comfort you. Let him prepare a table for you in the presence of your enemies.”

  I hug John. He has lost weight in the weeks since we left the State. But he is strong in ways I will never be. I pray I can know the Designer like he does, have the faith he has.

  “Looks like you have another visitor.” John pulls away and points behind me. Berk is walking up. He does not speak until John is far enough away he will not hear our conversation.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  Berk has not spoken to me in two weeks, and this is how he breaks the silence? I want to scoop up the muddy earth at my feet and throw it at him. But I squeeze the paper in my hand, remind myself of what John taught me, of the peace I felt when I was with him.

  “I have to do it.”

  “Why?”

  “This is our home now.” I wave my arms toward the village.

  “But what if something happens to you?”

  “Like you really care.”

  Berk takes a step back. He closes his eyes and sucks in a loud breath. “When will you let this go, Thalli?”

  I stare back at him, wanting to say so much but unable to allow even one word to pass through my lips.

  “You have to let me go.” Berk looks at me, his pupils so wide the green around them is a thin line. “I know more about what the Scientists have been working on.”

  “That’s why you can’t go.” I fold my arms tight against my chest. “You know too much. You would be forced to help them accomplish what they cannot be allowed to accomplish.”

  “I wouldn’t need to tell them everything. Just enough to prove I know what I am doing. Like Peter and Diana’s grandparents. They never used what they knew to develop the weapon the king wanted.”

  “And they were killed for it.”

  “After how many years, Thalli?” Berk’s voice is louder now. “I won’t be there that long.”

  “I am going.” I look at Berk. His pupils are smaller now. I see the gold flecks in his eyes and want nothing more than to lose myself there, to forget this task.

  “Why not let Rhen go?”

  “Rhen doesn’t question authority. Not much, anyway. I question everything. And for this particular job, that is a good trait. I will dig into as much about Athens as I can. I won’t even have to try. I’m already asking a hundred questions in my head. I had to stop myself with Peter and Diana. I could have spent a week in there, delving into their memories, finding out every last particle of information there is to find. But I cannot put off going to Athens any longer. They need to be stopped now. And I am the best option for stopping them.”

  “But if they find out who you are . . .”

  “I will do my best to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

  Berk runs a hand through his brown hair. “But you can’t be sure. They could kill you as soon as you walk up to the gate.”

  “And they could kill you before I get there too.” I take a step closer to Berk, place my hand over his heart. I feel it beating, feel the connection that no amount of time or frustration or jealousy could ever completely dissolve. “I need to do this.”

  “You think you need to do this.” Berk places his hand over mine. “You’re trying to protect us, Thalli. To save us. But you don’t need to do that.”

  I stare into Berk’s eyes. “Of course I do. New Hope is in danger and someone needs to go to Athens to try to help them. You are sick, John is old, Rhen is needed here.”

  “No.” Berk pulls me to him, crushing me in his embrace.

  “You are not thinking logically.” I am speaking more to myself than to him. “You’re thinking with your heart.”

  Berk’s mouth is at my ear, his breath warming my neck, my heart, softening my resolve. “Of course I’m thinking with my heart. You have my heart.”

  I want to stay, to forget what we have planned. But I cannot. I will not allow Berk to keep me from doing what must be done. I cannot leave New Hope exposed, cannot allow any more damage to be done here. I pull myself from
his embrace. I will my heart to turn back to ice, rebuild the wall between him and me. He will not understand, but it is for the best. This is bigger than us, more important.

  “Then I give it back to you, Berk. I don’t want your heart.” I don’t want to look at him, don’t want to watch his face drop, his eyes cloud over with pain. But I cannot bring myself to look away. Not when this might be the last time I see his face. “Give it to someone who won’t hurt it. Because I cannot make that promise.”

  He opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. I turn away from Berk and run as fast and as far as I can.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Carey was able to fix the transport, so I am flying to Athens, not walking. I should be rehearsing my story as I go, but my mind will not focus. I think of the village I left behind. Of John and Rhen.

