Meadowcity Read online

  The girl sniffed. “I’m not going to lock myself back in that cupboard.”

  Ember nodded.

  It was eerie walking through the dark city. The villas loomed up like the grassy hills they were, lit only by the rising quarter moon.

  A dim light glowed by the gate, where they could hear shouting, getting louder as they neared. Caylee took the lead and led them between villas towards the Citizen’s Hall.

  They edged toward the perimeter path to get a view of the gate, the stone Hall looming up over the villas they hid behind. They crept closer.

  A crowd of people had gathered on the stone court in front of the Hall. They had all circled around something they couldn’t see.

  Sylvia took her crutch and hobbled forward, ducking behind the next villa. The three of them watched from behind the mossy mound as someone was roughly brought to the center of the courtyard.

  It was Gero. A burly Scout threw him onto the stones, where he landed on his knees, keeping himself upright. The crowd gasped.

  Sylvia could see the Scouts positioned around the crowd, wolves and lions on tethers. Nearly twenty stood at the gate, the explosive orbs in their hands. There was no question of whether Meadowcity had a choice to obey.

  Governor Greyling stepped out of the crowd and into the clearing, his long black cape brushing the stones, silver fur poking out of the collar. Sylvia narrowed her eyes at the pale man. He was the reason for all of this misery.

  Sorin stepped up to Gero and slapped him across the face without preamble. When Gero looked back up, they could see bright red marring his cheek.

  “Gero!” a woman screamed.

  The Governor’s wife Anna rushed forward, her long blue dress flowing behind her. She ran to his side, as if she could protect him from Sorin.

  But Skycity’s Governor seemed to be taken aback.

  He stuttered. “Savannah?”

  Chapter Thirty Five

  Anna knelt by Gero, wiping the blood from his face with her sleeve. For some reason Sorin looked as if he had been struck as well.

  The elegant woman stared up at Sorin, defiance obvious in her eyes even from where Sylvia and the others crouched.

  “Well go on then,” she said, voice heavy with emotion. “Don’t you have something to say?”

  Sorin opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.

  “There is a threat,” he said, haltingly. “There is a threat to Arcera, and we can only protect ourselves by uniting under one rule!”

  Shouts came from the crowd—what threat?

  “We are not alone in Arcera,” he looked back and forth from Anna and the crowd. “There is—there is a fifth city,” he said quickly. “They sit on an island to the south. Their technology far surpasses ours—and they hate us!” he shouted.

  More yelling. It was ridiculous. No one had ever heard of a fifth city. It had been hundreds of years, why wouldn’t they have noticed it?

  “I’ve been there!” Sorin shouted, signaling the Scouts, who immediately brought the crowd to silence.

  “They’ve hated us since the beginning! They were rejected from Arcera, and now they want to take it out on us! We need to protect the Cities!”

  A lone voice from the crowd shouted, “By attacking us? Riftcity?”

  Too quickly, the voice was silenced. A blow fell from a Scout’s raised club.

  The courtyard fell silent.

  Anna looked up at Sorin, disbelief strong on her face.

  “Sorin,” she pleaded.

  Sorin’s face softened for the shortest of moments.

  He opened his mouth to speak, but was cut short when the treewall behind them exploded into a ball of sound and flames.

  *

  Sylvia, Ember and Caylee ducked behind the villa, as trees and branches were thrown in all directions by the blast. Just as suddenly as it happened, it was over, leaving a smoking hole in the treewall, wider than two villas stacked against each other.

  Peeking her head out, Sylvia saw the edges of the wall still burning, but the Scouts at the gate had scattered.

  Sonia, Sylvia thought. She must go find her. With all of the chaos, no one would notice her in the crowd.

  As she lifted her crutch, Ember grabbed her arm, piercing her with a sharp gaze. The redhead helped her stand, and the two of them crept around the villa, telling Caylee to stay put.

  Hobbling as fast as she could, Sylvia’s head was remarkably clear. They gained the shelter of the Hall’s stone facade and headed for the clearing. Sylvia searched for any sign of Sonia in the light blazing out of the Hall.

