Isaura (3 page)

“Practice!” I answered jumping over the hood of the car,
sliding to the opposite side to help Gavin. He'd taken out one outlaw but the
other wouldn't seem to take the hint. “Let me!” I shouted watching as the man
turned towards me.

“A girl?” He laughed, clearly unafraid.

“A girl who can kick your ass,” I retorted and did just
that. I kicked him hard in the groin, watching him bend over before I shoved
him headfirst into the car. He was out cold.

“Olivia? How did you do that?” Gavin looked at me with wide
curious eyes.

“We don't have time to explain.” I gestured for them to
follow as I ran towards their truck a few yards away. The keys still inside, I
turned it on and we continued our journey north to search for Joshua.

“Are you going to explain what happened back there?” Gavin
asked as we drove further north. I kept glancing back in my rearview expecting
to see the men chasing us but with four flat tires it wasn't likely.

“Not really.” I glanced at Gavin giving a weak smile. I
hoped it was enough to fend away the questions for a while.

Rane piped up, “You're going to have to tell us eventually.
I saw what you did. You didn’t just use training and fighting. You lit a guy on
fire, without matches!”

I sighed, glancing back at her. “You can't tell anyone what
you saw. Okay?” I still didn't know how I did it.

Rane held up her hands in surrender. “I promise. It's not
like anyone would believe me.” She put her hands down in her lap and I glanced
at Gavin. I still felt his eyes on me.

“I'm different. The people of Shadow, we're all different,”
I explained. I didn't want to elaborate but they'd volunteered and risked their
lives for Joshua. It was the least I could do, right? “They experimented on us
in Shadow. When you're a teenager, they can administer a cocktail of
Mindonsiphan to the brain. It allows you to see the world differently.”

“You did more than see things, Olivia,” Gavin pointed out.

“Yeah, I guess so.” I tried to remember what they'd told us,
what Chancellor Collins had explained to me. “The drug works in perception and
your natural physical and cognitive abilities. It doesn't allow us to do things
that we weren't already capable of.”

Rane laughed. “Yeah, right. I can't throw fire at a guy,
drug induced or not.”

I shot her a look and she shut up. “I didn't want this! Any
of it. I just wanted a normal life,” I reiterated. “It's not my fault they felt
it necessary to make us one of them.”

I felt Gavin's hand come to rest on my arm. “You saved us
back there. Whatever they did to you, it was worth it.”

I wasn't sure it had been worth it. I sighed, glancing at
him. “Thanks.” At least he accepted me, accepting what I could do and had
become whereas my mother had told me to leave and never come back. She had done
it to protect me but it still scared me. How long until word got out what we
were capable of? Would we ever be safe?

It grew darker as we continued our journey north. Dusk was
coming and we should have reached Haven by now. “We're lost,” I admitted,
stopping the car. I was hungry, but I doubted I could have eaten, even if we
had food.

I stepped out of the truck, glancing around. None of it was
familiar. “Where do you think we are?” I asked hoping Rane would have some
recollection. She had lived in Haven for most, if not all of her life.

Rane shook her head. “It should be here. Or nearby. We've
been driving for hours,” she whined.

Gavin sighed. “Soon it'll be night and too risky to travel.
It's likely we'll come across more outlaws.”

“So, what are we supposed to do?” I was trying to keep a
cool head, but the fact Joshua was gone and we were lost, I felt myself
unraveling.”Start a fire, stay here for the night and hope we're left well
enough alone,” Gavin commented. He walked off towards the forest.

“Where are you going?” I called to him.

“To bring back firewood. Stay there. Keep an eye on Rane.”
He knew I could look after myself. It was at least a reassuring change of pace.
I turned towards Rane seeing her look at me with a mere shrug.

Gavin brought back firewood and I was destined to start the
fire with my hands. It wasn't as easy as it had been when we'd been attacked.
Eventually I got the fire roaring and we all stretched out, trying to make
ourselves as comfortable as we could.

It was quiet for a while before Rane finally spoke up, “I
know you're married to Joshua and this may be entirely inappropriate,” she
paused, glancing at me. “But I'm glad if anyone married him, it was you.”

