Balance (The Neumarian Chronicles) (26 page)

A woman stepped into the light. Typical Kantian style, her hair was bleached, her cheeks rosy, though she was slimmer than most Acadian Kantians. “I’ve been a loyal member of the rebellion since before you were born, Princess.”

I cringed at the word
princess
, but said nothing.

Penton stepped out from behind the trunk.
“Why didn’t Rolanda introduce us?”

“
I’m too highly placed,” Lady Mona said. “Only three people alive know who I really am. General Bellator, Bendar, my handler and now you, Semara. Codename Shark.”

I
studied her for a moment then said the code phrase. She answered correctly and I holstered my weapon. “Stand down, Penton. Father told me about Shark.” At his questioning look, I shrugged. Who knew if she was really Shark or if our agent had been taken, broken, and replaced by this woman. But for now, I’d let the scene play out.

His mouth a thin slash,
Penton glared at me. “Just because she knows the right call signs doesn’t prove anything.”

“True, but there is one way.”
With a grim smile, I discretely glanced at his pistol, warning him to be ready, then motioned her forward. “You should know what to show me.”

She
turned, lifted her hair, and dropped her head, revealing the serrated edge of her implanted device.

Penton reached out to touch it,
but stopped and pulled his arm back. “What is it?”

“Thank you.” I stepped back
and turned to Penton. “One of the first devices implanted at the start of the war. She underwent the process without anesthesia. It’s wired into her spinal cord and brain. It supposedly guarantees her obedience to Mandesa.”

“How?” he asked.

“If deemed a traitor, it’ll kill me on the spot,” she answered.

Penton holstered his weapon.
“Are you Neumarian?”

“No.
Kantian. The queen demanded all Kantians who worked for the Acadian government submit to this. It saved me, but not…” She lifted her chin and swallowed, “my husband. I waited too long to agree.”

“
Father told me your husband was Neumarian. I’m surprised she let you live, implanted or not.”

“She
thought he was human. He shared the same gift as his brother, Fallon.” At Penton and mine’s shocked looks, she said, “Yes, I am related by marriage to the Artereses.”

I gasped. “You’re Ryder’s long lost aunt.”

“Yes.” She gave a weak smile. “I’m alive because my husband demanded I submit to the queen’s order as he was dragged away and murdered.. At his grave, I swore I’d continue on so one day I could help take her down. Today, we’ll fulfill my vow.”

My heart ached for
her. In my years with Mandesa, I’d heard many whispers of her barbaric behavior, and experienced more than a few myself. But what she’d never learned was that her actions left a wake of hatred and bred a rebellion. With each new cruelty, the number of our supporters grew. One day, we’d be able to honor all the innocent fallen.

“
Where’s Rolanda?” I asked.

A shudder
visibly rippled through her. Looking ready to collapse, Mona clutched the banister. “I don’t know. We ate dinner together then I walked her to the door and a hunter grabbed her. I haven’t seen her since.”

Penton cracked his knuckles. “
I don’t believe it.”

Lady Mona straightened.
“The first lesson we learn is not to draw attention to ourselves. But Rolanda always helped everyone. Even with the attack looming, she couldn’t stop herself.”

Penton punched the wall. “She saved my life
. She was my friend, taught me everything I know.” Struggling to control himself, he closed his eyes. After a moment, he stood erect and met Mona’s gaze, canting his head toward the door. “Outside. What’s with the
T
above all the doors?”

With o
ne hand still gripping the banister, she straightened her corset with the other. “I attended a council function a month ago, during which Queen Valderak laughed about an old religious book she’d just read. She claimed it said the Neumarians would spare the occupants of any building or home with a
T
over their outside door when they attacked the city.”

I snorted.
“I can’t believe anyone believed that garbage. We aren’t the killers, she is.”

“
You’re right. When the citizens didn’t act on the rumors, she took action. Last week a
T
was painted over every other door throughout the city. Then last night, they appeared on every house and shanty in the city.”

“Great. J
ust great.” Grimacing, I slanted Penton a look and mouthed gas.

Penton nodded. “Why bother? What’s it accomplish?”

“It stokes blind terror of Neumarian retribution. Makes people distrust their neighbors. And most importantly, it denies you the ability to recognize foe from friend.”

I rubbed my forehead, attempting to
halt the escalating pounding in my head. “Thanks for the heads up. I’ll let Father know. But right now, we need help. Before sunrise, we have to get to our individual rendezvous points.”

“
Can’t be done,” Mona said. “The city’s closed down tighter than a tick. Soldiers, guards, hunters, and assassins are roaming the streets. Have been since last night. It’s a miracle you got through.”

“
Be that as it may, it’s imperative we make it to our RPs.”

She shook her head. “
Unless you’ve got a death wish or are invisible, forget it.”

Chapter
Thirty-one

I watched
Mona climb the stairs to get us some food and water then faced a scowling Penton. “Talk, but quietly.”

