by Lili Zander
Olaf is dead.
The camp residents have been freed.
Lula Kenner seems more than capable of bringing down the Overlord.
My colony is in good hands at last. I don’t have to feel guilty about leaving Boarus 4.
The wind’s picking up again. Time to get the fourth and fifth flag and win this thing.
As luck would have it, the wind dies down completely on the final stretch.
I mutter a curse under my breath, but I’m not too worried. I’m only a four-hour-walk away from the finishing line, and I’ve already retrieved all my flags. I don’t particularly want to trudge through Glacis, but in the scheme of things, I’ll live.
I leave the plastic where it is. My tent, I fold and tuck into my backpack. Come on, Raven, I tell myself. You can do this. Four more hours, and you can have a nice hot shower.
Maybe Saber, Zeke, and Nero will join me. That’ll be a tight fit, but I’m sure we’ll make it work. As I walk, I daydream about the future. I’m so lost in my thoughts—again—that I don’t hear someone approach until they’re almost on me. Instinctively, I put my hand on my gun, though it’s tucked away inside my outer layer, and I can’t reach it.
But it’s not one of the Overlord’s enforcers, sent to kill me. It’s Tomas Cabal.
“Hello, Raven.”
He’s back in the race? But he was shooting up guards in the re-education camps only a few hours ago. How is he connected with everything?
I stare at him in shock as another realization runs through me, one with more immediate consequence. He’s made really good time with his skis, and I’m walking. The wind’s picking up again, but my piece of plastic is at least an hour’s walk behind me.
I’m going to lose the Night of the Shayde.
“Congratulations,” I tell him dully. What am I going to do now? How will I get off the colony without rousing Jarl Ragnar’s suspicions?
He laughs. “Oh, I’m not planning on winning, Raven. You are.”
“What?”
“You heard me.” His eyes are hard. “Overlord Zimmer was so convinced I was going to win the tournament and free him from his mountain of debt, but alas, he’s wrong. I’m throwing the race, Raven. At a critical juncture, just when everyone’s watching, I’m going to fall and sprain my ankle. You’ll stop and offer to help me, but I’ll bravely wave you forward.” His lips curl into a cold smile. “You’ll win, and Overlord Zimmer will lose.”
I gape at him. “Who are you?”
“For the moment,” he says, “I’m Tomas Cabal. I live in Sector 1. My parents are bitten humans. That’s all you need to know, really.”
His smile turns warmer. “You deserve to win,” he says. “You didn’t have to help us at the start, and yet you did. Everyone is rooting for you, Raven. Your victory would mean something to every single human on Boarus 4. Maybe every single human in the Courus system.”
“I’m not anyone special,” I mutter. “I’m just using the tournament as a way to get off Boarus 4.”
“You’re a symbol of endurance, Raven. That’s why they care. You survived Glacis. You survived the mines. They see themselves in you.” He nods pleasantly. “The Overlord’s enforcers are watching, and they’ll alert everyone if they see us. By the time we get to the finish line, there should be quite a crowd there. Don’t forget to come over and ask me if I want help when I ‘sprain’ my ankle.”
He sets off, moving quickly and surely over the ice. I stare at his departing back, more confused than ever.
27
Raven
It’s dusk by the time I spot the finish line. Tomas Cabal was right. The bright lights of the holo networks illuminate the twilight, and crowds are gathered everywhere, human and Shayde. I can hear them cheer. The Overlord’s enforcers are shouting out Tomas’ name, spurring him on, but underneath, there’s a more subversive chant. Raven, Raven, Raven…
I start to tremble with nerves. This is it. Matters are coming to a head. If Saber hasn’t succeeded in blackmailing Zimmer, I’m going to be arrested the moment I cross that line.
I take a deep breath. Saber will come through for you. Trust him.
True to his word, Tomas is less than twenty minutes away from crossing when his ski seems to slip out from under him, and he goes down in a shout. Cries of shock echo in the crowd. I start to run toward him. “Are you okay?” I shout as I near him.
“Excellent.” His voice is low, barely audible in the crowd noise. “The running was a nice touch. Convenient timing that it’s dusk, isn’t it? Our Shayde masters will be able to cheer their pet humans and celebrate the great victory.”
