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Deceived
ZOE DAWN
Last night I had paced my bedroom until my legs went numb. Once we had ended our conversation with Alex, Malcolm had broken the device over his knee, then asked me to set it on fire. I had done it reluctantly, devastated I would not have the opportunity to use it to speak to Kia Lynn.
Now, I wandered through the calming flutters of the butterflies, allowing them to settle on me and spark the addictive energy they brought with them. I could not wait to share this with Kia Lynn. Drawing in a long breath, I tilted my face to the sky and twirled in a circle. My shoulders were tense. I dropped them down and embraced the stillness of the air.
My gaze traveled down the red rocks, stopping every so often to examine the solo trees or single bush forcing its right to live. I continued down the pathway, breathing in fresh air and relishing in the occasional butterfly that swept by me.
As I neared a curve in the path, I heard footsteps from up ahead. No one had told me I couldn’t be this far from the buildings, but my pulse quickened anyway, and I searched for a place to hide.
Off to my left was a few scattered bushes and a slope that led down to a river of large rocks. I turned to my right and bolted into the foliage, then ducked as they came around the corner. Holding my breath, I peeked between the leaves and waited for them to pass.
The footsteps had a strange pattern, almost like a dance. As they drew nearer, I curled into myself to hide better behind the short brush.
Something black and large swept past me, clipping at the rocks and snorting as it kept moving down the path. I rose to my feet, and my eyes widened as I watched a horse trot toward Malcolm’s hidden city. I could not believe my eyes. I had seen them in the ancients’ books and had heard stories from the Doyen and Mum, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever believe I would see one in person.
I leapt over the brush and raced after the beast. It came to a sudden stop and swiveled its head to look back at me. Then a strange noise came out its mouth. I tiptoed forward, holding out my hand as I drew closer. It whinnied at me again, then snorted and stomped its front hooves.
“I would never hurt you, beautiful creature,” I whispered, attempting to soothe him with my soft tone.
It stomped its hooves again as it turned more toward me. I felt drunk with happiness as I lunged forward. The beast reared up on its hind legs, neighing and kicking out at my face. I ducked the blow and rolled away. My heart drummed in my chest and I scolded myself for spooking the horse.
I held up my hands as I rose again. The horse stomped a few more times as he faced me head on.
My fingers quivered as I stretched them out toward the horse. It stared at them, then back at my face, but was silent and still as I crept forward once again. When I reached the beast, I lightly touched him, running the tips of my fingers up its snout and between his eyes.
“There, there, my friend.” I smiled brightly. “We will be great friends. What is your name?”
“This is Chester,” a man said from behind me.
I whirled around, and Chester whinnied over my shoulder, breathing hard against the back of my neck. The man was not much taller than me but was stocky and strong. His muscles were tight against his shirt, just like Malcolm’s, with bronze skin that nearly sparkled in the sunshine.
“And I am Viktor.” A smile rose on his cheeks as he strolled toward me. “I see you have the magic touch with our wild Chester.”
Chester nudged his snout against my shoulder blades, pushing me forward a few inches.
“Knock it off,” I said, playfully swatting at the beast. “Your name is Chester, my majestic friend? I love it. I am Zoe Dawn. It is a pleasure to meet you, and I really hope you and I can spend more time with one another.”
Chester neighed and nodded.
“Does he really understand me?” I asked, surprised by his response. My gaze shot over to meet Viktor’s.
“He seems to only understand who he wants to understand, Zoe Dawn,” Viktor replied with a wink as he patted the side of Chester’s neck.
I liked how he drawled my name. He had a new accent I had never heard before, and his laugh was genuine.
Viktor’s green eyes sparkled. “He is very picky who he allows in his circle of trust.”
My smile widened. “Is that so? I am in love already. Viktor, do you believe in love at first sight?”
“Absolutely.” His expression softened as he nodded in agreement.
I held out my fist to Viktor and he bumped it in return. “I am so happy to have met you and Chester today. This has made my day.” I circled back around to the other side of Chester and ran my hand through his mane. It was silky and softer than I had thought it would be.
“Visit anytime. At nights I am guarding our entrance, but when I am free, this is the time I treasure the most. The horses give me meaning in this world.”
My ears perked up. “You are a guard?” I asked, coming back around Chester to see Viktor.
“Yes, I am. My night duty.”
Maybe he could help me find Kia Lynn if they did not retrieve her today. “May I visit you sometime?”
