Edge of Truth (9781310978142)

by Hanova, Natasha

  Her friend’s shifting feet answered her question. Bathroom break.

  Rena looked at Nevan, struggling to read his expression and failing. “Is it okay?”

  He pressed his lips together and nodded before he rolled onto his back.

  Blaze’s foot taps grew more insistent. Rena curled her hands into a ball to keep herself from reaching out to touch Nevan. “We’ll be right back.”

  “Stay close.” He tucked his dreads under his head, adding cushion to his rope-pillow.

  While Rena stood guard, she thought about telling Blaze what she’d interrupted with Nevan, but decided against it. She didn’t want anyone to know what a fool she’d been. But what if he was genuine? What if he was as true-quality as he seemed to be? He hadn’t given her any reason to think otherwise, and that was the problem. Nevan was too perfect. She rubbed her stomach, trying to soothe away the unease.

  When they returned to the cave, Nevan was facing the wall. Blaze tiptoed to her spot. Rena made as much noise as possible, but he didn’t stir. She accidentally kneed him in the back then elbowed him in the shoulder. Still sleeping, he rolled over. He had cuts and scrapes on his hands and arms she hadn’t noticed earlier, and another tiny one above his eyebrow. She studied his face closer. The twins faked sleep a lot to get out of work. She knew what it looked like when she saw it.

  Nevan wasn’t faking.

  Bodink!

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Monday, June 26

  Early Morning

  Cool early morning air crawled along the cave floor, stirring Rena from her slumber. She woke up on her side, facing Blaze, their pinkie fingers intertwined. The chill from the ground made her shiver, despite the warmth radiating from Nevan who had draped an arm around her and tucked his fingers under her waist. For warmth or affection, she didn’t know. If she had to drag him off to a secluded place by his ear, she was going to find out what he was trying to tell her last night.

  For the moment though, she lay there enjoying his embrace, but when nature called, it called. She carefully tugged his hand out from under her waist and moved it to his hip. When he rolled onto his back, she stood and snuck outside.

  The sound of birds singing good morning to the day greeted her as she drew in a lungful of moist, clean air. She pushed tall grass and plants aside as she hiked through the woods in the dim morning light, which made it difficult to see far. By the time she found a thick enough shrub to squat behind, dew had dampened her sandals and the hem of her cargos. She shivered, missing Nevan’s warmth.

  The wilderness was way better than anything they claimed the Nest had to offer. Sure, it lacked modern conveniences like bathrooms, but that was fixable with a little know-how. Being a Dustie, she knew the right people to trade with to get supplies. Nevan could show her how to grow food, and she could show him how to build a house.

  That is, if he wasn’t about to shatter her hopes.

  A scream snapped her back to reality. It was Blaze. Nevan had probably rolled over and tried to cuddle with her. She laughed to herself as she plucked a few leaves that Nevan recommended to use for “bathroom needs.” Then she zipped up and headed back to the cave, ready to tease her friends and remind them to keep it down.

  She didn’t make it very far before she felt footfalls behind her. They came from a male, by the weight and span of them. Not Nevan. How had she not noticed them sooner? More importantly, was it Topaz or one of his minions? Or was she misreading a large animal’s footsteps? She didn’t have any experience where those were concerned.

  Dread slowed her pace. Most animals walked on four legs, their four feet moving in close unison. The thing tracking her walked on two feet, like a human. A shudder moved through her. The steps were too light to be machine, which brought her little relief.

  Needing more time to think, she turned left at a tree split by lighting, leading her pursuer away from her friends. She’d never felt more grateful for her brothers. Years of their failed surprise attempts had honed her skills at detecting and evading sneak attacks.

  The man behind her slowly closed the gap with every turn. He stepped slightly heavier with his right foot, which meant he carried something in his left hand. The temptation to glance over her shoulder to see what he had almost proved too much. She tried to recall all the self-defense methods her dad had taught her.

  Don’t engage the attacker. Scream loud. Run.

  The morning sun slanted her shadow backward so the man probably thought he still had the element of surprise on his side. Something glinted off a tree branch. He was carrying metal. A blade? A gun? Maybe she couldn’t handle this on her own. If only she could get a message to Nevan, call out for help with a distraction and tackle, like they’d done with Topaz. She’d distract, while Nevan would take down the bad guy.

