Page 20 of Kiss the Dawn
“Rodney, this is Orina,” Lorenzo said. “Orina. Rodney.”
“Good to meet you,” Rodney said.
“Likewise.”
Lorenzo took my bag off me, and we followed Rodney back to the van. We’d picked up some essentials on the way here, underwear, some clothes, and washing stuff, so the bag wasn’t heavy, but Lorenzo was one of those old-time gentlemen.
To think, Ordell and Hemlock went through an arch like this every time they left the dome for their hunting.
This whole paperwork stuff had me curious, though. “Who authorizes exits?”
“The council has the power to authorize passes,” Lorenzo replied. “Some are one-time passes; others are regular passes. Bounty hunters and trackers usually have permits.” He slid a glance my way, a silent communication not to probe too deep in front of our driver because there were other ways. Secret sneaky ways that Lorenzo had used in the past to smuggle people out.
Rodney opened the side door, and I climbed inside, letting out a low whistle at the opulent décor of black and silver that gave the relatively small space a penthouse suite feel. There was a neat kitchen and dining area, a sitting room section with a long sofa and coffee table, and a closed door behind which was probably the sleeping area.
Lorenzo joined me. Doors slammed, and the engine started up. I braced myself on the front seats, peering out the windshield as we drove toward the gates. They glided open to let us out onto the dusty road that led to the arch, which was so much larger up close.
My teeth buzzed, skin singing. Closer and closer toward runes burning brightly against gray stone, until they were almost blinding in their intensity.
Rodney hit the gas, and we shot forward, hurtling toward the gate at a reckless speed that made me want to whoop. We zipped under it. My heart expanded and my stomach flipped, then we were through, rolling down a dirt track onto barren land as the electric grip of magic fell away.
I wasn’tsure what I’d imagined the Rim to look like, but it wasn’t this lush green vista of fields and forests that seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see on either side of the road we were on. I guess I’d thought the outside of the dome would have been arid and dead.
Lorenzo sat facing me at the dining table as I watched the world whizz by.
“How much do you know about the Rim?” he asked.
“Just that it’s dangerous. Wild and open. That the people who live out here are broken.”
He shook his head. “Of course that’s what they’d teach at the magisterium.”
“It’s a lie, then?”
“Not all of it. It is wild and open out here, but it’s also beautiful, and there are plenty of broken people inside the dome as well as out here. The Rim is home to many humans and supernatural beings, and their lands are governed.”
“The consortium has power out here too?”
“No. The gargoyle council does.”
“Did you just saygargoyle?”
“How about I make us some lunch while I tell you what I know.”
“Sounds good to me.”
There was a fully stockedfridge in the house on wheels, and Lorenzo pulled out a couple of steaks and some salad stuff, rolled up the sleeves of his black polo shirt, and set to work.
Lorenzo made chopping tomatoes look sexy. “You sure you don’t want a steak?” he called out to Rodney.
“Positive,” Rodney called back. “I’ll take a break and grab a bite later.”
Lorenzo continued chopping, leaving mefascinated by the play of muscle up his forearm. I had to stop staring at him. “So…gargoyles?”
“Yes. They protect the Rim against creatures called graynites. Have done for the longest time. Although the consortium hasn’t had a threat report for a few months.” He paused to frown. “I’ll have to check on that when we get back.”
“Wait, back up. What’s a graynite?”
“Creatures from another realm that made it into our world a long time ago. It was why we created the dome in the first place.”