He grinned. “Come by tonight. It would be an honor to give you a tour,” he replied, bowing his head.
“I just might take you up on that offer.” I wrung my hands together, already thinking of a way to find Kia Lynn on my own. My gaze settled on Chester. Even better would be if I could ride him. “Do you give riding lessons?” I pursed my lips when Viktor looked my way.
“Why not right now?” He stepped back and waved me forward. “Let’s get you on his back and then tomorrow we can take a walk through the lower gardens.”
I nodded with excitement, skipping past Viktor and standing next to Chester. Viktor came in close and grabbed my hand, bringing it up to Chester’s spine. He ran my hand down his back slowly, then stopped at the end of his backside.
“You have already been accepted, but now you need to show him you can be trusted. Soothe him with your touch.” Viktor spoke against my cheek, and I smelled mint on his breath.
I was enjoying how near he was to me, so I leaned into him slightly. He paused, then dropped my hand and stepped back.
“I will help you climb on his back,” he said. His cheeks were red, and he averted his eyes from mine. Clasping his hands together, he leaned down and held them out for me. “Step your right foot into my hands and hold onto Chester’s spine with your hands. Then when I lift you, swing your left leg over his back.”
I nodded, even though he was not looking at me. I set my foot in his hands like he instructed, held on to Chester’s spine, and all of a sudden, I was being lifted. My heart thumped in my chest, and as I threw my left leg over the beast’s back, a squeal burst from my lips. I had swung too hard. My left leg went too far, and I slipped over Chester’s left side and landed with a thud and a broken ego.
Viktor was next to me so quickly, I did not have time to brush myself off. He helped me to my feet.
“Are you sure you are not hurt?” he asked frantically, checking my legs and arms.
I leaned down and pulled him back up. “I am just fine. Maybe we can try again another day. For now, I will love this beautiful creature with my feet planted firmly on the ground.”
He laughed. “You will learn eventually.”
We walked up the path with Chester’s head between us. I rested my hand on his long neck, playing with his mane as we made our way through the swarm of butterflies.
“This is where we must part,” Viktor said as we stopped at the staircase. “Come see me soon, Zoe Dawn. I will introduce you to all the other guards when you do.”
“Perfect,” I replied, waving as they continued toward the stables.
Skipping up the stairs, I planned out my discussion with Malcolm and Aly. If there was no progress in Kia Lynn’s retrieval, I would take matters into my own hands.
THE NIGHT WAS A BIT chillier than I had hoped. I was wrapped in the warmth of what Aly had called a coat, and I was grateful I had not forgotten it as I snuck across the greenery and through a large section of trees. I knew the general direction of the guard’s station. It seemed easy enough to find if I just stayed near the path.
I slipped back onto the trail. It sloped downward for some time, then evened out. The mountains spiraled above me on both sides, creating a false sense of security. There had to be animals lurking somewhere in the vicinity.
Malcolm had told me Tiordan had completely lost his vision of both Kia Lynn and Alex. They were sending out what they called drones to search for their whereabouts, and until the girls were found they did not want to deactivate the protective shield.
It was up to me now.
Even though I knew it would not be hard to find, when I saw the building up ahead, warm relief washed over me. Viktor had said it would be lit up, but directly behind it was the end of the barrier, which would be bathed in darkness. Sure enough, it was exactly how he’d described it.
I adjusted my pack and trekked forward, anxious to be on my way.
The door was a standard one, similar to the ones in my village. It swung inward, unlike the doors in the buildings that slid to the side only when you were granted access by a hand or eye scan. I preferred the normal doors.
I heard some soft music playing, and someone was talking. Leaning in, I pressed my ear against the door. The voice was still muffled. I cupped my hands around my ear to hear better, just as the door swung open. Tumbling into the room, I grasped onto a wall to stop myself from falling, then looked up and saw several pairs of eyes staring at me.
Viktor burst into laughter, clutching at his chest. He jumped from his chair and hurried over to me. “Were you eavesdropping, Zoe Dawn?” he asked, a glimmer of amusement shining in his eyes.
I straightened and grinned at the group in front of me. “Just checking to make sure you weren’t a bunch of hyenas taking over our sanctuary,” I jested, winking at Viktor.
“Is that what we sound like from out there?” one of the other men said, jumping to his feet and holding out his fist for me. “I am Luke. It is nice to meet you, Zoe Dawn.”