  Ahead, she spotted the lightning tree again and wondered how long it would take the man to figure out they’d gone full circle. A twig snapped behind her. Even though she knew he was there, she jumped.

  Game over.

  The man lunged. His arm slammed into Rena’s shoulder so hard it knocked her off balance. She stumbled and slid across the ground. Her cargos ripped and gravel burrowed into her kneecaps. A sharp rock sliced her palm. Luckily, a fallen branch, which jabbed her chin, stopped her tumble. She lay there stunned for a few seconds.

  The cut on her hand split wider when she pushed up from the ground. She spun to see her tracker. He stood, with his face void of expression, as if he were already bored with the fight. Keeping her eyes on him, she slowly bent to grab the branch that had stabbed her. It was thick, yet stout. Perfect.

  The man scoffed.

  “Put down your weapon, and no one has to get hurt.” She tried for assertive, but fell short.

  “Funny, I was thinking the same th—”

  Before he finished the snide remark, she whacked him on the elbow. She’d been aiming for his head, but when the knife fell from his hand, she considered it a victory. She took off running before it hit the ground. The man let out a slew of curses that flew past her as fast as the knife that pierced the tree next to her. She ducked and swerved the other direction. The man chased her, the constant thump of his feet signaled his location. Then, she felt an exaggerated stomp, one foot hitting the ground way heavier than the other. A second knife buzzed by, this one a little closer.

  “Stop!” he shouted.

  She didn’t. She had a few yards on him and was gaining ground. Another exaggerated stomp and a third knife darted by and sliced her earlobe. Scared he might puncture something vital, she pushed herself to run faster. A branch slapped her across the face, leaving a trail of painful scratches that burned and made the skin on her cheeks feel tight.

  She jumped over a fallen tree, and when she landed, the ground ‘sounded’ wrong. She felt vibrations from her own footfalls and the man’s heavier ones behind her, but an empty echo followed. Almost as if something was swallowing the reverberations. Ducking under a low branch, she darted left, leading the man farther away from her friends. More unusual sensations bombarded her, too fast to process.

  Her lungs screamed for air, and a cramp in her left calf slowed her. The instinct to use her gift coursed through her so hard she had to bite her cheek. She was still too close to Blaze and Nevan to risk triggering an earthquake, and she had no idea how to read the land here. She shoved her way through a tangled thicket of shrubs and vines toward what she assumed was a hill.

  She was wrong. Her sandals skidded along the edge of a cliff, sending gravel skittering into the depths below. That explained the empty echoes. She spun, ready to dart, but stopped at the sight of the knife thrower. He held a new blade in his hand, his grip loose and ready. A small rumble sent a few more rocks over the cliff. Struggling to catch her breath, she edged away and closer to the man who stood equally as winded.

  “My boss would like to speak to you.” No emotion in his reddened face or tone, just pure business, stone-like.

  She crossed her arms. “Who’s yo
ur boss?”

  “Not your concern.”

  “Where is he?”

  Sweat dripped down his forehead. He didn’t move to wipe it. “Keeping your friends company.”

  She swayed. The lumonium failed, it was supposed to camouflage them. Was it the torch fire, Nevan’s late night fishing, or Rena banging the rocks together? It didn’t really matter. The outcome was the same.

  “They hurt?”

  He tilted his head back, peering down his nose. “Not yet.” He curled his hand at her, urging her closer. He and Topaz were gonna have to share that spot on The List.

  She reluctantly walked to him. He yanked her arm, pinning it behind her as he shoved her past the lightning tree and toward the cave, collecting his knives along the way. Blood dripped from her ear down her shoulder. Her knees ached with every step, but she was still breathing.

  Through the thinning woods, she spotted Topaz wearing a fresh, beige linen suit. He was yelling at a bulky bodyguard next to him. When the man bent and picked up a large duffle bag, Rena noticed Blaze and Nevan standing outside the cave with their heels pressed against the base of the rock wall. Rena’s calf muscles tightened and she tripped, but righted herself as they ascended the incline to the group.

