by Julian North
The halls were mostly empty; lunch was over, and classes had begun. I was supposed to be in Script. I reached the stained oak doors that led inside my classroom but didn’t enter. I flicked out a Morse code message to Nythan. Nothing. I’d forgotten the damn thing was busted. I took a deep breath and shoved open the doors. Scribbling temporarily ceased as heads turned toward me, but Mr. Yadlow didn’t say anything as I slid into a seat in the back row next to Nythan. Everyone resumed their writing. We were inscribing the words of Cicero today. ‘The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living,’ was inscribed on a smart board at the front of the room, with other ancient sentiments beneath it. Pretty words, but worthless to me at the moment. I gathered my ancient pen and ink, using them to write a note to Nythan rather than the assigned text: “Meet me on the roof after class. Important.” He looked over his shoulder at me after reading the paper. I expected a mocking smirk. I got a grave nod of understanding. My heartbeat accelerated. More bad news had to be coming.
After class ended, Nythan and I headed upstairs separately. My footfalls were heavy; the stairs groaned at my passage. I stepped onto the Tuck roof beneath a sky that had darkened noticeably in the hour I’d been away. Nythan joined me two minutes later, his eyes drawn.
“Glad to see you aren’t hurt. I heard you were in the park this morning.”
I waved away his question. “Long story. That isn’t what I came here for.”
He looked puzzled, then annoyed. “What is it, then?”
Nythan clearly had something else on his mind, so I got to the heart of it. “Before you met me, back when Marie-Ann was alive, did Havelock get a spy into some Foster-Rose-Hart travel concierge service?”
Nythan blinked several times as he thought, like a computer pulling up old data. “The travel service? Yeah, but it was a dead end. They never had personal interactions with any of the family, much less access to their home. And the service ended up getting replaced a couple of months after Havelock got his informant in there. Probably Kris’s work again, somehow. Why are you asking?”
“I spoke to Alissa.” Nythan’s eyebrows rose. “She warned me not to trust Alexander. That he was traveling to California in secret. That he’s connected with them. She told me she saw him meet with a man named Harrison Elias-Arkin.”
“You’re talking to Alissa?”
“I don’t trust her. But she wasn’t lying. Not about this, at least. I can tell.”
Nythan rubbed his head. “I’ve never heard that name, but I wouldn’t have. I do remember Alexander disappearing mysteriously to Mexico. Alissa speculated that he’d traveled to California, but Dillion denied it. According to Dillion, he and Cali intelligence would have known if that was happening. I had no reason to doubt that conclusion until this moment. Either Dillion was wrong or Alissa is.”
“Or Dillion was lying.”
“Possibly, although I don’t see why he would do that. If Dillion had access to Alexander like that, I think he would’ve used that leverage to get into Rose-Hart, blackmailed Landrew, or something similar. I’m sure you recall that he wasn’t a man with qualms about such things.”
I could find no fault with Nythan’s reasoning. Dillion had been ruthless. Therefore, if Alexander was secretly traveling to California, Dillion and the Cali government didn’t know about it. I shook my head with frustration.
“Alissa wasn’t lying, though. I’m sure of it. Why would Alexander travel to California in secret?”
Nythan shook his head. “Something big. Because that would be a huge risk. It’s treason, for starters. It would’ve doomed him and his family if such a thing was discovered by his enemies.”
My mouth was dry. It wasn’t what I wanted to hear. But Nythan was correct. There was only one way to know for sure—I had to speak to Alexander. I wanted to do that immediately, but Nythan’s grave expression told me that Alexander wasn’t all I had to worry about.
“What else is going on?”
“I hacked the Authority drone surveillance network,” Nythan said matter-of-factly. It was a daring and risky feat, but I didn’t doubt he had done that. “I watched some of their aerial drone footage. There’s been a lot of damage in BC.”
“What kind of damage?”
He flicked his fingers. He was struggling with something—deciding what to tell me. That pissed me off. Why did people think there were things they had to keep from me?
