18

LINES IN THE SAND

“WHAT DO YOU mean your army is not ready?” Sauer shouts, pounding his fists on the tabletop. We’re in a large amphitheater in the first domed ring, seated around a table made of metal and glass, and enabled with all kinds of technology. We could be standing in a similar room in Neospes, with the same line of stern-faced soldiers positioned at the rear of the chamber. No doubt, they’re part of this mysterious army that suddenly “isn’t ready.” I can understand Sauer’s frustration, having come this far only to be told that we won’t be getting the help we need—at least, not immediately.

“That is not what we agreed on,” Sauer insists.

Aenoh crosses his arms over his chest. He’s changed from his casual clothing to military gear, although the wooden piercings in his face still make him quite fearsome to look at. “Our army will follow in a few days,” he says.

“How does that help us?” Sauer is irritated. “Every second we waste puts Neospes in jeopardy. We risked everything to make the journey here so that we could return with an army at our back. Instead, we’ll have nothing. You gave us your word.”

“And you gave us yours that we’ d get Danton Quinn. Where is he?”

Sauer’s eyes narrow. “He is in Neospes. Once the threat is contained, you will have your exchange. Does your bond mean nothing, then?”

“We honor our promises,” Aenoh says, lips thinning at Sauer’s insulting tone.

“Commander,” Caden says, trying to defuse the mounting tension. “Let’s hear what Aenoh proposes, and then we will walk through the plan again.”

Aenoh clears his throat, and Sauer resumes his seat. I move down the table, recalling a few faces from the feast who are apparently Aenoh’s advisory council, as well as Cristobal and Inka, seated a few seats down from her father. A fierce-looking woman is seated next to Inka, one I don’t recognize. She’s as statuesque as the princess, with coffee-brown skin and short, spiky hair. Perhaps she’s Inka’s guard, although from what I’ve seen, Inka seems more than capable of defending herself.

Arven, Sylar, and Bass are seated between the woman and me, and Caden is opposite Aenoh.

Bass hasn’t said a word. He disappeared after the feast. When I asked him where he’ d gone, he was evasive, muttering that he needed some air. I couldn’t blame him. The whole song-and-dance routine is a little too much to handle when the people of Neospes edge closer to death. Even now, Bass seems preoccupied, his fingers drumming on the side of his chair as if he’s somewhere else completely.

“You okay?” I ask him in a low whisper.

“Yeah.”

“Do you have something to say, General?” Aenoh booms. All heads in the room turn in my direction.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I do,” I say coolly. “It seems counterintuitive to head back empty-handed. Perhaps you can spare some of your men, if not the whole army.”

“As a matter of fact,” he says in a mocking tone, “we have something better.” He nods to a few of the people at the rear of the room. As they exit, he brings up a hologram above the table. It’s obviously a weapon, a very compact machine about the size of an oxygen canister. It looks like some kind of enhanced electro-laser.

“What is that?” Sauer asks.

“It’s a directed-energy weapon,” Aenoh, says, flicking his fingers to make the hologram burst into separate fragments. “One designed to completely disable any robotics, including Reptiles. It’s designed to be harmless to humans, but there is a setting that will evaporate any organic matter, should you so choose. The firing mechanism is built with pulsed electromagnetic energy.”

“So it’s a maser,” Bass says quietly, his fingers still drumming. I’ d forgotten that he’s super qualified in robotics. “Amplified electromagnetic waves.”

“Yes,” Aenoh says. “You know of this technology?”

Bass nods. “They tried to build one of these early on in the War, but couldn’t get it to be strong enough at longer distances. The Machines picked our soldiers off before they could even fire off a shot. They couldn’t get the stimulated emission piece to work. How’ d you do it?”

Aenoh smiles. “That, my boy, is proprietary.”

Bass’s fingers clutch the table, and a muscle jerks in his cheek. But Sauer gets to the punch before he does. “If that thing is going anywhere near my ship,” he says in a firm voice, “then you better explain how it works. We have a highly reactive core and I’m not taking any chances with unknown tech.”

If Aenoh’s lips could get any thinner, they’ d disappear entirely. But he concedes after a silent exchange with Cristobal, nodding at one of his advisors, a bald man with piercing blue eyes. “Matias will explain.”

