Page 62 of Kingdom of Tomorrow
Before POD patrol the next morning, I grabbed a meal bar and ate it on the go. Dread eclipsed every other emotion as I sealed myself inside a POD and suited up. What would I say to Cy—the HP when we linked up? He was an instructor, nothing more, nothing less.
Except, I wasn’t paired with the HP but a soldier who did nothing but stand guard at the entrance of a pritis mine. Hours passed without action, covered mine carts self-wheeling along a track located within a metal building. And that was fine. Great actually. From the beginning, this was the kind of job I’d hoped to score.
Only problem was, my fatigue continued to demand its due, and once again I nearly fell asleep on my feet. Once my shift ended, I shed the equipment, determined. If I didn’t find a spot to rest, I might collapse.
Exiting my POD, I found an unfamiliar soldier waiting for me. She confiscated my key card and motioned for me to follow her. I gulped. Maybe one of the captured glowers had mentioned my name. I could be on my way to an interrogation.
Dread resurged, but follow her I did. We wound through the building, eventually entering a hallway with multiple metal doors. She stopped, waving me into a small closet-size room with a bed, nightstand, mirror, and toilet.
A private cell? A prison? Frowning, I stepped inside for a better look. Maybe there was a note?
Without a word, she closed the door, sealing me inside.
“Wait!” I lunged and pulled on the handle. The entrance remained locked.Don’t panic. No big deal.
A digital note flashed over the mirror. Get some sleep. My son tells me you need it. You’re safe, you have my word, and the time is my treat. King Tagin Dolion.
A thousand different thoughts swirled, but I had no idea which ones to boot. Not that this was the time to think. Moaning, I threw myself across the bed. The mattress was firm, but I didn’t care. My heavy eyelids drifted shut.
I dreamed of Cyrus.
Chapter Sixteen
Our enemy has a sole purpose: to steal what’s ours, kill us, and destroy those we love, but I have restored all.
—The Book of Soal2.4.10.10
I didn’t see High Prince Dolion in Theirland again, not even when we lined up to return home. And I was glad. I had yet to shed residual images of him from my dreams. Images of him smiling and laughing, utterly carefree and looking at me in ways I shouldn’t like. I’d made a big mistake, letting myself get too comfortable with him. Had opened up a little too much and revealed vulnerabilities best left hidden.
Mistaking someone’s personal goal as friendship was a rookie’s blunder I wouldn’t make again. The HP’s concern centered on his own personal victory, not my well-being. And that was fine. His prerogative. But still it hurt. Now, at least, I knew my place. From here on out, I’d be all academy all the time, as promised. Well, except for my investigation intoCured, Theirland, Soalians, and the Tome Society. I’d also be a better friend to Shiloh. How was he?
“Next walkers,” a guard announced.
My turn. Conversations faded from my awareness, my entire world revolving around the tear in the atmosphere. Ignoring Technicolor memories of pain and helplessness, I entered the shadows.
Agony consumed me, just as before, cells exploding, bones cracking. Or seeming to. My knees buckled. I crashed to the floor, air bursting from my lungs.
Titus swooped over to help me stand. “You all right?”
“Yeah. Thank you.” I turned to aid the realm walker who exited after me. The ever-silent Cash appeared, ashen and quaking. I caught him when he fell, but his heavy weight dragged me down with him.
New goal to add to my list: build muscle.
Jericho appeared after him. He grimaced but didn’t miss a beat. In fact, he bent to heft Cash and me to our feet.
“Thanks,” I muttered and jetted off. No breaks on return days. Warm-up kicked off in fourteen minutes.
“Hey, Arden. Hold up.” Jericho swooped to my side. “Look. I know you’ve got something going with the HP.”
I sputtered with indignation. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. And that’s quite a feat, considering you once told me you’d already bagged me in your mind, and out of the goodness of your heart you were willing to show me what I did wrong in your fantasy so reality would be better for you.”
Jericho puffed up his chest, his version ofyou’re welcome. “Save your denials about a romance. During my first patrol, I was paired with a guard in the HP’s truck. You made the coldest guy I’ve ever met smile. And I get it. You’ve got this whole understated beauty thing going on with your big eyes and pouty red lips. What I don’t know is whether I saw the HP eat a Theirland berry and vanish.” He lowered his voice. “No one else seemed to notice or care. Am I losing my mind?”
No need to ponder it. “Yes, you are.” I wasn’t the HP’s biggest fan, but I didn’t have to wonder if he’d eaten the fruitCuredwished to test. No, he hadn’t. He wouldn’t risk his life or his victory. Granted, he hadn’t returned with a berry, but that meant nothing. Less than nothing. No doubt the strobe effect of light and dark had played tricks on Jericho’s mind. “Another possibility is—and please excuse my reliance on logic—the HP seemed to disappear in the darkness.”
Jericho narrowed his eyes. “Except I saw it. He was there, then he wasn’t. So? What didyousee?”
“My feed got cut before the big battle,” I admitted, and he huffed.