“Tell me, Nythan.” My tone was dangerous.
“Something… I’m not sure exactly. They’ve razed a number of buildings near the river. Not just hit them with explosives. I mean complete demolition. The land has been cleared with heavy equipment.”
“Why? What does that mean?”
“I don’t know. But there’s a lot of activity at the site. A foundation has been paved. I saw massive-mover transports on the road nearby. They were carrying what looked like prefab structures.”
“Where?”
“Near Fulton—the government port facility.”
I knew the area all too well. “There’s a detention facility there. Fulton Fishkill, we call it, because of the smell. They’re probably expanding. Lots of arrests coming.”
“I thought that too—until I looked closer. First, let’s assume for a moment that they’ve abandoned their traditional tactics of relying on correction and are willing to bear the expense of detaining people. Why expand? They’ve got plenty of space at the existing facility near Fulton, and a huge fenced-in yard to utilize. The Authority has even more space on Rikers if they needed it. If they are planning mass arrests, they’d want plenty of open area and fencing, and not much else. Instead they’re upgrading the power grid and bringing in prefab modules. Those containers were being unloaded directly from hydroTran container ships—that’s an expensive way to move cargo. If they needed cheap concrete and wire, they’d fabricate it. They wouldn’t ship it in on hydroTran speed ships.”
Ice clutched my throat. “What do you think they are doing?”
“I don’t know. I need more information.” He said it too quietly. He was worried too.
“Can you get me back into BC?”
Nythan’s eyes darkened. “Curfew is still in effect, but it’s calmer. Streets are mostly clear, at least. Food shipments and other essentials are being allowed in again. I can try to fake us some travel passes. We can come up with a cover story. It’ll be risky. I’m coming too.”
I wanted to go immediately, but I also wasn’t anxious for another run-in with Major Varin-Lynn. I reminded myself to put emotions to the side. “Maybe we can wait another day or two till they reopen BC. Whatever they are building, they can’t do it in a day.”
“It’s not just the strange building,” Nythan said glumly. “I hacked the comm network too. I pinged Kortilla—no answer. Three separate times I tried to reach her…”
Time slowed. Nythan’s lips were moving, but I didn’t hear him. I willed myself to breathe deeply, slowly. “That doesn’t mean anything by itself. Kortilla can take care of herself, Nythan. Matias and Otega wouldn’t let anything happen to her.”
“It’s different this time, Daniela, and you know it. People were firing force weapons at Authority drones and troops. They will respond. That’s what Virginia Timber-Night promised. The president too. The gloves are off.”
I thought about the major and his Special Threats Force. “I’ll go back tonight—alone. You’ll slow me down. I’m sorry, but you stick out like, well, like a richie in BC.”
Nythan’s back straightened. “You won’t know what you’re looking at, Daniela. I need to go.”
“I know you like her and maybe more, but no.”
He turned a hot shade of red. Angry words were on the tip of his tongue. “You aren’t the only one who cares about Kortilla. I’m going with or without you.” He swallowed hard. “Blood takes care of blood.”
For once there was nothing mocking in Nythan’s face. He wasn’t quoting old movies or playing professor. I saw only determination in his eyes.
He meant what he said. Deuces.
“I’ve got an idea about how to get us in. I’ll contact you later tonight. Be ready.”
Chapter 17
It was the longest track practice of my life.
I kept looking at Alexander, trying to see inside him. I should’ve known better by now. He was calm, focused, perfect. A second brush with death didn’t seem to have fazed him. He acknowledged my stares with a gentle smile, missing or ignoring the distress in my gaze.
Coach Nessmier liked to pretend I wasn’t on the track team. But as soon as he noticed my lack of focus, he seized the opportunity to bash me.
“The champ doesn’t need to try in practice anymore?” he mocked after I finished behind Anise in two consecutive fifty-meter sprints. Anise’s glare could’ve given chills to a polar bear.