  Another explosion, and everyone’s heads whipped towards the other side of the gate, where another hole had been blown.

  Sylvia’s mouth hung wide. Through all of the chaos, and screams, and Scouts running this way and that, no one had noticed another army creeping up on them.

  Advancing through the gate was a rough crew of Riftcitizens, each with the same look of determination in their eye. Directly in front marched Ven and Flint, armed to the teeth.

  Sylvia and Ember watched wide mouthed as the newcomers poured in through the gate and began picking the Scouts out of the crowd and trying to disarm them. They pressed in to the city, reaching further into the crowd as smoke from the second bomb rolled over the courtyard.

  Gaining understanding, Sylvia leapt into motion, working the crutch to weave her way through the commotion. Meadowcitizens ran this way and that, causing more confusion. Two holes in the treewall gaped into the now dark forest, still smoldering.

  Her heart pounded harder every moment longer it took.

  Lark and Adeline must have her, she hoped. But what if something had happened to them?

  Someone grabbed her arm, and she jerked around, coming face to face with Sorin himself. His dark eyes leered at her from his pale face, the jet-black hair a disheveled mess, his cape askew.

  She gasped as he gripped her arm tighter and suddenly she was thrown off balance as her crutch was kicked out from under her. Eyes wide, she tried to gain her balance, but he yanked her forward, heading for the gate.

  “You,” he spat, “are to blame for this.”

  She could barely hear him over the crowd, her burnt leg still useless as he dragged her along.

  “I could have brought us together,” he said, his grip so tight that her arm was becoming tingly. “But you’ve made it difficult.”

  Sylvia tried to reach out, tried to get out of his grip, but the tincture had made her weak. She looked back at the Hall for Ember, but the redhead was busy corralling citizens into the Hall, getting them out of danger.

  “Emb—” she tried to cry out.

  Sorin’s other hand shot out and slapped over her mouth and nostrils, holding tight.

  They had reached the gate, and Sylvia could see the trees twining together above her head, and the stars dotting the night sky.

  She struggled to breathe as she began to run out of the air left in her lungs. She shot her elbow out twice, missing.

  “Ah, ah, not a chance. You’re coming with me. You’ll be a useful piece.”

  The stars above were losing definition as she fought to stay conscious. She flailed her head, but it did no good: Sorin’s clammy hand remained locked on.

  The battle was raging inside the city, those left to fight in the courtyard would determine Meadowcity’s fate. She heard a lone wolf howl nearby.

  Her body fought for air. Meadowcity is fighting for its freedom. We can’t lose! she thought wildly, realizing what she had to do.

  With all her will, she forced her burnt leg to come upright and hold all of her weight, shooting pain into that entire side of her body. In that same instant she kicked out with her good leg, landing it solidly in Sorin’s gut.

  Blown back, he floundered, cape tripping him as he threw out his arms to gain balance.

  With blurry vision, Sylvia reached down and yanked the knife from her boot, and leapt at Sorin, knife extended.

  Inches from his throat, she saw his eyes s
lide sideways to the city and the forest looking for an exit.

  Behind Sorin, Sylvia could see the ruin of the hillside in the moonlight: Skycity’s demonstration.

  “Why?” Sylvia asked, knowing she would never have a better opportunity. Surely he knew what she was asking.

  He shook his head, eyes darting to the gate again.

  “Beyond your imagination,” he said simply.

  “Try,” she suggested, and then glanced at the gate herself, wondering what he was looking at.

  The moment of inattention was all it took, and he pounced, jumping on her and reaching for the knife.

  They fell to the ground in a heap, air puffing out of Sylvia in one go. She cursed herself as she struggled; he had the advantage of weight and was using it to turn her knife towards her own throat.

  His shadow loomed above her as her muscles strained against him. The pain in her leg was back in full force as all of Caylee’s treatments wore off quickly from the adrenaline.

  But her strength was coming back too as the tincture wore off, something Sorin wasn’t prepared for as she forced the knife up and out, throwing him off.

  She tumbled away, coming to her knees and bracing herself, knowing she couldn’t stand properly anymore.