I didn't quite know what to take of that. “Thanks,” I answered,
staring down at the fire. I was tired and sore, but all I could think about was
Joshua. He hadn't reached out to contact me. That wasn't a good sign.

“I just mean I tried to hit on him when we were in Haven,
but he had his eye on you the entire time. Told me as much. I should have
listened to him, but we kissed. I'm sure he told you that,” Rane said.

I frowned at her. “No, he didn't.”

“Oh,” she laughed. “Well I swear it wasn't any big deal.
He's a good kisser, but he didn't have his heart into it, you know?”

“No, I don't know.” I stared at her. Why was she doing this?
To torment me? Joshua had sworn nothing had transpired between them. Why had he
lied to me? I tried not to feel jealous and betrayed. He'd chosen me. He'd
decided to marry me. I should have been happy but here I was, listening to Rane
go on and on about Joshua and it was making me sick.

Gavin watched the exchange and finally coughed, interrupting
the tension. “Hate to break up the reminiscing about old boyfriends, but I
think I hear company.”

We couldn't hide the fire, not without it smoldering and
showing where we were. I could use a glamour, possibly try and hide all three
of us, but it would be too exhausting and if Joshua would try and contact me I
wasn't sure I'd have the strength left to communicate. I'd done a lot as it was
today with the Mindonsiphan. I needed to be careful. I wasn't sure if there was
a level of too much and if I could overload my system.

“What do we do?” Rane whispered.

I closed my eyes, trying to focus on how many voices and if
it was anyone we recognized. “Coyotes.” I remarked, letting my eyes open. “You
hear coyotes.”

“Really?” Rane asked in awe. “Are you sure?”

I shrugged. “I wouldn't wander off too far if you want to
find out.” She didn't budge. Not that I expected her to.

Gavin moved to lie down, stretching himself out on the
grass. “I think we're within an hour's reach of the town of Spade.”

“They're not to be trusted,” I remarked, scooting my legs
closer to my chest. “They killed a friend of mine, for showing up at their
door.”

Gavin frowned at me. “Sorry to hear that.” He paused and
after a long minute continued, “I've never met any of them, but you hear
stories in Torv.”

I reached towards the fire, trying to keep warm. “What kinds
of stories?”

Gavin rolled onto his side, watching me as he spoke, “Tales
of how they refuse to follow the government’s rule and how they're allies with
Haven and Torv, but have their own militia and agenda. No one in the past
twenty years has reached past their gates since the rebel treaty.”

“What's the rebel treaty?” I asked. I hadn't learned about
that in Haven or Shadow.

Rane smiled. “You don't know?”

I shook my head, glancing between them.

Gavin answered me, “The rebel treaty was formed to allow an
alliance between the rebel cities. The government put the rebels against one
another when it had been under Cabal's rule. The three cities – Torv, Haven and
Spade – promised an alliance and would allow anyone who was not a member of the
active government into their walls. Its reason was to grow the rebel alliance
and over time defeat the government. It worked for a while until the government
threatened Torv. Torv, in return, gave up its men building an army for Cabal.
They received government protection, which is a way of saying the government
promised not to touch the town as long as they cooperated.”

“They broke the treaty?” I guessed.

Rane sighed. “Yes, it wasn't a known fact outside of Torv.
Rumors spread aplenty though. Haven suspected it but we could never find any
real proof. It wasn't as though we'd walk into a government city and ask them
if what they'd done was true.”

Gavin glanced at Rane. “It's why the town of Spade has
blocked itself off from any communication with rebels or the government. They
probably don't even know Cabal has fallen.”

I chewed my bottom lip, thinking about what he said. “Then
we should deliver the message.”

Rane's eyes widened. “Didn't you hear what Gavin just said?”

“I did, but I also think they should be a part of the new
government system. They should have a vote, a say in what they want. Maybe
it'll reign in the outlaws and instill order.”

“You're crazy if you think you'll be safe. You said they
killed your friend. What makes you think they won't shoot you?” She pointed out
the obvious.

“I'll be ready,” I answered matter-of-factly. “In the
morning, we'll travel to Spade. Then we'll find our way to Haven.” I yawned. I
hoped Joshua was there, I didn't know where else to find him.