I tapped his fist and flashed him a smile. “If I ever heard a group of hyenas playing, I would imagine they would sound obnoxiously delightful.”
The entire group laughed. The only other woman in the room rose from her chair and held out her fist as well. I bumped it, and she flashed her hand open, wiggling her fingers and said, “Pewwwww.”
My eyes bugged out. “Oh, yes. Let’s do that again,” I said with a little too much enthusiasm.
She grinned and held out her fist again. This time we both wiggled our fingers afterward and repeated her word.
“My name is Anna Rain,” the woman said, smoothing back several blonde strands of hair that she wore in a tight bun.
“It is a delight to meet you, Anna Rain.” I glanced over my shoulder at Viktor. “Is this what you do all night? Sit around and talk?”
“Wouldn’t that be nice,” Luke said as he adjusted his weapon’s holster and pointed toward another door on the far side. This one was metal and had the hand scanner next to it, just like the others up at the large buildings. “We walk the grounds, taking turns on the outside of our shield and then on the inside as well. In a few minutes, Viktor and Anna Rain will relieve the two who are on the outside.”
Perfect timing. “May I tag along?”
“Not a chance,” one of the other men said from the corner of the room. He was leaning on the back two feet of his wood chair, balancing with his legs propped up on the table in front of him.
Viktor looked over at the man. “For Pete’s sake, Randall, why not?”
I forced my expression to stay neutral, but waves of irritation beat against my mind. Raising only my brows, waiting curiously for his answer, was the only response I dared to give this stranger.
“She is under the protection of Malcolm. I heard she is one of the prophesied ones that he has been searching for,” Randall replied as he shifted forward, planting all four feet of his chair back onto the ground. He rose from his chair, revealing his lack of height as the top of his head was an inch or two shorter than mine. “I have no intention of being skinned alive tomorrow.”
Viktor and Anna Rain both rolled their eyes at the same time, and I smothered a laugh to avoid any further scrutiny from Randall.
“Don’t do it,” Randall warned as he strapped on all his gear. “She needs to return to her room.”
“I will go soon,” I said, smiling sweetly at the short man. I could take him, and I laughed internally at the thought. “Promise.”
He answered me with a flat stare. Either he had been warned not to trust me or he was not easily fooled. I held my innocent expression until he turned away and stalked from the building.
“He is a follower,” Anna Rain said, pressing her hand against the sensor to open the outer door. “No sense of adventure.” She glanced back at me with a smile. “I, for one, welcome the change in pleasantries around here. We would be happy to have you join us.”
Viktor held out his arm for me to follow Anna Rain. Before stepping over the threshold, I noticed another sliding door to the right, obscured from the view of the rest of the room.
“Where does that lead?” I asked, pointing at the door and meeting Viktor’s gaze.
He jabbed his thumb downward. “Everyone who seeks refuge here must be interrogated first. They live their first few days down there inside a cell.”
My fingers curled around the doorframe. “You mean jail?” I had read about jail cells in books, but never quite grasped their meaning.
He nodded, and I finally stepped through to the other side. It was another corridor, with anaman riding machines parked to one side. Anna Rain was up ahead, standing under the moonlight.
“Are you two coming?” Her fingers curled around the doorway and she leaned through to look at us.
I jogged down the short corridor and burst out into the moonlight as Anna Rain jumped out of my way. Catching sight of an endless starry scene drew my attention away from the rocky ground, and I nearly fell over a large boulder, stopping myself just short of a face-plant. The night sky here in the south sparkled against the mountainous terrain. Wispy clouds added to the effect, with the crescent moon’s light glowing down on them.
“Don’t you have stars where you come from?” Viktor asked with a twinkle in his eyes. He then turned toward Anna Rain. “I will take the farther end tonight. I bet Zoe Dawn will enjoy the walk and view.”
Anna Rain nodded, but her brows furrowed for a brief second. I grinned in response, unable to contain myself. Viktor had read my mind. Once we were far enough away, I would find a way to ditch him and make a break for it.
We skipped down the trail together, arm in arm. Viktor was the male version of me, spunky and full of energy. It was too bad I had to leave just when I’d met someone who spoke my language.
Slowing to a walk, I pointed at the brightest star in the sky. “That is the direction of my home. If we are south, it is north, up where the Mountain Gods dwell.”
Viktor skidded to a halt and whipped around, wearing an amused smile. “What Mountain Gods dwell to the north?”