I frown at his tone. He’s obviously friends with Lula Kenner; she gave him a gun. Why does he sound so disgruntled?
“Not all Shayde are bad,” I mumble sullenly. “And not all humans are good. Saber, Zeke, and Nero, they’re really great guys.”
He raises an eyebrow. “The enforcers?” he asks skeptically. “The ones that have spent their entire adult lives in the military, fighting on behalf of the Empire? I’m sure they’re great guys.”
“They are.”
I try and help Tomas up. He gets to his feet, leaning on my shoulder, and then crumples once again, a grimace of pain on his face. “I can’t walk, Raven,” he shouts out, loud enough that the avidly watching crowd can hear us. “You go ahead. Win the tournament.”
Great Spirit, the crowds love this. They’re eating up Tomas’ performance. “Are you sure?” I say, also loud enough to be heard. “I’ll help you. We can make it.”
“No, no.” Wow, this guy is good. There’s pathos in his tone and frail bravery. He should be in the holos. “Go.”
The crowds start to chant again. Raven, Raven, Raven…
I can see Saber in the crowds, and hang on, is that Zeke and Nero? It is. Nicely done. Last time I saw them, they’d been in a tent. They must have forced themselves out of slumber at the crack of dusk to make their way here in time. They’re all smiling encouragingly at me, willing me forward.
This is it.
I take a deep breath and cross the finish line.
“There’s no way.” Overlord Zimmer splutters. “You cannot have walked to all five flags in such a short time. You must have cheated.”
I bite back the hot, angry answer. I’m not among my vampyrs. I have to watch my tongue. But I don’t have to worry because Saber intervenes on my behalf. “Think very carefully before you accuse my human, Overlord Zimmer,” he says icily, moving next to me. Zeke and Nero move as well and flank me protectively so that their scents muddy my blood-disease-aroma.
Jarl Ragnar raises an eyebrow. “That’s quite a serious accusation,” he says. “On what basis do you make this claim?”
“No human could have finished the course in less than five days.”
“Yet your champion is only a few feet behind Raven,” Nero points out.
“Yes,” the Overlord snaps. “He was on skis. That made the difference. Are you telling me that your human has a pair of her own?”
Jarl Ragnar looks at me. “Let her speak,” he says. “Well?”
I kneel and put my forehead on the ground, keenly aware that I’m talking to the second-most powerful Shayde in the Empire, one who can order the deaths of every single person on Boarus 4. The Jarl clears his throat impatiently, and I rise again. “I didn’t have a pair of skis, my Lord Shayde. But I built an ice boat.”
The Overlord would have just woken up. He can’t have found out about the camp yet. Good.
“What is an ice boat?”
I describe it to the Jarl. When I’m done, he’s looking intrigued. “How ingenious,” he says. “Well, Zimmer, her story is easy to test. If you wish, we can send someone to check for the pieces of the boat that she discarded.” His lips tighten. “Of course, under those circumstances, Jarl Saber would be well within his rights to demand compensation for the affront.”
“No need,” the Overlord says through stiff lips. “I believe the human.” His lips bare in
to a smile. “Congratulations, Raven Unnuk. You are the winner of this year’s Night of the Shayde.”
The crowd has been muttering restively, but at his announcement, they start cheering again. Jarl Ragnar lets them celebrate for a few minutes and then looks around. Silence falls instantly. “There’s going to be a banquet in Zimmer’s palace in honor of your victory,” he says, looking at me. “Jarl Saber, I’d be delighted if you allowed your human to accompany me there. I must admit, I’m quite fascinated by her.”
Saber’s eyes widen. Next to me, Zeke and Nero stiffen.
My heart seizes with fear. Jarl Ragnar is extending his hand to me, and if I get close enough to him to accept it, he’s going to smell the disease on me. Everything’s going to come crashing down.
Saber can’t do anything. The Jarl vastly outranks him. If he protests now, he’ll definitely draw scrutiny.
Think, Raven, think.
I drop to my knees, keeping my head lowered. “I’m honored, my Lord Shayde,” I whisper. “But…”
“But what?” The Jarl’s voice is sharp. He’s clearly not used to being disobeyed.