  I refuse to let myself think of Berk. Of him looking at me, of the hurt in his eyes. Of me turning away, not speaking. I know it was best. I do not know how long I will be gone, what will happen to me. Berk deserves more than what I can give him. But knowing I made the right decision does not make it any less painful.

  I think of the land that stretches out green and beautiful, then turns suddenly brown and dead. No life, no growth. Not the ashy gray I saw coming down here, but lifeless just the same. I think of where I am going and what I am to do.

  John told me the story of two spies who were sent into an enemy’s land. A woman named Rahab hid them and lied for them, and eventually the spies escaped, with Rahab, and the enemy’s city was captured by those who worshipped the Designer.

  Lying is wrong. Yet here I am, again preparing to lie to others. Last time, I lied about a surgery Dr. Loudin performed. Pretended my memory was erased so my life would be spared. I felt the same struggle then that I do now. But now, a whole village is depending on me.

  I know the Designer is leading me into this valley of the shadow of death. But is he asking me to lie, the way the spies asked Rahab to lie? Or am I doing it because I think it’s the only way? And what if I don’t lie? What if I tell them the truth—I am from the State, my friends are in New Hope, and we want peace? But if they are the type of people Peter and Diana say they are, then that admission could cause greater harm to befall my friends in New Hope.

  I am so conflicted. I want to do what is right. And the others have advised me that in this case, lying about my true motives is best for everyone involved. But isn’t there some way to be honest and still protect the village?

  I don’t have any more time to think. On the horizon, I see a fortress. Athens.

  The wall isn’t what I expected. It is not made from the trees the homes in New Hope are made of. It looks man-made but solid. It is black and it is tall. Very tall. The land here is much flatter than New Hope, so I can see the whole shape—a large square. Because I am on the transport, I can see inside the structure. There are many homes, all square, all black. They are evenly spaced apart. This village was created after the War, not rebuilt from homes that survived, like New Hope. The whole layout is far too organized for it to have been from the previous era.

  There are very few plots of green land. Unlike New Hope, which is mostly green with relatively few houses among it. There is a fenced-in area where the cows that I assume were stolen from New Hope reside. Smoke rises from several facilities, but not like the smoke that came out of the house in New Hope. This is controlled smoke. It is dark, almost black, and smells of chemicals. As I get closer I see part of the wall open and someone ride out on a horse. The rider is coming toward me, waving me down.

  I ease the transport to the ground and step off. I wave a greeting. I do not want to show fear. I should show relief—after traveling for so long, I have finally found life. I repeat the words of the psalm John gave me as I walk forward.

  His face covered by a black fabric, the rider has stopped, but he is still on his horse. When he speaks, his voice is slightly muffled. “Where are you from?”

  “I escaped the State.”

  The rider pulls the fabric off his face. His hair is long, almost to his shoulders, and is a light color—almost as blond as Rhen’s. It curls, though, unlike Rhen’s straight hair. His face is tan, and as he steps closer, I see that his eyes are a light blue. The color of the sky in the morning. He is young. Not much older than I am, but he carries himself like one with authority.

  “No one has escaped the State in almost forty years.” His eyes narrow.

  “How do you know?”

  “How do I know you are from the State?”

  The rider is just a few feet from me now. He has stopped moving, but his eyes drill into mine. I force myself to return his gaze. I will not be intimidated. “I travel hundreds of miles to be free from tyrannical rule, and this is what I find? If you will not accept me, please direct me to a place that will.”

  The rider’s mouth relaxes slightly. He might be smiling, but his gaze is still so severe, I am not sure. “I am Alex. Prince of Athens. I apologize for the welcome. But we have to be careful.”

  “I am Thalli, Alex.” I nod toward him, this prince, and try not to reveal my distrust. This is the king’s son—the king who killed Peter and Diana’s family. But it is Helen’s brother. Who is he more like?

  “Why did you escape the State?”

  “The Scientists wanted to kill me.”

  Alex laughs, but it is not a pleasant sound. “And why would they want to kill someone as pretty as you?” He steps closer. I can see dark eyelashes framing his sky-blue eyes and light eyebrows raised slightly as he appraises me.

