by Mara, Devi
Farran jerked his eyes away from the inept humans to glare at him.
"I mean no disrespect, General. I have known others who have been separated from their marked-"
"Enough," Farran hissed.
Motlin dropped his head. "My sincere apologies. I overstepped myself."
Farran held the glare for a moment longer, before he looked away. "It is forgiven."
He waited until Motlin turned his back to relax his posture. Without his focus on the little human, the pain returned stronger than before. He clenched his jaw. His gaze followed the street down the hill to the center of the city. He straightened.
"Enough of this! Push forward." He heard a dozen voices echo him.
The front line surged. The sharp crack of the human weapons echoed through the crisp air. They quickly gave way to panicked screams. He watched the weapons turn on their masters, as his elite soldiers overwhelmed their superior numbers. The cries faded.
He strode forward through his troops. They parted before him, revealing the tangled mass of bodies. He scanned the damage and nodded.
"Continue."
"C'hy uat abad!" they cheered.
"Indeed."
...
Sarah jogged down the deserted sidewalk. Her eyes swept side to side, taking in her surroundings as she ran. Distant shouts echoed through the streets on her right broken often by the crack of gunfire. A heavy cloud hovered over the eastern side of the city. The wind shifted, carrying the smell of smoke.
She paused at the edge of the square to look around. Her legs shook from the cold, the wind like dozens of needles against her skin. She jerked her coat tighter around her. The voices got louder. She glanced up the hill toward The Corridor. Her eyes widened.
Hundreds of people sprinted down the street toward her. She watched emergency vehicles weave through the crowd, horns honking wildly. A house exploded. The burst of flames engulfed the homes on either side, setting off a chain reaction. Over the sound of the crowd, the city guard shouted.
Her gaze followed the direction of their gunfire. An army marched on the city. The blast of a grenade, barely slowed their progress. The Dems. Her muscles froze, as a wave of terror washed over her. She could not tear her eyes away from the clash.
"Run!"
A body slammed into her from behind. She lurched forward, tumbling off the curb into the street. The asphalt scraped her hands and knees. She winced.
"Run! Run!" the same voice yelled.
She looked over her shoulder to watch a man and woman drag their children down the sidewalk toward City Hall. She shoved herself to her feet. She glanced at the approaching crowd and took off after the couple. They split at the first stop light. The couple shoved their way into the court house and Sarah continued downtown.
She darted through traffic, and tripped up the stairs to the city park. Her eyes scanned the square from the elevated position. The crowd from the hill reached the edge of the square, a moment after her. She watched them split into groups, most heading toward the police station. A loud boom split the air. A moment later, the back of the court house exploded.
She hopped down the steps and forced her way through the panicked crowd, until she slammed against the front of the hospital. Emergency flood lights lit the deserted lobby.
"Let me in!" She banged on the glass. "I have to get to my brother!"
Nothing moved. She jerked on the door handles, but they did not budge. She whirled away.
"They're coming!" a woman screamed from across the street.
Sarah followed the woman's gaze to the first line of Dems. They rounded the edge of the park and started down the street. She looked around for the City Guard.
"Mother Fuckers!"
Sarah jerked her head around in time to see a guard lob a grenade into the Dems. The bomb exploded and pavement flew into the air. It rained down on Dems and blasted the guard off his feet. She watched one of the massive soldiers grab his arm and fling him into the mass of bodies. His furious yells quickly gave way to agonized screams.
"Step aside," a voice ordered from behind her.
She jumped. Another group of Dem soldiers stood a few yards away from her. They stared at her. She turned her head to look up at the one who had spoken.
"Now, human."
She took a step back and pressed against the hospital doors. She watched the Dem twitch in irritation.
"Problem?" another deep voice demanded.
She jerked her head to look at the group that stood on her other side. The two leaders shared a look.
"The human female refuses to relocate." The first stated.
"Move her."
She tensed, as one of them stepped toward her. Her skin prickled.
"Do not!" A familiar voice shouted.
Relief hit her so hard, her knees wobbled. She leaned against the door for support. The Dems shifted uncomfortably, moving aside as Farran appeared through the crowd. She felt his eyes on her. He paused a few feet away. She took a step forward.
Her mind quickly skimmed over everything she had learned. She straightened her spine and dropped her chin to her chest. The Dems shifted. She peeked up to look at Farran's face. He stared at her with an unreadable expression. She chewed on her bottom lip. She must have done it wrong. Panic began to set in.
He gave her a curt nod. "Sarah."
She quickly raised her head. "General."
Surprise flashed in his eyes, and she thought she saw his lips twitch up at the corners. A deep voice murmured in her mind, the foreign words almost soothing. "How interesting."
Chapter Eleven
Beyond Destruction
He took in her appearance slowly. The cold air pinkened her pale skin, adding a bright flush to her cheeks. She stared at him with her large, green eyes, and the pain of the ator faded away. He took a deep breath. The air between them smelled like warm spice. He cocked his head to the side.
"My men have orders. Why are you impeding their progress?"
She blinked up at him. He watched her glance both ways, and lick her lips.
"I..." She swallowed hard.
