"Battle partners!" I shouted. "Take position!"
An eerie silence followed. No explosion, no movement. Just stillness. Around me, everyone scrambled into formation, pairing off and drawing weapons, eyes scanning the horizon.
Then, something moved.
A figure emerged, holding a white flag.
"Stand down," I commanded. "They come under a peace signal." I turned quickly to Nox. "Go hide."
"But I want to—"
"Please," I urged, giving her a light push toward the house. "Now."
She nodded and slipped into the shadows.
Everyone remained crouched, weapons gripped tight.
Across the plain, more figures appeared—dozens of them in crisp white uniforms, not armor. Their movements were practiced, rehearsed. Clean. Controlled.
Lyric tensed beside me, eyes narrowing.
"It's them," she whispered, a tone of awe—or dread—tinging her voice.
A projected voice echoed: "We come in peace. Please be assured we mean you no harm. We are emissaries from the Order of Eden. Would your leader come forth and speak with us?"
I took a deep breath and stepped forward, suddenly hyper-aware of how dirty and worn I looked. I ran a hand through my hair as I approached the emissaries.
A man broke away from the group to greet me, all polished charm and bright teeth.
"Callix Sable," he said, extending his hand. "I don't believe we've met."
"Alis De Aura," I replied, shaking his hand. "Why are you here?"
His smile faltered for the briefest second, then returned.
"We're a dispatch from the Order of Eden. Our Lady has taken interest in your village's progress. As you may know, we're part of a restoration initiative—encouraging constructive behavior and rewarding it where it appears." Callix said this all in the same steady, bright voice, but I saw how his eyes darted around.
"The credit belongs to a man named Rebel Ray," I said evenly. "This community is his legacy. Any reward should go to his people—and his next of kin."
Something flickered in Callix's eyes at the name, but he didn't break composure. "Shall we tour the village? We've come bearing gifts from her Ladyship."
I looked them up and down, my eyes narrowed. Did I have a choice?
Callix continued to smile serenely, and finally, I nodded and led them inward.
"The land restoration is impressive," Callix noted as his companions murmured their approval.
"That was Rebel's work," I said quietly. "I'm just continuing it."
"You've shown remarkable leadership," he added, smiling again. "In a short time too. Defeating dangerous Cradle dwellers—that's no small feat. We have brought a special gift for you, from the Heir of Eden himself. He sends his regards."
I narrowed my eyes but said nothing.
Callix waved at his people, and they carried in a ridiculous rose bush bearing golden blooms.
Callix practically bounced on his feet as he presented it. "To Alis De Aura, from the Heir to Eden. This flower came from her Ladyship's personal collection, suitable for a remarkable individual such as yourself."
"It was a team effort," I replied shortly. I beckoned to the villagers around me. "They can put it in the town square."
Callix seemed phased for a fraction of a second. I wondered if my indifference had actually managed to offend him.
"Would you be kind enough to show us the way?" Callix asked in a way that made it clear it wasn't a request.
I inclined my head slightly and led them toward the town square. As we went, we passed a number of people who froze to watch our procession. But as we approached Lyric, she stood at attention, unusually alert.
We met each other's eyes, and I noticed a difference. Something lingered there… hunger?
She did not move from our path; instead, she continued to stare.
I broke the silence. "This is Lyric," I introduced. "One of our finest fighters."
Lyric extended her hand, face fixed in a serious frown, but Callix barely acknowledged it. "Very good." He brushed past her.
I caught her gaze and saw a raw hurt.
His interest perked only when we reached the code weaving station. He was just beginning to ask questions when Priya stepped into view.
Callix froze mid-chatter. When he resumed, his voice had taken on a new tone I couldn't quite place. "And who is this?"
"Priya Ray. Rebel's wife."
Only then did it click into place. Vivid had used that voice when she had gotten her first hoverboard for her birthday. It was a sort of obsessed reverence. Except this wasn't cute.
Callix stepped forward and offered his hand to her.
"We admired your husband's work," he said. "We've come with a reward. Since he's passed, we extend it to you."
Priya shook his hand like it was diseased.
"With me is Dr. Prim Vel," he said, his voice suddenly extra syrupy. "She'd like to check in on your health—especially since you're expecting."
The doctor was already approaching, gently but insistently steering Priya toward the house.