  Sorin was getting up, brushing himself off. He unclasped his cape, letting it fall to the ground. He smirked at her, poised in a kneel, pointing her knife at him.

  “You’ve cost Arcera,” he shook his head, glancing behind her. “There are things—beyond your imagination, out there,” he pointed to the south, arm swinging. “But we’ll have them. We’ll have them, and Meadowcity will be nothing!” he shouted.

  A sudden scuffing behind Sylvia forced her to turn, putting Sorin just in the corner of her vision. Out of the gate poured around fifty Scouts and their beasts, retreating to the path and the woods.

  Sylvia remained braced on her knees, blade guarding against Sorin.

  Noting the retreat, Sorin shook his head at Sylvia sadly, and then turned away to the forest, joining the band of Scouts. She watched as he clasped the silver fur collar of his cloak as they disappeared into the trees.

  Chapter Thirty Six

  Slumped with her back against the cold stone wall of the Citizen’s Hall, Sylvia watched as the men and women from Riftcity and Meadowcity worked to patch the ragged holes in the treewall. Ven, Flint, Ember and even Caylee were helping to unload great planks of wood off a trolley they had wheeled over from the woodworker’s.

  The young Healer had patched her back up before going to help the others, which is why Sylvia sat in a peaceful stupor, watching them put the city back together.

  Small feet came into her line of vision, coming to sit beside her. Sonia leaned her head upon her sister’s shoulder.

  Sylvia snaked an arm around Sonia’s shoulder, squeezing her again.

  Two hours ago, Ven had found her collapsed outside the city, watching the backs of Skycity’s Scouts retreating into the woods. Gingerly lifting her, he guided her back into the city, telling her about how he and Flint had gotten out of the Scouts’ custody with the help of his aunt Rekha, who managed to convince a Scout to let them go; and how they tried to rally some of the Riftcitizens into coming to Meadowcity’s aid.

  They were able to convince a small but eager bunch: those who were already doing their best to subvert Skycity’s men. They also managed to get a hold of two packs of their bombs, which were really the distraction they needed to overtake the Scouts.

  The small group of Riftcitizens were now gathered in the Hall, with most of Meadowcity, as wounds were treated, mouths were fed, and nerves were attempted to be soothed. A contingent of Riders and Gatekeepers had been stationed along the wall, a watch that would continue through the night, and, very likely, until they were safe.

  When Ven had led her back through the treegate, she had heard footsteps running toward her. Looking up, she saw Sonia flying at her, arms outstretched, her dark hair flowing behind her. Sylvia fell to hug the girl, closing her eyes as she held her close.

  Opening her eyes, she saw her parents approaching, looks of joy and pride upon their faces.

  Ven reached down to help Sylvia up from her hug, and she pulled heavily on him to get up. Lark pulled her into a surprisingly strong embrace.

  “You did it,” he said.

  She shook her head.

  “We barely survived,” she said. “If it wasn’t for Ven and Flint,” she locked eyes with Ven, “We’d all be sleeping on the Hall floor tonight.” She tried a weak smile.

  Ven smiled back, and took her hand, trying to lead her to sit down somewhere.

  But she hadn’t let him drag her into the Hall, where Sylvia could now hear raucous boasting about the night’s events as people tried to shake it off. People had begun to filter out of the Hall, now knowing Meadowcity would last the night.

  Sylvia glanced down at Sonia, who was fast asleep on her shoulder. She smiled. It was good to be home.

  Chapter Thirty Seven

  Sylvia looked up from the fire, after losing her gaze in it for too long. She sat on the huge stone bench circling the fire in the Great Room, and turned her gaze to find Ven walking towards her, holding two tall polished wood cups.

  Handing one to her, he joined her on the bench, staring out at the crowd.

  “Some Summer’s End,” he muttered, taking a long draft of his cider.

  Sylvia took a sip, watching the conversations in the Hall, void of cheer or celebration. The city had needed the distraction, but no one had much of a stomach for the occasion.

  But the children were playing, running through pockets of people, nearly causing Ell to drop a platter of sweets as two girls darted out of the doorway.