“Their heads have been etched into the side of the mountain, marking their status in this world.” I chuckled at his ignorance. “Not that I believe in their existence, but everyone knows of these faces.”
He just laughed and continued along the trail. I followed him and we walked in silence for what felt like eternity. Just when I was going to ask how much farther his post was, I saw a flickering light up ahead. I grabbed Viktor’s arm and pointed.
“I see it,” he whispered, slinking forward at a snail’s pace.
As we walked into a small dirt clearing, a woman rose from a boulder and turned toward us. I blinked several times, not believing what I was seeing.
“Sister Nikita?” My eyes were deceiving me. “How are you here?”
She smiled, and from the corner of my eye I saw another figure shift into view. It was the man from the mating ceremony, the one who had taken Trix’s position. I took several steps back and ran into Viktor.
“Viktor, we have to warn Malcolm,” I hissed, pressing him to move. “That man is behind the attacks. I know it.”
“Rork and Nikita just want to talk.” Viktor’s hand settled on my shoulders and held me still.
I whirled around to look at him. “What? You knew they were here, and you did not tell Malcolm?”
He was quiet, his expression remaining passive. What had happened to the carefree man I had been skipping with earlier? He had betrayed me so easily. I turned back to face Sister Nikita.
My eyes narrowed. “What did you do?”
“Zoe Dawn, we need to speak to Kia Lynn. We hear you have access to the anaman girl she is traveling with.”
“I will not help you find my sister,” I snapped, brushing Viktor’s hand away. I leapt to the side, eyeing all three of them. The rage I had bottled inside me was simmering at the top. “You are a traitor.” My malice fell on Viktor first, then I whirled to look at Sister Nikita. “We trusted you. How could you betray us?”
Sister Nikita sighed, a look of irritation flashing across her face. “It was never about you, Zoe Dawn. I was sent to protect Kia Lynn. That is all.” She plucked a leaf from her shoulder and let it fall to the ground. “Now, where is that anaman girl hiding her? Is she being held in Malcolm’s sanctuary?”
“I guess once your digging machine breaks through, you will have your answers then,” I said as my hands rested defiantly on my hips.
Viktor groaned. “Zoe Dawn, this is my home. Just tell them where they can find your friend.”
“I do not negotiate with traitors.” My blood was boiling, but I held back my fire.
His expression hardened and he whirled around, slamming his fist into the nearest tree trunk. Shrieking from the searing pain it must have caused, he glowered in my direction and lowered himself to the ground, while holding his fist against his chest.
Served him right.
“When we do enter Malcolm’s sanctuary, do know we will not leave one stone unturned,” Sister Nikita said, her threat loud and clear.
Heat slammed through my veins, and I squeezed my eyes shut to hold in the flames, but when I opened them again, the man Viktor had called Rork was creeping toward me. I blew out the breath from my lungs, sparking a fire in both my hands. Nikita and Rork jumped away from me, scampering behind one another. Viktor crawled on his hands and knees toward the tree he had hit earlier.
Then from the side of me, the brush rustled and out popped Anna Rain. Her weapon was pointed at Viktor.
“Why did you do it, Viktor?” she asked, stepping up next to me.
I heard the blast before it hit Rork, knocking him to the ground. Viktor leapt to his feet and sprinted away, with Sister Nikita right behind him, but Malcolm and Randall jumped from the brush and tackled Viktor before he was too far up the path. Sister Nikita skidded to a stop and raced back at us. She yanked Rork to his feet and held up her free arm as if she were about to surrender.
“It really was never about you, Zoe Dawn,” Sister Nikita said, staring at the flames dancing in my hands. “I was only doing what is best for the people I love.” Her hand that was hidden behind Rork flashed forward, releasing a dagger right at my face.
Anna Rain pushed me out of the way, and I tumbled to the dirt.
I twisted around, screaming at the top of my lungs as Sister Nikita and Rork disappeared into the shadows. Remembering the dagger, I glanced at Anna Rain. She was clutching her shoulder and knelt bent over at an uncomfortable angle. The dagger was between her bloody fingers.
“Anna Rain. No,” I cried, crawling to her. I pulled her head into my lap and pressed against her hand to stop the bleeding. I looked toward the men. “Malcolm, help! Please!”
Malcolm was by my side before I could even blink. He lifted Anna Rain into his arms and bolted up the trail, with me following close behind.