"Remove yourself from their path."
Her eyes locked on his. She raised her chin. "No."
He vaguely noticed his men moving away. He took a step toward her. "Are you defying me?" A combination of anger and bemusement burned in his stomach.
She stared at him. "No."
He shook his head. "I thought not. Follow me." He turned to walk back the way he had come.
"No."
He glanced over his shoulder at her. She stared right back at him. He raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
She gave him a jerky nod. "I'm not moving."
His eyes dropped to take in her small body. Her pale legs shook. He felt his lips curve.
"You seem to be under the misconception you have a choice in the matter."
Her eyes widened as he approached. He snatched the front of her coat and pulled her toward him.
She pressed her tiny hands against his chest. "Wait! I can't leave."
He ignored her. "You can leave, and you shall."
Her eyes narrowed. "I'm not leaving my brother."
He paused, his hands still wrapped around her waist. His gaze moved past her to take a closer look at the building. A hospital. He frowned.
"He can't be moved," she said.
He dropped his eyes to her. Her eyes shone with determination. He felt a twinge of pride, and almost smiled.
"Fine," he barked. He glanced at Balendin.
"Sir?"
Farran scowled down at Sarah. "What is the name?"
He felt her relax into his arms. "John. John Mackenzie."
"Remove the rest of the humans. Leave this John Mackenzie where you find him."
"With a nurse," Sarah whispered.
He glared at her. "With a nurse." He looked away from her to watch his men enter the medical center.
"Thank you."
He ignored her. "You will follow me,
and you will do so quietly."
She nodded. "Okay."
He shook his head at himself. He grabbed her hand and pulled her behind him. She nearly ran to keep up with him. "Where are we going?"
He stopped. His eyes scanned the street. His men had succeeded in rounding up the humans. He heard their yells from the street to his left. The square was mostly deserted.
"General? Sir?"
He dropped his gaze to her. "What?"
He watched her take a deep breath. "I asked where we were going."
"I heard you."
She clamped her mouth shut. He watched her look around. She raised her free hand to brush her hair behind her ear, and he noticed her shaking.
"You are cold?"
She nodded absently.
He pulled her in front of him and forced her chin up. He scanned her face. Her lips carried a faint blue tinge. He scowled.
"Why did you not tell me you were freezing?" he demanded.
She blinked. "I didn't think you would-"
"You did not think," he cut her off. He leaned down to meet her gaze.
The ator swirled wildly. He ground his teeth.
"Do not move," he warned her. He grasped her small hands in his and pulled her toward him.
"Are you sure my brother is going to be okay?" she suddenly asked.
"I said so, did I not?" He did not wait for her answer, wrapping his arm around her waist to lift her into his arms.
She stiffened. "I can still walk."
"Silence." He wrapped his other arm around her legs. Her bare skin sparked against his hand. He jerked his eyes away from her. "We will travel faster without your dawdling."
He felt her hair brush his cheek, as she nodded. Her muscles relaxed against him.
He tried to ignore her hands pressed between their bodies. They seemed to burn through the thick cotton of his suit. He shook his head at himself, and strode down the sidewalk to the hotel. She did not reply when he pushed through the doors, but he felt her let out a sigh at the warmth.
His eyes settled on the seats along the wall. He set her down on the lobby floor and pointed.
"Sit."
Her gaze followed his hand. She nodded. He could not keep his eyes from following her across the room.
...
She sat in the chair farthest from the door, and tugged the hem of her dress down over her knees. She could not keep her eyes off of Farran. Outside of the oppressive atmosphere of The Corridor, he seemed larger. Stronger. Freedom agreed with him. She blushed at the thought. Her skin still burned where his hand had been. She shivered.
He glanced at her. His gaze quickly scanned her before meeting hers. He raised an eyebrow. A familiar Dem shoved open the lobby doors. Farran's eyes snapped from her to fix on the new arrival. The blond's gaze took in the room. He did not blink at her presence, seeming to expect it.
"General." He nodded his head in respect. "The humans have been assembled in the meeting room at City Hall."
Sarah frowned. Everyone had been rounded up and shoved into one large room. It sounded far too much like The Corridor for her liking. She shivered at the thought.
Farran nodded.
"Also, Keane and Robinson fled the city with what remains of the city guard."
Her head jerked up. She watched Farran's eyes darken.
"Their location?"
"The forest north of the city," the blonde Dem answered.
Sarah nodded to herself. It was popular with the hunters. The trees grew close together, the ground in perpetual shadow. The perfect place to hide.
"That is very disappointing, Colonel." She looked up in time to see Farran glance at her. An unnamed emotion filled his eyes. "Send a private to retrieve clothing for," he paused. His lips quirked. "Miss Mackenzie."
Her eyes widened at the title.
He turned back to his colonel. "Anything else to report?"
"A fire burns in the valley south of the city." The other Dem's gaze flicked to her quickly.
"I believed it would take much longer to gain their attention," she heard Farran mutter under his breath.
"As did I." The Dem gave Farran a quick nod and turned on his heel.
Sarah watched the Dem leave and looked at Farran. "Was that Tradis?"
He frowned at her. "Colonel Tradis, to you."
