Balance (The Neumarian Chronicles) (28 page)

“Yes. But don’t worry, I’ll collar the lass,” Tinker said.

Gritting my teeth, I watched as Ryder and Raeth stopped just below us, ten meters from the platform. They neither kneeled nor dipped their chins in her honor. Instead, they stood expressionless with backs straight and eyes ahead. Only Ryder’s clinched fists and the throbbing vein at his temple hinted at his struggle to not use his gift.

How I longed to hear his voice in my head, to be able to comfort him.
Soon
, I reminded myself. Win the war first. Then I could sleep in his arms and stay at his side for the rest of our lives.

Sighing, I forced myself to study Mandesa.
It had been two years since I’d last seen her and time hadn’t been kind. I now understood the gasps from the crowd. Yes, her skin was still bleached and her body unmarked by the passage of time, but after unceasing modifications, alterations, and smoothing treatments, her face looked deformed. Her outside mirrored her inside. The people saw their nightmare come to life before them.

“You may rise
,” she said, her raspy, modified voice carrying throughout every crevice of Acadia, reminding all that she controlled the food they ate, the water they drank, and their continued existence. She waved Ryder and Raeth forward, followed by guards stepping from their hiding places and into the street. “Advance, Neumarians, and we will speak of peace.”

Ryder and Raeth halted at the bottom of the platform. Both maintained their rigid posture
, their gazes locked on Mandesa.

The queen nodded at them. “Welcome to Acadia.
General.”

He stepped forward and
I held my breath. If the Neumarian child dampened all gifts right now, Camilia, transformed into the image of the hated general, wouldn’t be able to maintain his persona. Licking my lips, I wondered if her voice would be duplicated also. The doppelgänger General only nodded in response.

Mandesa raised her arms and held them out, palms up, to the still frightened crowd.
“My people have opened their homes in the hope of peace. They look to me for guidance. Neumarians, we thank you for coming. Know that we want the same thing.”

She wasn’t kidding either. We wanted her as dead as she did us, and I didn’t think the people were buying what she was selling. Her
speech sounded methodical, rehearsed, as if the word
peace
might crack her glass-like face, shattering her into a thousand shards.

“There ha
ve been many advances on both our sides which will allow us all to live in peace within these city walls. No one will be enslaved against their will.”

Right on cue, Father’s voice projected over the city. “What about your so-called modifications?”

Citizens, Ryder, Raeth, and the queen herself scanned the surrounding buildings for my father, but he remained hidden from all.

If I hadn’t been watching her, I would’ve missed the flash of shock and fear. Her recovery was equally fast.

“For the safety of all of us,” Mandesa replied, “we must continue to modify those with life threatening abilities that could wipe out the entire city.”

“
You consider all Neumarian gifts life threatening, your method of modifying them limited to extermination or collaring us like dogs,” Ryder said, his voice, like Mandesa’s, heard by all the citizens within the city thanks to her broadcasting this meeting.

“No, no. We have developed an amazing new technology that will cause your…distinct genetic deform
ities to be controlled.”

“W
-we have no desire to be s-stripped of gifts with wh-which we were blessed. They are a part of us. To be cut off from th-them is no different than losing our soul,” Raeth said calmly.

Mandesa’s
lip curled. At her aide’s throat clearing, her mouth tugged into a parody of a smile. “The safety of my people here in Acadia must take precedent. Therefore, if Neumarians wish to enter our city, you must be…vaccinated.”

Ryder’s shoulder
s tensed. I knew in that instant it had taken everything he had not to drain Mandesa’s life that instant. “We, like all people, have gifts. True, ours are different from yours, but just as we will not
vaccinate
Kantians against their gifts with technology, which are also deadly, you will not treat our gifts as a disease. As part of the peace talks, we require
all
people be free.”

Mags touched my arm. “He’s an elegant one.”

I nodded.

Mandesa’s face reddened, matching her hair.
“You
cannot
expect me to allow the one thing that started this war to be unleashed without precautions. I refuse to risk the lives I’ve saved just so your kind can kill them without mercy.” She stared at the crowd. “We’ve all seen videos of the violence Neumarians inflicted before the war.” She flipped her cape behind her and snapped her fingers. The screen showed images of savage attacks—a parking lot of individuals with glowing eyes tearing apart innocent people, someone lobbing fireballs at a young woman.

Still unseen, Father’s voice blasted through the city. “These are lies used to inflame and frighten the populace. These were not Neumarians, but, like the assassins and hunters, are Queen Valderak’s creations.”

Her eyes widened as much as the modifications allowed. Her fury was almost visible as it whirled around her and I braced myself. For, if there was one thing I knew about Mandesa, it was she couldn’t tolerate defiance. And in her maddened rage, the truth would be laid bare.

“
This hidden person who speaks is a coward and liar. These powers—gifts, you call them—are dangerous and must be eradicated from existence,” she hissed. At the gasps and cries from the crowd, she paused, seeming to realize what she’d revealed. Her fingers gripped the microphone. “During the war, there wasn’t an option to offer a treatment for these conditions. That much power in one person’s hands is intoxicating. I don’t blame the individuals that have caused harm because of their curse. Therefore, I’ll offer a full pardon to any Neumarian who wishes to step forward and receive treatment. You’ll be human, able to walk freely without being a threat to yourself or others.”

