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“I didn’t know if it would be enough. I didn’t know if it would save her. I hadn’t even considered that she’d become an elite, though I’m glad she did.”
We fell into silence, retreating into our own thoughts. He’d changed Penelope into an elite, without her permission. He hadn’t meant to, but I could see it weighed on his conscience. But who wouldn’t save the one they love, at any cost?
We crossed through the sparse woods until the path led over a ridge and we could see the citadel. Its sparkling towers were lit up like crystal daggers, so brightly it cast a halo into the dark sky. The stars twinkled like diamonds above it.
“Ready for this?” Tobias asked. The subtle embroidery in his dark cloak shimmered in the moonlight. It looked expensive, but not showy. His loose, flowing hair danced in the wind for a moment.
I took a deep breath. The air felt cold, with a hint of fennel. A rabbit darted across the road and I resisted the instinct to reach for an arrow. Up ahead, flickering torches lined the perimeter walls, and bright fluorescent beams shone down from the guard towers. Different from the strip, which had been lit by soft-colored neon. These lights were blinding. The dark silhouettes on the ramparts trained their bows at us as we approached. I shivered, realizing that these were probably the same men who’d shot at us a few months ago, after escaping during the trials. But I couldn’t hesitate now. I hustled to keep up with Tobias’s long strides, as the citadel loomed above me like a mountain.
Even the doors were taller than the buildings in Algrave, controlled by inner mechanisms. But we kept our hoods up until we reached the gates, all except Tobias, who lifted his and looked up clearly, scowling at the guards who moved to stop us until they backed away. The main gates were still closed, however, and a pair of burly uniforms blocked the smaller side entrance.
“You know me, idiots,” Tobias snapped.
“You, yes. Don’t recognizethem.”
The guards leaned closer to peer at our faces with a burning torch. April pulled her hood back but I kept mine up.
“Of course not,” Tobias said. “They’re from Algrave.”
“And they sent you down to rescue a pair of old strays?”
Tobias sent him such a glare the man flinched and backed away.
“Nigel wants the whole town evacuated, and your lot screwed up, so yes, he sent me. To fix your mistakes. But maybe I shouldn’t give you the chance to make any more. Maybe I should charge you for the time you’ve already cost me.” He smiled, revealing the sharp edge of his fangs. This made even the captain stand down, and he took a key from his pocket to unlock the small side door and lead us into a narrow guard passage beneath the stone walls.
“Sorry, Nigel said to look out for anything dodgy today. Even from elite.”
“Then you can keep your head, and your job for now. Honestly I don’t care enough to do anything about it. I probably won’t even remember your face.”
We followed closely behind Tobias as he made his way through a tight wooden corridor, which delivered us just inside the citadel. I let out a slow breath of relief.
“Bit harsh, don’t you think?” April said.
“I was acting,” Tobias said. “I had to sell it.”
“And you kept our masks on the whole time?” I asked.
“See for yourself,” he nodded. Nearby was a fountain with a smooth pane of water. I leaned over it to check my reflection, which was one I didn’t recognize. I watched the old woman fade away, until my dark eyes were looking back at me, and pulled down my hood to make sure my face was covered.
“That was easier than I expected,” I said.
“Easy for you maybe,” Tobias said. “You didn’t have to do anything.” He looked paler, and his eyes were rimmed with crimson. “They should have had more elite down here, but I guess everyone is still pretty squeamish about the sunrise.”
“Good thing though,” April said distantly, “or we’d all be fucked.” She was scanning the sprawling city within the walls. It was dark inside the citadel, apart from the rows of streetlamps that carved out small halos of warm light between the shadows. But the sky was lightening and already some vendors were starting to open shops or set up their stalls in the market. It smelled like fir and pine, with spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg. Hot mulled wine, for winter’s fest. Tall pine trees strung with lights surrounded the wide circular square in the center of the citadel.
“I’ve never seen it in the winter,” I said, feeling nostalgia hit.
“It’s beautiful,” April nodded, clutching her bag tightly and looking around with wide eyes. “Like the Culling never happened.”
I knew what she meant. Even after having spent months here, there was always some new corner or street I hadn’t explored. And compared to the wilds or the ruined cities, it looked well-maintained. Though my sharp eyes could pick out signs of distress, like the remnants of the painted X’s that covered the doors, when King Richard had turned off the purification engines and checked each house for rebels.
“Great,” Tobias said. “Maybe we’ll sing carols later. After we’re done killing everybody.”
“The only carols I know are praises about the monarchy, I think. Oh and being joyful and grateful.”
“I’ll teach you some new ones,” April said, squeezing my hand.
“Anyway,” Tobias cut in, eyeing the horizon nervously.