"Is that necessary?" I asked, alarmed by how fast things were moving.
"Despite our efforts, mother and infant mortality remain high," Callix said smoothly. "The children are our future. Which brings me to your reward—access to one of our inner Cradles. Safe. Clean. She'll receive the best care possible."
"You want to take Priya?" I blinked.
He laughed, a short unfriendly sound. "Take? No, relocate her while she's vulnerable," he said, brushing it off with a hand wave. "Her husband's brilliance deserves recognition."
A shout came from inside.
"Excuse me," I rushed ahead, leaving Callix behind.
Inside, Priya and Dr. Vel stood at opposite ends of the room. The doctor held a syringe; Priya looked ready to strike.
"What's going on?" I demanded.
Dr. Vel turned calmly. "I was just trying to get a blood sample from Miss Ray."
I shot Priya a look that said: We need to talk.
"Would you give us a moment?" I asked, voice sugar-coated. "Let me speak with her alone."
Dr. Vel gave a pleasant smile. "I'll be just outside," she said—and it sounded more like a threat than a promise.
When she was gone, Priya let out a shaky breath.
"They want to take me."
"Yes," I admitted. "They asked for my blessing."
"Well, they can leave. I'm not going with them." She crossed her arms over her belly, jaw set.
"Let me try to negotiate," I said gently. "If they're offering something to the village, Lyric might go in your place—"
"You don't get it," Priya snapped. "It's not a reward. It's a reaping."
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"And I'm the one they want to reap."
I called for Corrin and instructed him in undertones to stay with Priya. Then I walked toward Callix, every bit of charm I could muster poured into my voice.
"I really think you should meet Lyric. She's responsible for this victory too," I said lightly. Before he could object, I called her over.
"Sir Callix Sable," she bowed her head low, "it's an honour to be in your presence again. Last we met, I was just a child—"
He cut her off, and from his tone of voice, I could guess what he was about to say.
"Miss Lila."
"Lyric—Sir, I was an archery student," she leaned toward him like he was the sun and she a flower. For a split second, I saw the girl she'd once been.
Before he could shoot her down again, I cut in. "Lyric is one of the best archers I've ever seen. She would be an asset to Eden—a mutually beneficial choice—"
Callix cut me off with a dazzling smile. He placed a hand on my back and guided me a few steps from Lyric, lowering his voice.
"Miss Alis, we are not in the business of offering charity to the infirm. I am quite sure having one less mouth to feed and house is of benefit to every settlement in this Cradle. Unfortunately, the Order of Eden has not secured enough land or housing to support those—"
"I'm not deaf," Lyric piped up from behind us. Her voice trembled—not with weakness, but with heat. "I'm blind in one eye. Doesn't mean I can't shoot straight. You said so yourself—I'm a natural."
I glanced at her. Her shoulders were squared, but her hands curled into fists at her sides. She wasn't just angry. She was shattered. Fighting to hold together the pieces.
"Just because one of those Castors took my eye—I'm nobody's charity case." Her voice cracked just slightly. Then she spun on her heel and fled—not in shame, but with the fury of someone who had just relived their deepest betrayal.
Callix sighed. "I do wish we could help those like young Lilac, but you must understand."
I pushed away from him, just slightly.
"I don't," I said, voice hard.
"Miss Alis, we've come as friends," he said, looking almost wounded. "Your village has received top marks for its order, its commitment to purity. But this status can change." His eyes glinted with a warning. "I suggest you rein in tempers. We're here to help, after all."
Suddenly, the sky darkened, and a battle cry pierced the air.
I turned. Callix was gesturing to his people. Some drew weapons.
"It seems we were followed," he sighed. "Most unfortunate, but this shall be dealt with. If you would just shelter in place—No doubt a Quell. We heard of you felling Hexa Quell, but they say the younger one escaped. And where one Quell survives, a whole nest springs up again. No doubt the little one has come for blood."
I bit back what I wanted to say—because the Quell he was referring to was hiding in my home.
The way he spoke of them, like they were a disease instead of fellow runners, made my mouth taste sour.
"My people can help you," I said through gritted teeth.
"Not needed. They will get in our way," Callix flashed me a grin. "We'll have this dealt with in just a moment."
I huffed but nodded. "Shelter in place!" I shouted to the few villagers peeking out.
I sprinted to my home.