Page 50 of Kingdom of Tomorrow (Book of Arden #1)

In times of trouble, find safety and help in the Rock.

Apprehension tainted a stifling breeze as the sun descended on the horizon.

A lovely sight, to be sure, the sky ablaze in colors.

From the palest of blues to the most vibrant of pinks, with swirls of glittering gold.

An exquisite canvas that elicited nothing but terror in the people of Bala City.

As soon as the light vanished, feeders would come out of hiding.

This wasn’t a drill, a practice, or an exercise in a contained area. This was real life, with real consequences. There were no medics waiting nearby to administer aid.

Only one hour of light remained. The crowd poised at a razor’s edge of aggression. Vehicles jammed the roads, horns blasting. Traffic remained at a standstill. The sidewalks weren’t much better, people in a mad rush to escape the throng and lock themselves inside a safe space.

If the buildings here were anything like those in Lucrea, the doors locked automatically at sundown. Not even the chip embedded in a resident’s palm allowed entrance. Entire families could be stuck outside all night.

If we didn’t pick up our pace, we might get stuck.

A prospect that would’ve terrified me in the past. And yet, as we made the grueling trek to Cyrus’s apartment, fear remained at bay.

I was armed, and I had a strong, experienced warrior I trusted at my side.

Together, we could overcome any obstacle in our path.

Along the way, we helped those in need. I clocked every pritis stand, just in case I needed to lead people to safety. Whatever the stones were, wherever they came from, feeders still despised them.

“There aren’t enough knights assisting citizens,” Cyrus told the BE, having to shout to overcome the sheer volume of noises around us.

“All off-duty knights have been activated, and the newest crop of gentry won’t be ready for weeks yet.”

I took no offense. She wasn’t wrong.

“Are the Havens open?” he asked. To me, he explained, “Facilities filled with hundreds of small individual quarters. New builds scattered throughout the city, meant to be used like the cubbies in Theirland.”

How wonderful.

“I’ll find out, sir.” The BE used a transmitter to speak with whoever monitored the other end. “Yes, sir. The Havens are open, and many individuals and families have entered, but few are staying put, citing the expense is too great.”

Anger pulsed from Cyrus. “This is a state of emergency. The chambers should be free. If that’s too much to ask, I’ll pay. Just get it done.”

My admiration for him skyrocketed. “Why don’t we send the guards to escort any kids or elderly to the shelters? We can take care of ourselves.”

“You are sure?”

Had he kept them around for my peace of mind? A sweet but unnecessary gesture. “I’ve got you. I’m good.”

He clasped my bicep, gluing to his side, calling, “Disperse, and lead the most vulnerable to the Havens.”

BE Harper glanced over her shoulder. “I have orders from your father. Don’t let you out of my sight.”

“Then you don’t let me out of your sight. The others leave now.”

She scowled but bellowed, “Happy, you’re with me. The rest of you, go, go, go.”

The others scattered, weaving into a crowd that quickly closed in on us.

Our foursome picked up speed, pushing forward, navigating the surge, with the BE in front and Baron Happy at our rear—after he claimed possession of my pot, stuffing the entire container into a pack he then hefted over his shoulders.

“Thank you.” Hands free, I palmed a dagger and a netter.

“We’re halfway there,” Cyrus told me. “In case we’re separated, you need to know some things.”

I groaned. “Now we’re for sure getting separated.”

“I live in the Lux,” he continued, heart attack serious. “From here you’ll take three lefts and two rights, in that order. Repeat my instructions.”

“Three lefts and two rights.” The problem was, I couldn’t get into the building without him. I hadn’t yet been keyed into the system.

A high-pitched scream rang out, followed by shouts of panic. My heart and the rest of the world paused. Someone had just broken.

Cyrus tightened his hold on me as the masses erupted in hysteria.

The sound of thumping footsteps blended with squealing tires and colliding metals.

We quickened our pace, dodging runners. I had no trouble keeping up.

Breath sawed between my lips, adrenaline breaking free of its dam, pumping through me and searing my veins.

Another high-pitched scream rose above the commotion. Pops of gunfire joined the symphony. Around us, the terror level spiked. More and more people bumped into each other, including us. Cyrus took the first left to the Lux, pulling me with him.

