Page 19

FOURTEEN

F ieror was a city of dry grass, old buildings and dust storms. With rare clouds and rarer rain, the sun scorched the ground and bathed Fieror’s buildings in endlessly sharp, cinder heat. But with Cristo’s help, Vohre had hurled itself a hundred years into the future.

Even from the city’s outskirts, where Cristo’s central compound sat, every building shone with digital screens.

Sunlight beat against the tall structures, yet arching trees and plants protected the streets from the heat.

It was the greenest place Kel had ever seen.

Even greener than the dark forest they’d just passed on the train.

In the distance, Kel could see crowds shoving past each other in an endless tide.

The train had tossed them out too far from Vohre’s center to make out much more. Kel turned from the cityscape at her left and jogged to catch up with the three of Cristo’s employees who were struggling to lead Savita away.

“Where are you taking her?” Kel asked.

Sav ruffled her wings as a man guided her forward, a leg of raw meat dangling between his hands.

Kel had made it clear to Sav that she was safe—for now—to follow the employees, though the workers may be the ones in danger, tantalizing Sav with fresh cuts.

The phoenix’s head was lowered, wings pinned as she stared at the meat.

The brown-haired man to Savita’s right replied, “We’re just taking her to get settled inside her new aviary. You’ll be shown the way on your tour.”

Kel folded her arms. The workers had appeared beside their carriage when the train stopped outside Cristo’s property. They’d asked for Kel’s login details for Savita’s collar, and made quick work of luring Sav away.

Kel tried again, “She doesn’t like it when you—”

“You’re going to have to get used to letting others near her,” Dira said. She gave Kel’s hand a squeeze.

“Two seconds after we arrive?” Kel muttered.

“If they want their hands bitten off, leave them to it. Cristo’s going to want some say in who trains her.”

Kel grumbled. Dira was right. That was part of this whole arrangement; Savita would belong to Cristo just as much as she belonged to Kel. The thought grated against Kel’s bones.

Dira steered Kel toward the nearest building. Bekn and Coup were having their fingerprints scanned by a tall woman in a black uniform. A moment later, the metal gates guarding the building drifted open, and the Howlers were led inside.

All four jaws dropped.

Kel had heard Cristo’s estates referred to as facilities and compounds—but this was a city .

Labyrinthine corridors weaved in every direction and sky-high ceilings were connected by delicate bridges.

Every wall was pristine white, with long, tinted windows that seemed to reach the clouds.

The intricately carved ceiling loomed over them like a tidal wave.

The air was clinical, with the faintest taste of sweet incense wafting through the air, like a flower trying to bloom beneath cracks in cement.

The glittering grandeur filled Kel with awe and fear.

Every lustrous inch of this building reminded her of the stakes now guiding the Howlers’ steps.

This sponsorship wasn’t free of strings.

Kel didn’t know what those strings looked like yet, but she did know that this was her last chance—her only chance—to save everything she loved.

The Howlers were led through security gates and past a reception desk. When they stopped before another set of clinical, pearly doors, a figure stepped through.

Kel doubted the girl was any older than her. Her ink-black hair fell in a straight sheet down her back, over a blue coat that reached the ground. Her uptilted, hazel eyes were softer than Coup’s, reminding Kel of the cooling Sheathing Season, of dry leaves bronzing and falling.

Her porcelain skin was just a shade darker than the white of her teeth, framed by rosy lips that pulled up into a grin. “You must be the Howlers.”

Dira’s eyes roamed the girl. “We must be.”

The girl beckoned them forward. “Come on. I’m meant to give you a tour of the facilities.”

The Howlers exchanged another look and hurried to follow. For such a short, wispy creature, the girl certainly moved fast.

Through the doors, a large hall was partitioned into smaller offices cluttered with desks and bent heads. Dira cleared her throat. “And you are?”

“Didn’t I introduce myself?” She laughed softly. “I’m Rahn. I’m a part of the CAPR program. Canen asked that I show you around while he’s at a conference in Dresva. He’s returning soon, but he didn’t want to keep you waiting.”

Silently, they each absorbed Rahn’s words. She’d called the head of this entire corporation Canen . They all stood a little straighter.

Rahn went on, “Cristo Industries is a bit of a maze, so I don’t expect you to remember all of this. I’ll just show each of you your workstations, and then your accommodation.”