  A Synbot, with bad hair and a waxy complexion, leveled a weapon at her friends. It was different from the ones she was used to. The hair made it look like a Kana doll left out in the wind and sun too long, all clumpy, lopsided, and melted together in some places. Its boxy frame had broad shoulders that ended in hard right angles and it wore a dark blue uniform with no badge or large pocket to disguise a hand scanner.

  Once Rena’s captor and her reached the top of the slant, fewer trees blocked her view. Less than twenty feet separated her from her friends. Nevan spotted her and stepped away from the cave. Topaz folded his arms. His posture was too relaxed, too confident as he eyed Nevan.

  “You might want to reconsider whatever you’re thinking,” Topaz said.

  Nevan shot a sizzling glare at him and kept edging toward Rena even after the Syn pressed the weapon to his temple.

  “I’m okay.” Rena locked eyes with Nevan. “Please do what he says.”

  Topaz hitched his eyebrows toward the spot next to Blaze. Nevan moved back to it, lifting his hands in the air once again. The man clutching Rena thrust her forward so hard she stumbled and fell. Hot pain scorched her palms and she whimpered.

  “Rena!” Despite the threat, Nevan rushed toward her. The Syn discharged his stunner, dropping him instantly.

  Chapter Thirty

  “No!” Rena scrambled to Nevan, cradling his head on her lap. She pushed his dreads away from his unfocused eyes. “Nevan?”

  He blinked a few times as if struggling to ward off the stupor. A few seconds later, he sat, a deep blush reddening his cheeks.

  His gaze roamed over her, pausing slightly at her wounds while he helped her up, even though he was unsteady himself. As he guided her to the wall, he spoke in a soft whisper. “Pick that gravel from your knees. As soon as I find a staja plant, I’ll work on your ear and chin.”

  Blaze’s wide eyes raked her over, screaming silent concern. Once Rena sidled next to her in front of the cave, Nevan used his body to shield her from Topaz.

  “Now,” Topaz said as he bounced on his heels. “I hope you’re well-rested. We’ve got a long day ahead of us, but it doesn’t have to be a hard one.”

  She moved out from behind Nevan. “Why don’t you let them go? I’m the one you want. They can’t help you.”

  “Ah, but that’s not true.” Topaz nodded at the Syn, and it punched Nevan in the side. The impact forced the breath from him in a muffled grunt.

  “Don’t!” she screamed as he hunched over, coughing and still not fully recovered from the stun gun.

  Then, Nevan straightened and spit in the Syns face. As if requiring input on how it should respond, the machine sought Topaz, who shook his head and shifted his gaze to Blaze.

  Spittle slid down the Syn’s cheek as it moved to stand in front of her.

  “No, don’t hurt her. Please,” Rena begged.

  “As you can see, these two can be quite helpful.” Topaz strolled toward her, stopping inches away. “Now, I will only ask you this once. Where is the cave?”

  Keeping the location of her time capsules a secret paled in comparison to her friends’ safety. She stared over his shoulder at nothing in particular. “About fifteen miles north.”

  “You will lead us there.” Topaz started down to the foothills.

  She froze in place struggling to think like Blaze when she’d bargained with the Grunge. Topaz was a Buyer, a greedy Buyer, but a buyer nonetheless. She needed to bargain with him to keep herself and her friends alive.

  “It’s contingent,” she called out.

  “We’re not at the Market. I wasn’t making an offer,” he mocked in a Buyer-like tone before he stopped and faced Rena. A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. “But you’ve piqued my curiosity. What’s your condition?”

  “Once I show you where the cave is located, you have to let us all go. Alive.”

  He continued walking, hands behind his back. “I’ll consider it.”

  Once they reached the foothills, Rena and Blaze led the group, walking side by side. Nevan paced behind them, the weapon-toting Synbot after him, while Topaz and his two minions took up the rear. The only sound came from shoes on gravel as they neared the bomb crater zone. In her current mental state, Rena wished there was a way to avoid the volatile area, but leading the group around the edge was the best option. Going higher into the hillside would only add time to their already long hike. Navigating down to the flat land would save hours. At least, until the Burning drove them back up to the shaded foothills.