A vehicle veered off the road, hopped the curb, and crashed into a building. Thick slabs of stone flew in every direction, dust clouding the air. The driver emerged with a shout of “Love Soal!”

Cries blended into a discordant song. The mob swallowed us, ripping me from Cyrus and shoving me backward.

Pushed through the ranks, I stumbled for purchase.

With great effort, I maintained my grip on my weapons, even when a sharp pain slashed over my eyebrow.

Warm liquid dripped into my eyes, blurring my vision.

“Arden!” Cyrus bellowed. I heard him, but I couldn’t see him through the haze.

“I’m here!” I bellowed back, wiping at my face. Where was he? Where were the maddened?

The dust thinned, the world crystalizing. A sea of unfamiliar, frenzied people hemmed me in. Drawing on sheer grit, I fought my way to a building and pressed against the bricks to avoid being trodden down.

“Cyrus?” I yelled, scanning my surroundings. The gunfire ebbed and flowed, rising in short, erratic bursts. “Cyrus,” I yelled louder. No response. He must be nearby.

How long did I dare to wait? On my own, I wasn’t ready for this. But I was less prepared to spend the night outside. And I wasn’t without skill or weaponry. Besides, we’d agreed to a plan, and I should stick to it.

I dragged in a deep breath and shoved my way into the crowd.

Though I flowed against traffic, I started jogging.

Running. Sprinting. Dodging. New screams added to the soundtrack, raising the fine hairs on my nape as it reached a terrible crescendo.

Eerie laughter came next. My finger twitched on the netter’s trigger.

Taking the second left, according to Cyrus’s instructions, I spotted a maddened in the process of tossing a teenager to the ground. Here goes everything. I charged forward, taking aim.

When the attacker raised his fist, I shouted, “Look at me.”

He whipped his attention in my direction, as hoped, then sniffed and licked his lips, as if he scented something especially tasty.

A grin appeared, and he dropped his victim.

The perfect opening. He stepped toward me; I fired.

The bullet whistled through the air, growing as it opened.

Yes! Upon impact, he hurled to the concrete.

Fine metal latticework secured itself around his body, pinning him in place.

Satisfaction bloomed, buoying my confidence. Oh, yeah. I could do this.

I quickened my steps, netting any maddened I came upon as I got closer to my destination. Five shots remained in the chamber of my last clip. My heartbeat kept rhythm with my pounding footfalls. Faster. Faster. Nothing slowed me.

The crowd thinned as I approached the final corner. Faster.

Heavy treads erupted behind me. I cast a glance over my shoulder and huffed. Two feeders gave chase, swiftly gaining on me.

Rounding the corner, I expected to see the Lux.

Shocked, I drew up short. Not an apartment building, but the Rock.

But how, why, when—no, it didn’t matter.

I was here. It was there. Currently, four people were clawing at the surface, as if desperate to get inside. No sign of Domino Crane, the librarian.

Deal with the imminent threat; figure out the rest. I turned and fired on one of the maddened chasing me.

Yes! Another dove my way. Evading, I squeezed the trigger.

Two down. Three shots left. No chance to pause and plan.

The other four pegged my arrival and converged in unison.

Definitely infected. I netted two, but the weapon jammed, leaving me with one less net than anticipated and two opponents to go.

Like a pro, I exchanged the gun for my second dagger, prepared to engage in up-close combat.

Suddenly a net I hadn’t released whizzed through the air, caging a challenger. I jolted with satisfaction when Cyrus zoomed into view, a weapon in each hand. He incapacitated the remaining infected with expert skill.

“You good?” he demanded, tossing me a new netter.

I caught it with ease. “Very.” He sported bruises, gashes, and ripped clothing, but he was alive and well. “You?”

“Been better.” His focus jumped over my shoulder, and he scowled. “Three incoming. The biggest is carrying a severed arm.”

I geared up to help him save the day, but. The Rock. My gaze landed on it. A powerful connection gripped me and refused to let go. I couldn’t look away. Didn’t want to. Everything else faded away, utterly insignificant.

A pulse vibrated over the maze of veins that branched through the iridescent, mirrorlike stone.

Crimson flowed straight into the outer rim of the circles.

The inner lines shifted and clicked together, forcing a connected crisscross, sending the symbols into a spinning rotation.

Vibrant flames sparked within each loop. Mesmerizing.