She turned back to the group. “I live here, too. It’s much nicer than it seems, I promise.”

Kel raised an eyebrow. If that were the case, then it must be fit for the Alchemists themselves.

Rahn scanned her security badge, leading them down an elevator and along a corridor.

Dira showered Rahn with questions as they walked, her voice an octave higher than its usual dry, gruff notes.

Kel hid a smirk at Coup’s and Bekn’s perplexed frowns.

Dira had always been quick to fall for—and away from—girls who crossed their paths.

After a few more identical turns, Rahn led them into a room with no windows. At the center sat a small rectangular desk, surrounded by leather chairs.

Rahn gestured for them to sit. “I’ll need you to sign your contracts and NDAs before we go any further. I know you must have questions, and as soon as you sign these I’ll be more than happy to answer every one of them.”

A clawed hand reached inside Kel’s stomach and squeezed. Bekn took a slow step toward Rahn. “What kinds of NDAs?”

Rahn beamed. “Oh, it’s all very standard. Just a few clauses stating you won’t discuss our research and projects with anyone outside the company.”

Bekn nodded and took another step forward. They each followed, like ducklings trailing into unknown waters.

Bekn skimmed the papers once, twice. His fingers followed the text and paused halfway down the second page. “This says that we’ll be required to ‘ perform well ’ in CAPR races. That’s very vague.”

Rahn’s smile wilted. “Oh—I’m sorry. It’s a standard sponsorship contract. Most sponsors ask the same. There are no set expectations when racing. Just… that you try your best.”

Rahn’s voice fluttered as she spoke, like a balloon losing air. Kel couldn’t tell if the girl’s words shivered from nerves or excitement.

The former filled Kel’s gut, pretzeling into a feeling she couldn’t name. From Bekn’s blank expression, Kel assumed Rahn’s words were true.

Kel had never signed a sponsorship contract before.

She didn’t know what strings typically came with them.

But if the Howlers didn’t perform well in CAPR races, if they didn’t place , she’d be back on that hill, watching her aviary turn to ash, hiding from bankers, saying goodbye to Savita. To her home.

Bekn reread the contract. A few minutes later, he nodded to the Howlers, and, slowly, they each drifted around the desk. Kel picked up a pen and twirled it between her fingers, delaying the inevitable.

“Where’s Savita?” she asked.

“She’ll live in one of our larger aviaries with the other trained phoenixes, though she’ll stay in a private space while she acclimatizes. I’ll be happy to show you, but Canen will have my head if I don’t get you to sign these forms first.”

Reluctantly, they each scribbled their signatures across the papers and stood. Kel’s knees felt weak as Rahn clapped her hands. “This is perfect! Taking this job was the best decision I ever made. I was so excited when he told me the four of you would be joining us!”

Dira tilted her head. Her eyes roamed Rahn again. “You’ve heard of us?”

Rahn’s cheeks reddened. “Of course I have! You might not have competed in Vohre before, but you all still have a national ranking. Everyone in CAPR knows who you are, especially now you’re on the same team!”

Unease rippled through Kel. What else did this girl know about them?

“Follow me,” Rahn said with a wave. “Now the fun can really begin.”

They followed Rahn through the Cristo Research Center, past the medical center, and, finally, to their workstations.

For the second time, their jaws dropped.

It was an entire racing track. Indoors. As large as Kel’s entire farm.

Adjustable netting and obstacles hung from the roof.

Rows of bridles, reins and collars hung against the far-left wall above five saddles, all bearing differently shaped pommels, seats and buckles to accommodate different tracks.

The ground was covered in a thin layer of dirt, but Kel spotted grains of sand and rock scattered throughout.

Remnants of different terrains to practice on.

“Is this entire track for us?” Kel breathed.

Rahn nodded. “Canen doesn’t develop much technology here. This compound is only used for CAPR training, phoenix research and medical studies. This is just your training track. You all have individual workstations, too.”

Coup released a disbelieving laugh. Bekn practically vibrated with excitement. Dira’s own chuckle bounced around the cavernous hall. Even Kel couldn’t hide her awe; the tension in her shoulders slipped away, and she grinned at Dira.

The Howlers had to prove their worth to Cristo. They had to win CAPR races in Vohre, a city with a reputation far more devastating than Fieror’s. But maybe… this wouldn’t be as terrible as she’d thought.