Fists clinched, he glared at the basement door we’d entered.
“The moment she knew about the lock down, and especially after Rolanda was taken, Mona should’ve found a Neumarian whose gift is shielding. Because, if we don’t get out of here and where we’re supposed to be, we’ll lose everything. The war, our troops, everyone we love. They’ll all be dead.”

Pivoting,
I paced the length of the basement, avoiding the mass of stored items. “She can’t and neither can we. Father contacted me as we left the base. He’d gotten intel that there’s a Neumarian stashed in the city with Dred’s ability to block powers. Part of my job is to find and free him from his slave collar.”

“Why?
If I’ve learned nothing else about Neumarian gifts, it’s they can be overwhelmed. So, during a battle with hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of Neumarians utilizing their gifts simultaneously, he’d burn out.”

“True, but that doesn’t help us right now.
I’m known throughout the empire. And dressed the way we are, we’re obvious targets.”

Bendar stroked his beard. “Queen waits for us, right?”

I plowed my fingers through my hair. “Yes, she knows, or she wouldn’t have locked down the city. This business with Ryder and Raeth is nothing but a show for the masses. Like saying,
See, I’m suing for peace and these nasty Neumarians won’t be happy until all Kantians are dead.
” I swallowed hard. “She’s already set the stage with that
T
business.”

A howling
wind whipped through the alleyway outside. As I passed the window, I froze. “Hunter,” I hissed. He’d just entered the street from the gap across from Rolanda’s house. Squatting, I watched him bend and sniff the pavement, following a specific scent. Mine. They’d tracked me before. No one had ever escaped them, except us in Old Chicago, but that was thanks to Mags. They were snarling creatures whose sole purpose in life was to find their prey and slaughter it, leaving no trace of the person behind. “Rolanda’s broken. You two, get upstairs. He’s here for me.”

Penton’s face lost all color.
“We’ll be safe inside, won’t we?”

“
No. Once he picks up the scent of his target, nothing can stop him. And of the three of us, I’m the one Mandesa wants the most. She set them after me over two years ago.”

Mona carried a tr
ay with clinking cups down the stairs. “Don’t worry about the hunter. When Rolanda was taken, I sprayed a masking agent around my house. It’ll cover all three of your scents.”

My eyes widened.
“Really? Do you have more?”

She shook her head.
“Sorry. I used all of it this evening, spraying outside and in here.”

“
Can you get some more?”

“Not possible
,” she stated with a blank expression.

“Why?” Penton asked.

“The inventor’s dead. He was working in his office when the queen’s guards set fire to the building.” Her hands shaking, Mona slowly set the tray down. “I heard his screams in my dreams for years.”

Another
crime in a long line of them.

“The sewers.” I clutched Penton’s shoulders and gave him a small shake. “G
uards are patrolling the underground. But if we lose the hunter, can we return to the sewer system and use it to reach our individual RPs?”

Mona shook her head. “
The queen’s decreed that not even her monks can be in public with their heads covered. Also, worried about an outpouring of support for the Artereses, she’s invoked marshal law. A curfew extends for two days, starting at midnight today. Anyone found outside is to be shot on sight.”

“The hunter’s gone,” I said, slowly standing again.

“How do you know?” Penton asked.

“The howling wind’s stopped.”

He checked outside. “I can’t see him. But the military’s on the move. And we’re in uniform.”

I shook my head.
“We’d pass for guards in the dark, but not during the day.”

He removed his gun from his holster. “Then we blast our way through.”

I shook my head again. “Remember our orders? Stealth. We’ve got to get to our positions. And if I’m not in mine soon, we’re all dead.”

Penton smacked the trunk b
eside him then grimaced, holding his hand to his chest. “There has to be a way. You’re the strategist, Semara. Think of something.”

“No
t new. Old fashion work.” Bendar stroked his beard, his eyes glazed as if he weren’t here. “Risky, but work.”

“What
is it?” I asked.

“Me lead way. Hop in and out tight space
. We get there.” Bendar pointed at Penton, “Not you. Too big.”

His
brow furrowed, Penton leaned down, his nose almost touching Bendar’s. “You aren’t leaving me behind. I’ve got to deploy my gas. I’m meant to protect the Triune.”

“Penton, it’s our only shot. If you have a better plan, speak up.” I
mmediately, I wanted to pull the words back in, but it was too late. I could practically see his brain churning away at ideas.

“I could make something to distract the guards. A
—”

“
Your job’s to ensure all the gas is distributed. If something goes wrong, you fix it. If you die because you stayed at my side, we’ll be defeated. Everything depends upon your mist.”

Penton puffed out his chin. “I’ll make sure it works.”

“Good.” I squeezed both his shoulders. “Keep your head down. Father shipped the mist last week. Stay here until you hear our attack. As soon as we start our bombing runs, everyone armed will be pulled to the front or the gates of the city. That’s when you’ll be able to slip out.”