“Th
-that’s genocide!” Raeth yelled.

Mandesa’s
lip curled once more, but her trembling fingers told the truth. This wasn’t going according to plan, and, for the first time, she was worried.
Soon
, I silently swore. Soon she’d be terrified.

“It’s a generous offer.
Considering how much murder and devastation you people have caused.”

Ryder’s gaze locked with hers. “Neumarians have never attacked or killed innocents. You, in contrast,
cannot
make the same claim.”

Esmada cleared her throat once more and
Mandesa’s pressed lips turned into a weak, false smile. “I’m sure you feel that is the truth, but it isn’t.”

As Ryder geared up to verbally blast her,
Bendar tugged on my vest. “Time to go.”

I took one last look at my friends
, etching their appearance in my memory, and nodded. Unless everything went as planned, without a single hitch, this would be the last time I saw them.

Mags
clutched me to her. “I can’t go down with you, girl. But I’ve got your back.”

“I know you
do.”

I marched down three flights of stairs with Bendar and t
he men behind me. As I passed a sitting room with a bloodstained carpet, I stopped. “What happened here?”

“Queen’s guards executed
the family two nights ago and blamed Neumarians. She said they were slipping into the city and slaughtering people in their sleep. But the only ones murdered were council members who disagreed with her.”

My stomach knotted at the si
te. “And the mood of the people. Did it sway them?”

Mod
s adjusted his hat then readied me to step out into the street and be seen by everyone in Acadia. “There are people on both sides in this city, ma’am. It’s not going to be pretty. It’s a fight that’s turning neighbor, brother, and friend against one another.”

Bendar took his place at the front of the line. “Make look good.”

Tinker handed me the collar. “Sorry, Princess…I mean, Commander Arteres.”

“No worries
. Just make sure you have the real one to slip onto that little girl.”

He smiled
and pulled aside the opening of his coat, showing me the key to our success.

Snap

The collar sat snug around my throat. A tingling on my fingertips warned that my gift protested the collar being in its way. “I thought this wasn’t supposed to be real.”

Bendar shook his head. “
Mandesa know the truth. Keep on. Later—”

I splayed my fingers, attempting to relax my gift. “Once on stage,
I’ll melt it into slag.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Once out
side, Bendar took the lead, with two guards flanking me and two taking up the rear. Even with bodies to block it, the wind penetrated my vest. But I didn’t shiver. No, the sight of the woman ahead of me, my greatest nemesis, the woman who’d called herself my mother, heated my blood to boiling.

Feigning defeat and pain,
I hunched over and yanked off my vest, tossing it aside. I exposed my Neumarian and Triune marks for all to see. A second later as I rose, I felt Father’s touch. Biting back a grin, I took two steps forward.

Mod
s, my vest in his hand, jerked me back to his side. “Give it up, Princess. There’s no escape,” he snarled loud enough to draw the attention of the onlookers.

Staring, people around us backed away. As they saw the Triune infinity symbol on my skin, a lava-like glow beneath it, gasps followed by whispers spread through the populace.

“I’ll never quit fighting. Queen Valderak’s lied to everyone. Her sole goal is total domination of a world filled with slaves. Be warned! The Neumarians are only the first!” I shouted.

Gasps echoed over the loud speaker.

Esmada raced to the microphone. “You see? The Neumarians are so bold they threaten us with the queen’s daughter.”

Ryder fisted his hands
, his biceps bulging. Raeth grabbed his shirt, trying to keep him by her side. It took true faith for them both to stand there with no idea of the plan ahead.

“You
’ve had your own guards collar the princess like a dog. If you’re so afraid of one young woman, one who’s your heir, then how can we trust you to negotiate for peace?” Ryder yelled.

Mandesa
stared down at us. “You’re nothing but pesky parasites that deserve to be ground to pulp beneath my boots.” She motioned the guards and Bendar forward. “Bring her to me.”

Although she had been away from the microphone, unfortunately for her, it had still transmitted every word she’d spoken. As s
he returned to it, she didn’t seem to realize the city had heard the truth. “As you can see, the Neumarians cannot be trusted. Look at Princess Semara. You are witness to her defilement. These,” she flicked her hand over Raeth and Ryder, “creatures kidnapped my beloved daughter. They are not here for peace but to destroy us. General Bellator of the Neumarian army awaits for their return so that he can begin his aerial assault.” She flicked her hand at the screen overhead. Images of
SB-06
, a battle cruiser, and the rest of our armada were displayed. “Do not fret. I have taken precautions. We are safe. I have known every move they planned because of my trusted spy.”

From the side of the stage,
Bendar bowed. “As promised, I return her to you.”

Ryder’s hands shone
silver.

Raeth stroked his arm. “We can’t make the first move
. If we do, we’ll appear to be what she claims.”

Mandesa
lifted her chin. “Upper European Councilman Ridgecroft directed this engine rat to bring the Triune to murder me, leaving you without my protection. I swore to protect you and that is what I’ll do.”