I left before dawn, scribbling a note for Rane and Gavin.
Gone
to Spade. Be back before you wake up. Olivia.
I didn't want to worry them,
but we’d be in more danger if they followed me to Spade. I trusted they'd be
awake and I'd be back in no time. I just hoped it was as easy as I imagined it
to be.

I took the car with me, driving to the farthest point north
before being seen. Pulling over I turned off the car and shoved the keys into
my pocket. I wasn't going to let anyone steal it while I walked the extra one
hundred and twenty-two steps towards the gate.

“I've come to speak to your leader,” I called standing
unarmed and yet prepared. Should they try and shoot me the bullets would
deflect. Armor of pure energy. I'd never done it before but I was confident it
would protect me.

“Who are you?” a voice echoed from the top most gate and I
glanced up towards the rising sun, squinting.

“Olivia,” I said. “I've come to tell you the government of
Cabal has fallen and in its place a new government is rising. Each city is
electing three to represent its citizens. Your town of Spade has not been given
a place at the table. If you want it, let me in.”

The silence lasted for a long moment before the gate opened.
I passed slowly through the high-stone walls. My eyes moved over the fort, it
was unlike anything I'd ever seen before. Men rushed towards me in metal armor
with swords and shields. They parted ways as one man approached me.

“Search her!” the man shouted at me and I felt one guard
then two hold me in place. I didn't struggle: there was no need.

“I have nothing on me,” I retorted as a third patted me
down.

“It's safe,” the third stoutly man answered.

“Very well.” They let go of me and led me further inside
Spade. “Come with me.” My eyes moved over the city, the interior stone walls
and its fortress. There was no escaping from here, for anyone.

“Where are we going?” I asked, hiding my fear. This had
after all been my idea.

“To sit down someplace a little more comfortable,” the man
told me. “I'm Henry.” He held out his hand to properly introduce himself.

“Olivia,” I responded. “I've come to you for two reasons.”

“Two reasons?” Henry repeated curiously. “The first was to
tell us of Cabal's fall, am I correct?”

“Yes.”

“How did that happen?” His eyes narrowed with skepticism.

“The rebel alliance from Shadow led the attack…”

He interrupted me, “Shadow?” Henry frowned. “I don't know
it.”

“Most people don't,” I acknowledged. We'd done well in
keeping our town a secret. “Maybe you know of Chancellor Collins?” It was a
long shot, but he'd once admitted to being from the Eastern Rebel Alliance.

“Collins,” he repeated trying the word on his tongue. “Perhaps.
I remember a young boy in his teens who ran away decades ago.” Henry paused. “He'd
be sixty, maybe? Martin Collins. Could that be him?”

“I don't… know,” I stammered. I'd never asked his first name
and he hadn't provided it.

“Cabal is restructuring their government?” he prodded.

“They're seeking leaders from every neighboring city,” I
explained. “The Governors of Cabal are dead. Well,” I sighed heavily. “All but
Craynor. The other reason I'm here.” He opened the heavy wooden door for me. “A
friend of mine has been taken. I was hoping you might know something.”

Henry paused again with one door open as he turned towards
me. “Are you suggesting we have something to do with a kidnapping?”

“I never used that word,” I reminded him.

“Very well.” Henry turned walking into the chamber and I
followed a moment later. “We see it quite often in the Gravelands, kidnappings.
Pirates sell young men and women into the slave trade. It's not uncommon.” My
eyes moved over the stained glass windows and the painted ceiling. It was a
beautiful, old cathedral. I'd read about such places but had never seen one.

“What is this place?” I asked turning around in a circle
taking in every sight around me.

“Is that what you've come here to ask me?” Henry questioned,
leading me to sit down on an oversized plush suede sofa. Unlike a cathedral,
this seemed to be his living quarters. Some things still mystified me.

“No,” I admitted, trying to understand where I was and what
was going on. “The former Governor of Genesis Alpha, Craynor, has taken Joshua.
I've got no leads other than I suspect he went to Haven.”

“You're a ways from Haven, dear.” Henry smiled. “But I can
show you a map and spare you two men if you'd like.”