He nodded.
“Understood.”

I wheeled on Mona
. “Penton’s job is to supervise the dispersal of the sleeping mist, as long as they’re in the exact locations specified.”

“
They are. A grey-haired old lady, with some serious hand strength, took care of it.” Mona opened and closed her hand, rubbing her wrist.

Mags. I hoped
we’d see each other again before the bombing began. And I would, if she was manning her position. “Good. Let’s go, Bendar.”

“
While I don’t like this idea, if Bendar is half as good as his reputation for making a fool out of the queen’s guards, then you should make it.” Mona poured some water into a cup. “Drink-up before you go.”

Bendar grabbed a cup and chugged away
without reservation. I swirled the water around the cup while eyeing Bendar. As he placed the cup back on the table, I watched for any sign of his behavior had changed.

“It’s not poisoned
,” Mona snapped. “I thought you trusted me.”

“
Sorry,” I said. “Until this day is over, I trust only my family.”

“No worries
. And frankly, if I were you, I wouldn’t either. Be safe. Don’t get caught or all’s lost.”

“
Don’t worry, we won’t.”
Assuming we avoided the hunters
.

Bendar shook Mona’s hand. “Gonna travel roof
tops. Hunters too far below. Can’t smell us.”

Mona clasped my hands and squeezed.
“I wish I could do more.” She stared at the floor. “I’m sorry, but you can’t go through the house. I didn’t spray the masking agent anywhere but here in the basement. Should a hunter demand entrance…”

Bendar
cracked open the door. “No worry. We use Rolanda’s house.”

“You should be safe for that distance. The masking agent is in the air and has attached to you. It’ll last long enough to get into her house.”

“We leave now. No guards. No hunters.” He grabbed my hand and we eased onto the outside landing. An icy shiver shot down my spine at the sound of the door shutting behind me.

Minutes later, I crawled through the open window of Rolanda’s basement. We waited for
the guards shining lights in the windows, checking for trespassers, to move on to the next house. “Let’s get to the attic and onto the roof.”

Bendar danced with ease along the roof ridge while I crawled from one house to the next.
I wedged my boot against a tile and pushed off, but there was no traction. My feet slid on the slick slate of the roof. I grasped the tiles. The sharp edges sliced my gloves. My thighs burned and my arms shook.

Bendar
flattened against the ridgepole and pointed. A guard, his illuminator a spotlight. It swept every inch of the alley below. He moved it up, checking the exterior of the houses near him, then moved to the next row and repeated the process. Then the light hit the eaves.

The ridge
of the roof dug into my hands, my arms trembling in protest at the static position. I breathed through the strain, willing myself to hang on and not twitch a muscle.

Thankfully, the beam didn’t reach the top of the roof.

As the guard moved on, I pushed up onto my knees and inched forward. At this rate, I wouldn’t arrive at the edge of the desert until it was too late.

Flush with
the ridgeline, we searched for signs of patrols, but we saw none. As we began to move again, I tugged Bendar’s ankle, then tipped my head to the sky. A reconnaissance plane flew overhead and I made note of its markings. Over the past hour, I’d spotted five others scouring the city for movement. Dressed in black, we blended with the slate roofs, but to be viewed as insignificant, required moving slowly and staying low.

As we neared the refugee shanties, tension swelled.
Cracked slates and coarse debris dug into my fingers and tore my pants at my knees. If a broken slate roof tile crashed to the ground, we’d be caught.

Reaching the end of the usable roofs,
Bendar rolled off the side of the ridgeline and grabbed the drainpipe. “Clear.” He reached for the attic hatch. It popped open without a sound.

“Bendar, stop
,” I whispered. “It’s too easy.”

“T
rap?”

I slid to his side, holding a stovepipe to stay in position. “
Yes.”

Bendar smiled. “
I know.” He did a flip and disappeared.

An early morning d
rizzle saturated my hair, but didn’t penetrate the leather. Wind whipped over the buildings. Shivering, I lay flat, trying to disappear into the tiles. Where was he? Gnawing on my lower lip, I forced myself to follow Bendar. Yet, I couldn’t stop worrying about what I was dropping into. Had Bendar played us and led me into a trap? No. If there was one person I could trust, besides Ryder, my father and Raeth, it was Bendar. He may have betrayed me once, but not intentionally.

A
plane circled overhead, its light shining a roof four houses down. If I remained here, I’d be spotted for sure.

Move, Semara
, I ordered myself. Grabbing the roof edge, I leaned over and stared into the attic. Boxes. Nothing but boxes, yet everything in my mind screamed,
Don’t do it
! Drawing my gun, I did a flip and landed in a crouch, prepared to meet my fate.

Behind me, the hatch swung closed.
Five men surrounded me. One held a slave collar.