Nessmier paired me with Mona Lisa for hurdle drills. She bumped me coming around a turn. I lost my balance and caught my foot on a hurdle, hitting the ground hard.
“I don’t understand how you got out of Bronx City if that’s the best you can do. I thought the people there knew how to run.” Coach wore a contemptuous smile. So did Mona Lisa and a couple of others.
I picked myself up, my jaw locked. I was ready to do harm. But Anise had been watching, and she wasn’t just quick on the track. She appeared beside me as I took a step forward and slung her arm around my shoulder, diverting me away from a confrontation before I could take a second step. I tried to fling her off, but she was stronger than she looked. Alexander joined the fray a few moments later, but I’d regained control by then. I caught Nessmier’s sadistic little grin as my friends walked me in the other direction.
After practice, Anise accompanied me outside even though I didn’t want her to. I couldn’t bring myself to ditch her. I was still a guest at her place, and I’d blown her off this morning on top of other slights. Alexander was waiting on the steps when we exited, despite the cold. It was already dark, but his damp golden hair still gleamed under the beam of a street light.
“How are you feeling?” Alexander asked me.
“Great. Let’s go for another jog around the Reservoir.”
He didn’t smile. “Why don’t you get some rest?” He looked at Anise as if pleading for assistance.
My fatigue vanished as my blood heated. No way was he getting rid of me. I was going to be there when Jalen arrived.
“I’m fine, Alexander.” I bit off each word.
He got my meaning, but he glanced at Anise uncomfortably. “Anise, we have a… private matter to attend to tonight. I hope you understand.”
Anise’s face looked like she’d eaten something rotten. A slight from Alexander must’ve stung far worse than anything I could’ve dealt her. People said I wasn’t diplomatic.
I placed a hand on her arm. “Anise, it’s connected to this morning.”
“This morning when you told me to stay at home then proceeded to almost get killed?” she asked, her tone sharp. “Everyone knows Jalen Aris-Putch was at the park this morning. If you're meeting him again tonight, it isn’t a secret. Whatever surprise you hoped to achieve is irretrievably lost.”
Alexander glanced at me uneasily. “It may be as you say, nevertheless it is a matter for Daniela and I to attend to.”
“Why Daniela?” Anise’s eyes scanned me. “Alexander I get—he’s got Rose-Hart to offer and all that. What do you have that Jalen Aris-Putch could desire so badly he’s willing to endure the company of a non-highborn?”
It was a challenge, but I didn’t take the bait, if that’s what Anise had hoped. I had bigger problems. “Anise, you’ve done so much—”
“Spare me the platitudes, Daniela. If you’re going to play the game, you had better play to win. Or else you die.” She grunted in frustration. “Has it ever occurred to either of you two lumps of pride to ask for help?”
Alexander looked at her in earnest. “Anise, I appreciate—”
“Shut up for a moment, Alexander. The Titan-Winds don’t take sides. That’s what everyone says. We maintain good relationships with everyone, and whatever we have is for sale. We jump when the winner is decided—the weather vanes of politics. But we hear plenty. I can help.”
“How?” Alexander asked.
“I listen to my father. And he likes to talk. For instance, senior ArgoGood representatives have had several secret—and, of course, illegal—meetings with emissaries of the Californian government in Tijuana within the past two weeks.”
Alexander rubbed his chin. “About what?”
Anise shrugged. “I don’t know for sure. Maybe my father does. Or my brother. I’ll find out. But the topic is beside the point; Virginia Timber-Night is itching for an excuse to crush Jalen and his clan. Therefore, what they are up to has to be important. Or they’re desperate. Desperate enough to bury the hatchet of old family rivalries. Maybe desperate enough to tell lies.”
“Jalen wouldn’t lie,” I said.
The corner of Anise’s mouth scrunched in annoyance. “You’re sticking up for highborn now, Daniela? Because you know him so well?”
I stayed icy. “What’s your point, Anise?”
“Bring me with you. You can use the help.”
“No,” Alexander declared.