“It embarrasses me to approach you as I am, my Lord Shayde. I’ve spent three days in the ice deserts. I humbly beg permission to shower and refresh myself before the banquet.” I hold my breath as I make the request.
To my intense relief, Jarl Ragnar chuckles indulgently. “Of course. By all means.”
One crisis dodged. What next?
28
Nero
Fuck. For a moment there, I thought we were dead, but Raven’s quick thinking saved the day.
The moment we’re inside Zeke’s secure square, I hug Raven. “That was clever,” I say admiringly. “Beautiful and smart. We’re lucky men.”
“We’ve got to get out tonight,” Saber says grimly. “Ragnar’s too close to the truth.”
I couldn’t agree more.
“I’ve been investigating the spaceport security,” Zeke says. “It’s tight. But if the Overlord authorizes us…”
“I’ll make sure he does,” Saber replies. “Zimmer’s still cooperating. Did you see his face when Ragnar extended his hand to Raven? He was as terrified as we were.” He gives me a questioning look. “Do you think you can steal his ship?”
“Yes,” I say confidently.
Raven’s eyes go round. “You’re going to steal the Overlord’s ship?”
“We can’t take a commercial shuttle,” Saber explains. “We were so caught up in the all-expenses-paid-trip to Starra as the most obvious way out that none of us realized that you’d be on a shuttle surrounded by Shayde, all of who will be able to smell you.” He shakes his head wryly. “Not our brightest moment.”
“I blame Raven,” I say with a wink. “She’s so beautiful that it made us stupid.”
She laughs. “Don’t you dare,” she says. “This isn’t on me.” She hugs us tight once again and then takes a deep breath. “What’s the plan?”
“I’ll tell Zimmer to make a long speech during the banquet,” Saber says. “We’ll slip out at the start of it. With any luck, Jarl Ragnar isn’t going to wonder where we are until it’s too late. We all make our way to the spaceport, and we’re off.”
So many moving parts. So many points of failure. It would take a miracle for this to work.
29
Raven
I shower quickly. There’s a dress laid out on the bed in my room. It’s red in color, as red as blood, sweeping to the floor, made of the softest fabric I’ve ever touched in my life. It’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen.
“Do you like it?” Zeke’s standing in the door, looking at my reaction.
“I think I’m going to cry,” I whisper, staring at it.
“Please don’t,” he says, alarmed. “You’re supposed to smile and tell me that’s a very pretty dress. Not cry.”
Saber comes up to us. He’s dressed formally too, in his dress uniform. “Fucking banquets,” he grumbles. “Waste of time. Raven, are you ready?” Then he sees my tears and his eyes widen in alarm. “What’s the matter, little human?” he asks gently, wrapping me into his arms. “We’re going to be okay. Only a few more hours, and then this will all be behind us.”
He’s a worrier; I learned that about him back on Glacis. This situation must be freaking him out. “I’m just getting dressed,” I murmur into his shoulder, clinging onto him, not wanting to let go. “I’ve never owned something as lovely as this before.”
He brushes a kiss across my lips. “Can you hide a gun underneath?”
“I’ll give her a thigh-strap,” Zeke replies. “You think it’s going to come to a shootout?”
Saber shudders. “I hope not. I really don’t want to kill Ragnar. Zimmer, on the other hand…”
Nero steps out of his bedroom. “Get in line,” he says cheerfully. “I think we all want to kill him.” He must see that I’m on the verge of tears, because he hugs me as well. “Have faith in yourself, Raven,” he says, uncharacteristically serious. “You can do anything. Build ice boats and fly across Glacis. Find a way to decline Ragnar’s invitation without arousing suspicion. You’re strong, and brilliant, and clever. I have no doubt in my heart. We’re going to be fine.”
Feeling a lot better, I get dressed, and we walk to the Overlord’s palace, which is just two buildings away. It’s ornate and luxurious, but I barely take it in. My stomach is churning once again with nerves, and I feel sick. Any moment now, I’m expecting us all to get arrested. Or shot. Or taken away to be experimented on by the Empress’ scientists.
None of these are good options.