  A couple of miles ahead, Rena spotted a high arch formed from rock, wind, and water. It looked like a long bridge connecting one large hill to the next. The north side of the mountains where she went to blow off steam didn’t have anything like it.

  She looked at Blaze. “That arch should’ve been the first clue you weren’t heading the right way.”

  “Oh, I knew way before that.”

  “No talking,” Topaz commanded from a few yards back.

  She rolled her eyes before whispering. “Why didn’t you turn around?”

  Before Blaze could respond, Topaz said, “Don’t force me to hurt you, little girl.”

  She gave Blaze a ‘do you believe this guy?’ face. Without saying anything, her friend crossed her arms. Blaze was a rule-follower, but that didn’t explain the extra glint in her eyes. With every blink, her eyes glistened more, as if she were on the verge of tears. What exactly had Topaz done to her best friend? Rena clenched her teeth.

  Tension coiled in her calves as anger fueled her ability. Dispersing it into the ground was the only way to alleviate the tightening leg muscles. Of all the places they could be walking, the crater zone was the worst place for a quake. Any one of the numerous craters could collapse, swallowing them with debris. Or worse, new ones could open beneath them. If it hit when they were under the arch, it could give way and crush them all.

  A muscle spasm shot from her calf to her thigh. She stifled a whimper and quietly panted through the pain. If she remembered correctly, the crater zone ended in about three miles, about another hour’s walk.

  She blew out a heavy breath and glared over her shoulder at Topaz. The need to send a jolt through the boulder next to him tempted her beyond reason, and her palms itched with the need to smack the arrogant smirk off his face. She fisted her hands by her side instead. The sharp pain of her fingernails digging into her scraped palms distracted her from the agony in her calves.

  When they neared the arch, the tingling in Rena’s soles made her quicken her pace. The pressure was determined to escape her by will or force, leaving her helpless to contain a tiny shockwave. Dread made her legs heavy as she sensed for a resounding tremor.

  She had to find a way to warn her friends. Taking broader
steps quickened the pace and drew Blaze’s attention. From the corner of her eyes, she looked at her and mouthed, “Quake.”

  Blaze crinkled her forehead in confusion.

  Rena covered her head with her hands in a mock protective manner as she slightly twisted away from the foothills. Blaze still didn’t understand. Frustrated, Rena rubbed her itching hands together, lowered them to her sides, and shook them.

  The sensation of the next ground rumble caused Rena to draw a sharp breath. The tremble wasn’t enough to attract attention, but the shockwave loosened something underground. If they made it to the other side of the rock arch before the quake, and if the quake knocked it down, it would create a barrier between her friends and their enemies. Rena preferred solid, well-thought out plans, but ‘if’ was all she had. Pivoting, she walked backwards.

  “We gotta pee. Can we go behind that boulder?” Rena pointed to the large formation on the opposite side of the arch.

  Topaz peered at her. “Make it quick.”

  Without question, Blaze jogged beside her. They cleared the arch seconds before the first shock hit hard enough for everyone to feel.

  Blaze grabbed Rena’s arm. Rena spun to see Nevan rushing toward her.

  “Cover your head!” Nevan shouted, his focus on her.

  A deep rumble erupted through the ground as stone shifted deep below the surface. Topaz paled while his minions huddled around him, as if they could protect him. He shouted out for the Syn to either stop ‘them’ or ‘him’. With hurried, clunky steps the Syn chased after Nevan.

  “Halt!” The hum of the Syn’s stunner followed the command.

  Lesson learned, Nevan skidded to a stop about five yards away from Rena. With his hands in the air, his gaze scanned her for what she assumed were injuries as the ground seemingly settled. Only Rena felt the ripple coursing through the earth.

  The Syn slowed its awkward gait and was still under the arch’s shadow when a loud pop filled the air, followed by a swooshing noise. A couch-sized section of the arch crashed down on the Syn. The gust from it shifted Nevan’s dreadlocks. He covered his head and sprinted forward seconds before another piece broke off. In his haste, he tripped on a rock and slammed into the ground with a loud thump. Rena was so focused on him, she didn’t notice the minions until they grabbed Nevan. The man who’d captured Rena pinned Nevan’s arms behind his back.