Matias stands and clears his throat. He expands the picture on the hologram, delving into its operating components. “We experimented with magnetic field compression within the device, using frozen hydrogen in the outer shell. As a result, the reactivity of the compressed core increased exponentially with a lower heat signature. We incorporated quantum processes, using gamma ray photons, to maximize the EMR or radiation burst.” He takes a breath, canvassing the room. “We were able to harness the combination to develop a working prototype.” Matias splits apart his finger and thumb to pinpoint a section in the holo, indicating the interior mechanisms of the weapon’s core. “Lastly, we used a particle accelerator here to maximize the electromagnetic burst, creating a kind of megaburst.”

Bass nods, and points to a series of concentric tubes. “So you’re saying that you used the same electromagnetic waves to energize the electrons, and then push outward from a circular accelerator here to increase the blast radius and amplitude.”

“Yes, that is correct.”

Bass leans back in his chair and exhales. “Risky, but brilliant.”

The man smiles at Bass’s praise. “Despite the considerable risks, the result was beyond our expectations—basically, a deadly voltage surge from the changing electric and magnetic fields that would have a devastating effect on all electronic mechanisms, sensor components, and automated operating systems.”

“So, there you have it,” Aenoh says.

“What’s the fallout?” Caden asks.

“Little or no effect on us, but all communications, electronic weapons, and the like would be knocked out. It’s a last resort.”

“Let me get this straight,” Sauer says. “You’re giving us this fantastic, last resort that will obliterate our enemies, but it will also knock out any defensive measures we have in place, leaving us vulnerable to attack.”

“Attack from whom?” Aenoh says smoothly, spreading his palms. “You’ll have destroyed your enemies. Isn’t that what you want?”

He’s so transparent. I suppress the urge to burst out laughing. I meet Sauer’s eyes, thinking of our conversation about Troy. Using this technology would only serve the Avarians. Their city will be untouched, while Neospes will fall.

“Destroying our comms and defense is not an option,” Caden says softly.

“You can rebuild.” Aenoh points a finger at his daughter. “You are allied with Avaria. Our cities are united.”

Sure, after you’ve plundered our resources. I frown. It would take years, decades even, to rebuild Neospes. We live simply, but much of our defense and food production depends on electronic technology.

Not to mention, me.

Sauer’s face is tight, as is Bass’s. I can see the tension in Caden’s jaw as he analyzes the scenarios. If they detonate that weapon with me within range, I’ d be just as affected as the Reptiles, and there’s no way to predict what would happen. There’s a good chance I would die.

More than a good chance.

But, of course, Aenoh wouldn’t know that. There are only five people in this room who know the truth about what I am, and they’re citizens of Neospes and loyal to the death.

But what if Aenoh does know? What if this is part of some elaborate plan to get rid of me? Era wouldn’t have told Cristobal or any of the other Faction leaders, but things have a way of getting out. Philip and Charisma both knew about me, and well, I’ve learned that loyalties can be shifted with the right incentive.

“It seems we have no choice,” Caden says in an even tone.

“The armies will follow, that I promise you.” Aenoh pauses for dramatic effect, staring at each of us in turn. “Because Matias and I will accompany you on your return.” Silence follows this announcement. The chief of Avaria coming back with us to a war zone, armed only with a deadly cannon and a weapons expert? “Matias is the only one who knows how to operate the weapon.”

“I’m sure he can explain to Bass how it works,” I interject. “In fact, that may be wiser, just as a precaution.”

“Of course,” Aenoh says, nodding to Matias. “We will leave in an hour, which will give us enough time to prepare.”

Inka pushes her chair back and stands. “I will come, as well.”

“No, daughter,” Aenoh snarls. “We agreed that you would remain here as leader in my stead.”

She glares at him, her body rigid. “You agreed.” A fiery look passes between them, but Inka doesn’t back down. “Your council can lead while you’re away. My place, as you’ve decreed, is with the Lord King of Neospes, is it not?”

“Enola will go,” he growls, indicating the woman at Inka’s side. “Your place is here.”

“Why? So you can throw her off the side of the ship? We both know how you feel about her, and so does everyone else in this room.”

His words are a vicious hiss. “This is not the place.”

“It’s never the place, or the time, or anything. Enola and I are both going.”

Aenoh’s face darkens and he pounds the table so hard that the hologram flickers. “Inka! That is enough. You will stay, as will she.” The venom in his voice has the hair rising on my neck. Apparently, there’s no love lost between Inka’s guard and her father.

“You cannot stop me.”

His nostrils flare. “You are my daughter.”

“And now bound to another.”

It’s like watching two brilliant swordsmen duel, neither giving in to the other.