  “I am too emotional.”

  “Too emotional?” Alex’s eyebrows rise more. “That is a crime worthy of death in the State, is it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Everyone in the State has an occupation, correct?” His face relaxes, but his gaze is still trained on me.

  I am surprised at this change of topic, but I remain calm, answering him in the same tone. “Correct.”

  “And what was yours?”

  “I was the pod Musician.”

  “Musician?” Alex places his hands on his hips. “I was hoping you’d be an expert in something a little more useful.”

  “Music aids everyone in being more productive.” I step forward. “It increases brain activity and potential. It provides a tranquil atmosphere. Music is incredibly useful for any civilized society.”

  Alex laughs again. “I see why they found you to be too emotional.”

  I step back again. I need to control myself. I also need to be useful to him. I think back on what Peter and Diana said. “I studied with the Scientists, though. I spent significant time in their quarters, working with them on new developments.” Does not telling the whole truth count as a lie?

  “That sounds very interesting.”

  “I would be happy to tell you all about it.”

  “In exchange for what?” Alex’s blue eyes have yet to leave mine. I try to maintain the stare, maintain my story, and maintain my composure, but I am finding it increasingly difficult.

  “I would like to be part of your village.”

  “We are not a village.” Alex’s eyes harden. “We are Athens.”

  “I’m sorry. I did not mean to offend.”

  “I believe you.” He responds like a Scientist. Perhaps royalty and Scientists are the same thing in Athens. “Come with me. My father will, no doubt, wish to learn more about the State.”

  “Of course.”

  Alex’s gaze lands on the transport. Curiosity replaces the haughtiness in his eyes.

  “Would you like to ride with me?”

  I think I see a bit of fear on Alex’s face, but it is quickly masked. “I need to return with my horse. Perhaps another time, though.”

  I bite my lip to keep from laughing. Prince Alex is afraid of my transport. He climbs back on his horse and points it toward the towering walls of Athens.

  I have arrived.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  My father was a history professor.�
�� King Jason’s voice is deep, like a tuba. I barely hear what he is saying, I am so enthralled by the tone of his voice. “A leading scholar on ancient Greece. When the War destroyed everything, he thought ours was the only surviving village. He gathered the leaders together and insisted we start over, create here a new Athens. A world power. He was chosen to be king and established the laws of our land. When he died, I replaced him.”

  I vaguely recall reading about this ancient Greece, about monarchies and such, but I dare not make him aware of how little I comprehend. “This is a beautiful state.”

  “We have worked hard to make it so.” The king’s bass voice echoes through the large room. “We have striven to create new technologies, not to re-create the old. We hope to one day join with the State below. Perhaps you can aid us in that.”

  My heartbeat quickens. My greatest fear is being returned to the State. “I am a fugitive from the State.”

  “They wanted to kill her because she was too emotional.” Alex stands beside his father. He is smiling as he speaks.

  “Too emotional?” The king’s smile is like his son’s, though his eyes aren’t as light a blue as Alex’s. His hair, though, is a darker blond, cut short, and receding. “We here in Athens embrace emotions. We do not fear them. Right, son?”

  “Certainly, Father.” Some unspoken idea passes between them before the king continues.

  “We do not want to overwhelm you on your first day here.” The king motions to Alex. “Take Thalli to our guest room. After you’ve a good night’s rest, Alex will show you around our fair city.”

  “I would very much like to see it now, if that’s all right.” The thought of going to sleep is impossible.

  “As you wish.” The king passes another unspoken message along to his son. “Show her around, Alex. The grand tour. It isn’t often we have a visitor from the State.”

  Alex opens the door out of what he calls the “grand hall.” I am glad to be out. This palace is overly ornate—though the outside of all the buildings is black, inside there are more colors than would be necessary in twenty houses. Gold seems to be a favorite, in the grand hall especially. There are columns in gold, paintings framed in gold, and the whole chair where the king sat was of gold. Not actual gold, I am sure. That element couldn’t be found here in that abundance. But the citizens obviously found a way to reproduce it in a paint or a covering.