The speakers crackled
. No longer disguised, Father’s voice blasted throughout the city. “We have two wishes—for peace and a place where our children can grow up without fear or threat of harm. For centuries, Neumarians lived among you. During all that time, peace reigned. It wasn’t until lies and fear were fostered did conflict occur between our species. Once the humans, who are a majority of the population, ruled. We all, human, Kantian, and Neumarian, thrived upon this earth. Now, humans barely survive living in poverty and Neumarians are enslaved or killed, or transformed in the worst horror possible, assassins and hunters. We Neumarians join with humans and Kantians in wanting to put a stop to this madness. An end to torture, slavery, starvation, and death. We urge Queen Valderak to abdicate and once again allow the council to rule us. A council comprised of humans, Kantians, and Neumarians that reflects the population. One fairly elected to serve and foster a new generation of acceptance. If Queen Valderak does not agree then she proves our truth. She wants to wage war and wipe Neumarians, and next humans, from the face of the Earth. We will not allow this to happen. Toss-off your yoke of oppression and slavery. Join us in the demand of a free future. It is time to be bold, to be brave, to become free.”

The c
rowds erupted. Cheers echoed from the alleyways and out of windows throughout the city, but they didn’t flood onto the streets to fight. The queen’s mouth fell open. Her gaze locked on the street we’d just traveled. I turned and looked. My father marched toward us, next to him was Ridgecroft.

He stopped beside Ryder. “As you see, I’m not on my ship, but here for the peace talks.” His voice boomed over the sound system through a small earpiece and mic. “Surprised to see me here? Didn’t Councilman Ridgecroft warn you of our arrival?” He snapped his fingers. “Oh, that’s right. He’s been kept isolated and incommunicado.”

“Useless,” Mandesa snarled, glaring at Ridgecroft. “Never worth the trouble.”

Ridgecroft spun in all directions, but Father grabbed his arm, preventing him from fleeing. “I didn’t tell them anything. I swear!”

She stepped forward to the edge of the stage. “Stop sniveling, you fool.”

Gradually, the realization of his situation hit Ridgecroft. He looked back at Father in horror. “How long have you known?”

Father smiled. “Always. Too many things went wrong, too often, and you were always there. With your craving for power, you should’ve been Mandesa’s consort.”

“Lies
. It’s all lies. This is the man who began the original Kantian-Neumarian war. You wish to follow him? He’s here to slaughter you all. I’m the only one able to stand-up to the tyrant who speaks lies. He declares war, while I plead for peace. I will not allow his kind to slaughter our children as we sleep.”

The queen drew a long illuminated blade from the sheath at her side and lifted it into the air
as her gaze scanned the residents, as if to find another excuse to unleash her barbaric methods. Eyes narrowed, she nodded to the child beside her.

“Something’s blocking my power
,” Camilia suddenly cried out. The general’s face stretched then expanded. Then like a balloon popping, her face dissolved into half-general and half-impish girl. The general’s body shook then shrunk into a petite frame with over-sized dark eyes.

The queen pointed at her and the screen changed to display Camilia in her natural state.
“This is not the general. They’ve come for peace talks with another Neumarian. They mean to murder me, your queen. It’s a trap!”

The
ground beneath us rumbled. Windows raddled. Signs crashed off buildings. Screams filled the air. People bolted for safety, trampling those who had fallen.

Mandesa lifted her hand and twisted it. The
illuminated blade extended, a thin electric, swirling line arcing from its tip.

She hur
tled off the top tier to the bottom, as if flying on the wind. The whip swirled above our heads twice.

Crack
.

“Guard the Triune!
” Father shouted. Pivoting, he tackled an escaping Ridgecroft. Several of Mandesa’s guards surrounded them.

Other guards
drew their weapons and aimed them at me. My personal guards encircled us. I ripped the faux slave collar from around my neck and threw it to the ground at my side.

Mandesa
’s whip swung. Mods shoved me to the ground, using his body to cover me.

Acting as a shield, Bendar threw himself in front of the flash. He
collapsed to his knees. Electric blue energy encircled his neck and tightened. Mandesa’s laughter filled the city.

“No!” Raeth screamed.

I fought to get Mods off me, to rush to Bendar’s aide. “Get off!”

Ryder lifted his glowing hands
. Several guards rushed toward him, but instantly fell to the ground as he turned his wrath on Mandesa.

The little
girl, raced out from behind some chairs. Wind lashed at her bleached blond hair. She darted in front of Mandesa. Holding out tiny fingers, green energy filled the air, dampening Ryder’s and my gifts.

Snap
.

Silver
and green ash rained from the collision of Ryder and the girls gifts.

“You’ve been replaced by an obedient daughter
,” Mandesa cackled.

I shoved and kicked for Mod
s to release me.

Dirt and Tinker
tried to get to Bendar as Mandesa’s army charged into the street, racing toward us.

“
There’s nothing you can do. Bendar’s dead. You, I must protect and save. You’re our future,” Mods growled as Bendar’s face went from blue to gray.

“Now, I can take
what you love away from you as your mother did me.” She jerked her whip. It snapped free of Bendar’s neck, decapitating him.