Aenoh changes tactics, his voice becoming gentler as if he’s suddenly remembered his audience. “Inka… I cannot worry about your safety, and the people need you here.”

“The people will listen to what you tell them.” Something flickers across her face—a silent threat, maybe—and her father blanches. I wonder if it has anything to do with what she’ d begun to tell me at the feast.

The air is charged, but eventually Aenoh addresses the group. “The four of us will accompany you. Cristobal will update the Faction. Our armies will follow.” He looks like he’s going to explode. “Prepare their transport,” he tells the soldiers at the back of the room. “We leave within the hour.”

And just like that, everyone clears the room. Bass takes off with Matias, and Arven and Sylar head back to the ship. Sauer and I escort Caden back to his quarters in the Avarian dome. Cristobal accompanies us since he’ll join Caden in briefing Era before we leave. As we’re walking, I pull Sauer a few steps behind Cristobal and the Lord King, keeping my voice low to evade the cameras’ built-in voice recognition analysis software. “I don’t trust him.”

Sauer’s response is barely audible: “Me, either, but we don’t have much choice. At least we have a weapon we can use against Cale if we need it.”

“I don’t have to tell you what will happen if we fire that thing… what will happen to me.”

Sauer studies my face. “We just need to make sure you’re out of range deep within the Peaks. You’ll be safe. Arven knows those tunnels. We’ll make sure you’re there before we launch the weapon.”

“What about Neospes? We’ll be vulnerable without our defenses in place.”

“We’ll have to take our chances. And we need to figure out where Inka’s loyalties lie. She knows something… something that Aenoh is willing to barter for her silence.”

“I don’t trust her, either,” I say. “At least, not fully. Keep an eye on Caden. As much as Era trusts Cristobal, I think he’s in on whatever Aenoh’s planning. I’ll catch up with you at the ship.”

“Where are you going?”

“Need some air,” I say. That, and I want to find Inka to finish our conversation. Sauer arches an eyebrow at the four guards trailing behind us. “I can handle them.”

I take off to the right, watching as two of the guards veer off to follow me. I maintain a leisurely pace, jumping onto a short transport carrier that takes me to the edge of the primary dome, where the security team stops me.

“Identification.”

“I don’t have ID for your city. I’m one of your chief’s guests.”

The two men stare at each other and consult a tablet in front of them. “We cannot let you pass without a proper escort.”

“I forgot,” I say with a bright smile. “Here come mine right now.” I glance at the two guards, both of whom had been in the session room earlier, and make a big show of waving them over. “They have Aenoh’s clearance, and I would like to pass.”

“Let her through,” one of them says. “We have been instructed to stay with her.”

“Yes, sir.”

The open-air monorail sweeps through the indoor forest. This time, I see a flock of brilliant blue birds take flight, screeching loudly, and keeping pace with the monorail before swerving off into the trees. Despite my suspicions about their chief, what the Avarians have accomplished here is truly a miracle.

When the ride ends, I retrace my steps to the tent where the feast was held, the two men still trailing behind me. I don’t see Inka anywhere, but I do see the girl who dressed me earlier.

“Hey,” I say. “Do you remember me?”

“Of course,” she says, bowing.

“Have you seen Lady Inka?”

“She was here a few minutes ago,” she says. “She went hunting.”

“Hunting?” I recall the longbow at her side the first time I met her.

“Yes, in the forest.”

“Thank you,” I say in a loud voice. “Will you escort me to the hut? I’ d like to refresh myself before the journey and, perhaps, have a short rest.” She nods, and we cross the roped bridges, reaching the hut in no time. My two shadows place themselves on either side of the door, and the girl shoots them a meek look. “Don’t worry about them,” I say sweetly. “They’re here at Aenoh’s request to make sure I’m safe.”

I thank the girl so much that she’s blushing as she backs out of the room. “Please do not disturb me,” I tell the men stationed outside. “I wish to rest before we leave.”

They nod. I’m sure they’re wondering why a so-called ruthless general wants to sleep when she should be worrying about other things.

But I have no intention of sleeping.

I make my way to the window where I’ d seen Bass and take a deep breath, staring at the precipice below. Inching through the window, I plant my foot firmly on a thick branch and lower myself until I’m flat against the side of the hut. The branch sways slightly, but holds my weight. I take a deep breath and swing my body down to the next bough, hanging for a millisecond before I feel bark beneath my toes. Maneuvering my way down, branch after branch, until I reach wider limbs, I jump to an adjacent tree and glance up. There’s no movement on the bridges alerting others to my disappearance.