  In the corner of the Hall, Sylvia spotted Anna standing by herself, a wide berth given to her by those around her. No one wanted to talk to her since she had admitted to being nearly engaged to Sorin.

  Her mind heavy, Sylvia stood and stretched her legs; the burn had been healing quite nicely since she had stopped trying to battle with it. She fought reaching down to itch it. Caylee had told her itching was a sign that it was healing, but not to give in and scratch. Instead she gulped down her cider, and told Ven she would be back.

  He looked at her and then Anna, nodding.

  Slowly, Sylvia worked her way through the crowd, only limping slightly now in her soft leather boots.

  Anna looked up as she came near, squinting her eyes at Sylvia.

  “Where’s Cari?” Sylvia inquired kindly.

  “Oh, Gero took her on a stroll,” she said, looking at the doorway. Her long hair was pinned up, revealing her pale shoulders. A muted grey gown wound around her figure, flowing to the floor.

  “He’s been spending more time with her lately.” And not me, Sylvia felt her leave out.

  “How’s your leg healing?” Anna asked, true concern in the kind woman’s eyes.

  “Much better, thank you,” Sylvia said, not sure how to broach her topic.

  She noticed Ven was watching her from the fire, and he gave her a small smile and ducked his head. She smiled back.

  “Anna, I—wanted to talk to you about, well, Governor Greyling,” she said, looking everywhere but Anna’s eyes.

  The older woman reached down and adjusted the drape of her dress. “Oh?”

  Sylvia finally looked at her. Anna was staring back at her with a grave look in her eyes. The dark haired woman spoke before Sylvia could ask.

  “I think he’s serious, Sylvia. I think he really found it.”

  “What?”

  “The other city—he was raving about it in the yard—I think he really found it, and he wants it,” she said throatily.

  “Years ago, when we were—well, he had become obsessed with something, I could tell. He spent long hours locked in his office at night, meeting with his Scouts all hours of the day. He kept some old book locked in his desk.”

  “He never told me anything about it until he came back from Riftcity on a trip. I didn�
�t believe him then—it was so ludicrous—a fifth city? He was ranting on about how they had incredibly advanced technology there.”

  “It’s not Meadowcity or Riftcity he wants—it’s the other one.”

  Anna turned as she saw Gero entering the Great Room, little Cari in his arms. He continued into the hall, pointing out the great fire to the distractible toddler, her eyes lighting up at the bright colors.

  Sylvia thought about it, wondering if it could be true. She certainly hadn’t noticed another city lying about Arcera.

  But Sorin was obsessed. And with Riftcity still under his command, he would still be working towards his goal.

  Both Sylvia and Anna sighed loudly, looked at each other, and then giggled a little. It felt good to laugh at something.

  Anna drew up her shoulders to go talk to Gero, leaving Sylvia to go and find Ven. She turned to the food table to swipe an apple pastry, thinking that it was good that Meadowcity got to try and enjoy Summer’s End. The past week had been a tense time as the Council, Gero and the rest of the city tried to come to terms with the war.

  There was no question that Skycity was still watching them. The Gatekeepers spotted a Scout or one of their beasts prowling the woods nearby at least once a day.

  They were keeping their distance for now; it seemed they didn’t want a taste of their own weapons, which the guards now carried at the treewall. But he had three other Cities to fuel his war with, and that was far too many.

  Sylvia wandered the subdued crowd, nibbling her pastry, when someone grabbed her bicep. She spun on her heels, nearly forgetting where she was before she came face to face with Ven.

  She let out a deep breath, and shook off the fear that had bubbled up.

  “Sorry,” Ven said, recognizing the look in her eyes.

  She shook her head and brought a smile to her mouth. “Not your fault,” she said.

  “Want to go for a walk?” he asked, cocking his head to the door.

  She nodded, following him through the arched doorway. The Great Room led out into a long hallway running the length of the Hall. Their footsteps made no sound in the nearly empty corridor. The cold stone walls of the Hall reminded her now of Riftcity, and she shivered.