“I’m not objectionable,” Anise told him. “He won’t expect it. It will keep him off balance. Don’t let him drive the bus, Alexander. Jalen isn’t your friend. He’s not anyone’s friend.”
Alexander closed his eyes, then opened them slowly, as if reluctant. “I am grateful for your friendship, Anise. Even if I do not deserve it.”
“Damn right,” she agreed. She thought he was going to agree. But she didn’t know Alexander as well as she thought she did. If he had to remind her of how much he appreciated her, the rest of what he had to say would always be a disappointment. I had extensive experience.
“And I must continue to count on you, but in this matter with Jalen, I will rise or fall alone.”
“Don’t play the honorable martyr!” she near shouted. “You sound like the captain of a doomed ship. You’re willing to include Daniela, but not me? I know the game better than either of you. We Titan-Winds live on the margin of the elite. We survive with our wits. Don’t turn your back on me.”
I knew she meant more than just her assistance with that last sentence. Anise was more than mad—she was hurt. We’d pushed her too far. She felt jilted, again. Alexander was too blind to see it. He understood honor, but not emotion.
I put an arm around her shoulder. “Alexander, we need help. Even if Jalen can do everything he says he can, we need her. We’re groping around in the dark.” I reached out with my free hand and placed it on his arm, linking the three of us.
Alexander looked back and forth at the two of us, , as we demanded more of him. His reluctance was so apparent he didn’t need to speak of it.
“In the recent past, if I hadn’t had true friends to back me up, I would be dead, or worse. Alexander, we need someone to have our backs,” I urged.
The three of us stood at a quiet corner. It was too cold and too dark for there to be much street traffic. Alexander’s house was to the south, Anise’s to the north. Alexander glanced in both directions as we awaited his answer. “It would be a relief to have Anise on our side,” he pronounced finally. I felt the tension ease from Anise’s shoulders even as she kept her face hard. “But you are wrong about Jalen. He will not speak in front of you. Whatever secrets he holds, he will not share with another highborn. He accepts Daniela’s presence because of who she is—her humble circumstances. He doesn’t consider her a threat. But you are a different story.”
“Then what good—” Anise began.
“We’ll brief you on what is happening, but you cannot join us tonight. Being on a team includes knowing when to let others run the race. And we’ll know we have fresh legs in reserve.”
I sensed her displeasure, but she eventually nodded. It was the best she was going to get.
I squeezed her shoulder as I slid my a
rm away. One battle won, for now. But the bigger one remained. I still needed answers from Alexander, and time was short. Jalen was due any time.
We went our separate ways. I looked over my shoulder to see Anise’s back. I imagined the unhappy grimace on her face. We hadn’t lost her, at least.
“Thank you,” I told Alexander. “I know you didn’t want her involved. Or me.”
His lips formed into a joyless line. “You are wrong. I do want you involved. I’m glad you are here. I just don’t want to see you get hurt, although I also realize that is naive of me. You are fighting for your family.” Alexander’s eyes met mine; I would have smiled at his words if Alissa’s warning hadn’t been echoing in my head. I said nothing, and he continued. “Anise is a different story.”
“What do you mean?”
“You and I are both fighting for something vital. For you it is your people, your family. I am fighting for my survival, and to a lesser extent the legacy of my family—and the future I might be able to help shape. Jalen too is fighting for his own survival, and for his family. What is Anise fighting for? Why is she involved?”
My answer came reluctantly to my lips. “She cares about you. Still. Whatever was once between the two of you is still there, at least for her.”
“Only for her,” Alexander declared. His eyes became distant. “Perhaps.”
My eyes narrowed. “You don’t trust her?” I was surprised. Anise would be as well, if she knew.
We reached the gates of Alexander’s home. Some unseen computerized sentinel opened the passage for us without our even needing to break stride. I took notice of the massive house and its impossibly lush grounds only in passing; I had somehow come to regard this place as familiar—even if it wasn’t always comfortable.
“Do you remember that night I asked you to come to Kris’s party?”