Once on the ground, I take off into the forest, using my tracking senses—a bent leaf here, a partial footprint there, the fragrance of an exotic flower just brushed by human hands. I engage my suit, pulling empirical data from the forest floor, running it against Inka’s biometrics, and calculating the odds that the tracks are hers.

I speed up, feeling the wind whip through my hair. A group of chattaras screech above my head, swinging from branch to branch and keeping pace with me. Their colors blur as they leap together—russet, tan, gold, and black—wildly jumping from tree to tree and making odd barking noises. There must be almost twenty of them. I run faster, leaving them in the distance, and follow the tracking algorithm of my suit.

Exhilarated, I come to the edge of the river where the trail ends. I catch my breath leaning against a vine-covered tree, and breathe in the lush scent of the forest. I’ve never experienced anything like this, not even in the Otherworld. This part of the river is shallow, but I’m mindful of the suit until a message indicator on my retina screen catches my eye—waterproof setting. My father wasn’t kidding—this is a pretty nice adjustment. I click on it, feeling the material shift against my skin, before removing my boots and stepping into the cool water. The stones feel heavenly against my bare soles. I let myself indulge in the sensation for a few moments when an odd sound catches my attention.

Wading across the river, I round a bend and pause in surprise. A long, thin waterfall descends from a steeply carved gulley. But that’s not what makes my jaw drop. It’s the woman standing beneath the plunging stream of water. I’ve found Inka, and, to be honest, I’m sort of wishing that I could un-find her right now. As if I needed to know that she has a perfect body, with not a blemish in sight.

I try to back away, aware that I’m invading her privacy but, of course, I’m not that lucky. Inka’s shout makes me stop. She beckons me with a smile as she wades over. Without an iota of embarrassment, she steps out onto the mossy forest floor and slips into a cotton garment. I look away. If I looked anything like her, I’ d probably have plenty of confidence, too.

“I was hoping you’ d find me,” she says, and then laughs, shaking some droplets from her hair. “Although, not precisely at this moment.”

“Sorry,” I mutter. “What do you mean you were hoping I’ d find you?”

“I did leave quite an obvious trail for you,” she says, arching an eyebrow. “If I didn’t want to be found, you wouldn’t have found me.”

“Thank you for making it easy.”

She grins and waves at the fierce woman standing guard on the embankment, her face, as always, expressionless. “Enola, come. I want you to meet the General.”

I notice that Enola has changed from her leather gear to a cotton tank and sarong. Nonetheless, a row of deadly knives rides on a harness at her hip. I also see the crisscrossing layer of scars across her shoulders. Inka catches me staring. “Enola used to be a slave until I freed her. She had a terrible master with a great love of violence.”

“A slave?” I frown. “I didn’t think Avaria had slavery.”

“We still do—it’s an abhorrent part of our culture, one that I’m trying to eradicate. Unfortunately, changing lifelong customs is not an easy task. You remember the girl who escorted you to your changing hut? She is one of Aenoh’s.”

I see Inka in a new light. People who fight for others are easier to trust—they’re not out for their own gain. “She was kind.”

“When I am chief, I hope to be rid of the practice.” Her fingers brush the scars that are visible on Enola’s arm. “For now, Enola is my guard and my most trusted confidante. Now you can understand why my father reacted the way he did earlier. She was a slave, and is common-born. I don’t care about such divisions. My father does, but he isn’t always right.”

I can’t help but think of the parallel barriers between Caden and me. Our situation is far more complicated than a friendship between a princess and an ex-slave—and far more tragic. Thinking of Caden, I remember why I was seeking Inka in the first place. “What were you going to tell me at the feast?”

“You shouldn’t trust Aenoh.” She studies me as though I’m a fascinating jungle creature. “He knows about you. He knows what you are, and he wants you.”

“Wants me? What do you mean?”

“He wants you.”

I flush and laugh uneasily, the sound reverberating through the trees. “Well, he can’t have me.”

“He already does.” I look at her, confused. “The Faction bartered your father’s life in return for his assistance to your city. Aenoh offered your father the option of his life for yours. So now you have been given to him.”

Knowing every despicable detail about my father, I never expected much from him, but this is a new low. “He can’t do that,” I whisper. “I don’t belong to him. I don’t belong to anyone.”

“In Avarian culture, it is a father’s right to arrange a match for his daughter.”

“We are not Avarian.”

“Not yet, but when the battle is over, and Neospes falls under our control as my father intends, you will be.”