She nodded. "Thank you." At his raised eyebrow, she clarified, "For the clothes, I mean."
His frown deepened. "The request was not for your benefit. Your health affects mine." He turned his back to her. "That is all." He strode through a doorway and left her alone.
She swallowed hard. His words stung more than usual. After he had seemed concerned about her, she thought maybe his hatred had faded. She shook her head at herself. His actions tangled her thoughts. She stood up and shrugged off her coat.
"Have you no propriety?" Farran demanded.
She jerked and glanced over her shoulder. He stood still and tense in the doorway.
"What?"
He gestured at her. "That gown is obscene." His eyes dragged down her body slowly, before snapping back to hers. "Cover yourself until you can acquire suitable clothing."
She looked down at herself. The fabric was a little wrinkled, but it looked basically the same as it had earlier. "The store clerk told me it looked okay," she argued weakly.
He scowled. "Far too much of you is openly displayed to any who care to look."
She looked around the empty lobby. The front door swung open with a blast of cold air. A Dem hurried inside. He paused when he saw her.
"Private!" Farran barked.
The Dem visibly jumped. He tore his eyes away from her, and bowed his head to Farran. "General."
She watched Farran sneer. "You are here to take Miss Mackenzie to her home to retrieve clothing. Not to ogle my marked," he finished with a growl.
She blinked at the tone he used against one of his own.
The Dem nodded quickly. "My apologies, General. I did not intend to bring shame to you."
Farran nodded. He glanced at her, and his expression shuttered. "Take her."
The Dem gave him a quick bow and turned to her. "Miss Mackenzie." He did not meet her eyes.
She looked at Farran, but he turned away. She frowned.
...
He followed his second down the sidewalk toward City Hall. His gaze touched on each shop they passed. He sneered. The city seemed determined to show a rosy image to the world. He glanced at the city park. Even in the dead of winter it was perfectly pruned, flowers blooming out of season.
"The humans have been provided with all they require. Nothing more," Tradis spoke, breaking the silence.
Farran nodded. He paused at the base of the steps and looked up at the front of the city hall.
"Pretentious," Tradis remarked.
"Exceedingly." He followed the lines of the building. His gaze caught on the stately columns. "Vaguely familiar."
"I noticed. Perhaps modeled after our own."
Farran scowled. "Show me to the humans. I do not wish to be inside this building any longer than necessary."
Tradis smirked. "This way." He climbed the steps and shoved open the grand doors.
"The disaster continues." Farran smirked at Tradis' snort of amusement.
"It will become infinitely worse."
Farran raised an eyebrow. He scanned the marble entry hall. Gold dripped from every sconce.
"I find that doubtful."
Tradis shook his head. He strode across the extravagant room to push open another set of heavily carved doors. He smirked and gestured for Farran to proceed him.
"Judge for yourself, General."
Farran stepped into a long hallway. Colorful paintings covered every inch of wall space. He scanned them quickly. Sweeping landscapes, adventuresome seascapes. He scowled. The city was not anywhere near the sea and the closest mountains were days away.
"When we leave the city, burn this building to the ground."
Tradis chuckled. "It
would bring me great pleasure, General." He gestured to the right. "The meeting room is this way."
Farran followed him down the gaudy hallway. He ignored the paintings. Tradis paused outside an equally garish door. The guards on either side nodded to him. He found himself suddenly thinking of Sarah. He could not imagine her in such a contrived place. The door opened onto a wide balcony. He followed Tradis down the stairs to the railing.
"The people of Ameritat," Tradis announced blandly.
Farran glanced at the humans filling the meeting room. They milled around like cattle. He sneered.
"Acceptable." He turned away from the pathetic sight. "Is there anything else requiring my attention?"
Tradis turned away from the humans, a look of distaste on his face. "We have located Keane's office."
Farran raised his eyebrows. "Show me."
Tradis started up the stairs. "You are aware of his plans for the election." He returned the nod of the guards.
"I am." The guards gave him a short bow. He nodded.
"We have discovered his campaign notes. He appears to have a wife serving as city clerk. The city sheriff is his running mate." He paused outside a door and glanced over his shoulder.
Farran frowned. "A Robinson, I assume."
Tradis nodded to him. "Yes." He pushed open the door and flicked on the light.
Farran looked around. The large office was remarkably neat. Everything precise. The name plate sat in the exact center of the desk. He moved further into the room. It looked like a space a Keane would possess. The latest in a long line of wretches. One of the original families that learned the best way to rise in power was to deprive the rest. He sneered. Clearly, the gold they received as payment was not being equally divided among the families.
"We found the notes in the bottom drawer. It is his wife's desk."
He nodded at Tradis' words. His eyes scanned the filing cabinets along the right wall. He tipped his head to the side. "What of the files?"
Tradis jerked out the bottom drawer of the desk. He glanced at the cabinets. "Most seem to be notes on counsel meetings." He pulled a thick envelope from the drawer and dropped it on the desktop.
Farran skimmed the labels. He started to turn when something jumped out at him. He knelt to reread the label. Robinson: Function of Marks. He jerked the drawer open.
