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Prologue
Kali
Thirteen Years Old
The moment I stepped through the door, the familiar scent wrapped around me, soothing me like it always did. The smell of dust and mustiness was the reason most stayed out of the library, which made it my favorite place. PARA acted as if this place didn’t exist, and they barely kept up with their daily checks like they did with every other building.
“Good afternoon, Kali.”
I lifted my head, giving Asami a wide smile. Her silky black hair framed her face, hanging just past her shoulders. In the years since I’d met her, more silver strands had appeared in her hair, but I’d never asked her age. She’d confided in me that she was married for ten years before she lost her husband during the war. She was always happy to see me, but the pain never seemed to leave her brown eyes.
“Hi, Asami,” I said in a soft voice. We spoke in whispers, even though no one else was in here. “I’ve missed you.”
She rose from her chair behind the old wooden desk stacked with random books and papers. The library was one small room, and at first glance, the entire space seemed crowded and unorganized. But after coming in here for years, I’d learned that Asami had her reasons. It was just another way to keep PARA out. There was one narrow pathway throughout the stacks of books, and one wrong move could have them falling. This place was forgotten about, even by the city, leaving Asami alone like she wanted.
“It’s good to see you.” She expertly weaved around the towering books to give me a tight hug. “You’ve been busy lately.”
Guilt slithered around my heart and squeezed. Most of my time had been spent with Helena and Warner. One of the men who helped us since we were younger, Tim, was teaching us how to survive. He had told us we needed to learn how to fight. I had a feeling there was a much larger reason for his attention, and he’d made it clear he wasn’t going to explain anything until we were older.
“School has been hard,” I said lamely, knowing immediately that she wouldn’t believe me. Whenever stress ate at me, the library was where I came to escape. “There’s just been a lot going on.”
She pulled back, her hands staying on my shoulders as she studied my expression carefully. “You know I’m always here if you need anything.”
Warmth spread through me. Asami was always so sweet, and I felt terrible for keeping secrets from her. But Tim had made me swear not to breathe a word to anyone about the things he was training us in.
“I know,” I whispered. “Things are just different now.”
“I’ve seen you with Tim and Jill,” she murmured under her breath. “Please be careful, Kali. You’re not a child anymore, not in this life. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
My stomach somersaulted, and I swallowed thickly, not trusting my voice. Asami was quiet. Always listening and watching, seeing things others ignored.
She bit her lip, nervousness flashing in her eyes before she grabbed my wrist, tugging me toward the back of the room.
“Asami, what are you doing?—”
“I know you won’t be coming in as much,” she cut me off gently. “And I’ve been struggling with this for the last year. But it’s time.”
I frowned when we stopped near the back wall. “Time for what?”
“Do you remember what I told you?” she asked, her eyes darting toward the entrance, as if making sure we were still alone. “About them burning books?”
I nodded slowly. “Yes…that when the war ended, PARA destroyed literature that they deemed dangerous.”
“So many youths do not know how the world was before the war.” Her voice took on a frantic edge. “PARA wants the old world forgotten so they can keep their power. And they’re getting what they want.”
“You’ve told me stories about how it was before,” I said, still not understanding where she was taking this.
“It’s not enough. I want to share something with you. But you have to swear not to tell a soul. Not even your best friends.”
I licked my lips. “You’re scaring me, Asami.”
“Please, Kali.” Her hands cupped my face. “I trust you. Only you. And I need someone to carry on what I’ve been doing.”
“I’ll do anything you need,” I answered. “I can keep a secret.”
“If Tim and Jill keep up what they’re doing, this can help you in the future.” Her statement made me wonder how much she really knew. “Only tell them when it’s needed.”
Confusion swamped me, but I didn’t say a word when she turned away and crouched down. She quickly moved two stacks of books and peeled back an old blue rug, revealing the worn wooden floor. She stuck two fingers into a wide groove, and I sucked in a breath when she pulled the wooden plank up. Below it was a small handle attached to what looked like a hatch door.