Thankfully, the Overlord is just as eager to keep Ragnar away from me as I am. He’s seated all the humans at a secondary table, well away from the Shayde. I’m shown to my table by a smiling maid. “Congratulations, Raven Unnuk,” she whispers. “I grew up in Sector 21. We’re all so proud of you.”
Saber watches as I take my seat, his expression worried. Then Ragnar laughs and claps him on his back. “Surely you can stand to be separated from your human for one meal, Saber,” he says with a good-humored smile on his face.
“Of course, Jarl Ragnar,” Saber replies. I watch him take a seat at Ragnar’s right, Nero, and Zeke beside him.
Before I can worry about how hard it’s going to be for us to slip away, a woman next to me clears her throat. “I heard you made an ice boat,” she says. “It must have been thrilling. Tell us all about it.”
They all lean forward with avid interest.
Great.
My table is made of the humans that live in the inner sectors. Tomas is conspicuous by his absence. I guess the Overlord’s not happy with him. They’re all wealthier than me, and most of their conversation goes above my head. By the third course, I’m ready for a break. I get to my feet. “Freshroom,” I mutter to the woman next to me, who smiles, nods and continues her conversation with the man sitting opposite her.
I step through an archway and find myself in a long corridor. There’s no one around, no one that I can ask for directions. I lean against the wall and close my eyes. I have to go back in a few minutes—I don’t want my vampyrs to worry about me, but I could use a moment of peace and quiet. The concerns of inner sector humans seem so different from mine. Ma Kaila always said…
Great Spirit! In all the chaos of the last few days, I’ve totally forgotten my history teacher, locked up in the Overlord’s dungeons.
I’ve got to see her. Lula Kenner has already freed the residents of Glacis. If she succeeds in overthrowing Zimmer, it’ll only be a matter of time before Joanna persuades her to release our teacher. I was able to give Michal hope. I need to do the same thing for Ma Kaila.
This is the Overlord’s palace. The dungeons are underneath this building. Where is the entrance? It must be here somewhere.
The maid who had shown me to my seat at the start of the banquet emerges from a door. She looks startled to see someone in the corridor, and then she sees me, and her expression relaxes into a smile
. “May I help you find something, Raven Unnuk?”
Can I trust her? I make a split-second decision. “I need to get to the dungeons,” I whisper.
Fear whips across her face, and too late, I remember that there are likely to be cameras here, recording everyone’s move. Sure enough, she smiles brightly and shifts position. “The freshroom? Of course. It’s this door.” As she moves, she flashes me a hand signal. Three. Left.
Third door on the left. Got it.
A couple emerges from the banquet room, giggling and blushing. The woman wraps her arm around the man and tugs him closer. “Have I told you how good you look tonight?”
They’re blocking the camera. This is it. Now or never. I take another deep breath and make my decision. Moving quickly, I open the door and see a long flight of stairs stretching below me. Picking up my long skirt in my hands, I start climbing down.
It’s only when I’m halfway to the dungeons that I realize I promised Joanna I’d be disguised. I freeze where I am, trying to decide what to do. The maid’s cooperation showed me that I have more allies than I think, but will the Overlord’s guards be among them? In Glacis, the enforcer who had rescued Bailey Ware had been rooting for me.
Sure. But remember the five enforcers with Olaf? They were ready to kill you.
The sound of footsteps startles me into a decision. I tip-toe down the stairs, my heart in my mouth.
“Did you hear the news?” A guard says.
“That the tournament is over?” The voice that replies sounds bored. “I had money on the Overlord’s champion, the one who twisted his ankle at the finish line. I lost a pint.”
“No, not that.” The first voice sounds excited. “Somebody broke in the re-education camps. All the guards are dead, and the prisoners are loose.”
“You’re joking.”
“Something’s in the wind, Marcus, and until I know what’s going on, I’m going to play this one safe. If the Overlord is on his way out…”
“Shh. Do you want someone to hear?”
“Who?” The man laughs. “Zimmer disabled the cameras here a long time ago. You think he wants proof of what goes down here?” There’s a scramble. “I have a sister in Boarus 6. I think I’m going to visit her for a few weeks. I suggest you do the same thing.”
